Before temperatures start dropping and your skin starts drying, considering the incorporation of a humidifier in your bedroom isn’t the worst idea. Through just the flip of the switch, they can help or eliminate a host of uncomfortable symptoms that can keep you from a good night’s sleep.
However, there’s more to choosing the best humidifier besides finding the correct size, capacity, and style for your room. Read on to learn the differences between a warm vs cool mist humidifier and which is the best option for you!
What is a Humidifier?
Humidifiers add moisture to the air to prevent dryness, lessening or even eliminating irritation on many parts of your body. Since most allergies and winter colds just need to run their course, that doesn’t mean we have to live in discomfort while they do! Humidifiers can relieve these uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
- Dry skin
- Dry throat
- Dry cough
- Cracked lips
- Nose irritation/bloody noses
- Irritated vocal cords
- Sinus congestion/headache
By lessening or even eliminating these irritations and symptoms, you’re able to sleep far more comfortably.
Humidifiers come in five distinct types, and your choice depends on your budget, preferences, and the size of the area that needs added moisture. They are:
- Central Humidifiers: These are built into your home’s air conditioning or heating unit and can add humidity throughout your entire house.
- Evaporators: Powered by fans, these blow moisture through a moisturized filter.
- Impeller Humidifiers: These are the most child-friendly devices because their cool mist doesn’t have the risk of burns.
- Steam Vaporizers: These are common humidifiers that you can find in most drugstores. They heat water through electrical power before cooling and expelling it into the air.
- Ultrasonic Humidifiers: Through ultrasonic vibration, these create a cool mist.
Warm vs Cool Mist Humidifier
Choosing between the broad categories of warm or cool mist humidifiers can lessen the vast amount of choices available to you when it comes to humidifier shopping. Although the effects of both warm and cool mist humidifiers are similar, there are some key differences that you’ll want to consider to make the most informed choice.
Warm Mist Humidifiers
These humidifiers use heat to boil and disperse vapor. These aren’t the best choice for children or homes with pets because they’re hot to the touch and can cause burns. However, many warm mist vaporizers include a chamber to add medication.
They’re also considered the healthiest option on the market because the boiled water can fight off bacteria or mold that can develop on parts of the device. Vaporizers are also considered healthier than other humidifiers because they’re capable of producing steam that contains fewer minerals.
Because of their heating elements, warm mist humidifiers aren’t the best option for large areas of your home and are more suited for bedrooms and offices. They can also be slightly more difficult to clean because of the buildup of mineral deposits during the boiling process.
Cool Mist Humidifiers
Two common kinds of cool mist humidifiers are evaporative and ultrasonic.
If you live in dry, warm climates, cool mist humidifiers are preferable because they can help a room feel cooler. They’re also a great choice for homes with children and pets because there’s no chance of burns.
If you need to sleep in a room with no noise, ultrasonic humidifiers are the best option, as they produce little to no noise as vapor is created through ultrasonic vibration.
Because there’s no heating element, cool mist humidifiers don’t require as much electricity and are less expensive than warm mist humidifiers. They do need to be cleaned more often as the chance of growing mold and bacteria is high.
Read cool mist humidifier reviews if you’re interested in exploring your options and making an informed choice!
Humidifier Tips
After you purchase your humidifier, here are a few tips to keep it operating safely and efficiently:
- Place the humidifier on a dry, level surface that can’t be reached by pets or children.
- Make sure the power cord is also out of a child’s reach.
- Ensure that the appliance is unplugged when you add water.
- Regularly clean your humidifier to keep the filter and basin free of bacteria and mold.
- Change your water daily to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
- Keep your humidity around 30 percent and below 50 for the most comfortable environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Use distilled water to eliminate minerals and particles that will make it easier for mold and bacteria to grow.
The Best Humidifier for You
As you can see, choosing a warm vs cool mist humidifier largely depends on your climate, whether you need to be concerned about pets or children, and your specific health concerns.
An even simpler way of choosing whether a warm or cool mist humidifier is right for you is to think about the last time you’ve been in a warm sauna or stepped out into your bathroom after a long, hot shower.
If you liked it and found you could breathe easier, then a warm mist humidifier is probably the best type for you. If you struggled, then a cool mist humidifier is a better option.
However, no matter what kind of humidifier you purchase, they’re both capable of eliminating or alleviating the symptoms of dry skin, coughing, sore throat, and congestion.
Keep reading our articles for more informative articles, tips, and techniques on creating a happy, healthy home!
