The 5 Best Humidifiers You Can Buy Today

As winter approaches and the air gets drier, humidifiers are a must-have for many households. Adding moisture to the air not only provides relief from dry skin and sinus issues, but can also help relieve cold symptoms.

Humidifiers have come a long way from the bulky, noisy machines of decades past. With options for warm or cool mist, automatic settings, large capacities, and high-tech features like smart controls, humidifiers now blend seamlessly into modern home décor.

In this guide, we’ll explain how humidifiers work, key factors in choosing one, and provide in-depth recommendations of the 5 best humidifiers across different needs and budgets.

How Do Humidifiers Work?

Humidifiers work by releasing water vapor into the air to increase moisture levels. There are a few main types:

Evaporative Humidifiers: These pass air over a saturated wick filter to add cool moisture to a room. They effectively hydrate air but require more maintenance, are noisier, don’t offer precise humidity control, and don’t add as fine of a mist.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers: These use high-frequency vibrations to create a cool, ultra-fine mist excellent at distributing moisture evenly. They run very quietly but can leave white dust from mineral deposits behind. They offer more controls than evaporative models.

Warm Mist Humidifiers: These boil water to emit a warm, visible mist that can provide soothing steam great for alleviating sinus and cold symptoms in winter. Most offer precise controls but do use more electricity. Kids and pets should be supervised around models with hot water.

When shopping for a humidifier, key factors to consider include:

Coverage Area: Consider the square footage a model’s mist can effectively hydrate. Ultrasonic and evaporative humidifiers come in personal sizes up to options for large rooms and whole homes.
Tank Capacity: Larger water tanks mean less frequent refills. Capacities range from personal models with 1⁄2 gallon tanks to multi-gallon tanks for all-day, whole-home coverage.
Convenience: Models with multiple speeds, humidistats for auto shut-off when optimal humidity is reached, timers, and top-fill tanks are most convenient to use.
Maintenance: All humidifiers require cleaning to prevent mold and bacteria buildup. Ultrasonic and cool mist models in particular can spread white dust. Check ease of access to the tank, wick, and other parts needing cleaning.

Now let’s get into this year’s top humidifiers across different categories.

Best Humidifier Overall: Levoit LV600HH

The LV600HH humidifier from Levoit stands out for its versatility and smart humidification. Offering both cool and optional warm mist adjustable via remote control or a backlit touch display, it’s an excellent year-round model.

It ultrasonically disperses moisture to cover over 750 square feet, has automatic modes gauging optimal humidity via sensors, includes an aroma box for oils, and has a 1.6 gallon tank. The vaporizer fan blows moisture rapidly for fast humidity with relatively quiet operation.

While it lacks a convenient top-fill tank, its large opening still makes refills easy. It also requires occasional white dust cleaning inherent to ultrasonic models. Overall, the LV600HH is feature-packed and excels at keeping optimal moisture anywhere you need it.

Key Features:
• Coverage for 753 sq ft
• 1.58 gallon tank
• Both warm & cool mist
• Auto modes
• Timer
• Sleep mode
• Remote control

Pros

Cons

Buy the Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier on Amazon.

Best Humidifier for Whole House Coverage: AIRCARE 4DTS900

Homes over 2,000 sq ft require a humidifier designed to operate 24/7 and emit high volumes of moisture. The AIRCARE 4DTS900 fits the bill with commercial performance, optional steam output for whole homes, and an extra-large 5.7 gallon dual bottle design.

It evaporatively emits a cool, invisible moisture perfect for open spaces by wicking water from one bottle up to 3 wick filter pads for maximum airflow. An integrated humidistat, LCD touch controls, and 9 fan speeds provide precision moisture options for any environment.

The AIRCARE excels at humidifying giant nurseries, connected attics reaching into multiple rooms, and living spaces up 3,600 sq ft. Easy roll casters let you move its tall profile, though its refills will be frequent. It also requires seasonal wick replacement to keep moisture volume high in homes.

