When it comes to home fragrance solutions, the options can seem endless. From scented candles to room mists and reed diffusers, there’s a product for every need. But how do you choose the right one? There might not be a wrong choice but, in some cases, one product might be a better fit than another.
If you find yourself struggling to decide between an electronic diffuser like the Pura Smart Device and a traditional reed diffuser, we’re here to help. Here are three things to consider as you make your choice.
How Does It Work?
Diffusers work differently than scented candles in that they don’t require flame to disperse fragrance. With a typical candle, scent is released as the heat from the flame melts the wax.
A standard reed diffuser utilizes a combination of fragrance oil and reeds – no heat required. The reeds absorb the fragrance oil through a process known as capillary action, drawing it up along the length of the reed. When it reaches the top, the oil evaporates, and the fragrance is released into the air. This process is continuous so, depending on the amount of oil and the number of reeds, you can enjoy up to twelve months of lasting fragrance with a traditional reed diffuser.
The Pura Smart Device is an electronic alternative to traditional reed diffusers. It utilizes low heat diffusion and a proprietary solvent to disperse ultra-fine fragrance droplets into the air. The plug-in device consists of a round plastic housing into which you insert two 0.34-ounce fragrance refills. Through the Pura app, you can control fragrance intensity and schedule or switch between the two fragrances.
How Customizable Is It?
Where you place a diffuser has a significant impact on its efficacy. Traditional reed diffusers work best in areas that see a lot of foot traffic – the air movement helps disperse the fragrance and keep it from stagnating. You can control where the fragrance is strongest by placing it thoughtfully, but you can’t control the direction in which the fragrance is dispersed. Not so with the Pura Smart Device.
The Pura Smart Device plugs into a standard wall outlet but because the plug rotates, you have some ability to control the direction in which the fragrance is released. Air flow will still impact the dispersal, however, and positioning is less customizable simply because the device requires an electrical outlet.
In comparison to a traditional reed diffuser, the Pura Smart Device makes it easier to customize your fragrance experience. Not only can you alternate between two different scents, but you can control their intensity through the smartphone app. The app also enables you to create schedules by which the device automatically turns on and off. The only way to customize your experience with a reed diffuser is by adding, subtracting, and flipping the reeds or layering fragrance with a secondary product.
How Long Does It Last?
The benefit of a diffuser over a scented candle or room mist is that the lifespan of your fragrance can be measured in weeks or months versus hours. In terms of longevity, however, a traditional reed diffuser will last longer without a refill than the Pura Smart Device.
Reed diffusers are a low-tech option that you can set and forget for weeks or months at a time. The fragrance will lessen over time, however, so it’s recommended that you flip the reeds once in a while and clean and refill the vessel as needed. With proper use, however, a 15-ounce reed diffuser provides up to 12 months of continuous fragrance. You can infinitely extend the life of your reed diffuser by purchasing fragrance oil refills and replacement reeds.
While you can also extend the life of a Pura Smart Device by purchasing fragrance refills, the device may not last forever. It’s more difficult to clean an electronic reed diffuser than a glass vessel and the electronic parts are prone to degradation over time. Use of the Pura Smart Device is also limited by the purchase of fragrance refills. Each refill lasts for about two weeks.
The Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?
No fragrance solution is perfect but making a thoughtful comparison between products enables you to make the choice that’s most appropriate for you. Both traditional reed diffusers and the Pura Smart Device deliver long-lasting fragrance with some degree of customizability, but which is the right pick?
The Pura Smart Device might be the right choice if you:
- Want the ability to switch between two different fragrances with minimal effort.
- Like the convenience of smartphone app controls.
- Don’t want to worry about flipping or replacing oil-soaked reeds.
- Want the option to change scents by simply inserting a new fragrance refill.
- Like the idea of scheduling fragrance dispersal (or automating it to coordinate with your leaving/arriving home).
- Don’t mind making a more significant upfront investment with recurring costs for refills.
- Want to be able to control the intensity of your fragrances.
A traditional reed diffuser might be more appropriate if you:
- Prefer the “set it and forget it” approach to home fragrance.
- Have a preferred fragrance and want to enjoy it for up to 12 months at a time.
- Want a fragrance solution that doubles as home décor.
- Don’t want to worry about electronic parts malfunctioning or breaking.
- Want to have flexibility in positioning, not limited by electric outlet availability.
- Prefer to minimize the number of products you have to order.