With a rise in the popularity of essential oil diffusers, the market is saturated with options. The Vitruvi Porcelain Essential Oil Diffuser is more expensive than the average diffuser, so we had to see for ourselves if it was worth the price. Its unique, hand-milled ceramic shell and multiple timing features certainly held up to the test, but the limited light features and gurgling sound weren’t as top-notch as expected. Read on to find out more.
Design and Construction: Unique material and look
One of the distinguishing features of the Vitruvi Diffuser is its stone shell. The diffuser comes in many natural-looking colors, including black, white, terracotta, and the charcoal color we chose. With the porcelain materials and narrow but tall body, the overall aesthetic is modern and fits the product’s wellness-focused vibe. The stream of vapor comes up through a relatively long nose and shoots a thin and consistent stream upward. The stream is strong and does an excellent job disbursing the scent throughout the room with a diffusing coverage of up to about 530 square feet. The humidifier, which most would argue is a secondary function of a diffuser, is rated for 2.37 fluid ounces per hour. If you are looking for an actual humidifier, it’s best to find a product where that is the primary purpose. True humidifiers can put out more moisture in a shorter period of time. Below the ceramic shell is a very dim light that operates with or without the vapor. While it emits a soft glow that we found to be quite calming, it doesn’t do much to provide light to the room (or even function that well as a night light). Below the ring of light is the base with the only two buttons on the device. One button solely controls the light and just clicks on and off. The second button controls the vapor and toggles between the two timing options. You can choose a 3-hour nonstop or a 7.5-hour setting that automatically varies between 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off. We liked the versatility of this intermittent setting and found it to be a useful option. The scent still diffused into the room well but lasted much longer than a consistent 3-hour stream, and most of all, it wasn’t overpowering. There is also a safety feature on the device that shuts it off when the timer stops or runs out of water.
Setup Process: Testing is needed
Since this machine is on the higher end, we took a look through the included manual to see if there was anything special we should note. The setup was relatively simple: pull off the stone cover and top, fill the water reservoir up to the fill line, add oil, replace the covers and press the on button. We opted to place the diffuser in our home office, which was calming throughout the workday. The somewhat short five-foot cable is something to think about regarding where you place it. Vitruvi includes a measuring cup with 100ml and 200ml lines, which is very useful for refilling the device without unplugging it and bringing it to the sink. For an essential oil, we chose to start with lemongrass and only used a few drops. This diffuser can cover large, 500-square-foot spaces. The instructions recommend using 10 to 15 drops of essential oil, and we found that was way too much. Two to three drops were all we needed for dispersing a subtle, relaxing scent. Every space and a person’s sensitivity for perfume is different, so it’s crucial to start slow and experiment with oils when purchasing a new diffuser. Vitruvi sells a number of their oils and blends with fun names like “Boost” and “Quiet,” but we opted for lemongrass for its earthy but sweet smell.
Operation: Quite simple
Stylistically, the stone cover looks great, especially when paired with the matte base and the glow of the light. However, the major downfall in both setup and operation is that it is fragile. If the casing drops or the diffuser falls off a shelf, it can crack and break. Fortunately, Vitruvi sells the stone cover and a few other parts separately just in case you need a replacement. Most diffuser care is straight forward: spot clean and avoid the electronics. The Vitruvi includes directions that involve a more thorough cleaning with vinegar. Since the diffuser’s immense benefit is the vapor that you are inhaling, it’s essential to keep your diffuser free of bacteria and other particles that you wouldn’t want in the air. The Vitruvi, like many diffusers, uses ultrasonic vibrations rather than heat to disperse the oil. Ultrasonic diffusion is beneficial for maintaining the integrity of the oil plus the use of water humidifies the room simultaneously.
Price: Much higher than average
Typically, diffusers are priced in the $20 to $40 range. With a price tag of over $100, we were hoping to be wowed by the Vitruvi. While the look is classy and disperses oil very well, we aren’t sure that it’s worth the designer upcharge. The most robust feature is the intermittent timer, but you can get various timing systems in much less expensive products. If you are looking for a diffuser with this specific matte ceramic look to fit with your room aesthetic, then it might be worth it. If you are testing the waters to see if adding a diffuser to your household is right for you, you might want to try a cheaper option to start.
Competition: Many options out there
Better Homes & Gardens Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser: This diffuser also uses ultrasonic vibrations to diffuse oil and is way cheaper than the Vitruvi. Though it does not have an intermittent function, it has a versatile light feature that is bright and functional. Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser: Raindrop 2.0 is different than ultrasonic technology. The wood base and glass reservoir give the diffuser a similar aesthetic to the natural look of the Vitruvi. However, this diffuser uses a function called “nebulizing” that doesn’t require water (and doesn’t act as a humidifier). Nebulizing is often considered the most effective form of aromatherapy but tends to run through oil quickly, plus the Raindrop is almost as expensive as the Vitruvi. The materials, timer, and design are the standout features of this diffuser. The ceramic shell is unique and looks luxurious. However, we aren’t sure that the Vitruvi is worth the high price tag but holistic care enthusiasts might.
