This is our buying guide on the best humidifiers for congestion 2023. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read our in depth hands on reviews, for each humidifier.
Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier
- 2 liter water tank
- Up to 15 hours of constant use
- Smallest footprint
- Ideal for smaller spaces
- Lots of adjustment for the mist volume
- Large knob for adjusting volume
- Maximum mist volume of 240 ml/hr
- Cool mist function
- Cool mist improves sleep and reduces snoring
- Helps relieve symptoms of congestion
- Auto shutdown feature
- Whisper quiet operation
- Top-fill design for easier refills
- Filter-free design
- Inexpensive humidifier for congestion
Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
- 4.5 liter water tank
- 24 hour runtime
- Most compact design
- Fits under most low shelves
- Easy to refill
- Adjustable mist levels
- Large knob for adjustment
- Filter-free design
- No need to buy replacement filters
- Does not allow any irritants or contaminants into the air
- Can be used with Vicks Vaposteam
- Warm mist function
- Ideal for relieving you of congestion
- Also works effectively for combatting cough, cold, flu, etc
- Lowest noise levels of any humidifier
- Best for use in bedrooms and baby nurseries
- Auto shutdown feature enabled when water runs out
LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
- 3 liter water tank
- Upto 24 hour runtime
- Can cover up to 290 sq-ft of space
- Fully adjustable humidity level and mist speed
- 3 mist speed levels
- Really effective auto mode
- Essential oil diffuser
- Dishwasher safe
- Cleaning brush provided in the box
- Can be paired to an app
- Voice controls offered
- App can control timer, adjust mist settings, turn on night light
- Schedule settings allow for automatic start/stop at specified times, days
In this piece, I’m going to share my top picks for the best humidifiers that have been my allies in the battle against congestion.
Suffering from intense congestion, particularly when you’re sick, can be a real pain. But a good humidifier can help alleviate some of those nasty symptoms. Trust me, it’s not just for when you’re under the weather. I’ve seen many folks, myself included, battle congestion even on our healthier days.
The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier really caught my attention with its neat, compact design, long-lasting runtime, and a water tank that packs a punch. If you’re in the market for a top-notch humidifier that’s going to give that congestion a run for its money, this one’s a great pick.
If you’ve been scratching your head, wondering which humidifier is going to be your congestion’s worst enemy, you’ve landed in the right spot. I’ve got recommendations for humidifiers suited for all purposes, covering all price points.
So stick with me as we delve deeper into the world of the best humidifiers for congestion.
Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
OVERALL BEST
The LEVOIT Smart Humidifier isn’t just a versatile powerhouse, it’s my top pick, hands down. Sporting a generous 6-liter water tank, stunning design, and cutting-edge tech features, this humidifier is a game changer whether you’re considering it for home or work.
What really steals the show with this device is the ability to swap between warm and cold mist. It’s like having the best of both seasons at your fingertips!
In warm mist mode, you can count on swift humidification during winter, a cozy room temperature, and relief for sore throats. The cold mist mode, on the other hand, keeps your skin luxuriously moisturized all summer long.
Capable of handling spaces nearly up to 750 square feet, this humidifier is a champ for larger areas like a studio apartment or spacious living room. At the low mist setting, this beast with its 6-liter tank can go on for up to 50 hours before it needs a refill. Incredible, isn’t it?
The LEVOIT uses a top fill design, which is a game changer as it sidesteps any messy spills during refills and makes cleaning a breeze – a far cry from the fuss of cleaning bottom fill designs.
Cleaning the LEVOIT Humidifier is a piece of cake. Just give the tank a good rinse and voila! You’re set.
With a built-in humidistat, it’s easy to keep a constant check on the humidity level in your room. Plus, its WiFi-enabled smart features are really next level.
Imagine being able to power on and off the humidifier, adjust fan speed, monitor and tweak humidity levels, all while you’re away from home. That’s the convenience the remote offers.
And the icing on the cake? It’s Alexa and Google Assistant compatible, effortlessly becoming a part of your home automation setup.
Not to forget, the LEVOIT leverages patented hybrid mist technology, delivering nearly four times faster humidification than your regular cold mist humidifiers. So, if you’re always on the move and need a quick solution to your humidity woes, this is the humidifier for you.
In a nutshell, the LEVOIT Smart Humidifier with its futuristic features and rock-solid performance ticks all the boxes when it comes to your humidifier needs. It’s worth every single penny.
Pros
- 4.5 liter water tank
- 24 hour runtime
- Most compact design
- Fits under most low shelves
- Easy to refill
- Adjustable mist levels
- Large knob for adjustment
- Filter-free design
- No need to buy replacement filters
- Does not allow any irritants or contaminants into the air
- Can be used with Vicks Vaposteam
- Warm mist function
- Ideal for relieving you of congestion
- Also works effectively for combatting cough, cold, flu, etc
- Lowest noise levels of any humidifier
- Best for use in bedrooms and baby nurseries
- Auto shutdown feature enabled when water runs out
Cons
- More adjustment options for the mist would have been nice
Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier
BEST BUDGET
When it comes to battling congestion on a budget, the Raydrop’s cool mist humidifier has become my go-to weapon. It may not have the stamina or the coverage of the larger units, but for smaller spaces, it’s a fantastic choice that doesn’t break the bank.
