Air washer or humidifier - which is better to choose? Comparative overview of air humidifiers

Deciding which one is better

Classic humidifiers are perfect for living rooms and offices. They do not require constant monitoring of the level of humidity in the room. When the microclimate stabilizes to the optimum level, the performance of the devices automatically decreases. Such models should be chosen if a rapid decrease in air dryness is not required. The device raises the relative humidity by 1.5-4% per day.

Ultrasonic models can be used in rooms with wooden and antique interior items that require a high level of humidity. Unlike traditional counterparts, they are silent in operation, so they can be installed near the recreation area.Advanced models are equipped with a full range of options for controlling humidity and maintaining an optimal microclimate, so ultrasonic devices are much more productive than traditional models.

Recommendations

1. When choosing a model of a washing unit, the user should understand that it is not worth counting on the processing of several rooms, even if there is a powerful unit. However, if you install the device in a corridor or hallway, then the impact will be on adjacent rooms. In this situation, it is also necessary to take into account the width of the doorway for full air exchange. Manufacturers advise installing devices in the bedroom, living room and hall;
2. A significant plus in buying a humidifier is the ionization function; it is difficult to find such an option in a sink;
3. When purchasing equipment, many owners use the device as a mobile device. At the same time, an important detail is missed - an imbalance, when the air in one room is damp, and in the other too dry. Therefore, taking into account the area of ​​\u200b\u200bliving space, an appropriate unit should be selected. A high power balance is not an indicator of efficiency.
4. Indicators of the norm as a percentage at the optimum temperature of +24 ° С:
   • people - 40-60%;
   • plants - 50-75%;
   • furniture and laminate - 40-60%;
   • electronic equipment - 45-60%;

5. A significant difference between the types of equipment is care. When buying a washing device, the user must be prepared for constant monitoring of the liquid level in the container. In the humidifier, you will have to monitor the temperature indicators, the condition of the sensors and internal plates, as well as the water;

6. The price and principle of operation are also different, but despite the cost and some nuances, experts recommend washing.This is due to the absence of steam, the presence of air exchange, as well as the simultaneous cleaning and humidification. It is noteworthy that both representatives have low electricity consumption.

Watch a video about which is better - a humidifier or an air washer

Humidifier plus purifier are versatile devices

Comparing them in terms of efficiency is an empty exercise, because each of the products performs completely different functions, which were described in detail above. The use of two-in-one climate complexes is considered optimal: they remove microscopic components from the room and provide the humidity necessary for comfort.

Important! Ionizers are considered an excellent option: they perfectly moisturize and purify the air in a living room, enriching it with silver ions.

Manufacturers offer a wide range of combined products, where effective methods of cleaning and moisturizing are used.

Before purchasing, you need to pay special attention to very important points:

1. The power of the product must correspond to the volume of the room.
2. Filter element type. The ionizer acts on dust in such a way that it settles on the floor and furniture, and the photocatalytic filter completely sterilizes the air. The carbon filter does an excellent job of filtering out odors.
3. Power - buy appliances with low power consumption so that utility bills do not increase.
4. It is strictly forbidden to use tap water in an ultrasonic humidifier. It must first be cleaned and softened.

When using a humidifier, you must purchase a hygrometer to check the actual humidity.

Washing humidifies and purifies the air

The air washer is also able to humidify the air masses, but has additional functions.The device simultaneously purifies the air with humidification. Air masses constantly circulate through this device. All the air that is available in the room is cleaned by washing cartridges at least twice per hour. The air is filled with moisture in a natural way, which prevents waterlogging, while maintaining an optimal level of humidity.

According to the adherents of air washing, in the room where such a device is installed, it is easier to breathe, there is no dampness and an unpleasant smell of stale air, which is often noticed in similar situations with humidifiers.

The air washer, which has a slightly different operating principle than a humidifier, is equipped with a built-in fan. The function of the fan is to ensure constant air circulation. Thanks to him, the air is gradually humidified throughout the room. In addition, the fan disperses moisture throughout the space, creating a quick effect of humidifying the air. The sink is also different in that the air masses gain as much moisture from it as they can naturally absorb.

The main principle of all sinks is that they "wash" the air from dirt and dust, collecting dirt in a special tank with liquid. Or dirt particles after passing through the sink settle on the floor. The main disadvantage is that bacteria and fungi multiply well in the humid environment of the sink, so it requires regular cleaning. Constant cleaning is also needed around the sink, where small particles of dirt fall, as they can cause allergies or fungal diseases.

