Best Humidifiers For Bedroom and Entire House

Dry air belongs in the desert for a good reason. It destroys whatever it touches. From causing shrinkage and possible cracking of wooden furniture, and this goes double for artwork, paper, and books to agitating the mucous membranes in the throat and nose. This irritation exacerbates preexisting allergies or asthma. Making the air in your house more humid is the obvious solution, right? To that effect, we give you the humidifier!

A humidifier is an electrical appliance that will raise the moisture content of an area ranging from the size of your bedroom to an entire building. There are some which are small and compact enough that they are practically portable. With the new decade well underway, this miracle gadget will make the perfect gift for family and loved ones. 

Humidifiers have been a thing for a while now, which means there are hundreds of different ones and brand names in the market. Lucky for you, we have done the grunt work and outlined your wants and matched them with the best solutions. Chosen to cater for any occasion and need, here are the ten best humidifiers out there.

Top 10 Humidifiers Of 2020 Reviewed

1. MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

Cool Mist Humidifier

The MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is our top pick due to several reasons. First, it can run for 8 hours straight on just a 1.5-liter water tank. It can easily cover a medium-sized room such as an office or a bedroom. Second, it has high and low-speed settings, plus you’re able to adjust the mist direction to your liking.

The humidifier has an automatic shut-off feature which is perfect if you want to leave it running while you’re sleeping. It’ll automatically turn off when the water level is too low or the tank is removed. And if you need it, this humidifier comes with an optional night light. You also get a 2-year warranty with this device, something that most manufacturers of humidifiers don’t offer.

We love that this really is whisper quiet in the bedroom and so easy to use as well as clean. However, it does not come with a filter so if your water is especially hard, you’ll need to buy a filter to use. Also, we appreciate the inclusion of the nightlight but the LED light in the button is enough to keep you awake because it’s so bright. It can also be annoying to keep pushing the button to get the setting you want.

2. Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier

Humidifier For Asthma

This Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier from Honeywell is another crowd favorite. It features a wicking filter to remove impurities from your water, 3-speed settings to choose from, and a patented germ killing chamber where UV light is used to kill mold, bacteria, and other microbes in the water. To make the mist even cleaner, the wicking filter is treated with an antimicrobial process to prevent any germs or other microbes from growing there. The tank is pretty easy to clean manually AND dishwasher-safe. There’s even a built-in handle that makes the tank easy to lift and carry from the faucet to the device.

The device can cover up to 500 square feet, using around 2 gallons of water each day. With a tank that’s only 1 gallon, this means refilling it twice a day. Not bad, actually. And while you will have to change the filter from time to time, it doesn’t cost a lot of money to do so. However, this device does not have the automatic shut-off feature which means that you need to watch out for when the water tank is running low on water or risk the device burning out. Also, it’s not as quiet as ultrasonic humidifiers. Plus, it might not fit on some nightstands as it’s a bit larger than other devices with the same capacity.

3. UCAREAIR Cool Mist Humidifier

Best Humidifier for Bedroom and Kids Nursery

There a lot of options for you out there; it is only fair that your young ones are accorded the same privilege. This might not come as a surprise, but UCAREAIR cares about the entire family; after all, it is a family-friendly brand name. It works using ultrasonic technology. What this does is vaporize water into ultra-fine droplets using sonic vibration. However, what makes it perfect for kids is because it does all this at low noise levels of maximums of 32dB. Your little tyke can make the most out of the night, and deservedly so will you.

While the quiet operation will keep your kid down all night, it is the UCAREAIR’s soft nightlight that will get them there. Heck, it can do the same for you. There is such a thing as maximum sleep relaxation; we know it, and so do you now. Coming in a 2 liter (0.5 gallons) capacity, it is sufficiently filled to run for up to 25 hours under low mist mode. The switch from low speed to the high-speed mode is as easy as can be. All you need to do is just press the button.

