Which is better, a humidifier or an air purifier?

The indoor air is saturated with harmful components that can cause many diseases in humans. In addition, in winter, the air in the room is dry, which also has a detrimental effect on the human body. Special equipment helps to cope with this task - humidifiers and air purifiers for enclosed spaces. Despite their small dimensions, these devices change the composition of the air to levels acceptable to the human body. Naturally, it is best to use these two devices at the same time, but if this is not possible, it is worth figuring out which is better: a humidifier or an air purifier in a particular case.

Device for purifying air masses

The purchase of budget Chinese air purifiers must be approached very carefully.
The main purpose of installing a purifier is to eliminate components from the air that are unsafe for humans. The purifier, passing air masses through itself, traps dust particles, hairs, sand, wool, mold spores, and waste products of mites. The main difference between the equipment is the installation of individual filtration. For a room where a large amount of dust accumulates, a cleaner with an electrostatic filter is suitable. In cases where it is necessary to remove an unpleasant odor, devices with a carbon filtration system are used. To completely break down solid particles, it is necessary to install a purifier with a photocatalytic filter, since other systems only capture and retain harmful components.

Types of Humidifiers

According to the principle of their operation, such devices are divided into several varieties, one of which we will subsequently consider in more detail.

Steam humidifiers. From the name it becomes clear that moisture is released by heating water to a certain temperature.
Traditional. They operate on the principle of “cold” evaporation of moisture under the influence of air flow from a fan.
Ultrasonic. Evaporation is the result of vibrations caused by high frequency vibrations.
Combined devices – air “washers”.

Air humidifier device with air cleaning function

It is these latter devices that we will consider. After this, it will become easier to decide which device is best for use at home.

Humidifier or air purifier what to choose

Humidifiers are designed to create optimal humidity in an enclosed space. In accordance with GOST 30494-96, indoor humidity in cold weather should be no less than 40% and no more than 60%. When indoor air humidity is below 40%, a person becomes drowsy and chronically tired. When humidity levels drop below 30%, the human body is subject to stress. It rapidly loses natural moisture, which leads to a decrease in the immune system and, accordingly, to the occurrence of diseases.

Attention! According to statistics, in an apartment in winter, in which a humidifier is not installed, the humidity is only 25%.

Air purifiers are designed to trap particulate matter. Thanks to the installed filters, they are able to eliminate harmful components from air masses by more than 90%. Purifiers are typically installed more often in industrial environments where there are large amounts of particulate matter in the air.

Important! In order to understand whether it is necessary to adjust the humidity in the room or whether it is enough to just eliminate heavy air, you should measure the indicators using a hygrometer. It will accurately show the humidity levels in the room.

The choice between a washer and a humidifier is individual.

Air washer or humidifier, which is better is a frequently asked question that depends on needs and capabilities. Both air purifying devices have their positive and negative features. An air humidifier works locally, delivering a stream of moisture that dissipates slowly, moisturizing objects and furniture along the way. However, humidifiers attract with their prices, which are significantly lower than the prices of air washers. These devices are easy to operate and have a modest size.

We recommend reading: How to humidify the air in a room?

Air washing is a good option for large spaces. It is called an improved type of humidifier, since its ability to purify and humidify the air is significantly higher. Whatever your choice, both a washer and a humidifier will significantly improve the air quality and indoor climate.

Humidifier + purifier: universal devices

An integrated approach to improving the microclimate: a 2in1 device
It is impossible to compare these two devices in terms of efficiency, since they perform completely different functions: a purifier eliminates heavy particles harmful to the body, and a humidifier maintains an optimal level of humidity in the room for excellent well-being. The most appropriate equipment option for individual use is 2in1 climate complexes, with the help of which harmful microparticles are eliminated and the required humidity is ensured. For example, the Smower Multi Action model. Such equipment is indispensable in rooms where there are children and allergy sufferers.

Air humidifier: how it works and what features it has

A humidifier, like a washer, is designed to evaporate water, but its operating principle is different. The classic device drives air currents through a damp cartridge with a fan, quickly humidifying the air. The equipment does not have humidity level control sensors, so the check must be carried out independently using special measuring equipment.

The entire range of devices has a minimum number of settings; the maximum operating time usually does not exceed 12 hours. Ultrasonic and steam models create a mist of tiny water droplets that humidifies the room. In this case, the highest level of humidity will always be in the immediate vicinity of the device. It is impossible to adjust it using the device settings. Many ultrasonic models are not suitable for using aromatic oils.

