Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, is a group of lung diseases that interfere with airflow, making it difficult to breathe. COPD is very common, affecting more than 3 million people in the United States each year. The progressive illness cannot be cured, but treatment can help. Humidifiers are often recommended to those with COPD to create an environment in which it’s easier to breathe.
Humidifiers are designed to keep the air moist, which can help individuals with COPD better cough up phlegm. These inexpensive devices can be especially helpful in indoor environments that are dry or continually run a heating system.
Individuals with COPD often experience wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. During extreme weather changes, these symptoms can become significantly worse. Research has shown that lower humidity levels (about 40 percent is ideal) are best for people with COPD. A humidifier can help you achieve an optimal humidity level, but not all are made the same. The best humidifier for COPD contains some key features.
What to look for in the best Humidifier for COPD:
- Types: There are two basic types of humidifiers: cool mist and warm mist. Each is designed to add moisture to the air, but have some slight differences. Cool mist humidifiers tend to be noisier, while warm mist humidifiers are better suited for smaller areas.
- Room Size: The size of your new humidifier should be based on the measurements of the room it will be used in. Smaller humidifiers are best in rooms up to 300 square feet, while larger humidifiers can accommodate 500 to 1,000 square foot rooms.
- Cleaning: Humidifiers must be properly cleaned to maintain them long-term. The device should be drained, rinsed, and dried every day, and disinfected at least once a week.
- Timer: Some modern humidifiers features timer settings that allow you to turn the device on at a designated time. With a timer, you can ensure that the house has reached the proper humidity level before you return home.
1. TaoTronics Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier Diffuser, Ultrasonic Air Humidifier
If you’re looking for a machine that can offer both warm and cool mist, you’ve found it. The TaoTronics Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier offers both cool and warm mist settings, as well as warm steam during cold and dry days. The ultrasonic air humidifier also features a separate essential oil container that can function as an aromatic diffuser.
What makes the TaoTronics device the best humidifier for COPD is not just the warm and cool mist controls, but also the built-in filter. Users can achieve long-term freshness in their home as the filter effectively removes bad odors and bacteria from the water, while also purifying the inlet air.
What Other Users Are Saying:
- The best humidifier I own
- Has many nice features
- Elegant looking and quiet
- Love the optional scented oil compartment
- Expels a great deal of both warm and cool mist
- Quality build and a modern design
2. Honeywell Easy to Care Cool Mist Humidifier
When it comes to humidifiers, quality should be your number one concern. The Honeywell Easy to Care Cool Mist Humidifier is a top-rated humidifier made by one of the largest multinational conglomerates in the world. The easy-to-use kit contains a MED cool mist humidifier with two moisture control settings.
The humidifier features patented easy-to-fill technology that makes the humidifier both easy to fill and easy to clean. It also has an antimicrobial treated filter to cut down on bacteria and germs. The portable humidifier is suitable for medium-sized rooms, such as bedrooms, and can run quietly for up to 36 hours before it needs to be refilled.
What Other Users Are Saying:
- Easy to refill
- Great product – shipped flawlessly
- It’s very quiet
- Much easier to clean than other humidifiers
- Best humidifier I’ve ever owned
- Very convenient!
3. Digital Micro-Tech 4500 Ultrasonic Cool & Warm Mist Humidifier
Very hot, cold, or dry air can easily trigger a COPD flair-up. The Digital Micro-Tech 4500 Ultrasonic Cool & Warm Mist Humidifier is the perfect solution for achieving a comfortable indoor temperature. The unique humidifier features a carbon-activated air filter and ionizer, along with an aroma essential oil diffuser.
What makes the Digital Micro-Tech humidifier the best humidifier for COPD is its use of ultrasonic high frequency oscillation used to break up water into a fine mist that travels throughout the room. The tank can run up to 18 hours continuously and once its empty, it’s easy to remove from the unit and refill.
What Other Users Are Saying:
- Looks good, works great
- The best humidifier I’ve ever used
- Produces a powerful mist
- This humidifier is perfect
- Fast delivery – highly recommended
- Helps me to rest easy
4. Honeywell UV Germ-Free Cool Moisture Humidifier
Cool mist humidifiers generally disperse a cooling mist that covers a large area and uses less electricity than other humidifier types. The Honeywell UV Germ-Free Cool Moisture Humidifier offers all the features you’d want in a humidifier, such as three-speed settings to adjust sound and moisture output, and a filter to remove impurities.
What makes it the best humidifier for COPD is its exclusive QuietCare performance. Users can achieve sound that is up to 25 percent quieter than other evaporation humidifiers. The humidifier also provides users with a long run time. The Honeywell humidifier can run for up to 24 hours per filling on the low setting.
What Other Users Are Saying:
- It’s quiet! Yay!
- Super easy to set up and use
- Does its job well
- Easy to refill
- This is a great bargain
- Best one out there!
5. Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Adding extra moisture to your room can make a significant difference in how you feel. The Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a premium humidifying unit featuring whisper-quiet operation, night light functions, and automatic shut-off capabilities. The affordable cool mist humidifier is able to moisturize the air for up to 16 continuous hours.
With its 1.5-liter tank, this humidifier is an excellent option for small to medium-sized rooms, such as offices and bedrooms. The 360-degree mist nozzle, along with the dual-speed control, allow you to personalize your humidifier to meet your unique health and comfort needs. When the water level gets low, the automatic shut-off kicks in.
What Other Users Are Saying:
- Super easy to use and quiet
- Works like a charm
- Surprisingly light
- Love how it lasts through the night on high
- The nightlight feature is great
- Nice compact size
