Air purifiers and humidifiers affect the air in your home in different ways. Whether addressing allergies, respiratory issues, dry air, or creating a healthy space for your baby, it’s crucial to grasp the differences between these devices and optimize their usage.
This blog post will explain how they work, what affects they have on the air, and which one to choose for different situations.
Table of Contents
- How Do Air Purifiers Differ From Humidifiers?
- Health Benefits of Air Purifiers
- Allergies and Asthma Relief
- Virus and Bacteria Removal
- Dust and Particle Reduction
- Health Benefits of Humidifiers
- Respiratory Relief
- Dry Skin
- When Should You Use an Air Purifier or Humidifier?
- Can I Use an Air Purifier and Humidifier at the Same Time?
- Top Picks for Air Purifier and Humidifier
- Conclusion
How Do Air Purifiers Differ From Humidifiers?
An air purifier is used to improve indoor air quality by getting rid of things like dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and bacteria. It uses different technologies, like HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, UV-C light, and ionizers, to capture or neutralize these particles. Generally, air purifiers take in air, filter out particles, and then release the filtered air back into the room. Some advanced models with UV-C light technology can also offer extra protection against airborne viruses.
On the flip side, a humidifier is a device designed to add moisture to the air. It does this by methods like boiling water into steam, using ultrasonic technology to release tiny water droplets, or evaporating water with a fan and a wick. According to epa.gov, it’s best to use distilled water for humidifiers so that it won’t release mineral particles into the air and cause mineral buildup in the humidifier.
Health Benefits of Air Purifiers
Allergies and Asthma Relief: Air purifiers can significantly reduce common allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. By removing these triggers, air purifiers can potentially alleviate asthma symptoms and improve respiratory health in individuals with asthma.
Virus and Bacteria Removal: Some air purifiers have HEPA filters or UV-C technology that can capture or deactivate airborne viruses and bacteria. This reduces the chance of catching and/or spreading the common cold and flu. It may also ease your symptoms if you’re already sick.
Dust and Particle Reduction: Air purifiers typically have filters that remove 99% of dust and particles in the air which can significantly improve respiratory health. So even though you may not have asthma or allergies, air purifiers can still improve your breathing.
Health Benefits of Humidifiers
Respiratory Relief: Humidifiers don’t remove particles in the air but instead alleviate dryness in the respiratory tract, throat, and nasal passages by introducing more moisture in the air.
Humidifiers can aid in a speedier recovery from illnesses such as the flu or cold, as moisture helps keep the respiratory system hydrated and facilitates easier breathing.
Dry Skin: Increased humidity helps combat dry skin by preventing excessive moisture loss, reducing the likelihood of skin irritation and discomfort. Proper humidity can also alleviate symptoms of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
When Should You Use an Air Purifier or Humidifier?
An air purifier is great at capturing allergen, bacteria, and viruses. This is especially helpful during the flu season and combatting seasonal allergies.
A humidifier is also great during the colder seasons where people start using more heat which will lower the overall humidity in the air. By reintroducing moisture, you can breathe easier and your respiratory system will also benefit from it.
However, humidifiers are more situational as humidity levels may not always stay the same so some days it’ll be more humid than others. It’s especially apparent during the summer where instead of introducing moisture you would want to get rid of the excess. Still, humidifiers are great in the situations they are called for. For example, getting a cool-mist humidifier can be especially beneficial for babies and infants who cough a lot or have cold symptoms. It’ll help ease their nasal passages and help them breathe easier (fda.gov).
Air purifiers, on the other hand, can be used all-year round because the particles in the air isn’t just impacted by the seasons but other factors like cooking and cleaning. This doesn’t make air purifiers better than humidifiers, just that they have different uses.
Can I Use an Air Purifier and Humidifier at the Same Time?
Since air purifiers and humidifiers function differently, you can use them at the same time. In fact, in some cases, it might be beneficial for you to do so. The cold winter months where the flu and common cold are more prevalent may call for the use of both an air purifier and a humidifier. It’ll keep your nose and throat hydrated while removing unwanted particles.
You can also use both at the same time for better sleeping purposes. Both can benefit your sleep in different ways. Removing particles and introducing moisture can help you breathe easier while you sleep.
Top Picks for Air Purifier and Humidifier
If you’re curious about which air purifiers or humidifiers to choose from, then check out our blog posts about best air purifiers and humidifiers. We’ve done extensive research picking out the best ones so you don’t have to:
Conclusion
In summary, the choice between an air purifier and a humidifier depends on what you need. If you want to remove particles and allergens from the air, go for an air purifier. It’s great for allergies and pollution. If you’re dealing with dry skin or breathing issues, a humidifier adds moisture to the air. Sometimes, having both can be helpful for overall air quality. Consider what suits your needs best, and make sure to take good care of whichever device you choose for a healthier indoor space.
References
Use and Care of Home Humidifiers | US EPA. (2023, June 27). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/use-and-care-home-humidifiers#:~:text=Use%20water%20with%20low%20mineral,buildup%20of%20scale%20and%20microorganisms.
Research, C. F. D. E. A. (2018, February 8). Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/use-caution-when-giving-cough-and-cold-products-kids