Warm Steam vs. Cool Mist Vaporizers: Which is Right for You?

Vaporizers are beneficial in the winter months to help moisturize the air to prevent dry skin and ease colds and respiratory problems. The choice of what type of vaporizer to use must be an educated decision.

Warm Steam Vaporizer

• A warm steam vaporizer is the simplest type of vaporizer. You place water in the base and the water is heated, resulting in steam entering the air.

Advantages

• The advantages of a warm steam vaporizer are that you can add medication for cold symptoms and it does not shoot harmful minerals from the water into the air.

Disadvantages

• The warm steam vaporizer can be dangerous if used with young children. The water that exits this unit is very hot and can cause burns.

Cool Mist Vaporizer

• The cool mist vaporizer works by placing water in the base. The reservoir pushes the water up to a disk that spins and shoots water into the air.

Advantages

• A cool mist vaporizer is ideal for your children, because it will not burn small hands if touched.

Disadvantages

• A cool mist vaporizer does not boil water, so when used with tap water, harmful minerals are shot into the air. Also, because it is cool water, the base must be cleaned often and the water must be replaced to prevent bacterial buildup.