Humidifier Vs. Vaporizer: What Is the Difference?

There has always been confusion with people knowing the difference between humidifier vs. vaporizer.

However, there is a clear difference between both devices, and we will be discussing them in this article.

A humidifier is an electrical device that helps to increase the moisture of a particular room or an entire building. On the other hand, A vaporizer is a device that produces steam or converts liquid into a vapor that you can inhale. 

In medicine, a vaporizer is used to convert liquid medicine into vapor for easy inhalation.

There are various types of vaporizers, as there are also multiple types of humidifiers. We’ll be taking each aspect separately for proper elaboration.

Let’s begin with what types of humidifiers there are. 

Types of humidifiers 

• Impeller humidifier: This is also called “cool mist humidifier,” a child-friendly humidifier. This bad boy requires little energy to cover a large area. The downside, however, is that they may produce much noise and attract bacteria around their filter.
• Central humidifier: This is also known as a “whole-home humidification system.” It’s installed directly into the existing High-Velocity Air Condition system (HVAC) to moisturize the home evenly.
• Steam humidifiers: These are portable units that are readily available in local drugstores. They can cause burns; therefore, care is necessary when in use.
• Ultrasonic humidifier: This is a single unit that moisturizes the air using high-frequency sound vibration. These sound vibrations produce an extra-fine mist that gives your home a great feel.
• Evaporator humidifier: Ever thought of how boiling water evaporates and adds moisture to the air? – that’s how it works. This is a single unit that is placed in a single room to moisturize it. It is significantly small and meant for tiny spaces. 

Humidifiers are used in the field of medicine and also in homes. However, let’s take a look at the benefits of humidifiers generally. 

Benefits of humidifiers 

• Making a cough more productive: A productive cough is such that it releases trapped and sticky mucus from the respiratory organ. For example, an individual may get a dry and unproductive cough due to dry air. However, when Humidity is added into the air, more moisture gets into the airways, making the dry cough productive.
• Keeps the skin and hair moist: Many electrical devices introduce hot air in houses and offices during winter. This hot air could result in dry and itchy skin and hair. However, adding moisture into the indoor air using humidifiers could help reduce the occurrence of dry hair, skin, and cracked lips.
• Reduces snoring: This sleep activity occurs when the air is dry and a person’s airways are less lubricated. Adding humidity to the air at night by introducing humidifiers can help reduce snoring.
• Prevents influenza: When the humidity level of an environment is above 40 percent, it deactivates virus particles, making them less infectious. Humidifiers, therefore, are more likely to reduce the risk of flu infection. 

One big concern that may have crossed your mind is if there are no risk factors with humidifiers. The following points answer these questions. 

Risk factors of humidifiers

• Cool mist from humidifiers is likely to release poisonous minerals that could harm the lungs. 
• Dirty humidifiers could release dangerous particles that may lead to problems in the respiratory organs. 
• The warm mist from humidifiers could burn kids if they attempt to touch them.
• Excess humidity in an environment may pose a significant threat. 

Essential practices to consider when using humidifiers 

• Clean your humidifier regularly.
• Constantly change the water in the humidifier.
• Pour only purified or distilled water that lacks minerals into the humidifier.
• Always stick to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Be cautious when making use of humidifiers around kids. 

Now let’s go on to vaporizers and see what it entails. 

Types of Vaporizer 

There are three different types of vaporizers, and they include the following:

1. Portable vaporizers: As the name connotes, they can be hand-held and light in weight. These vaporizers come with an in-built rechargeable battery and can be used on the go and anywhere.
2. Standard vaporizers: These are also referred to as “Box Vaporizers” or “Whip-Style Vaporizers.” They specifically make use of a ceramic heating element and require the user to inhale through the tubing. 
3. Force-air vaporizer: These vaporizers are powered by connecting them to an electric socket outlet. They make use of an internal fan that propels hot air over a particular area.

Let’s quickly take a look at the benefits of vaporizers. 

Benefits of Vaporizers 

• Irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat can be minimized when proper humidification is achieved using a vaporizer. 
• The heat from the steam of a vaporizer provides extra comfort to a sick person by giving warmth. 
• There is significant relief from a blocked chest that causes cough when the vaporizer releases the moisture of its steam. 

It’s important to know that as beneficial as vaporizers are, they also come with some side effects.

Here is a list of some of the side effects of excess and improper use of vaporizers. 

Side effects of vaporizers 

Improper use of a vaporizer can trigger the following side effects:

• Headache
• Cough
• Mouth and throat irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Worsen asthma and other lung diseases
• Now let’s compare Humidifiers with vaporizers

Differences between humidifiers and vaporizers

While it’s easy to get how humidifiers vs. vaporizers work confused, there are some notable differences, and they include:

• Humidifiers are used in a single room or entire building when the air is cold and dry, while vaporizers are used when the climate is hot. 
• Humidifiers release cold vapor, while vaporizers emit hot vapors. 
• The water in humidifiers is not heated, while vaporizers get heated. 
• Since humidifiers don’t boil their water for use, there is a high chance of breeding bacteria or mold. At the same time, with vaporizers, there are minimal chances of the spread of bacteria and heat since its water is constantly heated. 
• Humidifiers are rather costly, while vaporizers are very pocket-friendly. 
• Humidifiers produce much noise when in use, while vaporizers produce less noise. 
• Humidifiers do not need any external attachment to function, while vaporizers give room for the accommodation of inhalants to facilitate proper breathing. 
• Humidifiers are suitable for kids’ rooms, while vaporizers are not due to the excess heat it produces.
• Humidifiers increase the moisture content in the room, while vaporizers do the opposite.
• Humidifiers produce water vapors, while vaporizers produce steam. 

Do you believe that there are some similarities between the humidifier vs. vaporizer? Why don’t you join me in reviewing these similarities?. 

Similarities between Humidifier vs. Vaporizer

• Both Humidifiers and Vaporizers prevent the compounding of static electricity.
• They both combat excess dryness.
• These devices help to reduce discomfort accompanied by dry noses and skin. 
• They help prevent infants and young children from developing breathing complications, which is commonly known as sleep apnea. 
• Humidifiers vs. vaporizers can also help in eradicating signs of allergies. 

You now know that, as much as there are dissimilarities between humidifiers vs. vaporizers, both devices also share a few things in common. 

Takeaway

Both humidifiers and vaporizers play critical roles in making a home comfortable.

So when thinking of the best way to keep your home warm and welcoming, be it in winter or summer, you have no worries because you have humidifiers and vaporizers. 

However, don’t forget that both devices have side effects you need to consider before deciding which one to settle for.