Humidifiers

Here at Sylvane, we get a lot of questions asking what humidifiers are and how they work. At its most basic level, a humidifier adds moisture to indoor air and increases your room's humidity level. For those who ask, are humidifiers good for allergies? They most definitely are. Using a humidifier helps fight colds and allergies, itchy eyes, dry skin, a scratchy throat, and respiratory problems, which are all symptoms aggravated by low humidity. Humidifiers also help prevent damage to your home and belongings, protecting wood floors and furniture from cracks and eliminating uncomfortable static electricity. If you live in a drier climate, a humidifier is a must-have to help you maintain a more comfortable indoor space year-round. Whether you're looking for a tabletop humidifier to keep your bedroom more comfortable or a whole-house model to treat your entire home during wintry temperatures, we have a model that works for you.

As you shop for a humidifier, consider the size of your space, the features you'd like, and the type of humidifying technology you prefer. Our Humidifier Buying Guide is a great starting point for finding out how humidifiers work and how to choose the best humidifier for you. Also, take a moment to look at some common questions about humidifiers.

What’s the Difference Between Cool Mist vs. Warm Mist Humidifiers?

Cool-mist humidifiers blanket your space with a refreshing cool mist that's ideal for day-to-day comfort. They are great for homes with children where heated water may be a concern. Other benefits of cool mist units include:

• Because the water is not heated before it is dispersed, these humidifiers typically use less electricity.
• They use either an internal wick filter to absorb water while a fan blows the air through the filter or, in the case of ultrasonic humidifiers, use ultrasonic vibration to create a micro-fine mist that is quietly released into your environment.
• Typically, they are able to humidify larger areas than warm mist models.

On the other hand, warm mist humidifiers use an internal heating element that boils water before releasing it into your environment. Customers choose warm mist options because:

• They’re often considered healthier since the boiling process kills waterborne bacteria and mold, which prevents them from entering the air you breathe.
• The absence of an internal fan makes warm mist humidifiers exceptionally quiet to operate.
• Because they release warm moisture, many people have found these humidifiers to be more comfortable to use during the cold winter months.

For more information about cool vs. warm mist humidifiers, check out our helpful article.

Common Questions About Humidifiers

Whether you’re looking to find out why you need a humidifier, the ideal humidity level you should maintain, how to find the right humidifier size, or tips about maintenance, take a look at some Frequently Asked Questions about Humidifiers. It’s a great resource for helping you understand how humidifiers work, how to choose from the range of types, and what to expect in terms of operation and maintenance.

Our Brands

For multi-room and whole house humidifiers, we recommend AIRCARE Humidifiers by Essick Air or Aprilaire.

If you’re looking for quiet and ultrasonic humidifiers, then you’ll want to consider Stadler Form, Boneco, or Honeywell humidifiers.

For humidifying smaller and medium-sized rooms, choose Vornado or Sunpentown models.