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The 4 Best Humidifiers For Hard Water
Moisture minus the annoying white dust.
Hard water does a number on everything from your kitchen appliances to your hair, and it makes simple purchases like a humidifier especially complicated. If you’re in the market for something that’s supposed to add moisture to the air, you must take into account hard water’s high mineral content. But to get more context, Bustle reached out to an expert.
According to Brian Campbell, founder and Chief Water Treatment Expert at waterfilterguru.com, “The mineral deposits [from hard water] can build up inside the humidifier, affecting its efficiency and potentially causing damage.” The best humidifier for hard water will be an evaporative cool mist model with a wick filter. But what else do you need to know?
The Expert
Brian Campbell is the founder and chief water treatment expert at waterfilterguru.com, a blog dedicated to helping readers identify and address their water quality needs at home.
Evaporative vs. Ultrasonic
To take a step back, there are two main types of humidifiers: ultrasonic and evaporative. It’s important to understand the key differences when deciding which is best for hard water.
Ultrasonic models are popular for being extra quiet. However, since they are generally filterless, it is possible for unwanted minerals to get into the air. Ultrasonic humidifiers work by using vibrations to create a microfine mist (along with the minerals in it), which creates that infamous “white dust” associated with humidifiers. Therefore if you’re going to go with an ultrasonic humidifier for hard water, it’s important to invest in one that is compatible with demineralization cartridges.
An evaporative humidifier, on the other hand, draws water into a wick filter, which helps trap those minerals, and then a fan blows the water vapor through to disperse. Campbell says these filters can also accumulate mineral deposits over time, so it’s important to regularly change out the wick filters. Generally, you will find more evaporative options that are marketed toward hard water compared to ultrasonic humidifiers.
Warm Mist vs. Cool Mist
Warm mist or cool mist are other humidifier terms you've probably encountered in your search for the perfect model. For hard water, cool mist humidifiers are the way to go for one simple reason: they’re easier to clean. “Cool mist humidifiers emit room-temperature mist and do not produce heat that can cause minerals to settle and create limescale,” explains Campbell.
A warm mist humidifier (sometimes called a vaporizer) has an additional heating component to deal with and leaves behind more mineral deposits in the tank. A cool mist humidifier has the additional benefit of requiring less energy to operate since it doesn’t heat up and is approved for safe use around kids and pets, too.
Shop The Best Humidifiers For Hard Water
In a hurry? These are the best humidifiers for hard water on Amazon:
- The Overall Best Humidifier For Hard Water: Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier
- An Easy-Fill Humidifier That Can Cover Larger Rooms: Vornado EV200 Evaporative Whole Room Humidifier
- The Best Humidifier For Kids: Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier
- A Large Humidifier For Your Whole House: Vornado Evap40 4-Gallon Evaporative Humidifier
These are the four best evaporative cool moisture humidifiers on Amazon. They're sized for every type of room, and one of them can even tackle a whole house.
1The Overall Best Humidifier For Hard Water
Pros:
- Backed by more than 9,000 five-star ratings
- Easy to clean
- UV-technology kills bacteria
Cons:
- Wick filters will need to be replaced frequently
Featuring evaporative technology, this cool mist humidifier has amassed legions of fans (think 13,000+ Amazon reviews). It's designed for medium-sized rooms with a 1-gallon capacity that runs for up to 24 hours without needing a refill. The removable tank comes with a wide opening, making it easy to fill and to get inside and clean thoroughly. This humidifier earns bonus points for boasting UV technology that kills over 99% of bacteria. Since it's an evaporative model, it does use wick filters that will eventually need to be replaced (replacements can be found here), but you can take comfort in the fact that they're catching the mineral deposits found in hard water. "Sure, you have to change filters regularly, but it doesn't over-humidify your room or force whatever's growing in your tap water into your air," one shopper noted.
One reviewer wrote: “I only run it when my daughter has a cold, and I have replaced the filter twice in the span of 15 months. I love that the humidifier does not leave behind hard water deposits like my last few humidifiers. The tank is large and usually lasts for a couple of nights. I have absolutely no complaints about this humidifier.”
Type: Evaporative | Mist Type: Cool | Recommended room size: Medium (Up to approximately 500 sq. ft., according to reviewers) | Water tank size: 1.1 gallons | Colors: 2
2An Easy-Fill Humidifier That Can Cover Larger Rooms
Pros:
- Six humidity output levels
- Does not create white dust
Cons:
- Loud noise level, according to reviewers
Another great humidifier for hard water, this evaporative unit has a 1.5-gallon capacity that covers up to 700 square feet. The brand's SimpleTank system was designed for ease of use: you can pop out the two tanks for simple top-filling, and the wide opening lets you scrub from any angle when it's time for a clean. The tank lids screw on securely and feature a built-in handle that’s a thoughtful addition for easy carrying. It features three different fan settings with six humidity output levels, and the signature "vortex action" circulates comfortable air at every level of your room. While it's technically not a cool mist humidifier, the air that is circulated is cool. And when it comes time to change the filter, replacement wick filters come in a twin pack so you have a backup.
