Whether it’s winter and the air is turning frigid outdoors, or it’s summer and you’re stuck inside with the air conditioner blowing on full power, you’re likely feeling the impacts of dry air. This is because cold air is less capable of holding moisture than warm air.
Most people already know that dry air means:
- Dry skin
- Cracked lips
- Less comfortable sleeping patterns
All of these symptoms can be traced back to those decreased moisture levels, and one of the only ways to effectively combat such uncomfortable conditions is to invest in one of the best humidifiers.
How Does a Humidifier Work?
As their name suggests, humidifiers humidify. That is, they increase the levels of moisture around us. This process can be achieved by pumping water vapor or steam into the air. This is why you will find humidifying devices always need to be filled with water, either manually with a water tank or through a direct connection to a water supply.
Humidifiers also take a number of different forms. These range from large-scale home humidifiers capable of managing a whole household or large room to personal-size humidifiers which are better suited to travel or smaller spaces, like a car. In addition, the method of humidifying the air can also change between devices. The five types of humidifying device are:
- Ultrasonic humidifiers
- Steam vaporizers
- Central humidifiers
- Evaporative humidifiers
- Impeller humidifiers
The best humidifier for your needs will depend on a number of factors, though all help combat dry air. The best home humidifier for you depends on where you intend to use it, how much square footage you need it to cover and whether there will be children in the vicinity (steam humidifiers have the potential to cause burns).
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The Benefits of Using a Home Humidifier
In our opinion, humidifiers should be considered a necessary addition to every home, whether you suffer through harsh winters or hot summers. As long as they aren’t overused, there’s plenty of evidence to show how beneficial having a humidifier in your home can be. And these benefits don’t just include improving the overall comfort of your home environment, either. The best home humidifiers can also:
- Decrease your risk of contracting influenza
- Help alleviate snoring
- Improve your skin and hair
- Extend the lifespan of your hardwood floors and furniture
- Soothe itchy or red eyes
- Relieve cracked lips
- Reduce cat and dog dander
- Diminish static electricity
To help you breathe easier, we’ve found the best humidifiers to buy right now. From personal options to use when you travel to larger versions capable of covering your whole house, any of these devices will combat dry air and help you breathe more comfortably and stay healthy no matter the weather.
1. URPOWER Essential Oil Cool Mist Humidifier
BEST OVERALL
If you want to add moisture to your home and help it smell nice at the same time, consider the URPOWER Essential Oil Cool Mist Humidifier. We think this is the best cool-mist humidifier. It can hold up to 100ml of water along with pure essential oils, which it then emits into the room. In addition, this device can display seven different LED colors and also boasts an adjustable mist mode. Order a starter kit of essential oils when you buy this humidifier to get the most out of the URPOWER device.
2. Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier
MOST ATTRACTIVE
As one of the most attractive and functional portable humidifiers we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing, we can’t help but recommend the Hey Dewy wireless Facial Humidifier. This small, wireless option is barely larger than a can of pop, so it’s ready to go wherever you do to keep you cool and refreshed. The cool-mist humidifier works to humidify any small area, from a home office to your car or even a hotel room. It features ultrasonic wave technology for silent running and is capable of lasting up to eight hours from a single full charge. Plus, it includes an LED light for soft evening illumination and comes in three color options, including white and pink.
3. LEVOIT Humidifier for Large Room
BEST FOR LARGE ROOMS
For multiple rooms or one large room, you are going to need a bigger home humidifier. The LEVOIT Humidifier for Large Rooms comes with a six-liter tank for up to 36 hours of continuous use. It also features two different mist settings, namely a warm mist mode and a cool mist mode. Warm mist can add moisture to the air 25 percent quicker than cool mist, but the cool mist is ideal for hydrating your skin throughout the year. Finally, this LEVOIT humidifier also comes with a remote control so that you can adjust your mist level and turn the device on and off from afar.
