Let’s cut to the chase: Aera’s scent capsules are expensive, so if we’re going to buy one, it needs to be good.
Aera offered to send me some of their scents to try out for this post, so don’t worry – I didn’t go broke. But I did collect some very valuable intel about which scents are really worth the luxury price tag.
I tested over two dozen of their most popular scents – let’s dive into which Aera scents are worth your money!
Use code MAMABEAR25 for 25% off Aera diffusers and bundles.
TL;DR: Best Aera Scents
Most of the Aera scents are incredible – they’ve really come a long way in the last couple of years. I remember getting a few sampler packs in 2021, and I disliked most of them. Not the case anymore!
Scents are quite personal, and while I have my favorites (and I’ll share those), here are the best scents for different seasons, needs, and rooms.
- Best Spring Aera Scent: Rose
- Best Summer Aera Scent: Beach House
- Best Fall Aera Scent: Poetry
- Best Christmas Aera Scent: Agraria Balsam
- Best Hotel Aera Scent: Pacific Surf
- Best Clean Aera Scent: White Tea
- Best Vanilla Aera Scent: Vanilla
- Best Bedroom Aera Scent: Soft Pants
- Best Kitchen Aera Scent: Citrus
Out of all the Aera scents, three of them stand out to me as my personal favorites: Poetry, Vanilla, and White Tea. They are all exquisite, with Poetry taking the cake for most unique – it’s our home’s signature scent and has been for years.
Vanilla and White Tea are both perfect in their own way – vanilla for a cozy vibe and White Tea for a fresh and clean one. Chef’s kiss.
Is the Aera Diffuser Worth It?
First up, if you’re wondering is the Aera diffuser worth it?, I get it. I’ve been there, too, staring at the product page for the third time in a week, still unsure if I should go for it.
Here’s the short answer: yes, it’s worth it. And here’s why it’s a diffuser I’ve kept using since 2021.
- You can control the strength. I use the manual buttons on the diffuser to easily increase or decrease the scent’s strength.
Disclaimer: The app is also supposed to help you control the strength and set schedules, but it’s quite buggy, and I can never get it to work right. I finally reached out to support, and they are actually shipping me a brand new diffuser, so I will update this section once I get that paired properly!
- Fragrances are clean and safe. No weird chemicals or mystery ingredients.
- It’s sleek and mess-free. No water to refill. No spills on the shelf. Zero malfunctions in the past 4+ years.
- Long-lasting capsules. I don’t find myself constantly replacing them.
- It works. Every. Single. Time. No fiddling or waiting. Just a reliable, good scent.
For me, the real clincher was how it made our house feel… like it was a calm, cared-for space every time I turned it on.
It’s awesome when we invite people over… they always comment on it and ask how our home smells so good!
Aera Scent Round Up
I’ve been testing a lot of Aera scents lately. These are my personal takes (plus a few unfiltered opinions from some family members, because they live here, too).
Best Fresh & Clean Scents
White Tea review: 5/5. Fresh, bright, and uplifting. Started as “pleasant” for me, but once in the diffuser, it shot to the top of my list. Crisp without being sharp, and both relaxing and energizing. Right off the bat, I think this is one of the best overall Aera scents that so many people will like.
Citrus review: 5/5. Love!! Perfect kitchen scent. Lemony-fresh with layers that keep it interesting. Bonus: it smells like you’ve been scrubbing the house all day.
Linen review: 4/5. Smells like fresh, clean laundry with a bright edge. Definitely strong enough to notice across the house, even on a lower setting. This is nice if you love this type of scent, but it may be too strong if you’re sensitive to fragrances.
L’avant Fresh Linen review: 3/5. Clean laundry vibes for sure, but something about it feels off. My husband said it smells good, but it’s just not something he’d want filling the whole house.
Rainbow Mist review: 3/5. If you’ve ever wandered the candle aisle smelling all the blue “ocean breeze” and “sea air” scents, this is that in diffuser form. Enjoyable at first, but it can start to feel a little stuffy the longer it goes.
Best Cozy & Comforting Scents
Poetry review: 5/5. This was our home’s signature scent for years. It smells like walking into a Lucchese boot store. Think rich leather with both masculine and feminine notes. For anyone who loves the smell of leather, this will be a favorite. We always got asked about this scent when we had friends over!
Vanilla review: 5/5. Smells like pure vanilla. Warm and cozy, with just a hint of freshness. Perfect for a guest bathroom or bedroom, but you have to really love vanilla. So for me, it’s a 5 (‘cause I love vanilla), but for those who don’t, they’d immediately hate it.