Product comparison: choose which model to choose and buy

Product Name
average price	8990 rub.	16990 rub.	6990 rub.	1760 rub.	13990 rub.	0 rub.	11685 rub.	1029 rub.	0 rub.	15115 rub.
Rating
Purpose of the device	air humidification	air humidification	air humidification	air humidification	air humidification	air purification / humidification	air humidification	air humidification	air humidification	air humidification
Served area	50 sq.m	80 sq.m	47 sq.m	30 sq.m	60 sq.m	60 sq.m	65 sq.m		50 sq.m	60 sq.m
humidifier type	ultrasonic	ultrasonic	ultrasonic	ultrasonic	ultrasonic		ultrasonic	ultrasonic	ultrasonic	ultrasonic
Water tank volume	5.5 l	9 l	3.6 l	2.4 l	5 l	8 l	5 l		6 l	6.7 l
Water consumption	400 ml/h	600 ml/h	300 ml/h	190 ml/h	360 ml/h		480 ml/h	30 ml/h	850 ml/h	500 ml/h
Hygrostat	there is	there is			there is		there is		there is	there is
Filters	pre-cleaning					pretreatment, water, photocatalytic
Ionization	there is					there is			there is
Fan speed/evaporation rate adjustment	there is	there is	there is	there is	there is		there is	there is	there is	there is
Installation	floor, table	floor, table	desktop	floor	floor		floor	desktop
Source of power	net	net	net	net	net		net	network/battery	net	net
Additional Information	antibacterial coating of the water tank, thermometer	9-hour timer, display dimming mode, instrument cleaning indicator, ionizing silver rod Ionic Silver Stick	there is a regular place for installing the Ionic Silver Stick				topping up water during operation, night mode, automatic shutdown at the end of water	not supplied with adapter, automatic shutdown after 2 hours
Control	electronic, display, timer, remote control	electronic, display, timer	mechanical	mechanical	electronic, display	display, remote control	electronic, display	electronic	display, timer	electronic, display, timer
Indication	inclusion, low water level, humidity(%)	inclusion, low water level, humidity(%)	switching on, low water level	low water level	low water, humidity(%)				low water level	switching on, low water level
Noise level	25 dB	25 dB	25 dB	25 dB	25 dB	29 dB	29 dB	20 dB	25 dB	25 dB
Dimensions (WxHxD)	227x367x152mm	325x360x190 mm	240x270x120mm			252x440x438 mm	230x316x165mm	42x160x44 mm	252x586x252mm	290x350x250mm
The weight	2.7 kg	4.6 kg	1.8 kg	0.55 kg				0.1 kg	3.8 kg	4 kg
Power consumption	105 W	180 W	20 W	18 W	47 W	25 W	40 W	2.2W	80 W	125 W
ultraviolet lamp	there is					there is
Aromatization	there is	there is	there is	there is	there is		there is
Demineralizing cartridge	there is	there is	there is				there is			there is
Working time	13 h			10 h						8 h
Water preheating	there is	there is					there is			there is
Housing illumination	there is	there is	there is
Blow direction and humidification adjustment		there is	there is		there is		there is
Maintained Humidity		40-60% %					auto mode %
Air purification performance (CADR)						180 cbm/h

1 Overview of sinks

There are different types of climate equipment on the market, and the choice of models is so extensive that it is very difficult for an inexperienced buyer to make a decision and find the right air washer or air purifier. What is better and under what conditions a particular device will demonstrate all its best sides can only be understood after studying its technical characteristics and operating properties.

If we talk about air washes, then the following varieties of these systems are available on the market:

1. 1. Tapered. Designed to create a water curtain.
2. 2. Disk. They create a thin water film during the rotation of the working element and collect all kinds of impurities in the air.

The washing unit relieves the room of all kinds of pollution, the size of which exceeds 2.5 microns. Among them:

1. 1. Various types of dust (construction, street or household).
2. 2. Particles of wool, hair and pile.
3. 3. Vegetable pollen.

Purifier - advantages and disadvantages

The purifiers are a fixed installation with a TV-like housing, 2-5 filters and a fan. They are used in large and small rooms - they are mounted in niches, under the ceiling. Cleaners remove various types of contaminants:

• Vapors from powders, detergents and cleaners;
• mold and spores in rooms with high humidity;
• unpleasant odors;
• tobacco smoke;
• microbes and bacteria, allergens.

The masses pass through the filtration system, in which impurities settle, and only clean air enters the outside.

