Humidifiers help combat dry air in winter, which can cause dry skin, allergies, and breathing problems. They also ease symptoms of colds or flu. However, choosing the right humidifier for your home can be challenging, as there are many available options on the market.
In this detailed guide, we've gathered lots of information to help you understand the different types and the best humidifiers in New Zealand. Our goal is to help you make a wise choice when picking the best humidifier for your specific needs. So, get ready, and let's dive in.
Our Top Picks
For a quick purchase, here are our top three humidifiers for New Zealanders:
Breville Smart Mist Humidifier
Best dual mist humidifier with a 4-litre water tank, high-performance auto sensor, and app integration for easy control.
Philips 2000 Series Humidifier
Best evaporative humidifier with natural evaporation technology, digital display, and a control panel for medium-sized rooms.
MistAire Ultrasonic Humidifier
Best humidifier with 360-degree mist nozzle, low/high mist settings, nightlight, and a built-in humidistat for small rooms.
Top 6 Humidifiers for Kiwis
Our review and comparison of the top dehumidifiers in New Zealand discusses each product's features, strengths, and areas for improvement, arming you with all the finer details to make an informed decision.
1. Breville LAH508GRT Smart Mist Humidifier
Best Dual Mist Humidifier
The Breville LAH508GRT is a high-performing humidifier for small and medium-sized rooms. This high-end unit seamlessly syncs with the Breville Home Connect App, allowing you to control humidity levels on the go.
Pros of Breville LAH508GRT Humidifier
To begin with, the Breville LAH508GRT has dual mist technology; you can conveniently toggle between temperatures, adjusting to weather changes and your preference.
Its generous 4-litre water tank, which pops up effortlessly and is easy to fill, is ideal for small to medium-sized rooms. However, you have to turn it upside down for a quick refill under the tap. Per the manufacturer’s recommendation, use distilled or clean tap water low in magnesium and calcium.
Breville's humidifier also includes an auto sensor that monitors room humidity and temperature. The auto mode adjusts humidity levels between 40 and 65 percent based on the room's temperature. Plus, the app integration allows for easy control without needing a remote. You can even set routines through pre-configuration.
What Can Improve?
As with any technology, Breville’s humidifier has its hiccups. The model we tested displayed an EF error and stopped working altogether. However, the Breville folks did a great job replacing the faulty unit, and the replacement has been problem-free. We reckon this is a one-off issue.
2. Philips HU2716/70 2000 Series Air Humidifier
Best Evaporative Humidifier
The Philips HU2716/70 is an evaporative humidifier for small to medium-sized rooms. Its 2-litre water tank runs for 24 hours. The small but powerful device also has smart sensors that distribute humidity evenly.
Pros of Philips HU2716/70 Humidifier
The natural evaporation technology used in this device steals the spotlight. The ultra-hygienic humidification delivers a fine, invisible mist to the naked eye, offering an ultra-hygienic experience. What's more, it saves your lovely furniture from white powder residues and your floors from getting drenched, making it a perfect fit for everyone in the family.
The humidifier works at a rate of 200 ml per hour. All you have to do is select the right humidity level for your room, say 40%, and the smart humidity sensor will maintain your preferred humidity level. The device has a digital display on top of the unit that keeps you updated on the humidity levels. The control panel includes flashing water level and timer indicators.
What Can Improve?
While the device provides information about the humidity levels in your space, the display isn't very user-friendly. To maintain optimal performance, you must also be prepared to replace the filter occasionally. It also ships from Australia, so you may incur additional shipping costs.
3. Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Best Ultrasonic Humidifier
The Crane 4-in-1 is a stylish ultrasonic humidifier for large rooms. It has a 1-gallon water tank for 24 hours of moisture from a single fill and an auto shut-off feature that kicks in when the tank's dry.
Pros of Crane 4-in-1 Humidifier
The Crane 4-in-1 ultrasonic humidifier produces a whisper-quiet fine mist that helps you manage a range of skin and respiratory issues. The 360-degree nozzle allows you to change the direction of the fine mist. What's more, the variable controls allow you to tailor the humidity levels to your preference.