4. hOmeLabs Large Room Humidifier
BEST FOR HOME OFFICES
If you’re a work-from-home warrior, you know that creating a healthy, calming environment is key to designing a home office. Adding a cool-mist humidifier can really help. The hOmeLabs Large Room Humidifier looks sleek and offers a performance that’s ideal for working environments. At just over 12 inches high and eight inches wide, it won’t get in the way, yet it can cover a large room up to 215 square feet and run for 40 hours on low. However, you can use the built-in timer to set it to run between two and six hours. The face of the device features a non-intrusive, hidden LCD, and there’s also an essential oil aromatherapy tray. Plus, the whole thing runs quietly at just 34.4 decibels, so it won’t interrupt your next Zoom call.
5. Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Humidifier
BEST FOR SMALL SPACES
Ideal for bedrooms and offices, the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Humidifier boasts a one-and-a-half-liter water tank as well as adjustable mist settings that control direction and speed. It also has an optional night light and an automatic shut-off for your safety. In total, this ultrasonic humidifier can produce 16 hours of mist on the lowest setting, so you can enjoy a restful and complete night’s sleep without dry air.
6. MistAire Cloud Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
BEST MOOD LIGHT
You’ll be on cloud nine with the MistAire Cloud Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. This cloud-shaped device produces a refreshing cool mist and can humidify rooms up to 250 square feet. Furthermore, it can run for 24 hours straight on the lowest mist setting. But, what we love most about this cool mist humidifier is that it has a built-in soothing night light, which cycles between eight soft glow colors.
7. Crane Cool Mist Top Fill Humidifier & Aroma Diffuser
BEST TABLETOP
If you need something bigger than a nighttime humidifier but don’t want a bulky device, consider the Crane Cool Mist Top Fill Humidifier and Aroma Diffuser. This device has a 1.2-gallon water tank that can run for 24 hours on the lowest setting. It’s small enough to sit on a table and still offers the ease of cleaning a larger device. Simply wipe down the tank with a cloth and throw the other pieces in the dishwasher. This humidifier also boasts a whisper-quiet operation and a night light.
8. Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
BEST NOVELTY
Adults and kids alike will love the Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier from Crane. This one-gallon humidifier takes the shape of an elephant, and it’s every bit as useful as it is cute. The cool mist device can rid any large room up to 500 square feet of dry air and boasts a 24-hour run time. Furthermore, the whisper-quiet operation and variable speed settings mean you can leave this humidifier running through the night without worry.
9. Orgtoy Cool Mist Humidifier
QUIETEST
Are you looking for a home humidifier that seamlessly combines design and function? Look no further than the Orgtoy Cool Mist Humidifier. This beautiful device has a six-liter water tank for up to 60 hours of continuous use. It also operates at an ultra-quiet 27 dBs, which isn’t much louder than the sound of a falling leaf. Plus, this humidifier boasts a built-in night light as well as three water vapor modes.
10. Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
BEST FOR KIDS
Kids need humidifiers just as much as adults, if not more. Keep your child happy and healthy with this train-shaped device. The one-gallon capacity means this humidifier can run for 24 hours straight on the lowest setting. Furthermore, it provides humidity for large rooms up to an impressive 500 square feet. And, if your kid isn’t really into trains, Crane also produces humidifiers in a variety of sizes and shapes, including an owl, an elephant and Hello Kitty. Home humidifiers can be fun!
11. Elechomes Ultrasonic Humidifier
MOST CUSTOMIZABLE
Not only does the Elechomes Ultrasonic Humidifier boast a large four-and-a-half-liter water tank, but it’s also highly customizable thanks to its clear display. With the touch of a button, you can adjust the humidity, temperature, light level and sound level. The display also shows preprogrammed humidifying sequences and the built-in timer function. Plus, this ultrasonic humidifier has a convenient remote control and a special aroma box where you can add essential oils to the mist.
12. Air Innovations Humidifier
BEST ROTATING
As a large-space humidifier, the Air Innovations Humidifier offers several perks. The best of these is that it has a removable, 15-inch rotating mist nozzle so you can cover your room evenly in humidity. Beyond that, the humidifier boasts a 1.7-gallon water tank that allows for 96 hours of constant use on the low setting. It’s also nearly silent when running and features a permanent ceramic filter that you will never need to replace. The five mist settings, smart controls and adjustable humidistat make this a solid buy.
