Air purifier vs Humidifier: Which Device Does Have Better Performance?

Is an air purifier the same as a humidifier? Not, they are two different devices. I don’t know whether you know or not, but air quality has become an important issue nowadays. That’s because pollution affects our health. And one of the major causes of poor air quality is indoor smoking.

If you want to keep your home clean and fresh using an air purifier or humidifier, but you don’t exactly know which of these two devices will give you better air quality. Have no fear! In today’s post, we’ll tell you about the difference and also the pros and cons of both options.

So what is it about the air purifier vs humidifier? Well, both are devices that remove humidity from the air, either increasing or decreasing its dryness level. But they work differently. So which is a better humidifier or air purifier?

A Quick overview of Humidifier vs Purifier

Humidifier function

Humidifiers are designed to increase the relative humidity (RH) level in a room or building space. They usually operate by passing water through a heating element and then circulating it back into the room.

Air Purifier function

An air purifier eliminates pollutants from the air, such as pollen, smoke, dander, mold spores and dust mites. An air purifier uses filters and other technologies to remove these substances from the air.

In all we said so far about humidifiers and air purifiers, that is not all. Read on to find in detail the complete difference.

Differences between Air purifiers and Humidifiers

• Air purifiers use filters, while humidifiers don’t. The filters include a HEPA filter, Activated Carbon filters and pre-filters to capture airborne particles.
• Humidifiers use evaporative hot mist or ultrasonic waves to create a cool mist to help moisture the atmosphere.
• Air purifiers can clean the air, while humidifiers can moisture the air. They can not be interchanged.
• A humidifier is designed for those suffering from air dryness, tiredness, headache and sinus, while a purifier is mainly designed for those experiencing polluted air and allergies. To get rid of smoke and bad odors.
• Air purifiers can be used in a home or office to cleanse the air from cigarette smoking and bad odors, but humidifiers can not purify the air.
• An air purifier is suitable when we have low indoor air quality. On the other hand, a humidifier is a better option when we have low indoor humidity levels.
• Air purifiers can be used at all times, but a humidifier is suitable for winter days.

With no long debate, you can see that there is such a huge difference between the humidifier and purifier. But even at that, both devices still share something great in common. What that’s the similarities?

Similarities between Humidifiers and Air purifiers

• Both humidifiers and air purifiers can serve Asthma allergy sufferers.
• They can be used together in the same room. So you have no issues at all getting them both for yourself or your loved ones.

Note: Please avoid using humidifiers for allergies purposes as it could worsen the issue according to our findings.

Having indicated the core difference between a purifier and a humidifier, let’s take a quick recap of whom the two devices can serve and their functions.

Read Also: are air purifier safe for babies?

Quick Comparison between the device

Functionality	Air Purifiers	Humidifiers
Allergies	Yes	No
Asthma Issues	Yes	Yes
Irritated Throat	No	Yes
Dustiness	Yes	No
Irritated Sinuses	No	Yes
Tiredness	No	Yes
Headaches	No	Yes
Bad Odors	Yes	No
Smoke Issues	Yes	No

Comparing in detail Air purifier vs Humidifier – Health Benefits

Having gone through a brief functionality of an air purifier, plus including what a humidifier can do, let’s have a detailed view of what they are up to. So Can they help with Asthma? What about COVID, Sinus, and Eczema? Should we also use it for a baby? Let’s see how it goes with Humidifiers and Air Purifiers.

Air purifier or humidifier for asthma

If you or any close one is suffering from Asthmatetic symptoms, it will be fair enough to want to consider which of these units works better for asthma.

Because humidity and indoor air quality matter and play a very big role. According to our findings, it’s seen that Humidifiers are used to increase humidity levels in the air that we breathe. This can help reduce symptoms associated with asthma but Air purifiers remove pollutants from the air. They may be used to treat asthma.

In this, we can say both are good, but air purifiers can better help with Asthma. Humidifiers are used to increase moisture content in the air. This helps to reduce dryness in the lungs and reduces the risk of developing asthma. They can be used in both indoor and outdoor environments.

