Breathing healthy air is essential if you want to create a happy home. Having clean air is an increasing challenge in the modern world. Our homes are under constant attack from dust mites, mold, pollen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and smoke.

These pollutants are often responsible for your allergies, asthma attacks, and sinus problems. You also have to deal with the effects of low humidity levels, because dry air at home can cause nosebleeds, chapped lips, dry skin, and even cracked furniture.

Typically, you’d need to have at least 2 devices to deal with all these problems: an air purifier and a humidifier, but there is an alternative. Air purifier/humidifier combos are devices that purify and humidify the air at the same time.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the benefits and features of the best air purifier-humidifier combos available on the market today along with some helpful tips to help you in the model selection process.

  • Evaporative Humidifier
  • Water Low Indicator
  • Automatic Shut Off
  • 3 Output Levels
  • 10-Year Warranty

  • 4-Stage Air Purification
  • 3 Fan Stage
  • Evaporative Humidifier
  • Library Quiet
  • 1-Year Warranty

  • Evaporative Humidifier
  • Low Water Indicator
  • 2 Output Levels
  • Auto Shut-Off
  • 5-Year Warranty

  • Air Washer
  • Auto Shut-off
  • Low Energy Consumption
  • 600 sq.ft Capacity
  • 3-Year Warranty

  • 7-Stage Air Purification System
  • Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
  • Optional Ionizer
  • Humidistat
  • Odor Sensor
  • 2-Year Warranty


The LW25 works by drawing air over a set of slowly rotating disks that trap air pollutants like pollen and dust. The water cleans the discs, leaves the air pollutants behind, and comes out as a clean, cool mist. It’s also quiet on all three output levels and humidifies quickly.

What’s great about the LW25 is that it’s a low maintenance humidifier, only needing to be cleaned every few weeks. With the help of its 2-gallon tank, the LW25 can cover areas up to 400 sq. ft. in size, which is impressive, especially considering how compact it is.

The LW25’s high price, however, is only justifiable if you’re willing to pay more initially in exchange for lower power consumption and infrequent refills and cleaning.

Considering how much you’re paying, you’d think that the people at Venta would have added more useful features like a humidistat or a timer. Also, as far as its “air washing” capabilities are concerned, you’d be better off with an actual HEPA air purifier which removes air pollutants more quickly and efficiently.

In a nutshell, the LW25 is one of the best humidifiers out there, but you can’t count on it to be as efficient as an air purifier for removing air pollutants. If light air cleaning and heavy duty humidification are what you need, then the LW25 would be your best bet.

Pros

  • Low maintenance
  • Quiet
  • Large tank capacity
  • No filters
  • No white dust

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Less effective at purifying the air
  • Fewer features
  • No humidistat

The KC-860U is a heavy duty air purifier that removes pollen, pet dander, mold, dust mites, and even light odors around your home. The auto mode setting adjusts the fan speed depending on the air quality in the room. Similarly, when the humidistat detects low humidity levels, it signals the KC-860U to increase moisture output.

The KC-860U is quiet, energy efficient, and the humidifier doesn’t produce white dust. It also makes use of long-life filters that only need to be replaced every 5 years. The wick filter is washable and will last for 2 years, depending on how often you use the humidifier, meaning savings in the long run.

You will need to find a sizeable sum to purchase this KC-860U, making it is the most expensive air purifier-humidifier on this list. In addition to the hefty price tag, the KC-860U’s water tank can only hold 1.14 gallons of water so don’t expect it to be able to humidify the room for long periods.

While it may not be the best humidifier on this list, the KC-860U is one of the best air purifiers. Despite its flaws, it’s still worth owning one. It humidifies, purifies efficiently, and combats the changes in seasonal air quality.

Pros

  • Auto adjustable fan speeds
  • Auto monitors humidity
  • Long-life filters
  • No white dust
  • Quiet

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Small water tank capacity
  • Bulky and hard maneuver
  • No auto shut-off
  • Short warranty

Easily the best-looking air purifier-humidifier on this list, the W200 is another air washer that comes in a sleek, white unit with a simple black control knob to switch between the two mist output levels.

It works by drawing air through specially textured evaporative mats which turn in the water and add moisture to the air while effectively removing pollutants.

