Diffuser vs Humidifier: Cons, Prons, Functions
I’ve had my fair share of diffusers and humidifiers. I still have an oil flask from my bubblegum-flavored diffuser and a cute kitty-shaped humidifier somewhere in the drawer. Both were quite enjoyable, but the question is: what is better?
This article will help you choose the winner in the grand diffuser vs humidifier battle.
Humidifier vs diffuser: what’s the difference?
Both devices aim to improve the air quality. If you live in the area with cold winter months or use an air conditioner often, you have dry air. Dry air is quite bad for the health.
Humidifiers and diffusers deal with dry air in different ways, and that’s the main difference.
A humidifier takes in only water and releases vapor.
A diffuser takes in water and a few drops of essential oils to release aroma.
Thus if you seek more moisture and no added scents, choose a humidifier. If you seek nice scents and only a relative humidity level, use a diffuser.
Now we’ll look at each device separately and in the end, you’ll see a more detailed comparison.
About humidifiers
At the base, a humidifier is a water tank with an outlet for the vapor.
Humidifiers, as you can guess from the name, make the air moist, and more breathable.
Types of Humidifiers
There are several kinds of humidifiers, each with its advantages. For the article, we won’t say too much about each kind.
Ultrasonic Humidifier
Ultrasonic humidifiers use a vibrating part to release moisture into the air. The vibrations create water droplets and expel them into the room.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are energy efficient, easy to clean and quiet. Though they’re a bit more expensive compared to later entries.
Cool Mist Humidifier
The main stick with cool mist humidifiers is the ability to increase the moisture and humidity in a room without raising the temperature. That’s why they’re so cold and cool.
They’re best suited for warmer climates.
Warm mist humidifier
Warm mist humidifiers exist for work in cold climates. These humidifiers use a heating element to heat the water and turn it into water vapor. Heat also helps fight bacteria and makes water pure.
While being a bit less energy efficient compared to the cold counterpart, warm humidifiers fight bacteria and germs better because heating destroys them. Warm air also holds increased humidity.
What are the benefits of humidifiers?
Here are the perks of having a humidifier:
- Help deal with seasonal allergies.
- Raise the quality of air by humidifying it.
- Fortify the immune system.
- Treat cold and flu symptoms.
- Treat dry skin, by making skin softer and healthier.
Also, humidifiers are safe for children and can even help when you have asthma.
About diffusers
An oil diffuser is an electronic device that transforms essential oils into mist, thus filling the room with various scents.
Diffusers, unlike humidifiers, take in not just water, but essential oils as well, offering substantial benefits to your mind and body while creating an inviting atmosphere for you and those in your home.
Types Of Diffusers
Diffusers are also not the same. They are quite diverse, as depending on the technology the oil is diffused differently, creating a unique aroma for each device.
These devices have various ways of diffusing essential oils, from heat to pressurized air. Let’s see how these diffusers work.
Ultrasonic Diffusers
Ultrasonic diffusers break down the oil into fine particles with vibration. These particles then mix with steam and fly into the air.
Ultrasonic diffusers create little to no sound and are good all-around devices.
Heat diffusers
Heat diffusers heat the essential oils until they are evaporated into the air. They go well with thicker essential oils, as heat breaks them down into vapor easily.
Heat diffusers can change the composition of essential oils, as some of them change when evaporating from heat. So not every essential oil goes well for them.
Evaporative essential oil diffusers
An evaporative essential oil diffuser uses a fan to evaporate the oil. The essential oil soaks into an absorbent material, for example, a pad. Then the wind flows through the pad, releasing the oil into the air.
An evaporative essential oil diffuser is a bit louder than most because of the fan.
Some evaporative diffusers are not electronic: they’re just glass jars filled with aromatized liquid. Little sticks in the jar spread aroma by absorbing and evaporation the liquid.
Natural wood essential oil diffusers
By adding essential oils into a wooden flask, you can experience natural aromatherapy. The wood will absorb the oil giving off the aroma slowly over time. You won’t need any electricity at all! Quite convenient.
Unfortunately, the aroma is not so strong, and the vapor comes out much slower.
Diffuser benefits
Here are the main benefits of diffusers:
- Essential oils fill the home with a comforting aroma.
- Aroma diffuser improves the quality of air, and reduce fungal and bacterial presence.
- People living in good air don’t have a scratchy throat and have better health overall.
Humidifier vs Diffuser
As you can see now, both devices aim to improve the air.
Humidifiers can add moisture, and oil diffusers fill the room with nice scents.
Let’s look at their differences in a more detailed manner. Keep in mind that we compare both devices in general.
| Feature | Humidifier | Diffuser |
| Main function | Raising relative humidity level. | Aromatizing the room. |
| Aroma | No aroma. | You can add essential oils and fill the room with their aroma. |
| Size | Some can take liters of water and so work for long hours without refilling. | Usually small, not bigger than 300 ml. |
| Cleaning | Usually harder to clean, especially if instead of distilled water you use tap water. | Usually easier to clean. |
| Price | It’s a bit more expensive on average. | Cheaper on average, especially if you use non-electrical diffusers. |
| Interchangeability | It’s not advised to add essential oil into a humidifier, as it can lead to break. | You may use only water for diffusers as if you had a real humidifier. |
FAQs
Now you know what to expect from most diffusers and most humidifiers. Is there anything else you want to know?
Which is better humidifier or diffuser?
Both excel at fighting with dry air by emitting a fine mist.
The diffuser will add fragrance to the air, and a humidifier is all-water vapor with a bigger tank.
What are the negatives of a diffuser?
It has a smaller tank and so not as good at adding moisture compared to a humidifier.
Do diffusers decrease air quality?
Diffusers usually improve the quality of air. In rare cases, when there’s no ventilation, oil particles can build up in the air, decreasing its quality.
Do diffusers clean air?
No, diffusers don’t clean the air. They only dispel aroma particles, making the air more pleasant.
Can a diffuser be used as a humidifier?
Yes, the diffuser can add moisture to the air like a humidifier. Just don’t expect too much. Humidifiers are doing a much better job at making air moist, cause humidifiers have bigger tanks.
Can I put essential oils in my humidifier?
No. Essential oils have no place in a humidifier. The device is not made to break down oils. This could result in filter breakdown or failure.
It’s a draw!
In the grand battle of a diffuser vs humidifier, there’s no clear winner. Each device has its pros and cons.
Choose whatever suits your needs more!
Greetings, readers! I’m Sandra Wells, an air purification expert dedicated to helping you achieve a cleaner and fresher living space. Stay tuned for practical tips and insights to enhance your air quality. Click here to read more about our team.
