Although there is still some debate on the medical benefits of aromatherapy, there is hardly any argument against the effects that scents can have on our state of mind, not to mention our physiology. Overpowering perfumes, for example, can make us sneeze or give us a headache, but gentle aromas can induce a state of calm and relaxation or trigger pleasant memories associated with those smells. Essential oil diffusers have become quite popular these days as an alternative way for some people to relieve stress, but some actually induce stress because of their poor design or complicated operation. Nothing, however, could be simpler than just dropping a few drops of fragrant oils on a surface and sitting back to relax, which is the kind of simplicity that this sustainable and unique-looking material tries to offer.
Aroma diffusers now come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. The most basic ones have ceramic or metal containers and use a candle or heat to make the oil evaporate and diffuse the scent. There are now, however, devices that use electricity to turn infused water into vapor and spray it into the air. While both types have their advantages and drawbacks, they both involve some amount of preparation, setup, and time.
A new kind of essential oil diffuser has started appearing, though, one that keeps human interaction down to a minimum, pretty much just putting in a few drops of liquid. Such products use natural properties to evaporate the liquid and natural air to distribute the scent in a room. That’s the heat-free and electricity-free experience that this sponge-like aroma diffuser is promising, but that’s not what makes this particular design special.
Despite its foam-like appearance, the material is actually made of a new kind of terracotta that mixes organic biopolymers and inorganic ceramics and terracotta clay. It’s actually that mixture, especially when dried under sunlight, that gives the hybrid organic-inorganic material its porous appearance. This new and still experimental methodology yields distinctive porosity structures, meaning that each batch is unique and one-of-a-kind.
Terracotta is popular for its absorbent qualities, making it the ideal material for sustainable humidifiers. In this more porous form, the material can not only hold oils, water, and other liquids but also let them easily evaporate to diffuse their aromas. This new kind of terracotta material not only makes for an effective and sustainable aroma diffuser, it also provides a visually interesting design that easily outclasses most diffusers available in the market today.
This battery-free aroma diffuser seemingly works like magic in spreading soothing scents while looking gorgeous wherever you place it.
With the almost unending causes of stress in our modern lives, many people have resorted to different methods to calm their minds and bodies, often by delighting senses other than their sight. While music seems to be the most common way to set (or break) a mood, some people have instead taken to aromas to bring them to a state of equilibrium. As such, it isn’t at all surprising that there has been an uptake in the production and sales of essential oil diffusers, many of which use electronics to create and spread vapors. It isn’t a convenient method, nor is it sustainable. Fortunately, there are better alternatives to electricity-powered diffusers, and we take a look at one of the most interesting designs to see if this battery-free beauty is worth its price.
There are, of course, aroma diffusers that simply put an oil container on top of a candle flame. While they technically satisfy the sustainability requirement, they’re hardly different from electric diffusers in that their design is completely utilitarian. They fulfill a function, and that’s pretty much it. Beyond that very specific use case, they rarely have any other purpose and are most often stowed away out of sight.
The Lei non-electric aroma diffuser, in contrast, is almost like a decorative piece that already upgrades the quality of a space just by being there. It has the appearance of a very barebones miniature windmill with a single-blade fan. The all-black metal structure provides a nice contrast with any color, while its minimalist aesthetic blends well with any interior motif you might have going.
Unlike any other diffuser, Lei looks both simple and complex. The thin pieces of bent metal form only the skeleton that keeps the structure standing, allowing the viewer to see anything behind it. This theme of transparency is carried over to the left side of the diffuser, which houses the candle in a glass cylinder. This vessel shields people’s hands from the heat of the candle while also adding a bit of material contrast to the cold black metal frame.
At the same, the aroma diffuser also evokes a sense of mystery and complexity, especially when you see it working. How can something so simple and plain even function as a diffuser, especially with a fan that turns without any machinery or electricity? Your brain isn’t able to immediately make the connection between the candle flame and the turning blade, putting your mind in an almost contemplative state. Even when just passively standing as a piece of decoration, this beautiful aroma diffuser already creates an impact on your awareness and mood, setting the stage for a deeper and more emotional experience once you actually light up that candle.
Ergonomics
Although a diffuser of any sort is not something you will constantly hold in your hands, the usability of a product goes a long way in ensuring the user’s comfort. Even if you do not need to worry yourself about the risks of electricity or the availability of batteries, getting burned by hot surfaces can still ruin what should instead be a calming experience. Fortunately, Lei was designed to be super simple to use, despite its seemingly magical operation.