There’s nothing more important than ensuring your child’s safety. The manufacturers clearly had this insight in mind since the machine is supposed to operate when we’re asleep and thus highly vulnerable. This is why it has an inbuilt red LED light that will blink once the water levels are under critical levels or when the tank has been removed. In addition to everything, it has filter-less operation cutting down all those unnecessary expenses incurred in getting new filters.

4. AIRCARE Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

Whole House Humidifier

If you plan on getting a humidifier for your entire house, then this is your best bet. The AIRCARE MA1201 is an evaporative humidifier that can cover a 3600-square foot house. It has a digital humidistat that maintains your target humidity level and an automatic shut-off feature when it reaches the desired humidity level or when the tank has run out of water. The humidifier has a 3.6-gallon tank capacity but you’ll find that you need to refill this several times a day. You get to choose between 4 fan speeds including auto mode. And the device alerts you when you need to refill the tank or check the filter. This humidifier is EPA-approved and comes with caster wheels to make moving it around so easy.

However, it does get a bit noisy when you use higher fan settings. The opening of the refilling chamber is a bit small so cleaning inside it can be a bit of a pain.

5. TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier with LED Display

Humidifier for Winter

The TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier features a 4-liter tank, a 360-degree rotatable nozzle, a built-in timer, an LED display, a sleep mode, and a microporous cartridge. Now, the LED display is a feature we love since it allows you to easily see the status of the device and the humidity level in the room. Not only can you control the amount of mist it produces, but you can also use the nozzle to control the direction of the mist. Then there’s the timer that can let you run the device for a certain amount of time and then just have it turn off when you don’t want it running anymore.

Refilling the tank is easy because of the handles at the top and bottom of the device. And the ceramic filter ensures that the air you breathe in doesn’t contain any impurities, germs, and bad odors. Even better, you can clean the filter and reuse it so there’s no need to keep buying replacements.

However, sleep mode needs improvement. While it does turn off the LED display, it also lessens the mist output automatically which isn’t always something you want to happen. Also, there have been reports that the humidistat isn’t accurate. And while this unit is very quiet, it does make a gurgling sound every few minutes which can be annoying for light sleepers.

6. JZK Mini Portable Personal Cool Mist Air Humidifier

Portable Humidifier

Dry air everywhere you go? You can easily get raise the humidity level in your car or in the office by using this little humidifier. It measures 3.9 x 3 x 3.9 inches (around the size of a softball), small enough to fit in a corner on your desk and moisturize the air in your cubicle. The device can be plugged into an outlet (it comes with an adapter) or a USB port which makes it very versatile. It is very quiet so it won’t disturb your colleagues while you’re running it. And it comes with a lifetime guarantee! If something goes wrong with your humidifier, the manufacturer will send you a free replacement with no questions asked.

However, it is very small so it will only last a couple of hours. Plus, it can’t really be The cord is short, only 3 feet in length. And there have been issues regarding durability. Though with the lifetime guarantee, you’ll definitely get more than your money’s worth.

7. BONECO Travel Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier

Travel Humidifier

This personal humidifier from BONECO is definitely one of a kind. It’s very small and can be taken with you wherever you go. You can use it with conventional water bottles up to 24 oz in size. The device allows you to set your desired output and automatically switches off when it runs out of the water. It comes with an international AC adapter, a cleaning brush, and a travel bag. While this may be a small unit, you can have it running for as long as 12 hours depending on the size of the bottle you use. Compared to other travel humidifiers, this baby is the most versatile while still being compact.

However, the water valve piece that you attach to your bottle isn’t sold separately so you need to make sure that it doesn’t break. Also, the light on the device is quite bright in a dark room. And some users have found that it’s not as silent as other ultrasonic humidifiers.

8. Levoit Humidifiers

Humidifier For Large Rooms

If you’ve got a large bedroom (over 150 square feet), then you’ll definitely need a powerful humidifier which means the Levoit LV600HH is just what you’re looking for. This ultrasonic humidifier features an intuitive control panel AND remote control for easy and convenient use. It can produce warm and cool mist so you can use this thing all year round. It also features a 360-degree dual nozzle, a 12-hour timer, an LED display, a 6L water tank, adjustable speeds and modes, and a very accurate humidistat.

