When poor air quality harms your health, the best defensive way is to filter the air and control the humidity level. But who has room for several bulky machines in every room of the house? Thankfully, there is a solution. We have found the best air purifier and humidifier combination units available today.
Allergy sufferers know – air quality can make or break your day. The result is the same, whether it is a high pollen count or some sort of environmental toxin (smoke from increasingly frequent forest fires is a good example).
The poor air quality will cause a scratchy throat, itchy eyes, crackling lungs, and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, environmental pollution is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths worldwide every year.
Protect your health and that of your family by utilizing tools that control air quality in your space. We have searched for the best air purifier and humidifier combo on Amazon and Walmart, and found five great options. Any of the products on our list will increase your comfort several times over.
How Humidity Relates to Health
A rough guideline for human comfort is somewhere between 30-60% when it comes to humidity. Keeping your home consistently within this level makes everyone less prone to seasonal infections and illnesses. Humidified air is more easily breathed and reduces dry skin, sore throat, and congestion. These benefits combined are likely to improve sleep quality, too!
Proper humidity levels are especially important for people who suffer from asthma. Asthma attacks are dangerous, scary, and painful. Asthma is when the inside walls of the body’s airways are chronically sore and swollen.
When exposed to environmental irritants, they become even more swollen when these sensitive passages are exposed to environmental irritants. This limits the body’s ability to take in enough oxygen, and the “attack” is when a person is struggling to breathe.
Humidifiers help because moist air tends to relax the lungs and improve breathing. Humidity is also a natural air purifier. The water droplets can bind with environmental irritants and keep them low to the ground, rather than continually circulating in the space. In contrast, really dry air can spark irritation of the nerves in the lungs. That exacerbates inflammation and constricts the airways.
Benefits of Using an Air Purifier
There are plenty of benefits of using an air purifier, whether or not you suffer from allergies or asthma. It is simply a healthy habit that can reduce stress on your lungs and airways, not to mention your eyes.
If you have a condition aggravated by polluted air, running an air purifier will reduce your symptoms significantly. There are also benefits of an air purifier for babies because infants have much smaller airways and can get congested easily.
You can tell by examining a shaft of sunlight that dust is floating in the air at all times. And every time you walk through a room, more dust, and other pollutants are stirred up.
Running an air purifier greatly reduces the amount you end up breathing in. Even if you don’t have an allergic reaction, your body does work hard to prevent airborne pollutants from causing internal harm.
Finding the Best Air Purifier and Humidifier Combo
No matter where you live, managing the air quality in your home can relieve many painful symptoms. It’s great to purchase a product that can humidify and clean the air at once to save money and effort.
There are some important features to consider, however. We’ll break them down below.
Filter
There are five commonly-used methods of air purification. For reference, they are basic and HEPA filters, ionizers, electrostatic filters, activated carbon filters, and UV lights. Stick with us after the reviews for more in-depth information about each type.
If you are looking for the safest air purifier for babies, it is best to avoid an ionizer. These can bother some people, and babies have such small air passages that it’s better not to risk it.
CADR rating
Most air purifiers will report a CADR rating. This stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate, and it demonstrates what level of harmful particles can be removed from the air by the machine. Put another way; CADR tells you how fast the unit can clean the air within a specified area.
CADR is reported in cubic feet per minute and typically refers to a cleaner’s ability to manage pollen, smoke, and dust. These are pollutants that are small in size and particularly irritating to humans. The better the CADR rating on any given air purifier, the faster and more effectively it can improve your breathing.
Coverage
Each unit is rated to work ideally in spaces up to a certain size. Smaller products can work well in a bedroom or bathroom. At the same time, you will probably need a larger unit to properly purify and humidify an open concept living room and kitchen.
The chances are high that you’ll need more than one humidifier/purifier combo to cover the entire home.
Noise level
Some air purifier humidifier combo units make low “white” noise, while others can be quite noisy. If you are bothered by noise in general, be sure to read the user reviews on any product you consider.
Some units start quiet but are prone to developing rattles in the fan assembly as time goes on.
Efficiency
To lower your operating costs, make sure to choose a model that features the Energy Star logo, meaning that the unit adheres to strict energy efficiency criteria set by the US Environmental Protection Agency or the US Department of Energy. This saves your wallet and the environment at the same time.
Best Air Purifier and Humidifier Combo – Product Reviews
There are many benefits to using an air purifier and humidifier for babies, parents, grandparents, and single people. Let’s look at some products that can help you feel better at home, no matter the pollen count or air quality outside.
Following are in-depth air purifier humidifier reviews for each product, based on reports from real users.