The 1-gallon water tank is excellent for 24 hours of work. Still, if the water level drops faster than anticipated, the auto shut-off function will power down the humidifier when the tank is empty to avoid mishaps. You won't need a filter to run this humidifier, but there's an optional slot if you fancy one.
What Can Improve?
The Crane 4-in-1 could undoubtedly do with a redesign of the water tank. It doesn’t balance properly during refills, meaning you'll have to hold it in place. The lack of a filter is also an issue. So, we used distilled water to reduce maintenance time. You may incur additional filter costs if you use tap water.
4. Dyson AM10 Humidifier
Best for Whisper Quiet Operation
The Dyson AM10 is an ultrasonic humidifier with a sleek design and quiet operation. Its sleep timer and automatic shut-off features are real energy-savers, perfect for eco-conscious users.
Pros of the Dyson AM10
One of the biggest challenges with most humidifiers is the gunk build-up in the tank. This is a cause for concern as it raises questions about the water quality emitted by the unit. The AM10 has a transparent water tank, allowing you to see when it's time for cleaning. This transparent feature ensures that you can maintain the safety and purity of the water.
But that's not all. The AM10 goes the extra mile to ensure a hygienic environment; it uses ultraviolet cleanse technology, a nifty feature that helps kill bacteria. The water is exposed to UV light for approximately three minutes, eliminating harmful microorganisms. It also comes with air multiplier technology, improving your home's air movement.
Dyson's humidifier has a built-in humidistat, eliminating the guesswork of maintaining optimal moisture levels. It automatically detects the air's humidity and adjusts the output accordingly.
Room for Improvement
Dyson has to improve this model's small tank capacity first. Although the reservoir claims to last up to 18 hours, we had to refill it at least daily.
The tank's fill hole is relatively small, which makes refilling a little challenging. Due to its shape, we had to hold the tank while refilling it. Similarly, the small hole only allows for passive cleaning.
5. Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Humidifier
Best for Small to Medium-Sized Rooms
The Pure Enrichment MistAire is a compact, affordable ultrasonic humidifier perfect for small and medium-sized rooms. It features a 1-litre water reservoir that can keep the humidifier running for up to 16 hours on a single fill. The device also has a built-in humidistat and an automatic shut-off for safety.
Pros of Pure Enrichment MistAire
The Pure Enrichment MistAire is useful in chilly winters when the air is dry and you're battling congestion. It's compact enough to fit in a bedroom or any other small—to medium-sized room. To fill it, lift the tank, unscrew the filling hole, and top it up with tap water.
The innovative features of this humidifier are also a godsend. You can fine-tune the exact amount of moisture you prefer with a 360-degree mist nozzle and low and high mist settings. Plus, you can flick on the optional nightlight for maximum relaxation and a soothing glow.
For ultimate peace of mind, the MistAire humidifier has a built-in humidistat and an auto shut-off mode, so you don’t have to leave your bed to switch it off manually in the middle of the night.
Room for Improvement
While the humidifier runs relatively quietly, it emits a slight bubbling and gurgling noise that might be bothersome for light sleepers.
You must pay close attention to observe any noise, so we didn’t find it a dealbreaker. Another minor concern was the quality of the tank. It seems a bit fragile and could break if dropped.
6. Devanti DIFF-166-LW Aroma Diffuser Air Humidifier
Best Aroma Diffuser Air Humidifier
The Devanti DIFF-166-LW is a versatile unit that also functions as an aroma diffuser, purifier, night light, and humidifier. Its versatility makes it an excellent investment if you’re looking for a feature-rich model.
Best Bits of Devanti DIFF-166-LW
The Devanti DIFF-166-LW is designed to be whisper-quiet; this tranquil technology creates a cooling vapour to combat dryness in your home. We were impressed by the seven colour-changing LEDs. Select your preferred night light to create a peaceful space that helps revitalise your body and mind.
Its 600 ml water tank holds the perfect amount of water, which allows the unit to go up to 18 hours without a refill. With two mist adjustment modes, you can set the aroma diffuser air humidifier to work intermittently or continuously.
For safety features, this aroma diffuser air humidifier doesn't disappoint with its waterless auto shut-off function. It smartly powers off when the tank is empty, making it a safe choice for any household.
What Can Improve?
While the Devanti DIFF-166-LW offers many positive features, it could be improved by increasing the intensity of the aroma diffuser. Most user reviews expressed this concern, and we agree.