Types of humidifiers for home

A classic humidifier is equipped with replaceable filters through which air flows. Only the largest particles of dust and debris floating in the air settle on the cartridge. The device is quite noisy, so it is not recommended to turn it on at night in a recreation area.

Ultrasonic devices create steam on a piezoelectric membrane under the influence of vibrations created by ultrasound. It is suitable both in living rooms and in rooms that require a higher level of humidity. The device is capable of increasing humidity up to 80%. It operates silently, making it suitable for bedrooms and children's rooms. The equipment is sensitive to water quality.

Steam models humidify the air most intensively by heating the water. Many devices have containers for aromatizing oils. The water level in the device is controlled by a sensor, which eliminates overheating of the equipment and operation with an empty tank. Some models are equipped with a hygrostat to control the degree of humidification.

Humidifier Benefits

Dry air dehydrates the body, as a result of which health deteriorates, and the skin becomes wrinkled faster. A humidifier intensively saturates the room with moisture, making it easier to breathe. This helps reduce respiratory diseases during the heating season, the skin does not dry out.

Top 3 air humidifiers for apartments

Stadler Form Jack J-020/021 is an ultrasonic device operating in cold and steam humidification mode. Hot steam destroys germs and harmful microorganisms mechanically, and the ionic cartridge purifies the water from bacteria in the tank. Additionally, demineralization of water is carried out. The device is silent and suitable for children's rooms.

Philips HU 4802 saturates the air with water molecules using ultrasound. Thanks to Nano Cloud technology, humidified streams are evenly distributed throughout the room, while water droplets do not settle on interior items. The user can set the humidity level within 40–60%. The filter is designed for 3 months of intensive use. The device is suitable for humidifying the rooms of newborns.

Ballu UHB-310 2000 r – ultrasonic model with a 3-liter tank. The device is not demanding on the quality of water, so you can fill it from the water supply. A set of filters softens water and removes excess salts. The humidifier removes large particles of dust and dirt. The equipment is designed for 40 m2.

Humidifier with air purification function

Devices of this kind are a unique “combine” that combines two separate devices - a humidifier and an air purifier. Their feature is natural air humidification. The principle of their operation is to draw contaminated and dry air into the device using a built-in fan, where it is driven through special drums placed in water. Solid particles “stick” to the surface of the blades and are subsequently washed off into a special tray. And already purified and humidified air is supplied to the room.

Important! It is recommended to use a humidifier with an air purification function and the presence of a hydrostat, which controls the humidity in the room. This element will not allow excessive humidification of the air in the room.

Parameters to consider when choosing universal equipment:

performance. For a room with an area of up to 20 m2, preference should be given to equipment with a capacity of 2 m3/min;
size of the water tank. For a room of 40 m2, a 7 liter tank will be sufficient for high-quality humidification and cleansing;
noise level, which should not exceed 40 dB;
type of filtration system, installation of additional filters to eliminate unpleasant odors;
additional functions such as shutdown when there is insufficient water, electronic control timer, ionizer.

Important! For finer purification of air masses and elimination of unpleasant odors, you will need a device that, in addition to the “hydrofiltration” system, is equipped with an additional filter. For example, the Philips HU4803 model affects air masses in 3 stages: trapping solid particles with a cartridge, removing bacteria and waste products from mites and viruses, and uniformly distributing air masses throughout the room.

Benefits of humidifiers

There are several types of humidifiers, and each model has its own operating feature. Let's see what modern devices can offer us.

What is being considered	Traditional	Steam	Ultrasonic
Principle of operation	Water is poured into the container and supplied to the evaporation elements	Water here is evaporated by 2 electrodes - when they are in the liquid, current flows through a closed electrical circuit, heating and evaporation of water occurs. When all the water has boiled away, the device turns off	Water from a special tank is supplied to a high-frequency vibrating plate, where it is split into spray. The smallest droplets form a cloud, passing through which the air is humidified
Advantages	The air is humidified, cleaned of dust and foreign microorganisms	Humidifies and warms the air	Humidifies and cools the air
Purpose	For air humidification and aromatherapy	For humidification and heating of air, aromatherapy and inhalation	For air humidification and cooling

As you can see, each type of humidifier has its own characteristics. The simplest type is traditional; it will create an optimal microclimate and increase air humidity to 70-80 percent.

The steam model also heats the air, so you should use it carefully; if warm and humid air is contraindicated for you, it is better to choose another option. The ultrasonic device is popular among young families - it is best used for a child's room, as it operates silently and can create 50 percent humidity.

