Many people confuse an air purifier with a humidifier, even though they are two completely different devices that solve different problems. In this article, we explain the difference so you know exactly which device suits your situation.
What does an air purifier do?
An air purifier draws in air and filters it through one or more filters, usually a pre-filter, a carbon filter, and a HEPA filter. The device captures fine particulate matter, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, bacteria, and sometimes even viruses. The humidity in the room does not change as a result; only the amount of pollution and particles in the air decreases. An air purifier is especially useful for allergy symptoms, in homes with pets, along busy roads, or in cities with a lot of fine dust.
What does a humidifier do?
A humidifier, on the other hand, adds moisture to the air. This is useful in winter, when the heating makes the air in the house very dry. Many people notice that dry air can contribute to a sore throat, dry skin, or dry eyes. A humidifier increases the relative humidity, but it does not filter fine dust, pollen, or other pollution out of the air. It therefore solves a different problem than an air purifier.
What about a dehumidifier?
To avoid confusion: a dehumidifier does the opposite of a humidifier. This device actually removes moisture from the air, which is useful in damp areas such as a basement, a bathroom without ventilation, or when drying laundry indoors. Too much moisture in the house can contribute to a musty smell and an environment in which mold is more likely to grow. At Dynter, we sell air purifiers and dehumidifiers, but not humidifiers. This article is intended to provide you with honest guidance, even if that means you need to look elsewhere for a humidifier.
Which device suits your issue?
To determine which device you need, it is helpful to look at the issue you want to resolve:
- Suffering from dust, pollen, pet dander, or unpleasant odors: an air purifier is the logical choice.
- Dry skin, sore throat, or static electricity in the winter: a humidifier may offer a solution.
- Damp walls, condensation on windows, or a musty smell due to excess moisture: a dehumidifier is more appropriate.
- Combination of complaints: some households use both an air purifier and a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on the season.
Our advice
Are you unsure whether you are primarily suffering from polluted air or dry air? Pay attention to the following: fine dust, pollen, and pet dander are often invisible to the naked eye, whereas dry air is usually noticeable on your skin, throat, or eyes. For filtering fine dust, pollen, bacteria, and viruses, we recommend the Dynter AirPure Plus PA244. This device works with a HEPA13 filter that filters up to 99.97% of fine dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and even microplastics from the air, suitable for rooms up to 55m2 and with a noise level starting from 28dB on the lowest setting.
If you are suffering from dry air, then a separate humidifier is the right choice, which we do not currently sell. In that case, check out our range of air purifiers and dehumidifiers to see if there is a solution for your situation among them.