The Best Air Fresheners You Can Get

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Air Fresheners You Can Get and hope the blog can help you.

Whether subtly or strongly scented, air fresheners do more than add fragrance to the home—they fight foulness and brighten people’s mood, too.

From funky kitchen odors to rank bathroom smells, our homes can get pretty musty, especially in the fall and winter months. Air fresheners can improve our environment’s scent through chemical or natural means. Some products diffuse synthetic or all-natural compounds to mask unpleasant odors and enhance air quality. Others contain purifying liquids or solids to deodorize and soak up bad smells where they lurk. It is up to the individual whether they want to be whisked away to a tropical paradise every time they inhale or not smell a thing but clean, fresh air.

Here are picks for the best air fresheners on the market today, plus helpful tips to help guide people as they shop.

1. BEST OVERALL: Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator Spray & Air Freshener
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel 2-Pack
3. BEST AROMA DIFFUSER: Everlasting Comfort Essential Oil Diffuser
4. BEST PLUG-IN: Air Wick Botanica Plug In Scented Oil Starter Kit
5. BEST AUTOMATIC: Svavo Automatic LCD Fragrance Dispenser
6. BEST CHARCOAL: Moso Natural The Original Air Purifying Bag
7. BEST FOR PET ODOR: Zero Odor Pet Odor Eliminator
8. BEST FOR BATHROOM: Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, Citrus Scent
9. BEST FOR CAR: Febreze Car Air Freshener
10. BEST LONG-LASTING: Glade PlugIn Plus Air Freshener Warmer

How We Chose the Best Air Fresheners

There are hundreds of different air fresheners on the market, and of course it’s impossible for us to convey fragrance via the website. That being the case, rather than just spritzing the scent in the air, we had to look at other ways to make our selection.

The best air fresheners don’t mask unpleasant smells with strong perfume; they neutralize the odors, and this was a key factor. We also looked at providing options for those who like a certain fragrance in the air, and for those who prefer unscented air fresheners.

Environmental and health considerations are always an important part of our deliberations, and we looked for safe, responsibly sourced ingredients whenever possible. Finally, we wanted to offer versatility, so we chose devices that would suit any location and could combat a wide variety of odor sources.

Our Top Picks

No foul play here. These recommendations are based on health-conscious ingredients, quality materials, and products that actually do what they say: eliminate odors or perfume the air in the home. Here are the best in all categories, including sprays, gels, sachets, and diffusers.

Best Overall

Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator Spray & Air Freshener

Fresh Wave should win best overall and best all-natural air freshener. It removes odors from the air without harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, or known toxins. Potent enough to eliminate pet smells as well as trash, smoke, mildew, and bathroom odors, Fresh Wave can also be used as a deodorizer and fabric freshener. It’s safe to use on upholstery and carpets and won’t harm pets or little ones. With an essential oil blend of pine, lime, clove, anise, and cedarwood, Fresh Wave is versatile and pleasant to inhale. The aroma dissipates quickly, leaving any space clean and, yes, very fresh. The only downside to this Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safer Choice-certified product is that it’s packaged in single-use plastic spray bottles, but they can at least be reused or recycled.

Product Specs

• Type: Spray
• Size: Two 8-ounce spray bottles
• Fragrance: Unscented, lavender, or lemon

Pros

• Versatile air, fabric, and trash freshener
• Natural, plant-based ingredients
• EPA Safer Choice certified

Cons

• Single-use plastic bottles
• Scented versions dissipate too quickly for some

Get the Fresh Wave spray air freshener at Amazon.

Best Bang for the Buck

Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel 2-Pack

Fresh Wave’s innovative odor-removing gel is a winner for many reasons. First, it actually works, absorbing and neutralizing bad smells anywhere in the house. Second, Fresh Wave has earned a Safer Choice certification from the EPA, so buyers won’t be introducing toxins into the air to mask unpleasant smells and risk their health. Instead, they’ll enjoy the lightly spiced aroma of essential oils, including pine, lime, clove, anise, and cedarwood. As the gel evaporates over 60 days, yucky smells vanish, leaving freshness instead. Place Fresh Wave gel containers wherever odors are worst, like in bathrooms or pet areas, and let them do their thing.

Product Specs

• Type: Gel
• Size: 15 ounces
• Fragrance: Unscented

Pros

• Natural, with no harsh chemicals
• EPA Safer Choice certified
• Easy-to-use refills

Cons

• Jar needs to be near odor source
• Some find it ineffective with pet odors

Get the Fresh Wave gel air freshener at Amazon.