Key Features:
• Coverage up to 3,600 sq ft
• 5.7 gallon capacity
• LCD touch controls
• Adjustable humidistat
• 9 fan speeds

Pros
• Massive moisture output
• Humidifies giant connected spaces
• Many fan speeds for custom moisture

Cons
• Loud compared to ultrasonic models
• Seasonal wick replacement required

Buy the AIRCARE 4DTS900 Humidifier for Whole House Coverage on Amazon.

Best Humidifier for Babies and Kids: Crane Adorables

Shopping for cuteness as well as performance for a baby’s nursery or child’s bedroom? Crane’s Adorables cool mist humidifiers feature animal shapes emitting kid-friendly moisture up to 500 sq ft alongside automatic shutoff when empty.

The 1 gallon tank is easy to fill and fits perfectly under bathroom sinks. While they lack humidity precision controls beyond basic output adjustment, their reliability, quiet operation, optional decorative night lights, and cute critter shapes make them a popular model for children.

They ultrasonically emit a cool visible mist from any location in a room and lack filters to clean. Just refill, wipe down, and appreciate the adorable shape suited for any youngster’s space. Consider the elephant, frog, monkey, or hippo shapes alongside standard ultrasonic performance.

Key Features:
• Animal shaped aesthetic
• Up to 500 sq ft coverage
• 1 gallon tank
• Auto shutoff
• Colorful nightlight

Pros
• Cute shapes for kids
• Decent output
• Easy to use

Cons
• Few humidity controls
• No top fill tank

Buy the Crane Adorables Cool Mist Humidifier on Amazon.

Best Smart Humidifier – Levoit Classic 300S

The latest humidifiers integrate full app and voice control alongside smart automation for peak performance. Case in point: Levoit’s Classic 300S ultrasonic model linking to Google Assistant and Alexa alongside the VeSync app.

It sports excellent output adjustable from bed while monitoring a room’s air quality metrics. An aroma box emits essential oils alongside refreshing cool mist. Choose from sleep mode, humidity presets from 40-60%, and timers while the auto mode uses a humidity sensor to gauge ideal air moisture.

This smart humidifier sports all expected ultrasonic performance like sleep mode, remote access, and a convenient top fill 1.58 gallon tank outputting for over 60 hours. Its smart integrations let you tweak performance and use automation to achieve ideal humidity with ease. It lacks the warm mist output of pricier Levoit models but maxes out smart controls.

Key Features:
• App and voice enabled
• Auto modes
• 505 sq ft coverage
• 1.58 gallon tank
• Aroma box

Pros
• Excellent smart controls
• Top fill tank
• Great runtime

Cons
• No warm mist
• Cleaning can be tricky

Buy the Levoit Classic 300S Smart Ultrasonic Humidifier on Amazon.

Best Portable Personal Humidifier – HoMedics Ultra

Sometimes you just need targeted moisture exactly where you are. The HoMedics Ultra portable humidifier provides personal moisture for up to 4 hours anywhere you go.

Its 0.5 gallon top fill tank is tiny but provides reliable cool mist minus bells and whistles – just basic moisture. An optional nightlight adds ambiance while its ultraquiet operation and tiny size make it an excellent companion for plane trips, beside hotel beds, or just perched by your work desk without occupying much space.

It includes both USB and wall plug power adapters for maximum portability. Consider it a simple travel companion or targeted desktop moisturizer emitting decent 4 hour cool mist that goes wherever you need a moisture boost.

Key Features:
• 0.5 gallon tank
• 4 hour runtime
• USB & wall plug adapters
• Compact & lightweight

Pros
• Excellent portability & size
• Ambient night light option
• Dual power inputs

Cons
• Small tank requires frequent refilling

Buy the HoMedics Ultra Personal Ultrasonic Humidifier on Amazon.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Right Humidifier

With so many models available at different price points, choosing a humidifier with the right features can get confusing quick. Keep these key factors in mind while shopping:

Desired Coverage Area – Consider what total square footage a humidifier needs to emit moisture into, then crosscheck models’ listed coverage capacities. Ultrasonics range from personal to over 1,000 sq ft. while evaporative excel at spaces over 1,500 sq ft.

