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Let's be honest: life stinks sometimes (and we mean that in the literal sense). From trash to cooking aromas to different pet odors, there are plenty of smells throughout your household that might hang around for longer than you would like. Spritzing or stashing an air freshener around your space (in combination with your regular home-cleaning routine) can help minimize musty odors and bring your home back to its former glory.
After considering things like scent and air freshener type and even some hands-on testing, we settled on the following list of air fresheners that'll give your space the lift it needs. Whether you're looking to give your car, home, or pet-friendly quarters the aroma lift it so desperately needs, we have something for everyone's living space. Check out our top air freshener picks below!
Pros
Large scent library to choose from- Best for medium to large rooms
- Long-lasting fragrance experience
Cons
- Might be too techy for some
The Pura Smart Device is the air freshener of the future. If you like the idea of getting into home fragrance but prefer to set your ambiance on autopilot, the Pura is perfect for you.
It combines the convenience of a room spray with the ease of using a plug-in oil diffuser. To use, just insert two different fragrance cartridges and then set a custom schedule via the device's app to have each one scent your space either continuously or at a certain time each day.
In our testing, we've found this device to be incredibly intuitive to use, and it's the ideal substitution for sparking a scented candle (especially if you really don't want that fire hazard in your life). Plus, Pura's enormous scent library features so many beloved fragrance brands like Apotheke, Brooklyn Candle Co., Caswell-Massey, and Homesick, so you won't be missing that messy wax stuff at all.
More: The Best Linen Sprays for That Fresh-Laundry Smell
Key Specs
| Scent | Build your own set of scents |
|---|---|
| Type | Wall plug-in |
Pros
- Refreshing scent
- Made without parabens
- Doesn't overpower the room
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the scent they ordered didn't match what they were expecting
This bottle of Mrs. Meyer's Room Freshener offers a more budget-friendly approach to flameless home fragrance. This reviewer-favorite air freshener comes in 11 different options, but whenever we find the limited-edition Rose scent, we get it.
Clean and uplifting with notes of rose and apple, this spray lingers briefly in the air without ever being overpowering.
Key Specs
| Scent | Rose |
|---|---|
| Type | Spray |
3
Luxury Pick
Neom Portable Essential Oil Diffuser
Pros
- Doesn't require heat or water
- 50 hour battery life
- Scent bursts intermittently
Cons
- Neom replacement essential oils can be a little pricey
An electric diffuser is a more efficient and long-lasting alternative to a reed diffuser. The Neom Wellbeing Pod uses essential oils to create a warm, clean-smelling environment and intermittently disperses the scent rather than releasing it in one overpowering, fragrant cloud. There are three intensity levels, too, which can come in handy if you're trying to freshen small or larger spaces.
The base has 50 hours of battery life and is rechargeable, so you can easily move the Neom around the house, depending on the room, that needs a little extra attention. Its stylish and chic design won't stick out like a sore thumb amongst your home decor, either.
Plus, the diffuser doesn't require water or heat to run, so you can just plug in your essential oil pod and go.
Key Specs
| Scent | Oils sold separately |
|---|---|
| Type | Diffuser |
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Pros
- Three-setting timer
- Lasts up to 60 days
- Refillable
Cons
- Some customers feel the dispenser is too loud
An understated and entirely automatic air freshener option, this sleek dispenser from Air Wick spritzes its included canister of Fresh Linen fragrance intermittently for up to 70 days. And it's three-setting timer allows you to choose just how intense you'd like the scent to be in your home.
This battery-operated device is great for making entryways, bathrooms, and laundry rooms always smell clean and inviting.
Key Specs
| Scent | Fresh linen |
|---|---|
| Type | Automatic spray |
5
Best for Peaceful Sleep
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
Pros
- Chemical-free product
- One bottle can last a long time
- Good for creating a relaxing atmosphere
Cons
- Smell dissipates quickly
This utterly dreamy air freshener from This Works contains lavender, vetiver, and chamomile essential oils. It's the perfect scent to help lull me into a relaxed dream state before bed, but it can also be used pretty much any time I want to infuse a little extra calm into the atmosphere.
Because it's a chemical-free product, the scent will dissipate in just a minute or two, which gives me just enough time to truly enjoy it in the moment. Though it's a little bit of a splurge, I've used the same bottle for at least a year, and it's still going strong. It's worth it.
Key Specs
| Scent | Lavender, vetiver, chamomile |
|---|---|
| Type | Pillow spray |
Pros
- Large capacity
- Free from parabens, artificial colors, and animal-derived ingredients
Cons
- Scent may fade quickly
One reviewer calls this air freshener from Caldrea “Febreze for rich people,” which we’d say is a pretty apt description.
The Lavender Cedar Leaf Linen and Room Spray smells slightly woodsy and herbal, yet it's not overly floral. It's a perfect pick to spritz in the linen closet or over a pile of laundry that's still warm from the dryer.
You also get a lot of bang for your buck with this air freshener, as its 16 ounces of fragrance is sure to last you quite a while.
