8 of the best oil burners for an aromatic home
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Writer’s note: The following listicle was originally published on July 13, 2020 at the now-defunct website Ram Research. There were originally 10 options, two of which are no longer available. The listicle has been lightly edited for technical details and readability. (If you’re interested in reading more top 10-, 15- and 20 lists for your home upgrades, click here.)
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There are countless reasons to use essential oils. Maybe you have a neighbor who has made salmon croquettes or curry goat for the millionth time, and you need something stronger than air freshener to block out the smell. Maybe your athletic child has a horrible habit of leaving a gym bag out or smelly shoes all over the bedroom. You’ll need the best oil burners you can find to block out those alarming smells. Or, maybe it has nothing to with bad smells.
Essential oils also are used to just bring inviting, therapeutic fragrances into your home for mind-body medicine perks. The enchanting aromas may be pleasing to not only you but your guests too. While you should peruse oil burner reviews to make sure an oil burner is safe and effective, the one part that’ll totally be up to you is which fragrances suit you and your home best. Here are a few suggestions for both to help with your purchasing decision.
1. Singeek
This bamboo wood and ceramic hand-crafted oil burner is a sight to behold. Not only is it pretty, but it can be used as a diffuser, a burner and delightful home decor.
Key Features
Can burn six hours or longer
7 inches x 4.7 inches x 3.5 inches
I-shaped
This oil burner is pretty simple to use. Pour ⅔ cup of water and five to eight drops of essential oil into the oil burner bowl. Place a tea light candle in the bottom candle holder, and light per usual. The essential oils will diffuse and become more fragrant in the stone saucer.
As with most ceramic items, they can be fragile. Keep a watchful eye on the essential oils and water to make sure that they do not stain. Add water as needed after the bowl cools to avoid breaking it.
Cons
Wood color may vary with each product
With its candle spoon, this I-shaped burner also makes it much easier to avoid accidental burns from touching the whole container too quickly and avoid essential oil spillage.
2. InnoGear
This oil burner can double as a child’s night light or to set the mood for a romantic dinner date. It comes with 10 essential oils: peppermint, orange, lavender, tea tree, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lemon, clove and vanilla.
Key Features
Adjustable mist switch from high to low
Seven-color mood lighting (rotating, fixed, or none)
Timer settings: One hour, three hours, six hours, steady
With this BPA-free oil burner, you don’t have to worry about burnout in this natural wood decor. The diffuser will automatically turn off when the water level is too low. Or, you can add enough water (not more than the maximum) to let it run for the previously mentioned times. In addition to lighting, the aromatherapy diffuser can also be used to assist in better breathing during cold-weather months.
Cons
Multiple users complain about receiving less than 10 oils or not being able to smell the oils at all
Even with the best lotion, dry, chapped skin tends to be hand-in-hand with cold weather. Diffusers such as these assist, specifically when used with essential oils, in making sure your skin doesn’t dry out as fast.
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3. Gifts & Decor
Each individually hand-painted tear drop oil warmer is a stunning way to enjoy your favorite fragrance by candlelight.
Key Features
50 percent porcelain, 50 percent metal
4 inches x 4 inches x 7.62 inches
Moss-green ceramic teardrop with slightly different color variations
Because a tea light candle and oil are not included, you may have to test out a couple of candles and essential oils to see which ones work best. The reviews are all over the place when it comes to this product’s effectiveness.
Cons
Several users complained about smoke detectors going off
Make sure to have proper room for such a decorative item. While it’s not huge, it is big enough that it needs enough space to show off the modern design and burn effectively.
4. EQUSUPRO
Who says fireworks decor can only be on the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve? This glass electric oil warmer can blast off all year round. In its natural state, it’s bright already and brighter once the oil warmer gets going.
