It’s unbearable for parents to see their children suffer or be uncomfortable. This is especially true when it involves cough, colds, sore throat, nasal congestion, and other respiratory conditions that make kids sleepless at night. If you are a parent and your child has been struggling with such discomfort, you may be looking for effective remedies like cough drops, herbal concoctions, etc.
The good news is that there are now steam inhalers that can help relieve whatever respiratory discomfort your child is experiencing. You just need to review and see which one is the best steam inhaler for kids. That way, you can make sure that the product your child will be using is effective and safe. So, read on because we’ve prepared a review on the best inhalers today.
Steam Inhaler for Kids
- Best for Kids and Adults – Tangxia Handheld Vaporizer Machine
- Best for Colds/Allergies – Vicks Steam Inhaler
- Best for Kids’ Safety – Mayluck Portable Steam Inhaler
- Best for Sinus Congestion – MyPurMist Handheld Vaporizer and Humidifier
- Best Value – Gurin Steam Inhaler
- Bonus – Things to Know When Using Steam Inhalers for Kids
1. Best for Kids and Adults – Tangxia Handheld Vaporizer Machine
- Price: 39 USD
- Store: Supply Leader
- Auto shut off: Yes
- Weight: 8.96 oz
- Steam delivery: Instantly
- Power: wired or battery
If you are looking for an inhaler that adults and kids can use, look no further as Tangxia Handheld Vaporizer Machine may be a steal. It has dedicated masks that fit both kids and adults. There’s a small and a bigger one. In addition, this inhaler machine has been used by many for relieving symptoms brought about by colds or coughs.
Apart from that, you’d be delighted to know that this steam inhaler is using a mesh technology that allows the production of fine and gentle mist. As per our tests, it may be effective in providing comfort as kids use the machine.
Moreover, the steam inhaler can work with AA batteries or with a power cable. This means that you can bring it on trip with your kids as long as you always keep extra batteries with the device. Not to mention, the inhaler is pretty lightweight and can be inserted easily in backpacks, which makes it a lot more portable than others.
Pros:
Aside from the ones mentioned above, we’ve found that the device barely makes any disturbing noise. This is a huge plus if your child needs to use it at night while other family members are asleep. It’s pretty affordable, too, given that both adults and kids can use the machine.
Cons:
However, our tests have found that the machine is quite picky when it comes to the kind of water you use. The steam inhaler may not release or produce enough mist if you use purified or distilled water.
2. Best for Colds/Allergies – Vicks Steam Inhaler
- Price: 20 USD
- Store: Amazon
- Auto shut off: No
- Weight: 7.05 oz
- Steam delivery: Instantly
- Power: n/a
In case the target is the symptoms of colds or allergies, you may find Vicks Steam Inhaler useful. It can give off relieving steam to your kid’s nose, throat, and mouth, which are the parts that commonly react to the mentioned conditions. In addition, you may use the Vicks VapoPads included in the package for an added cooling effect, which can help soothe and relieve nasal discomfort.
Yes! It has two scent pad slots that you can use to make inhaling much more enjoyable and relaxing for your kids. Besides that, this steam inhaler is easy to use as it doesn’t require battery power or electricity to operate. All you need to do is fill it with hot water (no boiling water, please) and add the VapoPads afterward.
Pros:
The build quality is pretty sturdy. We are even surprised that the steam inhaler is lightweight. The product comes with a one-year warranty should you need it repaired due to factory defects. Most importantly, the product is the cheapest on the list.
Cons:
Our tests have found that the hot water in the inhaler may spill if your kids don’t handle it carefully. So, we suggest parental supervision or prior instruction when letting kids use this product.
3. Best for Kids’ Safety – Mayluck Portable Steam Inhaler
- Price: 49 USD
- Store: Amazon
- Auto shut off: Yes, when empty
- Weight: 8 oz
- Steam delivery: Instantly
- Power: Wired or battery
Sometimes, you’re not around to help your child whenever they need to use an inhaler. So, if you’re not home most of the time, it would be best if you pick a steam inhaler for kids that’s safe to use, with less parental supervision. If that’s the case, Mayluck Portable Steam Inhaler may interest you.
It has a feature that allows water detection, which stops the inhaler from working when the water level goes low. With that, you can ensure that your child won’t get into any serious accident while using the machine. Aside from that, adults can also use this inhaler as the masks included in the package come in different sizes.
Well, one that really surprised us was the Self-cleaning Mode, which is pretty handy if you lack time to manually clean the machine after every use.