Key Specs
| Scent | Lavender and cedar leaf |
|---|---|
| Type | Spray |
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Pros
- Lasts for up to 40 days
- Adjustable
Cons
- Customers felt the scent longevity varied
If you're a road tripper and eat meals on the go, then you know that those fast-food smells can get stale pretty quickly. With the Unstoppables from Febreeze, you can attach the pods right to your air vents for consistent flow.
The scent levels are adjustable, and the pods can last for up to 40 days on the lowest setting.
Key Specs
| Scent | Car Fresh |
|---|---|
| Type | Vent clip-on |
Pros
- Best used on bedding/linens
- Recognizable scent
- Uses a combination of fragrance oils and water
Cons
- Some customers felt the scent didn't linger for very long
One of our favorite candle brands also comes in air-freshener form. P.F. Candle Co. has several aromatic, musky scents in its repertoire— but we're partial to the Teakwood & Tobacco room spray, which layers in a woody, smoky element.
The scent level is subtle, and is recommended to be used on bedding, linens, and fabrics for a bit of a refreshing boost.
Key Specs
| Scent | Leather, teak, and orange |
|---|---|
| Type | Spray |
Pros
- Can last for up to 1 year
- Designed to absorb odors
Cons
- Have to rotate the bags regularly
These bamboo-charcoal air freshener bags are meant to help neutralize odors, especially in a smaller, enclosed space like a laundry room or a car. Even better? They're comprised of naturally derived materials that should maintain their odor-absorbing effectiveness for at least a whole year.
It's recommended that you rotate these bags regularly, letting them air out for a day or so before re-stashing them in the dank or smelly spots in your home, car, or gym bag.
Key Specs
| Scent | Bamboo and charcoal |
|---|---|
| Type | Scented bags |
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Pros
- Fragrance oil formula with clean ingredients
- Refreshing tropical scent
Cons
- One of the pricier options on our list
Yep, Capri Blue's cult-favorite Volcano candle is also available as an air freshener! The clean formula uses fragrance oil to deliver its beloved scent, and fruits like lemons, oranges, and limes give this formula a pleasing, tropical-inspired scent.
It'll brighten up any room it's sprayed in, while the blue atomizer bottle is also just as soothing to the senses.
Key Specs
| Scent | Tropical/citrus |
|---|---|
| Type | Spray |
What to Consider
Scent
Even if it seems obvious, the most important thing to consider before you buy an air freshener is whether or not you're sensitive to fragrance. If you suffer from headaches or migraines that can be triggered by scent, an air freshener spray — or other home fragrance products like scented candles and essential oil diffusers — may not be the best thing to bring into your home. We'd recommend investing in a HEPA air purifier instead to filter out potentially irritating pollutants from your space.
That being said, there are plenty of options in the scent department. You can find single-note air fresheners, like rose or lavender, or fresheners that use a combination to create a unique fragrance. Many are made with essential oils and other natural ingredients, though synthetic fragrances can still get the job done. If you're looking for a constant dispersion of aroma for your home, opt for a diffuser or plug-in. If your linens or laundry room just need a quick boost.
Type
Certain formats of air fresheners offer stronger and longer-lasting scents than others. Some air fresheners are devices that can run on a schedule, scenting your home intermittently until the cartridge runs dry, while others are simple spray bottles that add a burst of scent on demand. Reed diffusers are another type of air freshener that provides a long-lasting fragrance that gradually fades. The best air freshener for you is one that will keep your senses (and sinuses!) happy.
If you're looking for a constant dispersion of aroma for your home, opt for a diffuser or plug-in. If your linens or laundry room just need a quick boost, look for sprays instead.
How We Chose
We based our selections on functionality, scent, and purpose. We considered the different uses for air fresheners, like eliminating odors around your home or car or masking the scent of dirty gym clothes. We looked at popular scents, brands, and models and read a plethora of customer reviews.
We also referenced our own hands-on experience with air fresheners and included options that are editor-approved.
Amber Joglar
Digital Content Producer
Amber is the Digital Content Producer for Popular Mechanics, Runner's World and Bicycling, where she covers a range of tasks for the commerce team. She also writes fashion and beauty content for Best Products. Her work has been featured across all of the Enthusiast Group sites. In her free time you can likely find her watching horror movies, reading a good thriller book, or listening to a comedy podcast.
Melanie Yates
Senior Digital Editor
Melanie Yates is the Senior Digital Editor at House Beautiful, where she oversees design, gardening, and home renovation content. Since joining the team in 2024, Melanie ideates, assigns, and edits digital stories from in-house and freelance writers and helps execute big-picture projects for the brand. Prior to this role, Melanie was a senior editor at Best Products for over eight years, where she launched the site’s home vertical, conducted numerous bedding product tests, wrote The Present Perfect newsletter column, and produced video tutorials on how to wrap a gift. A lifelong enthusiast of the written word, Melanie holds a BA in broadcast journalism from Hofstra University and a certificate in copyediting from UC San Diego Extension. She’s always on the lookout for the next vintage find to furnish her Queens apartment.
