Best Portable Essential Oil Diffusers for Your Car & Traveling

Last Updated on August 21, 2023 by Brenda

Going to work? Traveling and need a portable essential oil diffuser for the car? Working at home or the office? Do you need an essential oil diffuser to use at all places?

You have come to the right site for the best cordless essential oil diffusers that can work in your car, SUV, RV, boat, truck, semi, and more places. Take it with you in your satchel or luggage because being cordless, it is easy to take along.

Quick Comparison

If you don’t have time to read the complete article, check out our favorite products below.

Many Uses for Car Diffusers

1. Motion Sickness

We have all had the feeling of nausea and motion sickness at one time or another. As a kid, I remember the roller coaster ride making me feel dizzy. Planes, boats, ships, and rides at amusement parks can do it too, including cars and other vehicles on the road.

This happens when your body, inner ear and eyes send opposing messages to your brain. When your inner ear perceives a rolling motion, your eyes might not see it.

When you sit in the back seat of a vehicle where you cannot see out the windows can also cause this feeling that is uncomfortable.

Most kids between 2- and 12-years of age usually feel this sensation. Pregnant women will feel nauseous during their first 3-months of pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, get a pregnancy pillow, close your eyes and take a refreshing nap.

Use peppermint in the car diffuser because it’s good for the stomach to calm and soothe it. Turn off the ignition and close your eyes and open windows for some fresh air. Ginger is also good for the tummy, and kids can suck on crystalized ginger slices available at health food stores. They must be refrigerated after opening. Put the peppermint and/or ginger on a sugar cube and suck or chew it.

2. Staying Cool on Hot Days

Air conditioners don’t cool your vehicle the instant you start it on a hot or humid summer day. If your vehicle sat in the sun all day while you worked, it is hot inside. A number of essential oils have a cooling impact to help your body feel cooler.

  • Eucalyptus
  • Grapefruit
  • Lavender
  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Mandarin
  • Melaleuca
  • Peppermint
  • Roman Chamomile
  • Menthol blends are cooling

These oils can be used in your vehicle with a diffuser.

3. Staying Wide-Awake When Driving

You must be fully alert when in all the current traffic and when taking long trips alone or with family or friends, including the dog. Deer and other wildlife cross highways and country roads at night, and kids and pets dart into the streets. Sometimes we don’t feel so alert and wide-awake on a long drive.

Some essential oils to keep you perky and alert are:

  • Basil
  • Lemon
  • Peppermint
  • Rosemary
  • Ylang-Ylang

Simply put a dab on your temples, wrists, ankles, and feet to keep you wide awake and focused.

You can also blend some oils and put into a small spray bottle. These blends will stimulate and revitalize you. If you become more tired, take a break, find a motel, and get the good rest you need. Use the following recipe in 4-ounces of water. Do not spray near your eyes or passengers’ eyes.

  • Peppermint 110 drops
  • Cinnamon 35 drops
  • Lime 35 drops
  • Patchouli 20 drops

Read more: How to Use Essential Oils in Vehicles Safely and Effectively

Top 8 Best Essential Oil Diffusers for Your Car and Vehicles

I am an advocate for aromatherapy and have many units. Here I am listing the best portable oil diffusers and rechargeable essential diffuser reviews for your awareness to choose from. I’m sure you will be pleased with the selections to have it your way.

None of the car diffuser reviews below use batteries. They use USB cables for USB ports or cigarette lighters and can be plugged into your laptop as well. Some come additionally with an adapter for a home wall outlet and if not.

If you don’t have a cup holder in your vehicle, you could use a clip-on cup holder that would lock into the vent or your door. All diffusers for car travel reviewed below are ultrasonic. That means they use water. 

1. Syntus® Ultrasonic USB Car Essential Oil Diffuser, 50 mL

The Syntus® essential oil diffuser, item model number D50 is made of ABS (Acetyl Butylene Styrene) plastic, the mini diffuser, about the size of a soda can, fits perfectly in your vehicle’s cup holder. It is BPA-free to be safe around youngsters. The diffuser uses no wicks or filters. It is a cool-mist with no heater for the water.