Compared to the LW25, the W200 has a significantly larger room coverage capacity, at 540 sq. ft, and has the added bonus of allowing you to add essential oils to the mist it produces.

The W200 is easy to clean and maintain, with parts that are dishwasher-safe. It performs extremely well and can reach the right humidity levels in a matter of minutes without making too much noise.

The main disadvantage to the W200 is that it doesn’t remove smaller particles, smoke, odors, and VOCs as effectively as a dedicated air purifier. Also, for a mid-priced product, it has a lot less features than other combos in its class, as well as a relatively small water tank that needs more frequent filling.

All things considered, the W200 is an excellent alternative to the LW25, providing the same heavy-duty humidification and moderate air purification for a more affordable price.

Pros

  • Quiet
  • Low maintenance
  • Large room coverage
  • No filters
  • No white dust

Cons

  • Small water tank capacity
  • Less effective at purifying the air
  • Fewer features
  • No humidistat

This is the second Boneco to feature in the list, and this 2-in-1 combo has an output of up to 3-gallons in a 24-hours. For the best results, place it in a room no bigger than 600 sq.ft.

It has a low energy consumption and an automatic shut-off when the reservoir is empty. This clever unit uses an advanced disc pack system to draw the dirty air in at the top, and wash it clean, removing dust and debris in the process, emitting clean, humid air.

These discs are robust, and never need replacing, but you should note that Boneco recommends you use their HydroCell technology to maintain optimum performance, replacing the cells every 1 to 2 months. And that ramps up the running costs!

This system produces zero minerals so that you won’t suffer from white dust, and because it’s easily portable, you can transfer it to any room in the house.

The water tank is small, so if you go for this unit, get used to continually filling it up.

Overall, this is a handy humidifier, especially as it doesn’t require any filters, and because it has a 5-year warranty, you have the peace of mind to know that if anything goes wrong, you’re covered.

Pros

  • Low maintenance
  • Quiet
  • Large room coverage
  • No filters
  • No white dust

Cons

  • Small water tank capacity
  • Less effective at purifying the air
  • Fewer features
  • No humidistat


This Beurer model will humidify rooms no larger than 388 sq.ft, so it’s probably best to use it in smaller spaces like the office, or a guest bedrooms.

It also uses humidification discs to clean and humidify the air, so again, there is no need to shell out on replacement filters.

This model has an indicator light to tell you when the water tank is running low, and because it’s quiet, you can leave it running throughout the night.

It uses cold evaporative technology to automatically regulate ambient air, and when the tank empties the machine shuts off automatically.

Beurer generously offer a limited lifetime warranty on this product, but don’t buy one if you plan to give it as a gift, because that warranty only covers the original retail purchaser and is void to anyone else.

The other thing to consider is the size of the water tank. It seems that humidifier/purifier combos that utilize disc technology have this problem.

It could also be a bit more maneuverable; wheels on the base would have been useful.

Pros

  • Low maintenance
  • Quiet
  • Auto shut-off
  • No filters
  • Low water indicator

Cons

  • Small water tank capacity
  • Less effective at purifying the air
  • Fewer features
  • No humidistat
  • Not maneuverable

Comparison Chart

FEATURESSharp KC-860U PlasmaclusterVenta LW25 AirwasherBoneco 2-in-1 Air Washer W200Boneco Air Washer Humidifier 2055ABeurer LW110 Purifier and Humidifier
TypeConsoleCompactConsoleConsoleConsole
Filters/
Technology
Pre + Carbon + HEPA + Ionizer + HumidifierDiscDisc
Room Coverage341 sq. ft.400 sq. ft.540 sq. ft.600 sq.ft388 sq.ft
Type of MistCoolCoolCoolCoolCool
Type of HumidificationEvaporativeEvaporativeEvaporativeEvaporativeEvaporative
Tank Capacity1.14 gal2 gal1.18 gal
HumidistatDigital
Water Low IndicatorYesYesYesNoYes
Automatic Shut OffNoYesYesYesYes
Weight25.8 lbs8.5 lbs11.2 lbs15 lbs14.5 lbs
Dimensions15.8 x 11.4 x 24.811.8 x 13 x 11.811 x 11 x 1615.5 x 15.8 x 1614 x 14 x 16
Warranty1 year10 years5 years5 yearsLimited Lifetime

Buyer’s Guide:

Air Purifier – Humidifier Combo

An air purifier-humidifier combo is a device that can both purify and humidify the air. It may come in the form of an air purifier with a built-in humidifier, or it may be a humidifier marketed as an “air washer” which can purify the air using water as a natural filter.