Purifier Filter Types

The use of various filtration systems allows you to remove up to 99.9% of dust, allergens, and specific odors from the air. Modern manufacturers equip devices with filters:

• pre-cleaning or mechanical. Represent a grid that traps particles ranging in size from 5 to 10 microns;
• ionizers. Negatively charged plates that attract dust and positively charged bacteria. They settle, and clean air enters the room;
• water, or sinks. Wet discs are used to attract impurities. Dirt enters a special tray. The filters do not change, it is enough to change the water and pour the accumulations from the container;
• coal. Eliminate organic particles, odors, volatile and semi-volatile chemical compounds at the molecular level. The constituent parts are absorbed by the pores of the activated carbon. The filter is replaced once every 6 months;
• HEPA. They are made of corrugated paper or synthetic material impregnated with an antibacterial composition. Detain impurities with fractions up to 0.3 microns, remove 99.9% of dirt, recommended for allergy sufferers and asthmatics;
• photocatalytic. The filter surface attracts UV rays that break down dust and viruses. The elements have a deodorizing function - they remove the smell of tobacco and other substances;
• plasma. Two metal plates attract dust impurities electrostatically. Filters cannot be replaced.

Purifier filter typesImportant! The type of filter affects the cost of the device.

Pros and cons of operation

Using a cleaner has both positive and negative sides.

Advantages:

• complete cleaning of the premises from dust, odors, allergens;
• filling the room with clean air;
• ease of operation and maintenance;
• the possibility of installation in rooms with an area of ​​40 m2;
• good power.

Minuses:

• works too loudly;
• does not completely destroy fungal spores;
• dries the air in winter;
• filters need to be replaced regularly.

Before buying an air purifier or humidifier, it is important to consider the characteristics of both devices.

6 Performance and strengths

Unlike previous types of climate systems, humidifiers are characterized by a lot of advantages:

1. 1. Fast and high-quality indoor air humidification. Most models have at their disposal a multifunctional hygrostat, which is able to maintain a comfortable level of humidity in the room and start the device automatically.
2. 2. The dimensions of such devices are relatively small. In addition, there are very compact models on the market, made in a minimalist design.
3. 3. Extensive functionality and the ability to choose the most relevant options.
4. 4. Easy to manage.

There are very few disadvantages of modern air humidifiers. First of all, this is a limited operating time, which directly depends on the volume of the liquid tank. In simple words, the larger the water tank, the longer the humidifier can work without replacing consumables. But along with the increase in the size of the tank, the dimensions of the structure itself also grow.

Humidifier

When choosing a device, a dilemma naturally arises: what is better - an air washer or a humidifier. Before choosing a model of a particular type, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of humidifiers.

Humidifier - an inexpensive device to increase the humidity in the room

Pros:

1. The operation of the device is not affected by the temperature in the room;
2. Safe operation, since the steam output is at a moderate level;
3. Rapid humidification of air masses;
4. Environmental friendliness of the equipment, becauseunder the influence of temperature, pathogenic microorganisms, allergens are eliminated;
5. Upholstered furniture and curtains are protected from white plaque;
6. Low price.

Minuses:

• small radius of action;
• to ensure humidity throughout the room, the device must sometimes be rearranged;
• as an effect in the nursery, the unit should be located in close proximity to the bed;
• there is a risk of overwatering.

For your information: the essence of the operation of the device is clear from the name, i.e. humidification. Air purification is not provided.

ultrasonic humidifier

An ultrasonic device has a special plate or membrane that vibrates strongly and converts water into cold or hot steam.

The vibration frequency exceeds 1 million vibrations per second (more than 1 MHz). These ultrasonic vibrations break the water into tiny particles.

Further, they are thrown out with the help of a fan with a stream of air into the room.

In ultrasonic humidifiers, it is recommended to use only purified water, since ordinary hard water spoils the filter and all the insides of the device become clogged with scale much faster.

And when the filter becomes dirty, all the furniture around begins to become covered with an unpleasant white coating.

This is a negative point of any ultrasonic devices. Do you want to avoid it? You will have to fill in distilled water without calcium salts.

But this is an additional and very significant cost.

An important point when choosing such devices is the presence of a large neck for pouring water. So that on occasion it was possible to rinse the tank without any problems.

Water sometimes stagnates and the container requires periodic cleaning.

Advantages:

not noisy

consumes little electricity

needs regular maintenance (replacement of filters every 2-3 months)

the formation of white plaque on surrounding objects

When is an air purifier essential?

The market for climate systems and equipment is annually replenished with new technological devices. The main purpose of the units is to improve the characteristics of indoor air. Air purifiers and humidifiers are in constant demand, performing two radically different tasks.

The importance and necessity of purchasing a particular device is determined individually. For example, for people with an allergic reaction to pollen or dust, the purchase of a purifier with multi-stage filtration becomes a priority.

