This is our buying guide on the best humidifiers in 2023. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read our in depth hands on reviews, for each best humidifiers.
Vicks Mini Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier
- Compact and easy to use
- Adjustable mist management feature
- Lightweight and easily portable
- Night light feature
- Oil diffuser feature
- It doesn’t produce noise
- Automatic shut-off feature
- The tank is easy to fill and clean
- Instant output
- Reliable and efficient
LEVOIT Smart 6-liter humidifier
- Ability to switch between cold and warm mist
- Built-in humidistat
- It covers a large area of up to 760 sq feet
- 50-hour runtime
- Easy to clean
- Large tank
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa
- Good build quality
- Wifi-enabled smart features
Venta Airwasher Humidifier LW25
- It acts as both a humidifier and purifier
- Generous water tank capacity of 2 gallons
- Large coverage area up to 600 square feet
- 24-hour runtime
- It comes with a 10-year warranty
- Filter-free and silent
- Auto shutdown when the tank runs dry
- 99% filtration effectiveness
- Recommended by doctors
- It does not require weekly cleaning
In this article, we’ll walk you through the best humidifiers on the market.
If you’re not accustomed to arid weather, the chances of suffering from respiratory infections and dryness of the skin, nose, and throat are higher than you might realize.
Humidifiers release steam to increase the moisture level in the surroundings. Thus, you no longer have to worry about dryness and irritation, even if you live in a desert!
We found that the LEVOIT humidifier is the perfect all-rounder. With its ability to switch between warm and cold mists, a sizable tank, and plenty of modern features, it offers the best bang for your buck.
However, this humidifier doesn’t take the top spot without fierce competition—we found several other humidifiers that provide excellent value for their money.
Keep reading to find out the top humidifiers.
LEVOIT Smart 6-liter humidifier
OVERALL BEST
The LEVOIT Smart humidifier is versatile, powerful, and hands down our #1 choice. With its sizable 6-liter water tank, beautiful design, and high-tech features, this humidifier is an excellent investment for your home or workplace.
The standout feature of this humidifier is its ability to switch between warm and cold mist so that you can have the best of both worlds.
The warm mist mode allows for fast humidification during the winter, keeps your room warm, and soothes sore throats. On the other hand, the cold mist mode keeps your skin perfectly moisturized during the summer.
With the capacity to cover an area of nearly 750 square feet, the LEVOIT is excellent for larger spaces, such as studio apartments or large living rooms. On the low mist setting, the 6-liter tank allows for continuous use of up to 50 hours before you need to refill it. Impressive, right?
This humidifier uses a top fill design, which avoids spills during refill and makes cleaning easier, unlike bottom fill designs, which are far more complicated to clean.
Cleaning the Levoit Humidifier is also as easy as using it. All you need to do is rinse the tank under water thoroughly, and you’re good to go!
It has a built-in humidistat, enabling you to monitor the humidity level in your room constantly. It’s also WiFi enabled with smart features.
The remote features allow you to turn the humidifier on and off, change the fan speed, and monitor and adjust the humidity level while you’re away.
It’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant and can thus seamlessly become a part of your home automation system.
The LEVOIT also uses a patented hybrid mist technology that allows nearly four times faster humidification than conventional cold mist humidifiers! So if you’re always in a rush and need a quick fix to your humidity-related problems, this is the humidifier you should opt for.
The Levoit Smart Humidifier, with its smart features and reliable performance, fulfills all your humidifier-related needs. It is absolutely worth the money!
Pros
- Ability to switch between cold and warm mist
- Built-in humidistat
- It covers a large area of up to 760 sq feet
- 50-hour runtime
- Easy to clean
- Large tank
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa
- Good build quality
- Wifi-enabled smart features
- You need to replace absorption pads occasionally
Cons
- No after-sales service
- It can be too loud
Vicks Mini Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier
BEST BUDGET
You might know Vicks as the rubbing balm you use when you catch a cold. But interestingly, the brand also manufactures an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier to help relieve cough and congestion for a night of extra comfy sleep!
This compact, filter-free humidifier is mainly designed for small rooms and has adjustable mist management to control the humidity.
Despite being lightweight in design, this humidifier is a mini-beast that can run for up to 20 hours and hold half a gallon of water in its tank. It’s also easily portable, so you can keep it on a shelf or a dresser without consuming too much space. If you require instant congestion relief, you can just sleep a few feet away from it and wake up feeling better.