Usage Frequency – Do you need all-day moisture or occasional mist? Look at tank size and max runtime. Multi-gallon tanks support continual use for whole homes better than 1 gallon models needing frequent refills. Consider cleaning needs as well based on humidifier runtime.

Settings Needed – Basic on/off functionality suits occasional users, while those wanting precision moisture daily should look for humidistats, humidity sensors, timers, sleep modes, and smart app control. Models with automatic sensors excel at customizing humidity levels.

For Year-Round Use – Both cool and warm mist in one model allow customizing moisture’s feel and benefits for seasonal comfort. Warm mist aids winter dry skin and cold symptoms better.

Easy Maintenance is Key – Any humidifier model requires regular cleaning and parts replacement. Prioritize top fill tanks, detachable components, and accessible filtration to minimize upkeep headaches over time. White dust is common in ultrasonic models but filtered evaporatives require replacing saturation pads 2x yearly depending on runtime.

By identifying features that best suit your needs, you can enjoy custom moisture levels delivering comfort all year long. Be sure to keep up regular cleaning procedures as well to keep your humidifier emitting fresh vapor.

Humidifying Without a Humidifier

Don’t want to purchase a machine to humidify indoor air? Consider these simple no-cost tactics using household items for a quick moisture boost:

Cook meals requiring boiling water like pasta
Take hot showers with the bathroom door open
Place bowls of water around rooms
Let laundry air dry indoors

The evaporating water increases air moisture with items you already have at home. Note that these tactics don’t offer precise humidity control like humidifiers, so monitor room feel and moisture to avoid excess condensation.

What’s the Recommended Humidity Level at Home?

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends optimal home humidity levels at 30-50% for comfort and health. Levels exceeding 50% increase mold/mildew growth risks significantly.

At the low end, allow indoor moisture dropping to 25-30% during colder, drier weather by turning humidifiers up to relieve discomforts but not risk condensation issues against cold home surfaces.

Use room hygrometers to monitor humidity accurately based on humidifier runtime. Humidifiers set to auto with built-in sensors will gauge ideal moisture balance automatically based on settings.

FAQs About Humidifiers

Shopping for your first humidifier and still have questions? Here’s answers to some commonly asked questions:

Are humidifiers safe for babies?
Yes, as long as you maintain cleaning per guidelines and don’t use old filter pads allowing mold growth. Ultrasonic and cool mist options are best for nurseries.

Where should you place a humidifier?
Place portable humidifiers on flat surfaces away from direct sunlight and heating elements which might warp plastic. Ensure whole home models connect properly to HVAC systems to emit humidity through all vents.

How do you clean ultrasonic humidifier tanks?
Fill tanks with equal vinegar and water ratio. Let soak 15 minutes occasionally scrubbing mineral buildup then rinse until the vinegar smell dissipates. Repeat monthly.

What’s more cost effective to operate, evaporative or ultrasonic humidifiers?
In most cases, evaporative options will be cheaper long-term, using less energy and with lower cost maintenance items like replacement pads. Ultrasonic models requiring frequent vinegar cleaning solution replenishment can diminish cost savings from lower energy use.

Can essential oils be added to all humidifiers?
No – only add oils to models listing aroma, essential oils box/tray, or diffusion features in their manuals. Oils can degrade plastics in tanks over time when not specifically designed for them.

By keeping key factors like coverage capacity, settings, and maintenance needs in mind while shopping, getting home the perfect humidifier providing ideal comfort and protection across any season is easy. Hopefully these humidifier recommendations and tips help you discover how simple enjoying custom moisture appropriate for any situation truly is.