Air humidifier rating

Dry indoor air is often one of the reasons for feeling unwell. A person often sneezes, nasal congestion, headaches and cough appear, insomnia torments. An air humidifier, which is available at any home appliance store, can help cope with the problem. However, buying the first available device of the lowest price is not the best option. First, you should familiarize yourself with the highest quality models.

Humidifiers are climatic equipment, in the process of work, spraying water vapor into the environment, thereby improving the humidity indicators.

Air humidifiers are of three types.

A device of this type works by means of ultrasound - it converts water into "cold steam". The maximum achievable humidity is more than 70%, which is suitable for moisturizing flowers and other plants. With the help of a hygrostat, it is possible to independently adjust the indicator for each specific case. The clear advantages of the models are quiet operation, low weight, compactness, mobility. A significant disadvantage of such humidifiers is that their operation requires high quality water (distilled or well-filtered), otherwise internal filters will often have to be replaced, which is quite costly.

This device works in a similar way to a kettle: water is poured into a container, it heats up, after which it boils, the resulting steam comes out through the corresponding holes, humidifying the air. Steam devices do not impose increased requirements on the water to be poured, they are characterized by high power, quickly and efficiently increase the humidity in the room. In addition, the internal structure does not imply the presence of all kinds of cartridges and filters, so there is no need to replace them.

Their functioning is based on natural cool evaporation. That is why they are often called "cold" type humidifiers. The bowl of the device is internally divided into two compartments, there is also a vertical filter there., part of which is located in the lower sump, protected from water, and the second - in the place where it is directly poured. After entering the liquid, the filter is completely impregnated with it, evaporation occurs, and the steam is extracted outside by means of a fan also located there.

The advantages of such units are economical electricity consumption (up to 60 W), simple maintenance, which consists only in rinsing the internal filter no more than twice a week, a moderately achieved level of moisture (no more than 60%), which does not allow the room to be overcooled.

In this case, too, there were some drawbacks. First of all, this is low power, which does not allow humidifying the room quite quickly, and the noise level, often reaching 40 dB. But the last problem is easily solved - you just need to activate the night mode.

Let's start our review of the best humidifiers with Russian equipment.

The appearance of this ultrasonic humidifier is admirable: drop-shaped body, matte surface, backlit at night. The container holds up to 4 liters of water, while its consumption is 350 mg / h. The unit is capable of servicing rooms up to 35 sq. m. Power - 20 watts.

Advantages:

• almost silent;
• stylish;
• high performance.

Disadvantages:

• short power cord;
• at maximum spraying speed, a puddle appears on the surface.

Another unusual type of ultrasonic humidifier is in the shape of Mickey Mouse. This model is perfect for a nursery up to 20 sq. m. Security is organized at the highest level: no sharp protruding parts, isolation of vibrating elements, blocking of switching on in the absence of water. Price - up to 5,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• quiet;
• economical;
• lasting;
• there is a flavoring.

Disadvantages:

• scale forms quickly;
• not very convenient to pour water.

This unit is a quality product of a Russian-Ukrainian company. Power - 24 W, service area - 30 sq. m, tank capacity - 6 liters. However, the tank is not very convenient to fill - it will have to be turned over each time. Electronic control allows you to adjust the evaporation rate, fan speed, and enable the pre-cleaning option.

Advantages:

• stylish design;
• affordable cost;
• simple controls.

This trade mark positions itself as foreign, although it has Russian roots. The presented ultrasound model is very simple but functional. Power - 30 W, water consumption - 250 ml / h, tank volume - 5 liters, with appropriate filling, it can work up to 20 hours. The unit is equipped with aromatizing and ionizing modules, the latter being bipolar, that is, saturating the air with both positively and negatively charged particles, making the air "natural".

Advantages:

• low noise level;
• functionality;
• low price.

Disadvantages:

• difficult to clean the tank;
• unsightly design.

A very decent humidifier of the "cold" type, which supports the functions of ozonation, aromatization, ionization. The design includes a module responsible for 3-stage air purification. The water being poured does not need to be pre-filtered - the unit will cope with it itself. There are no cartridges and filters in this humidifier, so you will not have to spend money on replacing and cleaning them, as well as for increased electricity rates, since the device is quite economical. The device does not differ in noiselessness, but it is worth noting that this sound is not annoying. The price is about 6,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• ease of maintenance and operation;
• durability;
• functionality;
• profitability.

Ultrasonic humidifier with stylish black and white design. Touch control allows you to adjust the intensity of the steam supply, and the built-in automatic shutdown option will turn off the unit if the water runs out and the user is not near.

Advantages:

• economical;
• can work continuously throughout the day;
• water is easy to fill and the tank is easy to clean.

Disadvantages:

• does not determine the level of humidity;
• darkened body material makes it difficult to determine the amount of liquid in the tank;
• backlight brightness is not adjustable.

