Bid adieu to nasal congestion and dry skin!
Dr. Whitney Hall, a specialist in ear, nose, and throat health from Texas, explains that humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can help ease nosebleeds, coughing, congestion, and even cracked skin caused by things like allergies, colds, or dry weather.
To find the best humidifiers out there, we put 30 of the most popular ones to the test. Our team reviewed and tried them out in over four months. We looked at factors like value for money, design, and how easy they were to use. Plus, we made sure our findings were backed by genuine customer feedback and tester reviews for accuracy. So, if you’re considering a humidifier, we’ve got you covered with all the deets you need. However, before we begin, let us first take a gander at the different types of humidifiers.
Types of Humidifiers
Starting your day with dry skin, stuffy nose, or even a nosebleed isn’t exactly what you dream of. But there’s a simple solution: a good humidifier. These handy devices can make a big difference in how you feel and sleep. They’re especially important for people who use a CPAP machine or oxygen therapy.
Warm mist, cool mist, evaporative, ultrasonic, and vaporizers are the five most popular kinds of humidifiers.
Buying the right humidifier is important whether you’re coping with medical conditions, congestion, or other health issues. Choosing the wrong type can have adverse effects rather than giving you relief. Come with us as we explore the top five kinds of humidifiers.
1. Cool Mist Humidifiers
Does the air in your home seem dry? Are you experiencing symptoms of a cold, such as coughing and congestion?
Consider a cool mist humidifier if that’s the situation. By increasing the amount of moisture in the air, it helps to relieve chest congestion and ease coughs. These humidifiers are ideal for areas with warmer temperatures since they increase humidity without heating up the space.
A cool mist is released into the air by these humidifiers. Water is filtered to eliminate contaminants before it is released. In addition, they are reasonably priced and easy to maintain. While operating, your humidifier may produce a soft humming sound, similar to white noise, which is calming for the majority of individuals.
2. Warm Mist Humidifiers
On the other hand, we have humidifiers with warm mist. Surprisingly, to some, they can be very effective in relieving the symptoms of the flu and cold.
Humidifiers with warm mist are ideal for cold areas. After heating water to a vapor, they let it cool down before releasing it into the atmosphere. The process of heating keeps the air clean and reduces the likelihood of microbes.
These humidifiers are quite popular because they effectively increase the moisture content while warding off bacteria and germs. You may mix inhalants or medicinal items with them, just as with the cool mist ones.
Furthermore, compared to cold mist humidifiers, warm mist humidifiers often have quieter fans.
3. Evaporative Humidifiers
Evaporative humidifiers are similar to cool mist humidifiers as they produce vapor without heating water. Rather, air is blown over a wet wick filter located at the device’s base by means of a fan.
Humidity is added when the water on the filter evaporates and is discharged as a mist into the atmosphere. As they don’t emit heat, these humidifiers are ideal for families with children and pets. They are reasonably priced, portable, and need little maintenance. Additionally, they automatically alter the humidity levels to suit their needs. They work quickly and effectively to increase the moisture content of a space.
4. Vaporizer Humidifiers
Imagine a humidifier that is both efficient and silent, like a warm mist model, yet costs less than a cool mist one.
Vaporizer humidifiers provide just that. You can pick a warm or cold mist from these humidifiers, depending on your preferences. You can even mix inhalants with your cold or flu remedies. Furthermore, vaporizer humidifiers are still reasonably priced in spite of their flexibility.
Most vaporizers emit steam when turned on to the heated setting and mist when turned off to the cold setting. Additionally, they don’t make a lot of noise while they run.
5. Ultrasonic Humidifiers
And finally, we have ultrasonic humidifiers. In order to release moisture into the air, they use a vibrating metal or ceramic diaphragm. Tiny water droplets are created by these vibrations and are ejected into the space.
Ultrasonic humidifiers have the advantage of being very silent and energy-efficient. For this reason, they’re ideal for children’s bedrooms or those who are easily disturbed by noise.
