Take one look at the claims of any humidifier and you will see that many claim to cure ills ranging from mild hay fever to asthma, flu and dry skin. As with any technology like this, results will inevitably vary, but is there any truth in these claims?

You Want an Air Purifier in a Shared Space: Even if you don’t struggle with white noise, if you’re thinking of using an air purifier in a shared space, that doesn’t mean that it won’t bother others. Quiet air purifiers can ensure that no one is disturbed. Why Quiet Air Purifiers May Not Be for You It is also recommended by many to use distilled or purified water in humidifiers, rather than water straight out of the tap. There is some debate on this, however, but it's certainly true that over time tap water will help promote pink mould and mineral dust forming in the machine. Activated carbon is ideal for removing odors along with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). UV light can neutralize odors as well as remove pathogens from the air as long as the light mode lasts for at least several minutes. The Medify MA-40 is a rectangular-shaped air purifier that is great for medium to large spaces. It is also equipped with a HEPA H13 filter to remove up to 99.9% of unwanted particles in the air, as small as 0.3 microns in size. It offers three fan speeds for users to choose from, whereas the lowest level produces only 46dB for quiet operation. The air filter is ideal for cleaning up spaces as large as 840 sq ft in as little as 30 minutes and is also energy-star certified for efficient energy consumption. Unfortunately, it does not have any smart features. UV light is ideal for mold and pathogens. And PECO, which is proprietary to Molekule air purifiers, can filter all of the common pollutants but doesn’t remove dust quite as effectively as a HEPA filter. 3. How many settings are there?Soothes dry skin and throats – The dry air that comes with winter can cause all sorts of problems, like dry skin and sore throats. By using a humidifier, you can increase moisture in the air and help alleviate these problems. Prevents respiratory problems – By adding moisture to the air, humidifiers can help prevent respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and nosebleeds. The Hathaspace HSP001 air purifier features an elaborate five-stage filtration system for cleaning out up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air. It can clean up the air in a 700 sq ft space once an hour, and since it comes with a built-in ionizer, it is also pretty good at eliminating odors. The air purifier can efficiently eliminate allergens, dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke, and Volatile Organic Compounds, but unfortunately, it does not have a filter change indicator. An evaporative humidifier requires frequent filter changes, which is why they aren't prone to mould. However, an ultrasonic humidifier isn't likely to have mould either if you make it a habit to give them a thorough scrub once a month. The Mini Cool Mist humidifier releases cool, visible mist into the air to help you feel easy breathing and allowing you to get a good night sleep. This small-size quiet ultrasonic humidifier is ideal and safe for use in child's bedroom as the cool mist technology eliminates risks of burns.

In general, a higher level of moisture in the air (though not over 50%) promotes better sleep for everyone, including babies. The Blue Air Blue Pure 211+ air purifier relies on Swedish Filter technology to rid the air of airborne pollutants such as pollen. It also has an activated carbon filter to get rid of foul odors and can be switched to a quiet setting to avoid disruptions. The air purifier also has very low energy consumption, and with two washable pre-filters, it is very efficient at catching larger particles. Unfortunately, the air purifier does not have an auto mode. Do not let humidity level go too high – a humidity that is too high can cause growth of dust mites.Again, different filters have different timelines. HEPA filters have the longest range of six to 12 months between changes. Activated carbon filters must be replaced every three to six months. And PECO filters must be changed every six months. Keep in mind the costs for filter replacements too. Depending on the filter type and frequency of how often you’ll need to change it, it might turn into an expensive air purifier to maintain. 5. Is there a sleep mode?