Best Aroma Diffuser

Everlasting Comfort Essential Oil Diffuser

Here’s a gift that keeps on giving: Everlasting Comfort’s Essential Oil Diffuser is stunning to look at and works like a dream. This ultrasonic diffuser is made of BPA-free materials that look like carved wood. The electronic components are certified for safety, reliability, and quality, making Everlasting Comfort a good choice for bedrooms and living spaces of all kinds. Just add a few drops of a favorite essential oil and the diffuser does the rest, wafting a gentle mist that will last all night long. Though the diffuser does come with a cleaning kit, the extra-large 400 milliliter water tank doesn’t require frequent maintenance. Noise-free with a built-in timer and seven colored LED mood lights, Everlasting Comfort delivers a fresh scent that is calming for both the lungs and the mind.

Product Specs

• Type: Diffuser
• Size: 400 milliliters
• Fragrance: Any essential oil

Pros

• 7-color mood lighting
• Variable mist output
• Works for up to 13 hours

Cons

• Pricey
• Requires periodic cleaning

Get the Everlasting Comfort air freshener at Amazon.

Best Plug-In

Air Wick Botanica Plug In Scented Oil Starter Kit

Drift away to a desert island or an alpine meadow: Whatever an individual’s favorite scent may be, there’s an Air Wick Botanica plug-in diffuser for them. The essential oils from this Caribbean Sweetgrass and Sandalwood kit are responsibly sourced from Haiti and contain no artificial dyes or phthalates. Long lasting and easy to refill, Botanica by Air Wick lasts up to 60 days on low power and can be plugged in anywhere. As well as sandalwood, this plug-in also comes in an ever-increasing range, including Himalayan Magnolia and Vanilla as well as Fresh Pineapple and Tunisian Rosemary. The downside is this product may be too overpowering for those who are sensitive to scent.

Product Specs

• Type: Diffuser
• Size: 2 warmers plus 6 refills
• Fragrance: Caribbean Sweetgrass and Sandalwood, Fresh Pineapple and Tunisian Rosemary, Himalayan Magnolia and Vanilla, Island Rose and African Geranium, French Lavender and Honey Blossom

Pros

• 5 output levels for fragrance control
• Responsibly sourced ingredients
• Plug-and-go simplicity

Cons

• 60-day duration requires lowest setting
• Warmers are not recyclable

Get the Air Wick air freshener at Amazon.

Best Automatic

Svavo Automatic LCD Fragrance Dispenser

The Svavo fragrance dispenser is best for larger home and commercial spaces. For those who want aroma to linger in the air without much effort, the Svavo’s dispenser could be the air freshener of choice. Using its LCD display, users can program the spray interval time from 1 to 60 minutes at their preferred level of fragrance intensity. They can even program different modes for weekends and weekdays, making the Svavo great for gyms and other places of business. The fragrance dispenser can be mounted to a wall or simply set on a desk, bookshelf, or other flat, stable surface. The unit requires aerosol fragrance sprays, which come in a range of scents, and two AA batteries, both sold separately.

Product Specs

• Type: Aerosol spray
• Size: Takes standard 5.51-inch by 2.56-inch refills
• Fragrance: Any standard aerosol spray

Pros

• Frequency intervals of 1 to 60 minutes
• Flexible working modes for workplace use
• Freestanding or wall-mounted

Cons

• Comparatively expensive
• Batteries not included

Get the Svavo air freshener at Amazon.

Best Charcoal

Moso Natural The Original Air Purifying Bag

There are lots of charcoal air purifiers on the market, but few stack up to the Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag. Each bag contains the highest-quality bamboo charcoal, which is nontoxic and completely biodegradable. Instead of masking fragrances, Moso bags effectively purify the home’s air, freeing it from odors, pollutants, and even moisture. Fragrance-free and 100 percent chemical-free, a Moso bag can last up to 2 years with simple maintenance. Simply place any Moso bag outside in the sun once a month for an hour. That’s it. And instead of throwing out the bag when it has stopped absorbing odors, sprinkle the charcoal on the garden for an all-natural fertilizer. Each Moso bag covers up to 300 square feet and is intended for kitchens, basements, bedrooms, and anywhere else that the air needs a refresh.

Product Specs

• Type: Sachet
• Size: 600 grams (21 ounces)
• Fragrance: Unscented

Pros

• Chemical- and fragrance-free
• Covers up to 300 feet
• Lasts up to 2 years

Cons

• A little bulky
• Needs direct sun once a month

Get the Moso Natural air freshener atAmazon.

