Rainbow RainMate review: does it clean the air?
Quick Answer: Not in the way an air purifier does. Rainbow sells the RainMate as a water-based fragrance diffuser: a small fan pulls room air over a swirling water bath and sends it back scented. It has no HEPA filter, no carbon filter and no published clean air delivery rate (CADR). It can make a room smell nicer. It is not a tool for removing dust, smoke or allergens.
The RainMate is made by Rexair, the Michigan company behind the Rainbow vacuum. A lot of reviews call it an air purifier, a humidifier and a deodorizer all at once. Rainbow's own product page is more modest, and the owner's manual is stricter still. This review sticks to what the manufacturer and the EPA actually say, so you can decide whether it fits what you need. If you are still choosing between device types, our comparison of air purifiers and diffusers covers the basics.
What is the Rainbow RainMate?
It is a tabletop fragrance diffuser that uses water instead of a wick or heat. Rainbow's RainMate page (checked 2 October 2026) describes it as drawing air "into the swirling water bath before returning it to your room, fresh and pleasingly scented." You add a few drops of Rainbow fragrance to the water, and the moving air carries the scent into the room.
It has LEDs that light the water bowl, with a low and a high setting. Rainbow markets that as a nightlight. Note that the manual says not to let the RainMate run unsupervised at any time, so read that section below before you leave it on overnight.
Does the RainMate clean the air?
Not in any measurable way that Rainbow publishes. The EPA's Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home (page updated 1 October 2026) says that to filter particles you should pick a portable air cleaner with a CADR large enough for the room, and to filter gases you should pick one with an activated carbon filter or another filter designed for gases. The RainMate has neither a CADR rating nor a gas filter.
Adding fragrance to a room is not the same as removing what caused the smell. The EPA lists air fresheners among household sources of volatile organic compounds (page updated 23 June 2026). If the problem is a musty basement, pet urine or smoke, find and fix the source first. Our guide to air purifiers for odor control covers devices that do remove odor-causing gases.
| What you want | RainMate | Better fit |
|---|---|---|
| A pleasant scent in one room | Yes, this is what it is built for | RainMate or any diffuser |
| Less dust, pollen or smoke particles | No published CADR | Portable air cleaner with a CADR sized to the room |
| Remove odor-causing gases | No carbon filter | Air cleaner with a substantial activated carbon filter |
| Raise humidity in a dry room | No output rating | A humidifier with a humidistat |
Is the RainMate a humidifier?
Rainbow does not sell it as one, and it publishes no humidity output. Some water will evaporate from an open, swirling bath, but there is no way to know how much or to control it. If you need humidity, use a humidifier and keep the room at or below 50 percent relative humidity, which is the ceiling in the EPA's humidifier fact sheet (updated 29 April 2026). Our air purifier vs humidifier guide explains the difference.
Can you put essential oils in a RainMate?
Rainbow says no. The RainMate owner's manual (Rexair R17976-0, read 2 October 2026) states: "Use only Rainbow brand fragrances in the RainMate. Use of other liquids or oils may cause damage to the RainMate." Rexair's FAQ adds that it has tested only Rainbow brand supplies with its products.
The manual's dose is about one capful of Rainbow fragrance in a basin filled to the molded fill line, starting small and adding more until you like the strength. Rainbow lists its current scents on its fragrances page, including Lemon, Pine, Gardenia, Violet and a Luxury Collection with Lavender Juniper, Mandarin Rosewood, Orange Ginger and Tea Tree Mint.
How do you clean a Rainbow RainMate?
Daily, not a few times a month. The manual's "Daily Maintenance" step is: unplug at the outlet, empty the water basin, rinse it and wipe it clean.
| When | What the manual says |
|---|---|
| Before cleaning or filling | Disconnect the power cord at the outlet |
| Every day | Empty the basin, rinse and wipe clean |
| If residue builds up | Clean more often. In hard water areas, use only distilled or demineralized water |
| Before storage | Clean and dry all parts. Do not store with water in the basin |
| Always | Do not put it in a dishwasher |
The daily routine matters for a reason beyond looks. The EPA notes that tanks holding standing water can grow bacteria and mold. That guidance is written for humidifiers, but a RainMate is also a fan blowing air over standing water, so the same habit applies.
What does the manual say about using it safely?
More than most reviews mention. The RainMate manual says:
- Do not let it run unsupervised at any time, and it is not intended for use by children.
- Do not use it in confined areas such as closets.
- Do not overfill the basin, and keep it on a flat, stable surface where it cannot tip.
- Do not run the cord under carpets, rugs or furniture.
- If the cord is damaged, the unit should be scrapped. The cord cannot be replaced.
Who should buy one, and who should not?
It suits someone who wants scent in a room and likes the look of a lit water bowl. It is a poor fit if you bought it for allergies, asthma, smoke, a mold smell or dry air. In those cases a sized air cleaner, a dehumidifier or a humidifier will do the job it cannot. People sensitive to fragrance should skip it altogether.
On where to buy: Rainbow products are sold through independent authorized distributors. Rexair's Buyer Beware page says a Rainbow bought from an online marketplace such as Amazon or eBay is unauthorized and may not carry a manufacturer-backed warranty. That page is written about the Rainbow vacuum, so check with a distributor about warranty cover before buying a RainMate anywhere else.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rainbow RainMate an air purifier?
No. Rainbow calls it a water-based air fragrance diffuser. It has no HEPA or carbon filter and no published clean air delivery rate, which is what the EPA says to look for in an air cleaner.
Does the RainMate remove dust?
Rainbow makes no dust-removal claim for the RainMate and publishes no test data. If dust is the problem, use a portable air cleaner with a CADR for dust that matches your room size.
Can I use essential oils in my RainMate?
Rainbow's manual says to use only Rainbow brand fragrances and warns that other liquids or oils may damage the unit.
How often should I clean a RainMate?
Every day. The manual says to unplug it, empty the basin, rinse and wipe it clean daily, and to clean more often if residue forms.
Can I put the RainMate bowl in the dishwasher?
No. The manual says not to clean the RainMate in a dishwasher. Wash it by hand.
Can I leave a RainMate running all night?
Rainbow markets the lit bowl as a nightlight, but the manual says not to let the RainMate run unsupervised at any time. Follow the manual.
What water should I use in a RainMate?
Cool, clean water to the molded fill line. If your tap water is very hard, the manual says to use only distilled or demineralized water to stop residue building up.
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