When considering your health and comfort, the air quality inside your home plays a crucial role. However, many people overlook various ways to improve it, aside from regulating the temperature. Fortunately, there are numerous methods available to take control of the air you breathe while at home, and one such approach is investing in the best air purifier and humidifier combo.
Air purifiers and humidifiers have distinct functions, but their roles complement each other. Air purifiers effectively eliminate germs, pollen, dust mites, and other irritants from the air, while also improving its overall freshness. On the other hand, humidifiers moisturize the air, keeping your skin and mucous membranes hydrated, reducing symptoms of respiratory illnesses, such as bloody noses, chapped lips, and various skin conditions. Both devices contribute to enhancing your health and comfort.
In the past, it was necessary to purchase separate devices for humidification and purification. However, this is no longer the case. Nowadays, you can enjoy the benefits of both functionalities in a single device. Of course, navigating the purchase of a combination model can be a bit more complex than buying one or the other. To assist you in determining the qualities that make a good air purifier and humidifier combo, we have prepared a guide below.
When it comes to customizing your home, you typically pay attention to factors like wall colors, furniture design, and accessories. However, for optimal comfort and health, it’s essential to consider controlling the air quality in your home as well. While you may already do this through the use of thermostats, fans, and space heaters, incorporating air purifiers and humidifiers into your home adds another dimension to customization. Let’s explore why having both a purifier and a humidifier can be beneficial.
Air Purifiers:
Maintaining cleanliness is key to promoting a healthier environment, and this extends to the air you breathe. When it comes to keeping your air clean, nothing compares to the effectiveness of an air purifier. Here are some benefits you can enjoy from using an air purifier:
- Reduction of pet odors, including body odor and litter box smells.
- Removal of allergens such as dust, dander, and mold, which can trigger allergies.
- Filtration of bacteria and viruses, contributing to an overall healthier home.
- Reduction of smoking odor in households where smoking occurs.
- Elimination of body odor in gym spaces.
Humidifiers:
While humidifiers can contribute to cleaning the air to some extent, their primary function is not air purification. Models that are germ-free or use filters typically clean the air they release, rather than the entire room or home. Nevertheless, humidifiers offer distinct advantages that differ from those provided by purifiers. Here are some benefits of using humidifiers:
- Hydration of the skin, preventing cracking, chapping, and even helping to alleviate eczema flare-ups.
- Reduction of static electricity in the home, resulting in fewer shocks and less static cling.
- Moisturization of mucous membranes, facilitating easier breathing and boosting the immune system.
- Extended lifespan for wood furniture, window frames, and door frames by maintaining appropriate moisture levels.
- Alleviation of asthma symptoms in babies, children, and adults.
By incorporating both an air purifier and a humidifier into your home, you can enjoy the combined benefits of cleaner air and optimized humidity levels, ensuring a more comfortable and healthier living space.
Why Purchase an Air Purifier and Humidifier Combo?
While the benefits of owning these two items are clear, what isn’t so obvious is why you should opt for a combination unit over two separate machines. In truth, there is nothing wrong with purchasing these items separately. However, there are some benefits to combination units, including:
- Less Money Spent: Because you are purchasing one item instead of two, your purchase will cost you less.
- More Space Available: Combination units are slightly larger than your average humidifier. However, you would be taking up much more space by having two separate items.
- Less to Think About: Rather than cleaning, running, and maintaining two devices, you only need to focus on one.
- Lower Energy Bills: Because the two components can share a power supply in a combo unit, they use less power than if they were separate.
What to Consider When Buying an Air Purifier and Humidifier Combo
When looking at combination units, you need to understand the features of the two elements: the humidifier and the air purifier. Combining the two, there are many variables that can help you choose between two models. However, we feel that there are four primary features you should look at before you buy: the type of humidification technology used, the square feet covered, the noise level of the machine, and the type of filter used.
Type of Humidification Technology Used
There are four primary types of humidification technology you will find when looking for air purifier and humidifier combos: cool mist evaporative models, cool mist ultrasonic models, warm mist ultrasonic models, and steam warm mist models. There are also some models that are both warm and cool mist; these use ultrasonic technology.
All of these types of humidifiers work well. However, you may want a specific type due to health or safety concerns. Warm mist humidifiers are great for loosening up congestion, but it is bad for those with asthma, COPD, and eczema. It is also a concern around children and pets. A cool mist humidifier is safe in all situations, but isn’t as effective at breaking up congestion. Ultimately, the right choice for you comes down to personal preference.
Square Feet Covered
This feature is pretty self-explanatory. Essentially, you need to make sure the unit can take care of the air in the space you want it to be placed in. Most single-room humidifiers can handle an average-sized bedroom or office. If you are looking to put it in a larger room, you need to make sure it can cover more square feet. Something else to consider is that higher ceilings will necessitate more coverage. If your ceilings are taller than nine feet, increase the coverage you are looking for. It is also possible to find units that cover the whole house.