Pros:
We liked that the inhaler functions without noise. Also, it is able to release fine mist particles, which makes inhaling much more comfortable. There’s also an inclusion of a mouthpiece should your child need it.
Cons:
We haven’t found any issues with the product’s features; however, it is important to note that the construction of the inhaler feels weak and not durable. So, you may need to be more careful to avoid breaking it.
4. Best for Sinus Congestion – MyPurMist Handheld Vaporizer and Humidifier
- Price: 150 USD
- Store: Amazon
- Auto shut off: Yes
- Weight: 40.8 oz
- Steam delivery: Instantly
- Power: Wired
Well, if your child often experiences sinus congestion, this steam inhaler and humidifier combination is the best choice! As per tests, it can provide steam without germs and it can relieve the effects of allergies, colds, and most especially– sinus congestion. The latter can render your kid sleepless at night. So, MyPurMist Handheld Vaporizer and Humidifier might be just the solution for such a situation.
This steam inhaler can be used close to your child’s sinus area, which allows for faster decongestion and eases breathing immediately. And one thing that makes this product stand out is that it comes with MyPurMist ultrapure sterile water refills, which can be used instead of regular water. These refills are said to get you faster and better results.
With that in mind, you no longer need to use boiling water to save you and your child more time. This makes the machine easier to use. And the highlight of this steam inhaler is the mist it produces. It’s not harsh and it really feels like natural mist.
Pros:
The product has a one-year warranty and its box includes a storage bag, a mask, and a bottle of distilled water that’s ready to use.
Cons:
So far, we haven’t found any major issues with this product. The only issue some consumers may have is its price. It’s sold for 150 bucks, which is quite expensive considering that the other options on this list are way cheaper.
5. Best Value – Gurin Steam Inhaler
- Price: 29 USD
- Store: Amazon
- Auto shut off: No
- Weight: 19 oz
- Steam delivery: 1-2 minutes
- Power: Wired
If you are considering your budget and you still want to get a steam inhaler that has all the necessary features, this one is perhaps the best value for you. Gurin Steam Inhaler is not that expensive, but it can deliver the results your child needs. The machine mainly helps ease nasal congestion, which is pretty common among young children.
This inhaler has steam levels that can be adjusted based on what your child prefers. This way, you can make sure that the mist produced is not too much. In addition, essential oils can also be used on this machine in case you want to use it as a diffuser in your child’s room. How cool is that? You’d get an inhaler and a diffuser in one device.
Pros:
Despite being cheaper than most inhalers, this one still comes with a warranty that’s good for a year. Our tests also found that it’s really easy to clean, thanks to its built-in draining tub.
Cons:
The only downside we’ve seen is the cord of the device. It feels fragile and easily broken. So, we suggest extra care when using the product.
Bonus: Things to Know When Using Steam Inhalers for Kids
As a parent, these are the things you should know before you let your kids use steam inhalers.
Are Steam Inhalers Safe for Children
Children in general are pretty delicate; you cannot just implement steam inhalers on them without asking a pediatrician or a physician. It’s important that you consult your child’s doctor first so they can advise you on whether or not the use of steam inhalers is the right remedy. As you know, prolonged steam inhalation, especially for kids, can cause scalding and burns.
Because of that, many experts recommend using cool-mist humidifiers or inhalers instead of hot ones. Or you may let them use those steam inhalers that have adjustable steam levels for safer inhalation. Nevertheless, it’s still up to your child’s physician as situations are depends on the case or necessity.
What Precautions Should I Place When Using Steam Inhalers for Kids
There are a few precautionary measures you may need to take to ensure your child’s safety when using a steam inhaler. These are:
- Hold the steam inhaler carefully to avoid spilling hot water on your child.
- Don’t let the child use the steam inhaler alone, especially when they don’t know how to use it.
- Change your child’s clothes after steam inhalation as some mist may get into the fabric.
- Avoid using essential oils or other additional products on the steam inhalers unless your child’s physician approves of it.
Conclusion
When deciding on the best inhaler for kids, you must consider the advantages and disadvantages of the ones in this review. Weigh them to see which one is the best for your child’s situation. Nevertheless, we assure you that we only picked the best among the many steam inhalers we’ve tested so far. So, whichever you choose, you’d get the best out of it.
Besides that, it’s also important to note that steam inhalation is different from using a vape. inhaling steam is usually for therapy while vaping is purely recreational. Some are confused as vaping comes from the word vapor, which is related to steam.
