Our 6 Highest Rated Humidifiers for Asthma for 2024

Asthmatics Humidifier Buyer’s Guide

Below we’ll detail the various features that can be found in humidifiers and how they can provide benefits like waking up earlier and easier breathing.

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How Does a Humidifier Help with Asthma?

Asthma symptoms can be alleviated by better quality air which is why humidifiers can make a remarkable difference in the management of this chronic disease. Asthma can cause nasal passages to become dry and a humidifier can moisten these airways, allowing for stronger breathing.

Symptoms of asthma can be maintained by the use of humidifiers and may even limit the number of asthma attacks an individual experiences. The devices can ease dry throat and mouth discomfort through humidity, as well as lessen the stress of an individual who suffers from asthmatic symptoms, lessening worries of a flare up.

Maintaining a comfortable nasal cavity can keep stress at bay and minimize symptoms, as your mind isn’t constantly triggering your muscles to contract in response to stress.

Types of Humidifiers for Asthmatics

There are a number of different types of devices to relieve asthmatic symptoms, below we’ll break down how the functions work and how they can help.

Cool Mist (Evaporative)

Evaporative humidifiers are excellent choices if you have small children or pets since they don’t use heat to operate, making them a bit safer than the alternatives.

They work by using a fan to shoot air over a wet wick, releasing moisture heavy air into your home, thus alleviating dry airways and easing chapped skin. Thes devices often cost less than ultrasonic models and usually don’t use filters, making them more convenient than other options.

Warm Mist

While the end result will typically be about the same, there are a few aspects to consider before purchasing a warm mist humidifier. Cool-mist options are usually equally effective because by the time the mist hits the airways it’s often the same temperature as the warm mist output.

For safety reasons, it’s wise to pick a cool-mist device if you have pets or small children. A steam vaporizer or hot water can cause significant burns if someone gets too close or in the event of a spill.

Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic humidifiers are unique in that they use a metal or ceramic diaphragm which floats on the water tank supply’s surface, and vibrates at high-frequencies to expel a fine mist from a fan. They can be a bit quieter than other models, making them a good choice for sensitive sleepers.

Ultrasonic devices can have warm or cool mist, or a combination of both, offering users a variety of options.

Impeller

An impeller is a function in a humidifier that expels a cool mist using a spinning disk to flick water onto a diffuser, which then breaks down the water into little droplets, emitting a soft mist into your home.

Keep in mind these tend to not be as quiet as other types, so if you’re looking for a humidifier for a child or restless sleeper, this may not be the right choice. However, they’re often less expensive as they use rotating parts.

What to Consider When Buying an Asthma Humidifier

Before purchasing a humidifier, consider the various features you might want included in your device to get the optimal effects for your needs.

Type of Mist

Evaporative cool mist humidifiers can be a bit noisier than other types due to their fan noise, however they can be less expensive. The ultrasonic warm and cool mist humidifiers are typically able to expel mist in a quieter fashion than their alternatives, making them great choices for sensitive sleepers.

If you opt for a warm mist humidifier, spills can happen, causing burns, so if you have pets or small children, keep this fact in mind.

Size

If you plan to sleep or live in a stationary environment, a large humidifier will likely work just fine as you won’t be needing to tote it around. However, if you have a small apartment or plan on traveling frequently, moving around a larger device won’t be ideal.

If you believe you may want something smaller, simply due to lack of space, or frequent travel, a travel size humidifiers offer similar benefits in a smaller device.

Coverage

When selecting your device, be sure to check the square footage it’s able to cover. Personal humidifiers can typically cover about 25 square feet, and large devices can cover up to 1,000.

However, too much humidity can be just as bothersome as too little, so going overboard and choosing one that’s too big won’t be helpful either. Check the details on the product before purchasing and just make sure it will suit your requirements.

