The interest in essentials oils has exploded in recent years and many in the wellness world swear by the healing qualities of these oils when it comes to the treatment of stress, anxiety, headaches and insomnia. The increased popularity of this industry has also led to the creation of a relatively new piece of technology: the essential oil diffuser.
Unlike oil burners that use tealight candles to emanate scent through heat, diffusers use water to disperse the scent of the essential oils. You simply pop a few drops of your chosen oil into the water container and the device diffuses the aroma around the room.
There has been much research as to the effectiveness of essential oils and while some results have looked promising, more research is needed in this area, says Healthline. Many experts view the use of these oils as low-risk so if they work for you, go with it.
“Essential oils don’t work for everyone, but there’s no harm in trying them as long as you use them in a safe way,” says Harpreet Gujral, program director of integrative medicine at Sibley Memorial Hospital, told John Hopkins Medicine. “Even if they just boost your mood, it can make a positive impact on your health and well-being.”
Even if using essential oils triggers the placebo effect in some people, this is still a good thing, psychologist Mark Moss from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Surely engaging in behaviour that is not harmful in any way, and in fact makes you feel better, is beneficial,” he said.
So, if you’re on the hunt for an oil diffuser, Kmart is the place to go. A quick squiz of the Kmart website shows that the retailer is currently selling 10 different aroma diffusers. Yes, 10.
In true Kmart fashion, the diffusers are aesthetically pleasing and affordable, with all of the diffusers falling into a price range of $15 to $55. Here are our picks of the bunch…
— USB Aroma Diffuser
For only $15, this diffuser creates a soothing atmosphere and provides a soft illumination thanks to the LED light. It also includes a timer, so you can choose the time of operation. This devices charges via USB, so you could even plug it into your laptop and have it diffusing relaxing scents as you work.
— Glass Aroma Diffuser
Thanks to the glass body and LED lights inside, this diffuser can change colour. It gives you the option to choose between colour cycling (where it constantly changes colour) or one single colour including blue, yellow, green and purple. The addition of a timer also allows you to run the device for one, two or three hours or continuously.
The 100ml capacity water tank allows for a five hour run time without needing to refill. This diffuser will cost you $35.
— Wood Look Aroma Diffuser
For a slightly different vibe, you might prefer the Wood Lock Aroma Diffuser for $39. It also comes with four timer options (one, three and six hours as well as steady on) and has seven colour options that light up the thin line near the dials. The larger water tank allows for six hours running time without refilling.
— Aroma Diffuser with Bluetooth Speaker
This two-in-one device allows you to diffuse your essential oils while also listening to music via the in-built Bluetooth speaker. It also has an alarm clock in it too, should you need it.
The 300ml capacity tank allows for 10 hours running time without the need to replenish the water and you can choose from four timer options. It can also be changed to emit seven different colour options. This diffuser comes in at the top end of the price range at $55.
— Mirabella Smart Home Genio Wi-Fi Glass Aroma Diffuser
For something a little more high tech, the Mirabella Smart Home Diffuser is your best bet. You can connect this device to Wi-Fi and control it via the Mirabella Genio App. It also works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control, making it an intuitive piece of equipment.
It also has a timer and scheduler, so you can program the diffuser to switch on before you get home and arrive to a lovely smelling house. All for $49.
