Humidifier VS Aroma Diffuser:What’s the difference？

Humidifier VS Aroma Diffuser： What’s the difference？

Introduction

You want to improve the ambiance of your indoor setup. Two products come into your mind: humidifier and aroma diffuser.

Which one should you buy between the two?

Both aroma diffusers and humidifiers have a therapeutic impact in the room. However, there are not the same.

In this guide, we are going to break down the differences between humidifiers and aroma diffusers.

Image source The Spruce

What is a humidifier?

A humidifier is a device that is used to add humidity to the air. The main function of this device is to make the air more comfortable.

Humidifiers are used in large buildings and in living rooms. They can help you have a comfortable environment in your home.

Generally, humidifiers are installed in bathrooms or foyers. They are also called purifiers because they can remove harmful gases from the room and make it feel more comfortable.

The basic function of a humidifier is to add moisture to the air. This helps people with respiratory problems like asthma, allergies, or dry skin.

The most common type of humidifier is steam-based, but there are also other types such as ultrasonic and ultrasonic mist-based devices for example Ultrasonic Humidifier, Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier.

How does a humidifier work?

Some humidifiers work by adding water vapor into the air. Water vapor is an invisible gas that is released when water gets hot and evaporates. The steam that comes out of a humidifier uses the evaporated water to add moisture to the air.

These devices are usually installed in bathrooms, foyers, and other places where people spend most of their time. They can also be used in rooms where people spend time during the day such as offices and bedrooms.

Most humidifiers use ultrasonic technology to generate steam which is then dispersed into the room’s air by a fan or vortex. Humidifiers also come in form of ionization as well as mist-based technologies as well.

What is an aroma diffuser?

An aroma diffuser is a small device that is used to diffuse essential oils into the air.

Diffusers are typically used in the bathroom, bedroom, or office to produce a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

Essential oils used in aroma diffusers can create a more positive mood in the user.

People who suffer from anxiety are able to use them to relieve their symptoms by inhaling the essential oils into their lungs.

How does an aroma diffuser work?

A typical aroma diffuser works by heating water and then passing it through a fan that disperses the steam into the air.

The water is heated by an electric heating element that is usually located in the bottom of the diffuser.

The water is then passed through a mesh screen in order to separate the essential oils from any impurities.

Essential oils are then sprayed into the air using an atomizer which creates tiny droplets of essential oil that are dispersed into the air by a fan.

This method works by creating tiny pockets of vapor which are then distributed throughout the room by a fan or vortex.

Differences between humidifier vs aroma diffuser

Now that you know what the two devices are let’s dissect the key differences between them.

Purpose: Humidifier vs aroma diffuser

First of all, the two are designed to achieve different purposes.

The main purpose of a humidifier is to add moisture in the air. This is important in order to prevent a dry environment for a better ambiance and to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

On the other hand, the main function of an aroma diffuser is to inject a particular fragrance in the room. Let’s say you want your room to smell like a forest. You can use an aroma diffuser to create this effect.

Method of working: humidifier vs aroma diffuser

The two have different working mechanisms. A humidifier uses water to raise the level of humidity in a room. The working mechanism entails adding water to the room through an appliance.

The working mechanism of an aroma diffuser is a bit different. It uses essential oils and oil mixtures to create the desired effect. The essential oils are put into the device and are then released into the air when heated by a fan or heater.

Size: humidifier vs aroma diffuser

Even though both devices come in various sizes, there are some differences between them their respective sizes.

The size of a humidifier is usually determined by its purpose and it can be small or large depending on the quantity of water required to be added into the room.

On the other hand, an aroma diffuser is designed with different sizes depending on its purpose. However, most diffusers are generally smaller than humidifiers.

Price and cost of running

The price and even the cost of running will always depend on the specifications of the individual products.

What does this mean?

Well, some humidifiers are cheaper than some aroma diffusers and also some diffusers are cheaper than some humidifiers.

So, it will be unfair to assume that one type is more expensive or cheaper than the other.

The same rule applies to the running cost of these products.

To be safe, it will be prudent to check out the specs of each product that you want to buy.

Also, buy from affordable manufacturers.

Ingredients: humidifiers vs aroma diffusers

Water is the main ingredient in humidifiers. It is used for the purpose of humidifying the air.

However, you can add other ingredients such as essential oils to the water. It can help in the delivery of aromas to the air.

It has other ingredients such as essential oils, salt, and crystals that are used for delivering aromas to the air. However, this is done on very rare occasions. Otherwise, the primary goal is always to add water content to the air.(increase humidity)

On the other hand, aroma diffusers contain essential oils or aromatic compounds in them like citronella oil, lemongrass oil or lavender oil, etc. Aroma diffusers are also filled with water but it is not the only ingredient in it.

They help to refresh and refresh the air with their scent by diffusing it throughout the room with a fan running continuously.

Types: Humidifiers vs aroma diffusers

We can also break down the differences between humidifiers and aroma diffusers based on their types.