Another impressive feature of this humidifier is that it automatically shuts off once the tank is empty to give the machine some rest, which cuts down on electricity consumption.
The tank is transparent with a large opening, making it easy to fill, use, and clean. The transparent water tank also lets you see when a refill is required. All you need to do is put it under the sink to refill it or rinse it.
However, the best thing about the Vicks Humidifier is its ultrasonic expertise for whisper-quiet operation, and no noise means the most peaceful sleep one can get. It even has a built-in glow nightlight!
Our research revealed that the Vicks Mini Cool Mist Humidifier offers one of the highest outputs of the humidifiers; it can convert a liter of water to mist within an hour!
It is recommended for spaces up to 250 square feet, making it a pretty smart fit for a bedroom or a nursery. When set to the highest misting level, the unit quickly increases the room’s humidity – helping with dry skin and scratchy throats.
Another cool feature of this unit is a slot for Vicks VapoPads, which gives you the same benefits as VapoRub without putting it on your skin. This works just like a heated plug-in oil diffuser!
Overall, users give it top marks for its reliability and efficiency despite its small size. Not having to buy new filters constantly saves on operational costs.
The Vicks Mini is quiet, easy to fill, and clean with an automatic shut-off. An all-rounder in a manageable budget!
Pros
- Compact and easy to use
- Adjustable mist management feature
- Lightweight and easily portable
- Night light feature
- Oil diffuser feature
- It doesn’t produce noise
- Automatic shut-off feature
- The tank is easy to fill and clean
- Instant output
- Reliable and efficient
Cons
- No humidity level display
- Mist direction is not adjustable
Venta Airwasher Humidifier LW25
PREMIUM CHOICE
The Venta Airwasher is the most reliable two-in-one product – a humidifier and purifier. It is supposed to trap particles as small as 10 microns while adding moisture to the air and removing indoor air pollutants.
While this unit is more expensive, the Venta Airwasher outperforms other humidifiers. It comes in various sizes that you can use in different-sized rooms ranging from 300 to 600 square feet.
The Venta Airwasher maintains a humidity level between 40% and 60%, so you don’t have to worry about over-humidifying your room. Over-humidification encourages the growth of mold and mildew, and this feature helps you avoid that problem altogether.
Many dehumidifiers stop functioning correctly due to impurities in the water that clog up the pipes. But not the Venta, though. You can refill this tank with regular tap water without spending money on distilled water or worrying about clogging the pipes.
It has a tank capacity of 2 gallons, so it does not require frequent refills. So it’s good to go for a full night’s sleep! Besides, this unit only weighs about 8.5 pounds, so that you can carry it like a newborn baby.
The best thing about the Venta Airwasher is that it does not use filters, making it easier to clean and maintain. To clean it, you simply need to disassemble it and rinse the house every few weeks, unlike its competitors, which require cleaning every week.
This humidifier also has three power levels, which means it won’t overly humidify the air if the weather is not particularly cold and dry. Even better, it has an automatic shutoff if it runs out of water.
Venta is one of the most popular humidifiers because of its noiseless operation and the ability to eliminate pollen, dust, odors, and germs from the air. The unit can also run for 24 hours or more, depending on the humidity, speed, and power level.
With around 99% filtration effectiveness, this humidifier is stronger than any other you’ll come across.
After all, studies show that over 10,000 doctors use Venta to maintain hygienic clinics and homes. The best part? The Venta Airwasher also comes with a 10-year warranty and thus will last you a solid amount of time.
Pros
- It acts as both a humidifier and purifier
- Generous water tank capacity of 2 gallons
- Large coverage area up to 600 square feet
- 24-hour runtime
- It comes with a 10-year warranty
- Filter-free and silent
- Auto shutdown when the tank runs dry
- 99% filtration effectiveness
- Recommended by doctors
- It does not require weekly cleaning
Cons
- Expensive
- Humidifier and air purifying options cannot work separately
- Lacks a built-in humidistat
Air Innovations Humidifier
BEST LOOKING
This Air Innovations Humidifier has quickly become a fan favorite – not just for its sleek, modern design but its smart features as well.
This is an ultrasonic cool mist unit with a large water tank capacity of 1.7 gallons. So you don’t have to refill it as frequently.
