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The common cold is one of the worst of all ailments, and it’s one we can do little about. Likewise, a cough and sore throat are also a lot more than merely irritating and can be troublesome beyond belief. Thee are off-the-shelf products that can be used to relieve these ailments – the usual pills and potions we buy at the pharmacy, for example – but there is much more that can be done to help with the symptoms of coughs, colds, and that horrible blocked up feeling that affects us all.
In fact, in some ways, our modern way of living has made things worse. It’s a fact that some types of central heating system can cause the air in our homes to become dry and unhealthy. This can aggravate sore throats and lead to bigger problems, and certain conditions can even help bring on a cold. This is not always the case – some symptoms can be via allergies or can be caught from germs from other people – but it is sometimes, so it needs to be considered if you have repeated problems of this type.
Best Steam Inhalers Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
|---|---|---|
1. Medisure Steam Inhaler Cup  |
| Check Price |
2. Perseus Steam Inhaler  |
| Check Price |
3. Beurer FS50 Facial Sauna  |
| Check Price |
4. Rrtizan steam inhaler  |
| Check Price |
5. Rio Facial Sauna and Steamer  |
| Check Price |
6. AirPhysio steam inhaler  |
| Check Price |
7. Vicks Sinus Inhaler  |
| Check Price |
8. VicTsing Essential Oil Aromatherapy  |
| Check Price |
9. Bauer Professional Aqua Care  |
| Check Price |
10. ASOG Handheld Steam Inhaler  |
| Check Price |
One thing that is known to help alleviate the symptoms described is steam; inhaled at the right temperature, and in the right amounts, it can be surprisingly beneficial. You can simply fill a bowl with boiling water and lean over it with a towel over your head, but this could be dangerous if it is spilled. Or, you could buy one of the many types of steam inhalers that are available. These are small, cheap, and simple to use, safer than filling a bowl, and you may find one to be very helpful.
Before we tell you about ten of the best steam inhalers, here’s a bit about how they work.
Best Steam Inhalers (Electric Steam Inhalers and Non-Electric)
1. Medisure Steam Inhaler Cup
The first on our list is one of the simplest designs here. It’s a cup with two handles, which acts as the reservoir, and a shaped and moulded outlet where you put your face to inhale the steam. This one has a non-slip base so that it will not move around when in use, and will hence reduce spillage, and it is simple to use, compact, and very cheap. It does the job, but we do have a few reservations about this type of inhaler in comparison with other types, not least the safety aspects – although they do seem to have been attended to as best possible.
To begin with, there is no power source for this model – it is simply a plastic cup. That means you have to fill it with water that is hot enough to produce steam, which is not an ideal situation – and certainly means youngsters will need to be supervised when using it. It is insulated, however, so you do get a decent amount of time from one fill, and it is very cheap indeed, so if you need one of these for just occasional use, there’s no reason this could not be the one.
Key Features
- Insulated cup
- Moulded inhaler
- Twin handles
- Non-slip base
2. Perseus Steam Inhaler
If you choose the Perseus inhaler, you will get an adult mask and a child mast so that you can use the same device for the whole family. The inhaler weighs 1.5 KG, which is not ideal if you want to take it from place to place, but it has many more positive features that outweigh its poor portability.
It has an 8ml capacity and very low medication residue, which reduces medication waste. It has a noise level of less than 65dB, which will not disturb the people around you.
Key Features:
- Low noise
- 8mm medicine capacity
- Weighs 1.5 kilos
3. Beurer FS50 Facial Sauna
This is the first of the more sophisticated type of model that we found, and it serves two purposes. First, it is a facial sauna, which means you can use it to cleanse the skin on your face, easily and safely in the comfort of your own home. Second, it comes with a nose and mouth fitment, so can be used as an inhaler too, and is very effective as such. It’s a well-made model and has many fine attributes.
This one is mains electricity powered, so you add cold water and it heats via an electric coil n a matter of minutes. It is very effective and has 120watt output so heats relatively quickly. It has temperature and output control and is easy to use.
You can add aromatherapy oils to this one whether you are using it as a sauna or an inhaler, and it is tried and tested and safe for home use – again, only with supervision where youngsters are concerned. It’s more expensive than the two above, but still not expensive.