13. Elechomes Humidifier
BEST DISPLAY
For an easy-to-use and easy-to-read device, look no further than the Elechomes Humidifier. It features a large LED screen that shows the current humidity levels in your room as well as the setting options available. You can choose between high, medium and low outputs or set your desired humidity using the built-in humidistat. It also comes in either white or black and includes a remote control, so you don’t have to get out of bed or up from the couch to change your home humidifier’s settings.
14. AIRCARE Space-Saver Evaporative Whole House Humidifier
BEST UPRIGHT
If space is at a premium in your household but you still want a device to cover your whole home, this AIRCARE Space-Saver Evaporative Whole House Humidifier may be your answer. By sporting an upright design with a smaller-than-average footprint, the device is able to deal with homes up to 2,700 square feet, without unnecessarily wasting space. The six-gallon water tank also allows the humidifier to run for up to 70 hours from a single fill. Other notable elements of this corded device include the easy pour-in reservoir, the adjustable humidistat and the four casters which make it easier to move.
15. Aircare Evaporative Humidifier
BEST WHOLE HOUSE
Rather than getting a humidifier for every room in your house, buy the Aircare Evaporative Humidifier and know that your whole house will benefit from higher humidity levels. This powerful device can raise moisture levels across 3,600 square feet using saturated wick technology. This works by moving dry air across a wet surface to create evaporative moisture. While you won’t be able to set specific humidity levels, you can rest assured that this device can create 11.44 gallons of moisture daily from its 3.6-gallon water tank.
16. Pure Guardian H3200WAR Ultrasonic Humidifier
BEST TOWER
With its upright, tower-style design, this Pure Guardian H3200WAR Ultrasonic Humidifier is a great choice for rooms where floor space is limited. The stylish device features a 1.5-gallon water tank that can run for up to 100 hours at a time. The ultrasonic technology allows it to run surprisingly quietly while a built-in tray and included pad make it easy to add essential oils to your setup. For greater convenience, the device features a smart mist sensor to monitor the room’s humidity level and adjust its mist level accordingly.
17. Venta Single Room Humidifier Plus Air Purifier
BEST AIR PURIFIER
The Venta Single Room Humidifier Plus Air Purifier offers the best of both worlds. While it is larger than most of the models on this list, it has two functions. While it can act as a superior humidifier, it also has an air purifier built in to remove dust, pet dander, pollen and other airborne pollutants from the air in your home. The humidifier relies on cold evaporation technology to provide moisture to rooms up to 200 square feet in size. And, as an added bonus, no additional filters are needed to operate this device.
18. Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer Tabletop Humidifier
BEST VAPORIZER
You trust Vicks Vapor Rub to open congested airways as you sleep, so why not trust the brand’s Warm Steam Vaporizer Tabletop Humidifier to provide a helping hand? This small device isn’t designed to humidify an entire room, but it is just right for providing extra moisture in the form of water vapor while you sleep. This, in turn, can help coughs and congestion at night, ensuring you get your rest and recover when you’re sick. The 1.5-gallon capacity can produce vapor for 18 to 24 hours.
19. LtYioe Colorful Cool Mini Humidifier
BEST FOR CARS
It’s not just your home that benefits from having a humidifier installed. If you spend a lot of time in your car, it’s worth considering adding a humidifier, like this LtYioe Colorful Cool Mini Humidifier. Thanks to its compact, three-inch diameter size, this device can be housed in most standard-size cup holders. It also features a built-in light, comes in three different colors and runs surprisingly quiet, at under 26dB. The humidifier can be powered using the included USB cable and sports one front-facing button for cycling through the device’s various functions, which include two mist settings. In addition, this device has an automatic shut-off which kicks in after four hours in the continuous mode, six hours in the intermittent mode or if the water level runs low.
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