Discover how nice your car can smell for you and your passengers when driving to work or on long road trips. It can also be used at home, in your office, Yoga or Pilate studios, and in professional office lobbies. Massage and physical therapists love to have fragrance surround their clients when having a massage or therapy.

It is a small humidifier using 50 mL (1.70-ounces) of water in the reservoir filled to the Max line and no higher. Add 5 to 10 drops of your favorite 100% pure essential oil or blends (not included) to the water. Plug the 3.5-foot cable at the lower bottom side into your vehicle or any device that has a USB port such as your computer, laptop, or tablet. You can plug a purchased adapter into the wall outlet as well. It will cover an area of about 200-square feet. The unit will run from 2- to 4-hours then shut off automatically when set to continuous or intermittent misting mode. It does not have a timer.

The 7 long-life LED lights illuminate the entire unit cascading through all of the colors, set to your favorite color or turn off completely. The soft colors can set the mood of the day or evening and kids love it when going to sleep being whisper-quiet.

Use the essential oils to remove tobacco, pet, and dinner odors to have a refreshing environment. The diffuser does not use batteries and must be plugged into work.

It is 5-Volt, 1-Amp for your car, laptop, or other USB power source. You can buy a USB adapter to plug into a 110/120-Volt receptacle in the USA or Canada. The mist output is 15 mL per hour and the power used is about 6-Watts, less than a small lightbulb.

The diffuser weighs about 5-ounces empty and is 3-inches diameter x 5.3-inches tall. When using with electronic device ports, use a USB 3.0 port.

Gift-wrapping is available for holidays and special occasions for someone you love. You will receive the diffuser, USB cord, and User’s Manual with a 1-year Warranty. It is made in China.

2. InnoGear® Ultrasonic USB Car Essential Oil Diffuser, 50 mL

The InnoGear® diffuser is a reputable brand that you can count on. It comes in a black or white base and I like the white best in my car. Use it when traveling, in vehicles, at your home or office. It fits your cup holder without a problem. It comes with a USB cable but no A/C adapter.

With the 2 mist modes and convenient to use switch buttons, you can run it continuously or intermittently. The on/off button is on the top. The sturdy plastic is made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PP (Polypropylene) and is BPA (Bisphenol A)-free.

Simply fill the reservoir with 50 mL (1.70-ounces) of water to the Max line adding 5 to 10 drops of essential oils (not included). It shuts off automatically when the water level is low. With the 7 LED lights that illuminate the front of the unit, you can watch all the colors rotate and change, set to one color, or turn the light off completely.

The timer lets you set it to continuously mist, set for 3-hours with an intermittent mist, or set for 6-hours running time. Enjoy the fresh fragrance in your car, your home, or office. Plug the 44-inch USB cord into any device with a compatible port.

When using in the car, use 5-Volt 1-Amp USB adapter. If using with your laptop or other USB-supported devices, use with a USB 3.0 port. Any phone charger with a USB end has the adaptor you need for the cigarette lighter insert. The top lid fits snuggly, but does not screw down.

The dimensions are 3.14-inches wide by 4.72-inches tall and fits into the cup holder, luggage, or on top of furniture. It has a water conducting wick inside.

Gift-wrapping is available for the upcoming holidays and special occasions for someone you love. You will receive the diffuser, USB cord, User’s Manual with a 45-day money-back Guarantee and an 18-month Warranty. It is made in China.

3. ZAQ Tour Ultrasonic Essential Oil LiteMist Travel Car Diffuser, 60 mL

The ZAQ Tour fits your vehicle’s cup holder to convert your vehicle into a lovely smelling ride. Or you can put it in your home, office, or anyplace you want aromatherapy. It is available in black and white or with an olive, black, or purple band. It is soft and round and good to take with you traveling operating for 2- to 4-hours or over 5-hours in the intermittent mode, then shutting off automatically.

Just put 60 mL (2.02-ounces) of water up to the Max line, add a few drops of essential oil (not included) and enjoy.

