The Best Humidifier

Buying Guide for Humidifiers

Why buy a humidifier?

Many people feel miserable during the cold, dry months of autumn and winter and have no idea why. For many, a lack of moisture in the air could be the culprit. Get a humidifier to reverse the effects of dry air. Even a small humidifier can make a profound difference in your home’s humidity that can have you feeling better in no time. Additionally, humidifiers are simple to travel with and can even improve the health of your humidity-loving houseplants.

What should you look for in a humidifier?

• Portability: If you plan on traveling with your humidifier or even using it in different rooms in your home, investing in a portable option is a wise choice. Portable models should be easy to set up almost anywhere you need them and fairly durable so that they won’t become damaged en route to their destination.
• Capacity: Be sure to choose a humidifier with an appropriate capacity that suits your needs. Let’s face it; many extra-small humidifiers won’t be able to operate for very long before needing to be refilled. However, there are plenty of models that can last throughout the night (or the workday) so that you can benefit from pleasant, moist air without having to constantly get up and tend to your humidifier.
• Design: If you’re seeking a humidifier for your home or workspace, it’s worthwhile to consider its design as well. Many models come in attractive, modern designs, with quite a few unique options on the market. Many people love humidifiers that sport calming, colorful LED lights for a touch of personality that they can add to a room. Keep in mind a humidifier’s design will also determine how easy it is to clean.

Can you put essential oil in your humidifier?

While some small humidifiers can effectively diffuse essential oils into your space, not all models are designed with this function in mind. If you plan to use essential oils with your humidifier from time to time, be sure that the humidifier you purchase can handle this application. Also, cleaning your humidifier will be more important than ever when using essential oils, so be sure to invest in a model that makes thorough cleaning both easy and convenient.

Our Picks for the Best Humidifiers

Pros: Featuring a quiet design and more than enough capacity to last throughout the night, the MOVTIP Portable Mini Humidifier is an excellent option for those seeking a USB-compatible humidifier. This model scores points for its simple one-button controls, and its nifty auto-shutoff feature powers down your humidifier after its water level gets too low. Unlike similar products, this model also offers plenty of fun color options, making it a fantastic choice for most.

Cons: This humidifier puts out a somewhat larger mist output than many comparable models, which can either be a pro or a con depending on how you look at it. If you’re looking for a product that effectively puts moisture into the air, look no further. However, you may need to be careful about where you place this unit since surrounding devices can get slightly damp while it’s operating.

Bottom Line: This small humidifier performs like a much larger unit in terms of effectiveness and value for your money. While its capacity isn’t the largest, this is still an excellent product for those who want quality over quantity.

 

Pros: Featuring whisper-quiet operation and a slim, low-profile design that’s tailor-made for a dresser or nightstand, the Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier is one of the quietest humidifiers you can buy to help your little one sleep soundly through the night. It also offers up to nine hours of continuous operation and a convenient output knob that lets you easily tweak its mist output. If you’re looking for a sleek humidifier that won’t wake you or the baby or leave its immediate surroundings damp, this one is well worth its modest price tag.

Cons: The opening to this humidifier’s water tank is fairly narrow and not the easiest to thoroughly clean. Also, while this product’s tank capacity is more than enough to last throughout the night, it can’t exactly be considered a high-capacity humidifier.

Bottom Line: While this humidifier’s sleek design doesn’t scream “nursery,” its whisper-quiet operation and easy-to-use interface are designed to cause as little fuss or confusion as possible.

 

Pros: Sporting a large water tank that is capable of running all day long, this unique humidifier is one of the easiest models to clean since it’s wide enough to stick your entire hand into. However, despite its slightly large size, this adorable humidifier won’t look out of place in your child’s room and can even double as a nightlight to help little ones sleep peacefully. While its mist output isn’t as strong as some other products, it would be hard to find a humidifier as cute or reliable as this one at any price point.

Cons: Compared to other small humidifiers, the MistAire Cloud is on the pricey side. However, few other devices can hold a candle to this one in terms of operating duration or tank capacity, so its elevated price tag makes sense.

Bottom Line: Most small humidifiers are utilizing USB-powered designs these days, but those seeking an excellent corded electric model will love this unit from Pure Enrichment. From its cute, unique design to its adjustable mist output, it’s easy to see why this is one of the highest-rated humidifiers around. If you’re looking for a high-capacity device that won’t have to be constantly refilled, this is your best option.

 

Pros: If you love to diffuse essential oil in your home or office, this essential oil diffuser’s large 550-milliliter tank and four selectable timer options are perfect for a quick session or all-day relief. While this product stands out for its elegant design, its impressive moisture output and BPA-free tank are worthy of praise as well. This easy-to-use diffuser also comes in a number of styles, giving you some options when looking for a model that can seamlessly integrate with your existing decor.

Cons: Unfortunately, this humidifier’s two misting modes won’t give you the wealth of options that some other humidifiers are capable of in terms of moisture output. Also, reviews mentioning this product’s noise level tend to be polarizing, with most reviews saying it’s rather quiet and other reviewers noting it can be a bit noisy when situated in quiet rooms.

Bottom Line: Putting your favorite essential oil in a normal humidifier that’s not designed for aromatherapy is a recipe for disaster, so investing in a quality diffuser like this one is a no-brainer. Even when it’s simply used to add some moisture into the air, its large capacity water tank and easy-to-use design make it a convenient choice for most households.

 

Pros: This humidifier from LtYioe might be insanely cute, but its moisture output is nothing to giggle at. Featuring an extra-compact design that fits perfectly in a vehicle’s cup holder, this humidifier is great for long cold drives when the air becomes unbearably dry. To sweeten the deal, this is one of the quietest humidifiers you can buy, and it comes with a replacement filter for added convenience.

Cons: While this is a great small humidifier for the car, it’s not as good of an option for your bedside. This is because its smaller capacity doesn’t allow it to run for up to eight hours. Thus, if you’re seeking a model that you can switch on before you go to sleep and that’s still working when you rise, this is probably not the product for you.

Bottom Line: While this humidifier’s limited capacity keeps it from being the best of the best, it is still easily one of the most effective ultra-portable options for those who are always on the go. However, those who choose this product will want to ensure they have a reliable USB connection wherever they plan to use the humidifier.

Final Thoughts

Luckily for those who have been feeling the effects of dry air, it’s not hard or expensive to find a humidifier that gets the job done. These models could be just what you need to combat the cold, dry seasons.