Does the air in your room seem moist or dry when you get up in the morning? Are you sneezing more, having a “scratchy throat,” or do your allergy symptoms seem to be getting worse?
It’s time to figure out whether you need dehumidifiers or air purifiers. However, it might be difficult to decide what to purchase because there are so many different devices on the market! But what are dehumidifiers, and how do they work? And can an air purifier be used with dehumidifiers in the same space at the same time? Here, we offer some advice that can assist your decision. Let’s find out the answers to these and other questions below.
Note: If you need answers to common questions about air purifiers, please read our air purifier FAQs.
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An Overview of Dehumidifiers
Definition of dehumidifiers
Simply put, a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, thereby decreasing the overall humidity level of the room. Microbes and mold, which flourish in moist and humid settings, cannot exist as a result.
How do dehumidifiers work?
As you can guess, a dehumidifier draws moisture from the air in your room and blows dry air back out. The moisture collects in a collecting tank, which must be emptied and cleaned on a regular basis.
Dehumidifiers function in two main ways: the system initially cools the air to eliminate excess moisture before reheating it and releasing it back into the space. This is known as refrigeration. The second method is by absorption or adsorption. The former occurs when moisture is absorbed into a substance to remove it from the air; the latter occurs when moisture adheres to a material and is removed.
When should you use dehumidifiers?
If you find dampness, mildew, or mold in your room, or condensation on the windows, your room is probably too humid. A dehumidifier may be used to “dry out” the air and keep moisture levels low, therefore lowering the danger of mold growth.
Too humid or dry air can cause allergy-like symptoms such as a runny or dry nose and increased sneezing. For humid air, you should use a dehumidifier. A humidifier, which increases the air’s moisture, is recommended for dry air. Otherwise, use a dehumidifier. The best indoor humidity level to maintain is 35% to 50%. You should assess your circumstances and, if feasible, see a doctor about your symptoms and gadgets that can help you.
An Overview of Air Purifiers
Definition of air purifiers
An air purifier eliminates pollutants from the air and helps improve air quality.
List of the best air purifiers
- 1, Best Air Purifiers (Air Purifier Ranking List)
- 2, Best Air Purifiers for Allergies and Asthma
- 3, Best Air Purifiers for Bedroom
- 4, Best Air Purifiers for Baby
- 5, Best Air Purifiers for Smoke
- 6, Best Air Purifiers for Dust
- 7, Best Air Purifiers for Mold
- 8, Best Large Room Air Purifiers
- 9, Best Air Purifiers for Pets
- 10, Best Air Purifiers for Office
How do air purifiers work?
Air purifiers clean the air by cycling it through a series of filters in the room. The filter captures airborne allergens, contaminants, and impurities such as dust, mold spores, pollen, and smoke. An air purifier with a HEPA filter can filter up to 99.97% of airborne contaminants down to 0.3 microns in size. Then, clean air is pumped back into the space.
Filters must be purchased and changed on a regular basis. If you buy an ionizer, be sure it doesn’t emit ozone, which might irritate the lungs.
When should you use air purifiers?
Air purifiers are used to lessen the impact of irritants on your lungs such as smoking, pollen, and pet dander. If you still wonder if you need an air purifier, please read Do I need an air purifier?
You also should use an air purifier all the time if possible. Running air purifiers 24/7 isn’t as expensive as you thought.
Comparison: Air Purifier vs Dehumidifier
| Criteria | Air purifier | Dehumidifier |
| Application | Removes impurities from the air through the use of air filters. | Pulls moisture from the air and reduces humidity levels in the space |
| Benefits | Asthmatics and allergy sufferers | Allergy sufferers and removes damp odors |
| Removes | Allergens, dust, pet dander, mold spores, bacteria, and smoke | Mold, mildew, and dust mites |
| Cleans air | Yes | No |
| Suggested humidity | N/A | Above 50% |
| Device sizes | Small to large | Small to large |
| Filtration | Multi-stage | Single |
| Noise generated | Soft to loud | Average to loud |
| Maintenance | Needs quarterly to annual check | Regularly clean and maintain |
| Price range (Including Upkeep) | High | Average |
Which fits your needs? Air purifiers vs dehumidifiers
When deciding between air purifiers and dehumidifiers, you should consider why you require a decision. Check out our list below to make a good decision!
An air purifier works best for you if:
- You have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems and require the cleanest air possible.
- You want to reduce allergies to spores, pollen, and pet dander in your house.
- You want to eliminate unpleasant odors caused by mold, pets, smoke, etc.
- You want a dust remover device for an overall healthier environment, especially if you live in a metropolis.
A dehumidifier works best for you if:
- You want to remove musty odors in a certain room.
- You want to eliminate dust mites or prevent them from spreading.
- You have respiratory conditions caused by excessive humidity.
- Humidity in your living area is high and you want to reduce the temperature in your home without using the air conditioner.
- You need to protect anything that might be ruined by dampness.
FAQs
Can I use air purifiers and dehumidifiers at the same time in the same room?
In the same room, you can use both air purifier and dehumidifier. An air purifier will remove impurities from the air in your room such as dust, allergies, mold spores, germs, and more. At the same time, a dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the air, making it more difficult for these pollutants to survive or return.
Air purifiers vs Dehumidifiers – Which is better for allergies?
If you’re allergic to dust, pollen, pet dander, or mold spores, you’ll appreciate clean air that doesn’t bother your sinuses. An air purifier will make a big difference in this instance.
Dehumidifiers also prevent mold and other spores from proliferating in a damp atmosphere, making them an excellent preventative strategy for your allergies.
Air purifier vs Dehumidifier – Which is better for asthma?
While both machines can aid in mold removal, a dehumidifier is the better option. Excess moisture in the air allows mold to multiply and thrive, thus dehumidifiers eliminate it.
An air purifier can remove mold spores from the air only and not address the underlying source of the problem.
Air purifier vs Dehumidifier – Which is better for dust mites?
Both devices can aid in the control of dust mites. An air purifier traps and removes dust from a space, removing the food source that dust mites require. A dehumidifier reduces humidity levels, making it difficult for dust mites to thrive in the first place.
For optimal dust mite prevention, use both an air purifier and a dehumidifier if you have humidity difficulties indoors.
Do air purifiers dry out the air?
No, an air purifier does not remove moisture from the air. It merely captures polluting particles within a series of filters. When an air purifier is turned on, the relative humidity of the air does not change.
In conclusion
By now, you should have been able to distinguish between air purifiers vs dehumidifiers. Depending on your specific needs, an air purifier or a dehumidifier or even a combination of both can add comfort and relief to your healthy life. To maintain optimal humidity, it may be beneficial to have several devices for different areas in your home.
