This is our buying guide on the 3 best germ free 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 humidifier.
Honeywell Germ Free Humidifier
- 1 gallon water tank
- 24 hour runtime
- 3 fan speeds
- Removable water tank
- See-through window lets you monitor for any mold
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher safe water tank
- Wicking filter
- Filters out most minerals
- Effective UV disinfection process
- Fan is virtually noiseless
- Budget-friendly price
Ledonti Germ Free Humidifier
- 4 liter water tank
- 20 hour runtime
- Adjustable mist volume and speed
- Auto mode also available
- 300 sq-ft coverage
- Cool/warm mist functions
- Ultrasonic mechanism for water diffusion
- Quiet operation
- Auto shutdown feature
- Timer function
- Remote control
- Wi-Fi enabled
- App controls available
- Ceramic water filter
- Use active carbon and mineral pellets to filter water
- Removes odors
- Aroma tray
Elechomes Germ Free Humidifier
- 5.5 liter water tank capacity
- Max 55 hours of runtime
- 755 sq-ft coverage rating
- Up to 600 ml/hr mist volume
- Fully adjustable mist volume, speed, etc
- 3 different preset mist volumes
- Auto mode actively regulates the humidity
- 360 degree adjustable mist nozzle
- Best in class humidification
- Sleek design
- LED display up front
- Touch and remote controls
- Barely any noise at all while operating
- Cool/warm mist options available
- High performance filter available
- Replacement filters are relatively inexpensive
This article recommends the best germ free humidifiers.
We are huge germaphobes, so we set out to find the best humidifiers to combat our phobia. As such, we did a ton of research and testing to whittle down our long list to just 3 top contenders.
In making our selection, we also had to contend with some low quality models that just weren’t getting the job done. But the following germ free humidifiers get our seal of approval.
Ledonti’s germ free humidifier has a lot to like. It has a powerful filter that takes care of most microbes and contaminants. The smart controls make it a breeze to use, and the high performance does not go unnoticed in day-to-day use.
Keep reading for more of our thoughts on the best germ free humidifiers.
Ledonti Germ Free Humidifier
BEST OVERALL
At A Glance
The Ledonti germ free humidifier is all the humidifier that you’ll ever need. You get a large tank, high runtime, a long list of useful features, and smart controls. The filter is also higher performance than other units in this category.
Design
Ledonti’s design language isn’t the best we’ve seen. The whole unit is built well, and we don’t have any build quality concerns whatsoever. But from an aesthetic standpoint, the look is a bit uninspired.
Still, you get easy-to-use controls and a large, visible display that gives you some important information.
Water Tank Capacity
The water tank is far from the largest we’ve seen, but it is just enough for general use. 4 liters is plenty for the average home, office, or classroom.
The top-lid lets you easily refill the tank, without the need to take anything apart or mess around with any screws or panels. We do wish this opening was a bit wider, but it didn’t cause any spills, so we won’t dock points.
Runtime
Runtime is pretty good, especially considering the amount of water this tank can hold. On lower mist volume settings, we got between 18 and 20 hours of constant operation. Crank up the mist, and runtime will suffer, but not nearly as much as you might expect.
Coverage
Coverage is quite good, if not the best we’ve ever seen. The unit is rated to cover just over 300 sq-ft of space, which is actually a bit higher than other germ free humidifiers of this size.
It should cover small to medium-sized rooms with ease, but larger rooms and spaces could be a struggle for this germ free humidifier.
Mist Volume
Mist volume is adjustable, though only three different levels are offered. We would have preferred full control over the exact level of the mist volume, but these presets are pretty well-calibrated.
The presets let you vary the mist volume between 200 ml/hr and 300 ml/hr. The maximum setting is really effective at humidifying a space quickly, and we were never left waiting for the humidifier to get up to speed.
Noise Levels
Noise levels were perfectly acceptable, and we never had to lower the mist speed or change modes to get acceptable noise levels.
Special Features
An auto humidity mode lets you kick your feet up while the machine does all the work.
