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The Best New and DIY Reed Diffuser Oil Refills in 2022

When it comes to reed diffuser oil refills and essential oils, you’ve got options!

Stores nowadays have so many great options for diffuser scents, it’s never been easier to find what you’re looking for. Part of the fun of owning a reed diffuser is refilling it with different scents, but with a world of options out there to choose from, it can be hard to pick.

Do you buy a pre-made diffuser oil, or should you make your own?

We’re going to spend a little time talking about the pros and cons of making your own diffuser oil, and we’re going to list some great options for buying pre-made. After reading this guide, you’ll have a better idea of which option is right for you.

Pros and Cons of DIY Reed Diffuser Oil

Making reed diffuser oil at home is a very simple process, and it doesn’t take very much time or know-how. All you need is essential oil and a carrier oil. You’ll have all the fun of DIY with none of the prep time!

You’ll be mixing your own scents if you make your own DIY reed diffuser oil. This can be both a pro and a con. It gives you a lot of freedom to play around with different combinations, and you’ll feel good knowing exactly what’s gone into your oil.

But if you want something more specific, like “water lily” or “amber musk”, you may be out of luck. If you fell in love with a store bought scent, it could be quite difficult to recreate at home.

And it’s so easy to fall in love with a store bought scent! Like the great options we list below, brands employ professional perfumists to formulate their room scents. This is one of the greatest benefits to buying reed diffuser oil. A premium scent can boost your mood, making you feel luxurious in a way you might not if you’re making your own DIY reed diffuser oil.

Cost

Another plus to making your own reed diffuser oil is the cost. A store-bought diffuser oil, like the ones we’re going to list in the next section, will be pricier than making your own.

It may not seem like it at first, when the cost of good quality essential oils can also be high, but you will use up a pre-made oil much more quickly than what you make at home.

Quality

One last thing we’ll talk about is quality. Not all oils are created equal.

We’ve talked about this before: if you’re going to be breathing something in, you want to be reasonably certain it’s high quality and free of harmful ingredients.

There are high quality reed diffuser oils at the store, but there are poor quality ones, too. The same can be said for essential oils. Since essential oils and room scents are not regulated by the FDA, you need to be careful when you buy.

While we do our very best to give you accurate information and good recommendations, at the end of the day it’s up to you, the consumer, to make a smart choice.

Pros:

  • Easy
  • Fun
  • Freedom to customize
  • Cost-effective

Cons:

  • Hand-mixing oils
  • Limited to basic scent options

Best Reed Diffuser Oil Refill

Now, let’s talk about some of your options for store bought reed diffuser oil refills. There are some really great options out there that smell amazing and will elevate your home or apartment. These are our picks.

1. Amazon.com: NEST Fragrances Moroccan Amber Reed Diffuser Liquid Refill : Everything Else

​Check the Nest refill on Amazon.

NEST is well-known for its luxurious scent formulation. They’re a female-founded company based in New York that has been in business since 2008. NEST is a great choice for an elegant, elevated scent and for those who keep an eye out for a vegan, cruelty-free product.

The Moroccan Amber reed diffuser oil boasts a woodsy combination of sweet patchouli, bergamot, eucalyptus, and heliotrope (a flower that has an almond and vanilla profile in perfumes).

Reviewers of NEST’s Moroccan Amber love it for its long-lasting fragrance. You’ll get over twenty days of strong fragrance before it begins to fade. They also love the luxurious feel of this woodsy, almost masculine scent.

There have been some issues with leakage during shipping in the past, but more recent reviewers seem to have had less trouble. Still, it’s worth noting that there is no seal beneath the twist-off cap.

Pros:

  • Luxury brand
  • Vegan, cruelty-free distinction
  • Musky, moody scent

Cons:

  • Packaging issues

2. Archipelago Botanicals Bamboo Teak Diffuser Refill, 7.85 Fl Oz

​Check the Archipelago refill on Amazon.

Archipelago Botanicals is another great choice for a store bought scent. They’re a California based company that claims to be all-natural. They use essential oils to fragrance their products, so this will be a wonderful choice if you’re trying to avoid synthetic fragrances.

The Bamboo Teak scent is a clean-smelling combination of bamboo, teak, and musk. On their website, they also list peach and melon among the fragrance notes.

Reviewers of Archipelago Botanicals’ Bamboo Teak are obsessed with the scent, but some worry the refill is not as strong as the diffuser oil that came with their original reed diffuser set.

This is a great choice if you’re looking for a light, fresh scent, but you may want to look elsewhere if you want a really powerful fragrance.

Pros:

  • Essential oil formulation
  • Clean scent

Cons:

  • Weaker scent

3. Amazon.com: NEOM – Happiness Reed Diffuser Refill, 3.38 fl oz – Uplifting Scent : Home & Kitchen

​Check the Neom refill on Amazon.

 NEOM’s founder is a trained aromatherapist, and this female-founded, UK-based company also claims a dedication to natural, essential oil fragrance. Their website proudly declares a commitment to going waste-free by 2025, which we think makes them a great brand to go with for environmentally-friendly consumers.

Their Happiness scent is a combination of neroli, mimosa flower, and lemon. The description claims you’ll be able to enjoy a single use of this reed diffuser oil for up to 12 weeks!

