Whether you live in a particularly dry climate or you have children (and therefore are often sick), you may find a humidifier to be an enormous help in increasing your comfort level. Though sometimes nothing can replace proper medical care, this is one home remedy that even doctors recommend for sick kids and adults alike. Certainly, you’ll want every comfort available to you and your children, but if you’re not sure which humidifier you need, don’t stress, we’ve done the work for you!
We reviewed dozens of humidifiers to identify the best of the best. We looked at mini humidifiers for your desk and large capacity humidifiers for your home. We found humidifiers that diffuse essential oils and those that are excellent for a baby. No matter what you need in a humidifier, we’ve found one for you.
All through our research, the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier kept coming up as the obvious pick for the best humidifier overall choice. With an optional night light, automatic shut-off, and sixteen hours of continuous use, this humidifier has plenty of features to make it the top of its field.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Humidifiers
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Humidifier Overall | Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier | 4.2 |
| Best Personal Humidifier | MovTip Portable Mini Humidifier | 4.6 |
| Best Budget Humidifier | Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier | 4.2 |
| Best Baby Humidifier | URPOWER Essential Oil Cool Mist Humidifier | 4.4 |
| Best Large Room Humidifier | Homech 6L Cool Mist Humidifier | 4.2 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Humidifier Overall: Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier includes a 360-degree mist nozzle so you can control exactly where the cool mist is released. That means you can aim it towards your bed overnight, or to the living room if that’s where you spend the majority of your time. Of course, the moisture will disseminate throughout the room, but the immediate burst will be released just where you want it.
With a whisper-quiet operation, you won’t have any problems at all with using this humidifier all through the night, and that’s a huge selling point if you or your partner is sick. Not only will it help your breathing and provide soothing moisture in dry zones, but it won’t keep anyone awake, either!
There are no two ways about this: The numbers on this humidifier are impressive! Not only does it have an overall rating of 4.2 stars, but it also earned that rating from over 20,000 customer reviews. That is a pretty clear-cut indicator of the rating’s accuracy and the quality of the product!
Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier Key Features:
- 1.5-liter tank
- Cleaning brush included
- 5-year warranty
Best Personal Humidifier: MovTip Portable Mini Humidifier
The MovTip Portable Mini Humidifier is an excellent option to create a more comfortable area for you, no matter where you go. As long as you have power with which you may plug in a USB charging adapter, this little humidifier will increase the moisture in the air, leaving you breathing easier (both literally and figuratively).
This little humidifier is not a diffuser, so make sure you’re not adding essential oils into it, but if you just need a bit of humidity added to your area, this will certainly do that. There are two mist modes, and with the low setting, you’ll be able to use this humidifier for up to eighteen hours – that’s pretty impressive considering how compact it is!
Over 3,000 customer reviews have given this humidifier an overall rating of 4.6 stars – not too shabby! But a quick perusal of the testimonies, ad we think you’ll be sold. This humidifier is perfect for your desk or anywhere that you need a humidifier for just you.
Miroco Cool Mist Humidifier Key Features:
- Auto shut-off function
- 500 ml capacity
- 4 color options
Best Budget Humidifier: Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier has two-speed settings to release the cool mist on a high or low setting and that also affects the time duration. On the low setting, however, you’ll be able to use it continuously for up to ten hours – plenty enough to get you through your workday or through a good night’s sleep.
This is a smaller version of our top pick, but it also has a few other differences, that make it perfect for what it is. It is more ideal for personal or small room use, so it won’t need all the bells and whistles. It still has the optional night light and the auto shut-off, so it’s just as safe and convenient, but with its compact design, you’ll more appreciate this for travel.
Nearly 2,000 customer reviews on Amazon left this humidifier with an overall rating of 4.2 stars, but the best part of this humidifier is undoubtedly the price. You’ll be able to pick up this bit of luxury for under $30!
Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier Key Features:
- 9”H x 5”W x 5”L
- Bonus cleaning brush included
- 0.7-liter tank
Best Baby Humidifier: URPOWER Essential Oil Cool Mist Humidifier
The URPOWER Essential Oil Cool Mist Humidifier may not specifically be labeled as a “baby” specific humidifier, you can tell by the features that it will definitely work as one. It will help add a bit of moisture into a dry room and when your baby is sick, there’s an age (a terrible time that keeps parents on edge and full of terror) where you can give them no medicine and you simply need to wait out a cold. But if they’re struggling to breathe, the extra humidity can help. So, too, could some essential oils. (Though you will definitely want to check with your doctor before using anything that may hurt your baby, of course.)
When babies still have a developing vision, you’ll see them often mesmerized by lights. With seven LED lights to choose from, this is definitely going to give something for baby to stare at – and since distracted for a baby means more likely to fall asleep peacefully, this humidifier may just be the life (or sleep) saver for which you’ve been looking.
This humidifier sits on Amazon with over 42,000 customer ratings. Consider how strongly you have to feel to leave a positive review and you’ll be all the more impressed by its overall 4.4-star rating.
URPOWER Essential Oil Cool Mist Humidifier Key Features:
- Diffuser and humidifier in one
- 4 color options
- 100 ml capacity
Best Large Room Humidifier: Homech 6L Cool Mist Humidifier
The Homech 6L Cool Mist Humidifier uses a powerful fan that affects the entire room up to 430 square feet and with its large tank, you can use this for a continuous use of up to 100 hours! This fact makes this humidifier perfect for dry climates and environments or individuals with sensitivity towards dryness and its ill effects.
This humidifier includes a “boil-dry” function that will automatically shut the humidifier off when the water tank is dry, or when it’s been removed from the unit. The nano-coating on the circuit board makes it perfect for a long-lasting appliance to keep your air moist and comfortable for years.
With well over 5,000 customer reviews and an overall rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon, there’s plenty to tempt you into purchase with this humidifier.
Homech 6L Cool Mist Humidifier Key Features:
- 1.58 gal tank capacity
- 360-degree rotating nozzle
- 3.54″ opening to easy cleaning
Who Should Buy a Humidifier
If you live in a dry climate, you are probably all too familiar with humidifiers. Dry air can give you dry and itchy skin and cause tightness in your joints. Even just chronic chapped lips is a problem you’ll need to contend with, and a humidifier can help with that. If you live in a more humid climate, but still struggle with dry air caused by a wood-burning or pellet stove, you can benefit from a humidifier for those same reasons. Though it can’t chop the wood or loads the stove, the humidifier can make sure you’re not seeing the side effects of air that has been dried-out from a fire.
For more occasional use, you may still need a humidifier to help your breathing. Any kind of sickness that impacts your breathing to give you a dry cough or a nose raw from consistent runny nose can be comforted by the humidity that makes breathing so much easier. The same benefits will be helpful for anyone with chronic respiratory problems, as well. (Though it goes without saying that it will not substitute proper medical care.) Because when you’re struggling to breathe, any little bit that makes it easier is a big bit.
If you find yourself with the opposite problem, then you may want to check out The Best Dehumidifiers.
Important Features to Consider
A humidifier should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a humidifier for your home:
- Size. The capacity of the humidifier controls how large a room it can handle and how long it will be able to operate. If you’re forced to go to work with a sinus infection, you can plop a mini dehumidifier on your desk and not bother your cubical neighbors. Also, if you have a dry home, you can place an extra-large capacity humidifier into the main room of your home and feel a bit more comfortable – this is especially important for open floor plan homes.
- Cool mist. Just because the air in your home is particularly dry does not mean it’s cold. Turning water to vapor generally requires heat, (it may help to think of the sauna or steam room where you pour water over hot coals to create more steam) but the heat that can commonly be released from a humidifier may just be a big negative to your home. A cool mist will give your air the extra moisture without turning your home into a sweatbox.
- Safety shut-off. This may be particularly important if you leave your humidifier on all day to create a more comfortable home. A function of your humidifier that turns itself off once it runs out of water will keep you from destroying the machine by running without the water it needs, and also eliminate the fire risk that poses. Most humidifiers have this, but you’ll want to double-check to make sure.