Our Top Picks
| Category | Model |
| Best Overall Ultrasonic | Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier |
| Best Overall Evaporative | Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier |
| Best Budget | Magictec Cool Mist Humidifier |
| Best for Bedrooms | Vicks 3-in-1 SleepyTime Humidifier |
| Best for Large Rooms | Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier |
| Best for Nurseries | Pure Enrichment PureBaby Cloud Humidifier |
| Best Portable | Geniani Erie Humidifier |
| Best Smart | Levoit OasisMist Smart Humidifier |
1. Vicks EasyCare+ TopFill Ultrasonic Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 8.6 x 8.6 x 8.5 inches |
| Weight | 3.3 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 0.6 gallons |
| Run Time | Up to 24 hours |
| Essential Oil Tray | Yes |
A good humidifier for bedroom is always easy to set up and so was this. It was easy to assemble—just a few components needed to be attached—and the directions were pretty simple. As soon as we switched it on, particularly on the high setting, we immediately felt an increase in humidity. Our dry nasal passages felt better while we were in the room with the humidifier.
The fact that you can use essential oils with this humidifier is fantastic. The essential oils diffused well and helped reduce our discomfort even though the humidifying effects weren’t as powerful on the lowest setting.
This humidifier operates silently regardless of the setting. The noise level remained rather constant even as we increased the intensity. It’s ideal for anyone looking for a quiet and discreet humidifier for their bedroom area since it does not have glaring lights or emit a lot of visible mist.
It is also very easy to clean. There are no awkward nooks or crevices where germs can grow, making upkeep simple.
It has a simple look without any lights or additional features. Thus, this isn’t the humidifier for you if you’re looking for one that doubles as a night light.
Pros- The high setting covers a large area and produces good results.
Cons- The low and high settings behave noticeably differently from one another.
2. Lacidoll Cool Mist Ultrasonic Whole House Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 27 x 11.2 x 11 inches |
| Weight | 9.48 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 4.2 gallons |
| Run Time | Up to 72 hours |
| Essential Oil Tray | Yes |
Given its size and capacity, you may anticipate the small humidifier for bedroom to be as loud as a motorbike engine. However, we were pleased to discover that it was quieter than a few of the smaller humidifiers we tested. It was considerably quieter than our heating vents or the sound of someone typing on a computer, even though we could hear some drips and a light hum.
In addition to being silent, we discovered that this humidifier was quite simple to use and maintain. It raised the room’s humidity significantly, even at its lowest level. Its user-friendly design includes a four-inch glass to see the remaining water level in the tank, a remote control, and a digital display.
We were amazed by how little water it used, even with its remarkable humidifying ability. We didn’t have to top out the tank after running it on low for five days in a row. If you run it continually, you’ll only need to refill every three or four days, even on the maximum level.
This humidifier can get heavy and difficult to move after it is filled with water. It is best to choose a location for it and leave it there until the water level drops to a minimum.
Pros- Does not make noise and works for a long time
Cons- Heavy to move when full
3. Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 7.2 x 8.1 x 11.6 inches |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 3 liters |
| Run Time | Up to 25 hours on low |
| Essential Oil Tray | Yes |
We tested this upscale model, which surprised us in every way. Ultrasonic humidifiers are admired for their silent mist. With your preferred essential oils, you can enjoy a spa-like experience using it as a diffuser and humidifier. We were floored by how quiet it was during testing; we could hardly hear it operating even a foot away. On the low setting, however, we discovered that it wasn’t particularly effective. The high setting, which raised humidity levels by an average of 39%, is the one we recommend using.
Both operating and maintaining the top humidifiers for bedroom are user-friendly. Because of its ease of use and the fact that you can see and feel the mist despite the lack of display light, the dial is appropriate for silent nighttime use. We like the spill-proof filling technique made possible by its practical open-top design. There was no mold or limescale accumulation visible when the lid was removed, and the essential oils’ scent kept it smelling good. The water line could be difficult to detect, but that’s really the only real complaint we have. This humidifier does its job well despite its lack of flashy features.
Pros- The device doesn’t have a glaring display light and runs silently, so it won’t keep you up at night.
Cons- When the setting is low, the efficacy noticeably decreases.
4. Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier
| Type | Evaporative |
| Size | 17.9 x 9.3 x 11.4 inches |
| Weight | 8.4 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 1 gallon |
| Run Time | Up to 24 hours |
| Essential Oil Tray | No |
Using a fan to draw in air, evaporative humidifiers filter the air via a wick. The water in the tank rapidly evaporates as a result of this process, creating a fine mist that is discharged into the atmosphere.