This high-end humidifier has a smart auto mode that will allow the device to self-regulate, automatically diffusing mist in order to adjust the humidity to the most suitable level. It also has an aroma box where you can add a few drops of essential oil to add fragrance to your room. The unit comes with 2 descaling pads, 2 aroma pads (all reusable), and a cleaning brush. With all its bells and whistles, the high cost of this unit is entirely justified.

However, you will need to turn the tank upside down to refill it. There are several complaints about the lack of customer service. Also, this is not ideal for homes with hard water unless you plan on buying distilled water all the time.

9. Vicks Filter-free, Ultrasonic, Visible Cool Mist Humidifier

Humidifier For Sinus Problems

Suffering from a stuffy nose or chest congestion? Vicks has got your back. This filter-free cool mist humidifier allows you to use Vicks VapoPads (sold separately) to help relieve cough and congestion. It has a control dial for customizing the mist output of the device. We love the really big tank opening which makes cleaning the device easy. Plus, the pocket for the Vicks pads can be used for scent pads too.

The tank has a 1.2-gallon capacity so you can run this for 30 hours straight at medium setting. Unfortunately, to refill the tank, you need to turn it upside down. Not a hardship but it’s not convenient either. To prevent white dust from getting everywhere due to your tap’s hard water, you can use the Protec Demineralization Cartridge with this unit. However, it is also sold separately. If you don’t, then you need to make sure to only use filtered water with this device.

10. Crane USA Cool Mist Humidifiers for Kids

Humidifier For Babys

If you’re planning on placing a humidifier in your baby’s room, Crane USA’s Cool Mist Humidifier for Kids is the best choice in the market. This Parent-Tested and Parent-Approved device comes in a variety of designs from Hello Kitty to cute farm animals and a train. The humidifier features a 1-gallon tank that’s easy to refill though you’d have to flip it over as the opening is at the bottom. There’s a control know that allows you to adjust mist output and, depending on the animal, you can get one or two nozzles. The lid itself can be rotated 360 degrees which allow you to direct the mist where you need it.

The device is made out of anti-microbial material to reduce mold and bacteria growth. It’s filter-free but you can use an optional demineralization filter if you have hard water at home. And since this will be placed in your baby’s room, it should ease your mind that this model comes with an automatic shut-off feature which means there’s no risk of the humidifier burning out. Plus, there’s a nightlight feature that will ensure you’re baby isn’t going to feel scared in the dark.

However, cleaning the tank isn’t easy with its odd shape and it requires frequent cleaning. Using distilled water can lessen deposits and lengthen the lifespan of the humidifier.   

Choosing the Best Humidifier – The Ultimate Buying Guide 

Dry air isn’t just bad for your skin. It could be hazardous to your health too. A lack of moisture in the air can lead to your nasal and sinus membranes getting irritated. Also, nasal congestion, allergies, and respiratory problems get worse in dry air. Now, how does one get rid of dry air? Through a humidifier, of course.

Basically, humidifiers are devices that add moisture to the air. And there are several kinds of technologies used to do that. So, how do you find the one humidifier to rule them all? Well, technically you can’t. But you can find the best humidifier for your home and we’ve got just the guide to help you.

Cold Mist or Warm Mist?

There are two main types of humidifiers – cool mist and warm mist.

Warm Mist Humidifiers

Obviously, warm mist humidifiers produce warm air which means that it will raise room temperature, something that can help you save on energy costs during the winter months. Some people prefer this type of humidifier as they feel that it helps them breathe easier. They also prefer it since it can kill bacteria, germs, and other microbes in the water. A warm mist humidifier works by heating the water up to a boil to produce steam (a.k.a. warm mist). If you have children in your home, you shouldn’t consider using a steam vaporizer/warm mist humidifier as the steam and the water could burn your child.

