I love a candle as much as anyone, but these 12 reed diffusers keep my home smelling cosy and inviting

Luxury candles are incredibly chic and I love them, but they cost a pretty penny and can feel like they burn in a flash. The best reed diffusers, on the other hand, last much longer, smell just as great and they don't leave smoke marks on the wall. A great room diffuser will last months, rather than hours, unlike some of the longest-lasting autumn candles.

Much like a candle, reed diffusers give off the most stunning scent that can fill a room, create ambiance and set a mood. Oh, and they look just as chic as some of the prettiest candles out there (sometimes even chicer, if I'm being honest). Beyond that, unlike candles which need caring for, reed diffusers can be left well alone. Gone are the days of bulb vases with questionable fragrances, in their place comes a whole raft of beautifully designed bottles filled with the finest aromas.

So, if one of your aims this autumn is to invest in your space a little more or supercharge the power of your candles, keep scrolling for our roundup of the best reed diffusers the market has to offer. Trust me, they leave your home smelling almost impossibly expensive—I should know, I've tried them all.

Best reed diffusers

1. M&S Apothecary Calm Diffuser

The wellness perfume trend has been everywhere this year, and it's coming for our diffusers, too. The Apothecary diffusers from M&S deliver exceptional value for money—and the Calm option is my favourite of the lot. With clary sage and sandalwood, it delivers a deeply mind-soothing result, but thanks to orange and lavender the scent remains light on the nose and totally unimposing. I keep one on my desk at home to keep my mind balanced and calm while working—it's a real win considering the price tag.

2. The White Company Sleep Diffuser

For when candles in the bedroom aren't your vibe, this stunning reed diffuser might just be for you. Not only does it look very chic on the bedside table, but the mind-soothing blend of lavender and chamomile acts as the perfect aromatic lullaby. It's strong enough to be noticable but subtle enough to create the perfect environment for sleep.

3. Zara Black Vanilla Diffuser

If you like sweet, cosy scents, then you will love this more affordable diffuser from Zara. It smells like (you guessed it), creamy vanilla, but with notes of praline it's delectable and almost impossibly homely.

4. Diptyque Baies Diffuser

Things truly don't come much chicer than this. Not only will your house thank you for filling it with the tangy notes of juicy, plump blackcurrants and rose (if you haven't smelled Baies before, it's a must smell), but it will also applaud you for choosing such a beautiful design piece that looks good anywhere.

5. La Montaña Galán de Noche Reed Diffuser

If you're a lover of calming, floral scents in the home then we urge you not to skip on this diffuser by my favourite home fragrance brand, La Montaña. The aroma of jasmine dances delicately on the nose, while the other floral additions keep it sparkling and expensive smelling—it's an absolute feat.

6. Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Diffuser

The iconic Jo Malone London fragrance that we all know and love also comes in reed diffuser form. It suits any time of the year, but its spicy richness works particularly well for autumn. It's the perfect warming addition to the home.

7. Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Diffuser

There's only one way to describe this scent: spicy and sexy. With black pepper, it tickles the nose, while ginger and vetivert keep it luxe-smelling and punchy. It's the sort of scent that oozes expense.

8. Acqua di Parma Oud Room Diffuser

Simple, sophisticated and strong is what Acqua di Parma does best—both in fragrance and appearance. Paired with the brand's iconic citrus notes are deep, leathery woods to create what is, hands down, one of the punchiest, hardest working and most luxurious reed diffusers to have ever existed.

9. Bella Freud 1970 Ceramic Diffuser

Just look at this—it is a thing of beauty. It would look smart on any surface, in any home. Give it pride of place and put it on display, it deserves it. As does the fragrance, by the way, which is rich with notes of frankincense, patchouli and sandalwood.

10. Carrière Frères Sichuan Pepper Diffuser

This is, hands down, the strongest reed diffuser I have ever encountered. While it's punchy and zingy (in an invigorating sort of way), it really knows how to fill a room. In fact, we have had an empty bottle sat in the middle of the Marie Claire offices for well over a year, and it's still scenting the space beautifully.

11. Rituals Private Collection Savage Garden Reed Diffuser

This super-fresh, grounding scent from Rituals is one of my all-time favourites, and frankly I want every room in my home to smell like it. The throw of these diffusers is seriously impressive, and the earthy, citrus, green-floral aroma of this one is particular has won be countless compliments form guests. So much so, in fact, that after a recent visit one of my best friends went home and ordered one for every room of her house.

12. Nest New York Santorini Olive and Citron Reed Diffuser

Nest New York reed diffusers are so good that every time I bring one home, even my husband gets excited. This one is particularly standout. While overly citrus and summery scents feel out of place in autumn, this one is less sticky sun and more fresh Mediterranean escapism. It is creamy, a little earthy and encompassingly uplifting, mentally transporting you to sunnier shores.