This week on the Modern Kids Design blog, we want to spotlight Crane. We’re frequently asked, “What’s the difference between a humidifier and a vaporizer?” And it’s usually followed rather quickly by, “Does my family need one? And if so, which one?” Since there are benefits to using them year-round, let’s dive in and figure this out together.

The Humidifier vs. The Vaporizer

Often you’ll see these two devices side-by-side online or in a store, and they can seem rather similar. Both are good options when seeking natural, safe ways to help with coughs, congestion, sore throats, and even dry skin. Both are especially useful in the cooler winter months when the air is at its driest, but they’re also great year round to add a little bit of moisture to the air if it feels particularly dry. So what do they do differently?

Humidifiers emit water in the form of a cool mist to increase the moisture in the air, which makes for easier breathing and a better night’s sleep. Who doesn’t want that? Vaporizers also add moisture to the air, but they have heating elements and therefore emit warm steam. A humidifier is often run 24 hours a day. A vaporizer, on the other hand, is typically used for a period of time (perhaps overnight for a few consecutive nights) to treat an illness, such as a cold or flu, and unlike a humidifier, it can be used to transmit steam medication into the air and directly into your lungs for quick relief.

Humidifiers and vaporizers can indeed help ease the symptoms of a cold but with a few caveats. It goes without saying that it’s important to start with the manufacturer’s instructions regarding cleaning and tank filling. Also, in the case of a humidifier, it’s a good idea to monitor your indoor humidity to ensure it strikes a balance between 30 and 50 percent. Lastly, parents of asthmatic children should consult with their doctor before tapping into the healing powers of either a humidifier or a vaporizer.

Some have challenged their efficacy simply because there’s not a lot of information out there on how to use humidifiers and vaporizers properly. Also, the traditional visual of either doesn’t do them any favors: the humidifier is often a boxy, drab device that sits in a corner detracting from the room’s ambiance. The vaporizer is usually a functional white plastic tub with a plug. On top of that, people don’t know how to clean them! (And cleaning is extremely important by the way.) If you don’t do it properly, you can inadvertently encourage mold growth and bacteria, and no one wants that!

Thank You, Crane!

But the good news—no, the great news—is that those challenges have been overcome. We’re talking about humidifiers, vaporizers, and Crane in the same breath because this manufacturer has created good looking, effective, and easily maintained versions!

This award-winning company has been making humidifiers, vaporizers, air purifiers, and heaters since 2005.  Crane is one company working to provide safe, high-quality, and completely stunning devices. At Modern Kids Design, we love their top-tier technology, gorgeous aesthetics, and the fact that their products completely integrate the roles of being “functional” and “decorative,” creating devices that are as useful as they are lovely.

They are also perfect for your child’s room. Their humidifiers are whisper quiet and can be used 24-hours a day without worry. For absolute safety, they have an auto shut-off function that activates when the water tank is empty and antimicrobial material in their base that’s proven to help reduce mold and bacteria growth up to 99.96%.

Oh yes, one more thing, Crane’s humidifiers are both energy efficient—using less energy than the standard household light bulb!—and inexpensive to operate—not even needing a filter. As for their vaporizers, they provide bacteria-free steam, the safety auto shut-off for empty tanks, and dishwasher-safe tanks. They can run up to 15 hours, providing continuous steam medication.

The team at Crane points out, “While humidifiers, air purifiers, and space heaters are some of the best ways to control indoor air pollutants, most people don’t break into a smile about these traditionally unexciting humidity, air quality, and heating solutions. Here at Crane, we are looking to change that.” And they’re doing so beautifully by creating humidifiers in modern designs, shaped like water droplets, and stylish vaporizers that are too chic to hide away—both available in a splash of bright colors. We carry three humidifiers in pink, white, and green, as well as two vaporizers in fuschia and blue.

What Do You Think?

We’d love to hear from you if you think that we should carry more designs from Crane—perhaps the adorable animal line of humidifiers and air purifiers. As with any product category area, we welcome feedback and suggestions. Feel free to reach out at via email. As always, thanks for reading!