13 Best Humidifiers of 2023 to Keep You Healthy All Winter
Updated: Mar. 20, 2023Say goodbye to dry skin, stuffy noses, and allergies. The right humidifier can make all the difference during the coldest season of the year.
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Why use a humidifier?
Ah, winter—the season that offers beautiful blankets of snow, but also dry skin, static electricity, allergies, asthma, and assorted sinus problems. If you haven’t tried enlisting the help of a humidifier, you’re missing out on some serious benefits.
According to the Mayo Clinic, humidifiers can help soothe dry sinuses, bloody noses, and cracked lips, as well as keep flare-ups from skin conditions such as eczema at bay, since they add moisture to the air. But how do you know how much humidity is the right amount?
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends indoor relative humidity to be kept between 35 to 50 percent,” says Melanie Carver, Chief Mission Officer at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “If the humidity levels are higher than that, it encourages mold growth and dust mites to thrive.”
What to Look for When Buying a Humidifier
When shopping for a humidifier, you’ll find tons of options, including two-in-one machines that function as both a humidifier and air purifier. While we all love a good multitasking product, the best humidifier for you really depends on your specific situation.
“Humidifier/air-cleaner combos can be beneficial where there is both low relative humidity and poor air quality, or the presence of allergens that are irritating to household members. If there are no problems with air quality or with allergic/asthma triggers, then the additional cost of the combo product might not be worth it,” says Jennifer Whelan, Chief Operating Officer for Allergy Standards Limited (ASL). “Good combos will enable the user to switch on and off the humidifier function, so that they can still use the air-cleaner function even when humidity is not a problem.”
Finally, when choosing the best humidifier for your needs, you’ll also want to take into account such features as tank size (which dictates how much space you can humidify), noise level, maintenance requirements, and ease of cleaning.
The Best Humidifiers
Best overall humidifier: Dyson Pure Humidify+Cool
If you want the best multitasker around, check out the Dyson Pure Humidify+Cool, which serves as a cool-mist humidifier, fan, and air purifier. It also features UV-C light, as well as a highly reflective PTFE tube that reflects the UV-C light, which means water is exposed to multiple rays, killing 99.9 percent of bacteria in it in the first pass.
Plus, maintenance is super easy thanks to a deep-clean cycle that thoroughly cleans all parts of the machine exposed to water. Did you know that air purifiers may also play a role in protecting your home and family from coronavirus?
Highlights:
- Three devices in one
- Essentially cleans itself
- Kills harmful bacteria
Best large-room humidifier: Elechomes SH8830 Ultrasonic Humidifier
The Elechomes SH8830 Ultrasonic Humidifier is designed for spaces up to 861 square feet, making it a great option for large rooms. It also offers a long run time, with up to 72 hours of continuous cool mist , plus a warm mist option. We love that it’s super quiet and has a night mode that darkens all lights for deeper sleep.
Its auto mode (which regulates the fan speed based upon the desired humidity level), auto shutoff, timer-setting option, and filter-free design make this unit an eco-friendly choice.
Highlights:
- Covers a larger area than most humidifiers
- Offers warm and cool mist
- Clever night mode feature
Easiest humidifier to clean: Miro Luma Touch Modular Humidifier
The Modular Humidifier by Miro features a 1.06-gallon tank, so it can humidify up to 600 square feet continuously for eight hours on the highest setting and 24 hours on the lowest. It also has a smart touch control panel and an LED light that can be set to your favorite color or turned off completely.
The real hero feature is that all of the parts—including the water tank, fan, and ultrasonic mister—are waterproof and washable (though not dishwasher-safe). Now all you need to do is learn how to clean a humidifier properly because it’s a lot more important than you think.
Highlights:
- Easily washable
- Stylish design
- Color-changing
Best combination humidifier: Levoit Ultrasonic Humidifier
If flexibility is what you’re after, consider a humidifier that creates both warm and cool mist, like the Levoit Ultrasonic Humidifier. Not only does it boast a six-liter capacity for longer run time, but it also features a built-in humidity sensor, easy-to-read LED display, touch panel, and remote for an added layer of convenience.
It is important to note, however, that hot water or steam from a warm-mist humidifier can burn if touched or spilled, so you should only use cool-mist humidifiers in children’s rooms. Don’t miss these other Amazon products you’ll definitely use every day.
Highlights:
- Offers cool and warm mist
- Built-in humidity sensor
- Large six-liter capacity
Best humidifier for sick kids: Vicks Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier
Whether your little one is sick or suffering from allergies or eczema, the Vicks Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier will give them some relief and much-needed rest. This humidifier works on its own or with Vicks VapoPads for extra soothing comfort when they’re sick, but our favorite feature is the projector, which enables children to sleep under the stars. And if you’re struggling with the thermostat while your little one is under-the-weather, this is the best temperature for a house in winter.