Consider which foreign-made humidifiers are worthy of attention.

The Chinese company has recently been popular for its high-quality products. The specified model of the humidifier has a plastic case, behind which is a UV lamp that disinfects water, and a sprinkler. Filtered water must be poured into the tank, since water purification by the manufacturer is not provided. The volume of a tank of 5 liters is enough to humidify the air in a room up to 20 sq. m. At the same time, it can work without additional manipulations for up to 24 hours. The appearance of the humidifier matches the design of all other devices manufactured by the brand. Price - 4000-5000 rubles.

Advantages:

• high-quality assembly;
• economical water consumption;
• nice design.

Stylish ultrasonic humidifier from an Italian brand. Has built-in modules such as hydrostat, demineralizer. The latter allows you to use even running water, however, the cleaning filter will have to be changed due to scale. Vibration during operation of the device does not occur, so it can be placed on any surface. The tank allows you to fill in 5 liters of liquid, which is enough to humidify rooms up to 30 sq. m. Outside the case, there is a rather large display and easy-to-press buttons that allow you to adjust the temperature and delay the start. The price is about 7,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• silent;
• reliable;
• multifunctional.

One of the best steam humidifiers from a German brand. Able to serve residential and industrial premises up to 50 sq. m. Not very energy efficient, the maximum power is 380 W. But the result of moisturizing will not be long in coming - the humidity will rise almost immediately. There is no need for pre-filtration of the liquid to be poured - the device has a powerful cleaner. Price - 5500-6000 rubles.

Advantages:

• stylish design;
• convenient electronic panel;
• efficiency;
• speed and quality of humidification.

Disadvantages:

• large dimensions and weight;
• uneconomical water consumption.

A good humidifier, ideal for the home. Service area - 50 sq. m, tank volume - 5 l, flow rate - 450 ml / h. It has 7 humidification modes, an option of automatic shutdown if the desired humidity is reached. Thanks to the ionization function, the air is not only humidified, but also purified.

Advantages:

• determines and shows the percentage of moisture;
• nice backlight that can be turned off;
• fast work.

Disadvantages:

• sometimes condensation appears;
• filling the tank is not very easy;
• inconvenient control panel.

Unusual in appearance and at the same time high quality steam humidifier. Able to serve premises up to 40 sq. m, it works without human intervention for a long time, since the water consumption is minimal. The internal mechanisms are practically not covered with plaque, and the scale is very easy to clean. Notify that the water is running out. The price is 10,000-11,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• low noise;
• powerful;
• stylish;
• forms sterile vapor.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• high power consumption.

A budget humidifier does not differ in size - its tank holds 2.5 liters of water, but this is quite enough for a daily 2-hour humidification of rooms in an apartment or house. The original and neat appearance organically fits into the interior of any style. Operation control is carried out by means of mechanical control. Inexpensive humidifiers, as a rule, are used for their intended purpose and do not support additional functions. In this case, an aromatic capsule is built into the device, which fills the room with pleasant and healthy aromas by means of poured oils. Price - up to 2000 rubles.

Advantages:

• no replaceable filters;
• affordable price;
• clear and simple control.

There are a huge number of high-quality air humidifiers from foreign companies, not all models were included in our top - we will at least give their names:

• Stadler Form Jack J-020/021;
• Electrolux EHU-5515D;
• Polaris PUH 5206Di;
• Boneco Air-O-Swiss S450;
• Boneco W2055DR;
• Venta LW 45;
• Sinbo SAH 6111;
• Leberg LH-206;
• FIRST AUSTRIA FA-5599-5.

Purchasing a humidifier necessarily in some cases.

1. With frequent heater operation. In this case, the air is very dry, despite the fact that the manufacturers in every possible way assure that this will not happen when using their device. But the fact remains - these devices significantly reduce the level of moisture.
2. In large rooms, where the average temperature is +25 degrees and above. These include utility rooms, basements, warehouses and other places with poor ventilation. These are ordinary city apartments with plastic double-glazed windows. Unlike wooden ones, when closed, they practically do not allow air to pass through, disrupting its natural circulation. When there is no way to open the window (especially in winter), a humidifier will help to save the situation.
3. If there are objects in the room that are sensitive to moisture levels. These are musical instruments, paintings, stamp collections, envelopes and other antiques. Humidifiers in this case will help not only in maintaining an optimal microclimate (in galleries, wardrobe rooms, museums and other places), but also in the transportation of products.
4. If people live in an apartment or house, whose health condition is negatively affected by dry air. These medical indications apply to infants, age groups of the population, people with allergies, chronic ailments, bronchitis, etc. In this case, it is desirable that the device has additional functions, for example, it would simultaneously be an air cleaner.

