The Best Plug-In Air Fresheners

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Keep your home smelling fresh with the continuous action of a plug-in air freshener.

Spray an air freshener and it may mitigate bad house smells momentarily. But, plug-in air fresheners combat unpleasant odors continuously, masking or even eliminating them completely. These products come in a number of different formats and typically work by heating oil or wax to aerosolize or vaporize fragrances. Although air purifiers sanitize the air by filtering out dust, mold spores, pet dander, and more.

While choosing the best plug-in air freshener might seem like a simple decision, there are a number of considerations to weigh. This guide explores important features and considerations and some of the top products on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Febreze Odor-eliminating Plug Air Freshener
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Air Wick Plug in Scented Oil Starter Kit
3. BEST ECO-FRIENDLY: Air Wick Botanica Plug in Scented Oil Starter Kit
4. BEST DIFFUSER: Pure Daily Care Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser Set
5. BEST AIR PURIFIER: LEVOIT Smart WiFi Air Purifier for Home
6. BEST MINI AIR PURIFIER: Germ Guardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer
7. BEST FOR BATHROOM: Mindful Design Frosted Pagoda Wax Warmer Plug-In
8. BEST FOR CAR: InnoGear Car Diffuser, USB Essential Oil Diffuser

Types of Plug-in Air Fresheners

There are four basic types of plug-in air fresheners for unpleasant odors: heated oils and sprays, wax warmers, essential oil diffusers, and air purifiers. Each provides varying benefits and offers differing levels of convenience, longevity, and additional features.

Heated Oil and Spray

These standard plug-in air fresheners are energy efficient, emitting a fairly strong fragrance while using a minimal amount of electricity. They feature cartridges filled with a wide variety of scented oils, which are then aerosolized and sprayed into the room. Most models are compatible with any refill cartridge from the same brand. Each cartridge lasts between 30 and 60 days, though longevity varies from brand to brand.

Some folks find the fragrance from this type of air freshener to be overpowering, but there are products that let you control the level of scent emitted, adjusting it to room size or user preference. Be mindful of standard plug-in air fresheners when it comes to children and pets, because heated oils and sprays are dangerous if ingested.

Wax Warmers

Wax warmers act as a safer alternative to burning candles, relying on either a light bulb or a warming plate as a heat source instead of an open flame. Bulbs for plug-in wax warmers range from 25 to 40 watts, and various models may emit soft, ambient light to mimic a candle. While some models may come with wax, it can also be purchased separately.

These products feature a heat-resistant bowl where users place wax melts or pucks that come in various natural and synthetic fragrances. The wax takes several hours to cool completely and should not be accessible to children or pets. Each wax melt lasts for up to 10 hours.

Essential Oil Diffusers

Essential oils are natural, plant-derived substances said to have a number of aromatherapeutic benefits. Essential oil diffusers heat essential oils to break them down and dispense the smaller particles into the air. Most models also use water to provide both a humidifying and air- freshening effect.

While the water reservoir must be refilled daily, only a few drops of essential oil are required. Some oil diffusers are sold with essential oils while others require that you purchase them separately. Essential oil diffusers should only be used for half an hour at a time because prolonged exposure to essential oils may have negative health effects.

Air Purifiers

Air purifiers actually eliminate unpleasant odors rather than simply covering them up. Not only that, but they also improve air quality by removing dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander. They are the ideal choice for reducing airborne contaminants that aggravate allergy symptoms and cause respiratory issues. They draw in odors and particles from the air, then use filters to purify the air before recirculating it into the room.

The highest-quality filters are known as HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters. They have been certified to trap 99.97 percent of all particles that are 0.3 microns or larger in size. HEPA filters must be changed every 3 to 6 months.

When choosing an air purifier, consider the size of your space. Most manufacturers will stipulate the ideal room size for their product and provide an air change per hour (ACH) rate, which lets users know how many times per hour it will filter all of the air in the room.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Plug-in Air Freshener 

A number of factors and product features may affect a plug-in air freshener’s scent, settings, aesthetic, convenience, and overall quality. Keep reading to learn important considerations when shopping for the best plug-in air freshener for unpleasant home smells.