It doesn’t get any simpler than putting a few drops of oil on a tray that slots into the back of the fan and then lighting a candle. The glass cover around the candle not only protects anyone from accidentally touching the flame but also ensures that heat is properly directed to the metal plate above it. Cleaning the diffuser is also a simple affair since only those parts have to be regularly cleaned.
The electricity-free aroma diffuser is also portable to some extent. You can place it anywhere in the room or house as you wish without having to worry about placing it near a wall socket. That said, it isn’t exactly something you can bring with you anywhere, especially if you want to include the glass cover. And while you definitely don’t need batteries, you will have to make sure you have a supply of tealight candles ready for use. If you don’t, Lei is really nothing more than a beautiful piece of decoration that you should have left at home anyway.
Performance
This sustainable aroma diffuser is quite unique in the way it works, even among other candle-powered diffusers. Others of the latter kind often light a small fire underneath a receptacle, usually a small ceramic bowl, that heats up the oil inside it until it evaporates and diffuses into the air. That, however, has the effect of overheating the oil to the point that it actually affects the scent it gives off.
In Lei’s case, the candle only heats the metal arm above it, and this heat is transferred to a fan that uses that energy to spin slowly. The aroma from the oil is therefore preserved and is gently carried by the breeze generated by the fan. While this seemingly magical process works fine for most cases, it does come with two very important drawbacks.
The first one is that it takes a bit longer for the diffuser to actually start spreading the aroma, around two to three minutes to warm up the fan. You also have to give the blade a push to start its motion rather than having it move on its own. There’s also no option to set the intensity of the diffusion, unlike on an electric device. It is, however, still more effective than a regular candle diffuser because you can control the direction and flow of air rather than hoping for the best.
The more important consideration, however, is that room temperature can greatly affect its performance. If you put it near an air conditioner or fan, it will take a bit longer for the fan to reach the required temperature to start spinning. Placement is still important, but you have at least more freedom in where you want to put the diffuser.
Sustainability
An electric diffuser might sound like less work to get you in a state of relaxation, but only if you never stop to consider how your peace of mind comes at the expense of the planet. Most, if not all, such diffusers are primarily made from a lot of plastic, and the electronics inside them make recycling and proper disposal more difficult. Those that directly plug into power outlets also add to the overall electricity consumption and carbon footprint, even if they take only sips.
This aroma diffuser is, of course, completely sustainable, from its metal and glass composition to its use of heat conduction rather than electricity. Even the packaging itself, made from aluminum and paper, is sustainable. In other words, you can enjoy a guilt-free “Me Time” with your favorite oils, knowing that, at least in this case, you aren’t adding to the troubles of the planet.
Value
Lei is a beautiful aroma diffuser that puts sustainability at its core. It’s almost perfect, if not for the considerations about temperature and portability mentioned earlier. There is, however, one other major factor that could make or break your decision to buy one. While it is, without a doubt, a well-designed product, it is also a product that isn’t easily accessible to many people.
This sustainable diffuser carries a three-figure price tag that is almost double that of typical aroma diffusers. Admittedly, that kind of price difference isn’t exactly unusual for designer products such as this. It does clearly mark it as something made for and targeted at enthusiasts, those who greatly appreciate a beautifully designed product, as well as the pure scents of oils. For this kind of crowd, this is definitely worth the investment for both its sustainability and its aesthetics.
Verdict
Aroma diffusers today come in all shapes, sizes, and features. Some are hi-tech wonders that try to be smarter than you, while others go back to the basics with nothing more than fire and oil, with some ceramic or metal in between. This completely green diffuser is somewhere in between while also being in a league of its own. It demonstrates the best of human creativity in applying physics to something so simple yet still respects natural processes while giving it a little push. And it does so in a shape that is eye-catching yet so simple that it almost blends into the background. Elegant and uncomplicated, it embodies what a relaxing atmosphere should be.
It isn’t without its faults, though. To some extent, it is also at the mercy of the very heat it ingeniously utilizes to its benefit. It is also a representative of the stereotypical designer product that surpasses the common fare in both aesthetic and price. But for something beautiful that’s meant to last a long, long time, it is pretty much a long-term investment not only for your well-being but also for that of the planet.
