Humidifier guide: What to know before buying a humidifier
Everything you need to know about buying a humidifier.
Many of us struggle with dry skin, congestion and other undesirable conditions brought on by dry weather, especially during winter. But it’s not just our health that suffers, dry air can actually cause structural damage to our homes by warping and cracking timber.
A humidifier can help you maintain a healthy level of humidity, improve your health and extend the life of your home and furniture. Humidifiers come in a variety of styles and sizes and cost anywhere from $50 to $500 depending on the size and layout of the space you want to humidify.
We’ll walk you through all the options, help you compare humidifiers and ultimately choose the right model to meet your needs.
Popular humidifiers compared
Data obtained September 2018. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
*The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products and are not representative of all the products available in the market. Products are displayed in no particular order or ranking. The use of terms 'Best' and 'Top' are not product ratings and are subject to our disclaimer. You should consider seeking independent financial advice and consider your own personal financial circumstances when comparing products.
What does a humidifier do?
The ideal level of humidity inside a home is considered to be between 30% and 50%. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can work to help your home achieve this level. While dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air, humidifiers add moisture to the air in dry environments.
Generally, air is drier during winter months and indoor heaters further strip the air of moisture. This can cause timber homes and furniture to warp and even crack. Dry air can also be damaging to your health.
Humidifiers can help relieve the following symptoms and conditions:
Dry and itchy skin
Allergy symptoms
Bloody noses
Asthma symptoms
Dry and cracked lips
Sore throats
Sinus infections
Colds
Dry eyes
Congestion
Snoring
What types are available?
There are two main types of humidifiers: evaporative and ultrasonic. Both styles can effectively add moisture to your home or office but they use different methods to do so.
Evaporative humidifiers are the most commonly available type of humidifier. They operate by using a wick or sheet filter to draw water from a tank or reservoir and to remove dust and other impurities. A fan then disperses this water into the air as a mist. Some units include a heating element to kill bacteria and dispense warm mist, but these models should be kept out of the reach of children as they could be burned by the hot water or heating element.
Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency sound vibrations to turn water into a light mist that is then dispersed into the air. These units are quieter than evaporative models because they don’t include an internal fan. Many ultrasonic humidifiers have options for both cool and warm mist, but because they don’t boil water internally, there is less risk of someone burning themselves on the unit.
How to compare humidifiers?
The first step in choosing a humidifier is determining what size you need. Common sizes include tabletop or individual room models, console units and central air humidifiers.
Small to large-sized rooms such as bedrooms or living rooms.
Least expensive type of humidifier.
Very portable and can be moved easily.
Smaller tanks need to be refilled more often.
A single unit cannot humidify an entire home.
Console humidifier
Large open spaces up to 300 square metres including entire houses, units and offices.
Can effectively humidify your entire home.
More powerful than tabletop models.
More affordable than a central air humidifier.
Will only be effective in homes with open layouts.
Larger and less portable than a tabletop humidifier.
More expensive than a tabletop model.
Central air humidifier
Entire homes, offices and buildings.
Connects directly to a home’s central heating and cooling ducts.
Very efficient at humidifying large spaces.
Requires a central air system to run.
Most expensive type of humidifier.
Additional costs may apply for installation.
A humidistat allows you to control the level of humidity in the room and shuts off the humidifier when that level is reached. This prevents your room from becoming too humid.
The water container or reservoir should be detachable and easy to refill. Look for one that is short enough to fit under your sink faucet so that you can refill it easily.
An indicator light will signal when your tank is empty or running low. Some lights also signal malfunctions or indicate when the unit needs to be cleaned.
An automatic shut off feature will turn the humidifier off when the water container is empty. This helps prevent the unit from malfunctioning and wasting energy.
Some models include an antibacterial UV light or a filter to help make your air cleaner by killing bacteria and filtering out dust, dander and mould. If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma, an antibacterial humidifier could help relieve symptoms.
Look for a unit that offers more than one operating speed. This will help you control the output of moisture and noise level.
While not strictly necessary, a digital display can be more accurate and easier to control than traditional analog controls.
You can use a timer to set your humidifier to turn on and off at specific times.
If you fill your humidifier with hard water, white mineral dust can build up over time and be released into the air. A demineralisation cartridge will filter out the excess minerals and ensure your air is clean and dust free.
Cost
The price of a humidifier depends on size, type and features. Tabletop humidifiers typically cost between $30 to $200, whereas console humidifiers run from $100 to $300. Central air or whole house models start at around $150 and require an additional installation cost. Keep in mind, larger units also use more electricity and will increase your monthly electric bill.
Which humidifier is best for me?
The best humidifier for you depends on your room or house size, the humidity level of your environment and what additional features you want. To make it easier to help you find your ideal humidifier, we’ve compared five popular models below:
The good
The bad
Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier
Low-cost
Projects stars on a child's ceiling.
Some users have reported leaking.
No automatic shut-off feature.
Boneco 7135
Features both warm and cool mist modes.
Includes a programmable humidistat.
On the high-end of our price range.
Requires purified water for optimal performance.
Honeywell HCM-350
Affordable.
Eliminates up to 99% of bacteria and mould in the water.
Does not include a humidistat.
No automatic shut-off feature.
Beurer LB 37
An aroma oil dispenser allows you to diffuse your favourite scents.
You can control the amount of mist being dispensed with an adjustable nozzle.
Can cause condensation on nearby surfaces.
Requires fresh drinking water, not tap water, for optimal performance.
HoMedics UHE-WM85
Can run for up to 65 hours per filling.
LCD digital display shows humidity level, humidity target, timer and mist settings.
Costly.
Only comes with a one-year limited warranty.
How to clean a humidifier
The main thing you can do to extend the life of your humidifier is to keep it clean. Regular cleaning also prevents mould and helps keep your air safe to breathe. Look for a model with an easy to remove water container. Generally, a humidifier that is used daily should be cleaned at least weekly. When cleaning, it’s important to drain, rinse and fully dry the dehumidifier to prevent mould and other undesirable build-up. The specific instructions to clean each model depends on the manufacturer.
Sarah Brandon is a writer for finder.com.au and loves the challenge of tackling a new comparison. When she’s not at the office, she can be found writing novels or searching for the perfect artichoke dip.
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