Location

When choosing an air freshener, first consider where it will be placed. While a stronger fragrance may be a great choice for a large open space, it may be overpowering in a small bathroom. Also, consider any pets or young children in the household, and be sure to place the plug-in air freshener out of their reach.

Note that your vehicle may also benefit from a plug-in product. Some are designed to be plugged into a car’s 2-volt outlet, while others use a USB cable. They’re convenient for covering up the smell of fast food or stinky sports equipment. They typically power on when the engine is running to avoid wasting the car’s battery.

Scent

One of the primary considerations when choosing an air freshener is whether to go with a scented or unscented version. Standard air fresheners, as well as essential oil diffusers and wax warmers, feature a wide variety of fresh scents that can be swapped out seasonally or depending on your preference.

Decide whether natural aromas from essential oils or synthetic scents are the better choice for your household, keeping in mind that some artificial smells may act as irritants to allergy sufferers. Also remember that air purifiers eliminate odors without emitting any additional scent.

Settings

Each type of plug-in air freshener can feature a range of settings.

• Some standard air fresheners allow users to control the level of fragrance emitted based on how strong they want the smell to be. Others feature night-lights that are convenient for late-night bathroom trips.
• Essential oil diffusers may include timers, ambient light settings, and auto-shutoff features that detect low water levels.
• Air purifiers often feature different fan settings, timers, and filter change indicators. They may also include smart technology, allowing users to control them remotely via a smartphone or a tablet.

Aesthetic

When choosing an air freshener that will be placed in a visible location, the product’s appearance is a key consideration.

• Heated oil and spray air fresheners typically have a simple plastic design and display the color of the oil or liquid.
• Wax warmers vary widely in appearance, with options to suit a number of different decor styles. They may have either a natural, a contemporary, or a bohemian aesthetic.
• Essential oil diffusers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and feature casings made from plastic, wood, glass, and terra cotta.
• Air purifiers often feature streamlined modern designs that help them blend in with existing decor items.

Convenience

Some shoppers may prioritize convenience when choosing a plug-in air freshener. Air purifiers offer optimal convenience since their filters only need to be changed a few times per year. Essential oil diffusers, on the other hand, need their water reservoirs filled daily.

When shopping for a standard plug-in air freshener, look for a model that is compatible with both vertical and horizontal outlets that can be plugged in upside down if necessary.

Our Top Picks

The following recommendations take into account the abovementioned factors and features for choosing the best plug-in air freshener, in addition to overall quality and value. Check out these top options in a variety of categories for eliminating unpleasant odors and controlling the air quality in your home.

Best Overall

Febreze Odor-eliminating Plug Air Freshener

This heated oil set from Febreze packs a serious punch—and some pleasant scents. It includes the plug-in warmer as well as one to two refill cartridges, each of which features two rotating, complementary scents that feature notes of lily and pear. Use the highest setting for large open spaces and the lowest setting for smaller rooms.

Each cartridge operates for 1,200 hours (approximately 50 days) at the lowest setting. The warmer is also compatible with all other versions of Febreze plug-in cartridges for more tropical, musky, or floral scents. The warmer is compatible with both horizontal and vertical outlets and can be placed upside down if necessary.

Product Specs

• Type: Heated oil
• Scent(s): Clean linen, lily, and pear
• Longevity: 50 days (per refill)

Pros

• Refill cartridges
• Suitable for large and small spaces
• Compatible with horizontal and vertical outlets
• Compact and lightweight

Cons

• Should not be used in enclosed areas with pets
• Cannot be used with extension cords
• Not compatible with wet or moist areas

Get the Febreze plug-in air freshener at Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

Best Bang for the Buck

Air Wick Plug in Scented Oil Starter Kit

Air Wick’s scented oil starter kit features two warmers and six refills at a budget-friendly price. Control the amount of fragrance emitted by choosing from five settings for tackling cooking, musty, and pet odors. This kit provides a lavender aroma for 360 days on the lowest setting, with each cartridge lasting for approximately 60 days.