An air purifier removes dust particles from the air. These particles can cause respiratory problems if inhaled. An air purifier should be placed near your bed at night to remove any allergens that may trigger asthma attacks. In this case, we recommend opting for an air purifier because it does the task better.

Air purifier vs humidifier for COVID

The best air purifier for coronavirus is an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). This type of filter uses electrical charges to remove particles from the air. They are effective at removing viruses, bacteria, pollen, dust, smoke, odors, and other pollutants. ESPs use a negative charge to attract airborne contaminants while allowing clean air through.

A humidifier can help reduce the spread of coronavirus by increasing humidity levels in your home. A humidifier works by adding moisture to the air, which helps prevent the formation of droplets that contain the virus. It can also help prevent colds and flu by increasing the amount of moisture in the air.

Air purifier vs humidifier for sinus

Sinusitis is inflammation of your sinuses. This happens when bacteria or viruses enter your nose and cause swelling and irritation. If left untreated, this condition can lead to chronic sinus infections.

You may have heard that using a humidifier helps prevent sinus infections. However, recent studies show that humidifying your home environment increases the risk of developing sinusitis. Some researchers believe that humidity levels in homes should be kept below 50%.

In contrast, air purifiers do not increase the risk of sinusitis. Instead, they help keep your sinuses healthy by removing dust, pollen, mould spores, pet dander, smoke, and other allergens from the air.

So if you suffer from sinus problems, consider investing in an air purifier instead of a humidifier. However, they don’t do much for your sinuses. If you’re looking for something that will help clear up your sinuses, consider using a steam vaporizer instead.

Air purifier vs humidifier for eczema

Air Purifiers are great at removing allergens from your home but they can cause problems if you have asthma or other respiratory issues. Humidifiers are good at keeping your air moist and making it easier to breathe. They are not as effective at removing allergens but they do help keep your air clean. Also When you have an air purifier running, it creates negative ions that irritate the skin and cause the immune system to react. This makes the symptoms worse. If you do decide to get an air purifier, look for one that has HEPA filters.

Still, we recommend that If you suffer from eczema then you should invest in some sort of humidifier because it adds sture back into the air, which helps loosen mucus and reduce inflammation. Coupled with the fact they keep the skin hydrated. Thus control eczema.

Air purifier vs humidifier for baby

Babies need clean air, and good breathing enabled environment. As you can see, an air purifier purifies the air to make it clean and infection-free, while humidifiers moisture the air to make it humid and dry free. In this case, we can’t be specific on which one is better as both perform what is needed for babies and newborns. It all matters what your baby is lacking.

If your baby needs cleaner air, it’s fine if you choose a good purifier for your baby, but if it’s a mositured environment that your newborn needs, then opt for the humidifier. However, we do recommend you get both the humidifier and purifier to help fix both problems as your baby needs both to stay healthy and strong.

Note: You can run both air purifiers and humidifiers at the same time.

read Also: is air purifier good for health?

Types of Air Purifiers

Purifiers are a great tool, but not all air purifiers are created equal. There are two types of air purifiers: the HEPA filters and Ionizers;

• HEPA filters: These are the best type of air purifiers. They have high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filters. This means they trap 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger.
• Ionizers: These are less effective than HEPA filters but still good enough to keep your home clean.

Ionizers work by creating negative ions in the air. Negative ions are molecules with a net charge of the same polarity as positive ions. Positive ions are created naturally by sunlight and other sources. Negative ions are created artificially through ionization. So if you want to breathe better, get a quality air purifier.

Types of Humidifiers

Two types of humidifiers can be used, Let’s take a look at each of them:

• Evaporative humidifiers use water vapor to create humidity. This method works best if you have a large space and don’t need to control the temperature of the growing area. Evaporative humidifiers work well for indoor grows but they do not produce enough moisture for outdoor grows.
• Air-jet humidifiers use compressed air to atomize water into a fine mist. Air jets are the most popular choice for growers who want to maximize their space. They are easy to clean and maintain. However, they only produce a small amount of moisture. They are great for small spaces like closets and bathrooms
• Ultrasonic humidifiers use sound waves to break down water molecules into smaller particles. These particles then fall back to the surface where they re-evaporate into the air. They are expensive, difficult to install, and need frequent cleaning.