- Light. If you have a smaller humidifier for a bedroom, a nightlight may come in handy, too. When a baby is sick, there’s so very little you can give them to make them feel better and they’re just not able to understand the reason for a new thing in their room. The night light may be enough to give them something to focus on, rather than the common hissing sound that humidifiers release when they’re operating. Besides, the extra light will come in handy when you sneak in to check on them. If you’re using a humidifier in your room because you’re sick, you’re probably going to get out of bed more frequently and that night light can ensure you don’t trip.
- Oils. Any humidifier that releases water vapor can probably also release essential oils, too. Bear in mind that oil will corrode, so you’ll have to be meticulous in your cleaning, but if you want to double-up use on your humidifier and use it as a diffuser, you probably can. We would suggest, though, that if you know that you’re going to do this, get one that is labeled as capable of both. Always use your humidifier as recommended by the manufacturer and some use pieces and parts that oil will break down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a humidifier and how does it work?
Humidifiers release moisture into the air and increase the humidity surrounding them. You can release a cool mist with ultrasonic vibration, or you can use a steam humidifier that will convert water into vapor and then utilize a fan to blow it into your environment. There are evaporators that blow air through a wet wick, filter, or belt to increase the moisture and central humidifiers that are built into your home’s HVAC system.
You do want to keep one thing in mind when you use your humidifier, though: Without proper cleaning and maintenance, a humidifier can become a breeding ground for bacteria, and actually make you sicker than ever. If you choose to regularly use your humidifier, you will also want to regularly clean it. You may also want to consider exclusively using distilled or de-mineralized water.
Why do people use humidifiers?
If the air in your home is too dry, then you may benefit from a humidifier. Too dry may be different for different people, but by and large, a humidifier will be used when the dryness of the air has been known to lead to negative side effects. Dry, itchy and cracked skin, chapped lips, and sore joints are just a few side effects that a humidifier will help. If it doesn’t completely eliminate them, it will at least improve them.
Of course, rather than preventative, a humidifier can add extra moisture for when it’s especially needed. When you’re sick and it hurts your throat or nose to breathe, the extra moisture can soothe a dry throat and prevent several side effects of the flu or common cold.
Where should I place my humidifier?
There are a few options where your humidifier will be most beneficial, and each is dependent on your needs. If you spend your time in one area of your home, particularly if you have an open floor plan, then that’s the best bet for location. For dry climates, you’ll, realistically, probably need more than one. For office use, you can place it directly on your desk and breathe in the moisture to see the effects all day.
For illnesses, you’ll probably find it the most beneficial to have your humidifier by your bed so that you’ll see the most impact on your sleep. For coughing and congestion, more humid air may just be the only thing that allows you to sleep at all. One word of caution, though: keep it a few feet away from you or anything that could catch fire. Though it’s not exactly an open flame, most humidifiers do work by heating water, so that heat could be dangerous if you don’t keep an eye on it. (And you won’t be able to if you’re sleeping, of course.)
Can I leave my humidifier on all night?
For a humidifier that is meant to be run all night, you’ll want to look for specific features, a larger tank that will allow it to operate all through the night, for one. The safety feature of an auto-off is invaluable for a humidifier if you plan on using it overnight. A timer that will get you through the driest period of the night or the most difficult to sleep time frame will help if you’d rather not have it going for the entire night.
If you can’t, then there will likely be a warning label on the humidifier itself. As with any purchase, you will definitely want to check the instructions and product information to make sure you know exactly what your humidifier can and cannot do, as well as what it should and shouldn’t.
Other Humidifiers We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other humidifiers. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best humidifiers list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your home. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Cool Mist Humidifiers
AirExpect Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
By using ultrasonic cool mist, this humidifier is perfect for adjusting the humidity of your room without making the temperature an uncomfortable one.
Key Features:
- 7 LED colors
- Lifetime customer support
- Cleaning brush included
Cost: $45
This humidifier has a timer to let you set it and forget it, making sure you don’t waste the humidity when you aren’t around to appreciate it.
Key Features:
- Filterless
- 0.5 L capacity
- 12hours continuous use
Cost: $40
Homeleader Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
You can control how high the mist stream releases with a dial to give you the exact kind of humidity you want.
