Top Features to Consider in a Modern Humidifier

It’s that time of the year again. The air dries up and suddenly, you wake up with nosebleeds every morning.

Scary? Sure, but you’re not alone. Millions of Canadians have been through the same pain. Fortunately, this national (and perhaps somewhat troublesome) experience can be avoided with a humidifier.

And before you decide whether to get a Dyson humidifier or one from Levoit, you should know that modern humidifiers come with a variety of features that may or may not be right for you.

If you’re unsure about what features there are, you’ll want to stick around. In this article, we’ll go through some of the top features to look out for when choosing the best humidifier for you and your loved ones.

Dual Mist Humidification

Whoever said you couldn’t have your cake and eat it too had obviously never heard of dual mist humidifiers. These humidifiers, despite being on the pricier side, are a blessing for those struggling to choose between cool mist and warm mist humidification.

Caught a cold from being out in that snowstorm that just wouldn’t let up? Simply put on cool mist humidification and feel your airway open up again. This operation mode also minimizes risks of burns, making it the perfect option for households with overly fearless toddlers and pets.

To get the best of both worlds, turn on warm mist humidification whenever you feel the need to throw an extra blanket over yourself. While you wouldn’t get the same blazing warmth as you would from a furnace or a fireplace, the warm mist produced by the humidifier can still provide a more gentle version of that coziness without sacrificing the relative humidity in your premise.

And don’t you worry about noise. Quietness is the name of the game for ultrasonic dual mist humidifiers. These humidifiers generate fine mist by vibrating its internal diaphragm at a high frequency, one that falls outside of the audible range for the human ear. If sound sleep is what you’re looking for, ultrasonic dual mist humidifiers are the way to go.

UV Light

Mold is to humidifiers as termites are to wooden structures. Humidifiers, when not properly cleaned and maintained, can become a hotbed for mold and a nightmare for the user. And just like those wood-loving pests, mold can be difficult to get rid of once it has taken root.

According to Mayo Clinic, humidifiers, once invaded by mold and bacteria, may disperse fungal spores and other allergens in its operation. And yes, you can take your humidifier apart and air its parts out every single night. Let’s face it though – nobody’s got time for that.

That’s where UV light comes into play.

Before you rush to Home Depot for a black light, just know that some humidifiers are equipped with an internal UV module for sterilization. The parts in these humidifiers are specially treated to resist the damage that UV light would otherwise cause to plastic. As far as safety is concerned, the UV light compartment tends to be tucked inside of the humidifier itself, meaning that no UV rays would be making direct contact with the user. 

The ultraviolet bulb has to be replaced every couple of months, but it’s a small price to pay for the year-round convenience and the peace of mind that these glowing microbe purgers provide.

Automatic Humidity Regulation

We all know maintaining a healthy level of humidity is the key to a comfortable home, but not everyone is a fan of waltzing around their humidifiers all day. If that sounds anything like you, you may want a humidifier with automatic humidity regulation.

These self-adjusting humidifiers often come with a built-in humidity sensor. When the humidity in the room drops below a certain threshold, they amp up their mist output, effectively raising the humidity within the vicinity.

But what’s wrong with using a regular humidifier? Surely, one that operates 24/7 can do the same job, if not better, by continuously pumping out moisture and mist. You can’t have too much of a good thing, can you?

Well, your apartment isn’t a tropical rainforest; it doesn’t need the relative humidity of one. When regular humidifiers are left running all day long, the space around them gets over-humidified, which promotes the growth of fungus like mildew and mold. Excessive moisture can also wreak havoc on certain decorative elements like wallpaper and paintwork.

Humidifiers with automatic humidity regulation ensure that the relative humidity in your house stays at your desired level at all times. This feature is especially helpful for those who spend most of their day at home, but are unable to hover over the humidifier due to household chores or work responsibilities.

What Features should I Look for in my Humidifier?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to that question. What works wonders for your next-door neighbor may not be right for you. When getting a humidifier, it’s important to consider what you and your family need and what features would best serve that purpose.

More features do not always mean better. Before deciding on your purchase, consider renting a humidifier to try out its features yourself. Sometimes, a mere week of usage can prove helpful in making a more informed decision.

With that said, we know how confusing it can be if you’re buying a humidifier for the first time. To save you the hassle, we’ve picked out a few of the best humidifiers in 2024, so you can have a merry little holiday season free of static electricity.