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Sometimes an air purifier on its own just won’t cut it, and you need a humidifier to balance the air moisture while the purifier clears it from any pollutants and enhances air quality. If you’re at a loss, check out this list I’ve made, including the best air purifier and humidifier combo options out there.
Best Air Purifier and Humidifier
- TBI Pro HUMIDIMASTER
- Venta LW25
- OPOLAR EV01
- BONECO W200
- Oreck WK15500B
- Sharp KC-850U
The 6 Best Air Purifiers and Humidifiers in 2021
1. TBI Pro HUMIDIMASTER
If you’re in the market for the best humidifier and air purifier combo, you’re unlikely to find something better than the TBI Pro HUMIDMASTER. Not only does it have a sleek, modern look as well as a compact and lightweight design, but it’s also packed with features for your convenience.
It comes with a massive 1.6-gallon water tank that could last for up to two days and several smart features, starting with a clear LED display on which you can see all the details of your unit. The indicators include temperature, water amount, humidity levels, and more.
And while it’s more of a humidifier, it comes with a medical stone filter that gets rid of bacteria as well as contaminants from water. Therefore, its purpose is to humidify the air and make it clean.
Moreover, the TBI Pro HUMIDMASTER is quite easy to clean as it has a top-fill design that spares you the need to take it apart to reach the water tank.
The TBI Pro HUMIDMASTER comes with a nozzle that can rotate 360 degrees, which means that it won’t leave any area of the room uncovered. Not only that, but the mist settings can be adjusted. There are three different settings that you can choose from according to your needs.
What’s more, the TBI Pro HUMIDMASTER is an excellent home mist humidifier and air purifier because it comes with a quiet sleep mode that produces only 30 dB in terms of the noise level. 30 dB is around the same noise level as whispering, to give you a better perspective.
However, bear in mind that the readings are available in Celsius only and cannot be changed to Fahrenheit.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Easy to fill
- Nozzle rotates
- Sleep mode is pretty quiet
Cons:
- Shows temperature in Celsius only
2. Venta LW25
The Venta LW25 is the best air washer, humidifier, and air purifier you can get for your home as it’s just excellent for small spaces. It’s quite compact and lightweight at just 7 pounds, which means that you can easily move it from one room to another to benefit from it everywhere around your home.
The Venta LW25 comes with a two-speed fan that runs very quietly, while the tank holds around 1.4 gallons of water to keep the unit running all day long. Thanks to the HEPA filter, this unit can remove dust particles that are as small as 0.3 microns in size.
In simple terms, the way it works is that it sucks the air inside of it, scrubs it using water, and evaporates it back into your room’s air. So, it’s quite effective at what it does, and Venta knows that, so the unit comes with a 10-year warranty.
It doesn’t emit any ions like most humidifier and air purifier combos, so it’s super safe and won’t trigger your antihistamines if you have any allergies. It also refrains from using ozone or producing white dust, which further ensures safety.
And while it’s not extremely expensive, it’s still a little overpriced for what it has to offer. Not to mention, its maintenance can add a little to the expenses as a specialized cleaning chemical is recommended for it, and it’s not the cheapest.
Pros:
- Excellent purification
- Safe to use
- Compact design suits small rooms
Cons:
- A little pricey
3. OPOLAR EV01
The OPOLAR EV01 is an evaporative unit, so it’s not your average 2-in-1 humidifier and air purifier. It gradually evaporates moisture into the room’s air instead of producing strong mists that could build up unnecessary moisture. This also helps in keeping the unit quiet with no vibrations or noises resulting from spraying.
It’s equipped with a polyester and nylon filter that works on removing any impurities from the air you breathe. Also, it uses ionization technology to make breathing easier after getting rid of all contaminants in the air.
What’s more, it’s equipped with a honeycomb filter that works on purifying the air you breathe by trapping spores of mold and dust. And you don’t have to worry about the humidifier clogging up or getting damaged by minerals as the OPOLAR EV01 gets rid of them with a filter.
And the best part is that its long-term costs aren’t high because its filter is permanent and washable, so you don’t have to worry about maintenance.