Image source Honeywell Plugged In

Types of humidifiers

The main types of humidifiers include:

-Warm mist diffuser: This type is designed to boil water which will produce steam. This way, it will increase the humidity of the room. The humidity will be warm due to the use of vapor.

-Cool mist humidifier: Here, a rotating disc is designed to break down water into tiny droplets. They are then dispersed across the room raising the humidity.

-Evaporative humidifier: This type of humidifier is designed to absorb water from the air. The water is then boiled in order to produce steam. This way, the room will be filled with moisture.

-Ultrasonic humidifier: This type of humidifier uses ultrasonic waves to absorb moisture from the air.

Types of aroma diffusers

-Evaporative aroma diffusers: In this type, water is evaporated by the heat of a lamp. Then, the scented oil will be added. This way, it will be dispersed in the room through the air.

-Ultrasonic aroma diffusers: In this type, ultrasonic waves are used to break down water and essential oil into tiny droplets. These droplets are then dispersed in a room.

-Nebuliser aroma diffuser: Probably the most popular type in the market. It works by diffusing essential oil into the air through a nebulizer.

Benefits: Humidifiers vs aroma diffusers

We can also compare the pros of using the two products.

Pros of humidifiers

-Help to cope with the effects of dry weather, one of which is low humidity

-Can alleviate various health infections associated with low humidity such as dry skin

-Ideal for use in bedrooms, living rooms, and children’s rooms

Pros of aroma diffusers

-Can be used in any room, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms

-They can be operated at night without disturbing anybody

-It is easy to operate and clean

-Introduce pleasant scents to the room

-You are free to select different fragrances for the diffuser

-Come in different sizes and designs, some are even portable.

What are the similarities between Diffusers and humidifiers?

Despite the numerous differences, there are some similarities between these two devices.

First, do you know that a humidifier can be used as a diffuser? This is possible if you are using an ultrasonic humidifier.

All you have to do is add your favorite essential oil to the humidifier.

You will not only have humid air but also a special fragrance added to it.

Similarly, your aroma diffuser can also serve as a humidifier. This is possible if you are using a nebulizing aroma diffuser. It can disperse droplets of water and essential oil in the air hence improving humidity.

Another similarity between humidifiers and aroma diffusers is based on where to place them. Both are targetted devices, so you should install them at strategic positions where you would like to feel the maximum impact.

For instance, if you feel that your room is dry, you will place the humidifier in that room. The same principle works with the diffuser. Place it in your bedroom or bathroom where you want to improve the air quality.

Things to look for when buying humidifier and aroma diffuser

Whether it is an aroma diffuser or a humidifier that you want to buy, there are certain common things that you should always look out for. They include:

-The capacity of the device: The capacity of the device can determine how long you can use it. Ideally, you should buy a device that is large enough to be able to humidify a room of about 100 square feet.

-The material used: The material that is used in the manufacturing of the humidifier or diffuser is another thing that you should look out for. If you are buying a humidifier, make sure it is made from quality materials such as plastic or glass. If it is made from stainless steel, then it will be durable and easy to clean.

-The warranty: A good brand will always provide a warranty on their products which means that they will replace parts if they get damaged during normal use.

-The design: The design of the device is also important. You should always opt for a device that is easy to clean and maintain. Also, it should have some features such as adjustable air output and timer.

-The price: The price of the diffuser or humidifier you are buying should be reasonable. It is best to go for brands that have a reasonable price but still provide quality products.

-Ease of use: It is essential that any product you are going to buy will be easy to use so that you can start using it immediately after buying it. This will ensure that you do not waste money on something that does not work well or makes noise when in use.

-How safe the product is: Before buying any diffuser or humidifier, make sure they are all safe and suitable in terms of materials used and construction method. Humidifiers and diffusers with fake components can be dangerous when used by people, especially children.

Humidifier vs aroma diffuser: Which one should I buy?

There are many different types of humidifiers and diffusers out there. The only difference between them is their purpose in the home. A humidifier is a device that is used to increase the humidity levels in the air or rooms while diffusers are used to diffuse essential oils into the air. Aromatherapy has become a popular trend lately and the most common type of diffuser you’ll see people using these days is an aroma diffuser.

The best way to choose between humidifiers and diffusers would be to consider your needs first before buying one for yourself. If you want the device for general health purposes then you should opt for a humidifier as it will provide you with much more benefits when compared with just adding moisture into your air.

However, if you’re looking for an aromatherapy device that will help improve your mood by creating a calmer atmosphere in your home then go ahead and buy yourself an aroma diffuser.

Conclusion

I hope you now know the differences between aroma diffusers and humidifiers.

You can choose to buy one or both depending on what you hope to achieve. After all, they are used for different purposes.

Once you have decides on what to buy, remember to choose a reputable manufacturer of aromatherapy diffusers and humidifiers.

At Mraztek, we have the capacity to supply the best aroma diffusers and humidifiers in China.

If you want to get more information about our essential oils diffusers, feel free to contact us at any time. We will be happy to respond to your questions and comments at any time.