Humidifiers Buying Guide

When buying a humidifier, it is important to consider what size and type best suit your needs. If the main goal is to humidify a bedroom for more comfortable sleeping and to promote health, then a smaller humidifier can perform admirably with either warm or cool mist. Cool mist units, whether portable or console, are ideal for humidifying multiple rooms or large spaces. To humidify an entire house, in duct humidifiers provide the most convenience and best coverage, although the initial investment can be higher and installation is more complicated.

Humidifiers can be used all year round anywhere the air is uncomfortably dry. They are also great to use for short periods of time to ease allergies, colds, or dry skin. The most common time to need a humidifier is during the winter months. Cold air cannot hold as much water as warm air, and when dry cold air is heated, it loses even more of that moisture, making indoor air sometimes unbearably dry. This very dry air is problematic when it aggravates colds and allergies, and causes dry, itchy skin and eyes, chapped lips and nasal irritation. The prolonged lack of moisture common in the winter time also leads to a much higher incidence of static cling and static shocks around the house. Choosing the right humidifier can help ease all of these problems and make the winter much more comfortable! Whether looking for a humidifier to run at night in the bedroom or a product to manage the humidity of the whole house, there is a product to suit any need.

Recommendations of the ideal humidity level to maintain vary widely depending on the source. In most cases, these recommendations fall between 30% and 60%, although many recommend a narrower range. Some sources warn that humidity levels over 50% can encourage dust mites or even mold growth, so allergy sufferers may prefer to stay in the lower end of that range. Depending on the circumstances, some people may choose to keep higher humidity levels, especially as a short term measure to soothe nasal and respiratory congestion and irritation when suffering from colds or the flu. After experimenting with a humidifier for a short time, most people will be able to determine the specific humidity level that they find most comfortable without needing to follow a specific recommendation.

Another reason to control humidity levels is for the conservation of artwork, wood furniture or musical instruments. Too much humidity can contribute to mold growth or chemical changes in paint or finish, while too little humidity can cause dessication of paint and finishes, and even the warping and cracking of delicate wood. For conservation, most sources recommend a humiditiy level no lower than 30% and not to exceed 50%. Since this is within the range recommended for comfort in the home, it is easy to serve both purposes at once.

There are a wide variety of humidifiers and several ways to break them down into categories. They may be categorized by size and type of vapor, as well as by the method used to produce the vapor that disperses to raise the humidity of the room or house.

Table Top Humidifiers Table top room humidifiers are small enough to be moved around the house or stored in a closet when not in use, and may be set up on a table or the floor. Their reservoirs generally hold between one and four gallons, and they are usually best suited to humidifying a single room. This size is the least expensive of the three size categories, with both basic and more advanced models available. Table top humidifiers are available in both warm and cool mist types, providing a wide range of options to suit individual needs and preferences.

Console Humidifiers Console humidifiers are larger than table top models, and are often styled to blend in with the furniture in a room. They also have a larger capacity, and can humidify multiple rooms. The water tanks are larger, which means they need to be filled less frequently, but they can also be awkward to fill when needed. Console humidifiers produce cool mist using the evaporative method, which is much more effective at covering a large space than warm mist methods, although it is also noisier.

Central Humidifiers Central humidifiers can be attached to the central air or heating system in houses with forced air heating. They are also hooked directly to the water pipes, so the homeowner does not need to fill the resevoir manually as with table top or console humidifiers. Central humidifiers require the least maintenance, but the initial investment can be higher than some other units. There may also be installation fees or the inconvenience of self-installation.

Warm Mist Humidifiers

Warm mist humidifiers produce a warm vapor by boiling the water in the humidifier. The steam produced is generally cooled slightly before being released into the room. This is done to reduce the risk of children or pets being burned, which is always a possibility with uncooled steam. The warm mist can be especially soothing to congested nasal or respiratory passages. Because they don't use a fan in the creation of the vapor, warm mist humidifiers are quiter than cool mist humidifiers, although the noise of boiling may be audible at higher settings. The boiling process also contributes to keeping the humidifier and the mist clear of harmful bacteria or mold. Some units include a mineral absorption pad, which can be useful in areas where the water is very hard. On the downside, warm mist humidifiers generally cover a smaller area than cool mist humidifiers, although the mist can be targeted at a specific location such as a bed. They also generally require more frequent cleaning, particularly if used with hard water that produces scale.