Verdict:

Both air purifiers and humidifiers are beneficial tools to help maintain a healthy indoor environment. Choose the right device for your needs, and enjoy a healthier home! If you need a device to control humidity temperature, a humidifier sounds like such a great option. But in the case where you want to purify the air to make it free of allergies, the Air purifier does better. Regardless, both the humidifier and purifier can be used together. 

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Are air purifiers the same as humidifiers?

Air purifiers are great tools that help remove unwanted particles from your air. They can be used to filter out allergens from the air. However, they do not have any effect on humidity levels. Humidifiers, on the other hand, add moisture to the air and are useful if you suffer from dry skin, asthma, or other respiratory problems.

Does an air purifier work like a humidifier?

A humidifier works differently than an air purifier. Instead of filtering the air, these devices add moisture to the air, helping to prevent dry skin and cracked lips. If you live in a dry climate, you might find that a humidifier helps to alleviate symptoms associated with dry skin and cracked lips, including itching, burning, and cracking. A humidifier doesn’t filter the air, so it won’t eliminate any airborne contaminants. However, it does provide a healthy dose of humidity, which can help reduce the severity of some allergy symptoms.

Is a humidifier or air purifier better?

There is no clear winner between the two. Both options offer benefits, and both come at different costs. If you consider the long-term health benefits and safety of replacing your current humidifier, then an air purifier might be the better option. But if you want something affordable, then a humidifier might be the way to go.

Should I use an air purifier and humidifier?

If you’re looking for a device that will cleanse your air while you sleep, consider investing in an air purifier. These machines typically run continuously throughout the night, filtering out dust, smoke, pet dander, and other particles from the air. They may not remove airborne allergens, however, so if you suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, you should consult your doctor before purchasing one.

Which is better: an asthma humidifier or an air purifier?

Whether you’ve got Covid, Asthma or you need one for your baby, it’s always wise to choose the right Device. If you are still wondering which among these two (An air purifier or humidifier) is a good choice for you, I’ll suggest you go for an air purification system as it’s capable of filtering and trapping all harmful particles from the air.

Do air purifiers dry out sinuses?

Yes! They do. But can cause some problems if used incorrectly because they remove moisture from the air, causing the nasal passages to become dry. In addition, the high-speed fan action of the unit can create negative pressure inside the room, pulling the mucus out of the nostrils and into the throat. This can lead to congestion and even coughing attacks.

The best way to avoid this problem is to use a humidifier instead of an air purifier. Humidifiers work by adding water vapor back into the air, keeping the nasal passages moist and preventing them from becoming dry. They are also much less expensive than air purifiers.

Is an air purifier or humidifier Better for Sinuses?

Air purifiers are great for removing dust particles from your home, but they can make things worse for sinus issues. If you have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems, then you should avoid using them. They can cause irritation and inflammation in your lungs. Instead, use a humidifier to keep your sinuses clear.

Should you run a humidifier and air purifier at the same time?

Yes! You should do this. Humidifiers are great tools that can help you thrive better. They keep the air around them moist, which helps prevent mold from forming and keeps the room cool. Air purifiers remove dust particles and other contaminants from the air, which can cause respiratory problems for your plants. If you have both running simultaneously, they will work together to create a healthy environment for your plants.

Conclusion: which is better: a humidifier or an air purifier?

Both device does separate task, so there is no specific one that is better than the other. It all goes down to what you need it for. As we have made mentioned manytimes, here are what they do: Air purifiers remove pollutants from the air whereas humidifiers moisten the air. While humidifiers are good for the environment, they do not actually purify the air.

Both air purifiers and humidifiers work well in homes and offices. Air purifiers and humidifiers are often used in conjunction with each other. If you choose not to buy them separately, you may consider opting for a 2-in-1 Air purifier and humidifier combo. You should always make sure that the device you buy fits your needs.