Plus, it has a 96-hours of continuous run time, so you’re good to go for a long while without worrying about any maintenance.
That’s not all! It also comes with a programmable built-in humidistat, a remote control, and many smart features that make the Air Innovations Humidifier a hit among customers!
This humidifier’s sleek design and nozzle extension make it perfect for discreet humidifying during the cold and flu season. Even better, it comes in a few shiny colors to match your interior design and décor.
It has different mist settings and can humidify a room up to 600 square feet. It has an impressive working capacity and can work for a long time without refilling – 96 hours, to be exact! It even has a timer allowing the system to be turned on and off without real-time command.
With its built-in humidistat, you can easily monitor the humidity levels (low, medium, high, supreme, turbo) and control the settings with the remote control. You can adjust the display’s brightness, the volume of the beeps, and even the fog through the control panel!
The unit also includes a permanent ceramic filler, a base, and an antibacterial tank which prevents the active growth of bacteria and creates a hygienic and cozy home environment. And if the tank runs out of water, the system gives you an alert!
Another cool feature of the Air Innovations Humidifier is that it comes with an oil diffusing aromatherapy tray, perfect for adding essential oils into the air and some extra moisture. It also operates silently and would not disturb your sleep at all.
With its impressive design and user-friendly feature, this versatile system remains the ideal option for suites and studio apartments. Because of its 1.5-inch extension nozzle, you can easily place it on a tabletop or floor.
Pros
- Efficient functionality
- 96-hours of runtime
- Built-in humidistat
- Remote control included
- Large area coverage
- Flexible settings
- Permanent ceramic filler
- Anti-bacterial tank
- Easy to use and clean
- Quietness
- Built-in aromatherapy option
Cons
- Complaints about durability
- Complaints about inaccurate readings of humidity level
Vornado Energy Smart Evaporative Humidifier
WORTHY CONSIDERATION
For those who want to reduce their carbon footprint or save some money on electricity bills, the Vornado EVDC400 is the perfect fit.
The Vornado is an evaporative humidifier, which means it does the job without emitting a stream of steam – as with most mist humidifiers.
This also allows the humidifier to achieve consistent humidity levels in all corners of your room while allowing for better control over the level of humidification – preventing over-humidification!
This humidifier can cover a space of up to 750 square feet. While the water tank can only hold 1 gallon of water, its higher efficiency allows it to humidify much more than a regular cool mist humidifier from the same amount of water.
The innovative SimpleTank system on the Vornado makes it extremely easy to clean, refill and install.
It features a humidistat and touch controls that can monitor the fan speed and mode. The low water indicator lets you know when to refill the tank. At the same time, the auto humidity regulation on this humidifier performed significantly better than most of the other humidifiers we tested.
Where the EVDC400 overtakes the competition is in its energy efficiency and support. It consumes nearly 90 percent less electricity than other models in our tests.
The Energy Smart mode on this humidifier allows it to function using only 1 watt of electrical power – while auto-regulating the humidity level.
The Energy Smart DC motor that drives the humidifier has a 10-year warranty. If that’s not enough, the manufacturers also provide a 5-year satisfaction guarantee!
One downside of this humidifier is that it is slightly louder than ultrasonic cool mist alternatives. However, the higher efficiency makes up for this shortcoming.
Pros
- Highly energy efficient
- Large area coverage
- Auto humidity feature
- 5-year satisfaction warranty
- Built-in humidistat
- Easy to clean
- Easy to install and refill
- Smart touch controls
- Energy Smart DC motor with a 10-year warranty
Cons
- Smaller tank
- Slightly louder than ultrasonic humidifiers
Important Considerations when Picking the Best Humidifier
Cold Mist vs. Warm Mist
While shopping for humidifiers, you will find two main products: cool mist humidifiers and warm mist humidifiers. Both have their own uses, pros, and cons, and it’s essential to consider your needs when deciding which would suit you and your family best.
Cool mist humidifiers release a room temperature, borderline cold mist in the home. This is done by using two technologies: evaporative and ultrasonic.
The former kind uses a wick built into the product to fasten the rate of water evaporation. Then, the evaporated water is released into the air as a fine, cool mist. Ultrasonic humidifiers, on the other hand, use vibrations to create a mist.
