I’m a candle girly. From Diptyque to NEST and Capri Blue Volcano, I love lighting candles to create a cozy vibe in my home. But lately, I’ve had reservations about my candle-lighting habit. First, my choice of wicks is expensive ($48 for my go-to NEST Driftwood and Chamomile candle? Guilty!). Secondly, I have nightmares that I will forget they are lit, and my cat, dog, or kids will knock one over and start a fire. 

I love having a home that doesn’t smell like wet dog but I also want peace of mind. As a commerce editor, I receive many home fragrance diffusers to test, but it’s the Pura 4 diffuser ($50) that stands out as the most comparable solution to my candle dilemma. 

Pura 4 Diffuser — $50.00

Pros:

• A substantial scent radius
• Aesthetically pleasing and non-intrusive to your home’s decor
• Long lasting fragrance time
• Customizable
• A variety of scent options
• Refillable

Cons:

• Pricey for the initial full system
• Dependent on your home’s wifi

What is the Pura 4? 

The Pura 4 is a small, round device that plugs into your wall where it houses scent cartridges that can be controlled by an app on your phone. Pura offers scents in collaboration with some of the best-smelling brands in the game, like Anthropologie, NEST New York, Capri Blue, Studio McGee, and more. Unlike candles, the app allows you to create a customized and elevated scent experience and schedule it to fit your home’s needs. 

Between the two cartridges, you get about 120 hours of fragrance time and, depending on the size of the room, you can adjust the scent’s intensity. I use two of the same scent cartridges in my device (the NEST Driftwood and Chamomile scent, my favorite candle from NEST) but you can mix and match depending on your mood. Perhaps you’re feeling warm vanilla one day, and the next you want a floral gardenia vibe—no problem. 

Setting it up 

When you purchase the system, you have the option to choose from a variety of scent offerings. If you’re not sure, Pura’s website has a handy guide that asks you what room you want to set the device up in, what mood you’re aiming for (cheerful, bold, relaxing, romantic), what your favorite season is, and more. When I took the quiz, my results yielded that I favor woody, gourmand, and amber scents—spot on! 

Setting it up is simple. Just unpack the device and download the Pura app. You’ll get instructions on how to load the diffusers and connect to your wifi. Once the cartridges are inserted into the diffuser, the Pura 4 will automatically start wafting delicious scents into the air around you.

From there, you can set the strength and time you want the aroma to flow through your space. And when you get tired of said aroma, you can just buy a new one in the app to be delivered straight to your door; you’d be surprised how many of your favorite candle brands are available in Pura-form. 

What I love

Unlike candles, the Pura 4 diffuser gives me complete control over the strength of my home’s scent. With two pets and kids running around, I can set it to release the right amount of fragrance without overwhelming the space. And if I’m leaving the house or going to bed, I don’t have to worry about whether I left it “on”—everything is automated and can be controlled remotely through the app. 

Another win? It’s budget-friendly in the long run. Sure, the initial investment is higher than a single candle, but when you think about the 120 hours of customizable scent time and the fact that you don’t have to constantly restock on candles, it starts to make a lot of sense. Plus, I’m no longer limited to just one or two favorite scents—I can easily swap them out to fit my mood, season, or even the occasion.

Final thoughts

Not only does it look sleek and unobtrusive plugged into the wall, but it also makes managing my home fragrance a breeze. Just like my colleagues, I’m officially a Pura convert—and with brands like NEST and Capri Blue on board, I can still indulge in the fragrances I’ve always loved, but with a little more peace of mind. Plus, I love it when guests ask me why my home smells like an upscale hotel all the time (even when they pop in unexpectedly), and no one is the wiser to the sleek, small device plugged into my wall. I’ve now purchased three additional devices to scatter throughout my home and I no longer have nightmares about my house catching on fire due to a forgotten candle. Peace of mind (and a house that doesn’t smell like a wet dog) is priceless!