Candles vs Diffusers — A Fragrance Expert Shares Which Style of Home Scenting Works (and Looks) the Best

In my opinion, one of life's little luxuries is a home that smells good. There's nothing quite like entering a room to be greeted with the pleasant aroma of a scented candle or reed diffuser. While inherently similar, these home fragrance options do have subtle differences. So that begs the question — which is better in the candles vs diffusers debate?

The best home fragrances should transform your home, and according to Brittany Bell, director of fragrance at Voluspa, "there’s a place for both reed diffusers and candles when scenting the home."

So, how do you pick? You'll want to consider the scent itself, and your preferred intensity (this will also depend on the size of your space). Then there's the overall look, style, and size. These are all questions that will help you decide between candles vs diffusers. But to further guide you, I asked Brittany for her expert opinion, below.

When To Choose a Scented Candle

If you're anything like me, you probably have dozens of candles scattered throughout your home. They really are the perfect mood-setting tool — whether you're hosting a cozy dinner party or setting up a bubble bath for a self-care night, the best candles instantly set the tone.

As Brittany Bell puts it, "nothing beats the ambiance and warm glow of a candle." There's something so inherently peaceful and easy about lighting a scented candle, letting its aroma slowly fill the room. But aside from mood-setting qualities, what makes a candle more appealing than a reed diffuser? One word: control.

With candles, you control the intensity. When capped, there's no scent at all. Remove the lid, and you'll smell a subtle fragrance. Light the wick, and the scent will become powerful.

Since candles tend to be more intensely scented than red diffusers, Brittany explains that there are certain scents that simply work best in this form. "I find woods, ambers, and vanillas are much better experienced through candles, where the warmth helps bring those richer scents to life," she says.

Candles and reed diffusers also differ in appearance, and their look may influence your decision on where to place them. The typically cylindrical vessel of candles makes them a great piece of decor — perfect for a table centerpiece or side table decoration. Plus, scented candles are adaptable — Brittany tells me she uses them in most rooms in her home.

With innate sophistication, instantaneous mood-setting qualities, and controlled intensity, scented candles become a key element to home decor that'll elevate both the look and atmosphere of any room.

When to Choose A Reed Diffuser

Like candles, reed diffusers are another solution to providing your home with a pleasant scent. Visually, reed diffusers differ from candles as they're composed of a vessel filled with oil and finished with several reed sticks. These sticks absorb fragrance oils which then get diffused, slowly throughout the room.

There are a few key differences that make reed diffusers stand apart from candles. Primarily — they're much safer. Since they don't require a light, you don't need to constantly watch over reed diffusers or worry about a potential fire hazard.

In terms of scent formulation and output, top notes tend to me more prominent in reed diffusers. "Citrus, herbs, and florals really shine in reed form," according to Brittany. "However, you sometimes lose those deeper base notes," she remarks. Typically, the fragrance output from reed diffusers is not as strong as candles.

Although scent output is subtle, one benefit to reed diffusers is consistency. The best reed diffusers will regularly emit a soft scent, and when it comes time to refresh, you simply flip the reed sticks.

Reed diffusers work particularly well in the bathroom, says Brittany. "Diffusers are a must in bathrooms — such an easy, no-fuss way to keep the space smelling fresh without lifting a finger," she says.

But these scent solutions aren't limited to bathrooms. Brittany tells me that you can place a reed diffuser anywhere in your home — they can act as a mantle decoration or coffee table decor. These stylish vessels offer an alternative to the traditional look of candles.

So, Candles vs Diffusers — Which is Better?

While scented candles and reed diffusers share many similarities, they also have some stark differences. Candles tend to create a more intense scent that will fill a space for a certain amount of time, while reed diffusers are more subtle, but consistent.

So really, when it comes to choosing, I think it depends on where you're planning to fragrance, and for what purpose. Candles would work better in open areas like living rooms and kitchens, whereas reed diffusers would be better for smaller, more enclosed spaces like a bathroom or bedroom.

But for the ultimate scenting experience, why choose when you can have both? "If you have a larger space, try layering your scent: keep a diffuser going for consistent fragrance, then light a candle in the same scent when you're home to really amplify the mood," says Brittany.