Essential oils are quite trendy these days, and a good number of them try to recreate man-made scents like processed flowers, soft linen, or even coffee. Diffusers come in a variety of designs and gimmicks, with some using flames while others generate gentle winds on their own. Sometimes, however, your nose or your mind might be craving a specific kind of scent, perhaps from a loved childhood memory of camping outdoors or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to a mountain in Japan. Whatever the reason might be, getting your hands on an authentic mountain smell isn’t that easy. At least not without this cute mini bonfire that comes with cute mini firewood that not only lets you smell the woods but also even lets you cook like with a real campfire, all without leaving the safety and convenience of your home.
Aroma is always a touchy subject, and some people are more sensitive to certain scents than others. What might be calming for some might be irritating for others, while some might even have allergic reactions to certain oils. That said, some scents are also difficult to capture, especially using mass-produced chemicals and especially when the scent actually involves what is basically a mixture of smells coming from a variety of sources. The smell of a mountain forest, for example, can be a combination of the different trees that grow there, like how this aroma diffuser combines different trees to recreate the unique scent of Mount Hakusan in Japan.
Aroma de Camp is a rather creative take on the essential oil diffuser situation by designing the experience around a very specific theme, that of enjoying a bonfire or campfire. The “diffuser,” for example, is a miniature bonfire made of rust-resistant stainless steel. Its minimalist design and small size already make it a head-turner, especially when you add the miniature firewood that’s bundled together with a knot, just like real, normal firewood. With looks alone, it’s enough to charm any fan of the wide outdoors, but this miniature bonfire isn’t just for viewing.
Pour a bit of oil on top of the wood, and you have a natural aroma diffuser that’s sure to remind you of the mountains where all these items come from. The essential oil is made from three tree species that grow on Mt. Hakusan, and the hardwood is taken from branches that would normally just be thrown away. Together, the oil and natural wood allow the aroma of a lush forest to spread gently throughout the room, relying on Mother Nature rather than electronics to carry the scent naturally.
The camping experience, however, won’t be complete without a bit of outdoor cooking. Replace the metal fittings on both sides with the bundled metal trivets, and you’ve got a pocket stove that can really cook food when used with solid fuel. This lets you really relive those memorable outdoor experiences indoors or have an emergency stove when a conventional one is unavailable. Whether you’re trying to have a unique cooking experience indoors or simply want to imagine yourself in the middle of a mountain sanctuary, this woody diffuser will deliver a gentle forest aroma in a delightfully charming way.
Most of us probably take our sense of smell for granted, but it’s actually one of the easiest ways to put our minds in a state of calm and relaxation. Given how our world is becoming increasingly stressful these days, it’s no surprise that a growing number of people are taking to incense and essential oils to give themselves a temporary respite. Not all aromas are created equal, of course, and some of them require different devices or diffusers to work. Oil diffusers, for example, won’t work with incense, and there are different types of incense that often need a different kind of incense holder. Rather than stressing over those small details, this seemingly simple incense burner covers all the bases in a rather smart way.
Although essential oils have become the most recent fad, it’s hardly the only way to give your nose a treat. Some people and cultures are more particular about incense, both either in stick or conical forms. There might even be some who prefer directly burning sandalwood or sage leaves instead of using these manufactured products. Rather than worrying about needing a different burner for each of these, Trataka is able to handle all of them with elegance and grace despite its very simple design.
At first glance, it’s a bit difficult to tell what Trataka is. It looks like a metal can with a sunken, concave top and sides that are cut off at four places. In reality, however, it’s made of two separate pieces, each with two “pillars” of the four sides, and these parts have different roles to play, depending on the type of aromatic experience you’re in the mood for. A hole at the top, for example, can hold your incense stick in place and catch the falling ash on the curved surface. That surface, however, can also act as a platform for cone-type incense.
Things get a bit more interesting when you consider you can put different things on top as well. For example, you can place a sprig of sage on top and burn it to let the aromatic smoke fill the room. Or you can put a few drops of your favorite oil on top and place a candle inside to heat it up. In fact, that bottom half can be used on its own as a candle holder to provide a gentle flicker of light any time you want. And when it’s not in use, it stands as a simple yet beautiful piece of minimalist decor on a desk or shelf.
Trataka doesn’t use gimmicks or complicated mechanisms to be able to serve different purposes. In fact, it’s all too simple, and that is exactly what makes it striking. Whether you’re looking forward to chilling with your favorite aromas or simply want something nice to look at, this unassuming but charming metal cylinder definitely does the trick in the simplest way.
