Humidifier vs Vaporizer: What's the Difference and Which Is Safer?
Humidifier vs vaporizer: a vaporizer boils water into steam, a humidifier makes cool mist. Burn risk, white dust, power, cleaning and which suits children and colds.
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A vaporizer boils water and releases steam; a cool mist humidifier releases a mist made from cool water, or evaporates water from a wick, without heating it. EPA groups vaporizers with "warm mist" humidifiers as steam vaporizers. Both add moisture to the air, but the vaporizer's hot water and steam can cause burns, which is why CHOP cites the American Academy of Pediatrics in recommending a cool mist humidifier for children.
The vaporizer's advantage is that boiling leaves minerals behind, so EPA does not expect steam units to spread white dust. For most homes, and any home with young children, choose a cool mist humidifier such as the Honeywell HCM-350. Note that the words are used loosely: MedlinePlus, for example, refers to cool-mist humidifiers as vaporizers, so check how a product actually works before you buy.
Humidifier vs vaporizer at a glance
| Cool mist humidifier | Vaporizer (steam) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Ultrasonic vibration, an impeller, or evaporation from a wick | An electric heating element or electrodes heat water to steam (EPA) |
| Burn risk | None from the water | Steam and boiling water may cause burns (EPA) |
| Children | Recommended by the AAP, per CHOP | Keep out of reach of children (EPA) |
| White dust | Ultrasonic and impeller: yes with tap water; evaporative: not expected | Not expected (EPA) |
| Power | Low | Higher, to boil water |
| Cleaning | Daily refill, clean every third day (EPA) | The same, plus descaling the heater |
Difference 1: how they make moisture
EPA describes steam vaporizers as creating steam by heating water with an electrical heating element or electrodes, and says warm mist humidifiers are a type of steam vaporizer. Cool mist humidifiers come in three types EPA describes: ultrasonic (cool mist from ultrasonic vibrations), impeller (a high-speed rotating disk) and evaporative (a fan blowing air through a wet wick, belt or filter).
Difference 2: burns
This is the main reason pediatric guidance prefers humidifiers. CHOP says vaporizers can burn a child who gets too close to the steam or who knocks over a unit holding hot water, and cites the AAP's recommendation of a cool mist humidifier. MedlinePlus also says warm-mist units can cause burns if someone gets too close and recommends cool mist, especially for children. EPA says to keep steam vaporizers out of children's reach. Pets and anyone unsteady on their feet are at risk too.
Difference 3: minerals and white dust
Boiling leaves dissolved minerals in the heating chamber, so EPA says steam vaporizers are not expected to disperse substantial amounts of minerals. Ultrasonic and impeller humidifiers, by contrast, are very efficient at dispersing tap-water minerals, EPA says, which can settle as white dust. Evaporative humidifiers, like vaporizers, keep minerals out of the air. So if white dust is your concern, an evaporative humidifier solves it without the burn risk. See ultrasonic vs evaporative.
Difference 4: running cost
Heating water takes far more electricity than vibrating or evaporating it. For comparison, Levoit rates its cool mist Classic 200 at 24 watts, and Vornado says its evaporative EVDC500 can run on as little as 1 watt. A vaporizer's heating element draws more than either while it runs.
Difference 5: cleaning
Boiling does not sterilize the reservoir between uses. EPA's routine for every portable humidifier, steam or cool, is to empty, dry and refill daily and clean every third day. Vaporizers also collect scale on the heating element, which needs regular descaling as the maker directs. See humidifier mold prevention.
For colds and congestion
MedlinePlus says a humidifier can help relieve a stuffy nose and loosen mucus, and recommends the cool mist type. Neither device treats an illness, and the moisture they add is the same water vapor. For a sick child, follow your pediatrician's advice. See humidifiers for sinus relief.
Our picks
| Humidifier | Type | Heated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honeywell HCM-350 | Evaporative | No | Children's rooms; no white dust |
| Vornado EVDC500 | Evaporative | No | Larger rooms; low power |
| Pure Enrichment MistAire | Ultrasonic | No | Small rooms with distilled water |
| Levoit LV600S | Ultrasonic, warm or cool | Optional | Adults who want warm mist |
Who should buy which
- A cool mist humidifier for any home with children or pets, for nurseries, and for anyone who wants lower running costs. See baby humidifier safety.
- A vaporizer or warm mist unit only for adults, placed where it cannot be knocked over, if you prefer warm output.
- An evaporative humidifier if you want no white dust and no burn risk. See the best humidifiers and cool mist vs warm mist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a humidifier and a vaporizer?
A vaporizer heats water to steam; EPA groups it with warm mist humidifiers as a steam vaporizer. A cool mist humidifier makes mist with ultrasonic vibration, an impeller or evaporation, without heating.
Is a vaporizer or humidifier better for a baby?
A cool mist humidifier. CHOP cites the American Academy of Pediatrics in recommending cool mist for children, because vaporizers can burn a child who gets too close or knocks one over.
Do vaporizers leave white dust?
EPA says steam vaporizers are not expected to disperse substantial amounts of minerals. Ultrasonic and impeller humidifiers are the types that spread white dust from tap water.
Is a vaporizer better for a cold?
Both add the same water vapor. MedlinePlus says a humidifier can help relieve a stuffy nose and recommends the cool mist type, especially for children.
Does a vaporizer kill germs in the water?
Boiling heats the water, but the reservoir still needs cleaning. EPA advises emptying and refilling every portable unit daily and cleaning it every third day.
Why do some brands call cool mist humidifiers vaporizers?
The terms are used loosely. MedlinePlus, for example, refers to cool-mist humidifiers as vaporizers. Check whether a product heats water before you buy it.
Sources
- Use and Care of Home Humidifiers, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Vaporizer or Humidifier: Which Is Best?, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Humidifiers and health, MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Classic 200 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier user manual, Levoit
- EVDC500 Energy Smart Evaporative Humidifier, Vornado
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