What is a Mini Humidifier?

Humidifiers are used to re-moisturize the air in a building or room by dispersing a water mist — either steam or cool water — into the air. Humidifiers are often used to relieve stuffed noses resulting from allergies and dry air. A mini humidifier is a small, portable version of a standard humidifier. People choose to use mini humidifiers instead of standard humidifiers for a number of reasons, portability often topping the list.

Humidifiers typically are available in four configurations — evaporative, vaporizing, impeller and ultrasonic. Mini humidifiers are most often ultrasonic, meaning they use vibrations and electric transducers to turn water into vapor, creating a cool mist to inject water back into the atmosphere. The compact mechanics and relative silence of an ultrasonic humidifying system make it perfect for a mini humidifier.

Dry air, common in some regions of the U.S. all year long and seasonally elsewhere, can be combated by using a mini humidifier. During winter months, residents of southern climates lose their ambient humidity and, when paired with seasonal allergies, the results often include nosebleeds and sinus issues. A mini humidifier can relieve the seasonal dryness by bringing up the relative humidity in a single room. Travelers also often carry a mini humidifier to help themselves adjust to rapid climate changes.

The U.S. National Institute of Health recommends the use of a mini humidifier to moisturize nasal passage congestion associated with colds, the flu, and sinus infections. Added moisture helps to facilitate the thinning and ultimate drainage of mucus, providing relief to people suffering from stuffy noses. Allergies also cause frequent dry and inflamed sinuses. A mini humidifier is effective at treating the resulting congestion and providing relief from dryness caused by constant blowing and sneezing.

Advantages to mini humidifiers are abundant, particularly for short-term or single-room use. They cost less to operate than building-wide systems. Mini humidifiers are safer, particularly in homes with children and small animals, because they aren’t heat-dependent to create their steam. Portability and ease of use is also a plus with mini humidifiers, allowing the ambient air moisture to be controlled room by room, as needed.

A mini humidifier needs regular cleaning to avoid the buildup of bacteria, mold and mildew in the water compartment. Mini humidifiers are sold both online and in bricks-and-mortar stores. They are often less costly that standard humidifiers, but it doesn’t necessarily make them any less efficient.