One reviewer wrote: “So I live in Las Vegas and have very hard water. I’ve tried other humidifiers and I get the dreaded white dust. I decided to give this a try….I’m so glad I did! No white dust! Yay! It’s constantly running, and I’m fine with that. I know it’s working. I use the filtered water from my refrigerator to fill up the tanks. I am so happy with this machine!”
Type: Evaporative | Mist Type: Cool | Recommended room size: Up to 700 sq. ft. | Water tank size: 1.5 gallons | Colors: 1
3The Best Humidifier For Kids
Pros:
- Nightlight feature
- Compatible with therapeutic Vicks VapoPads
- Automatic shut-off
Cons:
- Filters will need to be replaced frequently
This compact humidifier, with a fun projector night light, has an antimicrobial filter that traps up to 95% of bacteria for a germ-free cool mist. It's an evaporative model that's designed for medium to large rooms. Plus, it's compatible with therapeutic Vicks VapoPads that create a soothing menthol-infused mist for additional relief when your child is sick. Its 1-gallon tank will last through the night (it can run on low for up to 24 hours), and there's an automatic shut-off if you accidentally leave it on. It has a wider opening on the bottom to refill the tank — although the tank doesn't detach, shoppers reported it's still pretty easy to clean. It comes in two color options: blue and pink. And you can grab these extra water filters while it's on your mind.
One reviewer wrote: “Worth the price. Love this humidifier! It makes some white noise that is perfect. Does not leave any white residue from hard water”
Type: Evaporative | Mist Type: Cool | Recommended room size: Up to 400 sq. ft., according to the seller | Water tank size: 1 gallon | Colors: 1
4A Large Humidifier For Your Whole House
Pros:
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- Large 4-gallon capacity
Cons:
- No cons found
This extra-large evaporative humidifier boasts a 4-gallon tank capacity that can operate on full blast for up to 24 hours of cool moisture and cover up to 1,000 square feet. Three fan speeds and a built-in humidity control let you dial in your preferred settings, and its intelligent sensors monitor the ambient humidity and adjust accordingly to maintain just the right balance. The twin removable no-leak, spill-proof tanks have built-in handles for easy carrying and filling. The tanks do have pretty narrow openings, so you can’t reach inside, but reviewers were satisfied with how relatively easy it was to clean them. Pick up a two-pack of replacement wick filters here.
One reviewer wrote: “None of the white residue because of it being evaporativeKeeps our entire upstairs humidified. wicks are affordable so we keep them on hand. We live in a very hard water and dry region and our wicks last about 5 weeks. The design is easy to fill and install.”
Type: Evaporative | Mist Type: Cool | Recommended room size: Up to 1,000 sq. ft. | Water tank size: 4 gallons | Colors: 1
FAQs
How do I know if I have water hard?
Hard water has a high mineral content and includes minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Campbell tells Bustle, “You can determine if you have hard water through signs like limescale buildup on faucets and appliances, reduced water flow, and difficulty lathering soap.” When hard water is vaporized by the humidifier, you may also notice white mineral dust. “This dust can settle on surfaces and cause respiratory irritation when inhaled,” says Campbell.
How do I stop hard water buildup in my humidifier?
The best way to prevent hard water buildup in your humidifier is to invest in one like the humidifiers mentioned above, that minimize buildup in the first place. According to Campbell, “Regular cleaning and maintenance using distilled water instead of tap water, can help prevent mineral buildup in the future.”
What is the best way to clean a humidifier with hard water?
To clean mineral buildup in a humidifier, create your own cleaning solution from home by mixing equal parts of water and vinegar. Then empty out the humidifier and fill its base with the vinegar-water solution. Campbell recommends letting the solution sit for 30 minerals to loosen the mineral deposits. Next, scrub the remaining mineral buildup using a soft brush or cloth and rinse the humidifier thoroughly with clean distilled water.
How We Selected The Best Humidifiers For Hard Water
In choosing the humidifiers for this article, we spoke with an expert on hard water, conducted independent research, and factored in capacity, budget, and filter design in order to narrow down these choices. In choosing these models, we combed through product reviews, considered budget, and ease of use, and narrowed down the humidifiers based on all of these criteria.
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Expert:
Brian Campbell is the founder and chief water treatment expert at waterfilterguru.com, a blog dedicated to helping readers identify and address their water quality needs at home.
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