What’s the Difference Between Humidifier and Diffuser?

So, you've probably heard of humidifier vs diffuser? Yes, I'm familiar with humidifiers and diffusers. 

The main difference between a humidifier and a diffuser is that humidifiers simply emit water vapor into the air while diffusers emit essential oils contained in tiny water droplets. 

Humidifiers are designed to increase the moisture in the air while diffusers are meant to disseminate an aroma throughout a room.

This article compares humidifiers and diffusers, their uses, and their benefits.

We'll also provide some examples and case studies of people who use them and how they improve their health and well-being.

By the end of this article, you'll have a clear idea of the differences between humidifiers and diffusers and which one is right for you.

You might be surprised to learn that there are the main differences between a humidifier and diffusers and that choosing the wrong one could have negative consequences for your health and well-being. [1]

So, let's dive in and find out more about these devices!

What is a Humidifier?

A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air to increase the humidity level in a room or an area. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, affecting how comfortable and healthy you feel.[2]

A humidifier uses different methods to create water vapor or mist released into the air. There are several types of humidifiers, such as:

• Ultrasonic humidifiers: These use high-frequency sound waves to vibrate a metal diaphragm, producing tiny water droplets expelled into the air.
• Evaporative humidifiers: These use a fan to blow air over a wet wick or filter that evaporates water into the air.[3]
• Warm mist humidifiers use a heating element to boil water and release steam into the air.[4]
• Cool mist humidifiers use a rotating disk or impeller to fling water droplets into the air.

What are the benefits of a humidifier?

• Relieving dry skin, throat, nose, and eyes: Dry air can cause irritation, inflammation, and cracking of these sensitive areas. A humidifier can help moisturize them and prevent discomfort.
•  Preventing respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma: Dry air can make you more susceptible to viruses, bacteria, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens that can trigger respiratory problems. A humidifier can help reduce these risks by keeping your mucous membranes moist and healthy.[5]
•  Improving sleep quality: Dry air can cause snoring, coughing, congestion, and sore throat that can disrupt your sleep. A humidifier can help you breathe easier and sleep better.

Some examples or case studies of people who use humidifiers and how they improve their health or comfort are:

• Jane lives in a cold climate with arid indoor air due to the heating system. She used to suffer from dry skin, chapped lips, nosebleeds, and sinus infections every winter. She bought an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier for her bedroom and noticed a significant improvement in her symptoms. She also felt more relaxed and refreshed in the morning.
•  John, who has asthma and allergies. He used to have frequent attacks and flare-ups due to his city's dry and polluted air. He bought an evaporative humidifier with a HEPA filter for his living room and noticed reduced wheezing, coughing, sneezing, and itching. He also felt more energetic and productive during the day.
•  Lisa, who has a baby with sensitive skin. She used to worry about her baby's skin getting dry, red, and irritated due to the low humidity in her home. She bought a warm mist humidifier with a medicated inhalant for her baby's nursery and noticed an improvement in her skin condition. She also felt more confident and happy as a mother.

What is a Diffuser?

A diffuser is a device that disperses essential oils into the air to create a pleasant aroma and atmosphere. Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants that have various therapeutic properties.[6]

A diffuser uses different methods to break down essential oils into fine particles emitted into the air. There are several types of diffusers, such as:

• Ultrasonic diffusers use high-frequency sound waves to create vibrations that turn water and essential oils into a fine mist dispersed into the air.
•  Nebulizing diffusers: These use pressurized air to atomize essential oils into tiny droplets dispersed into the air without water.
•  Heat diffusers: These use heat to evaporate essential oils into the air.
•  Fan diffusers use a fan to blow air over a pad or tray holding essential oils.

What are the benefits of a diffuser?

Enhancing mood, relaxation, focus, energy, etc.: Different essential oils affect your mood and emotions differently.

For example, lavender can help you relax and sleep better; peppermint can help you focus and stay alert; citrus can help you feel energized and cheerful, etc.

A diffuser can help you create the desired ambiance in your home or office.

 Providing aromatherapy benefits for various ailments or conditions: Essential oils can also have physical and mental benefits for your health and well-being.