Key Features
- Facial sauna
- Inhaler
- Temperature controls
- Mains powered
4. Rrtizan steam inhaler
The Rrtizan steam inhaler comes equipped with batteries, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing your own separately. It is portable and provides improved mist and advanced technologies that soothe sinus and throat pain instantly.
Children can operate the inhaler alone as it has a simple one-button operation and three modes to choose from for the user’s comfort. It is also very lightweight and easy to take from place to place.
Key Features:
- It comes with two masks
- Easy to operate
- Three modes to choose from
- One-button operation
5. Rio Facial Sauna and Steamer
This is another model that is more sophisticated than some of the others on the list. It is a facial sauna, which means you can use it to cleanse the skin on your face, easily and safely in the comfort of your own home. Second, it comes with a nose and mouth fitment, so can be used as an electric steam inhaler too, and is very effective as such. It’s a well-made model and has many fine attributes.
This one is mains electricity powered, so you add cold water and it heats via an electric coil n a matter of minutes. It is very effective and comes with attachments for adding vaporising oils. It has temperature and output control and is easy to use.
You can add aromatherapy oils to this one whether you are using it as a sauna or an inhaler, and it is tried and tested and safe for home use – again, only with supervision where youngsters are concerned. It’s a nice model, and when all is taken into account, not expensive.
Key Features
- Facial sauna
- Inhaler
- Temperature controls
- Mains powered
6. AirPhysio steam inhaler
This is an award-winning device that has been featured on Channel 7 news. It is made in Australia and boasts a drug-free approach to relieving the following medical conditions; Asthma, Atelectasis, Bronchiectasis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, and more.
Children, adults, the elderly, and smokers can use this inhaler to tackle breathing difficulty. Vibrations caused by OPEP loosen mucus in the airways and pushes it up and out of the body. Most people will only need to use it once or twice per day for up to 10 minutes.
It isn’t a traditional steam inhaler and looks more like a small puffer. Still, if you want to try something new, the AirPhysio inhaler is a great option for all ages and respiratory difficulty.
Key Features:
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Drug and chemical-free
- Refill free
- Battery-free
7. Vicks Sinus Inhaler
This steam inhaler helps penetrate the sinus, nasal, and throat passages. If you suffer from uncomfortable symptoms that interfere with your ease of breathing through any of these passages, the Vicks Sinus inhaler is the perfect relief solution. I was really impressed with the auto shut-off feature that turns the device off automatically when all the water has evaporated.
The Vicks sinus inhaler also works with tap water, which is super convenient. This inhaler is suitable for children and adults, and the steam pressure can be controlled and altered for your comfort. You can use it for five to 15 minutes, depending on how much you feel you need to use it in one sitting.
Key Features:
- Works with tap water
- Safe and convenient
- Relieves all cold and flu symptoms
- Adjustable steam control
8. VicTsing Essential Oil Aromatherapy
Get a breath of fresh air in style with this inhaler, made to give a roomful of cleansing steam with the touch of a button. A single fill can last this unit nearly nine straight hours, making you able to get a good night’s sleep no matter what time of year.
Unlike some humidifiers, this unit works with essential oils as well, making it doubly beneficial to the user – the humidity prevents aggravation and congestion, and the essential oils deliver benefits that the human body cannot produce itself.
That’s not even all the unit has to offer; the stylish, modern casing makes it a great touch to finish off a room, and the integrated mood lighting lets you set the tone for whatever kind of atmosphere you feel like setting to a room. Even when you’re not using it, you can get a bit of peace of mind out of this model – it is manufactured out of food-grade, antifungal BPA-free plastic that let’s ou know you’re breathing healthy air.
The top secures to the body with a twist-lock mechanism, so there’s no danger of spilling or slopping out the sides.
As with many models, this unit vaporizes by ultrasonic waves, so there are no heating elements to worry about and no danger of it boiling dry. The ultrasonic waves do no damage to the human ear; they are a whisper-quiet 21 dB, so you can rest assured of sweet dreams all night long.
Key Features:
- Eight mood light settings
- Disperses oils and perfumes, not just water
- BPA-free materials
9. Bauer Professional Aqua Care
We prefer the electrically powered models, and this is another that is worth looking at. This one is mains electricity powered, so you add cold water and it heats via an electric coil in a matter of minutes. It is very effective and comes with attachments for adding vaporising oils.