The water tank capacity is a little limited at only 0.8 gallons, which is half of what the average air purifier and humidifier combo out there has to offer. Also, you’ll have to disassemble the whole unit to get to the tank, but the humidifier is generally easy to fill.
Pros:
- Quiet operation
- Provides moisture by evaporation
- Uses a fine and permanent filter
- Very easy to refill
Cons:
- Buttons are hard to deal with
- Limited tank capacity
4. BONECO W200
The BONECO W200 is an excellent 2-in-1 air washer, air purifier, and humidifier combo. Instead of filtering the air, this unit washes it by scrubbing using specialized evaporation mats.
It’s pretty easy to use since it’s self-regulating, which means that it adjusts the humidity according to its air monitoring. Also, it’s easy to maintain and clean as many of its components can be washed in the washing machine or the dishwasher, namely, the evaporation mats.
And though it’s a great purifier and humidifier unit, it’s not very effective when it comes to getting rid of dust mites, pet dander, or other allergens as it only works with particles of 10 microns in size. However, it’ll enhance the quality of air in terms of removing dust, pollen, and mold spores.
If you want to get a nice scent and aromatic atmosphere around your home, you can even add a couple of drops of scented oil to the special fragrance container.
The best part about the BONECO W200 is that it won’t cause any extra moisture while humidifying since it evaporates water and blends it with the air in the room. However, you need to make sure to never let the water tank get emptied to avoid the risk of dry-burn damage.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about that issue, thanks to the auto-shut feature that automatically powers the unit off when the tank is almost empty. Then, it activates a little LED light to indicate that the tank needs refilling.
In terms of cleaning, there’s no hassle at all with this air purifier and humidifier combo thanks to its dish-washer and machine-washing-safe components.
Pros:
- Highly effective air purifier and humidifier
- Automatically shuts off when the tank is almost empty
- Easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance
- Enables you to add scents in the fragrance compartment
Cons:
- Limited tank capacity
- Design is a little bulky
5. Oreck WK15500B
If you’re looking for an air purifier and humidifier with a sleek and compact design, you’ll love the Oreck WK15500B’s tall and slim frame that’ll fit just about anywhere around your home.
It comes with a two-stage filtration system that relies on a charcoal filter and a true HEPA filter. This two-stage filtration system effectively gets rid of any odors, allergens, mites, smoke, pet dander, and pollutants to enhance air quality.
Moreover, the Oreck WK15500B comes with a built-in humidistat that adjusts the humidity levels to the ideal ones and spares you the need for monitoring.
This air purifier and humidifier combo also helps ease the symptoms of cold and flu as the mist is absorbed by the skin. What’s more, it comes with plenty of features that make its operation easier and seamless, including a display that indicates when the water tank is almost empty or when the filter needs change as well as an auto-shutoff feature that prevents damage when the water runs out.
Its operation is very quiet, especially on the lower settings, which makes it suitable for nighttime use. Finally, this air purifier comes with a sleep mode that lowers noise levels even further, and on the lowest setting, it’s perfect for bedrooms at home.
Pros:
- Two-stage filtration with a built-in humidistat
- Eases flu and cold symptoms
- Plenty of smart features
- Easy to maintain
Cons:
- Limited room coverage
6. Sharp PlasmaCluster KC-850U
If you’re after one of the best purifier and humidifier combos on the market, the Sharp PlasmaCluster KC-850U is a top-notch choice. It uses both ionizer technology and filters to ensure effective air purification and comes with several sensors that keep track of the air quality around your home.
Covering up to 254 square feet, the PlasmaCluster KC-850U suits bedrooms or small living areas in a cozy home, especially thanks to its low setting that dims or completely deactivates the lights and runs quietly.
Moreover, this unit offers a true HEPA filter that works on getting rid of up to 99.97% of air contaminants to help you with asthma and allergies. It also minimizes fungus, mold, viruses, germs, and bacteria, thanks to the patented PlasmaCluster Ion technology.
Also, the sensors on the PlasmaCluster KC-850U always keep an eye on the air quality in the surroundings and automatically adjusts the humidification and air purification to suit the room.