For example, eucalyptus can help you clear your sinuses and respiratory tract; tea trees can help you fight infections and inflammation; chamomile can help you reduce stress and anxiety.

A diffuser can help you inhale the beneficial compounds of essential oils and enjoy their healing effects.

Purifying the air from bacteria or viruses: add essential oils diffuser can also have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic properties that can help you sanitize the air in your home or office.

For example, cinnamon can help you kill germs and odors; clove can help you prevent mold and mildew; lemon can help you freshen and deodorize the air, etc.

A diffuser can help diffuse these oils into the air and create a cleaner and safer environment.

Some examples or case studies of people who use diffusers and how they improved their well-being or environment are:

• Mary, who works from home as a freelance writer. She used to struggle with procrastination, distraction, and low motivation. She bought an ultrasonic diffuser for her home office and used essential oils to boost her productivity and creativity. She noticed a significant improvement in her work performance and satisfaction.
•  Mark, who suffers from chronic pain and insomnia. He used to rely on medication and sleeping pills to cope with his condition. He bought a nebulizing diffuser for his bedroom and used different essential oils to relieve his pain and promote sleep. He noticed a significant improvement in his quality of life and well-being.
•  Laura, who loves hosting parties and gatherings at her home. She used to worry about the smell and cleanliness of her home after having guests over. She bought a heat diffuser for her living room and used essential oils to create a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. She noticed a significant improvement in her guests' feedback and compliments.

Humidifier vs Diffuser: Which One Should You Choose?

Now that you know the differences between diffuser and humidifiers, their uses, and their benefits, how do you decide which is right for you?

Difference Between Humidifier vs Diffuser

The answer depends on your specific needs, preferences, and goals. Here are some questions to ask yourself before making a choice:

• Do you need more moisture in the air or more fragrance in the air?
•  Do you suffer from dryness-related problems or mood-related problems?
•  Do you want to improve your health or your environment?
•  Do you have any allergies or sensitivities to essential oils or water vapor?
•  Do you have enough space and budget for the device?

You can choose the device that best suits your situation based on your answers.

Here are some general guidelines to help you:

• If you need more moisture in the air to relieve dryness-related problems, choose a humidifier.
•  Choose a diffuser if you only want more fragrance in the air to enhance your mood or environment.
•  If you want moisture and fragrance in the air to improve your health and well-being, choose a humidifier with an aromatherapy function or use both devices separately.
•  If you have allergies or sensitivities to essential oils or water vapor, consult your doctor before using any device.

To make it easier to compare humidifiers and diffusers, we've created a handy infographic that summarizes their main features, benefits, and drawbacks. You can check it out below:

Humidifier vs Diffuser: What's the Difference? (Infographics)

Humidifiers and diffusers are two devices that can improve the air quality and ambiance in your home or office.

However, they are not the same thing and have different purposes, functions, mechanisms, features, pros and cons.

We will compare and contrast humidifiers and diffusers based on various criteria and help you choose the best one for your needs.

Purpose:

The primary purpose of a humidifier is to add moisture to the air to increase the humidity level in a room or an area.

This can help relieve dryness-related problems such as dry skin, throat, nose, eyes, lips, etc.

It can also prevent respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, snoring, etc., by keeping your mucous membranes moist and healthy.

A humidifier can also improve your sleep quality by creating a comfortable environment.[7]

The main purpose of a diffuser is to add fragrance to the air to create a pleasant aroma and atmosphere.

By stimulating your olfactory senses, this can help enhance your mood, relaxation, focus, energy, etc..

A diffuser can also provide aromatherapy benefits for various ailments or conditions, such as stress, anxiety, pain, insomnia, etc., by inhaling the beneficial compounds of essential oils.

A diffuser can also purify the air from bacteria or viruses by diffusing antibacterial or antiviral oils.

Function:

A humidifier uses different methods to create water vapor or mist released into the air.

The amount of moisture that a humidifier can produce depends on the type of humidifier, the size of the water tank, the settings of the device, etc.

A humidifier can cover a large area depending on the output capacity and the room size.