Cool Mist Humidifiers

Cool mist humidifiers, as the name implies, produces cool air. There are several technologies used to do this which means that this type of humidifier can be broken down into several subcategories.

Evaporative Humidifiers: It produces a cool mist by using a fan to blow air through a wet filter, wick, or belt. The air collects moisture from the wet wick/filter/belt and then disperses it into the room to increase the moisture level in the air.

Impeller Humidifiers: It also produces cool mist though it makes use of a rotating disk to break water into tiny drops that can enter the air.

The most popular kind of cool mist humidifier is the ultrasonic humidifier. This cool mist humidifier makes use of high-frequency vibrations to create micro-fine droplets that are dispersed into the air by a small fan. There are plenty of advantages to using this type of humidifier. One, you don’t need to boil the water to kill microbes because the vibration destroys their cell walls. Two, these are usually the most silent of all humidifiers. And three, the output of this kind of humidifier was usually the highest compared to the rest.

A dual mist humidifier is a device that can produce cool mist and warm mist. However, it doesn’t actually boil the water. Instead, it preheats the water before it turns it into a mist which means that its vapors are less warm compared to the warm mist humidifiers in the market.

What’s the ideal humidity level and how do I Measure it?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the humidity level indoors should ideally be less than 60 percent during the summer and between 20 to 40 percent in the winter. Some humidifiers are able to measure the moisture level in the room by using a built-in hygrometer. Some feature a humidistat that will turn the unit on and off in order to maintain the right humidity levels.

If your model does not have these features, you can opt to buy your own hygrometer. While low humidity is not good for you, high humidity levels should also be avoided as this kind of environment can cause the growth of bacteria and mold that may trigger allergies and asthma.

How big is the Room You want to Humidify?

The size of your humidifier will depend on the size of the room you want to place it in. You’ll need to look at the stated output of each humidifier to learn if it will be able to cover your target area. In general, small humidifiers can cover rooms up to 300 square feet while medium-sized humidifiers can cover from 300 to 499 square feet.

Keep in mind that these tend to have small tanks so frequent refills may be a possibility. Large humidifiers, on the other hand, can cover from 500 to 999 square feet. These usually console models that you can move from room to room. If your room is larger than 999 square feet, there are some extra large humidifiers available too.

How hard is Your Water?

You’ll need to make sure that you use distilled or demineralized water with your humidifier to reduce scale and mineral build-up and deposits inside the humidifier. If you can’t, you’ll want your humidifier to feature a demineralization filter. If it doesn’t, try to find out if it’s an optional add-on. However, demineralization cartridges add to the on-going cost of a humidifier so you need to add that to your budget.

How Easy is it to Use and Maintain?

The humidifier’s tank should be easy to detach and fit under the faucet for refills and washing. The humidifier should also feature a large enough opening that cleaning it with a sponge or a dish brush is possible. Some models are dishwasher-safe, making regular maintenance a breeze.

You may want the device to also have an indicator light that lets you know if you need to refill the tank. Some models can even automatically shut down if the tank is empty.

Some models require you to change filters so you need to see if these are easy to find and purchase as well as how easy these filters are to change. If you’re using an evaporative model, the wick should be easy enough to change and not cost you a lot to replace.

Is the Output Adjustable?

As we’ve mentioned before, it would be great if your humidifier featured a humidistat so that the ideal humidity level is always maintained. However, changing seasons also mean changing levels of humidity. Models with adjustable output humidity will ensure that your humidifier is efficient in providing the ideal humidity level no matter what season.

How Much Noise can You take?

Generally, ultrasonic humidifiers are the quietest ones, including evaporative humidifiers. Warm mist humidifiers are also louder than ultrasonic humidifiers but not as much as evaporative humidifiers. If you’re planning on placing the humidifier in the bedroom, you can opt for a model that features a night setting.

Dry air is not good for your skin and health. If there’s no humidity in your house, you need to get one of these humidifiers and improve the situation in your home. When there’s a lot, on the other hand, you can consider buying a dehumidifier as well.