Cool mist humidifiers may help ease coughing and chest congestion due to a cold. They are also safer to use if you have children in the house. For safety, always use cool mist humidifiers for children.
Cool mist humidifiers often cater to large spaces, making them perfect for communal use. They add humidity to the air and often use less electricity than warm mist humidifiers.
However, they can be noisier than their warm mist counterparts and can cause already chilly air to feel even colder, especially in wintertime. Cool mist humidifiers can also worsen breathing issues in asthmatic patients by dispelling any minerals, microorganisms, and dust into the air diffused along with the mist.
On the other hand, warm mist humidifiers are considered much healthier than their cool mist counterparts. This is because they use a heating element to boil the water – killing the bacteria and mold in the water.
Similarly, most warm mist humidifiers don’t use a fan, allowing for quiet operation.
On the downside, since warm mist humidifiers boil the water, they warm the room’s temperature. While this is usually welcome during the winter, it can get pretty annoying to deal with during warmer weather!
Since the water is generally at boiling temperatures inside warm mist humidifiers, it can be highly hazardous for children or pets as it poses the threat of causing burns if accidentally spilled.
Size
Manufacturers design each humidifier for a particular room size determined by the factors such as the tank size and the discharge rate. Most brands almost always list the humidifier’s square footage on the packaging and marketing materials.
The size of the humidifiers determines whether the unit is intended for small to medium rooms, in the case of tabletop or dresser humidifiers or if it is to be used for humidifying a whole house – in which case we recommend an entire-home humidifier with a larger tank capacity.
Similarly, buying a larger humidifier for a small room isn’t the brightest idea. Since larger humidifiers are meant for larger spaces, they usually over-humidify a room. High humidity levels can cause mold and bacteria to increase in your room and generally make a room feel highly stuffy.
Run Time
Some units can only operate for a few hours before they require refilling, whereas others can go up to 24 hours.
For the units requiring frequent refilling, an auto shut-off feature is good to have so that the humidifier won’t continue to run when the water runs out. Otherwise, your humidifier would be operating without performing any of its functions.
Water Tank Capacity,
The capacity of the water tank in a humidifier determines how long it can run before you need to refill it. Depending on where and how you use a humidifier, this can become an important consideration.
If you’re using the humidifier in an inaccessible part of the house, such as the attic, it’s probably not very practical to go and refill the tank every few hours. This also applies to remote usage of a humidifier.
In cases where you want to maintain a specific humidity level while you’re away from the humidifier, getting someone to fill the humidifier tank can be troublesome. In these cases, getting a humidifier with a larger water tank is probably a good idea.
However, if you work from home and don’t mind refilling the water tank after several hours, there’s no point in investing money in a humidifier with a large water tank.
UV Filtration
Another essential feature to have in your humidifier is UV Filtration. Because moist and humid conditions can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria, microbes, and mold – which can encourage mold growth on your walls and cause infection. However, some humidifiers have UV light that keeps the system hygienic.
These UV lights are similar to those used in hospitals. However, these use radiation to kill any bacteria in the water, significantly reducing the risk of infections and mold, which can end up in the air through steam.
Ease of Cleaning
Despite having a UV Filtration system in your humidifier, it is essential to clean your humidifier from time to time. You need to clean some humidifiers thoroughly at least once a week to prevent the growth of mold and microbes. Others can go without being cleaned for a few weeks at least.
Generally, humidifiers with a bottom-fill water tank are much more challenging to clean than their top-fill counterparts. Ideally, the water tank should be disassemblable or have an opening wide enough to access the inside for cleaning purposes.
It can be a good idea to purchase a humidifier that is easily disassemblable to access and thoroughly clean all the nooks and crannies where bacteria and mold thrive!
Warranty
As with other smaller home appliances, humidifiers can often stop working properly without any particular reason. This can be highly frustrating, especially when spending over $100 on a humidifier.
When deciding the best humidifier for your needs, it’s equally important to consider the support and warranty provided by the manufacturer. Ideally, you should go with a humidifier with at least a 1-year warranty.
It could also be a good idea to purchase an electronics protection plan from Amazon if you’re spending a large chunk of money on a humidifier you’ll use continuously.
When buying a humidifier, it’s always important to consider your requirements and needs. Unfortunately, it is easy to get tempted by additional, flashy features and pay extra bucks for functions you’ll never use.