The best rated humidifier is our top choice, it increased humidity levels by an average of 33% over eight hours on the highest setting and 24% on the lowest, all without creating any visible mist. It keeps minerals from tap water from escaping into the air thanks to an integrated filter. Just keep in mind that, depending on your water type, you should change the filter every 30 to 60 days.
Evaporative humidifiers are often noisier than ultrasonic versions due to their internal fan operation. But we found this one to be quiet and efficient, so even in the lowest setting, it’s good for use in nurseries or bedrooms.
The humidifier remained functional and of high quality even after six months of usage. The clear tank, which is simple to remove and refill, made cleaning a pleasure. It has a 1.1-gallon capacity and can operate continuously for up to 24 hours. Also, sanitizing is hassle-free since all the pieces that come into contact with water are dishwasher-safe.
Pros- It operates quietly since it doesn’t produce any noticeable mist.
Cons- It’s essential to change filters on a regular basis.
5. Magictec Cool Mist Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 7 x 6 x 10 inches |
| Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 85 ounces (about 0.66 gallons) |
| Run Time | Up to 24 hours |
| Essential Oil Tray | No |
The moment we turned on this humidifier, a noticeable mist appeared, and the white indicator light lit to indicate that it was functioning. Because of its ultrasonic technology, it ran almost quietly and didn’t create any puddles or leaks. We really liked the nozzle sprayer attachment, which allowed us to aim the mist precisely where we wanted.
The machine enters standby mode, and the indicator light turns red when the water level drops. Additionally, it automatically turns off if the water runs out entirely. This humidifier has an amazing 24-hour runtime despite its small size.
It was easy to set up but more difficult to clean. To clean the reservoir properly, we required a brush since the hole was too tiny for our hands. This humidifier beat many more expensive versions in terms of style and efficacy, even without ostentatious additions like a digital display or smart device compatibility.
It gradually relieved sinus and dry skin issues. But, we did detect a faint smell emanating from the tank, indicating the need for routine cleaning. This humidifier is certainly something to think about if you’re looking for a reasonably priced unit that yet performs well and fits well in small to medium-sized rooms.
Pros- Given its small size, it can fit in with any setting well.
Cons- A brush must be used to clean the tank.
6. Vicks 3-in-1 SleepyTime Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 8.15 x 8.6 x 8.23 inches |
| Weight | 3.5 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 0.6 gallons |
| Run Time | Up to 24 hours |
| Essential Oil Tray | Yes |
Even though it was one of the smallest humidifiers we evaluated, the performance of this device really amazed us. It is a wonderful addition to any evening ritual since it is a 3-in-1 device that functions as a humidifier, essential oil diffuser, and color-changing night light. It won’t stick out too much because of its sleek and small style, which complements any bedroom’s décor well.
This humidifier may be small, but it has a big impact. With its 0.6-gallon capacity, it was able to raise the humidity by 51% in a two-foot area and 37% in a 10-foot range after eight hours of operation on the maximum level. You’ll need to replace the tank regularly since, after this period, there were only around 0.5 cups of water remaining. However, it is simple to transfer from room to room due to its compact size, and it rests nicely on a nightstand or bedside table. Furthermore, you can position the spray where you most need it with the 180-degree rotating mist nozzle.
It took about five minutes to clean the humidifier, which was an easy task. Although it can be difficult to determine whether the tank is full due to its opacity, the big hole makes filling it up simple. Additionally, consider the fact that the container lid occupies some room in the tank when you fill it up. On its maximum setting, the humidifier created a dense mist and left some moisture on the nozzle.
The pleasing scent it releases and its calming colors make this humidifier ideal for the bedroom. On both low and high settings, it produces the same soft hum that might help you fall asleep. Not only is it reasonably priced, but it also offers excellent value for your money.
Pros
- It is perfect for creating a calm bedroom environment since it functions as a night light, humidifier, and essential oil diffuser.
Cons
- Owing to its tiny tank capacity, numerous refills can be required.
7. Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 11.42 x 6.69 x 13.27 inches |
| Weight | 3.1 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 1.6 gallons |
| Run Time | Up to 50 hours |
| Essential Oil Tray | Yes |
A humidifier with a large coverage area is necessary when working with bigger areas. Fitting the bill is the Everlasting Cool Mist, the best humidifier for a large bedroom, with its amazing 1.6-gallon capacity and 50-hour continuous runtime. In our tests, we discovered that 49% of the water in the tank remained even after eight hours. Its huge capacity means you won’t need to refill it often, allowing it to function without difficulty for extended periods of time.
