Best Humidifiers for Asthma and Allergies | A COMPLETE Guide
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Many people suffer from Asthma where they face difficulty in breathing and in some instances, shortness of breath and coughing.
This is because the airways get narrow and swell, producing extra mucus.
While there is no cure for this disease, its symptoms can be controlled.
For some, asthma is just a minor nuisance, whereas for others this might be so severe that it is life-threatening.
Asthma brings with it very diverse allergies, which can often occur together - the same particles from grass, dust, mites, dander of animals, mold, etc, can trigger allergic reactions AND asthmatic symptoms!
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Often, these substances are found in our homes and if left untreated could affect your health and the health of your loved ones as well.
So what can you do?
A humidifier can help, not only to regulate the level of moisture in the air that you breathe but also remove the allergens causing symptoms of asthma and allergic reactions.
The 5 Best Humidifiers for Asthma & Allergies:
With so many different types of humidifiers available in the market, it can become quite challenging to choose the most suitable humidifier for your needs.
To help you reduce the confusion, we have meticulously sieved though and selected the best humidifiers for asthma and allergies available in the market:
Best Overall | Second Best | Third Best | Fourth Best | Fifth Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Header |   |   |   |   |   |
Cell | Honeywell HCM-350 | TaoTronics TT-AH018 | AIRCARE MA0800 | Venta LW25 Airwasher | Homech HM-AH001 |
Price | |||||
Humidification | Evaporative/ Cool Mist | Warm & Cool Mist | Evaporative | Evaporative | Ultrasonic/ Cool Mist |
Coverage | N/A | 200-450 sq. ft | 2600 sq. ft | 400 sq. ft | 100-320 sq. ft |
Tank Capacity | 1 gal | 1.45 gal | 2.5 gal | 2 gal | 1.06 gal |
Measures Humidity | Hygrometer required | Yes | Yes | Hygrometer required | Hygrometer required |
Low Water Indicator | No | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Auto Shutdown | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#1 Honeywell HCM350W Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier
Honeywell | HCM350W Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier
At the top of the list is a humidifier liked by many - Honeywell's Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier is easily one of the best humidifier for asthma and allergies.
This humidifier has a capillary filter to get rid of any impurities in the water - of which can contain allergens that cause allergic reactions.
Their patented germ-killing UV technology also eliminates almost all the bacteria, molds, and other microorganisms.
Coupled with being an evaporative humidifier (no white dust is produced), you are given an entirely germ-free cool mist.
This is great for dry skin and eyes, and soothing a scratching throat
We've found this humidifier to be very effective in a medium-sized room, lasting a full day on 2 gallons of water, meaning you will only have to fill it twice daily.
However, you might have to replace the filter from time to time (although that won ‘t put a dent in your wallet).
The humidifier also doesn’t come with an automatic shutdown feature, so, you’ll have to keep an eye on the water level as the humidifier will damage itself if it’s low on water.
Thankfully, the tank is very easy to clean. Its handle makes lifting simple, and it is safe for dishwashers.
All of this is of great convenience.
#2 TaoTronics TT-AH018 Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier
TaoTronics | TT-AH018
Next, we have the TaoTronics TT-AH018.
The first thing worth considering is how wide of an area it can humidify.
With a maximum run-time of 45 straight hours and covering up to 450 ft², the TT-AH018 has plenty of capacity for bedrooms, kitchens, and workshop garages.
Not to mention, the great thing about most modern humidifiers is that they allow you to choose how much moisture to spread into the air.
The TT-AH018 has three speeds that release between 60 and 300 mL of water per hour, which make this humidifier the best option for small to medium sized rooms.
Secondly are its precise controls.
By pushing a few buttons, you can configure the device to automatically shut down when the room reaches a relative humidity of anywhere between 40% and 95% at 5% increments.
It goes without saying that having full-control over how a humidifier performs contributes greatly to our comfort.
