Imagine you had a long, lousy day, and when you come home, the air is stuffy, and something just smells off. Not the most endearing idea of a homely home, right? Well, this is where these air purifiers and diffusers come in. More on their differences and uses below.
People often make the mistake of equating the two, which is quite normal because, technically, both serve to maintain nice and fresh air around your space. Interestingly, however, they both perform quite different functions.
Where diffusers work with essential oils to eliminate the lingering odor, purifiers capture the dust allergens and pollutants in the air, making it more breathable. The fact is, both these devices are nice to have around because of their individual use. Who wouldn’t want purified air along with fresh-smelling space?
Let’s quickly scan how air purifiers and essential oil diffusers vary in uses and functions.
Air Purifiers Vs. Essential Oil Diffusers: Differences
When an essential oil diffuser is compared with an air purifier, it can be instantly realized that there is a profound difference between the two. One is used for eliminating contamination in the air, while the other is used for freshening up the space using essential oils.
Air Purifiers
Air Purifier, basically, is a device that is designed to purify indoor air of any harmful, irritating airborne pollutants. Simply put, they work as vacuum cleaners. The state-of-the-art technology of these air purifiers draws the polluted air in via a fan, extracts the allergens via a filter, and releases a clear one in space.
Some of the air filtration mechanisms in the latest air purifiers are; Pre-filter, HEPA-filter, activated carbon filter, photocatalytic purification, ion generator, PECO, and ozone generators. These high-tech filters can capture over 99.5% of contaminations. These fine appliances are used not only in homes but offices and hospitals as well.
Essential Oil Diffusers
As the name suggests, diffusers are devices that moisture and spread essential oils across a wide area. Some fragrances in essential oils include lavender, lemon, sandalwood, sweet orange, jasmine, bergamot, eucalyptus, chamomile, tea tree, rosemary, spearmint, geranium, clary sage, etc.
Whether you’re struggling to get rid of musky/smoky odor, or any other lingering odor, an oil diffuser can be a game changer. This appliance spritzes the essential oil with water into your space, leaving it fresh and enticing. Essential oils are considered relaxing for brain and mental health. That’s why they’re not only used for getting rid of stale and stuffy smells; instead, they’re also widely used for aromatherapy, purification, and spiritual health.
There are different diffusers, such as nebulizers, ultrasonic, heat, and evaporative. Each one of these has its own unique feature. They vary primarily based on the space they can spread in. For instance, ultrasonic diffusers are suitable for small to medium spaces, whereas heat diffusers can cover larger areas.
Air Purifiers Vs. Essential Oil Diffusers: Uses
Indoor air does not move as freely as the outside air, increasing the risks of airborne diseases. Air purifiers not only absorb suppressed air pollutants but also purifies the air with the help of the latest filter technology. Some of its uses are as follows.
- The HEPA filter in the air purifier neutralizes the unpleasant odor.
- Reduces the risks of respiratory infection, neurological problems, and asthma.
- Eliminates the harmful and irritating pollutants trapped inside.
- Ensures a good night’s sleep.
- Removes hazardous asbestos particles that can cause lung diseases and scarring of tissues.
- Air purifiers can also increase life expectancy by reducing the risks of cardiac, neurological, and respiratory disorders.
Essential oil diffusers, however, are tied with freshening up your space, lifting your mood, and improving your mental health. These oils have wide-ranging benefits, some of which are below.
- Essential oil diffusers replace the dreary air with unique and pleasant smells.
- They’ve made at-home spas an excellent possibility.
- You can customize every room with a different fragrance.
- They can help you create your very own aroma therapy by playing around with different scents.
- Diffusers can help incorporate essential oils into our daily life.
- A combination of citronella and lemongrass scents can help keep the bugs away.
Air Purifiers Vs. Essential Oil Diffusers: Effect on Air Quality
Since air purifiers are linked with clearing polluted air, their effect on air quality depends on the kind of filter used. The HEPA filter can purify the air up to 99.97%, including dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria.
Essential oil diffusers, on the other hand, affect the air quality by replacing the stuffed lingering odors with pleasant ones. The spread of different scents in the air via diffusion helps carry out aromatherapy which resultantly helps reduce anxiety, cure depression, and improve sleep quality.
Air Purifiers Vs. Essential Oil Diffusers: Do diffusers humidify the air?
Essential oil diffusers can add moisture to the air. However, diffusers can only diffuse, meaning they only spread the essential oils across the room. Thus, the diffuser can only humidify to a small extent by distributing water into the air through a fine spritz. Essential oils are broken down into small particles and are mixed with water to humidify the otherwise stuffy air. Simply put, diffusers can work as humidifiers, but only a tiny percentage.
Wrapping Up…
The state-of-the-art technologies in the modern world can help us eliminate dry, stuffy, and lingering odors. Both appliances work differently to perform different functions. However, the point of commonality is that they both work to make our spaces fresh and pollution-free.
Knowing the difference between an air purifier and an essential oil diffuser will help you understand what you are in need of. Because, as we’ve seen, using them together can be a great idea too. However, note that both devices have their demerits, too, so it’s always a good idea to do background research before picking something for your space.
