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June 02, 2025 6 min read 1 Comment

Do you have a smoking spouse who keeps exposing you to second-hand smoke? Or do the kids keep leaving smelly sneakers in their rooms, or what of a sickly sweet smell from poorly ventilated restaurants on hot days? Whatever your specific reason is for needing clean air, there are different types of solutions available.

Industry experts believe there is some confusion about the differences between air purifiers and humidifiers, and this can cause people to buy the wrong product for their particular needs. 

Humidifiers vs air purifiers are two different machines that many people use in their homes. They each have their own pros and cons, but what happens when you combine the two? Does an air purifier cancel out a humidifier? This blog post will answer these questions for you so that you can make the best decision for your household.

A woman reading a book beside a home air purifier

Humidifiers vs Air Purifiers: What's the Difference?

Feature Air Purifier Humidifier
Primary Function Removes pollutants from the air Adds moisture to dry air
Best For Allergies, asthma, odors Dry skin, sinus congestion
Key Components HEPA filter, carbon filter, UV light Water tank, misting mechanism
Maintenance Filter changes every 3–12 months Clean weekly, refill water daily
Room Size Coverage Larger areas (250+ sq. ft.) Smaller to medium rooms
Health Benefits Reduces allergens, improves breathing Prevents dryness-related symptoms
Common Risk Ozone exposure (with some models) Mold/mildew if overused

 

Humidifiers and air purifiers are the most popular consumer products that ensure a healthy lifestyle. These two have become a necessity in numerous households across the world. So, what’s the big difference between them? 

Humidifiers and air purifiers are often used interchangeably. However, there is a distinction between these devices. Let us explain:

A humidifier will emit cool mist into a room to increase humidity levels. This can be helpful for those suffering from dry skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Humidifiers are also helpful for anyone who lives in very dry climates or has central heating that dries the air out.

Humidifiers are not effective at removing harmful contaminants from the air, such as dust, mold, pollen, or pet dander. They are also not ideal for people with asthma and allergies because they can aggravate symptoms.

On the other hand, an air purifier will filter out these harmful contaminants from the air and can be very effective at reducing allergens such as dander, dust mites, and pollen.

How Do Air Purifiers and Humidifiers Impact Your Health?

A humidifier is used to increase humidity levels in an indoor environment (e.g., a house or office), especially during the cold season when the air becomes drier due to heating. By adding more humidity to the air, you can avoid problems caused by dry air, including irritated skin and mucous membranes such as the eyes and nose.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Normal activities such as running a vacuum cleaner or cooking can stir up contaminants and increase your exposure. The EPA also reports that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, which means they're exposed to those contaminants throughout the day. 

An air purifier gets rid of indoor pollutants, including small particles, large particles, biological pollutants, and VOCs. It may help protect your family's health by preventing allergies and respiratory problems.

Home humidifier surrounded by plants

Can You Use Air Purifiers and Humidifiers Together?

The simple answer to the question of whether you can use an air purifier and a humidifier together is... no. The two are very different kinds of appliances that perform entirely different functions, even though they have some things in common, like needing electrical power to function.

In general, using both an air purifier and a humidifier in the same room is not a good idea. In many cases, running an air purification system and a humidifier together will cause damage to at least one of these appliances.

When you run an air purification system in your home, the unit has to work extra hard to remove particles that are in the air. When water vapor is introduced into this mix, it lowers the amount of available ambient oxygen in the room. This prevents the air purifier from working as effectively. 

In addition, the humidity level in the home can rise to dangerous levels, which can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Activated Carbon Filters on Air Purifiers

Activated charcoal is not like the common charcoal used for grilling. It is made from a variety of sources such as wood, coconut shell, peat moss, and more to produce a porous surface with many nooks and crannies for the adsorption of contaminants. When compressed into a carbon filter, it becomes millions of microscopic pores that form a large surface area ideal for capturing pollutants.

Activated carbon is particularly useful for removing noxious gases from the air, including smoke, odors from pets and cooking, gas leaks, and more. The activated carbon inside an air purifier can even adsorb a variety of chemicals, including ammonia, chlorine, pesticides, mercury vapor, and formaldehyde.

Air Purifiers with UV Technology

First, let's clear up some common misconceptions. An air purifier with UV light doesn't necessarily kill all bacteria and viruses in the airstream - only those that are present and exposed to the UV lamp at the time of irradiation. Therefore, it is very important that we clean our filters regularly.

There are several types of UV technologies, like germicidal UVC lamps (200-280nm) that emit relatively high amounts of UV light, which are highly effective at killing germs in the airstream. However, these short waves can also be harmful to humans and animals. Therefore, these lamps should only be used when there is no risk of human exposure. 

Another type of UV technology uses UVA lamps (350-370nm) that are used for surface disinfection because they remain effective even when the germs shield themselves behind objects like dirt and body oils. This makes these lamps particularly suitable for our portable air purifiers.

How to Choose the Right Device for Your Home

A man lighting a cigar with a lighter

Let’s say you live in a dry climate like Arizona, where HVAC systems run most of the year. If you often wake up with dry eyes or a sore throat, a humidifier could bring relief.

Now, imagine a home in a dense urban area with traffic pollution, pets, and kids with seasonal allergies. An air purifier with a HEPA filter would help reduce allergens and maintain a healthier indoor space.

If your situation reflects both scenarios, consider using both devices or investing in a hybrid unit.

Pro Tip: Some hybrid devices are compact and smart-home compatible, allowing you to set humidity and air quality goals via your smartphone.

Here’s how to decide:

Get an air purifier if...

  • You suffer from allergies, asthma or live in a polluted city.

  • You have pets or smokers in the house.

  • You want to reduce volatile organic compounds and odors.

Get a humidifier if...

  • You live in a dry climate or use heaters often.

  • You suffer from dry skin, sinus issues, or static shocks.

  • Your indoor humidity drops below 30%.

Get both or a hybrid model if...

  • You want clean and comfortable air year-round.

  • You’re furnishing a baby’s nursery or someone with a respiratory illness who lives with you.

Conclusion

There are many reasons affecting your indoor air quality. For example, smoking, cooking, pets, humidity, dust mites, etc. All these pollutants at home can bring you respiratory issues such as asthma or even lung cancer. And that means that now you should do something to reduce their concentration around you.

The best way to decide how you want to tackle humidity and air quality in your home is by considering what your goals are. If you want relief from dry skin, then you should get a humidifier. But if you want to reduce allergies or other symptoms of colds/flu, then an air purifier may be the right choice for you. Now that you're armed with all of this knowledge, go forth into our online store and make an informed purchase!

Your Elegant Bar offers the best air purifiers and humidifiers on the market with the best prices. Shop now!

1 Response

Bonnie hall
Bonnie hall

August 26, 2024

Thank you this was very helpful

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