Humidifiers release moisture into the air, which can be beneficial for our skin, our houseplants, and—according to allergist Anjuli Mehrotra, M.D., even our sinuses. Read on to learn about the difference between humidifiers and vaporizers and how they can each benefit our sinuses. Plus, find our picks for the best humidifiers for sinus problems, with a few vaporizer options as well. “I do believe that humidifiers can be helpful for sinus symptoms that are unrelated to allergies (like sinusitis, colds, etc.), specifically for people who do not have coexisting allergies to dust mites or mold,” she says. “Humidifiers can provide some symptom relief by unblocking the nose and helping to loosen up mucus.” However, Mehrotra notes that allergy-related sinus problems can actually worsen with the use of a humidifier because humid air is a welcoming environment for allergens such as mold and dust mites. “Allergists typically recommend dehumidifiers for people suffering from dust mite or mold allergies as they can decrease the relative humidity,” she explains. “Generally, we recommend keeping humidity levels under 50% to reduce dust mite growth.” Despite having a few bells and whistles, it’s fairly straightforward. There are two buttons that let you toggle through colors and choose between two mist speeds (low and high). The brand says this machine can run for 20 hours on high and 50 hours on low, although reviews are mixed on how often it needs to be refilled with water. Reviewers generally love this humidifier, with over 4,000 ratings and 4.3 out of five stars to show it. People appreciate its straightforward design, although some say they wish the settings were more customizable and that it is a bit tricky to clean. Still, most reviewers comment on the ease of traveling with this little humidifier and many mention the positive impact it has on their sinuses. One says, “Easy way to keep sinuses happy! This is perfect for me to take on my travels to keep the hotel room comfortable and fresh.” The water-pod design means there’s no water chamber to continuously clean out, and you won’t have to worry about pollutants finding their way into your vapor. On the con side, you can’t use this device without the pods, so you’ll be re-purchasing them for as long as you plan to use the device. This humidifier also has a top-fill design that allows you to continuously fill the one-gallon water compartment while the device is still in use. The bottom has a touch panel to control the light color, mist speed, and timer. Most users comment on how quiet this humidifier is and how easy it is to clean. One writes, “All surfaces are smooth and accessible, with no hiding places for the pink and black molds that always infest our other gadgets despite frequent (fussy) cleaning. Disassembly and reassembly to clean it takes a few minutes.” Some negative feedback mentions the power light being bright, and some folks complain that the Bluetooth connectivity chip requires an additional purchase. If allergies are the cause of your sinus problems, a vaporizer may be a smarter pick than a humidifier. While humidifiers can relieve sinus-related symptoms of allergies, they can also encourage the growth of mold and dust mites in your home, which could exacerbate your allergies. Warm vs. cool mist. One 2017 study involving patients under mechanical ventilation found that warm, moist air was beneficial for loosening mucus1. However, if you’re not directly inhaling the air from the device (such as with a vaporizer), the temperature of the particles might not make a huge difference in how you experience the benefits. Safety first. Every product on our list has an auto-shutoff feature, which should be nonnegotiable when shopping for home devices like this. And, if you have children and pets in your space, it’s worthwhile to consider a tabletop-friendly humidifier that you know will be safely out of their reach. Cleaning-friendliness. Again, your humidifier needs to be cleaned regularly. Some products on our list get higher praise than others for easy cleaning, so if you’re someone who groans over washing dishes, you’ll want to pick a product that’s as low maintenance as possible.
