When it comes to air fresheners, most of us can’t think of another brand that is more of a household name than Febreze. We don’t know about you, but we can instantly recall the infamous ‘Febreze experiment’ adverts which aired around 2010.
The experiment resembled a Billy on the Street format, where a representative would find a stranger to participate before blindfolding them and leading them into what the viewer can instantly recognise as an entirely derelict, mouldy and filthy room. When asked about the kind of smells they can pick up on, participants said things like “fresh flowers,” “a breezy summer’s day,” and “clean laundry” – much to the amusement of the adjudicators.
This was supposed to show late-night television viewers the immense power of Febreze, and its ability to not only mask odour but effectively destroy the particles that carry it. To this day, hundreds and thousands of households across the country continue to refresh their homes and vehicles with a spritz of the magic substance.
Nevertheless, while Febreze has since produced a variety of plug-in and automatic air fresheners – they simply don’t match up to the original product. Other luxury and high-street brands have therefore taken the opportunity to enter the air freshener space with a bang, producing a variety of wonderfully strong but not overpowering scents that will permeate throughout your home for days on end.
The rise of aromatherapy and essential oils in the homeware and wellness space has additionally worked to inch Febreze out of the picture year-on-year, with scent enthusiasts instead going for the all-natural guaranteed delight afforded by fresh organic scents of eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender and more.
From electric and reed diffusers to classic plug-ins and automatic air fresheners, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best-smelling and most stylish air fresheners for your home. Keep scrolling for more.
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Plug-in air fresheners
Motion Sensor Plug-In Diffuser
Believe it or not, this isn’t some fancy, aesthetically pleasing smoke detector. The 10x10 cm disc is the latest item to hit The White Company’s bustling diffuser range and is the first motion sensor-activated device of the lot. The refillable oil bottle hidden within the sleek outer shell has a capacity of 15ml and can be supplemented with the brand’s fantastic range of essential oils.
At the click of a button, you can activate motion-mode which will release calming aromas five times within a two-minute cycle after someone enters a room. This nifty little device is also able to change settings once it senses a change in lighting. As night falls, it’ll release scent once every two hours. Designed to last a minimum of six weeks, standard filter refills are priced at £14 for six and are fabricated from eco-conscious glass cotton.
Buy now £65.00, The White Company
Yankee Candle ScentPlug Starter Kit
Beloved by those with sweet tooths across the globe, the American-born brand Yankee Candle is known for producing delectable, scented candles which are almost good enough to eat (but please don’t eat them). Thankfully, the brand has produced an equally delightfully scented device which doesn’t carry a fire risk.
This plug-in air freshener is equipped to provide up to 30 days of consistent, room-filling fragrance and has three intensity settings for further customisation. This starter kit comes with the cult favourite Black Cherry scent, but we’re also big fans of Midnight Jasmine.
Buy now £11.69, Amazon
Botanica by Air Wick Air Freshener Electrical Plug-In Diffuser Kit and French Lavender and Honey Blossom
A value-for-money, highly-rated option from none other than Air Wick, the brand’s Botanica range was created in collaboration with WWF to support wildflower habitats. The responsibly sourced ingredients are uncompromising when it comes to potency and are guaranteed to last for up to 100 days. We’re partial to this lovely French lavender and honey blossom scent. Botanica refills will also work with any other Air Wick plug-in that you already have.
Buy now £11.51, Amazon
Electric diffusers
The White Company Electronic Diffuser
With a pared-back two-tone ceramic and wood natural design, The White Company Electronic Diffuser is easily adaptable to any interior and delivers a subtle scent of calming or reviving aromas into your home.
There are four time settings so you can determine how long you want the fragrance to last and after that determined time, it will turn off automatically. Pair with the brand’s beloved fragrance oils in the Seychelles, Lime & Bay or Nourish aromas. Style points also go to the Textured Ceramic Electronic Diffuser with its herringbone design.
Buy now £70.00, The White Company
Muji Aroma Diffuser
Tall and slim, this Muji diffuser looks more like a church candle than an electric device, making it a good choice for those who prefer an understated look. Two light settings allow you to adjust the ambience and you can choose from various timings, so whether you’re trying to eliminate the stuffiness from your bedroom whilst you sleep or create a bit of mood lighting at dinner, the flexible choices allow you to set the tone.
Able to hold up to 100ml of water, this diffuser can run for up to three hours, emitting a dry, fragrant vapour in ultrasonic waves. You’ll get a few essential oils included, too, each of which should last for a couple of uses. *UK plug sold separately.
Buy now £57.88, Amazon
This Works Travel Diffuser
Ah, the wonders of technology. Powered by a USB cable, This Works’ offering is specifically designed to be portable, allowing you to cart it from office to home and back again. Lightweight and compact, it easily slots into your bag, although it’s important to make sure you’ve fully closed it before storing to prevent leakage.
Due to its size, it takes a little longer to notice the aroma of this one – especially if you’re in an open-plan office – but it’s a great choice if you travel a lot for work and are in need of a shortcut to rest and relaxation.
Buy now £30.00, Amazon
Diptyque Un Air de Diptyque electric diffuser
An electric diffuser, this brings together beautiful scent and design from one of the best-known fragrance brands in the world. Made to be seen, the elegant white, gold and black diffuser should be used with one of seven fragrance cartridges from the French company: Baies, Ambre, Figuier, Roses, Orange Blossom, Ginger and 34.
Buy now £245.00, Space NK
Reed diffusers
H&M reed diffuser
Though absolutely beautiful as a design feature for your home, this sizeable reed diffuser from H&M carries notes of eucalyptus verbena, which are spread through the accompanying bamboo reds. It’s also available in a more masculine smokey wood scent, as well as a delicious yuzu blossom scent.
Buy now £14.99, H&M
Jo Loves Fig Trees Diffuser Oil
Jo Loves has crafted this diffuser to be reusable so that as soon as you’ve finished the deliciously scented oils, you only need to purchase a refill. This also gives you an opportunity to sample other scents from the range.
It has a stylish ceramic design that will fit seamlessly among your Shelfie and comes with just a few reeds to ensure the longevity of the oils - but they are thicker so you still get the same intense scent wafting around the room. Our favourite is the Fig Trees which is set alongside sweet cassis and amber to give a warming and holiday-like feel.
Buy now £90.00, Cult Beauty
Bella Freud Ciao Diffuser
Pop this on your entrance or coffee table for an instant hit of cool. The ceramic pot and its handpainted ‘Ciao’ doodle is the perfect balance of chic and playful - I recently moved house and it was the first thing I unpacked.
So it looks sexy, but what about the scent? The fragrance is made for breezy summer evenings (or at least to conjure up memories of them). Warm fig leaf, sweet orange blossom and vetiver dance together to create a light yet masculine blend.
In Bella’s own words: “Ciao floats down the breeze as a Motorino buzzes past, the sun hits the leaves of a fig tree. The seductive smell of a stranger’s eau de cologne mingles with a morning expresso, thoughts of the night before make for a beating heart”. Order the refills on repeat.
Buy now £155.00, Bella Freud