SHARP KC850U PlasmaCluster Air Purifier Humidifier for Home Office Smokers Allergies and Pet Hair, 254 Square Feet
- Excels at: Air purifying
- Water tank capacity: One gallon
- Effective area: 254 square feet
- Dimensions: 14.9 x 10.5 x 23.1 inches
- Weight: 20.5 pounds
- Warranty: One year
If air purification is your priority, this Sharp air purifier and humidifier may fit the bill. It features the exclusive patented PlasmaCluster, an ionizer that eliminates microscopic pollutants that are not caught by traditional filters. But this unit has one of those, as well, in the form of a HEPA filter to catch all of the larger particles.
But the Sharp doesn’t stop there. It also contains a pre-filter containing activated charcoal to trap dust before it reaches the HEPA filter and remove odors from the air passing through. Given that the HEPA filter alone can remove about 99% of particles sized 0.3 microns or larger, this triple filtration system is top of the line.
The operation of this purifier/humidifier combo is a breeze. Multiple settings control the fan speed and light brightness, but you can also simply set it for auto operation. In this mode, the fan speed automatically toggles up and down based on the detected level of impurities in the air.
Cleaning is also relatively simple with a quick clean mode. Ongoing operating costs are low as the original HEPA filter can work for up to five years before it needs to be replaced. This unit has received the Energy Star rating in terms of power needs.
PROS
- Air filter can run independently of the humidifier
- The original filter lasts for 5 years
- Responsive sensor adjusts the fan speed depending on the pollution level
CONS
- The water tank may need to be refilled frequently
- No way to adjust the humidity level
- Signal lights on the unit can disturb very light sleepers.
KLARSTEIN Monaco • Ultrasonic Humidifier – Ionizer – Air Purifier
- Excels at: Humidifying
- Water tank capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Effective area: 430 square feet
- Dimensions: 7.7 x 8.9 x 13.2 inches
- Weight: 4.21 pounds
- Warranty: One year
Monaco uses ultrasonic waves to transform water into a fine mist that floats throughout the space rather than immediately settling on furniture and carpets. It also has dual mist nozzles that can be rotated to the optimal position for your room. This product works almost silently and has an intelligent feature that automatically adjusts to the room’s conditions.
Though humidifying is the primary function of this machine, it also removes dust, pollen, and other pollutants from the air with an antibacterial filter. To go a bit further, you can choose to engage the advanced ionizer, which breaks down the molecules that cause odors and removes them from the air.
There are three power levels and an optional blue LED light in the roomy 1.6-gallon water tank for mood lighting. A convenient remote control makes setting this unit simple and practically effortless. Operating costs are low as the included charcoal filter can be rinsed and reused several times. Weighing in at less than five pounds, this model could serve as a great desktop air purifier and humidifier, too.
PROS
- Air filter and humidifier can run independently
- Intelligent function adjusts to room conditions
- Easy to set up and use
CONS
- It can be challenging to refill the water tank
- Not all lights can be dimmed; they may be disruptive to light sleepers
- Humidity level readout may not reflect the entire room
Dreval D-950 Air Purifier True HEPA Filter Humidifier UV Light Negative Ion Generator Combo
- Excels at: Air purifying
- Water tank capacity: Unknown; small
- Effective area: 430 square feet
- Dimensions: 23.9 x 16 x 9.7 inches
- Weight: 17.5 pounds
- Warranty: Two years
The air purification system on this Dreval product has an astonishing 7 stages. There are four types of filters: cold catalyst, activated carbon, true HEPA, and antimicrobial filter. Beyond that, the unit features a UV light, an ionizer, and an ultrasonic humidifier.
This product also contains an odor sensor, which reads the breathing quality of the air and uses a 3-color system to report it. Red indicates poor air, orange is normal, and green is excellent. The fan’s speed is automatically toggled up when air quality is poor.
Combining these features ensures that up to 99.99% of airborne pollutants will be removed from your space. You need never worry about bacteria, gaseous chemicals, VOCs, viruses, mold, dust, or pollen when your Dreval is running.
Users report the extremely quiet operation and a large effective area of 430 square feet. The included remote control makes it easy to toggle settings from across the room. But because there are many different features to utilize, there is a bit of a learning curve to using this machine.
Another common complaint is the size of the water tank – it’s on the small side as air purification is the unit’s primary function. We were unable to verify the exact capacity of the tank; it does not appear in the user manual for the product. However, users suggest that it will be necessary to change the water a couple of times per day if the air is dry.
One other thing to consider with this humidifier/purifier is the usage cost. Many of the filters will need to be replaced often, so be ready for that expense to keep the unit running.
PROS
- Powerful air filtration with a 7-stage system
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Comes with a remote control
CONS
- Higher maintenance costs for replacement parts
- Relatively small water tank
- Display lights are bright and sometimes flash
Oreck WK15500B Air Refresh 2-in-1 Hepa Air Purifier & Ultrasonic Humidifier for Small Rooms
- Excels at: Toss-up
- Water tank capacity: One gallon
- Effective area: 115 square feet
- Dimensions: 10 x 10.5 x 29 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Warranty: Two years
Oreck does a good job of providing a humidifier/purifier combo unit that performs both functions well. With this product, you have the choice to run just the humidifier, just the purifier, or both together. It may be the best baby air purifier because it does both jobs and does not contain an ionizer, which can bother some people.