And though this unit does produce ozone, it’s about five times less than what other options have to offer. It meets FDA, OSHA, NIOSH standards and is ARB-certified, which is why you can rest assured of how good of a choice it is.
With a filter that needs changes every two to five years, depending on the usage and quality, the operating costs of the PlasmaCluster KC-850U are nothing to worry about.
Pros:
- Controls air quality automatically
- Safe to use
- Long-lasting filter
- Gets rid of germs and bacteria
Cons:
- Limited water tank capacity
How to Pick an Air Purifier and Humidifier
If you want to get the best air purifier and humidifier combo, you have to understand that you’re looking for aspects in two devices, not just one. In this section, we’ll go over the most important features that you have to pay attention to when you’re shipping for a humidifier and air purifier combo.
Carbon Use
To actually be able to remove air pollutants and clean the air, a purifier has to come with an activated carbon filter. The size of the device should be proportionate with the room size, as it dictates just how much carbon stock you can have in it, and therefore its purification power.
There are two types of activated carbon: treated and untreated. Typically, treated carbon is more common as it’s provided with additives that enable it to have more reactive or adsorptive characteristics, which enhances its ability to clean the air.
However, treated carbon can emit some smells that would be detectable to people with high sensitivities.
HEPA Filters
A HEPA filter is capable of trapping up to 99.97% of all the particulates in the air, which could be as small as 3 microns. They’re super effective if you want something to get rid of pollen, pet dander, dust, bacteria, mold spores, and more.
However, keep in mind that they’re not as effective when it comes to eliminating VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), for which you’ll need the power of the activated carbon filter.
HEPA filters are obsolete if they’re not true HEPA because those don’t use high-quality materials, and their components use glue or fiberglass, which could cause leakage.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and Air Changes per Hour (ACH)
CADR numbers indicate the purification power of the filtration system, and they should be proportionate to the intended coverage area, with a 2:3 ratio. So, if your desired coverage area is 120 square feet, you should get a unit with 80 CADR.
The rate of ACH should be high enough to get clean air regularly. A good number would be 5 or maybe 4, but try not to go for less than that.
Fan
The fan is another important aspect to consider, including how many speed settings are included and whether there’s automatic adjustability according to the quality of air. Fans are the building unit of a purifier because they’re responsible for sucking the air in and pushing it back out, and that’s why you must ensure getting a purifier with a reliable fan.
Maintenance
Air purifiers require periodic filter changes, and the number of changes usually varies between 3 to 6 months. So, you have to factor in the cost of replacing the filters per year with the price that you’ll pay for the combo. A handy extra would be getting a unit with a small LED light that indicates when it’s time for a filter change.
Other Factors
If you’re getting a humidifier and air purifier combo to use in a room, especially a bedroom, you should make sure that its noise level (dB) is tolerable enough.
Types of Humidifiers
A humidifier is your best bet when it comes to countering dry air — a problem that almost every home faces during the winter. However, you should be well-versed with the types of humidifiers available before you make a purchase, and they are as follows:
- Warm Mist Humidifiers: Those come with a mechanism for heating, which converts the water in the water tank into mist vapors. Thanks to the technology used, the mist these humidifiers produce is often cleaner. Not to mention, warm mist humidifiers operate very quietly and have the ability to treat seasonal colds. However, they’re also harder to clean and have a smaller coverage area than other types of the same size.
- Cool Mist Humidifiers: This type of humidifier uses a filter on the inside that works on capturing impurities and locks them inside in order to prevent them from getting out with the mist. They’re easier to clean than warm mist options, but they take up more space and don’t work as quietly. Not to mention, they require a lot of maintenance because minerals can build up inside them.
- Ultrasonic Humidifiers: These function on the power of waves. There’s a vibrating diaphragm inside each ultrasonic unit, which creates water drops that get released into the room as a cool fog. They’re easy to use and maintain but might produce white dust that settles on the furniture. You can avoid this issue if you avoid using tap water and use distilled water instead.