Put in in your office, kitchen, bathroom or anywhere you want the tranquil fragrance of 100% pure essential oils. The distinctive design prevents tipping while your vehicle is in motion and the car adapter, included in the box, ensures you can always use it on the go. The top locks shut for no spills around the threads, but it will leak through the top where the mist comes out, so don’t brake too hard.

The ZAQ Tour is BPA (Bisphenol A)-free made of safe health-friendly materials.

The measurements are 2.66-inches wide x 5.96-inches tall to fit your cup holder.

Pug the 2-foot UL® listed cord into a USA 110/120-Volt, 50/60 Hz, with 12-Watts power in the wall outlet. For those outside the USA, Canada, or Mexico, you will have to buy a 220/240-Volt adapter to run the unit. It does not use batteries.

The 12-Volt D/C adapter is included for your vehicle to plug into the cigarette lighter port. It does not come with a USB cord. It includes a car charger, and home adapter.

Gift-wrapping is available to surprise someone with, your family, friends, and loved ones. You will receive the diffuser, a User’s Manual, and a 1-year Limited Warranty. The diffuser is made in China.

4. NOW® Foods Cool-Mist Car Diffuser Air Freshener, 60 mL

The NOW® Solutions, model number 7485, is the newest portable USB ultrasonic aromatherapy cool-mist oil diffuser and is a delight to own! As many of you know, NOW® Foods has been making essential oils since 1968, being one of the best manufacturers in the marketplace with a good diffuser for vehicles.

Find your favorite fragrances for NOW® essential oils and put a few drops into this diffuser.

Organic Lavender has a floral fragrance that promotes balance and relaxation and is soothing, normalizing, and balancing. When your life is balanced, a healthy mood and a positive attitude just comes naturally.

Wherever life takes you, plug the USB port into the beverage holder in your car or other vehicles including your laptop for an aromatherapy experience. It holds 60 mL (2.03-ounces) of water with a gray cover and base to go with any décor and covers 400-square feet.

It will run up to 6-hours, is super easy to clean, using tap water and your favorite essential oils (not included). Being BPA-free, it is safe for babies and kids, and shuts off automatically when out of water.

A convenient portable carrying case is included and the life for the unit is over 5000-hours. Enjoy the rotating LED lights in 4 colors of red, green, blue, and purple with whisper-quiet functioning.

The power is rated at DC 5-Volt (5-volt/1-Amp powered USB port). The adapters are 12-Watt for vehicles or 110/120-Volt for the wall outlet. If you have an Apple® cell phone, you can use the power adaptor to connect to the device USB and plug into the wall outlet. A power adapter does not come with the diffuser. It does not use batteries, has no filters or wicks.

Gift-wrapping is available for birthdays and holidays for those on the go. You will receive the carrying case, Instructions and Care Manual with recipes and a 1-year Warranty.

5. GULAKI® Multifunction Cool-Mist Car Diffuser Air Freshener, 60 mL

The GULAKI®, model KF4301099, is a 3-in-one diffuser designed to sit in your cup holder opening. It is a good unit that is lovely to look at with an LED light ring around the top and is BPA (bisphenol A)-free.

It comes with 2 each USB ports and 1 charging port. Charge your smart phone, plug in your car video recorder or even your vehicle navigator into the car charger plug while using the diffuser at the same time. This is truly a clever design for a diffuser in your car, SUV, truck, or other vehicles.

The water tank holds 60 mL (2.02-ounces) of cold water and is a top-rated essential oil diffuser for vehicles.

The USB charging ports are 5-Volt 2-Amps and the charging port is 12-Volt 1-Amp and is available in black or white.

The aroma from the essential oils (not included) will be heavenly with a small amount of humidity to help dry skin, colds, dry lips, and sinusitis. It will also shut off automatically when the water level is low for safety concerns.

Gift-wrapping is available to surprise someone you know who would love to have a car diffuser. You will receive the cords with the unit, User’s Manual, and free lifetime technical support with a 2-year manufacturer’s Warranty along with free replacement or your money back within 3-months.

6. Mist Car Diffuser Air Freshener from One Fire Store

This Diffuser from One Fire Store has 7 different colored LED lights and shuts off automatically being BPA-free and fits perfectly in your cup holder.