We like this unit’s ease of use, efficiency, and minimal upkeep demands. There are no complicated dials or buttons needed since you can change the humidity level with a single knob. It may not have all the fancy features of more sophisticated versions, but we nonetheless value its user-friendly design.
There is a convenient cover on the humidifier that pulls up to make refilling simple. The cover did, however, sometimes leak, which was a minor drawback. Additionally, you may direct the spray anywhere you need it with its 360-degree rotating nozzle. Furthermore, you won’t need to bother about cleaning or changing the filter since it is filterless.
According to the manufacturer, this humidifier is ideal for bigger bedrooms since it can cover an area of up to 500 square feet. In our studies, we observed that, when tested at a distance of 10 feet, it raised the humidity by an average of 8% on the high setting. We were happy by how quiet it was, even with its strong output. The faint bubbling sound was hardly audible, even at maximum volume.
Pros- With its long runtime, it doesn’t need to be refilled very often.
Cons- It is devoid of the extra functions that come with more sophisticated versions.
8. Pure Enrichment PureBaby Cloud Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 9.8 x 5.6 x 6.8 inches |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 1.8 liters |
| Run Time | Up 15 hours on high, 24 hours on low |
| Essential Oil Tray | No |
The mini humidifier for the bedroom is a fantastic option for your child’s nursery if you have one at home. Its adorable cloud pattern gives the space a fun touch, and the nightlight, which alternates between seven calming shades, enhances the pleasure of naps. You can also use a single click to keep it at a single color if that’s more your style. It’s cool that you can adjust the mist and light independently, allowing you to have the glow without the humidity or vice versa.
The 360-degree rotating mist nozzle allows you to aim the mist anywhere you need it, and the mist knob makes it simple to adjust the mist production. It also has an exterior cover for the water tank, albeit using it while monitoring the water level might be a little challenging. Although the maker claims that it can cover up to 250 square feet, our testing revealed that it fell short of that claim.
On the high setting, there was an average 4% rise in humidity from two feet away and no increase at all from ten feet away. Nevertheless, throughout our long-term testing, we did see that humidity levels increased overnight—albeit a little more slowly than with bigger units. We advise keeping this humidifier near to your baby’s crib due to its restricted range.
The nightlight blinks three times to alert you before the device automatically turns off when the water levels drop too low. However, since the tank lacked a maximum fill line, we found it challenging to determine precisely where to add water. Positively, it was very easy to clean, requiring just five minutes to dismantle, clean, and reassemble. We were pleased to see that there was no mess, even though replenishing the water involved turning the tank upside down.
Pros- It is flexible to use as you can switch on the mist and nightlight independently.
Cons- The range of operation is limited.
9. Geniani Erie Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 2.6 x 4.9 x 3.7 inches |
| Weight | 10.8 ounces |
| Water Tank Capacity | 250 mL (about 0.006 gallons) |
| Run Time | Up to 8 hours |
| Essential Oil Tray | No |
It’s simple to transport this humidifier from your workplace to your house since it’s lightweight and compact. During the dry winter months, you can use it in your vehicle because of its USB connector and small size, which even allows it to fit in a cup holder. This little humidifier was strong enough for some of us to lessen congestion and frequent nosebleeds.
When you switch it on, the cool mist will appear within a few seconds. Two modes are available: a continuous mist and an intermittent mist that alternates between 10 seconds of on and 10 seconds of off. In case the water supply runs out, it also has an automatic shut-off function despite having a few changeable settings (which may or may not be beneficial, depending on your requirements). Its simple one-button operation makes it a breeze to use in a vehicle or guest bedroom. You do, however, have less control over the mist production as a result.
We noticed that this best portable humidifier runs for eight hours straight without making noise, so you can leave it on your stand and not have to worry about it disturbing you throughout the night. It was simple to assemble and clean, and you don’t need a brush to clean the huge, circular entrance of the tank. We didn’t see any appreciable changes in its performance even after six months of usage. This device is the solution if you want to carry your humidifier wherever you go and are sick of the dry winter air. It is also available in black or white to fit any style.
Pros- It won’t disturb your surroundings thanks to its almost quiet functioning.
Cons- The discharge of mist is uncontrolled.
