Is it good to have a humidifier in the bedroom?
Look here:
A humidifier can help you sleep better, much better! Dry air can give you many sleepless nights and affect your productivity at work.
But for that, you have to know how to choose a humidifier for bedroom.
When the humidity level in your home drops to extremely low levels, the air can become unhealthy and uncomfortable.
That is why you need a good humidifier for bedroom to help you sleep comfortably through the night.
This article may contain affiliate links. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What are the benefits of a humidifier in the bedroom?
Here, we are talking about bedroom humidifier benefits. And they are quite a good number.
Therefore, if you have been asking: Why do you need the best humidifier for bedroom?
The answer is that the best humidifier for bedroom can help you sleep, nourish your skin and do much more.
Dry air has the potential of drawing moisture from almost everything in the house. And from you too!
Imagine it can also draw moisture from your skin, eyes, furniture, fittings. Your respiratory system also requires moisture for it to operate optimally, thus breathing dry air puts your health at risk.
That is why you need a room humidifier when sleeping.
Naturally, our bodies react negatively to dry air. Dry air makes the skin itchy, causes lips to crack, and irritates the nose and the throat. It also makes you highly susceptible to many health risks such as asthma, sinusitis and eczema among others.
The good thing is that the best kind of humidifier in your bedroom will help.
Is it safe to leave a humidifier on all night?
Having the best room humidifier is one of the ways to tackle the problem of dry air in your home.
The best cool mist humidifier gives you a chance to breathe in moist air for several hours while sleeping. It moisturizes your body for the day ahead.
In addition, a humidifier helps in restoring your home’s humidity to optimal levels. This keeps you comfortable. It also protects you from allergies and the already mentioned health complications.
Not knowing what to look for can make shopping for a bedroom humidifier really challenging. The best humidifier for a bedroom must have a certain set of features.
These make the humidifier for bedroom reliable, safe and a great sleeping companion.
What should you look for in a humidifier for bedroom?
Looking for the best humidifier for bedroom need not be hard after the information that you will read here.
Basically, you should consider things like:
- The type of humidifier
- The noise level
- Night lights
- Moisture control mechanism
- Versatility
- The running time
- Safety features
- Ease of operation and maintenance
- Timers
- Medication cup
- Cost
1. Type of humidifier
When shopping for a unit to use in your bedroom, it is good to go for the type that will suit most of your needs. There are many types of humidifiers. Each kind of humidifier has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Here are the main available types of humidifiers that you can choose from:
Vaporizer type of humidifiers
This type of humidifiers usually comes in small, compact designs. Therefore, they are designed to be used occasionally in smaller rooms. They are portable.
They produce warm mist and are the best when you require a short-term moisture solution like when you have flu.
Courtesy of their small size, they are easy to store and maintain. In addition, they run quietly enough and they cannot distract your sleep.
Tabletop Humidifiers
These are compact, light in weight and portable type of humidifiers that are designed to temporarily humidify only one room.
Due to their small size and weight, they are very easy to move from one room to another. They are also affordable and easy to store when not in use.
They are not the best humidifier for large room, but hey, they do the job! Small humidifier is sometimes best.
Ultrasonic humidifier – best large room humidifier
Is ultrasonic humidifier good for sleeping?
Unlike conventional humidifiers where water is pushed through a wick filter before being dispersed, ultrasonic humidifiers use high frequency sound technology.
The sound vibrates the water before dispersing it with a silent fan. These types of humidifiers are best known for their near-quiet operation hence ideal for bedrooms and lounges.
The ultrasonic humidifiers are very quiet when in operation. You can be assured that you can sleep or watch your television without being disrupted by their noise.
But… note that ultrasonic humidifiers are notorious for producing humidifier white dust.
Console types of humidifiers for bedroom
Console kinds of humidifiers come in a freestanding design. This means you can place it on the floor. They come in a bigger size and thus they have more features.
In addition, their water reservoir is larger enabling them to disperse moisture over bigger areas making them ideal for bigger rooms.
However, the console humidifiers are not easily portable due to their size. Therefore, it is good to consider the size of your space when planning to buy a console humidifier.
Whole House Humidifiers
Just as their name suggests, whole house humidifiers are designed to humidify the entire home.
With such a model, you do not require to purchase multiple units for each room, which minimizes the overall operating and maintenance costs. However, they are pricier to buy and install because they require a technician.
The best of the whole house humidifiers can be integrated into the HVAC system. This can only be done by professionals, so do enough consultation before you buy it.
Warm Mist Humidifiers
These types of humidifiers humidify your room by releasing mist in form of warm vapor. They do this by boiling the water in the reservoir first before dispersing it.
They are best suited for cold areas, or when you want a relief for cold or flu. Their mist is healthier because as the water boils, it kills bacteria and other impurities in the water.
However, they tend to be a bit noisier and can be riskier when kept within small kids reach. The hot water is a hazard to kids and pets, so you have to be very particular where you place it.
Cool Mist Humidifiers
Just like their name, cool mist humidifiers operate by diffusing cool mist into the air. They are the best models for people suffering from allergies, asthma and other respiratory complications.
The reason for this is that cooler air is easier to breathe as compared to warm mist. They are also safer for kid’s bedrooms since they lack a heating mechanism.
