No, you shouldn't put reed diffuser oil in an electric diffuser. Reed oil is made with a high level of perfumer's alcohol so it can climb the reeds without a motor, and that alcohol damages the inside of an electric diffuser.
It's one of the most common questions our customer care team gets, usually from someone with a half-used bottle of refill and a new diffuser on the bench. Here's why the two oils are different, and exactly what to use in each kirri diffuser.
Why reed diffuser oil and electric diffuser oil are different
A reed diffuser has no power. The oil has to travel up porous reeds on its own, then evaporate from the tips into the room. To do that, kirri traditional refills are blended with perfumer's alcohol, which thins the oil and helps it evaporate at room temperature.
An electric diffuser does the work with a motor. Our waterless diffusers take a sealed bottle of 100% pure fragrance oil that screws straight into the unit. There's no water and no heat. Because the diffuser itself moves the scent into the room, the oil doesn't need alcohol to carry it.
- Reed oil: thin, alcohol-based, made to wick and evaporate
- Electric diffuser oil: pure fragrance oil in a bottle sized for the diffuser
What happens if you use reed oil in an electric diffuser
The alcohol in reed oil can damage the internal parts of an electric diffuser. Pouring it in also means decanting into a bottle that isn't made for the unit, which risks leaks and spills on your furniture.
If it's already happened, switch the diffuser off and unplug it. Remove the bottle, wipe away any spilled oil with a dry cloth and contact our customer care team before using it again. Don't try to flush it out with water.
Which oil goes in which kirri diffuser
Every kirri electric diffuser has its own oil size. The bottle screws straight in, so there's no measuring or topping up.
- Micro and Element: Micro Oil (15ml). In the Element, a 15ml bottle typically lasts 1 to 3 months
- Beacon and Pillar: Macro Oil (30ml) or Aura Oil (100ml). A 30ml bottle typically lasts 2 to 6 months and 100ml lasts 6 to 12 months
- Wood diffuser: a 100ml traditional refill, filled no more than three-quarters full
- Reed and car diffusers: traditional refills. The 500ml suits the 200ml reed diffuser and the 100ml suits the 100ml reed and car diffusers
Not sure which bottle you need? Our help centre has a quick guide: which oil fits my diffuser.
Can you put electric diffuser oil in a reed diffuser?
We don't recommend it. Micro, Macro and Aura oils are made for diffusers with a motor. Without the alcohol that thins a traditional refill, they won't travel up reeds the way a reed oil does, and you'll get a weaker, patchier scent. Each oil works best in the diffuser it was made for.
Choosing between a reed diffuser and an electric diffuser
If you're deciding which type to buy in the first place, the choice comes down to how much control you want.
- Reed diffuser: no power, no settings. A 200ml lasts 1 to 6 months and suits bathrooms, hallways and bedrooms
- Electric diffuser: set the intensity in the kirri app (delicate, subtle, radiant or intense) and schedule run times. Start on delicate and adjust
We compare both in more detail in reed diffusers vs electric diffusers. And if you've wondered about room spray in a diffuser, the answer is also no: here's why.
FAQ
Can I use essential oil drops in a kirri electric diffuser?
No. kirri electric diffusers are waterless and take a sealed bottle that screws into the unit. Use the kirri oil made for your model: Micro Oil for the Micro and Element, Macro or Aura Oil for the Beacon and Pillar.
Can I add water to a kirri diffuser?
No. The Micro, Element, Beacon and Pillar are waterless. Water isn't needed and shouldn't go into the unit.
Are kirri electric diffuser oils and reed refills the same scents?
Our iconic scents, like santal woods and fig tree, come in both formats. So you can run the same scent in a Beacon in the living room and a reed diffuser in the bathroom.