10. Levoit OasisMist Smart Humidifier
| Type | Ultrasonic |
| Size | 10.8 x 6.0 x 11.97 inches |
| Weight | 5.3 pounds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 1.19 gallons |
| Run Time | Up to 45 hours on low |
| Essential Oil Tray | Yes |
This stylish humidifier for bedroom is ideal for those with hectic schedules since it allows you to customize your experiences with your smartphone from any location at any time. You can quickly adjust the humidity in any room and plan it to suit your daily schedule with a few clicks on your phone. We believe that this sleek humidifier is an excellent option for people who are always on the go because of its remote capabilities.
In our testing, after eight hours of operation, the device raised the humidity by an average of 28% on the highest setting and 13% on the lowest. It produces an amazing vapor-to-water ratio, and even though it produced a lot of vapor, we were shocked by how much water was still in the tank. What’s the best part? As it’s so quiet, it’s great for focused tasks like sleeping and meditation. To create nice aromatic surroundings, you can also add essential oils.
This humidifier was surprisingly easy to use, even with its high-tech capabilities. By hitting the mist button—three lights for high, one light for low—you can adjust the settings between low, medium, and high. Our testing shows that filling the tank was easy; the handle of the tank makes it easy to remove from the base, and the top came off with ease. The clear tank made it easy for us to see how much water was remaining.
Compared to other humidifiers we tried, this one had more germs in the tank, as we discovered upon inspection. Despite being simple to wipe with a moist towel, a film often developed around the base throughout the usage. As long as you dedicate yourself to routine cleaning, we think this clever alternative would be a great addition to your home, thanks to its outstanding performance in all testing areas.
Pros- It is easy to refill, and you can easily realign it to fit into your schedule.
Cons- As it often gathers a lot of germs, cleaning on a regular basis is necessary.
Conclusion
We think the Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is the best option if you’re looking for an ultrasonic humidifier. It’s affordable, quiet, and simple to use, which makes it a wonderful buy. Moreover, it is a dual-purpose device that functions as a diffuser for essential oils and a humidifier. We recommend the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier if you’re thinking about getting an evaporative humidifier. It is quite easy to use and emits a very gentle mist.
Our Testing Process
To provide you with our top 10, our team tested thirty products over the course of four months. In our testing procedure, we used vaporizers, ultrasonic, and evaporative humidifiers. Setup time (5%), efficacy (50%), design (15%), ease of cleaning (25%), and value (5%) were the criteria we used to assess the humidifiers.
We timed how long it took to set up each humidifier and evaluated how helpful the instructions were. We tracked changes in sore throat, dry skin, nasal congestion, and other health indicators to assess efficacy. Prior to and after each humidifier use, we also measured the humidity in the space. We observed how successfully a humidifier’s diffuser function dispersed aromas throughout the space.
We meticulously documented design elements such as the amount of the vapor cloud, noise level, visibility of the water level, and frequency of tank refills. We assessed each humidifier’s cleaning ease based on how simple it was to dismantle and clean. Additionally, we removed bacterial cultures from every tank and recorded any odd outcomes.
After the testing time, we looked at each model’s pricing and evaluated whether we believed it was a fair deal.
What to Know About Humidifiers
Considering everyone has different demands, there isn’t a humidifier that works for everyone. Still, there are a few important considerations to ponder when you compare prices.
Various Humidifier Types
The purpose of all humidifiers is to increase air moisture content. Their methods are the primary distinction. While some utilize heat to produce moisture, others use a specific fan or ultrasonic vibrations to create a cool mist.
Warm mist humidifiers may be soothing for ailments like asthma and allergies and are often quieter. On the other hand, cool mist humidifiers don’t require heat; they are safer around children and more energy-efficient.
Certain humidifiers function in conjunction with prescription drugs or essential oils to treat ailments, including congestion, coughing, and sore throats.
Advantages of Using Humidifiers
Adding moisture to the air can relieve dryness in various ways. It relieves sore throats, dry skin, cracked lips, dry nostrils, and even nosebleeds. Experts claim that those suffering from allergies or colds may find it easier to breathe if humidity levels rise. Additionally, it keeps your skin healthy by preserving and defending the skin barrier.
Upkeep and Sanitization
Regular cleaning is essential for all humidifiers, regardless of the model you choose. This prevents dangerous germs from discharging into the atmosphere, which is obviously something to avoid! To make sure you’re keeping your humidifier correctly, always adhere to the cleaning guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
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