You can set the LED light to warm white or cascade through 7 colors or just turn it off.

Holding 70 mL (2.37-ounces) of cold water then adding 3 to 5 drops of your favorite 100% pure essential oils (not included), you will have a way to kill bacteria, remove odors and dust when you drive to and from work or on road trips. You should get 3- to 5-hours of continuous mist without needing to refill the unit.

It is not a USB device; the 3-foot cord plugs into your lighter power port. It is whisper-quiet at only 36 dB at 1.7 MHz frequency. It does not use batteries and has no filter to clean.

The dimensions are 6.1-inches tall x 2.8-inches diameter (157 x 72 mm) and weighs about 10-ounces.

Gift-wrapping is available for family and friends and comes with instructions in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese with a 90-day money-back Guarantee and a 12-month Limited Warranty.

7. Yeworth Cool-Mist Car Diffuser Air Freshener, 300 mL

The Yeworth can be used in the car, office, and home, holding a whopping 300 mL (10.14-ounces) of cold water. It is BPA-free for kids and babies.

It has 7 different LED light colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and cyan and will shut off automatically after the water level in the reservoir is low. It is quiet at only 35 dB so that everyone can enjoy a good night’s sleep.

In the intermittent mode, it will mist for up to 10-hours and will mist up to 6-hours in the continuous mode. The area of coverage is 10- to 100 square-feet diffusing 30- 50 mL each hour.

There are 2 spray modes: Press the function button, start the continuous spray mode; short press again, switch to the intermittent spray mode (spray for 3-seconds on and 2-seconds off); short press for the third time to turn off all spray modes. Long press the function button to automatically turn on the LED night light.

The diameter is 2.89-inches (73.5 mm) so should fit into your cup holder in your vehicle. It is 5.57-inches (141.5 mm) tall.

It uses wicks and comes with extras.

No adapter is needed to plug the 3.3-foot cord into your car’s USB port, laptop port, or any other compatible port. It does not come with an adapter for a home wall receptacle.

You will receive the Micro-USB Cable, extra wicks, and an Instruction Manual in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese.

8. Vyaime Cool-Mist Car Diffuser Air Freshener, 50 mL

The Vyaime is a new essential oil aromatherapy car diffuser with dual USB charger adapters in purple or black accented white base. Plug into a lighter port to have 2 more USB charging ports for your iPhone or iPad, using your diffuser at the same time.

The maximum output is 3.1-Amps for the quick charger. The DC 5-Volt, 1-Amp is rated at 2.5-Watts power.

You will improve the air quality in your car and the fragrance of the 100% pure essential oils (not included) are intoxicating. The slight humidity keeps your nose from being stuffed up and helps keep your leather upholstery soft and pliable.

Rid your car or other vehicles of dust, bacteria, and odors from stale food and dogs. Use it without oils as a small humidifier and with oils as a diffuser.

Holding 50 mL (1.69-ounces) of cold water, it shuts off after 2-hours of use or when the water level is low. It will cover 5 to 7 seats in an SUV.

It does use wicks and comes with 2 of them that are easy to install and clean. There are two settings. If the light is blue it is continuous, touch the button again the light turns pink and the mist is intermittent.

If you want nebulizer diffusers that using only 100% pure essential oils and and have rechargeable batteries, check out this wireless waterless nebulizer diffuser below-

Final Thoughts

Do you include essential oil aromatherapy into your daily routine? How about in your car?

The diffusers listed above can be used in vehicles. Be sure the base measurement will fit your cupholder. You don’t want to put it on the floor because it can tip over spilling out the contents when you turn corners or brake hard.

Please chat with us about your experiences using essential oils in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you! Be well, and happy shopping!

Brenda
Brenda

Welcome to my blog! I am Brenda Star and I am a true believer that Nature is fascinating and enchanting. The history of herbs and their uses are captivating. I have always wondered how did the ancient people know—how did they come to understand what a plant would do. They did not experiment in a lab because those technologies did not exist. That wisdom will always be a mystery to me. More about me...