Dry air can potentially cause skin and respiratory system irritation. Whether you live in a dry climate or the air in your home dries out when you are running the heat in winter, it is important to understand the humidifier benefits while keeping your home comfortable and your air properly balanced. That’s where a home humidifier comes into play.

There are two main types of humidifiers: cool mist humidifiers and warm mist humidifiers. A warm mist humidifier works by heating the water in the tank to create steam. This is a pretty straightforward approach and particularly appealing in cold weather.

Meanwhile, cold mist humidifiers use either evaporation or sound vibration. The evaporative humidifier increases the speed and scale of evaporation with a wick filter and a fan to draw and disperse moisture. The ultrasonic humidifier uses ultrasonic (high-frequency sound) vibrations to turn the water into mist, which may seem like a noisy design, but it’s not. The ultrasonic vibrations are too high for the human ear, and the machines are actually quieter than the evaporative model thanks to the lack of a fan.

The best humidifier for your needs will depend on the amount of air space you want to humidify, what kinds of temperatures you are dealing with and whether there are children or pets in the area. For example, if you want a room humidifier on while you sleep, you should look into the best humidifier for a bedroom.

A warm mist humidifier is great for cold weather. If choosing a cool mist humidifier, the decision between an evaporative humidifier and an ultrasonic one often comes down to capacity and noise. Evaporative coolers can achieve a greater capacity, making them a good choice if you need to humidify your entire house. If you want something quiet, go ultrasonic.

If your air humidifier uses a filter, make sure to change it regularly to keep your air cleaner. You can also improve the air in your home by investing in an air purifier to remove pollution particles and common allergens like pollen and dander. If you are looking for a machine that actively cools your home while increasing humidity, you might enjoy an evaporative cooler.