The oil is free of dyes and phthalates and contains natural fragrances, which include notes of lavender essence as well as chamomile and woods. The packing materials and glass cartridges are recyclable to make the product eco-friendly. The refills are also compatible with all other Air Wick plug-in air fresheners.

Product Specs 

• Type: Heated oil
• Scent(s): Lavender and chamomile
• Longevity: 60 days (per refill)

Pros

• Extra refills
• 5 settings
• Lasts for 360 days total on the lowest setting
• Dye- and phthalate-free
• Recyclable and eco-friendly

Cons

• Some users report issues with the scent quality

Get the Air Wick Starter Kit at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Walmart.

Best Eco-Friendly

Air Wick Botanica Plug in Scented Oil Starter Kit

Air Wick’s Botanica line is tough on unpleasant smells and gentle on the planet. The oil contains responsibly sourced ingredients and no chemical propellants, dyes, or phthalates, and it was not tested on animals. The scent features Caribbean sweetgrass and sandalwood, and the sweetgrass essential oil is responsibly sourced from Haiti. It comes in a 100 percent recyclable box and is made in a zero-waste plant.

The kit includes two warmers and six refills, each of which provides up to 60 days of pleasant, warm aromas on the lowest setting. Air Wick also makes a number of other eco-friendly Botanica fragrances, including French Lavender and Honey, Pineapple and Tunisian Rosemary, and Himalayan Magnolia and Vanilla.

Product Specs 

• Type: Heated oil
• Scent(s): Caribbean sweetgrass and sandalwood, French lavender and honey, pineapple and Tunisian rosemary, and Himalayan magnolia and vanilla
• Longevity: 60 days (per refill)

Pros

• Free of propellants, dyes, and phthalates
• Cruelty-free
• Responsibly-sourced oil
• 100 percent recyclable packaging

Cons 

• Some users report poor scent quality

Get the Air Wick Scented Oil Starter Kit at Amazon, Sears, and Walmart.

Best Diffuser

Pure Daily Care Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser Set

Pure Daily Care makes an excellent starter kit for those interested in aromatherapy. This diffuser comes with 10 therapeutic-grade essential oils, including lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange, peppermint, lemongrass, jasmine, nutmeg, clove, and spearmint. Each is packaged in a 10-milliliter amber jar that protects the oil from sun degradation.

The diffuser itself is made from BPA-free plastic with a wood grain design and has a 400-milliliter capacity. It features seven ambient light modes with two light intensity settings as well as a timer and an auto-shutoff feature that detects low water levels.

Product Specs 

• Type: Essential oil diffuser
• Scent(s): Lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange, peppermint, lemongrass, jasmine, nutmeg, clove, and spearmint
• Longevity: Unlimited

Pros

• Suitable for aromatherapy
• 10 essential oils with amber jars for sun protection
• BPA-free plastic construction
• 400-millimeter capacity
• 7 ambient light modes

Cons

• No longevity between reloads listed
• Pricey compared to similar options

Get the Pure Daily Care diffuser set at Amazon, Sears, and Walmart.

Best Air Purifier

LEVOIT Smart WiFi Air Purifier for Home

LEVOIT smart air purifier connects to a Wi-Fi network, allowing users to control it remotely from a smartphone or a tablet. Eliminate 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants that are 0.3 microns in size, including dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander, using the ultrafine nylon prefilter, activated carbon filter, and HEPA filter. In a 183-square-foot room, this air purifier circulates air five times per hour and twice per hour in a 376-square-foot room.

For uninterrupted sleep, users can turn off all display lights while the purifier is operating. Sleep mode also operates quietly at just 24 decibels, while “high-speed” mode produces 45 decibels of sound, which is comparable to the sound of a fridge running.

Product Specs 

• Type: Air purifier
• Scent(s): N/A
• Longevity: Unlimited

Pros

• Connects to Wi-Fi networks; controllable through smartphones and tablets
• Removes 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants
• 3-step filtration system
• Circulates air multiple times per hour
• Night mode

Cons

• Pricey
• No air quality sensor built-in

Get the LEVOIT Smart WiFi air purifier at Amazon, Target, and