Cool Mist Humidifiers

Most cool mist humidifiers use a wick to draw water up from the resevoir. Then a fan forces air past or through the wick, where it picks up moisture and carries it out into the room to raise the level of humidity. Different models use different types of wicks, which may be made of a variety of materials and shapes. Because cool mist humidifiers use a fan to create the vapor, they are commonly noisier than warm mist models. Manufacturers have worked to minimize this factor, so many people don't find the noise level high enough to be bothersome. Because they often cover a larger area, the cool mist humidifier can also be placed in a different room to minimize the noise factor. Because they don't heat the water, there is less of a problem with residue build-up, so they can also be easier to clean than a warm mist humidifier.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

Ultrasonic humidifiers may produce cool mist, or some models offer the option of cool or warm mist from the same unit. In this type of humidifier, a thin film of water is passed over a rapidly vibrating transducer. The vibration breaks the water up into tiny droplets and propels them out into the air, increasing the humidity level with very little noise. Some sources mention the possible drawback of impurities in the water such as minerals or bacteria being dispersed along with the moisture. This disadvantage is generally combated with anti-microbial coatings and filters.

While the essential purpose of a humidifier is to increase the level of humidity in a room or house, there are many extra features to consider when deciding which model to buy. Some basic considerations include tank capacity or extra tanks, ease of filling and cleaning, adjustable humidity levels, and the cost and frequency of replacing filters. When deciding which features are most important, it is useful to keep in mind where the humidifier will be used, who will be using it, and what it is being used to accomplish. Here are a few options that can make the difference between a humidifier that fits all your needs and one that’s just ok.

Hygrometer

Most modern humidifiers incorporate a hygrometer that will measure and display the humidity level nearby. Some models allow the user to set a target humidity so that the unit will turn on and off to maintain a specific level according to the readings of the internal hygrometer. This is an essential feature for units that will be used day-to-day. Because the internal hygrometer can only read the humidity level immediately around the humidifier, there is some potential for inaccuracy. If this becomes a concern, the homeowner can also buy a stand alone hygrometer. This can be positioned in any part of the room or house to get a better idea of the overall humidity of the area, with readings both at the humidifier and at a distance.

Germ-Killing Options

Humidifier manufacturers have come up with a wide variety of ways to make their products inhospitable to germs and molds. Having some sort of anit-microbial features can make the humidifier healthier and reduce the frequency of cleaning. Warm mist humidifiers automatically have some germ-killing capacity because they use boiling water to produce vapor. It is also very common to incorporate an anti-microbial coating to the lining of the humidifier, killing off bacteria and mold before they can grow and become a problem. Another great option is to find a unit that uses UV light to treat water as it enters from the tank, killing germs and mold.

Hard Water Options

Hard water can be a problem for any appliance, especially those that heat water, but there are a variety of options for dealing with it. Some humidifier models can use optional, replaceable mineral absorption pads that leech the minerals out of the water in the tank.

Additives

There are also a variety of water treatment additives that can help control mineral buildup within the machine as well as killing bacteria. Any additive should list the types of humidifier it is suitable for use with. Do not add anything to the water of a humidifier without checking that it is meant for that type.

Multipurpose appliances can be a great option for those who would normally buy multiple products. Combining an air purifier and humidifier, or heater and humidifier, can cut down on operating expenses, initial purchase expense, and the space taken up in the house. 

Console Humidifiers

Because console humidifiers can be a permanent fixture in a room, many manufacturers make an effort to offer models that will fit in with the general decor. From sleek plastic to warm wood finishes, there are a variety of options to choose from.
 

Table Top Humidifiers For the most part, table top humidifiers are not designed to blend in with the decor of a house. While console humidifiers are large enough to blend in with the furniture, table top humidifiers tend to focus on convenience of use and taking up a minimal footprint. One notable exception is the line of cool mist children's humidifiers from Crane, including an adorable cat, elephant and frog.

Prices vary widely among table top humidifiers, depending on the features, size and manufacturer. In general, larger or more high tech humidifiers will be more expensive. Prices are continually coming down as manufacturing techniques become more and more efficient, so it is possible to get a very good humidifier for less than $100. Basic humidifiers are available for as little as $30, while a fancier combination humidifier/air purifier may cost more than $300.

Console humidifiers are larger and cost more than most table top humidifiers. Most models fall between $100 and $200 in price.

In-duct or furnace humidifiers are generally more expensive, ranging from around $150 to $300, and there may be additional installation fees. The long term advantages include not needing to fill the reservoir and less frequent filter changing.

Honeywell
Holmes
Slant Fin
Hunter
Air O Swiss
Essick
Bemis