Best for Pet Odor

Zero Odor Pet Odor Eliminator

For all the smelliest pet problems, this is the best odor-eater solution. Zero Odor is a liquid deodorizer spray that permanently eliminates funky scents wherever they lurk, including kitchens, basements, carpet, and clothing. Zero Odor doesn’t contain harsh chemicals and is nontoxic and nonallergenic. The patented formula is designed to bond with odor particles on a molecular level, neutralizing them in the process. Best of all, Zero Odor is safe for both pets and kids. Spray it on fabric, car upholstery, and carpeting for quick and effective odor elimination. This product doesn’t leave chemical traces behind—only the scent of clean.

Product Specs

• Type: Spray
• Size: 64-ounce refill (16-ounce spray available)
• Fragrance: Unscented

Pros

• Nontoxic, nonallergenic, and biodegradable
• Economical pack for use with any spray bottle
• Made in the U.S.

Cons

• We believe packaging is single-use plastic
• Fabrics and carpets should be patch tested

Get the Zero Odor air freshener at Amazon.

Best for Bathroom

Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, Citrus Scent

With its tongue-in-cheek name, Poo-Pourri is memorable for sure. But does it work? The answer is a resounding yes, and with all-natural ingredients, no less. To avoid bathroom smells altogether, simply “spritz the bowl before you go.” The original nonaerosol spray contains a blend of lemon, bergamot, and lemongrass essential oils. But buyers can also choose from the brand’s wide selection of fragrances, including humorously named blends like “Deja Poo” and “Ship Happens.” All Poo-Pourri sprays contain natural compounds and no harsh chemicals, parabens, phthalates, or formaldehyde. This is a great product for guest bathrooms or anywhere else a little discretion is required.

Product Specs

• Type: Spray
• Size: 2 ounces
• Fragrance: Citrus (many others available)

Pros

• All-natural ingredients
• Traps odor under the water
• Up to 100 uses per bottle

Cons

• Not completely child-safe
• Possible eye irritant

Get the Poo-Pourri air freshener at Amazon.

Best for Car

Febreze Car Air Freshener

The interiors of cars and trucks get subjected to all manner of smells. People hop right in after exercise, food and drinks get spilled, wet dogs jump in, etc. Add heat on a cold day, and it can get pretty smelly in there.

Febreze Car Air Freshener is a simple, affordable, and effective solution that uses what the company calls Odor Clear Technology to eliminate odors actively rather than just masking them. Just push to activate and then clip it to the air vent of a vehicle. The scent level is adjustable, providing up to a month of pleasant freshness in a wide variety of fragrances.

Febreze has high safety standards, but there are petroleum-based contents, so they are not recyclable in the normal sense. However, specialists TerraCycle will dispose of Febreze products in an environmentally friendly way if sent in. Additionally, like many such products, Febreze should be kept away from kids and pets.

Product Specs

• Type: Diffuser
• Size: Four 0.06-ounce fresheners
• Fragrance: Gain Citrus, Gain Island Fresh (others available)

Pros

• Odor Clear Technology; eliminates odors at the source
• Conveniently attaches to air vent for ample scent distribution
• Supported by TerraCycle; fully recyclable
• Easy to set up in seconds

Cons

• Should be kept away from children and pets
• Limited quantity per unit; may run out fast

Get the Febreze air freshener at Amazon.

Best Long-Lasting

Glade PlugIn Plus Air Freshener Warmer

Many low-cost plug-in diffusers can simply be turned on or off. Though some offer variable-scent output, they still operate day and night, whether the house is occupied or not.

The Glade Plugin Plus is different in that it offers an optional 8-hour rest cycle, so it can be turned off during the night or while people are at work. This makes the fragrance last longer, and because the plug-in isn’t on when it’s not needed, it also saves energy.

The Smart Light feature indicates when the fragrance level has dropped to 30 percent so a refill can be kept handy. It will also turn itself off automatically when empty, providing further energy savings. Glade offers literally dozens of different fragrances for all preferences. Some feel the initial scent is stronger than necessary, while a few find the light too bright for bedroom use.

Product Specs

• Type: Diffuser
• Size: 0.67 ounces
• Fragrance: Any Glade PlugIn refill

Pros

• Energy and scent control
• Alert for low fragrance level
• Auto shutoff when empty

Cons

• Light may be too bright for some
• Single-use plastics

Get the Glade air freshener at Amazon.

Jump to Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Air Freshener

Air fresheners really