A diffuser uses different methods to break down essential oils into fine particles emitted into the air.

The amount of fragrance that a diffuser can produce depends on the type of diffuser, the amount of essential oils, the settings of the device, etc.

Depending on the diffusion method and room size, a diffuser can cover a small area.

Mechanism:

Types of humidifiers:

• Ultrasonic humidifiers: These use high-frequency sound waves to vibrate a metal diaphragm, producing tiny water droplets expelled into the air.
•  Evaporative humidifiers: These use a fan to blow air over a wet wick or filter that evaporates water into the air.
•  Warm mist humidifiers use a heating element to boil water and release steam into the air.
•  Cool mist humidifiers use a rotating disk or impeller to fling water droplets into the air.
•  Whole-house humidifiers: Whole-house humidifiers are devices installed directly into a home's HVAC system to increase the humidity levels throughout the entire house. A humidity sensor typically controls these humidifiers and can be adjusted to maintain the desired humidity level in the home.
  • Unlike portable humidifiers, which typically only cover a small area, whole-house humidifiers can provide humidity to every room. They are usually installed in a home's basement or utility area and are connected to the home's water supply and ductwork.

Types of diffusers:

• Ultrasonic diffusers use high-frequency sound waves to create vibrations that turn water and essential oils into a fine mist dispersed into the air.
•  Nebulizing diffusers: These use pressurized air to atomize essential oils into tiny droplets dispersed into the air without water.
•  Heat diffusers: These use heat to evaporate essential oils into the air.
•  Fan diffusers use a fan to blow air over a pad or tray holding essential oils.

Features:

Common features of humidifiers:

• Auto-shutoff: This feature automatically turns off the device when the water level is low or the desired humidity level is reached.
•  Humidistat: This feature allows you to set and monitor the humidity level in your room or area.
•  UV filtration: This feature uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria or germs in the water before releasing it into the air.
•  Demineralization cartridge: This feature filters out minerals from hard water that can cause white dust or scale on your furniture or appliances.
•  Air filter: This feature filters out dust or allergens from the air before adding moisture.

Common features of diffusers:

• Timer: This feature allows you to set how long you want the device to run before turning it off automatically.
•  LED lights: This feature provides colorful lights that can create a soothing or stimulating effect depending on your mood or preference.
•  Mist mode: This feature allows you to adjust how much mist you want to release into the air.
•  Waterless operation: This feature allows you to use essential oils without water for more concentrated diffusion.

Pros and Cons:

Pros of humidifiers:

• They can help you breathe easier and sleep better by moisturizing your nasal passages and throat.
•  They can help you prevent or reduce dryness-related problems such as chapped lips, dry skin, nosebleeds, etc.
•  They can help you avoid or relieve respiratory issues such as colds, flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, etc.
•  They can help you save energy and money by lowering your thermostat setting in winter, as moist air feels warmer than dry air.

Cons of humidifiers:

• They can cause over-humidification, leading to mold, mildew, or dust mite growth in your home or office.
•  They can cause bacterial or fungal infections if the water is not changed or cleaned regularly.
•  If you use hard water without a demineralization cartridge, they can cause white dust or scale on your furniture or appliances.
•  They can be noisy depending on the type of humidifier and the fan speed.

Pros of diffusers:

• They can help you improve your mood and well-being by stimulating your olfactory senses and providing aromatherapy benefits.
•  They can help you purify and deodorize the air by diffusing antibacterial or antiviral oils that can kill germs and odors.
•  They can help you create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere by diffusing your favorite scents and colors.
•  They can be easy to use and maintain as they require little water and essential oils.

Cons of diffusers:

• They can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities in some people who are sensitive to certain essential oils or fragrances.
•  They can cause fire hazards or burns if they use heat or electricity to diffuse oils.
•  They can cause oil stains or spills on your furniture or carpets if placed improperly or securely.
•  They can be expensive depending on the diffuser type and essential oils' quality.

How to Choose Between Humidifier and a Diffuser?

Choosing between a humidifier and a diffuser depends on your preference, budget, space availability, maintenance requirements, health issues or goals, etc.

