The 18 Best Car Diffusers 2020: Stay More Alert and Relaxed on the Road

Is your daily commute stressful? What if you could reduce your stress with aromatherapy on the go?

All you need is one of the best car essential oil diffusers.

Studies show that certain aromas can help us feel relaxed (1). Others can give us a mental boost for better focus (2).

Being calm and alert in rush hour traffic sounds like a winning combination to me!

That’s why I rounded up the top portable essential oil diffusers and reviewed them.

Top Car Essential Oil Diffusers

Take a look below to find one that meets your needs.

Portable SpaRoom Diffuser for Essential Oils

The advantage of this portable essential oil diffuser is that it runs on either USB or batteries. If you don’t have a car charger handy, you can power it with two AA batteries.

Since it fits in the palm of your hand, you can place it almost anywhere in your vehicle. You don’t have to hog a cup holder.

The quiet fan inside constantly circulates the aroma. At the same time, the soft blue LED light is pleasant, but not distracting.

The package comes with three replaceable pads. Apply a few drops to a pad, then slip it inside the casing. If you want to change the fragrance, you’ll need to change the pad.

RoyAroma Car Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser with Vent Clip

This car diffuser kit includes two stainless steel lockets plus a dozen felt pads in various colors. Add three or four drops of your favorite essential oil to the felt. Then clip the lockets onto your vents, so the airflow diffuses the aroma.

Users say the fragrance lasts up to a week depending on the oil. One bonus is that you can wash the felt pads and reuse them.

This is a vast improvement on perfumed car trees. For one, now you can enjoy any fragrance you desire. And two, it’s low impact on the environment as you can reuse the pads.

–Willow’s take

Car Diffuser Essential Oil Vent Clip + 40 Felt Pads by Maromalife

This kit is similar to the one above, but it contains four clips plus 40 felt pads in a variety of colors. The clip that fastens to the car vent is coated so that it won’t scratch.

Refill Pads for Car Diffuser by Maromalife

Should you desire extra refill pads for either of the two locket diffusers above, this pack has four dozen of them. Now you can experiment to your heart’s desire with all the essential oils and blends you can imagine.

Jenia Essential Oil Diffuser Necklace

Here’s a simple way to enjoy aromatherapy on the go. It’s a diffuser pendant on a twenty-four-inch chain. Wear it like a necklace or hang it from your rearview mirror. It’s available in a variety of designs to suit your personality.

The package includes eight washable pads. Just use a different one for each fragrance. Moreover, the manufacturer offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

RoyAroma Wooden Acorn Essential Oil Car Diffuser Hang Decoration

This hanging car diffuser eliminates the need for swapping felt pads. You also won’t need batteries to power it.

The cute wooden exterior looks like an acorn. But when you unscrew the lid, you’ll see the small bottle inside.

Add oil to the bottle, replace the lid, and enjoy the aroma.

Other advantages to this style of diffuser are that it releases a mild fragrance and doesn’t require frequent refills.

Kumika Car Air Fresheners Vent Clip, Fragrance Diffuser Decoration

The design of this car diffuser resembles the props on a seaplane. That’s no accident as there are tiny fans inside. But you won’t need anything other than the airflow from your vents to power them.

In the box, you’ll find four aromatherapy tablets, two refill pads, and a small screwdriver. The fact that you need to use a tool to install new tablets means that children can’t easily access them if they play with the diffuser.

Bath & Body Works Scentportable Car Visor Clip Black Rubber

This Scentportable is a passive diffuser that sold out fast at our local store. It’s made to clip to the sun visor or seat pocket.

Unlike diffusers that clip to air vents, this one releases less fragrance. You won’t need to provide essential oil as it’s designed to use the company’s own scented discs.

Bath Body Works Scentportable Fragrance Refill Disc Mahogany Teakwood

Here’s an example of one fragrance disk that fits the Scentportable diffuser above. The relaxing woody essence includes highlights of geranium and lavender. It should last for a maximum of six weeks.

Home-Cloud Car Diffuser Vent DIY Car Diffuser Decoration Lovely Bear

What a novel way to avoid wasting money on refill pads: it’s an absorbent decoration made of plaster.

The manufacturer recommends adding up to twenty drops of essential oil on the bear’s body. Then clip it to your air vent. The aroma can last up to ten days.

econoLED Car Humidifier

Plug this compact ultrasonic diffuser directly into your car cigarette lighter. It humidifies the air and sends out your favorite fragrance if you add essential oil to the water.

The cool mist may help if you’re dealing with a cold or allergies.

The company offers a one-year replacement guarantee. Plus, the device has a safety feature where it shuts down if the water runs out. Also, it turns off automatically after two hours.

Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Car Diffuser

If you’re familiar with the Aura Cacia brand of essential oils, you may enjoy their aromatherapy car diffuser, too.

Put up to six drops of your preferred scent on one of the pads. Then slide the pad into the diffuser. Once you plug the diffuser into the lighter outlet, it works for up to three hours.

The downside to this diffuser is that it heats the essential oil to disperse the fragrance.

Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Diffuser Refill Pads

Expand your experience by trying different essential oils. Here is a refill pack of ten pads for the car diffuser above.