Noise Level
When you have two machines in one, things can get noisy. But chances are slim you will be placing the unit anywhere that additional noise is considered a good thing. In the bedroom, you need your sleep, in the office, you need silence, and in the living room, you need to be able to hear the TV and stereo. To make sure your combination machine isn’t going to disturb you, look for those with special features that help them run quietly.
Type of Filter
Finally, since your machine is purifying the air you breathe, you want to make sure it is doing this the right way. In general, you will be looking for machines that offer HEPA filtration. However, there are alternatives, including that that do not use any filters at all, relying on a special type of cleansing instead. If you are seeking an air purifier and humidifier combo for health reasons, you might want to ask your doctor why type of filter is best for you.
Top 5 Best Air Purifier and Humidifier Combo
Venta Airwasher 2-in-1 Humidifier & Air Purifier
If you are looking for an option that does not use a filter, consider the Venta Airwasher. Despite not having any filters or cartridges, it removes the vast majority of impurities from the air in rooms up to 400 square feet. Rather than relying on filters, it uses internal disks that trap impurities and then run them through water, essentially washing them away.
If you like this unit but have a larger space to purify and humidify, there is a model that can handle up to 800 square feet of space. Also, if 400 square feet is too much, there is a 200 square feet model. It comes with several features that make it easy to use, including a low water indicator and an auto shut off. The fan can be adjusted to three different speeds to control the humidification and purification. In general, you will get the best results on medium or high fan settings. As far as trusting in the product, it comes backed by a 10-year warranty, so you can feel secure in your purchase.
Dreval D-950 Air Purifier True HEPA Filter Humidifier UV Light Negative Ion Generator Combo
When looking for a combination unit, one of the first things you want to know is how well it purifies the air. Well, it doesn’t get much better than the Dreval D-950, which offers a 99.7% purification rate. The cold catalyst filter is designed not to just remove debris from the air, but dangerous gases as well. It can pull benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and other gases out of the air, decomposing them into a byproduct that is perfectly harmless. This filter can last five years.
It also comes with activated carbon and HEPA filtration, which works to keep the debris out of the air and keep you breathing easy. It is also antimicrobial, eliminating bacteria, viruses, and spores. It even has an odor sensor, so when it notices something smelling off, it kicks in and removes the smell from the air.
The humidifier function is designed to keep your home at optimum humidity levels at all times; you do not need to monitor levels and adjust the unit. It can humidify and purify rooms ups to 430 square feet and runs incredibly quiet. Covered by a 2-year warranty, you can count on this combination model.
Sharp KC-850U Plasmacluster Air Purifier with Humidifying Function
If you want a device that improves your air while not detracting from the looks of your home, try this model from Sharp on for size. With its slim design, it is easy to place it out of the way. And even if it remains visible, its minimalist profile helps it blend in with its surroundings. Also helping it work in most any space is its noise level, which is so quiet it practically makes no sound at all.
This model cleans the air in two ways. The first is with patented plasma caster technology. This releases ions into the air that interact with the water vapor, producing hydroxyl which oxidizes pollutants. It does not come with as many features as other models, but this helps to give it a thin and minimalist profile. The second is the powerful HEPA filter. This unit is a great option for smaller rooms, up to 250 square feet in size. The product is covered by a warranty, but to get the details, you must contact the manufacture.
Oreck WK15500B Air Refresh 2-in-1 Hepa Air Purifier & Ultrasonic Humidifier for Small Rooms
While Oreck isn’t known for its humidifiers, it is known for its air purification technology, in both vacuums and purifiers. So it isn’t a surprise that they would create an excellent air purifier and humidifier combo. Many users note that it is incredible at relieving allergies and clearing smoke smells in their homes while also helping moisturize the air. Once again, this is an option best for small rooms, at around 250 square feet or less. If you are looking for an air purifier and humidifier combo for baby, this is the one we recommend as it is a good size for nurseries.
The design of this Oreck model is quite modern, so if you have a more traditional design, you might want to look into other options. However, it is very sleek and slim, making it easy to place within the home. It uses a two-stage HEPA filter to ensure the cleanest air possible. It is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Innoo Tech Ultrasonic Air Purifier and Humidifier
Finally, we have this model from Inoo Tech. Sporting a futuristic look that is somewhat robotic and rather cute, it works well in many spaces, including children’s rooms. This model offers more flexibility than most as you can operate it as a cool mist or a warm mist humidifier. When the tank is empty, the humidifier will shut off, but the purification will continue to work.
This model uses a HEPA filter to filter the air as well as a powerful filter to filter the water. Where it really stand out amongst the competition is that it also allows you to use aroma therapy and essential oils. Below the humidifier is the aroma box and pad, making it easy to use oils to treat cold symptoms or just make your home smell nicer. As with all Innoo Tech products, it is covered by a 1-year limited warranty.
Final Words
If you want your home to be a place of health and comfort, look for the best air purifier and humidifier combo for you. While there are many options on the market, we believe the five we have picked are the very best and that one of them will be great for your home. So happy shopping, and enjoy your new purchase.
