Ultrasonic humidifiers produce mist with ultrasound, a type of acoustic wave. These waves fall between the low- and high-frequency sounds and are in the ultrasonic range. They are less audible than low-frequency vibration, which regular faucet-mounted humidifiers use, and louder than high-frequency vibration, which ultrasonic humidifiers use.

Ultrasonic humidifiers are one of the least expensive types of humidifiers. They are also one of the most compacts, with many models available as tabletop units or wall-mounts. One example is the Honeywell Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, a uniquely-shaped desktop unit that produces up to two gallons of mist per day at the touch of a button.

Honeywell Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier

Ultrasonic humidifiers are relatively quiet. One recent study found that ultrasonic humidifiers emit between five and ten decibels of sound, making them slower than room-filling models with ultrasonic vibration technology. Of course, this low sound level does not indicate that the Ultrasonic Humidifier is not working or that it isn’t getting the job done. The story of noise depends on many factors, such as the amount of water going into the device and where it is placed in your home.

Tabletop Ultrasonic Humidifiers have been called “The Perfect Solution for Traveling Baby” and “The Ultimate LCD Air Filter.” They work well in denser spaces such as apartments & dorms due to their compact size and lightweight design. They are ideal for smaller spaces such as hotel rooms and guest rooms (but they should be used only in small areas since they need a lot of water).

They have noise levels 5 to 8 decibels lower than those in larger units with vibration technology (4 to 10 dBA). Ultrasound technology has now been incorporated into many large humidifiers, which produce very little or no perceptible sound (5 decibels or less) while also providing several gallons per hour of humidifier output (10 gallons per hour on average).

The two are not interchangeable as Ultrasonic Humidifiers do not use vibration technology. However, with the advancements in technology, it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between these two devices from a distance.