Tank Capacity

The larger the device, the larger your water tank will be, so if it’s important to you to not have to refill your humidifier often, or sleep through multiple nights without filling it each evening, consider how long the tank can run before filling up again.

If you don’t mind refilling it and don’t have a large space to humidify, a smaller device should work just fine.

Mist Runtime

Mist runtime will relate to the tank capacity in how long you can expect to receive a cooling or warm mist. The amount of water the device holds is the amount of mist it can release, and you can usually find this out by checking out the stats before you make a purchase. Some devices can go for days, having a long mist time with a large tank, and some mini travel humidifiers can only run as long as they’re connected to a small water supply bottle.

Filtration

If you’re concerned about cleanliness and bacteria, it’s critical to search for a humidifier that includes a filter. Sifting out little unwanted intruders like mold, bacteria, fungi, and bugs is crucial if you don’t want to be spreading these throughout your home.

Many humidifiers come with a filter, however, ultrasonic types often do not use filters as they use sound vibrations without heat to create their mist.

Nozzle

The nozzle is where your mist will be released so when purchasing your humidifier think about how you want to use your device. If you’re going to use it in a small room for personal use, having a nozzle that will spray in multiple directions might not be of importance. However, if you plan to use it in a large area, having a dual-outlet nozzle releasing in two directions might be useful.

Aromatherapy

If you enjoy scents, are interested in aromatherapy, or simply think you might want to try it to relax, investing in a humidifier that doubles as an aromatherapy device is a great idea. While the evidence isn’t yet proven by the scientific community, according to the John Hopkins study mentioned above, aromatherapy was shown to help the human body in numerous ways, aiding in moods and even mental health.

If you’re interested in aromatherapy, be sure to check the device has the capacity to incorporate essential oils.

Sound

Keep in mind how well you sleep with noise factors when selecting a humidifier so you’re not disturbed while you’re snoozing, working, or studying. Some models will certainly be quieter than others and noise will depend on which type you choose. Warm mist models are often a bit quieter, however, it’s a good idea to check the reviews ahead of time or save your receipt in case the one you purchase is too loud.

Allergy and Asthma Certification Program

The Allergy and Asthma Certification Program certifies products that meet the high standards of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This organization is a non-profit committed to finding a cure for asthma and controlling it’s symptoms for those afflicted. When looking for a humidifier, keep an eye out for this certification, and it will let you know when a device is a quality product.

Bonus Features

Many humidifiers have bonus features that can come in handy like auto-timers, special controls, nightlights, and UV-C lights. Additional features like UV-C lights can provide additional benefits like germ control and bacteria elimination while filtering the tap water through your humidifier.

Additionally, if you have a child, a nightlight might be a nice addition if they’re afraid of the dark, offering two products in one.

How to Maintain a Humidifier for Asthma Sufferers

If you suffer from asthma, buying a humidifier is only the first step, maintaining your product will further help keep your air clean and healthy.

Change Old Water

Changing out the water often will help to keep bacteria, mold, and viruses from multiplying in your home. Reusing old water will simply keep recycling dirty air and water through your home, and eventually your water will run out without refilling you tank, defeating the purpose of having a humidifier to help with asthma.

Use Distilled or Purified Water

The less mineral build-up you have in your humidifier, the cleaner your air will be, and breathing purified, clean air can help tremendously for asthma and allergy sufferers. If you can afford it or have access to distilled or purified water, this will help keep undesired additives out of your air.

Maintain the Filter

Maintaining your filter is imperative to keeping the air in your home healthy and clean to control asthma and allergies, so it’s wise keep an eye on it and change it regularly. Have a look through the instructions and see how often the company recommends to change the filter so that it doesn’t become overly dirty with build-up.

Clean the Tank

Cleaning your tank regularly can make a significant difference in the air you breath, and therefore your asthma. Before cleaning your device, check the instructions to see if it requires any specific procedure. Otherwise, you can often run water and vinegar through it to remove dirt, grime, germs and bacteria.