How are an air purifier and a humidifier different?
Most important differences between air purifiers and humidifiers
| Air purifiers | Humidifiers | Air purifier and humidifier in one | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purifies the air | Yes | No | Yes |
| Humidifies the air | No | Yes | Yes |
| When to use | Always | When heating is on and with leather and wooden furniture | Always |
| Spread aroma | No | Yes | Sometimes |
| Maintenance | Replace filters | Replace humidifying filter and descale the water tank | Replace filters and descale the water tank |
What does an air purifier or humidifier help with?
Air purifier
As a result of modern activities, such as driving cars, cooking, or heating the wood stove, the air is polluted. This pollution can cause concentration issues, make you feel stuffy, or cause you to sneeze. An air purifier filters pollutions from the air, which improves the air quality. As a result, issues such as headaches, sneezing, and stuffiness are reduced.
Humidifier
If the air in your home is too dry, you probably have dry skin and irritated eyes. And it's not just you who suffers from the dry air, but the leather or wooden furniture in the house as well. If the air is too dry, these materials dry out, causing them to shrink or crack, for example. With a humidifier, you ensure the humidity returns to the ideal level of 40%.
How does an air purifier or humidifier work?
Air purifier
To clear impurities from the air, you use an air purifier. Air purifiers filter dust, particulates, bacteria, and pollen from the air via filters, ionization, or a combination of these two. With an HEPA filter, the purifier filters dust, bacteria, and pollen from the air. A carbon filter also clears unpleasant odors and smoke from the air.
Humidifier
To increase the humidity in a room, you use a humidifier. A humidifier has a water tank and humidifies the air via vibrations, a cold water vaporizer, or by heating the water and vaporizing it. The latter is called a steam humidifier. This device heats up the water, so you don't just humidify the air, you also warm it up slightly.
Air purifier and humidifier in one
Do you have dry as well as impure air in your home? In that case, an air purifier with a humidification function is a good choice. These devices clear the air with filters and humidify it before blowing it back into the room. The water tank of an air purifier with humidification function is usually smaller than the water tank in a humidifier.
Conclusion
The difference between an air purifier and a humidifier is mostly in how the device works and the 'problems' it solves. You use an air purifier to clear the air of impurities such as dust, pollen, and bacteria. You use a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home. Do you have issues with impure as well as dry air in your home? In that case, choose an air purifier with humidification function.
