The Best Essential Oils for Humidifiers in 2023

This is our buying guide on the best essential oils for humidifiers in 2023. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read our in depth, hands on reviews, for each humidifier.

BEST BUDGET

Greensleeves Peony Essential Oil

  • Available in 44 different fragrances
  • Pure and undiluted extracts
  • More powerful effect
  • Various use cases
  • Can be used to make perfumes, bath bombs, soap, etc
  • Durable glass bottle 
  • Leak-proof stopper design
  • Very good for masking smells and odors around the house
  • Some users report that it helps with congestion, coughing, and other respiratory problems
  • Great balance of fresh scent and rich peony fragrance
Best Overall

Nexon Botanics Breathe Essential Oil

  • Organic blend
  • Natural ingredients used
  • Unique blend of rosemary, eucalyptus, and niaouli oils
  • Therapeutic grade oils used
  • Blended and packaged in the USA
  • Diffuses well
  • Pleasant smell helps mask odors 
  • Might help soothe airways 
  • Some users report that it helps clear up congestion
  • Opens up sinuses and makes it easier to breathe
  • Blended and packaged in USA
  • Available in 1 or 2 fluid ounce bottles
  • Can be used in inhaler tubes
PREMIUM CHOICE

UpNature Essential Oil for Humidifiers

  • All-natural formulation
  • GMO-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Fresh scent
  • Some users find that it relieves congestion and coughing
  • Others say it can help with allergies
  • Available in various scents 
  • Blended and packaged in USA
  • Comes in a long-lasting 2 fluid ounce bottle
  • Powerful essential oil doesn’t need many drops to be effective
  • Lasts longer than other options
  • Has many different use cases, including in baths, inhaler tubes, and for massaging
  • Can even be used for sensitive skin

This is our review of the best essential oils for humidifiers.

If your humidifier comes with an essential oil diffuser and you aren’t using it, you’re missing out!

Using a humidifier to diffuse essential oils around a space, or aromatherapy, is a great way to add some ambiance, mask nasty smells, and possibly even combat some health problems.

We think Nexon Botanics’ Breathe Essential Oil is one of the best for use in humidifiers. It contains a blend of all-organic, natural ingredients, and a soothing scent that combines fresh peppermint and rosemary. Many users also report it helping them counter symptoms of extremely low humidity.

We love using the aromatherapy function in all of the humidifiers we test. In doing so, we have also come across some fantastic essential oil blends.

Keep reading for more of our thoughts on the best essential oils for humidifiers.


Nexon Botanics Essential Oil for Humidifiers

BEST OVERALL

Nexon Botanics’ breathe essential oil for humidifiers is one of our personal favorites. It smells amazing, diffuses really well throughout a space, and some users say it helps them counter the effects of low humidity. 

This essential oil for humidifiers uses a proprietary blend of ingredients, including fresh eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, and niaouli oils. These ingredients make for a smooth and light combination that is neither overpowering nor too weak to be effective. 

And rest assured that all of the oils used for this blend are therapeutic grade. For those unfamiliar, this means the oils went through rigorous testing to ensure that they are safe for human use. 

The scent is simultaneously fresh and sweet. The subtle fragrance means you will have to put a slightly higher quantity of this essential oil in the aroma tray of your humidifier to get better aromatherapy. 

But if you’re trying to get your feet wet with aromatherapy and essential oils in humidifiers, this is the best place to start. The pleasant aroma easily masks smells and odors that might have built up in your home. 

Nexon Botanics also claims that this essential oil for humidifiers has some health benefits. It is meant to clear congestion, and other users also report it being helpful for opening up the sinuses and making it easier to breathe. 

It is especially effective for congestion caused by seasonal changes. The aromatherapy helps soothe your airway, while also adding a bit of ambiance to your space. 

In fact, this essential oil diffuses through a space particularly well. Of all the essential oils for humidifiers we tested, this one spread the quickest and made a noticeable difference in how the room smelled. 

You might find that the pleasant scent of this essential oil for humidifiers helps you combat stuffiness and sinus problems. Some of the ingredients used have limited air purification capabilities, though that’s not the point of this essential oil. 

We do recommend practicing caution if you suffer from allergies or have very sensitive skin that is prone to breaking out. It is important to make sure the essential oils you are using do not contain any ingredients that you might be allergic to. 

Besides humidifiers, this essential oil can also be used in inhaler tubes and the like. The manufacturer recommends diluting this essential oil with MCT first if you want to apply it directly to your chest or skin. 

And finally, this essential oil for humidifiers is blended and packaged in the USA, and you can get it in both 1 and 2 fluid ounce bottles.

