Topten.eu presents the best humidifiers on the European market.
At first glance, the range of air humidifiers on the European market appears to be large. But that is deceptive. One manufacturer may produce for different brands of room humidifiers making one product can be available under different names, at different prices from different suppliers.
Room air humidifiers function according to the several technologies, all of which are explained in the recommendation section.
Technical criteria
Topten presents the most energy-efficient products based on the evaporation at low temperature principle. Aside from being more energy efficient, these technologies do not represent any burn risk (which is common for air humidifiers that emit high-temperature mist) nor do they deposit any limescale in the room (as with ultrasonic humidifiers). Evaporative humidifiers based on the high-temperature evaporation principle are cheaper to buy, but the total costs (including electricity costs) over their lifetime are much higher by up to 30-fold.
Order of product display
According to electricity costs. Please note that the most economical products also have the smallest humidification capacity.
Terminology
Model
Model name of the basic unit.
Electricity costs over 10 years
Assumptions for the calculation of electricity costs:
- 120 days (4 months) in operation during 10 hours per day. With the hygrostat control, the actual running time is 50% less (i.e. 5 hours running time per day).
- Total hours operation time:600 hours per year or 6'000 hours over 10 years.
- Assumed electricity price: 30 cents/kWh.
Please note: for products with cassettes, mats or flowing paper (see humidification systems), periodic replacement is usually necessary. Maintenance costs are incurred here, which can be significantly higher than the electricity costs. Due to different prices and replacement intervals, no information is possible. Please ask before you buy!
Humidification system
There are three different systems of humidifiers.
- Evaporators: The dry room air is blown by a fan through humidified evaporator cassettes or filter mats and absorbs only as much moisture as is needed at the current temperature. The air is then blown back into the room optimally humidified. Evaporators are very efficient and require little electricity. Only evaporators are listed on Topten because they are the most efficient devices on the market.
- Nebuliser: With a nebuliser, water is atomised into tiny droplets. These are distributed into the room as a mist by a fan and evaporate. Because limescale particles enter the room with the water droplets, the nebuliser must always be operated with a descaling cartridge. If the descaling cartridge is not changed regularly, a lime deposit can form on the furniture. Since the water droplets could carry bacteria directly into the air, consistent disinfection is particularly important. The power consumption is usually much higher than with evaporators.
- Evaporator: Water is heated to almost 100°C inside the unit until germ-free water vapour is produced. This results in strong evaporation even without air movement. The evaporation heat is supplied by the hot water, which is why this humidification system consumes up to ten times more electricity than the other two systems. The electricity costs for an evaporator can rise to as much as CHF 600 over a 10-year period! Since the heating plate calcifies over time, the unit must be decalcified regularly.
It is recommended to operate all systems, especially the nebuliser and vaporiser system with a hygrostat (humidification controller) to prevent excessive humidification. The setting should be 45 to 55% relative humidity. When the target humidity is reached, the unit is automatically switched off by the hygrostat. It also makes sense to use a socket timer to automatically switch off the unit at night and when it is not in use.
Power consumption (watts)
According to supplier’s documentation.
Water tank capacity
Capacity of the container (in some cases divided into 2 containers) in liters.
Dimensions
Width x height x depth in cm.
Humidification performance
In dl/h at 45% relative humidity (according to test standard DIN 44973).
Weight
The weight of the humidifier without water in kg
Noise in dB(A)
The noise value at the highest level of intensity is given. On a lower level the noise level is reduced. With some products, there are periodic "bubbling" noise which can be disturbing in the bedroom.
Levels of intensity
With several levels it is also possible to run the product more quietly and at lower power.
Information for manufacturers and suppliers
Producers and retailers are kindly asked to contact info(at)topten.info to inform about more products which meet the European Topten selection criteria.
11/2022 Berger-Wey, Bush