Next, one of the greatest things about the TT_AH018 is that it comes with an optional temperature control feature.
A built-in heater warms the mist as it blasts out of the nozzle, warming up the room to a toasty temperature during the winter.
This device has three heating options: 104°F, 122°F, and 140°F.
Please keep children away from this humidifier when the heater is activated. Thankfully, the unit has heat protection and a toppling sensor to prevent dry burns and spills.
The unit's low-water sensors will also hit the kill switch when their reservoirs are low on water.
#3 AIRCARE MA0800 Console Style Evaporative Humidifier
AIRCARE | MA0800 Console Style Evaporative Humidifier
Next we have the AirCare MA0800 Digital Whole-House Humidifier.
The humidifier possess digital controls and an auto-humidistat for automatic regulation.
This smart device will adjust its fan speed and turn itself off at the right humidity level, making your breathing more comfortable.
This automatic shutdown feature will also activate when the 2.5 gal tank gets empty.
This beast also has a massive coverage of 2600 square feet - you can use this one for the entire house! Together with its latest technology, this humidifier will keep dander, allergens, and other microbes away from you.
If you’re impressed by the features, do note that the filters can be costly - which you have to replace every 2 to 3 months.
We also found refilling its tank to be troublesome at times, as the awkwardly placed refill area/cover was not the most compatible with normal bath tubs or bath room sink faucets.
However, this is overall a work horse of a humidifier that you should definitely consider to alleviate any breathing and respiratory issues.
This device does the job and is ideal for those suffering from asthma, flu, or any allergies.
#4 Venta LW25 Airwasher, 2-in-1 Humidifier and Air Purifier
Venta | LW25 Airwasher
Venta's LW25 Airwasher is a high-performance humidifier that humidifies and purifies the air simultaneously.
Its two-gallon tank can easily humidify areas of up to 400 square feet.
Dust, pollen, and harmful particles get stuck in the rotating disk, thereby getting trapped in water.
This feature was comforting to have, and because it does not use any filters, any additional costs for replacing filters were eliminated.
One can also add the essential oils for relief from clogged nasals - a feature that we didn't use regularly, but was helpful for some users.
This is another powerhouse humidifier that helps in maintaining the health of asthma patients and those having allergies.
#5 Homech Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier (HM-AH001)
Homech | HM-AH001
Holding a 4 liter (1 gallon) water tank, this unit can run all night without refilling.
Convenient handle is great making moving it around easy to carry.
The handle lets you easily take out, refill and put the water tank back in.
Automatically dries its fog pipe to prevent mold buildup. This humidifier is designed to keep drying its fog pipe for 3 minutes after the device stops producing mist.
High-capacity tabletop humidifier that’s perfect for plants. A great choice for plant owners who want to make sure their leafy friends are never thirsty.
Simple design makes it easy to clean. It’s easy to reach inside the water tank to scrub it through and through.
Uses air filters, which need to be replaced every once in a while. Homech's Cool Mist Humidifiers come with an air filter and a replacement one. If you like these humidifiers, consider buying the air filters in bulk as you will have to replace them over time!
No nightlight option means it’s fiddly to use during night. What is a common feature in other humidifiers is completely absent in Homech Cool Mist.
Buying Guide: Best Humidifiers for Asthma and Allergies
Below mentioned are some of the important things you should keep in mind while purchasing a Humidifier.
a) Who is going to use the Humidifier?
First and foremost, who will be using the humidifier?
This is important because the best humidifiers for adults may not be beneficial to small babies or toddlers and vice versa.
When you are buying for children and animals, warm-mist is a strict no as it can be hazardous to them.
Instead, go for the ones that make them feel comfortable.
b) Is the ‘purification of air’ what you are looking for?
If you are uncompromising on the types of people entering your home or are ultra-careful with the vacuuming and dusting, then this point might be irrelevant to you.
