A lot of people think of an “air purifier” and “humidifier” as having similar uses. It’s not surprising–they both involve air and sound somewhat similar. While both air purifiers and humidifiers bring health benefits, we’ll explain how they are used for very different purposes. This brings us to the next point. At Alen, we commonly get asked the question, “Do I need both an air purifier and a humidifier for my home?” Depending on the circ*mstances and your health needs, you may need both. We'll unpack it all for you.
What is the Difference Between an Air Purifier and a Humidifier?
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Let’s break it all down. Our process is innovative yet straightforward. Air purifiers work by passing air continuously through the unit to capture particulates that affect your indoor air quality. Alen air purifiers enhance your indoor air quality by capturing unwanted particles such as dust, pollen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and smoke, as well as smaller microbes like bacteria1 and viruses.2 The process depends on the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter used. Alen air purifiers are equipped with different types of filters to target different pollutants.
You may wonder what ridding your home of these contaminants does for you. Air purifiers are especially beneficial for those suffering from allergies or seeking ways to manage their asthma flare-ups by removing the triggers from their environment. As air passes through the air purifier, it traps pollutants and prevents them from re-entering the environment, resulting in cleaner air. At Alen, we believe that wellness begins with clean air.
Air purifiers are often confused with humidifiers. Each addresses separate concerns. To clarify, air purifiers are designed to clear the air of allergens and contaminants, as well as combat mold³ and odors, providing a cleaner environment for those suffering from respiratory issues.
Testing performed against 1Staphylococcus Aureus and 2MS-2 Bacteriophage, and ³Aspergillus Niger.
How is a Humidifier Different?
A question you might have at this point is, “Does a humidifier clean the air?” No, it doesn’t. It’s not designed to improve the air quality or reduce contaminants. Instead, humidifiers release water vapor or steam into the air to increase humidity levels in a room or throughout the home. Depending on the type of humidifier, it may emit hot steam, cool mist, or water vapor.
Why do you need to add moisture to the air? Humidity is particularly beneficial in environments where the dry air might worsen respiratory symptoms and skin dryness. Humidifiers release water vapor or mist into the air to maintain a balanced humidity level–ideally between 30% and 50%. This moisture level can help soothe dry skin and throats, ease coughs, and prevent irritation caused by dry air. Adding humidity to a room can benefit adults and children who have congestion and may alleviate dry skin, sore throats, and coughs.
Which is Better?
Now that we’ve compared the different functions and uses of air purifiers and humidifiers, you may be wondering if one is better than the other. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. In general, you’ll have to assess the situation and what you’re trying to target. In many cases, it is beneficial to use an air purifier and a humidifier together.
For instance, let's consider a home that uses an HVAC system. Humidifiers are beneficial in this situation–the forced air HVAC systems use dries out your indoor air, so more humidity is needed. Alternatively, air purifiers come into play when it's very cold or hot outside. HVAC systems recycle far more indoor air because they're not powerful enough to quickly heat or cool enough outdoor air. Without fresh air, HEPA purifiers are important in removing pollutants, dust, allergens, and pathogens from your indoor air. Simply put, air purifiers and humidifiers can be beneficial when used separately and together. It’s about understanding your needs and how to best address them.
What Season is Best?
You might be wondering what time of year to use air purifiers and humidifiers. The good news is that air purifiers are great to use year-round. In general, you should use air purifiers in spaces where air quality may be compromised by pollution, smoke, or high concentrations of allergens, such as pollen or pet dander. For example, if you live in an urban area that is frequently affected by higher pollution levels, you could benefit significantly from air purifiers, especially during peak traffic times when pollutants are most prevalent. Air purifiers are also beneficial during seasonal changes, particularly in the spring and fall when pollen and mold spores are more abundant. By using air purifiers during these seasons you can improve indoor air quality by eliminating pollen and other irritants indoors. Take control of your indoor air and manage your seasonal allergies!
When it comes to the best season to use humidifiers, they are especially beneficial during the dry winter months when heating systems tend to dry out the indoor air. You can also use a humidifier year-round to add moisture and prevent air from becoming too dry, which can cause respiratory problems and dry skin.
Both Air Purifiers and Humidifiers Bring Health Benefits
Air purifiers offer numerous health benefits by removing contaminants from the air, including allergens, smoke, and pollutants. Removing pollutants is particularly beneficial for individuals with allergies or asthma, significantly reducing the number of irritants that can trigger respiratory distress. Using HEPA filters in air purifiers enables them to capture airborne particles and pathogens, including viruses, thereby lowering the risk of airborne diseases.
Did you know that both air purifiers and humidifiers can indirectly help to reduce snoring? Air purifiers improve air quality, potentially reducing nasal congestion, while humidifiers maintain moisture in the air, keeping your throat from drying out and becoming irritated. These conditions lend themselves to less snoring and an overall more comfortable sleep environment. The bottom line is that using these devices at home can improve indoor air quality, enhancing sleep quality and your health.