Soft Pants review: 5/5. Immediately drawn in by the name, and the scent did not disappoint. It’s unique and really unlike anything I’ve smelled before. The more you notice it, the more layers you pick up, making it a great contender for a signature home scent. Surprisingly, this might be the best Aera scent for men. My husband was a big fan.
Moon Dance review: 5/5. Wowza! This one could totally double as a perfume. Lots of dimension, very unique, and instantly memorable.
Sandalwood review: 3/5. I can see this one being divisive. At first, it reminded me of the perfumes worn by the older women at church when I was a kid. As it lingers, it turns fresher, but that upfront perfumey hit might turn some people off.
Best Spa-Like & Essential Oil Scents
Home Hygiene review: 4/5. If you’re a lavender and bergamot essential oil fan, this one’s for you. Smells like picking your favorite oil at a spa before a massage. Sooo luxurious and calming. Reminds me of Aesop’s fancy soap. But if essential oils aren’t your thing, skip it.
Havana Breeze review: 4/5. Spa-like with a cool mint twist that makes it stand out. Works well in the kitchen and gives off an easy, beach house vibe. My daughter liked this one and said it smelled like lemon-lime.
Pillow Plans review: 3/5. Same essential oil vibe as Home Hygiene. Great for a bathroom or anyone who loves that “crunchy” spa smell, but pass if that’s not your thing.
Spa La La review: 3/5. At first, it was my favorite of the essential oil-style scents. Right out of the box, I was into the fresh peppermint and the balance of feminine and masculine notes. But once it diffused, it shifted way more toward the masculine and was almost cologne-like. I liked it a lot less.
Best Seasonal & Holiday Scents
Agraria Balsam review: 5/5. Christmas in a can. Smells just like you’re shopping for a Christmas tree. Stunning holiday scent.
Cariloha review: 4/5. Coconut and mango. Just like the label says, it’s Caribbean and tropical, like a smoothie or cocktail. Smells fresh and lovely in the diffuser, almost like a mango High Noon. Got plenty of compliments on this one during a party.
Beach House review: 4/5. Light, airy, and pleasant. Exactly what you’d want in a beach house scent. Perfect for summer!
Rose review: 4/5. A literal flower garden in a container. Very strong but super clean. More peony-forward than true rose. Somehow, I also got hints of bubblegum and soap. Too floral for a whole-home scent, but lovely in a guest bathroom. Husband said no way. But my daughter loved it… as do I. I struggled with rating this one, but it’s so specific to your individual tastes that I can see many people not enjoying it.
Feu de Bois review: 2/5. Hmm… I’m not sure about this one. Similar to Poetry with its smoky vibe, but missing the softer notes to balance it. Very masculine and heavy on the smoke. Too overwhelming for my taste.
Best Unique & Standout Scents
Pacific Surf review: 5/5. Fresh and breezy. This would make for one of the best Aera hotel scent vibes. I love it, though my husband thinks it’s a little too faint.
Vibrance review: 5/5. As soon as I opened this one, I said “Oooooh!” SUPER fresh smelling. Feels like you’re at a tropical hotel. Husband approved as well.
Bamboo Jardin review: 3/5. Smells like a freshly torn leaf. My daughter said it smells like a plant. Fresh and green, but better suited for a guest bathroom than an everyday scent.
Palo Santo review: 2/5. I loved this at first because of the deep floral scent. But when I let it diffuse for a bit, it changed to more of a baby powder smell, which I didn’t like very much.
Agraria Mediterranean Jasmine review: 1/5. This one just isn’t for me. Strong, heavy floral that reminds me of a terrible old-fashioned perfume. My husband said it smells like Woodstock.
How to Choose Your Aera Scent
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re staring at the best Aera fragrances. They all sound good. But not every scent will work for every space or season. Here’s how I think about it before adding one to my cart.
Consider Room Size and Purpose
Bigger rooms need scents that can carry while smaller spaces do better with something lighter.
And be sure to think about the vibe you want. Fresh and crisp for a kitchen. Cozy and warm for a bedroom. Spa-like for a bathroom.
Think About Seasons
Some scents just fit a certain time of year. Citrus in summer. Balsam in December. You get the idea.
Play With Strength Settings
Once you land on a scent you like, don’t be afraid to tweak. Aera’s diffuser has adjustable settings, and it can totally change the feel of a scent. Too strong? Turn it down. Fading in a big room? Turn it up.
Know Your Scent Style
Fresh, floral, woody, sweet… figure out what you like best. It makes narrowing down way easier.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want your home to smell fresh and bright (hi there, Citrus) or warm and cozy (looking at you, Soft Pants), I’m hoping this guide makes it easier to find your go-to Aera match.
Don’t forget to use code MAMABEAR25 for 25% off diffusers and bundles.
