Air Purifier Vs Humidifier: Which Works Better For Different Conditions?

An air purifier or a humidifier might be better than the other in different circumstances.

For baby – A humidifier can be better in the nursery if the main problem is dry air, and as mentioned above they can prevent dry, scratchy nose and throat. The FDA states that using a cool mist humidifier may help infants who have cough and cold symptoms, by shrinking nasal passages and helping them breathe easier. However, a warm mist humidifier should not be used, as it can have the opposite effect by causing nasal passages to swell, making breathing more difficult. When humidifiers are used to maintain an ideal relative humidity of 40 to 60 percent, they can also reduce the infectiousness of bacteria and viruses.

For long term air quality, an air purifier can reduce pollutants in the air, including potential toxins from tobacco smoke, “out-gassing” plastics, allergens and asthma triggers like mold spores or pet dander and pollen, and other possible respiratory irritants. This makes an air purifier a better choice for a baby’s room year-round.

For allergens – An air purifier can help reduce allergens levels in the air. A unit with a HEPA filter can help trap particles, though the Molekule technology goes beyond that by destroying allergens in the air. Though humidifiers may help soothe a stuffy nose or other irritation, they can actually make allergies worse because higher humidity improves the survival rates of dust mites [Berkeley Lab].

For asthma – A humidifier can ease asthma symptoms if dry air is also a problem, but it does not affect asthma itself, and higher humidity levels are actually associated with asthma attacks because they can trigger the growth of harmful bacteria, dust mites and mold [Mayo Clinic]. Since asthma attacks are often triggered by pollutants in the air, an air purifier that can remove those pollutants is better for asthma.

Remember that a humidifier must be kept clean, ideally allowed to dry and be wiped down every few days after use. Otherwise, mold can form inside or on the humidifier, and it will then emit mold spores into the air, triggering the kinds of allergy or asthma attacks you want to avoid.