This parameter shows how much water the humidifier can evaporate per hour of operation. However, the high-quality functioning of the device will depend not so much on performance as on how much it corresponds to the square of the room. So, for humidification 10 sq. m of space, you will need a device with an indicator of 100 ml / h.

Respectively:

• productivity of 200 ml / h is enough for a room of 20 sq. m;
• 300 ml / h - for 30 sq. m;
• 350 ml / h - for 40 sq. m;
• 400 ml / h - for 50 sq. m;
• 450 ml / h - for 60 sq. m;
• 500 ml / h - for 70 sq. m and so on.

Large capacity allows the humidifier to work for a long time without additional maintenance. Usually, manufacturers supply their devices with tanks, the full volume of which is enough for 7-8 hours of continuous operation.

The values ​​of this indicator are directly related to the type of construction, as well as to its technical equipment.So, multifunctional devices (with ozonation, aromatization, ionization and various built-in electronic modules) require more power, that is, the power consumption when using them will be higher.

The most economical are the "cold" type climatic units - their power does not exceed 30 W (for rooms with an area of ​​not more than 50 sq. M.). In second place are ultrasonic models that consume from 15 to 150 watts. Steam varieties are the most "voracious": their power sometimes reaches 500 W, while it is not less than 130 W.

Due to their small size, air humidifiers can be placed on a table, cabinet, window sill, hung on the wall, while maintaining a useful area and without disturbing the harmony of the interior. But in this case it will not be a pure humidifier, but its combination, for example, with a purifier.

Management can be:

• mechanical;
• electronic (push-button).

The first type implies the presence of a rotary switch, it decreases or increases the force of the air flow. Night mode, timer, various automatic programs are not provided in the devices, therefore, you will have to control the amount of water in the tank, turn on and off the equipment yourself. For this reason, such humidifiers belong to the budget category, which cannot be said about electronic varieties. They have all kinds of built-in modules that greatly simplify the operation of the device and increase its functionality.

Outside, the body of the device is equipped with an electronic panel that allows you to set the desired parameters and select modes. In addition, there is also an indication - signal icons that notify the user about possible malfunctions and problems. The most common ones are:

• humidity indication (hygrometer) - an important option that determines the percentage of absolute humidity;
• temperature indication - available only in steam humidifiers, shows whether the water has warmed up enough;
• filter replacement indication - indicates that the cartridge is clogged or broken, and it is time to replace it with a new one;
• tank empty indication - notifies that the water in the tank will soon run out.

Apartment air humidifiers are not large-sized climatic complexes, but they are still capable of supporting some important functions. Here are the most necessary ones, for which it is not so scary to overpay:

• hygrostat - allows you to maintain a given level of humidity, available only in automatic humidifiers;
• night mode - the device will operate with a reduced noise level, which will not interfere with sleep and rest of household members, can only be built into systems that can work for a long time without human intervention;
• backlight - it is needed so that in the dark you do not accidentally overturn the device, if necessary, it can always be turned off (for example, during sleep);
• timer - allows you to set the shutdown time, which is very convenient when there is no one to do it, and long-term humidification is not required;
• automatic change of modes - allows the device to switch independently in case of reaching the required level of humidity or air quality (in models with purification);
• ozonation - allows you to refresh the air in the room by saturating it with ozone, however, this gas in high concentrations is harmful, so you should not use this function around the clock;
• aroma - with its help, the air is not only humidified, but also enriched with all kinds of aromas, which, by the way, can have a beneficial effect on health, but it should be understood that staying in a room saturated with odors can lead to a deterioration in well-being, in particular, to severe headaches ;
• an ionizer - with its help, the number of negatively charged ions in the air increases, which effectively purify the air, but their exceeded concentration does not bring benefit;
• antibacterial protection - disinfects the air, removing viruses and bacteria from it, it can be implemented in the form of special elements in the mechanism or spraying on working surfaces;
• water heating - increases the temperature of the liquid poured into the container, which increases the safety of the device operation, because the use of hot water leads to breakdown of the internal components of the device;
• protection against limescale - this function prolongs the life of the humidifier, as it prevents various particles that are present in tap water from settling on its functional parts.

As for the external design, it all depends on the personal preferences of the user. Manufacturers today produce options of various colors, shapes - it remains only to organically fit it into the environment.

Analyzing user reviews, we can come to the conclusion that the most inexpensive devices are devices that humidify the air using ultrasound, but periodically you will have to spend money on replacing filters and cartridges, but these costs are not so significant.

Steam humidifiers are the most powerful and fastest, but they are not always safe, so it is better not to use them in apartments. The best place for them is all kinds of office and utility rooms.

Traditional types are slightly more expensive than ultrasonic ones and are not as efficient as steam ones. However, the maintenance is the most comfortable and economical, therefore it will be an excellent option for long-term use in urban living quarters.

See the following video for the top 5 inexpensive air humidifiers.