How Do Humidifiers Work?
Humidifiers are handy devices that add moisture to the air. They effectively prevent dryness, which can lead to discomforts such as dry throat, parched skin, cracked lips, persistent coughs, bloody noses, irritated eyes, sinus headaches, and other respiratory issues.
In New Zealand, the most common types of humidifiers are ultrasonic, evaporative, and impeller models. Although each variant works differently and has unique attributes, they all serve the same core purpose: to enhance indoor air quality by adding moisture.
So, how does a humidifier improve the humidity level in a room? Simply put, it forces extra moisture into the air through various methods – ultrasonic, evaporative, and impeller. Let’s quickly discuss each one of these types.
Ultrasonic
An ultrasonic model produces moist vapour through mechanical action on the water molecules. But, in this case, the water molecules are agitated through ultrasonic vibration. This causes the water to break into very fine droplets and disperse into the air through an outlet.
Evaporative
An evaporative humidifier is a cool mist humidification unit that speeds up natural evaporation. It has a built-in fan that blows air through a filter, absorbing moisture. However, this type requires periodic filter replacements.
Impeller
This type works similarly to an evaporative humidifier but uses a rotating disc (impeller) that runs at high speeds. As the impeller rotates, room air is drawn into the humidifier through the air inlet. It is mixed with the mist around the impeller, and the fan blows the humidified air out of the spout into the room.
How to Choose the Best Humidifier?
When purchasing a humidifier, it’s essential to consider the size of the room you’ll be using it in, your budget, and the most critical features. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision:
#1. Consider your room size
Choose a humidifier appropriate for the size of your room. Larger rooms require a humidifier with a larger water tank and higher output, while smaller rooms can get by with a smaller, more compact humidifier.
Consider convenience and portability when selecting the correct humidifier for your room size. The device you choose should also be well-built and stable.
#2. Evaluate the humidifier type
As mentioned earlier, humidifiers come in three types: evaporative, impeller, and ultrasonic. Ultrasonic humidifiers generate cool mist using high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations. In contrast, evaporative humidifiers use a filter or wick to absorb water. This water is then released into the room, increasing the atmospheric moisture.
Lastly, impeller humidifiers are nifty devices that use a spinning disk to create a fine mist. Each type has strengths and weaknesses, so consider which best suits your needs.
#3. Examine the features
Another aspect worth considering is the features of your potential humidifier. Some humidifiers have additional features, such as a built-in humidistat, automatic shut-off, sleep timer, and filter indicator. Consider which features are most important to you and ensure your chosen humidifier has them.
#4. Check the price
Humidifiers can vary significantly in price. So, make sure to set a budget and stick to it. Remember that more expensive humidifiers may have more features or be of higher quality. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great humidifier at an affordable price. You can get good deals when looking for the best humidifier in NZ at Briscoes and other marketplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about using and maintaining humidifiers.
How often do I need to clean my humidifier?
We recommend emptying and refilling the tank with distilled water daily. Emptying your humidifier once a day prevents the growth of mould and bacteria that can happen with stagnant water. Consider cleaning it more thoroughly once a week. But you can clean it more frequently if you notice any discolouration or build-up in the water tank.
How do I know if my humidifier is working properly?
Here's a quick tip: Use a hygrometer (a tool that measures humidity) to check the humidity levels in your room. Preferably, the humidity level in your room should be between 40% and 60%. If the humidity level is lower than 40%, your humidifier may not work properly.
If you don’t have a hygrometer, you can check the water level in the reservoir. A steadily decreasing water level generally indicates a well-functioning humidifier.
Can humidifiers cause mould or mildew?
Yes, if not cleaned properly and regularly, a humidifier can promote mould or mildew growth. Make sure to clean your humidifier as recommended and use distilled water to prevent mould or mildew growth. Also, a humidifier (especially evaporative type) that is poorly maintained may lead to humidifier fever.
Mark Thompson
Wrapping Up
Choosing the best humidifier for your needs isn't just about price or brand; it's about matching your unique needs, from room size to type, desired features, and budget, to find the ideal fit.
With the range of humidifiers mentioned above, you're well on your way to finding the humidifier that's just right for you.
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