An air purifier is a device that is capable of removing air pollutants such as dust, pollen,, mold, smoke, VOCs, bacteria, and viruses by utilizing mechanical filters (e.g.: HEPA and carbon) or electrical filters (ionizer and UV).

Some air purifiers come with a built-in humidifier as a bonus to freshen the air even more. Generally, air purifiers that come with a humidifier use evaporative or ultrasonic cool mist technology.

Unfortunately, since the humidifier is just an added feature, you can’t expect these air purifiers to have a large water tank or perform as well as an actual humidifier.

Air washers, on the other hand, are humidifiers that are marketed as air purifiers. Manufacturers claim that these air washers can remove 99% of microscopic airborne pollutants by using water as a natural filter, while at the same time effectively raising humidity levels in the room.

Evaporative cool mist humidifiers are often used as air washers because pollutants are left inside the humidifier as the water evaporates. Unfortunately, studies have shown that air washers don’t do a particularly good job of “washing” the air. A mid-range HEPA air purifier is still able to outperform a high-end air washer by significantly reducing particle concentrations faster.

Air purifiers are highly beneficial for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems because they can remove the triggers that cause or worsen these conditions. In contrast, humidifiers are able to provide relief for people who suffer from sinus congestion, frequent cough, colds, and flu, as well as dry hair and skin. A humidifier would do wonders for homes in arid climates. An air purifier-humidifier combo would be able to address all of these problems effectively, so if you’re facing any or all of the issues mentioned above, then an air purifier-humidifier combo could be the answer.

Pros:
  • Cost-effective – Air purifier-humidifier combos provide a more cost-effective solution for people who need relief from dry, polluted air. Purchasing two separate units would be much more expensive than buying an air purifier-humidifier combination.
  • Convenient – Since air purifier-humidifier combos are 2-in-1 appliances, they are more convenient and take up less space at home.
  • Addresses more problems – As previously mentioned, air purifier-humidifier combos can address a wider variety of air quality problems because of their dual function.
Cons:
  • Generally expensive – Air purifier-humidifier combos are usually more expensive than a standalone humidifier or purifier unit.
  • Not as effective – When you have a product that serves two functions, it’s no surprise that at least one of those functions won’t be as effective as the other. As we mentioned, an air washer isn’t as efficient at purifying the air as an air purifier. Similarly, you can’t count on an air purifier to be as good at humidifying the air as an air washer.
  • High maintenance – Air purifier-humidifier combos are generally more high maintenance, especially air purifiers with a built-in humidifier: it’s twice the maintenance for one device.
Purifier Humidifier Combos

Pros

  • Cost effective
  • Convenient
  • Dual functions
  • Addresses more problems

Cons

  • Initially expensive to buy
  • Not as effective as separate purifiers/humidifiers
  • High maintenance

  • Do these units generate heat?
  • In the main, no, combos don’t heat the room because they operate using cool evaporative technology. If you want to warm the room look at investing in a warm-mist humidifier; the warm vapor they produce heats the room more quickly, so it reaches optimum humidity faster.
  • Do these combos generate an odor when in use?
  • Generally, they are odorless. If you detect an odor, it might be an indicator that the humidifier/purifier combo needs cleaning or the filter needs changing.
  • Can I use it to eliminate cooking smells in the kitchen?
  • Yes, you can. They do remove odors, but they will take longer than a dedicated air purifier. You might want to invest in something designed for that specific task.
  • Can a humidifier be used to dehumidify?
  • No. The humidifier element of the combo puts moisture into the atmosphere. A dehumidifier removes moisture.

Final Thoughts

When considering which product to buy, a combo could be the best of both worlds. It gives you the freedom to choose clean and humidified air, and at a fraction of the cost of buying two separate units. It also means that you won’t have lots of these things cluttering up your home, which is excellent, especially if you live in a small space environment.

Further Reading