Cool and warm mist modes are offered, and are quite effective. We especially liked the warm mist mode, which made a noticeable difference in the speed with which the unit humidifies a space.
We didn’t really use the timer function that much, since we found the scheduling feature in the app to be a lot more powerful and convenient. That app pairs to your phone instantly, and you can use the intuitive interface to control most of this germ-free humidifier’s settings remotely.
You also get an aroma tray, which is always a nice plus and the adjustable nozzle lets you focus the humidification to a specific spot.
But this humidifier’s best feature, and the reason we put it so high on our list, has to be the ceramic filter. This filter is much more effective at removing germs, contaminants, and other irritants from the water in your humidifier.
The actual filtration process uses active carbon and mineral pellets, which makes it significantly more effective. This makes the Ledonti not only a germ-free humidifier, but also an odor-free humidifier!
Who’s It For?
The Ledonti germ-free humidifier is for the person who wants their humidifier to have a high performance ceramic filter, lots of adjustable settings, and a bunch of features that make the experience easier and more fun.
Pros
- 4 liter water tank
- 20 hour runtime
- Adjustable mist volume and speed
- Auto mode also available
- 300 sq-ft coverage
- Cool/warm mist functions
- Ultrasonic mechanism for water diffusion
- Quiet operation
- Auto shutdown feature
- Timer function
- Remote control
- Wi-Fi enabled
- App controls available
- Ceramic water filter
- Use active carbon and mineral pellets to filter water
- Removes odors
- Aroma tray
Cons
- Only 3 presets for the humidity level
Honeywell Germ Free Humidifier with UV Technology
BEST BUDGET
At A Glance
Honeywell’s germ free humidifier is a budget-friendly unit that packs a unique mechanism for dealing with microbes in the water tank. It also has all the makings of a high performance humidifier, so you get best-in-class humidification.
Design
The design of this inexpensive germ free humidifier is nothing special. The plastic used for the body is lightweight, if not the highest quality we’ve ever seen.
A large see-through piece on one side lets you peek into the water tank and tell when it’s in need of a refill. This could also be useful for letting you catch any mineral buildup or mold before it becomes a serious problem.
We did like the removable water tank design, which lets you use an integrated handle to lift the whole tank out for easier cleaning. The whole tank is also dishwasher safe, making cleaning it that much simpler.
Water Tank Capacity
The water tank capacity is in line with other budget germ-free humidifiers of this size. It comes in at a hair over 1 gallon, which is neither the largest we’ve seen, nor the smallest.
Here again, the removable design of the tank stands out, as it allowed us to refill the tank without any accidental spills.
Runtime
This is one high-endurance germ free humidifier. It sports a runtime of around 24 hours on a full tank, putting it somewhere in between the best and the worst runtimes we’ve tested.
Coverage
The coverage capabilities of this germ free humidifier do leave a bit to be desired. It isn’t the best suited for very large and expansive spaces.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use it in large bedrooms, and performance is even good enough for some slightly larger spaces. But it will struggle to work in the largest of living rooms, hallways, and the like.
Mist Volume
This unit is equipped with 3 fan speeds. This isn’t the most customizable setup, especially since other germ free humidifiers at this price point give you a knob for finer control over the mist volume.
Still, there is a noticeable difference in mist production between the 3 settings, so we’re more than satisfied with the performance.
Noise Levels
One major benefit of this germ free humidifier is that it is whisper quiet. You will find that the fan makes a soft noise, but only if you really go listening for it. For general use, it is one of the quietest humidifiers we’ve tested, and even at the highest fan setting, it does not get particularly loud.
Special Features
This is an evaporative humidifier that uses a wicking filter. That means it can effectively filter out any minerals or other contaminants in the water that would otherwise be released into the air and cause various health problems.
Honeywell could have stopped there, and still made it onto this list. But they went the extra mile, outfitting this germ-free humidifier with UV technology. This adds an extra layer of disinfection for the water in the tank, which works in conjunction with the filter to prevent any germs from making their way into the air you breathe.
Who’s It For?
