Here Is The Cool Mist vs Warm Mist Humidifier Challenge

This is a common question that comes when people read about these two types of humidifiers. Everyone thinks that all humidifiers are the same. But this is a myth.

While all humidifiers do the same basic job, there are differences. All humidifiers protect against dry skin and electric static. They also all work to moisten nasal passages and reduce coughs due to colds and allergies.

But there are differences. These differences can be seen in performance, temperatures, power, noise, cost and much more. Keep reading to find out more.

There are more differences than just the obvious one. A cool mist humidifier moisturizes the air with cool air. The warm mist uses warm air. Also, a cool mist humidifier may be easier on your energy bill. But in the long run, the better savings may lie with warm mist humidifiers.

Human skin needs moisture to stay healthy and vibrant. But time, the use of different soaps, sun tanning, and other activities dry out the skin. Then when the skin ages it has a very difficult time retaining its moisture levels. You need a humidifier to keep your skin moist.

All humidifiers work to relieve dry skin. Some even help with the problem of snoring. Here are some advantages that the cool mist humidifier brings to this challenge:

But putting moisture back into your home environment can alleviate dry skin problems. The best way to increase the humidity levels in your home is by purchasing a good humidifier for dry skin.

One of the best ways to receive relief from the pollen and other contaminants that irritate allergies is to use a great humidifier. The best humidifiers for allergies will purify your home’s air. All humidifiers accomplish this so there is no advantage for either version of humidifiers.

Some of the causes of common allergies only exist in high humidity levels. Dust mites, different molds, and mildew are just three examples. Dust mites do not live in humidity levels below 70-80%. The cool mist humidifier may have the advantage here.

The warm mist humidifier kills most bacteria and other germs when it heats the water. They ensure you get healthier air to breathe. This fact gives the warm mist humidifier an edge over the cool mist type.

With the cool mist humidifier, you need to clean those units daily. This means that the warm mist humidifier does your job for you. You save time, energy and money with a warm mist humidifier and the advantage goes to the warm mist combatant.

The benefits of a warm air humidifier can also be seen in the reduction of your energy bill. Because they warm up a room you can set your thermostat to a lower temperature. Thus, you save money while using a warm mist humidifier. Here are some other benefits that may give this type of humidifier an edge in this challenge:

For some parents, this is not an issue. They do not like placing hot appliances anywhere near their young child. They think that a cool mist humidifier is the best type to use in a baby’s room.

Their opinion is based upon the fact that the warm mist humidifier must heat the water. The use of heat makes them afraid that their baby will be burnt or scalded by the unit. So, they prefer the cool mist humidifier.

Yet the risk of scalding or burning is minimal. Then with a little common sense, a warm mist humidifier can be used safely in a baby’s room. Just keep it out of the reach of the child. This is not hard to do.

The risk-free factor does give the cool mist humidifier a slight edge in this portion of the challenge. But this does not mean you cannot use a warm mist humidifier to moisturize your baby’s room. The warm mist humidifier will give your child a very healthy environment to play in.

The winner of this challenge may owe its crown to this one factor. Cleaning is a chore and most everyone hates to do it. But it must be done, and we cannot stress how important it is to keep your humidifier clean.

You do not want to be putting bacteria and other germs back into the air you are trying to purify. The disadvantage cool mist humidifiers have is that they do not discourage bacteria, etc., growth. Many manufacturers have tried to solve this problem. They have added an anti-microbial compound to their construction materials.

This is supposed to cut down on bacteria, etc., growth. But these additives are not perfect. You still need to keep a cool mist humidifier clean. This means you may have to do daily cleaning to keep your room’s air clean and healthy.

A warm mist humidifier does not need those additives. They kill bacteria and other germs before they get started. How they do this is quite simple. The heating element to their operation takes care of any bacteria or other germs that cannot live in heat.

This means you do not have to clean a warm mist humidifier as often. Less cleaning time, the easier to keep clean. The edge in this category goes to the warm mist humidifier.

Cleaning your humidifier is simple and easy no matter which version you own. A little vinegar and water mix, usually 50-50, will do the trick. If you do not have any vinegar, then a bleach and water mixture will also clean the humidifiers.

That is the question you need to answer for yourself. As you can see a warm mist humidifier has many advantages over a cool mist version. But the choice depends upon your preferences and age of your family.

If you do not want to take the risk of being scalded, then go with a cool mist humidifier. If you know how to handle the risk, then choose the warm mist humidifier.

All humidifiers purify the air, fight coughs, help against sore throats and congestion. Which one you buy depends on your preferences and your budget. We prefer the warm mist humidifier for its germ-killing ability.