It’s loved for inspiring its namesake – happiness! – with its bright, fresh scent. Reviewers agree the scent is strong. Some even find it too strong for them, so this is a wonderful choice for people who often find essential oils too weak. However, the sensitive-noses out there should be wary, as many report irritation from the strong scent.

Pros:

  • Long-lasting fragrance
  • Essential oil formulation
  • Sustainability commitments

Cons:

  • May irritate sensitive noses

DIY Reed Diffuser Oil Refill

If you’re not tempted by any of those options, making a DIY reed diffuser oil refill couldn’t be easier. Simply pick up a carrier oil from the store (almond oil or any neutral-smelling oil) and some essential oils. Mix 25-30 drops of the essential oil into a quarter cup of your carrier, and you’re done! Pour the oil into your diffuser and use as normal. Check our How to Make Reed Diffusers article for more details on the process.

Reed Diffuser Oil Recipes

You can dream up any combination of scents you want when you’re mixing your own DIY reed diffuser oil refill. You can also look online for inspiration at blogs – like this one! – that will tell you what they found works the best.

Here are some of our personal favorites. Note that, while I’m mainly sticking with two oils per blend, there are a lot of fantastic blends that use three oils or more. Try exploring scent “families” (think: citrus scents, herbal scents, etc.) to achieve beautiful, balanced, well-rounded diffuser oil fragrances.

Rosemary and Peppermint Essential Oil Blend

Rosemary and peppermint oils make a fantastic combination, and they’re a classic for a very good reason. Many enthusiasts describe this essential oil combination as evoking a feeling of clear-headedness and balance.

Peppermint oil has historically been thought to have healing properties, and people today still swear by peppermint for curing stomach aches and headaches. Rosemary has long been thought of as a way to promote better memory.

To make your rosemary and peppermint reed diffuser oil, simply mix both into your carrier oil.

Many recommend a ratio of 2 drops of rosemary for every 1 drop of peppermint. Alternate drops so you can continually test your scent to make sure it smells best to you.

Lavender and Bergamot Essential Oil Blend

Lavender and bergamot oils are one of the best essential oil combinations to promote sleep. Lavender is a calming scent, and bergamot is recommended for anxiety.

In the traditional medicine practices of Europe, lavender was used to cure insomnia. Native Americans used bergamot for the same thing, as well as curing other common complaints like nausea and headaches.

Mix equal parts of both essential oils into your carrier oil. We recommend starting with 2 drops of each, and then adjust to your personal preference. Remember that you may prefer one oil’s scent to smell more strongly than another, so continue to test as you mix.

Lemon and Tea Tree Essential Oil Blend

Lemon and Tea Tree oils are an invigorating combination! Add these oils to your reed diffuser oil to promote a sense of clean within your body and your home.

Historically, lemons have been used for astringent properties, and many will still incorporate it in their cleaning routines to this day. Tea tree oil, on the other hand, is antibacterial and antimicrobial. It was traditionally used as a powerful medicine, and is still used today in many products for its benefits.

Mix a ratio of 1 drop tea tree to 2 drops lemon essential oil into your carrier oil. Tea tree oil is the more medicinal scent, so use a bit more lemon in this reed diffuser oil blend. Test it to make sure it suits you!

Orange, Patchouli, and Sandalwood Essential Oil Blend

Personally, patchouli is an absolute favorite. The woodsy musk of a patchouli oil is one I reach for every time. Combined with a warm, smoky sandalwood and the sweetness of a citrusy orange, you’ll be feeling relaxed and calm when you use this diffuser oil blend in your room.

Patchouli promotes utter relaxation. Another similar scent in the “musk” family you might use is sandalwood, which was sometimes used as an antidepressant. Historically, sandalwood was used in many religious rituals, making it a distinguished, revered scent.

Oranges were bred for use in medicine in Spain for a very long time, and in China, they are still used to symbolize good luck!

To make a combination of orange, patchouli, and sandalwood for use in your reed diffuser, mix a ratio of 3 oranges for every 1 patchouli and 1 sandalwood drop. Since these scents are similar, you want to ensure your orange comes through.

Cinnamon and Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Blend

Everyone knows cinnamon from their pantry, but the lesser-known ylang ylang oil is still famous. Ever heard of Chanel no. 5? Ylang ylang flower oil features in this designer perfume as a top note scent! Ylang ylang’s pleasant, heady scent will bring balance to the cinnamon, and when diffused in your room, will promote feelings of warmth, relaxation, and revitalization.

Cinnamon was a prized spice for many, many years, and it is also known as ceylon. An antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, cinnamon has been used throughout time to promote health and wellness.

To blend this scent, you’ll need to pay close attention to your preferences. Ylang ylang oil varies widely in strength, while cinnamon oil is always quite strong. Try an equal amount of 5 drops to 5 drops, then adjust as needed.

Choosing a Reed Diffuser Oil Refill – Final Thoughts

There are so many great reasons to make your own reed diffuser oil refill. You’ll save yourself a trip to the store, keep a little more money in your pocket, and you’ll be able to play aromatherapist. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy your beautiful fragrances, knowing you chose high-quality ingredients.

On the other hand, store bought fragrances can add that little bit of extra luxury to your room, especially if you go with a name brand or a particularly attractive refill bottle to display along with your diffuser.

At the end of the day, you’ll still have a room that smells absolutely amazing. If you decide to DIY your own essential oil combinations, let us know in the comments what you tried and loved!

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