It has temperature and output control and is easy to use. You can add aromatherapy oils to this one whether you are using it as a sauna or an inhaler.
You get all the fitments needed for both sauna and inhalation purposes, it is easy to use and fill and is designed with safety in mind – there is an auto cut-off, for example, so it will not run dry. It comes with a special tray for adding essential oils for evaporation and has an adjustable steam control for added versatility.
We like it, it does the job, and it’s a sensible price too.
Key Features
- Electric
- Adjustable control
- All fitments
- Tray for oils
10. ASOG Handheld Steam Inhaler
The ASOG steam inhaler is portable and easy to use. It is battery-powered and convenient, perfect for anyone on the go. Using this inhaler feels comfortable and the mist is soft and easy to inhale.
You will be happy to learn that the noise level of this device is very minimal at only 25db. If you need to use it at work or while you and your family relax at home, no one will be disturbed by the noise.
The ASOG inhaler is suitable for all ages, so simply switch the inhaler mouth size to suit the user. This is a great feature and saves money on multiple inhalers for everyone in your household.
Key Features:
- Easy to clean
- Two power supply methods (battery and USB)
- Very quiet
- One-button operation
That’s our list of ten steam inhalers, each of which comes with its own merits, but which is the right one for you? Before we give you our verdict, here’s a look at some of the things you need to look for when choosing one of these.
Important Features
What do you need to look for when choosing a steam inhaler? To be honest, there is one main factor that needs to be considered, and that is whether the one you choose is electrically powered or non-powered. Let’s outline the benefits of each:
- Electric Steam Inhaler – we think the electrically powered models, which heat the water by way of coils in the base unit, are safer than those that are not. They also offer you the advantage of heat and output controls and come with safety features such as auto switch-off and boil-dry protection.
- Non-Electric – the benefit here is simplicity; boil a kettle, pour the water into the reservoir, and you have instant steam. The downside is that pouring hot water from one container to another can be dangerous, and while they are designed to be non-spill, should the item be overturned spillage will occur.
Other features you need to consider include the ability to add essential oils and aromatherapy oils – we think that all of our chosen models can accommodate this – and whether you want one that is also a facial sauna, and you have plenty of choices if so.
Which one is right for you? Let’s see if we can help you decide!
How It Works
There are various types of steam inhalers on the market, some more sophisticated than others. The basic premise is of a reservoir of some sort in which hot water is placed, or in some of the more popular models you put water and it is heated by an element, with an aperture through which steam is released.
There are models that come with a face mask so you can direct the stem to be inhaled, and these tend to be among the most useful versions. In many of the steam inhalers we have reviewed you can also add the likes of aromatherapy oils. This gives them a dual purpose and makes a steam inhaler a more viable device for use in the home.
Some are mains electricity-powered, others have batteries, and in some, you simply add the boiling water. The latter tend to be very simple devices, but perhaps not as versatile as the powered versions. We have included every type of steam inhaler we could find among our selection of 10 so that you can choose one that does the job for you.
There is no doubt that steam inhalation does aid breathing when affected by the symptoms of colds or sore throats, but that is not to say it is the only course of action you should take. If you have persistent symptoms, you should always seek medical attention.
However, one of these devices can be very handy in such situations, so let’s have a look at the top 10 steam inhalers on the market right now, and see if we can find one that is right for you.
Let’s Wrap It Up
I recommend opting for an inhaler that is suitable for everyone in the family, such as the Masterplast Steam Inhaler. It comes with a Vapour Rub that is very convenient and helps with decongestion. Which inhaler from the list above did you like?
FAQ
Q: Is breathing in steam good for your lungs?
A: Yes, breathing in steam is good for your lungs! Using a steam inhaler is also good for relieving nasal and sinus congestion, and soothes uncomfortable cold and flu symptoms.
Q: What can I put in my steam inhaler?
A: You can add mint, thyme, and other herbs to your steam inhaler. If you have been prescribed medicine by your doctor, you can also add a few drops to the solution too.
Q: Can you use tap water in steam inhalers?
A: Not always. This depends on the steam inhaler you purchase.
Q: Is steam good for a dry cough?
A: Yes, steam will relieve any cold or cough symptoms.
Q: How long should I use a steam inhaler?
A: You should use a steam inhaler for approximately 15 minutes or less.
Q: Does Vicks Sinus inhaler work?
A: Yes, it does!
