Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier

This humidifier has a medicine cup and scent pad door that let you add liquid inhalants like Vicks VapoSteam or VapoPads to soothe coughing and congestion. It’s also voice-operable with Alexa and Google Assistant, and includes an essential oil tray.

This model uses boiling water to release a mist into the air, which makes it less suitable for homes with young children or pets that may touch the unit and risk being scalded.

Humidifier Type

Whether cool or warm, humidifiers add moisture to the air. This makes Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier breathing easier and helps prevent problems from dry air like bloody noses, itchy skin, and wood floors and furniture damage.

Warm mist humidifiers also can add a little bit of heat to the room, which can help loosen up congestion when you are sick. They can also work quieter than a cool mist unit and do not need a filter, but they do need to be emptied and cleaned on a regular basis to avoid the build-up of bacteria and germs in the water tank.

Cool mist humidifiers can use ultrasonic, evaporative, or impeller technologies to emit a stream of room temperature water into the air. Because they don’t boil the water, cool mist humidifiers are less likely to release bacteria and germs into the air. However, they may need to be emptied and cleaned on more of a regular basis than warm mist humidifiers to avoid the build-up of mineral deposits or a dusty film inside the unit. They may also need to be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent a build-up of mold spores.

Mist Output

Designed to provide just the right amount of moisture, this cool mist humidifier produces an invisible, medium and visible mist. The lightest setting produces a barely noticeable mist, while the middle and highest settings produce a strong mist that covers a large area of your room.

Humidifiers are effective in relieving dry skin, cracked lips and nose, easing coughing episodes, and helping sinuses and throats feel less congested when suffering from the common cold or flu. They also help reduce static electricity around furniture and other household items.

Our pick includes a built-in night light and has an energy-saving automatic shut off. It also allows you to add a drop of essential oil for extra comfort. Its tank holds 1.5 gallons of water and the water level is easily seen in a window on the base. It has a dial mechanism and few adjustable settings, but is easy to use for those who prefer a simple, intuitive design. It’s not recommended for rooms with young children or pets as it uses boiling water, which could create a hazard if knocked over.

Noise Level

Humidifiers provide a safe and easy way to add moisture to the air. Proper indoor humidity levels between 40% and 60% can help relieve cough and congestion, keep throat and nasal passages hydrated, prevent Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier dry air discomfort and static electricity, protect furniture, reduce dust mites and mildew, and even make plants healthier.

Warm mist humidifiers boil water to create a steam that is then dispersed into the air. Because of this, they typically use more energy than cool mist humidifiers.

Cool mist units have fans, which can generate noise that may be too loud for some users. They also require more frequent cleaning and replacement of filters than warmer-mist models.

Energy Efficiency

A cool mist humidifier uses less energy than a warm mist model. This is because they operate by evaporating water into the air without heating it up. Cool mist units can also reduce static electricity that can create a dry film on countertops and other surfaces in your home.

These models use ultrasonic technology, which vibrates the water and produces a mist that adds moisture to the air in small droplets. It also helps to minimize mineral deposits and dust that can build up in the tank and on furniture over time.

However, cool-mist units can require more maintenance because they don’t have a boiling process and will need to be cleaned regularly. If the unit isn’t clean, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold spores. These can then be released into the air when the humidifier is running, which could aggravate allergies or asthma symptoms in some people. To prevent this, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and clean the unit regularly. This is especially important if you have children in the house.

Cleaning

Warm and cool mist humidifiers can both promote hydrated skin, healthy sinuses, and relief of nasal congestion. However, they can also become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria if not cleaned and disinfected properly on a daily basis. Breathing these germs can cause lung problems and worsen allergies, asthma, and cold symptoms.

To help keep your humidifier clean and odor free, you should always start with a fresh tank of water. Before you refill your humidifier, empty and rinse the tank thoroughly to prevent any bacteria from growing in the leftover water. You should also empty and rinse the tank a minimum of once per week to keep it in optimal condition.

If you want to go an extra mile, consider adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your water tank to sanitize your humidifier. This natural essential oil has antiviral and antibacterial properties that will keep your air quality cleaner. It’s important to follow these cleaning guidelines, as well as other maintenance steps listed in your humidifier’s owner manual, to ensure that your humidifier continues to function effectively for years to come.