Here are some tips or guidelines on how to choose between a humidifier and a diffuser based on different factors:

• Personal preference: Choose a humidifier if you need more humidity in your room or area. Choose a diffuser if you only want more aroma in your room or area. If you want humidity and aroma in your room or area, choose a humidifier with an aromatherapy function or use both devices separately.
•  Budget: If you have a limited budget, choose an affordable and durable device. Humidifiers are more expensive than diffusers, but they also last longer and have more features. Diffusers tend to be cheaper than humidifiers, but they also tend to have fewer features and require more essential oils.
•  Space availability: If you have a large space to cover, choose a device with a high output capacity and a large water tank. Humidifiers tend to cover larger areas than diffusers, but they also tend to take up more space and weight. Diffusers tend to cover smaller areas than humidifiers, but they also tend to be more compact and lightweight.
•  Maintenance requirements: If you have a busy schedule or a lazy personality, choose a device that is easy to use and maintain. Humidifiers require more maintenance than diffusers; they need regular water changes, cleaning, descaling, etc. Diffusers require less maintenance than humidifiers, as they only need occasional water refills, cleaning, etc.
•  Health issues or goals: If you have dryness-related problems or respiratory issues, choose a device that can help you moisturize your skin, throat, nose, eyes, etc., and prevent infections, allergies, asthma, etc. Humidifiers are more effective than diffusers, adding more moisture to the air. If you have mood-related problems or conditions such as stress, anxiety, pain, insomnia, etc., choose a device that can help you enhance your mood and well-being by providing aromatherapy benefits. Diffusers are more effective than humidifiers, as they add more fragrance.

To help you decide which device is best for you, here are some questions or scenarios that you can ask yourself:

• Do you live in a dry climate or use a heating system that dries out the air in your home or office? If yes, then you might benefit from using a humidifier to increase the humidity level in your room or area.
•  Do you love scented candles or incense sticks but worry about the smoke or fire hazards? If yes, you might enjoy using a diffuser to create a similar effect without the risks.
•  Do you have children or pets at home who might get curious or playful with your device? If yes, you might want to avoid using a warm mist humidifier or a heat diffuser that could cause burns or injuries.
•  Do you have hard water at home that could cause mineral deposits in your device? If yes, use a demineralization cartridge for your humidifier or distilled water for your diffuser.

To make it easier for you to compare humidifiers and diffusers, we’ve created a handy table that summarizes their main features, benefits, and drawbacks.

As you can see from the table, humidifiers and diffusers have different advantages and disadvantages depending on your needs and preferences. You can use this table as a quick reference guide when you are shopping for a device or when you want to learn more about them.

What Should You Consider Before Purchasing?

Whether you're leaning towards a humidifier or a diffuser, ponder upon these points:

• Purpose: Are you looking to combat dry skin caused by dry air or seeking aroma-induced relaxation?
•  Size of the Room: Larger spaces might benefit more from humidifiers, while diffusers are often optimal for smaller rooms.
•  Maintenance: Both devices need regular cleaning, but diffusers might require more frequent attention if you often switch between essential oils.

FAQ

In a Nutshell:

• Humidifiers primarily increase your space's humidity, combating adverse effects of dry air.
•  Diffusers are champions in dispersing the aroma of essential oils into the air, offering both fragrance and potential therapeutic benefits.
•  Some devices merge the functionalities of diffusers and humidifiers, offering a dual benefit.
•  The choice between the two boils down to your primary need: moisture or fragrance.

Understanding these devices' core functionalities and benefits empowers you to make an informed choice tailored to your needs. Whether it's the therapeutic allure of essential oils or the comfort of increased humidity, the decision rests in your hands.

We hope this article has helped you understand the differences between humidifiers and diffusers, their uses, and their benefits.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. We would love to hear from you!

reference and citation

Darin J, Broadwell J, MacDonell R. An evaluation of water-vapor output from four brands of unheated, prefilled bubble humidifiers. Respiratory Care. 1982 Jan;27(1):41-50. PMID: 10315156. https://europepmc.org/article/med/10315156