The humidifier’s tank holds a gallon of water – not a huge amount but not impossibly small, either. It uses ultrasonic sound waves to release a fine, cool mist. You will also love the built-in humidistat that senses the room’s relative humidity. The vapor automatically switches on or off as needed to maintain your preferred moisture level.
The purification process relies on two stages, a charcoal filter for odors and a HEPA media filter to catch and retain 99% of airborne pollutants. Each filter will need to be replaced eventually, but the unit has a digital readout to let you know when to change one or both.
This product is ideal for use in smaller rooms. It contains technology to keep the sound level down, so it should not disturb even light sleepers in bedrooms or nurseries. Asleep mode is provided that dims all lights and keeps the fan running on low.
PROS
- Uses both HEPA and charcoal filters for powerful air purification
- Sleep mode function dims lights and reduces operating sound
- Built-in humidistat to control humidity levels
CONS
- Can be noisy at high speed
- Only works in relatively small rooms
- No automatic adjustment sensor
Venta LW25 Airwasher 2-in-1 Humidifier and Air Purifier
- Excels at: Humidifying
- Water tank capacity: Two gallons
- Effective area: 400 square feet
- Dimensions: 11.8 x 13 x 11.8 inches
- Weight: 8.5 pounds
- Warranty: Ten years
The Venta LW25 is a solid humidifier that also purifies the air. It holds an ample two gallons of water per tank and can properly humidify large rooms up to 400 square feet. There is no filter in the design, however. It could be a great choice for people whose primary concern is moisture and who can be bothered by purifiers that create ozone.
The large two-gallon tank features a water level indicator and shuts off automatically when it runs dry. The purification method relies on a series of rotating discs that repeatedly dip into the water tank. The wet discs are said to catch airborne pollutants in the environmental air blown across them. The particles remain behind while moist air is vented and then wash off the discs as they dip back into the water.
Debris, therefore, collects in the water tank, which needs to be cleaned regularly. The manufacturer recommends a branded ammonia solution for this purpose. Some users have complained that the cleaning requires more effort than they prefer.
Other than the ammonia solution, there aren’t any replacement parts to buy, and the operating cost is pretty low. But it’s important to note that the level of air purification is also less than other units on our list. It could be best used in conjunction with other types of air cleansing.
PROS
- Energy efficient with no filters to replace
- Large two-gallon water tank
- Ideal for larger rooms
CONS
- Humidifies better than it purifies
- May develop a ticking noise with long-term use
- Cleaning is time-consuming and requires an ammonia solution.
Air Purifier And Humidifier Combo Buying Guide
We have talked about combination units that both purify the air and add humidity. You may be wondering: Can you use an air purifier and humidifier together? The answer is yes if you have the space for multiple machines.
When looking for a humidifier and air purifier combo, one thing to remember is that no dual-purpose machine will work as well for both purposes as a machine dedicated to one purpose. If you feel like you need both humidification and purification in equal measure, it might be better to buy one of each type of machine.
However, most people will consider one or the other functions as a “bonus” that supports the primary need. If air purification is your main concern, choose a combo unit with a smaller tank but multiple layers of filtration.
If excessively dry air is the biggest problem in your space, you can look for a combo unit with a larger water tank and more basic filtration. But if you have plenty of floor or desk space available, you can certainly run a humidifier and air purifier in the same room.
Connection Between Pollen and Environmental Pollution
The World Allergy Organization reports that between 10-40% of the world’s population experiences pollen allergies.
Allergy diagnoses have increased steadily in recent years, and scientists have long suspected that this rising incidence is connected to air pollution. Though research continues, we know that the interaction of pollen, pollution, and weather in the environment can increase the length of each allergy season.
So while you might think of pollen allergies as being more troubling in rural areas with lots of plants, the opposite is true. Urban centers tend to report greater levels of hay fever because the vehicle and industrial emissions create something called photochemical smog. This pollution hovers overhead and keeps pollen lurking at ground level, which is breathed continually by humans.
Another way to describe man-made pollution is ozone, which forms when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically with sunlight.
Hovering around ground level, ozone is a dangerous air pollutant. It continually experiences chemical reactions that change its protein structure, making it more likely to bond with nitrogen dioxide. This potent combo is known to significantly irritate the human immune system.
Conclusion
Environmental pollution is everywhere and pretty much impossible to avoid. However, there is a lot you can do to treat the air quality in your home. When you find the right balance of cleansing the air and introducing humidity, breathing becomes easier, and all of that uncomfortable itchiness and soreness eases.
Of course, every case of allergies is different, and you may still need to consult a doctor for advice on the right medication and diet to control your symptoms. But as soon as you start running the best air purifier and humidifier combo unit for your particular needs, you will notice a huge improvement. Order today and get ready to experience relief!
