I Tried Diptyque’s New $285 Oscillating Diffuser — Is This the Most Stylish Alternative to Home Fragrance Plug-ins?

I was aimlessly thumbing through Instagram recently — nothing new — when I scrolled past something that caught my (at times, apologetically) short-lived attention. It was a video from Diptyque, revealing their latest innovation in home fragrance: The Culbuto.

Playfully inspired by a common childhood toy, the round beechwood diffuser is designed to gently sway at the merest touch of a hand, wafting their signature Baies scent around the space as it goes. It looks like a delicate dance, and manages to effortlessly combine a subtle sense of whimsy with the brand's innate elegance. As a way to make your home smell good, it's novel. I was hooked.

A few days later, I was offered the chance to try the mesmorizing new "cold diffusion system" in my own home. So, do I think it's worth the almost $300 price tag? Let's discuss.

How it works

The most notable thing about The Culbuto is its aesthetics. Minimal and refined, it consists simply of a solid beechwood sphere and perfumed ceramic stick. There are no cords, no plugs, and no intermitted puffs of fragrance. Instead, it has been designed to provide a gentle and continuous aroma for up to two and a half months, after which time the scented stick can be endlessly replaced.

And then there's its dance. Apparently it took 14 months to perfect the unique wood-turned design, and apart from adding an element of intrigue, the rocking motion also serves a functional purpose. "Fragrance diffusion is amplified by the simple swaying movement," Diptyque describes in their official press release. "Once in motion, the object oscillates, never faltering. Finally, in its own time, it cleverly returns to the upright position — an invitation to play the game again, as often as you please."

First impressions

Apart from how beautiful the packaging was, my first thought was that it was bigger than I had initially realized. (Admittedly, I didn't look at the measurements beforehand.) That's not a bad thing, though, but definitely something worth considering if you were planning to style it on a thin mantle or smaller shelf.

The diffuser also comes with two sealed pre-scented ceramic sticks ($65 each), which will last you roughly half a year, which is worth noting when considering its upfront cost. As for putting it together, it's as simple as taking a stick out of its packaging, and inserting it into the spherical base.

Overall, it feels weighty and substantial, and has been stamped with Diptyque's oval signature, engraved into the wood — a lovely little detail. Visually, it's incomparable to the even the best home fragrances on the market; it's unique, striking, and sure to be a conversation starter. And as for the novelty of the delicate swaying motion, it definitely takes a while to wear off, and perhaps never will...at least for me.

The scent

Aesthetics aside, I was particularly interested to see how strong the scent would be, considering its both continuous and un-powered. I knew the fragrance itself would be appealing — it ("currently") only comes in the brand's best-selling Baies scent, with floral green notes of blackcurrant berries. As for the strength, Diptyque describes it as being designed to "diffuse its fragrance slowly and gently," and I'd say that's an accurate representation.

Most comparable to a reed diffuser, I often catch a waft of fragrance as I walked by it, but otherwise its certainly not over-powering in any sense. For optimal results, I would recommend placing it in a smaller space (but not a bathroom — it doesn't do well with moisture) so that the fragrance can become more concentrated.

The verdict

After trialling it in various spots around my home over the past few weeks — shelves, the dining table, TV console, and kitchen bench — I've settled on the coffee table...for now. Because it doesn't require charging or any connection to power, it could really go anywhere (although its rocking motion means it moves around a bit, so is best placed on a flat surface away from other objects and edges).

I love how it adds a bit of height to my coffee table décor, and isn't immediately apparent what it actually is — is it a piece of art? A sculpture? All of the above?

And while its scent is certainly more subtle than other home fragrances, if you, like me, are someone who likes to consider aesthetics above other factors, it certainly ticks that box. Yes, it has a higher price point than others on the market, but you're buying a piece of the Diptyque brand, and the quality, heritage and prestige that comes with it.

Explore Diptyque's Other Cold Diffusing Systems

The Culbuto has joined a collection of cold diffusion fragrance systems offer by the French brand. Each offer their own unique style statement.