However, if you are unable to do the dusting regularly or your house is open for the guest who wears very strong perfume or smoke then you need a humidifier having a feature of an air purifier.
c) Types of humidifiers
When it comes to the types of the humidifiers, there are three – cool mist, warm mist, and dual mist (ultrasonic) humidifiers.
Warm Mist Humidifiers
These kind of humidifiers increases the room temperature by boiling the water in it, thus converting it into steam.
This can be quite useful when the humidity and temperature needs to be maintained accurately, and is especially helpful in cases when it is paired with central heating or air.
These are the ones you should get for winters as it is easier to breathe in the warm air. Plus, the warm mist kills the microbes in the water.
However, some pediatricians do not recommend warm mist humidifiers if the children are around due to safety issues.
Cool Mist Humidifiers
As for cool mist humidifiers, they work differently usually possess a fan, wick system or a rotating disk to disperse mist into the air. Those encompassing ultrasonic frequencies vibrate water into smaller molecules.
They decrease the room temperature either by evaporating water or by using impellers to convert water into tiny drops which the air takes up.
Dual Mist Humidifiers
The third type is the one which is capable of producing both cool and warm mist.
Therefore, you can use them all year long.
However, unlike the warm mist humidifiers, it does not boil water, making the vapors generally less warm than the warm mist ones.
d) Level of humidity for asthma and allergies
Having a humidifier which can measure the humidity is a very important requirement.
The humidity indoors should be kept somewhere between 30 to 50 percent. For summer, it should be less than 60 percent, and 20 to 40 percent in winter.
Furthermore, the ideal humidity level should not be higher, as it may lead to the air being heavier, and should not be lower, as it can lead to a dry throat and sinus, both resulting in a severe attack.
Some humidifiers have a built-in hygrometer which can measure the humidity levels, and some come with a humidistat for the regulation of humidity levels. Humidifiers with these features are a huge bonus for me!
If not, you will need to buy a hygrometer separately.
e) Which area of the home needs a humidifier?
Are you looking forward to a humidifier that can work in a particular room or a whole house?
Well, there are options available in the market that can satisfy both the requirements.
Just check whether the humidifier can handle the space (square feet) required.
Also, apart from the area, do consider that the coverage area would need to be greater if there are ceilings higher than 8 to 9 feet.
f) Fighting Germs
People suffering from asthma need clean and pure air as they are more prone to respiratory infections.
For tackling this issue, go for the humidifiers that have a feature called germ-fighting. Honeywell's HCM-350 has this feature which fights and kills about 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria.
g) Maintenance
This is the most important and unavoidable requirement when using a humidifier for asthma patients.
When the cleaning is taken care of regularly, the humidifiers plays a significant role in controlling asthma.
If your humidifier is not cleaned regularly, bacteria, spores, and moles start to accumulate which can be released along with the moisture in the air.
This may trigger asthma attacks or allergic reactions.
Hence, along with regular cleaning with a hydrogen-peroxide solution, make sure no stagnant water sits in the tank for a long time. Ensure that water is changed daily.
Distilled and low mineral content water should be used to avoid bacterial growth, and any filters should be changed regularly.
Bottom Line - Best Humidifiers for Asthma and Allergies
There are several humidifiers available in the market, each with their own unique features.
If you are a first-time buyer and have someone suffering from asthma or allergies at home, we strongly recommend Honeywell's HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier. It's the one of the best humidifiers for asthma and allergies.
It does the job to disperse moisture back in the air to soothes the airways and make breathing easier, which is beneficial for asthma suffers.
However, if you are a first-time buyer and have someone suffering from asthma or allergies at home, a good alternative is the TaoTronics TT-AH018 Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier.
Though it does not come with a hygrometer, it provides all the features that it claims. Also, it is a very good humidifier when it comes to allergens and asthma sufferers.
Lastly, it is recommended that you consult a doctor before buying a humidifier to know the specific humidity rate required for the asthma patients, as each device is developed to cater to different individual needs.
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