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I'm allergic to scented plug-ins, so I use this $17 oil diffuser to refresh my home

There's a reason why this affordable find has thousands of five-star ratings.
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/ Source: TODAY

For me, improving the air in my space can be tricky. Febreze makes me sneeze, and I’m allergic to Glade plug-ins. So, I thought my best bet was to try my luck with essential oils. Since my goal was to get my house to smell less like my pup and more like a spa, I looked on Amazon for an affordable diffuser to try.

With more than 55,000 five-star ratings and a budget-friendly price tag, this customer-loved Urpower essential oil diffuser went straight into my shopping cart. Two days later, the aromatherapy device was on my doorstep.

Urpower Essential Oil Diffuser & Cool Mist Humidifier

It's small and easy to set up.

The diffuser's assembly is so simple, you could do it in the dark — which is good since the tiny instruction booklet it comes with can be hard to read.

The device is basically made up of a cord and two pieces of plastic, which create a sleek, Japanese-inspired design. I got the brown faux-wood model. Its overall size is small enough that you can easily mistake it for a coffee mug. However, the brand's product description compares it to the size of an iPhone X.

What does this oil diffuser do?

There are two oil-diffusing settings. Both are not only quiet — they're practically silent. If I'm home all day, I'll set the diffuser to the mist setting, which pushes out a spray of mist every 30 seconds. The brand claims that it can last up to six hours if you fill the diffuser to the max water line, but in my experience, it lasts closer to four hours.

The small URPOWER diffuser sits on my living room end table all the time.
The small URPOWER diffuser sits on my living room end table all the time.Katie Jackson

There’s also a continuous mist setting (it lasts between two and three hours), which is what I use when I want to fill a room with a scent quickly. The best part? The diffuser automatically shuts off when it’s empty!

There is also an LED light built into the gadget, which is controlled by the only other button on the unit. There are seven different color options for you to choose from, and you can adjust their brightness to your liking.

Is it worth it?

The diffuser holds about one cup of water — I use tap water from my kitchen sink. And, every time I refill it, I just add a drop or two of 100 percent natural oils (which you have to buy separately). Almost instantly, I notice the aromatherapy effects.

URPOWER diffuser in mist mode
Katie Jackson

With high-quality oils, this little machine works well. “If I had to choose between a fancy diffuser and what essential oils I would put in that diffuser, I would most definitely choose to pay more for my essential oils and saving money on a diffuser,” wrote my friend and former Gold Team Leader at doTERRA oils Jessica Bellofatto when I emailed her asking for aromatherapy advice.

Bottom line: I'd order it again

For the most part, I have peace of mind with this Urpower diffuser. The only two drawbacks: I did try (and fail) to get in contact with customer service and I wish it were larger. It's perfect for small spaces like a bathroom, cubicle or kitchen. But to keep my entire downstairs living space smelling like lemongrass or lavender, I'd have to use two or three diffusers. If you prefer a more subtle scent, you'll probably be fine with just one.

Its smaller size is also most likely the reason why I haven't noticed any humidifying effects, even right next to the couch where my diffuser is set up. So, I wouldn't recommend using it solely as a humidifier.

One of the small diffusers I have spread throughout my house
One of the small diffusers I have spread throughout my house

That said, I'd definitely buy 100 of these diffusers before using another scented plug or sneeze-inducing air freshener. It's just what I need to fresh up my space (without flaring up my allergies) and allow me to breathe happy.