Key Features:
- Silent operation
- 1.6L capacity
- Auto-off
Cost: $35
If you’re interested in increasing the humidity of a dry room without making the temperature uncomfortable, then this is one option you’ll want to consider.
Key Features:
- Night light
- 6L tank capacity
- Low water warning
Cost: $70
TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifiers
You can prevent dry and cracked lips while you sleep by using this humidifier by your bedside while congested.
Key Features:
- 6 L capacity
- 360-degree swivel nozzle
- Auto shut-off
Cost: $70
TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifiers for Babies
This humidifier is an ideal solution for a single room that has lower humidity than you prefer.
Key Features:
- Dial knob
- 360-degree nozzle
- Auto shut-off
Large Room Humidifiers
Everlasting Comfort Humidifier
If you have a large area or open floor plan that you need to adjust the humidity in, this is one machine that can help you do so.
Key Features:
- Essential oil tray
- 6 L capacity
- Filterless
Cost: $60
GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier
You can fill this humidifier from the top and it will release cool mist into your air, raising the humidity without increasing the temperature.
Key Features:
- 2 color options
- Auto shut-off
- 2-year warranty
Cost: $60
LEVOIT Humidifiers for Large Room
Whether you use the controls on the unit or the controller from a greater distance, you can customize this humidifier to however you see fit.
Key Features:
- Up to 36-hour continuous use
- 6 L capacity
- Silent operation
Cost: $95
SUNLUNACool Mist Ultrasonic Quiet Humidifier for Baby
For a dry climate or sick family, this humidifier is sure to make your home life more comfortable.
Key Features:
- 4 L tank capacity
- 2′ mist height
- Quiet operation; 26dB
Cost: $55
TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier
If you’re looking to raise the humidity in your large room, then you won’t want to overlook this humidifier.
Key Features:
- 4 L capacity
- Nightlight & sleep mode
- LED display
Cost: $65
TBI Pro Top-Fill 6L Cool Mist Large Humidifier
This humidifier has a long-lasting operation time and a rotating nozzle to make sure your entire area is saturated with moist air.
Key Features:
- Remote operation
- Up to 48-hour use
- Medical stone filter
Mini Humidifiers
With a square footprint, you can easily place this humidifier in a corner to make sure it doesn’t get in anyone’s way.
Key Features:
- 7 LED colors
- 1-touch operation
- 2-mist modes
Cost: $15
FoPcc 500ml Portable Humidifier
This humidifier is an excellent option to take with you where you go, with its ultra-portable design.
Key Features:
- Auto shut-off
- 2 color options
- 2 modes: intermittent or continuous
Cost: $20
LoiStu USB Humidifier, 280ml Mini Portable Humidifier
This is a compact enough humidifier that you can keep it in your bedroom, or office and not overwhelm other areas.
Key Features:
- 7-LED color night lights
- 2 modes: intermittent or continuous
- Auto shut-off
Cost: $15
SHSTFD Mini Portable Humidifier Cool Mist
You’ll love being able to adjust the angle of your humidifying so that the moisture is aimed exactly where you want it.
Key Features:
- Silent operation
- 3 color options
- 7 LED light colors
Oil Diffusing Humidifiers
Homasy Cool Mist Humidifier Diffuser
With a little night light on this humidifier and oil diffusing combination, this is an excellent option to avoid tripping late at night.
Key Features:
- 3 color options
- 360-degree humidification
- 2 mist-levels
Cost: $40
With the remote control, you’ll have full customization control without ever getting up from your comfortable spot.
Key Features:
- Air filter/diffuser/ionizer/humidifier-in-1
- Leak-proof
- 8-hour timer
Cost: $60
LEVOIT Humidifiers for Bedroom
This essential oil diffusing humidifier combination is a perfect solution for a small area or room.
Key Features:
- 3 mist-settings
- BPA-free
- Quiet; 28 dB
Cost: $60
TaoTronics Ultrasonic Humidifiers for Babies Nursery
Not only will this humidifier provide moisture to your dry air, but the diffuse is also a fun design a little one will love.
Key Features:
- 2 style options
- quiet operation; 26 dB
- 2.5 L capacity
Cost: $25
