Best Humidifiers

What are humidifiers used for?

If you live in a dry area with long winters, you might want to consider buying a humidifier to improve the air quality in your home and avoid some of the symptoms of dry air such as sinus headaches, dry skin and frequent sneezing and coughing.

Various types of humidifiers function differently, but ultimately they work by releasing vapour or mist into the air to hydrate it.

In addition, they are good for:

• Treating dry and cracked skin, including chapped lips, especially during winter.
• Relieving cold symptoms such as decongestion or easing a cough.
• Retaining heat inside the home, saving on heating costs.
• Protecting wooden floors, furniture and musical instruments from cracking due to dryness.
• Keeping your houseplants healthy and fresh.
• Helping you sleep better through the white noise emitted (and aromatherapy in some hybrid products).

Are humidifiers good for babies?

Many parents are opting for humidifiers instead of heaters for their babies’ nurseries since babies are more prone to congestion and are more sensitive to dry climates than adults. Adding moisture to the air can also slow down the spread of viruses and bacteria which prefer dry conditions. Humidifiers can also help your baby sleep better throughout the night.

If using a humidifier in your baby’s room, avoid choosing a warm-mist humidifier that could lead to accidents if left unattended and take care to clean it regularly to avoid the growth of mould and bacteria.

Types of Humidifiers

There are four main types of air humidifiers you can purchase for a room. These are:

Warm mist humidifier

Also known as a steam vapouriser humidifier, warm-mist humidifiers heat water to create steam. They are generally quieter than cool mist humidifiers, less expensive and more robust. They can help heat the room and make it feel cozy whilst slowing the spread of bacteria.

The biggest disadvantage of this type of humidifier is the potential for burns. Since there is a heating element used which releases hot steam, there is a potential for accidents via the nozzle or through the hot water tank leaking or falling over.

If choosing this type of humidifier, make sure you take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and those in the house safe.

Cool mist humidifier

They work by releasing a mist into the room from a cold water tank, often through the use of a fan. Since they release cool air to a room, these humidifiers are ideal for those living in warmer temperatures.

They pose no risk of burns, making them a good choice if you have babies, toddlers or pets.

Ultrasonic humidifier

Using ultrasonic vibrations to produce cool mist, warm steam or both, these humidifiers are extremely energy-efficient, have no operating noise and are easy to clean.

Air washer

Air washers (also called air cleaners) add moisture to the air whilst also filtering it, removing dust, mould, allergens and other pollutants. Combining air purifiers and humidifiers, they work by drawing air into the device, filtering it, adding humidity and releasing the clean air back into the room.

Dangers of a humidifier

Not everyone needs a humidifier or would benefit from getting one since high humidity levels can worsen respiratory problems. It can also lead to an uncomfortable dampness in the air which can encourage the growth of:

• Dust mites
• Mildew
• Mould
• Harmful bacteria

You should aim for humidity levels between 30 and 50%. A hygrometer can be used to determine the humidity level in your home and can be found in many hardware stores.

It could be useful to test the humidity daily, especially if someone in your household has allergies or asthma, to ensure humidity is not too low or high.

What should I put in my humidifier?

Try to avoid filling up your water tank with tap water - it is recommended that you go with distilled, purified or demineralised water. This is because you want to use the cleanest water possible in order to create the cleanest air in your room. It’ll also save you valuable cleaning time since there will be less mineral dust build-up in your device and safer in the long run since there’s a lower chance of mould or white dust being released.

If you want to prevent the growth of mould, adding some vinegar and/or tea tree oil to your water can help do this. In addition, humidifier tablets can be bought and used for this purpose. Some come in lovely aromas to help add ambience to your home.

Can I put essential oils in my humidifier?

Unless your humidifier is a diffuser-hybrid, do not put essential oils in the tank since it can damage it and be harmful when released. You should only use water and other approved substances in your tank.

Things to consider when buying a humidifier

Coverage area

You can choose the right humidifier for you by measuring the size of your room and comparing it to the coverage area of the humidifier you’re thinking of getting.

Sound

You can expect most humidifiers to make some sort of sound, but depending on how much that grates on you, you can opt for a quiet humidifier such as an ultrasonic one, or a cool-mist humidifier if you quite enjoy the white noise it provides.

Temperature

Cool or warm mist? Depending on where you live, you might want the air in your room to be cooler or warmer than the air outside. For ultimate versatility, you can go with an ultrasonic humidifier which can do both. Keep in mind that warm-air humidifiers may not be suitable for those with children or pets.

For babies

Some humidifiers also act as a night light and can sing lullabies to help your baby fall asleep whilst also acting as a regular humidifier and keeping their skin soft and moisturised.

Cleaning & safety

One of the most important things to consider is safety. Is your product easy to clean and does it contain the necessary safety precautions to present someone getting hurt? Improper cleaning can also lead to bacteria and mould growth so this really is an important factor to consider before making your purchasing choice.

You can read reviews on the best humidifiers in the market today to help you make your decision.