Key Features
3-D fireworks design
Glass container
5 inches x 5.9 inches
No need to monitor tea light candles with this glass oil burner. Just plug it into an outlet, turn on the switch and add fragrance into the small bowl on top. In addition to being decorative and fragrant, it also lights up about as much as a small lamp. Enjoy its fireworks pattern or a few other 3D options: angel, butterfly, oil, sea, skeleton and stars.
Cons
Examine the bowl ahead of time; several users found cracks they didn’t notice
The energy saver includes one bulb. It must be replaced with a 25 watt, 120 volt light bulb. The product will appear silver when the light is off.
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5. Elanze
The warmer says, “The best things in life are the people we love.” While that is true, what it doesn’t say is some of the best oil burners in life are the ones that can double as home decor and are the perfect gift for your quote-loving friends.
Key Features
Three frosted glass sides
Off/on switch used to operate the 3-foot, corded plug-in warmer
5 inches x 4 inches x 4 inches
The 25-watt light bulb (included) on this device helps to warm the wax or essential oils on its removable dish, while providing a soft glow and colors to show off the quotes on each side of the glass lantern warmer. The red indicator light confirms when the oil warmer is on. Shaped into a lantern-style design, the metal frame is home decor on its own — with or without the wax tarts or essential oils.
Cons
DIYers may be frustrated by assembling the glass pieces
There will be minimal assembly of this oil burner required before first use.
6. Coo Candles
There’s something mesmerizing about seeing changing colors. It’s one of the reasons why autumn months are so beautiful, seeing the leaves change colors. Or, why Niagara Falls is such a popular tourist destination, specifically at night when the colors rotate. With an oil burner like this, you don’t need to travel to Canada or even outside to rake your leaves. Enjoy this from the comfort of your home.
Key Features
35-watt halogen light bulb
Dimmer switch on the black cord
Adjustments from low to medium to high
You will need a Coo Sleeve — that work best in COO memory boxes, jasmine oil burners and bonsai lamp oil burners — in order to enjoy the changing colors.
Cons
Coo Sleeves optional (not included) for color change
This best-selling lamp is designed for use with their wickless candles.
7. HUNANBANG
With the mirrored base, it’s already a stand-alone decorative piece, but melting essential oils make it even more inviting.
Key Features
Stepless regulating switch
3.94 x 3.94 x 5.12
Brightness, heat controlled knob
This glass electric oil warmer has an enchanting color scheme that comes in blue, green, orange, red, white and purple.
Cons
Bulb may have high temperature so wait for it to cool before replacing
This diffuser also comes with an anti-slip pad to make the authenticated power cable safer to operate.
8. Gifts & Decor
The yogi in your life will be especially impressed by this trio of women in prayer — or Namaste — position. (“Namaste” means “I bow to you” and is usually said with your hands together in prayer position, near your heart.)
Key Features
Stone, resin and glass material
5 ¼ inches x 4 ¾ inches
Glass top bowl is removable
This oil burner is pretty simple to use. Light a votive candle in the bottom area, and pour essential oils on the clear plate above.
Cons
Bottom of glass is thin and may brown easily
In addition to giving an immediate sense of peace, this oil burner is also pretty stress-free to replace. Because the glass parts on the top and bottom can be removed, if either one shatters, they are a reasonable size to replace at various discount stores.
Bottom Line
In addition to complementing your home decor, leaving a lasting fragrance, and helping to guard against colds and humid air, essential oils can be incorporated in your home in other ways too.
If you’re concerned about excess electricity or open candles, consider using lava stone beads instead. Just pour, let sit and enjoy. There is nothing to plug in or be concerned about burning. Similar to potpourri, the longer these lava stone beads are able to marinate in the oils before use, the longer the smell may last.
However, if you want to be able to control the essential oil fragrance lasting longer and louder, an oil burner is the way to go. As you can see from the ones above, some require more attention than others. And before purchasing your next oil burner, become familiar with how to clean it. Properly operating and keeping up the cleanliness on the oil burner device may help it last longer.
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