- The humidity released into the air is the main difference between a humidifier and a vaporizer. A humidifier releases cooler moisture into the air; a vaporizer releases warm moisture.
- A humidifier releases cool water from its reservoir into the air. A vaporizer boils water in its reservoir before releasing the warm vapor into the air.
- Vaporizers are less expensive than humidifiers and allow you to easily add inhalants. Humidifiers are more expensive and adding inhalants is more difficult.
- A humidifier is less of a safety risk because the water is cool. A vaporizer uses boiling water to release warm air, increasing the chance that someone might be accidentally scalded.
- Vaporizers pose less of a risk of releasing bacteria-filled moisture since the water is always boiled. However, germs can easily fester in a humidifier because the water in the reservoir is always cool or at room temperature.