Air Purifiers and Humidifiers for Babies
When considering whether an air purifier or a humidifier is more beneficial for a baby, both may be helpful. An air purifier will clean the air in your nursery by filtering out contaminants. The benefits are many: it helps reduce allergens that can trigger respiratory discomfort in babies, eliminates harmful particles to create a healthier breathing environment, and promotes better sleep by lessening nasal congestion and other breathing issues. A healthy, well-rested baby is a happy baby. Yay!
Alen air purifiers can also help you minimize baby odors, like soiled diapers, when equipped with a suitable filter such as our activated carbon filter. Our air purifiers are certified ozone safe and their ionizers can be turned off. So, if you’re looking for a long-term solution as your child grows up, air purifiers consistently reduce pollutants in your home. These pollutants include off-gassing plastics such as VOCs, as well as allergens like pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. However, at Alen we have developed a filter with activated carbon—the HEPA Fresh—to deal with those off-gassing plastics and a HEPA Pure filter to tackle the particulates. You definitely want to take control of keeping these pollutants at bay!
On the other hand, the added moisture in the air from humidifiers can help prevent irritation in a baby’s sensitive skin and respiratory tract, ease symptoms of colds by loosening congestion, and keep the mucous membranes hydrated. However, leaving a humidifier on at all times is not recommended. Excess moisture in the air can cause condensation on floors, walls, and other surfaces, making your home more susceptible to mold and dust mites. An accumulation of these microbes may trigger an allergic or asthmatic flare-up or respiratory symptoms in adults, children, and babies.
If you are concerned that your home contains excess moisture, you can measure the humidity level. A hygrometer detects the humidity levels in a room and the corresponding temperature. Generally, more than 60% humidity indoors is considered high.
The choice between an air purifier and a humidifier largely depends on your baby's specific health needs and the home environment. If your primary concern is air pollution or allergens, you may choose an air purifier. However, in drier conditions or when a baby suffers from issues related to dry air, a humidifier may be more beneficial. Many parents opt to use both to ensure the nursery environment is clean and comfortably humid, which supports overall well-being and development.
Alen HEPA Air Purifiers: The Gold Standard
When it comes to air purifiers, we want to tell you all about the benefits of HEPA filters. Our HEPA air purifiers are independently tested to effectively capture harmful particles. You’re crushing it when you use one of Alen’s medical-grade HEPA filters for your home. The result is you will have cleaner, safer air for you and your family or friends to breathe. Be the hero of your home by removing 99.9% of unwanted particulates with Alen.
Easy Maintenance Tips
Maintaining your air purifier or humidifier is important. A dirty humidifier can lead to mold that could be harmful to your family's health. After using a humidifier, empty any remaining water immediately and dry off the water container. Leave the humidifier open and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Similarly, an air purifier with an old, clogged filter prevents it from working properly. For best results, routinely change the filter according to the manufacturer's guidelines and always follow directions. Pure, clean air for life is a promise we make every Alen customer. We back up our promise with an easy, automated filter subscription and a dedicated customer service team that is ready to ensure your Alen delivers.
Unsure? Just Ask Your Doctor
You’ll probably know what is most suitable for you based on your health needs, such as if you suffer from allergies, asthma, or a cold and your environmental factors. If you're unsure whether you or your child would benefit from a humidifier or air purifier, consult your doctor. These devices serve different functions but can be used together to meet your air quality needs.
FAQ’s
Which is better–an air purifier or a humidifier? It often depends on the situation. If your primary concern is air pollution or allergens, you may choose an air purifier. However, in drier conditions or if you suffer from issues related to dry air, a humidifier may be more beneficial.
Can I use an air purifier and humidifier at the same time? Yes! In many cases, it is beneficial to use an air purifier and a humidifier together. However, note that air purifiers are electrical appliances that are not designed to operate in an environment with consistently high humidity. So, ensure you evaluate the situation before operating both.
Does an air purifier remove humidity? No, an air purifier does not remove humidity from the air. Its primary function is to filter out pollutants and allergens by circulating air through its filtration system. It doesn't affect the moisture levels in the room, so the relative humidity of the air will remain the same before and after using an air purifier. However, similar to a fan, some of the airflow from an air purifier may contribute to a slight drying effect.
Can a humidifier cool a room? A humidifier is designed to add moisture to the air and typically does not cool a room. In fact, adding moisture can sometimes make a room feel slightly warmer, particularly with warm mist humidifiers that release warm vapor. However, evaporative humidifiers–a type of humidifier–can have a minimal cooling effect. This cooling effect is generally subtle and not as significant as that produced by an air conditioner or a dedicated air cooler.
Now Let’s Get Started
Take the first step towards cleaner, healthier air by browsing our selection of portable air purifiers. Alen air purifiers are quiet and effective, making them the perfect addition to your home or office. They also come with a Forever Guarantee! The industry’s first and only Forever Guarantee ensures your air purification provides pure air for life. That’s right–pure air for life is a promise we make to every Alen customer. If you ever have a problem with your purifier, we’ll make it right. Purification as powerful as you.
HEPA Air Purifiers for the Home Shop Now