2. The humidifier noise level
When asking: is it good to have a humidifier in your bedroom? You need to consider the noise level.
Like most mechanical appliances, you should expect some functional noise from a humidifier for large room.
However, different units have different noise levels. When looking for the best bedroom humidifier, find a quieter model whose level of noise will not disrupt your sleep.
Noise level is measured by decibels and if possible look for a model that operates at less than 35 decibels.
Some models come with a silent or night setting, which is a great addition. Ultrasonic humidifiers are best known for their quiet operation when compared to the other aforementioned models.
The warm mist humidifiers are also considered less noisy when compared to the vaporizer models.
3. Humidifier Night Lights
If you are looking for a humidifier for your kid’s bedroom, a model with night-lights could be worth considering.
Kids tend to be soothed by the gentle glow. Research says it can improve the quality of their sleep or make them feel safer.
However, if you are bothered by light while sleeping, consider a model whose level of light is adjustable. You can also consider settling for a model whose night lights can be shut completely if you find even the slightest light distracting.
4. Moisture control mechanism
The best humidifier for bedroom should have an adjustable moisture control mechanism to help you monitor and regulate the humidity of your room.
Such models come with a feature known as a humidistat. It shuts the humidifier off when the desired moisture level is achieved.
A humidistat is a very important feature in a humidifier because it ensures that the room moisture does not rise to ridiculous levels.
If the room becomes overly humid, it can become a good breeding environment for mold and mildew. Too much moisture can also cause deterioration of the paint, furniture and fittings.
If you happen to buy a model that does not have a humidistat, consider buying a hygrometer separately. It will help you monitor the moisture levels in your house.
5. Versatility of use
A majority of humidifiers are designed to add more moisture to your room. However, a number of other multi-functional models do more than just that, which is an added advantage.
Some models also double up as air purifiers, dehumidifiers and some as fans. If you value versatility or multi-season comfort, consider a multi-functional model of a humidifier.
The more functions it can play, the more you will pay for it. But then, it is never about the money. It is about whether the extra features give you the best value. And they do.
6. The running time
The overall running time of a humidifier is usually determined by its size and the size of its reservoir. Bigger models usually have longer running time since they have bigger reservoirs.
The main advantage of buying a humidifier with a larger water reservoir is the convenience. A bigger reservoir means that you do not have to keep on refilling your unit every now and then. However, this means investing in a bigger and bulkier model.
However, investing is a bigger model while your bedroom is small or medium size may not be the best idea. This is because a humidifier that is too big will only end up adding too much humidity in your bedroom making it less comfortable.
It can also contribute to creating the right environment for the growth of bacteria and mold, which are harmful to your health.
7. Humidifier safety features
The best humidifier for bedroom should be equipped with features that will ensure your safety and that of your family.
Luckily, many models in the market come with such safety features. One of those features is the automatic shut off.
a) Automatic shut off
A model with an automatic shut-off will detect when the reservoir runs of water of water and automatically shut the unit off. This protects the humidifier from any damage as well as preventing a potential fire hazard due to short-circuiting.
Other models have an indicator light that alerts you when the water is almost running out so that you can refill. In addition, a model with a semi transparent water tank is also a good option as it can help you monitor the water level.
b) Antimicrobial system
A model that features an antimicrobial system is also a great choice. Such a model has UV lights or filters. These kill bacteria and other pathogens before they are released into your air.
The other important safety feature that I have already mentioned is a built-in humidistat. This feature regulates your unit’s operation. It ensures that the right humidity level in your room is always maintained.
This in return ensures that the moisture levels do not rise to extreme levels causing damage and deterioration of the items in your home.
c) Humidifier timer
This is a very important consideration for how to choose a humidifier for bedroom.
Consider buying a humidifier with a timer if you prefer it running during the day. This ensures your bedroom is already properly humidified by the time you go to sleep.
The timer allows you to set the time you want your unit to start running. It will then turn the humidifier on automatically at the set time.
A timer ensures that your machine runs only the time that you want it to.
d) Medicine cup in humidifier
A humidifier moisturizes your air when it becomes too dry. However, you can also use it to ease some symptoms when you are feeling unwell.
Such humidifier models come with a special compartment known as a medication cup. In this special reservoir, you can add certain medications, essential oils or inhalants.
The humidifier releases these essential oils while they are inside the mist. They will help relieve your symptoms such as congestion, sore throat or itchy eyes.
Price – How much does a humidifier cost?
Cost is usually an important consideration when buying almost anything. It is not any different when buying a humidifier.
Generally, smaller humidifiers will cost you less than the bigger ones. This is because the smaller it is the fewer the features and vice versa.
Although a smaller humidifier might cost you less initially, you could end up spending more in the end. This is because the cheaper it is, the more the subsequent replacement costs.
While considering the cost, also consider the model’s mechanisms. For example, does the model use filters and how often do they require to be replaced?
Ensure if it does require any major replacements, they are not too costly and they are easily available in the market.
Wrapping Up
Is it good to have a humidifier in the bedroom and what is the best type for you? It is obvious, you need to compare humidifiers before ordering one.
Now that you have seen the most important things to consider for how to choose a humidifier for bedroom, get one.
Whether you need a small or a large room humidifier for sleeping, there is one for you, under your budget too.