Highlights:
- Built-in projector
- Works with Vicks VapoPads
- Built-in antimicrobial filter
Most stylish humidifier: Air Innovations Clean Mist Smart Humidifier
Freshen up the air and your decor with this smart humidifier from Air Innovations. It comes in four colors—black, platinum, purple, and red—to either blend in with your home or give it a fun pop of color. It has a rotating mist nozzle, a 24-hour timer, and auto-shutoff, and it promises up to 96 hours of continuous moisture on its lowest setting.
The entire unit and base are made of antimicrobial plastic to help prevent the growth of bacteria inside the tank, and it has a permanent ceramic filter, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing replacements. Find out the other places bacteria and germs can hide in your home.
Highlights:
- Unique design
- Made of antimicrobial plastic
- Impressive 96-hour run time
Most energy-efficient humidifier: Vornado Energy Smart Evaporative Humidifier
If you plan on running a humidifier all day, every day, then you’re going to want something energy efficient. The Vornado Energy Smart Evaporative Humidifier is driven by an Energy Smart DC motor that uses 90 percent less energy. Unlike a typical misting option, evaporative humidification uses a wick to naturally humidify all the air in the room without leaving it damp.
It’s also worth noting that Vornado stands behind its products with a five-year satisfaction guarantee and a 10-year motor warranty. Did you know that these 30 Amazon products have lifetime warranties?
Highlights:
- Uses less energy than the average humidifier
- Five-year satisfaction guarantee
- Tank is easy to remove and refill
Top-rated humidifier on Amazon: Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
With more than 67,000 reviews and 70 percent of customers giving it a five-star rating, the Pure Enrichment MistAire just may be the best humidifier on Amazon. People love its filter-free, quiet, and compact design along with its optional night-light. One fan raves: “Love the small humidifier I purchased—I use it in a bedroom and it makes a tremendous difference! So quiet you don’t know it’s on, and it provides just the right amount of moisture to keep me breathing easy all through cold-weather months.” Here are more brilliant buys on Amazon with practically perfect reviews.
Highlights:
- Quiet motor
- Large 1.5-liter capacity
- Highly rated on Amazon
Best travel humidifier: Boneco Travel Ultrasonic Humidifier
If you’re a seasoned traveler, you know how dry hotel rooms can be. Boneco’s tiny travel humidifier comes with its own storage bag and will fit snugly in your carry-on. All you’ll need is a water bottle and the bottle adapter (which is included with your purchase) and you’re good to go.
One reviewer writes: “I love this thing! It has saved me this winter as I have been traveling. Usually, I suffer this time of year with congestion, dry skin, and severely chapped lips because I travel to cold-weather areas. I left this home one week and had exactly those issues, but the following week, I remembered to pack this and had no such issues.”
Highlights:
- Small, packable size
- Can use up to one gallon of water
- Storage bag included
Best small-space humidifier: CVS Health Cool Mist Humidifier
Although this CVS Health humidifier has few bells and whistles, Consumer Reports named it as one of its CR Best Buys of 2020 for its performance and price. Designed for small rooms, it has variable output settings, a soft-glow night-light, and automatic shutoff, and it will run for up to 20 hours per filling.
The transparent tank and filter-free design make it easy to clean, and it’s whisper-quiet, so it’s perfect for nighttime use.
Highlights:
- Affordable
- Quiet operation
- Simple, easy-to-use design
Best whole-home humidifier: Essick Air AirCare Evaporative Humidifier
If you’re looking to add moisture to more than just a single room or you have an open floor plan, check out this Essick model. It has a 3.6-gallon capacity and is designed to cover up to 3,600 square feet. Plus, it has a digital humidistat to customize humidity levels, and shuts off when that desired humidity level is reached (or when the unit is empty). Weighing in at 14 pounds, it’s a rather large unit, but it is equipped with wheels for easy maneuvering around the home.
Highlights:
- Impressive 3.6-gallon capacity
- Covers a large area
- Automatic shutoff
Best budget humidifier: Walgreens Humidifier
You may not expect much from a humidifier priced under $30, but the Walgreens humidifier with ultrasonic technology packs a surprisingly big punch; the key is to use it in small rooms. It offers an adjustable mist control, runs quietly, uses “clean tank technology” and has auto-shutoff. You can even add a signature scent to the room using the product’s tray for essential oils.
Highlights:
- Affordable
- Slim design
- Built-in essential oil tray
Best multipurpose humidifier for kids: Baby Dream Machine
Have you noticed how many different gadgets are vying for an outlet in your child’s room? It’s time to consolidate with a five-in-one machine that does it all. The Baby Dream Machine features a humidifier, night light, red light therapy, sound machine, and aromatherapy all in one. Basically the only thing it doesn’t do is sing lullabies and read bedtime stories. The machine runs for 12 hours at the optimal 40-to-60 percent humidity, and you’ll love the filterless tank because it’s easy to clean.
Highlights:
- Cute animal design
- Multiple devices in one
- Helps promote better sleep
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic: “Humidifiers: Air moisture eases skin, breathing symptoms”
- Melanie Carver, Chief Mission Officer at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- Jennifer Whelan, Chief Operating Officer for Allergy Standards Limited
- Mayo Clinic: “Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?”
