So you've decided to buy a humidifier, and you would prefer cool mist to warm. Great! But that's not the end of the decision making process.
There are actually three different types of cool mist humidifier available, and they each use a different technique to get water into the air.
The most common method is by evaporation. Water is absorbed into a pad or filter, and a fan is used to speed the evaporation process. This method is very simple and natural, and has been around for a long time. It is a tried and tested process that has been perfected over the years, making these models very reliable. The only disadvantage is the noise of the fan.
Another technique that has been developed in recent years uses a spinning disk to encourage the water into the air. These 'impeller' models make a lot less noise than a fan, which is a big advantage.
The third type uses ultrasonic sound. This may sound like something from science fiction, but it is actually quite an effective method. To the human ear, these models are effectively silent!
The two most recent methods of humidification have now been in production for some time, but if you read consumer reviews of individual products, you will soon see that the technology is not yet perfected. Some break far too easily, and in extreme cases you can even end up with a puddle of water on the floor. Don't let this put you off! You just have to be careful which brand you buy.
It is always the case with any new technology that the cheaper models will not deliver everything they promise. These new humidification techniques are here to stay, and their noise free operation will undoubtedly make them very popular in the future. For now, you have to decide what sort of person you are. Do you love the cutting edge, or prefer the safety and comfort of a tried and tested design?