Different people try to relax in different ways. Some just need to pop in a good video and lose themselves for hours in entertainment. Others, however, need something a little more sublime. Soothing music, pleasing aromas, or even hypnotic candle lights can help flick a switch in our brains to start winding down. Each one of us has a unique preference, but those preferences can change at a moment’s notice. Most relaxation products, however, address only one or at most two use cases, limiting what you actually achieve when it comes to bathing the senses in positive stimuli. That’s why this smart lamp concept breaks down those barriers to offer a multi-sensory experience that will delight and soothe the senses to help you enter into that state of calm.
Some people shut their eyes tight when they want to block out the world, while others prefer being mesmerized by flickering lights. Some take to their favorite kind of music to chill, while others prefer the scents of essential oils. There are obviously different ways to help our bodies and mind settle down, and also different products targeting those different senses. If you ever wanted to combine all three or find yourself switching between them once in a while, you’re pretty much forced to buy all three kinds of products.
Idiya goes beyond those monosensory devices and combines all three experiences into a single, elegant solution. It’s a smart lamp that looks like a giant candle on the outside, which isn’t by accident. After all, appearances are for the eyes, so it’s critical that the product comes in a familiar and aesthetically pleasing package. The gently sloping middle surface, surrounded by an uneven wall, is designed in the semblance of the basic candle shape, while the lamp’s different and changing colors adapt to a person’s preferences and inclinations.
The device, however, is also a smart speaker that can emit sound in all 360 degrees. A mobile app will let you select your preferred soundscape or theme and even match it with the light of the candle. Last but definitely not least, There’s also an essential oil diffuser that completes the equation, creating a more powerful and entrancing experience that will definitely change the atmosphere inside your home or room.
Truth be told, Idiya is technically a mashup of three different devices, but it’s a combination that is executed in such a graceful manner that you’d be left wondering why it hasn’t been turned into an actual product just yet. Arguably, some prefer simpler, single-use products, but human desires can change so frequently that a single device that targets three of your five senses might be a more efficient and economical way to relax and find your center.
There has been a great deal of interest and concern in the quality of the air we breathe, especially indoors and at home. This has led to a rise in the sales of air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers, as well as a burst in creativity in their designs. Most appliances of this kind stand on the floor or over tables, often as cylindrical or boxy towers. That’s not the only way to design an air purifier, of course, and plenty of concept designs have popped up to push those boundaries. One, in particular, is quite intriguing because it combines the ideas that designers love into an attractive package that can stick to your wall or stand anywhere in your room.
There’s really no rule that an air purifier has to be some tall object. It just happens to be the most convenient form for something that has to be placed in a strategic corner or even the center of a room. It has to be able to suck in surrounding air and blow out processed air in the most efficient manner, but that’s also just limiting the places where the appliance can be placed.
Purific, in contrast, comes as a flat box that can be placed on a wall or stand on the floor, table, or shelf. Its central design is inspired by natural shapes as well as zen gardens, creating a more calming visual compared to the usual grilles and vents of an air purifier. It also comes with ambient light on its back to reinforce that soothing imagery. That light happens to also be a notification when it’s time to clean the filter.
In addition to a more aesthetic design, Purific is also envisioned to be a sustainable product. Its Plasma Filter isn’t something you need to throw away and replace when it gets too dirty. You simply have to clean it and reuse it over and over again. It is also meant to be easy to repair and replace broken parts, while its body is designed with sustainable materials in mind.
And more than just purifying and humidifying the air in the room, it also diffuses essential oils using recyclable capsules. The removable module that holds these capsules also functions as a clock which goes in line with its design as a wall decoration. Whether it is more effective in drawing in and pushing out air is probably something that needs to be tested, but it’s a design that is worth considering, especially since it checks all the right boxes.
If you’re one of those who love using essential oils, you probably also have different diffusers at home or you’re always on the lookout for a new one. It’s important to keep your house or room smelling like your favorite scent or to have that oil combination handy for your migraine so having a good diffuser is always crucial (well, aside from your actual oils of course. Most of the ones in the market are electrical or battery-powered but if you’re looking for a more “natural” kind of diffuser, this may be something that will interest you.
The Japanese Cypress vās wood diffuser doesn’t need any electricity, power, or batteries to diffuse your favorite essential oils. All you need is to put a few drops and wait for it to do its natural “magic”. The design is inspired by the Latin word for a vessel which is vās, normally used to hold flowers. The vās itself is handcrafted from the Japanese hinoki cypress tree, giving you not just a natural oil diffuser but also a decorative object to match your wooden theme if you have one.
