Air Purifier vs Humidifier

Posted on December 07, 2023 By Mike M
Split Image with Woman Asleep in Bed with Air Purifier Nearby on Left and Humidifier Creating Vapor on Right

Having a comfortable climate in your space is essential to staying happy and healthy all year long. Air purifiers and humidifiers are both great for making the air in your home more comfortable, but which is better? Read on to find out what air purifiers and humidifiers do, and see which may be better for your needs.

What Is an Air Purifier?

An air purifier does exactly as its name implies: It freshens up the air in whatever room you place it in. It does so by sucking in the air around it, running it through a filter, and then blowing it back around the room. Though this task may seem simple, it can go a long way in removing allergen particles and contaminants from the air in your home, making it healthier to breathe. It can also help freshen up the scent of your home as well.

What Is a Humidifier?

A humidifier adds moisture to the air around it. It does so by releasing water droplets or steam into the air. A humidifier's main purpose is to make the air in your home less dry, which is helpful for a number of reasons. Having more moisture in the air of your home can prevent you from having to deal with dry skin or a dry throat, nose, or lips, especially during the colder months of the year. Humidifiers are also known to alleviate congestion, as well as reduce static electricity.

Is an Air Purifier Better Than a Humidifier For a Cough?

It really depends on the cause of it, but both machines can help if youre having trouble with a cough. If your cough is being caused by some sort of particle in the air, which can cause a bad cough for asthma or allergy sufferers, an air purifier would probably better assist you. If your throat is dry and youre coughing as a result, a humidifier would help more in that case.

Can You Use an Air Purifier and Humidifier Together?

Of course you can! Both of these machines do very different things, even if they seem similar. Having an air purifier to make your air healthier and a humidifier to make your air less dry will surely help bring up the overall air quality in your home to help you get through the more uncomfortable months of the year.

Which Is Better: A Humidifier or an Air Purifier?

Which is better overall? Thats up to you. If your main concern is your indoor air quality - whether its because youve been congested, theres an odor in your home, or you have a lot of pet dander floating around - an air purifier is the better choice. If you're more concerned about the humidity levels of the air in your home, and you keep waking up with a sore throat and a dry nose, a humidifier would likely be best.

Air purifiers and humidifiers can help you improve the air quality in your home, ensuring that you stay healthy and comfortable no matter the time of year!