Best Air Purifier Vs Humidifier Comparison & Review 2021

People generally have this question in air purifier vs humidifier, which one better humidifier or air purifier for the baby, asthma, or any respiratory-related issues. If you are from them, you need to understand that both the devices serve different purposes with features.

Therefore, you should understand which one is suitable for your requirement and the benefits of using an air purifier or dehumidifier.

First of all, both devices are used to improve the air quality as a lot of households either use air purifiers or humidifiers while others are using both. Therefore, this can lead to confusion and easy to make a mistake when buying for yourself. Have a look at the essential function of each device.

Air purifiers clean the air by trapping dust particles, contaminants pollutants, reduce mold, or make a place odorless. On the other hand, a humidifier only controls the relative humidity level in a room under control. In comparison, humidifiers work by releasing water into the air and increasing the humidity level or a room.

Table Of Content:

Air Purifiers Vs Humidifiers: Working DIfference

Air Purifier:

As the name suggests, Air Purifier improves indoor air quality by removing unwanted dust particles or airborne contaminants with air filters. Basic Air cleaner helps remove a range of particles such as dust particles, bacterias, and some high-quality ones can also remove the smoke odor (cigarette or any other) and allergens.

If we talk about the internal working, the air purifier sucks air from the indoor surrounding through the filters’ array into the air purifier machine just like an air conditioner and then release back the fresh air into the environment.

An air purifier with a HEPA filter is the most popular and certified efficiency in trapping 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns (pollen, pet dander, dust mites, tobacco smoke, etc.) without altering or adding anything to the air.

However, many other filtration techniques are used in domestic or residential air purifiers like PlasmaWave technology, activated carbon, ionization, electrostatic precipitation (ESP), and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), ozone generation, and others.

HEPA filters air purifiers are entirely safe to use at home as they don’t emit ozone or other harmful byproducts.


As you can quickly tell from the name, a humidifier adds water vapor to the air by pumping moisture into your room. Air becomes cool and fine mist before discharging it into the atmosphere.

Moreover, to keep the humidifier operate properly, you need to replace the reservoir with cold water from time to time. It is the main feature of a humidifier that makes it a must-have device or machine in arid and hot areas because the humidifier is portable and cools and moisturizes the hot air.

You can also use humidifiers in the winters by adding hot water to the reservoir and discharge the warm mist into the air. Plus, making the air cool or warm, a humidifier can help provide relief from nosebleed, sinus issues, minor breathing problems, and dry skin issues.

But make sure you are not overusing the humidifier because it increases the humidity level of the room. If you already have a wet room and use a humidifier, it can promote mold growth.

The perfect operating humidity level for a humidifier is 30 % to 50 %. Below 30% is too dry and over 50% humidity can encourage dust mite reproduction and mildew.

Air Purifiers Vs Humidifiers: Which Works Better For Whom?

Air purifiers and humidifiers work differently, depends on individual needs for different circumstances.

Air purifier vs humidifier for baby: Both devices, air purifier, and humidifier are suitable for babies. An air purifier can be useful for babies as it can remove the contaminants from the air. On the other hand, the humidifier moisturizes the air in both hot and cold seasons with the correct temperature.

According to the FDA, a cool-mist humidifier may help infants who cough and cold symptoms, swelling, nasal passages, and help them breathe easier. However, a warm mist humidifier can reverse the effects.

An air purifier can reduce 99.7% of pollutants as small as the size of 0.3-microns from the air, including potential toxins from tobacco smoke, allergens, and asthma triggers. That’s why an air purifier a better choice for a baby.

Air purifier vs humidifier for allergies: An air purifier can help reduce allergens levels in the air. It would be a better option because they eliminate contaminants from the air and prevent allergens from getting in your lungs or eyes. Humidifiers are not intended to filter the air; they may make allergies worse because higher humidity promotes dust mites’ growth rate.

Air purifier vs humidifier for asthma: Both, humidifier and air purifier can be useful, however, for an asthma patient, an air purifier is suitable because it can remove allergens and air contaminants to reduce asthma attack by pollutants in the air. On the other hand, a humidifier can not make the atmosphere pleasant to breathe, which can be useful for asthma symptoms if dry air is an issue.

Can I Use An Air Purifier And Humidifier Together?

Both humidifiers and air purifiers are completely different machines and different functions to perform. Where humidifier adds moisture by pumping water vapors in the air and on the other hand, an air purifier removes the contaminants pollutants from the air.

In other words, an air purifier is removing particles from the air, and a humidifier is adding water vapors. However, you can use both together, but you need to keep them away from each other not too close. Otherwise, the air purifier filter may get jammed due to moisture from the humidifier water vapors. You can avoid this by placing them at opposite ends of the room.

Moreover, both humidifier and air purifier need proper maintenance if you are using them together for efficient performance. Means cleaning, and replacing the filters on the regular interval as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.

How Do I Know If I Need an Air Purifier?

You may need an air purifier if you have from the following health issues:

  • You are allergic to dust mite.
  • Your allergy sensitivity is getting bad.
  • Can be helpful if you have a serious chest condition, such as emphysema or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
  • If you have developed a congestion problem while breathing or you snore
  • Can be useful for non ventilated home or smelly air.

How Do I Know If I Need a Humidifier?

You may need a humidifier to if you are suffering from the following symptoms:

  • If you have a sinus congestion problem.
  • If you are having constant colds, throats irritation, and asthmatic allergies.
  • If your nosebleeds frequently.
  • For snoring.
  • Dry skin.

Air Purifier vs Humidifier Comparison Table

FeaturesAir PurifierHumidifier
Used forAllergens, Dust, Pet Dander, Mold Spores, Bacteria, and SmokeIncreases humidity levels by adding water vapor mist into the air
WorkingUses filters like HEPA, PlasmaWave, etc, to trap and remove airborne contaminantsHumidifier creates mist in two different ways: evaporation and ultrasonic atomization
Benefits/FeaturesAsthma and allergy sufferer, and people who need pollutant-free fresh air from allergens, smoke, and odorRemoves dry air that can help in dry skin irritation issue, breathing issue, reduce the sleeping issue
When to useAn air purifier can be helpful in allergic seasonsWhen the relative humidity level is below 30% in dry air condition
CostExpensiveRelatively Cheap

Hopefully, you have understood the difference between humidifier vs air purifier and comparison. Now you can buy a suitable device for your needs. Moreover, if you require a humidifier or air purifier, buy that according to your environment’s needs.

Don’t entirely rely on the salesman descriptions if you are buying from the shop. But if you are buying online, then check out these basic features before considering purchasing like, tha power consumption, room capacity, or types of filter, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions About Humidifier and Air Purifier

Air Purifier vs Humidifier for baby?

Both devices, air purifiers, and humidifiers are suitable for babies. An air purifier will give your baby cleaner air in their room and help promote better health.
And on the other hand, the humidifier moisturizes the air in both hot and cold seasons with the correct temperature.

What Is important before buying an air purifier?

There can be many points to look for before buying an air purifier because everyone needs are different however here are basic things before buying any kind of air purifier.

1) Primary filtration
2) Noise level
3) Harmful gaseous by-products like ozone
4) Filters life
5) Room coverage
6) Power consumption

Are there any health risks that arise from using humidifiers?

Avoid using tap water (hard) in humidifiers which often contains minerals and generates white dust of calcium carbonate which can be hazardous if inhaled for a long time.

Can I have both devices running in the same room?

Yes, you can use both the devices together but keep them at a distance from each other as the air cleaner removes particles from the air and the humidifier adds the moisture in the air by releasing a mist of water vapors.

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