Air purifier with humidification function: features of the filtration system

The devices should be easy to use and maintain.
The type of filtration system, namely the installed filter, determines which harmful particles the device will rid the room of. The filter can be:

electrostatic, in which several metal plates with a statistical field are used. Polluted air masses passing between them settle. Filters of this type clean the air from dust;
HEPA filter, which cleans the room of dust by 99.9%;
photocatalytic, which eliminates bacteria, viruses and gases;
coal, which allows you to eliminate volatile harmful components from the air, for example, tobacco smoke.

A humidifier can be installed in the purifiers:

traditional, in which contaminated air masses pass through an installed wet filter;
ultrasonic, in which air masses pass through small sprays obtained by splitting water.

If you feel decreased performance, dry mouth and nose, and drowsiness, then you should think about installing a humidifier indoors. For families with growing children or people with allergies to dust or other components, it is worth paying attention to an air purifier. For more enterprising people, today there are models of combined devices that allow you to simultaneously purify and humidify the air masses in the room.

Air washes: purification and humidification

Today, two types of air washers are common: cone, which create a curtain of water, and disk, which during rotation form a thin film of water and collect various impurities in the air. The peculiarity of this type of air purifier is that it effectively performs the function of a humidifier. Some models are equipped with a hygrometer (humidity meter) and operate in automatic mode, maintaining an optimal 40 - 60% humidity.

Air washer Stadler Form Tom T-001

Manufacturers often equip devices with an aromatization function; special aromatic or essential oils can be added to them.

Air washing effectively cleans the air from various mechanical contaminants larger than 2.5 microns:

household, street or construction dust;
particles of lint, wool, hair;
plant pollen.

Objectively assessing the technology in this segment, we can conclude that their effective area of use is easy cleaning and maintaining a comfortable level of humidity. The device is suitable for rooms with low concentrations of gases or foreign odors. The aroma function will help fill your home with a pleasant aroma, but water filters do not adsorb gas molecules. In rare cases, sinks can be used for allergy sufferers, as they are not able to fully neutralize all types of irritants.

high-quality cleaning from large and medium-sized dust;
natural humidification, forced air aromatization;
some models are equipped with an ionizer;
low maintenance costs - replacing water, filter elements, purchasing essential oils;
environmental friendliness.

Maintaining efficient use requires regular cleaning;
big sizes;
medium or high noise level (depending on model);
The device is powerless against fine dust, smog, exhaust gases, and tobacco smoke.

Humidifier increases humidity

A humidifier, like a washer, is used to bring the air masses in the room to an optimal state. But these two devices cope with this task differently.

Modern humidifiers do not require special installation. They work to humidify the air in the room without stopping around the clock. These are low-noise devices, which is why they are often chosen for children's rooms and bedrooms.

Humidifiers are adjusted so that they maintain a humidity level of 40-60% that is comfortable for the human body. In greenhouses and other rooms where high humidity is needed, devices raise it to 75%.

Cleaner - advantages and disadvantages

The purifiers are a stationary installation with a body resembling a TV, 2-5 filters and a fan. They are used in large and small rooms - they are mounted in niches under the ceiling. Cleaners remove various types of contaminants:

fumes from powders, detergents and cleaning products;
mold and spores in rooms with high humidity;
unpleasant odors;
tobacco smoke;
germs and bacteria, allergens.

The masses pass through a filtration system, in which impurities settle, and only clean air comes out.

Types of purifier filters

The use of various filtration systems allows you to remove up to 99.9% of dust, allergens, and specific odors from the air. Modern manufacturers equip devices with filters:

pre-cleaning or mechanical. They are a mesh that traps particles ranging in size from 5 to 10 microns;
ionizers. Negatively charged plates that attract positively charged dust and bacteria. They settle, and clean air enters the room;
water or washers. Wet discs are used to attract impurities. The dirt goes into a special tray. The filters do not need to be changed, just replace the water and empty the accumulations from the container;
coal. Eliminates organic particles, odors, volatile and semi-volatile chemical compounds at the molecular level. The constituent parts are absorbed by the pores of activated carbon. The filter is replaced once every 6 months;
NERA. They are made of corrugated paper or synthetic material impregnated with an antibacterial composition. Retains impurities with fractions up to 0.3 microns, removes 99.9% of dirt, recommended for allergy sufferers and asthmatics;
photocatalytic. The surface of the filter attracts UV rays, which break down dust and viruses. The elements have a deodorizing function - they remove the smell of tobacco and other substances;
plasma. Two metal plates attract dust impurities electrostatically. Filters cannot be replaced.

Types of purifier filters Important! The type of filter affects the cost of the device.