- Whole House Humidifiers: This type of humidifier has a massive coverage area and doesn't require HVAC system attachments, contrary to popular belief. However, they’re also large in size, so they’re heavy and very difficult to move from one room to another. That’s why they’re more suitable for an open living space, such as a store or an office. Their water tank capacity is big enough to accommodate enough water to enable it to run for days. But, they’re relatively hard to clean and require more frequent filter changes (around once every three months).
Types of Air Purifiers
Like humidifiers, air purifiers come in several shapes and forms, each with its own way of purification. They include:
- HEPA Filters: As we’ve mentioned, HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air Technology) are able to capture 99.97% of particulates and airborne pollutants that could be as small as 3 microns. A HEPA filter has a surface that looks like an accordion, and some fibers are arranged randomly, which stops any particles from getting through.
- Activated Carbon Filters: With processed carbon filters, this type works by creating a porous surface that easily absorbs air pollutants. The pores are so small, molecular in size, to ensure the entrapment of all contaminants. If you’re sensitive to chemicals and odors, this type of purifier would be the best for you, especially if it uses untreated carbon.
- UV Technology: UV light isn’t really a standalone purifying method as it can’t entrap airborne particulates inside the purifier. There’s usually another type of filter inside, but the main focus of UV is to eliminate viruses, germs, and bacteria.
- Negative Ion Purifiers: A Negative Ion purifier utilizes chemical injection, where it releases negatively-charged ions into the air and then sucks them back in with the positively-charged plates after they’ve attached to airborne particles. Though, in theory, this sounds super effective, there’s a lot of controversy regarding this method, as it actually changes the structure of the contaminants, and they end up on objects in the room instead of being eliminated.
- Ozone Purifiers: As the name implies, Ozone purifiers work by emitting ozone gas. However, there are a lot of controversial opinions when it comes to just how healthy they are. Keep in mind that no professionals endorse them and that they haven’t been approved by federal government agencies. So, steer clear of those, especially if you have asthma or allergies.
Should You Get a Standalone Humidifier or Purifier?
While both devices work on improving the quality of air and providing you with clean air, they focus on totally different things. If you’re looking to get rid of air pollutants for better breathing or something to help you with asthma attacks, an air purifier would be best.
On the other side, if you’re looking to humidify the air and adjust humidity levels to get rid of dry air, then a humidifier is what you’re looking for. Of course, an air purifier/humidifier combo is what you should opt for if you want to cover both issues.
Do Air Purifiers Dry Out the Air?
There’s a common misconception that an air purifier causes the air to dry out, but that’s not true. Most of the time, air purifiers have nothing to do with humidity levels inside a room, and that’s why purifier/humidifier combos are necessary for people that want to add moisture to the air.
Can I Leave the Unit On 24/7?
Of course. Not only is it harmless, but it’s also recommended. Once you turn off the unit, pollutants start building up in the room, air starts getting contaminated, and the quality of breathability decreases. So, it’s better to always leave it on, but that would probably mean that you’ll have to change the filters more frequently.
What’s the Ionizer’s Function?
An ionizer works by sending negatively charged ions into the area, which, in turn, stick to particles and electrify them. Then, the positively-charged plate inside of the purifier works on attracting and collecting those particles, including pollen, dust, and other small pollutants.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’re done with our reviews of the best air purifier and humidifier combos, we hope you’ve managed to finalize a purchasing decision or at least limited your options. If not, here’s a quick recap:
If you’re looking for one of the best purifier and humidifier combos, the TBI Pro HUMIDIMASTER is definitely it. It covers areas up to 750 square feet, yet it comes at a very portable weight of only 3.69 pounds. Not only that, but its tank size is capacious, and it has a rotating nozzle.
If you’re looking for a unit that scrubs and washes the air for purification, you should opt for the Venta LW25. This one covers a moderate room size and is equipped with a 2-speed fan. Still, it’s pretty compact and portable at just 7 pounds, and it comes with a 10-year warranty.
Finally, if you’re looking for a unit with ionization technology, you should opt for the OPOLAR EV01 for what it has to offer, from highly efficient air purification to quiet operation and easy refill. Though its water tank size isn’t that big, it humidifies the air by evaporation and uses fine, permanent filters.
Additional Reading