Honeywell’s germ-free humidifier is for the person who wants a cheaper, easier-to-clean alternative to the other units we’ve recommended, without sacrificing any disinfection capabilities. You might find adjustability a bit lacking, but that’s really the only drawback.
Pros
- 1 gallon water tank
- 24 hour runtime
- 3 fan speeds
- Removable water tank
- See-through window lets you monitor for any mold
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher safe water tank
- Wicking filter
- Filters out most minerals
- Effective UV disinfection process
- Fan is virtually noiseless
- Budget-friendly price
Cons
- Coverage could have been better
- Limited adjustability for the mist speed
Elechomes Germ Free Humidifier
BEST PREMIUM
At A Glance
The Elechomes’ germ-free humidifier makes very few compromises. It has all the performance you could ever want, a slick, modern design, and all the features you need in a high quality germ-free humidifier.
Design
We liked the design of this germ-free humidifier. It is simple and boxy, and doesn’t waste any space. The controls featured up front are quite intuitive as well.
A digital display that shows you all of the important information is integrated into the build so that it is only visible when it needs to be.
It weighs a bit more than other germ-free humidifiers, but you probably won’t be moving it that often anyway.
Water Tank Capacity
Water tank capacity is the highest on this list by a country mile. It was measured at 5.5 liters, putting it squarely in high-end humidifier territory.
The top-fill design makes refilling a simple task, and we didn’t have a single accidental spill thanks to the wider opening.
Runtime
Runtime comes in at an astonishing 55 hours. That was measured at the lowest mist volume setting, so you will experience a drop in endurance if you turn up the mist.
Not that you’ll notice the biggest difference. Even at its highest volume settings, this germ-free humidifier was able to provide humidification for longer than most units do at their lowest settings!
Coverage
Coverage is equally as impressive. It is rated to cover 750 sq-ft of space. That may sound like overkill, but it allows you to humidify larger spaces like hallways, entire office floors, large living rooms, and the like.
It also means you get more consistent humidity levels over a larger space.
Mist Volume
Max mist volume on this germ-free humidifier is through the roof. It is rated at around 600 ml/hr, which is the highest mist volume we have ever recorded. The result is fast, effortless humidification, of even the largest rooms and spaces.
We were a bit disappointed to find that there are only 3 preset levels for the mist volume though. It would have been much better if Elechomes had provided more customizable settings that let you vary the mist volume over a wider range.
Noise Levels
This is a larger germ-free humidifier than most we tested, so we would have understood if it made a little bit of noise.
But the Elechomes kept everything virtually silent, even when pushed to its limit.
Special Features
This germ-free humidifier uses a really effective filter setup that is designed to eliminate most of the common bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that make their way into the water tank of your humidifier.
That same filter also takes care of the dust particles, and other contaminants that might otherwise be released into your home with the mist.
It comes with a 360 degree adjustable mist nozzle that lets you direct mist to a specific spot. The included remote is a great addition, if you’re lazy like us and don’t want to go through the hassle of using the on-device controls.
Or, you could just use the high-tech app integration feature. This is one of the best implementations of thai feature, and lets you control basically every feature in this germ-free humidifier.
It also has a really convenient scheduling feature that we wish more germ-free humidifiers offered.
And if that isn’t’t convenient enough for you, you can even control this humidifier with your voice. Just integrate it into your smart home via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and you’re off to the races.
Who’s It For?
Elechomes’ germ-free humidifier is easy to recommend. It is for the person who wants every feature, the highest performance, and every convenience that mankind has ever put in a humidifier. Just be ready to pay for it!
Pros
- 5.5 liter water tank capacity
- Max 55 hours of runtime
- 755 sq-ft coverage rating
- Up to 600 ml/hr mist volume
- Fully adjustable mist volume, speed, etc
- 3 different preset mist volumes
- Auto mode actively regulates the humidity
- 360 degree adjustable mist nozzle
- Best in class humidification
- Sleek design
- LED display up front
- Touch and remote controls
- Barely any noise at all while operating
- Cool/warm mist options available
- High performance filter available
- Replacement filters are relatively inexpensive
Cons
- Tall design may not fit under very low shelves