Pros
  • Organic blend
  • Natural ingredients used
  • Unique blend of rosemary, eucalyptus, and niaouli oils
  • Therapeutic grade oils used
  • Blended and packaged in the USA
  • Diffuses well
  • Pleasant smell helps mask odors 
  • Might help soothe airways 
  • Some users report that it helps clear up congestion
  • Opens up sinuses and makes it easier to breathe
  • Blended and packaged in USA
  • Available in 1 or 2 fluid ounce bottles
  • Can be used in inhaler tubes
Cons
  • Might not be the best for people with very sensitive skin

Greensleeves Peony Essential Oil for Humidifiers

BEST BUDGET

The Greensleeves line of essential oils for humidifiers is another one that deserves your attention. There are over 44 different fragrances available, and we tested the peony flower version. 

The Greensleeves peony essential oil for humidifiers is 100% pure and is not diluted with any other substances. It is extracted from the petals of the peony flower, and is completely natural. 

Being undiluted, this essential oil for humidifiers is a bit stronger and more noticeable than others. The aroma is more robust and you immediately notice it when you enter a room. 

We tested the peony flower variation, though you can also get it in 44 other fragrances. Combining different oils in the humidifier, we found that this one pairs very well with lemon, orange, jasmine, and similar floral scents. 

We liked how durable the glass bottle is. We never felt that the glass was too fragile or that it would break, which is great if you want to use this essential oil in your humidifier long term. 

The unique stopper design also makes the bottle virtually leak proof. You only get about 10 ml of essential oil in a bottle, but because it’s so powerful, even that should last you for a long time. 

We should reiterate just how powerful this undiluted essential oil for humidifiers is. In fact, it is so powerful that it can even be used for making perfume, scented candles, bath bombs, and other things of that nature. 

As for relieving symptoms of low humidity, many users say they found this essential oil to help them with coughing, congestion, and even breathlessness. Again, neither the manufacturer nor we claim to have observed any such effects. 

But one thing we can attest to is just how good this essential oil smells. It has notes of lavender that add a bit of freshness without taking away from the peony’s unique character and the thick scent really makes itself apparent. 

This is a great option for anyone looking to mask funky smells in their home, or anyone just looking to add a nice fragrance to their space.

Pros
  • Available in 44 different fragrances
  • Pure and undiluted extracts
  • More powerful effect
  • Various use cases
  • Can be used to make perfumes, bath bombs, soap, etc
  • Durable glass bottle 
  • Leak-proof stopper design
  • Very good for masking smells and odors around the house
  • Some users report that it helps with congestion, coughing, and other respiratory problems
  • Great balance of fresh scent and rich peony fragrance
Cons
  • The bottle only has about 10 ml of essential oil in it

UpNature Essential Oil for Humidifiers

BEST PREMIUM

And finally, we have the UpNature essential oil for humidifiers. This one has an all-natural formula, a variety of organic ingredients, and a very nice scent that easily overpowers any nasty smells. 

The ingredients used for this humidifier essential oil are all derived from natural sources, which even makes this essential oil suitable for sensitive skin. Still, if you suffer from allergies or have skin prone that is prone to breaking out, we recommend exercising caution. 

To name just a few of the ingredients that give this essential oil its scent and unique properties, we have peppermint, pine needle, bay leaf, eucalyptus, cardamom, lemon oil, and australian tea tree. 

If you are allergic to any of these, reconsider using this essential oil in your humidifier. 

The whole formulation is GMO-free and also cruelty-free, so you can use this essential oil in your humidifier with a clear conscience. It is also certified therapeutic grade, so there are more than a few use cases for it, including in a bath, for massages, in inhaler tubes, and of course, in essential oil diffusers.

The unique formulation is believed to offer relief from congestion and coughing, by opening up the sinuses and allowing you to breathe more freely. Some users also believe it has properties that can help combat flu and allergies, though we would recommend consulting a doctor before using it for that purpose. 

While the ingredients are sourced from all over the world, the essential oil is blended and bottled in USA. It comes in various fragrances, many of which can be paired together, so you can mix and match.

This essential oil for humidifiers comes in a 2 fluid ounce bottle. You won’t need to add more than a few drops into your humidifier’s aroma tray for the oil to be effective, so even one bottle should last you for a long while.

The LEVOIT Smart humidifier is versatile, powerful, and hands down our #1 choice. With its sizable 6-liter water tank, beautiful design, and high-tech features, this humidifier is an excellent investment for your home or workplace.

Pros
  • All-natural formulation
  • GMO-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Fresh scent
  • Some users find that it relieves congestion and coughing
  • Others say it can help with allergies
  • Available in various scents 
  • Blended and packaged in USA
  • Comes in a long-lasting 2 fluid ounce bottle
  • Powerful essential oil doesn’t need many drops to be effective
  • Lasts longer than other options
  • Has many different use cases, including in baths, inhaler tubes, and for massaging
  • Can even be used for sensitive skin
Cons
  • A little bit pricier than other options

AUTHOR

Shawn Willis is all about humidifiers. After working for some of the biggest names in the industry, he started HumidifierGuys with Scott Dawson. Now, the dynamic duo helps others figure out what they need in their next humidifier.

Shawn is an avid sports fan, motorcycle enthusiast, and has two dogs named Whiskey and Boba.