Best Cool Mist Humidifiers

A humidifier is a device that increases the moisture in an area. Because low humidity can have adverse health effects, having a humidifier in your home can be very beneficial especially during drier months.

A cool mist humidifier is a type of humidifier that releases room-temperature mist and doesn’t add to the room’s ambient temperature like a warm mist humidifier does.

It’s important to note that warm and cool mist humidifiers are equally effective at humidifying the air. By the time the water vapor reaches your lower airways, it will be the same temperature regardless of whether it was warm or cool to start with.

Almost anyone would benefit, but there are those that find that using a cool mist humidifier more beneficial.

• Alleviates cold and flu symptoms – If you’re suffering from cold and flu symptoms, using a humidifier at night can help you recover faster. It can moisten your nasal passages and allow you to breathe easier. Humidifiers may also help alleviate sore throat and sinus headaches.
• Reduces allergies and asthma attacks – People who suffer from allergies or asthma tend to have worsening symptoms when the air is dry. Adding moisture to the air can help reduce allergens and any pollutants that may cause asthma attacks.
• Reduces frequency of infections – When air is not too dry, bacteria and viruses tend to be less infectious. Research has shown that a humidity level of 40% or higher decreased the infectivity of influenza virus by 14%.
• Prevents dry skin – When your skin is exposed to dry air, it cracks and wrinkles more easily. It may become irritated and itchy; even your scalp may be affected. To prevent this from happening, you can keep humidity levels at around 40% or higher.
• Reduces snoring – Snoring can be caused by a throat that is too dry. Humidifiers can help moisten the respiratory tract and lessen both the noise and intensity of snoring by adding moisture to the air.

There are 3 types of cool mist humidifiers:

• Evaporative – Evaporative humidifiers are the most common type of cool mist humidifiers. Evaporative humidifiers use a wick filter which absorbs water from the tank and filters out impurities before the fan helps the water from the filter evaporate out into the room.
• Ultrasonic – Ultrasonic humidifiers use a diaphragm that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency (hence the name) to create water droplets that are released in the form of mist. These types of humidifiers can be both cool and warm mist humidifiers.
• Impeller – Impeller humidifiers use a rotating disc to throw water at a diffuser which breaks the water into very fine droplets that float out into the air as a cool mist.

Pros:

• Energy efficient  – Because cool mist humidifiers don’t need to heat water to produce steam, so they consume less energy even with continuous operation.
• Safer for children – Warm mist humidifiers use high heat to produce steam, causing parts of the humidifier to become quite hot while in use. This makes them hazardous for households with children and pets. Cool mist humidifiers, on the other hand, use room-temperature water and are much safer to use in general.
• More affordable – Cool mist humidifiers are typically more affordable both upfront and long-term compared to warm mist humidifiers because they use much simpler systems and do not require any heating elements.

Cons:

• High maintenance – Because cool mist humidifiers make use of room-temperature or ambient temperature water, there is a higher chance of bacterial and mold growth within the tank and the wick filter.
  

  Cool mist humidifiers need to be cleaned regularly to prevent this from happening. Some cool mist humidifiers need to be cleaned as often as once a week which may be problematic for some people.

• Spread of bacteria, mold, and viruses – As previously mentioned, cool mist humidifiers are more prone to the growth of bacteria, mold, and viruses. If cool mist humidifiers are not regularly cleaned, you may run the risk of spreading these microorganisms inside your home.
• Noisier – Evaporative and impeller humidifiers tend to be noisier compared to other types of humidifiers. However, ultrasonic humidifiers — regardless of whether it is warm or cool mist — are quieter in general.

• How often do you have to change the wick filter?

• Wick filters can last anywhere from 1 month to 3 months, depending on how often you use your cool mist humidifier. When left unchecked for long periods, wick filters can be breeding grounds for bacteria and mold as well as mineral build up, all of which will lead to clogging.

  A clogged wick filter will significantly impede the performance of your humidifier and cause it to work harder than it should. This, in turn, will cause the humidifier to use up more energy and burn out more quickly.

  To prevent bacterial and mold growth, characterized by a darkening of the filter, it’s always good to check the wick filter regularly. Keep an eye on the humidity output of your humidifier as well: a humidifier with a dirty wick will work more slowly even on the highest setting and will take a longer time to empty the tank than usual.

  Some wick filters can easily be cleaned simply by rinsing them under running water and then allowing them to soak in a mixture of water and white vinegar for 30 minutes. If the humidifier still isn’t performing as it should even after you’ve cleaned the wick filter, then you know it’s time to replace it.

• What is white dust and how can you prevent it?

• White dust is caused by mineral content in the water that goes into a humidifier. When a humidifier uses tap water or unfiltered water, the mist it produces often leaves dried mineral deposits or “white dust” on furniture and other surfaces. For most people, white dust isn’t a cause for concern, but it may be problematic for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory health conditions.

  It’s best to use distilled or demineralized water for your humidifier to prevent the spread of white dust. Unfortunately, this may add up to quite a hefty sum in the long run since distilled water is more expensive.

  Another option would be to purchase a demineralization cartridge for your humidifier which can trap minerals before they become airborne. Otherwise, you can opt for an evaporative humidifier which has a wick filter that removes minerals from the water before releasing it into the room.