It is important for a family with small children to control the normalized indicator of humidity, since a dry air environment lowers immunity and contributes to the rapid “grasping” of viruses by babies. However, to achieve a healthy microclimate, one cannot neglect any parameter.

In the conditions of a metropolis, the air in apartments can hardly be called clean - automobile exhausts, street dust and polluted fumes penetrate into the premises

However, to achieve a healthy microclimate, one cannot neglect any parameter. In the conditions of a metropolis, the air in apartments can hardly be called clean - automobile exhausts, street dust and polluted fumes penetrate into the premises.

The situation with humidity is no better - with the onset of the heating season, the percentage of moisture in the atmosphere drops to 25%, instead of 60-65% regulated by sanitary standards.

The humidifier is designed to optimize the level of moisture content - to increase it to 40-60%, and the purifier eliminates harmful impurities, preventing the development of allergies and other diseases.

First of all, polluted and overdried air has a negative effect on a person.

Likely consequences:

• the appearance of sore throat, dizziness, weakness and fatigue;
• development of allergic reactions (especially in children);
• irritation of mucous membranes and overdrying of the skin;
• the course of viral diseases in a complex form.

Dry air contributes to an increase in static electricity coming from a computer, TV and other equipment. As a result, the dust is electrified and rises.

The conclusion is obvious - dry, polluted air worsens health. To rid the atmosphere of dust and saturation with moisture, multifunctional humidifiers-purifiers are used.

Humidifier - air washer: comparative characteristics

1. According to real consumer observations, the use of a humidifier is often accompanied by the formation of stale air and a feeling of dampness. Meanwhile, in the room where the sink works, there are no such shortcomings at all.
2. The water vapor produced by the air washer is always distributed with maximum uniformity. This is made possible thanks to the built-in fan, the performance of which exactly matches the dimensions of the room. The humidifier is inherent in the local principle of operation, which does not provide for the distribution of treated air throughout the room.
3. The performance of many models of sinks allows you to pump air masses through the cartridge twice per hour. The mechanism of a conventional humidifier lacks this function, which negatively affects the quality of the indoor air, which becomes stale and musty.
4. A distinctive feature of the sink is also traced in the fact that the air independently absorbs the amount of water that is required, and the normalization of humidity is carried out in a natural way.

Where to place the humidifier

There are three options for placing the humidifier:

on the floor

on the table

on the wall

These recommendations must be followed. Because if you put a desktop humidifier on the floor, the steam cloud will not have time to dissipate and will settle on the floor surface.

Humidifiers for small rooms up to 20m2 are placed on the table. And large complexes are mounted on the wall, or placed on the floor.

In simple inexpensive models, mechanical control. These are buttons or rotary knobs.

As a rule, they have two regulators:

timer

working mode

Sometimes there are indicator lights, but they interfere with sleep when installed in the bedroom.

More expensive models are electronically controlled and equipped with a display.

In them, you can set not only the automatic mode, but also program your own.

Don't forget the noise too. Different brands work with different volume. Ultrasonic generally periodically gurgle.

Manufacturers always indicate how many decibels a particular device produces.

To navigate in decibels, here's a reminder for you:

whisper - 10db

quiet conversation - 40db

noise in the office - 60db

emotional conversation - 70db

How to choose a good one

Before choosing a humidifier, you need to pay attention to the criteria that are of paramount importance to you and to additional features. Be sure to consider before purchasing the device:

1. Room size. Manufacturers indicate in the instructions what area the humidifier covers.The larger the room, the larger the water tank and the higher intensity should be.
2. Water flow and tank capacity. Calculate the time it takes for water to evaporate from a full tank. It should not be less than 8 hours, otherwise the device will notify you in the middle of the night that you need to add water.
3. Noise level. Here we are talking not only about the constant buzz of the device, but also about additional sound signals - an indicator of a low water level or “gurgling” during operation.
4. Energy consumption. Typically, a steam humidifier consumes the most electricity, followed by ultrasonic and traditional humidifiers.
5. The presence of a hygrometer, hygrostat. You can set the desired humidity level and apparatus. Having achieved it, it will automatically turn off.
6. Control type. There are three ways: built-in panel, remote control or smartphone. There are also models equipped with a smart home system (for example, Xiaomi).
7. Backlight. Light indicators on the panel will give information about the level of humidity and operating mode even at night, but excessive brightness can interfere with sleep.
8. Ergonomics. Evaluate how convenient it will be for you to use the humidifier, the ability to add water, change the filter, and clean the device itself.
9. Ionization (increase in negatively charged particles) and aromatization of air.