Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier
A control knob that allows you to adjust between high and low mist levels. The tank has a medicine cup and scent pad door where you can add liquid inhalants such as Vicks VapoSteam.
A hygrometer helps you monitor humidity levels and a digital display shows the current water level in your tank. It also has a light that indicates when it’s time to refill.
Ease of Use
If you’re looking for a simple humidifier that does its job air humidifier supplier well, this is the one. Its large water tank ensures you can run it all day without worrying about its empty status, and its relatively small footprint means it’ll fit easily on a side table or nightstand. It also has no lighted features, making it safer for kids.
The unit boils water inside, and it then releases steam into the air. While this can help with a dry cough by lubricating the throat and nose, it also poses some safety concerns. These units can become extremely hot, and even the smallest amount of water spilled may cause burns. For this reason, we do not recommend a warm mist humidifier in homes with children.
Cool mist models, on the other hand, emit room-temperature water into the air. This happens through a metal diaphragm vibrating at ultra-sonic speeds to break water particles into mist, and it is then pushed up into the air by a silent fan. It is considered safer than a warm mist humidifier, and it uses less electricity than a heater.
Cool mist models are easy to set up and operate, and they typically have fewer parts that require regular cleaning. However, you should still keep them clean and free of germs and bacteria to avoid a buildup of mold and mildew. The best cool mist models have removable and washable components that make this process easy.
Ease of Cleaning
Humidifiers can help with dry lungs and skin. But they also can spread bacteria or mold that can harm lungs, particularly when not properly cleaned and disinfected. CR experts suggest you rinse daily and deep clean weekly to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms, which can cause respiratory infections like coughing and wheezing.
The best humidifiers use a metal diaphragm vibrating at ultra-sonic speeds to break water into tiny particles that are then diffused into the air and evaporate before they reach the ground, increasing humidity without adding minerals or microorganisms to the room. They’re also less likely than wick-type humidifiers to lead to mildew and mold growth in the room.
This humidifier holds a gallon of water and emits a cool mist into a room. It has an LED that shows the amount of water left in the tank, 360-degree dual mist nozzles for full room coverage and an automatic shut off feature. Unlike many other humidifiers, this one doesn’t need a filter, which can create a breeding ground for bad smells and mold spores. Instead it uses boiling water for the warm mist setting to make sure the steam you breathe is pure, and it has a medicine cup where you can add liquid inhalants like Vicks VapoSteam to soothe colds and coughing. It also is quiet during operation, a plus for those who sleep in the same room as it operates.
Ease of Maintenance
A cool mist humidifier is a good option for people with sensitive respiratory systems. While it won’t cure a cold or the flu, it will make breathing more comfortable while medicine and rest take care of symptoms like congestion, dry coughing, and itchy throats.
Humidifiers are generally easy to maintain and clean, requiring minimal effort on your part. Cool mist humidifiers work by evaporating water into the air and use less energy than steam humidifiers, making them more efficient options. The best humidifiers feature removable and washable parts, which help prevent bacterial growth and keep the unit looking new. Look for a humidifier with a built-in filter, which is designed to capture minerals in tap water and eliminate the need to regularly replace disposable filters.
This model has three washable parts—the lid, tank, and oscillating arm—that you can easily remove, rinse, and reassemble to keep the humidifier smelling fresh. It’s also a relatively compact size and quiet, so it’s a good choice for small rooms. Its indicator light shows the level of moisture in the tank. A green light means the tank is full, while a red light indicates it’s empty. It also has a sleep mode that turns off the display and reduces noise, which is a plus for those who want to use it at night.
Ease of Installation
Whether you prefer warm or cool mist, a humidifier can add moisture to the air in your home. That helps ease dry skin and chapped lips, reduce static electricity around the house, and soothe sinus troubles and the common cold. It can also make breathing easier, which can improve sleep. Some humidifiers also have an ionizer and UV light to reduce bacteria and other microorganisms in the air.
The best humidifiers have a digital display that lets you know when it’s time to refill the water tank. When it’s full, the display will show three green dots above the power button; two means the tank is almost empty, and a red dot indicates you need to refill. The unit will shut off automatically if the water level is too low.
Most warm- and cool-mist humidifiers are easy to install, but you’ll need a duct for air humidifier supplier a vented model. If you want a portable one, look for models with handles so it’s easy to carry from room to room. You can also find models with a battery-operated fan for portability.
If you choose a warm-mist humidifier, be aware that it will release hot steam into the room. That can burn kids and pets if they accidentally touch it. To avoid that, it’s best to place a warm-mist humidifier away from furniture and other objects.