The wood diffuser is able to hold the aromas and diffuse them for around 6 hours but after 8 hours, the smell will begin to fade. The large one can diffuse in a room that’s around 100 square feet while the smaller one can diffuse in an 80 square feet area. The hollow cavity where you place the essential oil bottle can fit 10ml containers. You need to add 4-6 drops of the pure essential oil on top and the wood diffuser will be able to absorb them instantaneously.
Since this is a wooden diffuser, there are a few disclaimers. It will be able to diffuse better if you use 100% pure essential oils as the other low-quality and diluted ones will not be as therapeutic or aromatic and may even cause some damage to the wood. If you’ll be using a different scent for your next diffusing, wait 72 hours so the previous scent will completely dissipate. All in all, this is a very appealing kind of diffuser that is also portable and travel-friendly for those times when you need to diffuse outside of your house.
With heatwaves blazing across the globe, staying cool is at the forefront of all of our minds. Whether you have air conditioning or not, having an extra blast of fresh, cool air is key to surviving the heat of the summer months. Upright fans keep our homes and bedrooms nice and cool while we’re there, but we can’t bring them to the beach or the park. The Inno Portable Fan is an upright fan that can shrink down to five inches so we can bring it to the beach for those hot days that call for a cool blast.
The creators behind Inno say that the portable fan “was literally born out of sweat.” Instead of throwing money into air conditioners and buying a bunch of different fans for every occasion, Inno allows users to bring cool air with them anywhere they go, anytime. Inno was designed with a telescopic pole that pulls out to 35 inches at its tallest and shrinks all the way down to 5 inches.
Inno is a wireless fan with up to 24 hours of battery life to get cool air anywhere, anytime. When you want to bring Inno to the beach or pack it up to go camping, after the pole retracts to its shortest height, the fan can fold in half for easy storage and portability. With 24 hours of battery life, you’ll have cool air for days once Inno is fully charged and its rechargeable battery makes sure of that.
In addition to cooling the room down, Inno features a built-in oil diffuser that works with the fan to spread a good smell and vibes throughout every room. Inno can also fold in half for ultimate portability.
Inno comes with a remote so users can control the fan speeds and oil diffuser from any room. Fans are a must-have during the summer months, especially if you live in cities prone to heatwaves. When the heat comes, all we want to do is lounge by the pool and let the water cool us down. Whether we’re lounging by the pool or hiding out in our bedrooms, the Inno Portable Fan can go anywhere to keep us cool all the time and anytime.
You can call me a fan of Fulden Dehneli’s work because everything she has designed so far always has a personal story or deeper meaning apart from improved functionality. Her designs, be it TV or a face mask, always leave you feeling good and the latest one to evoke that emotion is BOOP – an aromatherapy oil diffuser that has been specifically made for kids!
When you hear the word ‘boop’ you would usually associate it with a gentle, swift touch on the nose. The oil diffuser was called so because Dehneli wanted it to embody that ‘boop’ feeling in a physical product that made you feel as if someone gave you a loving pat. Aromatherapy is a proven natural solution to create a healthy environment while enhancing the mood. It adds to the ambiance while soothing the nervous system with the essential oil blend. Aromatherapy is known to induce calm, reduce discomfort, and promote good sleep for every user but usually, the diffusers’ aesthetics are chosen for grown-ups. This product combines an oil diffuser with a white noise machine for a more multidimensional effect.
The oil diffuser features interchangeable magnetic ear and nose parts so children can easily transform it into a cuddly bear, a sweet bunny, or a playful fox within seconds. This little modular detail lets little ones come up with their own stories and form a bond with a product – it’s as simple as “This is mine, this stays in my room, this is not my mom’s thing,” which inculcates a sense of personal space as well. Its friendly form, calming sound selections, and the gentle glowing light in the belly add to the warmth of the product. BOOP aims to make kids feel comfortable and protected by giving them something that kickstarts their own self-care routine early on.
Taiwanese luxury brand LAJOS describes their latest product as being a sleek and sultry oil diffuser that’s designed to be a sense-stimulating tabletop adornment is made of natural volcanic stone and hand-polished stainless steel. Beautifully put, isn’t it?! (I know I’m sold.) Called Vessel, it takes inspiration from the distinctive forms of ancient Chinese vases, combining decor with practicality as well as natural and man-made materials to create a stunning piece functional art that taps both the visual and olfactory senses.
