A lot of people come to us after giving up on their old diffuser. The tank needed filling every day, it left a damp ring on the shelf, or it simply stopped working after a few months. The question we hear most is a simple one: can you get a diffuser that doesn't use water?
The short answer is yes. Our crystal oil diffusers don't need water to work. Here's how they do it, and how they compare to what you might be used to.
The short answer
A crystal oil diffuser uses stones, a few drops of fragrance oil and gentle warmth. You put the oil straight onto the stones. The stones soak it up, and the warm base helps release the scent slowly into the room. There's no tank, no mist and nothing to refill with water.
That's the default way to use it. Water is optional, and we'll explain where it goes (and where it never goes) further down.
What's inside a crystal oil diffuser
Each of our diffusers has three parts:
- The stones. Over 500g of natural crystals, such as amethyst, rose quartz, citrine or green fluorite.
- The glass cup. This holds the stones and sits on top of the base.
- The USB base. It gives off soft warmth and a warm glow, and it's shaped like Mt Fuji.
That's all there is to it. No pump, no filter and no moving parts.
How it scents a room without water
Natural stones have a slightly rough surface. When you add a few drops of fragrance oil, the stones absorb it rather than letting it run straight off. As the base warms up, the scent is released slowly from the stones into the air around it.
Because the oil sits on the stones and isn't burnt off by a flame or broken up into mist, the scent comes through gently. It's the kind of fragrance you notice when you walk into the room, rather than one that hits you at the door. When it starts to fade, you just add another drop or two.
Using it day to day
Setting one up takes about a minute. Find a dry, steady spot for it, like a bedside table or the corner of your desk, away from the edge. Drip a few drops of fragrance oil onto the stones, plug the USB cable in and switch it on. Give the base a little while to warm up and you'll start to notice the scent.
From there, you only need to top it up. When the scent starts to fade, add a drop or two more. Most people get into the habit of doing it when they sit down at their desk or get ready for bed.
For more tips, read our full guide on how to use a crystal oil diffuser.
Where water can go (and where it never goes)
Some people like a stronger scent. If that's you, you can add a small splash of water to the bottom of the glass cup, under the stones. This is completely optional.
Please keep these two rules in mind:
- Water only ever goes in the glass cup, under the stones.
- Never pour water into the USB base.
When you're done, empty the cup and dry it. If you'd like to keep your stones looking their best, we've written a separate post on how to clean and maintain your crystal diffuser.
Who a waterless diffuser suits
A diffuser without a water tank is a good fit if you:
- Want something for a desk or bedside table without worrying about spills near your laptop or phone.
- Are tired of refilling and cleaning a tank every day.
- Like a soft background scent rather than a strong one.
- Want something that looks good switched off, as well as on.
- Need something that runs from a USB port, such as at a home office.
If you're weighing it up against other types, we've compared them side by side in crystal oil diffuser vs ultrasonic vs reed. That post covers the pros and cons of each, so we won't repeat it here.
Which oil to use
Our diffusers are made to work with our concentrated 10ml fragrance oils, which are $20.99 each. Because they're concentrated, you only need a few drops at a time.
A few that customers often start with:
- Lavender and Lemon Fragrance Oil. Lavender with a touch of lemon. Lavender is said to help people unwind, so it's a popular choice for the bedroom.
- French Vanilla Fragrance Oil. Rich, creamy and warm.
- Magnolia and Peony Premium Fragrance Oil. A soft, fresh floral.
You can browse the whole range in our fragrance oils collection.
Picking your stones
All of our crystal oil diffusers work the same way and are $89 each. The only real difference is the stone, so it comes down to the look you like:
- Amethyst Crystal Oil Diffuser, purple stones
- Rose Quartz Crystal Oil Diffuser, pink stones
- Citrine Crystal Oil Diffuser, golden stones
- Green Fluorite Crystal Oil Diffuser, green stones
- Amethyst + Rose Quartz Crystal Oil Diffuser, a mix of both
If you'd like help choosing, have a read of which crystal oil diffuser should you choose, or see them all in our crystal oil diffusers collection.
Frequently asked questions
Do crystal oil diffusers need water?
No. By default you put a few drops of fragrance oil straight onto the stones. Water is optional and only goes in the bottom of the glass cup, under the stones.
Can I put water in the USB base?
No, never. Water should only go in the glass cup, under the stones, and only if you want a stronger scent.
How strong is the scent?
It's gentle and builds slowly, so it suits bedrooms, desks and smaller rooms. For more scent, add another drop or two of oil, or a splash of water in the glass cup under the stones.
Does it make mist?
No. There's no tank and no mist. The warm base helps the oil on the stones release its scent into the room.
What oils can I use?
Our diffusers are designed for our concentrated 10ml fragrance oils, which are $20.99 each. A few drops at a time is enough.