Advantages of cool mist humidifiers
There are two different types of humidifiers that you can purchase: cool or warm mist. While you might think that a warm mist humidifier could be a better purchase since it kills the bacteria in water and can even warm your house, this actually isn’t the case. Cool mist humidifiers offer a variety of advantages that make them a much better buy than their warm mist counterparts.
First of all, the biggest reason that cool mist humidifiers are a better choice is that they are much safer. Since the water inside of them is not warmed up, it will not cause a burn if they are spilled. This makes them an excellent choice for anyone with small children that could accidentally pull the device over and spill it on themselves.
Secondly, cool mist humidifiers are much more efficient. They do not take as much energy to run since they do not contain a heater. They also have much better coverage areas, making them better at spreading their mist over a much larger space than a warm mist model is able to.
Finally, since the mist is not warmed, it is much easier for someone to breathe in. The cool mist helps to alleviate breathing issues in a much timelier fashion than a warm mist humidifier, making them perfect for chronic allergy sufferers or anyone who is sick. Additionally, you might want to check cool mist Vornado humidifiers to forget about those issues.
Features to consider while choosing a cool mist humidifier
As you can imagine, there are a variety of features to take into consideration when you are trying to get the best cool mist humidifier. In this section, we will go through everything you need to know to find the perfect model for you and your family.
Coverage area
The first thing that you will want to take into careful consideration is the size of the space that you want to humidify. Most of these humidifiers are relatively small, making them ideal for a single room. If, however, you want to humidify a larger space, like a whole floor in your home, you will want to look for a model, like the Clarion Air Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, that can handle a larger area.
Water tank capacity
The water tank capacity of any humidifier is going to go a long way in determining both the coverage area and the runtime. A larger tank will obviously run longer before needing to be refilled. On the other hand, a larger tank will make the humidifier much less portable, since you won’t want to be lugging a large tank around with you into a bunch of different rooms. In that case, you would want a model with a smaller tank, like the Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier.
Runtime
The longer the runtime, the less you will have to fill your humidifier. The runtime is usually determined by the tank capacity, and how fast the fan is running. Every humidifier will run a lot longer on a lower setting since less mist is being produced than on a faster setting. Of all the models we looked at, the Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier has the most extended runtime, topping out at 50 hours.
Noise level
The noise level of any appliance or tool is usually measured in dB or decibels. The lower the dB, the quieter the machine. This is an important feature to take into account, especially if you are going to be using the humidifier in a bedroom. The Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier is one of the best to use in any bedroom or even a nursery.
Dimensions and weight
Since all of these humidifiers are relatively small, none of them are overly heavy. Of course, you need to be careful if you want to use them in more than one room. Even smaller models, like the PurSteam Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, can get heavier because of the size of their tanks and the weight of the water that they can hold.
Warranty
While humidifiers might seem like straightforward appliances, there are some moving parts that you need to take special care of so they run correctly. Of course, even if you take excellent care of your device, it is still a good idea to get a model with a warranty. That way, you will be covered should anything fail.
Just be sure to read through the fine print carefully, as some companies are not always straightforward with what they cover.
Extra features
The most important feature for any humidifier is easy to use controls, as this will allow you to operate it correctly. If you intend to use it in a child’s room, then a night light is another great idea. Some humidifiers also come equipped with essential oil diffusers, which is another good feature to look for.
Tips to clean your humidifier
One of the best ways to keep your cool mist humidifier clean is to get a model that uses a filter. This will help to keep the fan, tank, and internal workings clear of dirt and dust, which will make cleaning your device that much easier. Not all humidifiers require a filter, though. If your device doesn’t have it, be sure to change water and clean it regularly.
- Clean your humidifier every week. To do this, pour two cups of undiluted distilled vinegar into the tank and then gently swish it around.
- Place the tank on the base so that the vinegar can drain into the water reservoir and remove any built-up materials. You should allow this to soak for about twenty minutes.
- Dump out the vinegar and wipe out the tank and reservoir with a soft cloth. You can also complete these same steps with bleach to thoroughly disinfect your humidifier.