Plant Therapy Diffuse on the Move Portable Diffuser

This is a USB car diffuser sold by the essential oil company Plant Therapy. It runs on the included USB cable or plugs into a 12V port (like a cigarette lighter).

There are two benefits to this device besides the flexibility of the power source. First, you can set an interval like ten, thirty, or sixty seconds. For more intense aroma, keep the interval short.

Second, the diffuser atomizes using cold air. Therefore, it’s just pure essential oil coming out of it. There’s no added humidity and no heat.

Instead of adding a few drops of oil to a pad, you’ll fill the oil bottle inside. Users say it last anywhere from a few days to a week before it needs a refill.

Plant Therapy is one of the essential oil brands I recommend. I like their tiny nebulizing diffuser because it’s handy when you live in a place with high humidity. You won’t be adding more dampness to the interior of your car.

–Willow’s take

USB Car Diffuser, Waterless USB Diffuser for Aromatherapy by Zendora

Are you reluctant to give up your car charger for a diffuser? Then try this model.

Although it plugs into the 12V power adapter, it provides two more USB ports for rapid phone charging.

Since you can run it from a USB port, you may find it useful on your desk at work as well.

10-Pack Car Diffuser Sponges Refill Sticks

You’ll want these refill sticks for a couple of the car diffusers in our reviews today. They’re made of cotton for quick, effective absorption of the essential oils.

Vyaime Essential Oil Aromatherapy Diffuser with Dual USB Charger Adapter

The diminutive form of this portable aromatherapy diffuser provides two USB ports to charge your devices. It plugs directly into the 12V port of your vehicle.

Instead of adding essential oil to the water in the reservoir, the two modes are separate. This model operates as either a humidifier or an aromatherapy diffuser.

In either case, it still works as a phone charger.

dodocool Cool Mist Air Car Humidifier with 7 Colorful LED Lights

If you’re willing to sacrifice your cup holder, this ultrasonic car diffuser gives you features similar to one you’d use indoors.

For example, the 70mL BPA-free water tank gives you up to five hours of cool mist. The company says they designed it to avoid condensation on your console. In addition, you have two output levels to choose from.

Next, it has automatic shutoff when the water tank gets low.

The seven color-changing LED lights could prove to be a distraction, though. But if it appeals to you, give it a try. It comes with a 90-day “no questions asked” money-back guarantee.

InnoGear USB Car Essential Oil Diffuser

You might recognize the brand InnoGear if you’ve shopped for essential oil diffusers for your home. Their portable model fits inside a cup holder and plugs into a USB port. It doesn’t come with a car adapter, but it should run off your smartphone charger.

Also, you can enjoy it at your desk if you plug it into a USB 3.0 port on your computer.

It offers two mist modes plus a color-changing LED light. Fortunately, on this model, you can turn off the light if it’s a distraction.

The control buttons are located near the top, so you don’t have to fumble around.

If you select intermittent mist mode, you can enjoy diffuser for up to six hours before you need to refill it. If the water runs low, the device shuts down automatically.

The company offers a 45-day money-back guarantee and a 12-month warranty.

Syntus USB Mini Portable Aromatherapy Air Freshener

Here’s another portable humidifier for your car. You can use the included USB cable to plug it into your laptop or a power bank, too. That makes it convenient for work or travel—like hotel rooms.

Yes, you’ll want to slip this in your cup holder. It doesn’t come with an adapter for the cigarette lighter either.

Although it has a seven-color mood light, you can set it to a single shade. There are also two mist modes: intermittent or continuous.

doTERRA Car Diffuser iris

Even doTerra has released an ultrasonic car diffuser. It fits in a cup holder and comes with a USB cable. But you might be better off finding something similar above because this was a limited time promotional item.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Your Car Diffuser

It happens that I get carsick if I ride in the backseat. Here’s my own personal blend for battling motion sickness:

• 3 drops ginger
• 1 drop spearmint

You can use straight peppermint in a pinch. I prefer spearmint simply because it doesn’t make my eyes water when it’s diffused in a confined space.

Focus on the Road Blend

I’m sure you’re aware that aromatherapy cannot make up for lack of sleep. If you’re tired, pull over and rest.

On the other hand, if you just want a boost to deal with heavy traffic, you may find this blend useful:

• 2 drops cedarwood
• 1 drop rosemary
• 1 drop lemon

Feel free to substitute bergamot for lemon.

Other Essential Oils That Promote Concentration

Citrus oils are excellent for creating an environment conducive to concentration. These include lemon, orange, and bergamot.

Next, peppermint is invigorating while rosemary may help you remember directions better.

Herbal fragrances like sage, rosemary, and basil are also useful for keeping your mind sharp.

Are you getting ideas to make your own blends now? Have fun!

Conclusion

Diffusing essential oils in your car can make the journey more pleasant. Whether you prefer active or passive diffusers, I hope you found one today to try.

I’d love to know about your experience with aromatherapy on the road. Leave me a comment below about what oils and diffuser you use to make travel more enjoyable.

Resources:

1 https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/aromatherapy-overview#1 accessed 06 May 2019

2 https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224575 by Lisa Evans, published 08 October 2012, accessed 06 May 2019