Essential Oil Diffuser vs Candle: Which Is Right For You?
One of the best ways to make your house feel more “homey” is to fill the rooms with a beautiful aroma. It makes the atmosphere so warm and inviting. But, there are two ways you can go about this: essential oils or scented candles.
People have been burning candles for hundreds of years. This was originally due to the need for light, not for scent. In the past 40 years, scented candles rose to be known as a new and exciting option, offering many different fragrances to choose from.
But, in more recent years aromatherapy has gained popularity. More and more people are choosing to use essential oil diffusers to fill the space with their favorite scents in lieu of candles. Which is the better option? How do they differ?
Let’s discuss what’s right for you in our breakdown of the essential oil diffuser vs candle debate.
Essential Oil Diffuser vs Candle Burning: Breaking It Down
Everyone will have their own personal preference in the essential oil vs candle burning debate. However, we’ll walk you through the factors to consider in your own decision. It comes down to ambiance, safety, toxins, scents, and cost. Let’s take a look.
Ambiance
Both scented candles and essential oils can provide a nice, welcoming ambiance. While the warm glow of a candle burning in a dark room cannot be matched, the gentle hissing and release of essential oils through a diffuser is incredible, too. It comes down to which ambiance you prefer:
Candles: If you are looking for a gentle glow, burning candles might come to mind. The low-level lighting can be romantic or calming. In addition, the look of a candle or a group of candles can really add a decorative touch to your space.
Diffusers: Did you know that almost every single diffuser on the market has a built-in light? Many of them cycle through different colors and offer the option to have the light on or off when in use. Plus, diffusers can be very ornamental, adding a little style to your home decor. If you happen to have one that is not the cutest design, you could always tuck it away until you use it.
Safety
The reality is that while you never expect it, accidents happen. There are countless incidents where house fires were sparked by a burning candle left unattended. But are there any safety concerns surrounding essential oils?
Candles: Let’s be honest, having a fire burning in your home is not the safest idea. When using candles, you usually don’t keep an eye on them the entire time, leaving an open flame to chance. If you have a small child or pet, you might worry about the fire itself, the heat from the flame, or even the glass if it were to break.
Diffusers: No heat, no open flame, and with the Oasis Diffuser and many others, no glass. This makes the aromatherapy diffuser an incredibly safe option for scenting your space. No need to worry when left unattended. If you are at all unsure about the cord, you can always unplug in between uses.
Toxins
Alright, let’s talk about the third factor when choosing between essential oil and the scented candle: toxins. Each of these options will release compounds into the air – some good, some so not so much. Let’s evaluate the toxins released in traditional scented candles you find in most stores.
Candles: There are so many different kinds of scented candles out there that use unsafe ingredients. Candles that contain paraffin are highly toxic and environmentally unfriendly. Made from crude oil, then refined and bleached, paraffin candles contain several carcinogens. Soy and beeswax are safer choices, but may not be much better for the environment. You also have to consider the fact that a wick is burning – which has compounds of its own to release. Furthermore, most scented candles use fake fragrances and dyes that emit dangerous VOCs!
*A 100% beeswax unscented candle is the safest option because they are all-natural and also offers negative ions.
Diffusers: An ultrasonic diffuser is not only toxin-free, but it actually helps promote wellbeing. Just like beeswax, the Oasis diffuser releases negative ions which help clear the air of allergens and increase serotonin – encouraging happy feelings. They’re free of toxic ingredients – even the break-proof plastic is BPA-free. But that’s not all. Essential oils don’t just offer fragrance – they have health benefits. There are so many different uses for essential oils. Learn more about the different essential oil diffuser benefits in our blog!
*Note: once you burn Essential Oils at high heat, the molecular structure changes and the therapeutic benefits of the oil may not remain. This is why a cool-mist diffuser is your best option.
Scent
With both essential oils and scented candles, you’ll have access to a ton of different scents. But which provides a better, longer-lasting scent? Which smells more natural? Which one offers more options?
Candles: Yes, there are so many yummy-smelling candles out there. But, when you buy a candle – you’re limited to using that scent for the life of the candle. If you want a different scent, you must buy another candle. In addition, sometimes the scent can be too strong, overwhelming the space or causing a headache. Finally, when you put out the candle, there is a resonating scent of smoke.
Diffusers: Create any and all scents you like! When you have a diffuser, you can make any blend you choose or simply diffuse a single oil. If you have created a blend you don’t like, simply dump it out and start again. Another great feature is that the scent flow is steady. The same amount of scent is released from the beginning of your session until the end. Also, because it is all-natural essential oil, the smell will create a positive effect and not a negative one.
Cost
The final factor to consider when choosing between an essential oil diffuser and a scented candle is the cost of each.
Candles: Candles fall under a very wide range of pricing – from as little as $1 for something you might find at the dollar store up to almost one hundred dollars for a large decorative candle. Most average between $10-25 each. This may seem like a less expensive option, but remember, you only get one scent per candle. Your candle costs could quickly add up the more scents that you purchase.
Diffusers: Yes, this is definitely the costlier choice on the front end. The price of the diffuser itself can range from $15 to $75. And then you have to add in the upfront cost of the scented oils, too. But the good news is, you can start slowly. Purchase a blend or two and add more as your budget allows. On the back end, a 5 hour diffusion time costs only pennies as the diffuser calls for only 5 drops of oil! In the long term, a diffuser is definitely more cost-effective.
Essential Oil vs Candle: The Verdict
That concludes our deep dive into the essential oil diffuser vs candle burning debate. It’s time we reach a verdict and make our recommendation.
By now, the choice should be pretty clear – essential oil outweighs the scented candle in pretty much every category. That’s not to say you should never use candles again – they definitely have their place. And these days, you may even be able to find essential oil candles!
But trust us – pure essential oils are more cost-effective, safer, smell more natural, and provide an unbeatable ambiance. You won’t have to stress about the toxins from burning a candle ever again or the worry of burning your home down. You also won’t deal with the overpowered, smokey smell most scented candles provide. Just stick with the essential oil difffusers.
Now that you know how the benefits of using a diffuser outweigh the use of candles, where do you start?
Our list of the basic essential oils to start with is an incredible resource. Then, head over to our site and buy pure essential oils from the best in the business. With a 4.91-star rating across over 1,000 verified reviews, you can trust that you’re getting the best value for your money when you shop at Revive. Here are some of our most popular collections:
So, what are you waiting for? Fill your home or office with your favorite fragrances today. You’re just a few clicks away – and as always, we offer free shipping and a 100% money-back guarantee. You’ve got nothing to lose.
