Humidifier vs Vaporizer Guide: What’s Better for Baby’s Nursery?
When I became a new mom, I had heard about humidifiers and vaporizers, but I honestly didn’t understand the difference between the two.
Thinking I needed both, I registered for both (and received both).
But, after doing some reading online and chatting with my mommy friends, I decided to return one.
Let me explain the difference between to two to help you understand which one you need to get the perfect conditions in your nursery (and which one you don’t really need at all).
What Exactly Is A Vaporizer?
A vaporizer is an electric device that you plug in, that adjusts the moisture level in your home by using a stream of scalding hot steam.
It is named a “vaporizer” because it turns water into vapor quickly.
You can fill the machine with tap water and it does not need a filter to work. It has a plastic base and a small, upper portion (that almost looks like a cup) that you place on top of it once you fill the bottom with a certain amount of water — there is a line to help make sure you don’t fill it too high.
You can also fill it with a vapor formula that smells like a chest rub to decongest your child if they have a cold (but only after six months of age).
You need to clean it regularly, by rinsing it and drying it thoroughly, because vaporizers tend to collect mold in their basin if not cared for properly.
Vaporizers sound good in theory, but beware!
They can be very dangerous because of how hot they can get.
I’ve accidentally burned myself on one of these before, and I’d never want to do that to my child, so it needs to be put in a high place where they can never come in contact with it.
What Exactly Is A Humidifier?
A humidifier also adjusts the moisture level in your home, and it can spray out a hot or a cool mist.
Cool mist humidifiers are the machines recommended to be used in a home or nursery, due to safety concerns with the hot steam.
They heat up inside just like a vaporizer does, turning the water into a fine mist, but they have a fan inside that makes this mist cool as it shoots out of the machine.
Also something you generally plug in, a cool mist humidifier usually comes with a filter, which has to be replaced regularly (once a month or so, depending on how often you run it).
Or, you can purchase one that has a filter that you clean (should be done weekly).
Sometimes, humidifiers are sold without a filter, so you have to clean out its tank (like the vaporizer) regularly.
This will help you kick mold and bacteria to the curb.
Why A Humidifier Is A Much Better Choice For Your Baby’s Nursery
Hands down, a humidifier is the best option for your baby’s nursery.
Not only is it safer (no hot steam spouting out), but it is more effective with the way it adjusts your moisture levels in your nursery and home.
Plus, a humidifier is less expensive to run since it doesn’t need to heat up.
And, because it’s more cost effective to run, that’s exactly what I did. I didn’t wait to use it until my son was sick. I ran it every time he napped or slept at night in his nursery, for optimal results.
His room also felt crisper (and it even smelled nicer!)
I’ve used both a vaporizer and a humidifier before, and a humidifier really helps you breathe and sleep better at night. My son was always waking up with stuffy noses, but after a week or so of running a humidifier, I haven’t had a problem since.
An essential purchase for your nursery, a cool mist humidifier is affordable, cost-efficient to run, and is highly beneficial to your baby’s health!
The Best Humidifier for Your Baby’s Nursery
While there a lot of great baby humidifiers on the market today, my personal favorite is the Pure Enrichment Ultrasonic Cool Mist humidifier.
You can check out the price and user reviews on Amazon, if you’re interested.
You can also read my in-depth humidifier buying guide where I go over how to select the best humidifier for your baby’s nursery.
Happy shopping!
