Which Fragrance Diffuser is Right for You?

Fragrance diffusers are a simple and effective way to distill your favourite scent in your home to relax. Learn all about the different types of diffusers, how they work, and our tips for choosing which kind of diffuser is right for you and your lifestyle.

History of Diffusers

Incense was the first form of perfume created by the Mesopotamians around 4000 years ago. Incense from juniper and myrrh have been discovered in the tombs of Pharaohs from Ancient Egypt. In fact, many ancient cultures burned resins, woods, and herbs as part of their religious ceremonies. But it wasn’t until the 8^th century that Arab and Persian chemists figured out a way to distill fragrances, which allowed perfumes and home fragrances to become manufactured and traded more extensively.

How does a fragrance diffuser work?

It depends on your type of fragrance diffuser!

A reed diffuser consists of three elements: a vessel (usually made of glass) containing the fragrance or essential oil, and natural wood reeds. These reeds have small capillaries that absorb the oil. The oil move ups the reed and then evaporates at the top. This allows the fragrance to be dispersed into the air. It is super simple, and super fragrant all at once!

Did you know? Modern day reed diffusers were first documented in the book Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales by French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé in 1937.

Meanwhile, an electronic mist diffuser functions by creating ultrasonic waves with a small disc. This allows the oil to break down into microscopic particles, which then become a vapour and are dispersed as a fine mist. Mist diffusers like the Aroma Energy collection from Maison Berger allow you to control the duration, intensity, and light from your diffuser with a convenient remote.

A heat diffuser disperses your fragrance through heat and evaporation. If you are looking to purify your home (and leave it smelling great) then you can also try a Lampe Berger. Created to deal with asepsis in hospitals, Maurice Berger invented a system of diffusion by catalyst. With the Lampe Berger, the diffusion actually destroys the molecules responsible for things like unpleasant smells. Over the past 120 years, Maison Berger Paris has grown to include fragrances and stunning designs with their patented technology.

What type of diffuser should I choose?

There are several factors to consider when deciding on the type of diffuser you would like to use including the size of your room, aesthetic, function, and location.

If you are looking for an aesthetically engaging, but low maintenance diffuser then a reed diffuser is a great fit. Simple and chic, these diffusers can be left on a shelf and their fragrance lasts for several months. Give your bottle a gentle swirl and flip your reeds to help strengthen your scent. However, don’t flip your reeds too often as they will absorb more oil and reduce the lifespan of your fragrance.

Pro tip: For a bigger space, try using more reeds to help disperse the scent. A smaller space only requires 3-4 reeds to enjoy your fragrance.

Into aromatherapy? A mist diffuser offers the most flexibility and control for dispersal of fragrances containing essential oils. By setting the intensity and duration of the mist diffuser, you can make sure that you aren’t over or under-dosing your oils. Energize, relax or dream with the click of a button.

Pro-tip: Make sure to clean your diffuser regularly (using the instructions that came with your diffuser) to ensure you get the best use.

If you have a busy household with smells of wet dogs, busy kids, and a rotating dinner menu from fish to blue cheese to contend with - you might consider a catalyst diffusion system from Maison Berger. Not only will it purify the air and eliminate competing scents, but it will do so in only 20 minutes for an average sized room. Just remember to leave it in a safe place out of reach of little ones or furry friends, and only leave the lamp lit for 30 minutes for optimal use.

Pro tip: Change your burner every year (approximately every 200 uses) so your lamp will last for many years to come!

What is your favourite scent to come home to? Let us know in the comments or on social media. We love to know what you are currently obsessed with.