The word that jumps out here is ‘small’. Raydrop hasn’t designed this humidifier to crank out Amazon rainforest levels of humidity. Instead, they’ve aimed it at the less demanding crowd with its modest 2-liter water tank.
That naturally implies that the runtime is somewhat on the lower end. Even at lower settings, I barely managed to squeeze out 15 hours of non-stop usage. If you turn up the mist volume or speed, the time shrinks even further.
On the bright side, this humidifier does offer mist speed adjustment, something that even my top choice lacks!
The mist speed settings are controlled by a big knob at the front that also doubles as the power button. Overall, I was content with the adjustment range, even though a bit more could have been included.
An unexpected plus in this little humidifier is its whisper quiet operation. Usually, I’ve found small humidifiers to be a bit louder, as the tinier internal parts need to work harder to match the performance of larger models.
But with the Raydrop, I was pleasantly surprised that even at full throttle, the unit remains calm and quiet. The compact size and quiet operation make it a great option for bedrooms, nurseries, and any other place where you need discreet humidification.
Like the Vicks, it has an auto-shutdown feature, so it won’t continue running once the water tank is empty.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The compact design, while making setup and storage easy, also means you can’t expect it to humidify vast spaces.
But let’s give credit where it’s due. Raydrop’s humidifier holds its own against the larger units. It can churn out a maximum mist volume of 240 ml/hr, which by any standard is good. But the coverage is nowhere near what you’d get with larger units.
In a nutshell, this humidifier is tailored for smaller spaces. Forget about large living rooms, dining areas, or grand hallways. A medium to large bedroom is the most this little guy can handle.
On the upside, it boasts a similar filter-free design to the Vicks. Refilling the water tank is a breeze, thanks to the top fill design.
The crowning glory of this humidifier, and why it made it to this list, is its ability to produce cool mist, offering its own unique benefits to alleviate congestion symptoms.
Particularly, it works wonders when you’re sleeping with the humidifier on. Not only does it prevent snoring, but it also noticeably improves sleep quality.
So, there you have it – the Raydrop cool mist humidifier. It might be a small, unassuming device, but sometimes, that’s all you need. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable ways to add humidity to your space, which definitely adds to its appeal.
Pros
- 2 liter water tank
- Up to 15 hours of constant use
- Smallest footprint
- Ideal for smaller spaces
- Lots of adjustment for the mist volume
- Large knob for adjusting volume
- Maximum mist volume of 240 ml/hr
- Cool mist function
- Cool mist improves sleep and reduces snoring
- Helps relieve symptoms of congestion
- Auto shutdown feature
- Whisper quiet operation
- Top-fill design for easier refills
- Filter-free design
- Inexpensive humidifier for congestion
Cons
- Not best suited for humidifying larger spaces
LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
PREMIUM CHOICE
Levoit’s humidifier for congestion leaves other units in the dust with its sleek design, top-notch performance, and impressive runtime. Just brace yourself for a slightly higher price tag!
The design language of Levoit speaks to a clean and simple aesthetic. The unit sports an ergonomic cylindrical shape, looking equally good on a table, a shelf, or a nightstand. It’s slightly bigger than other options I’ve tried, but that size comes with its own advantages.
For starters, it boasts a generous 3-liter water tank. This tank is designed for top-fill, allowing me to effortlessly refill the unit, a refreshing change from cheaper units that take an age to refill and often create a mess!
A large tank directly translates to a longer runtime. Levoit claims around 24 hours of non-stop use, a figure that I found pretty accurate.
This rating is, of course, at lower mist volume settings. But even when I turned up the humidity, the runtime wasn’t too shabby, clocking between 18 and 24 hours on a single tank.
The coverage also exceeded my expectations. This humidifier easily outperforms its competition, covering a maximum of 290 sq-ft. It’s perfect for most large bedrooms, living rooms, and similar spaces.
Regular cleaning is a vital aspect of maintaining a humidifier. Many users tend to overlook this, inviting a host of problems. Levoit has made the chore easier by making the water tank dishwasher safe.
Another user-friendly feature is the included cleaning brush. Usually, I have to find my own, so this was a pleasant surprise.
That said, I should note that this unit required more frequent cleaning than the average humidifier. Even with moderate use, I found myself cleaning it at least twice a week.
The inclusion of an auto mode was another feature I appreciated, especially since it worked incredibly well. I hardly needed to fiddle with the settings as the auto mode maintained an ideal humidity level, unlike many other auto modes.
If you wish to go a bit ‘pro’ with the settings, Levoit’s humidifier offers 3 speed settings, which can help you humidify spaces of various sizes more efficiently.
While not essential for easing congestion, the presence of an essential oil/aroma tray was a pleasant addition. It added a gentle fragrance to the surroundings, which can further soothe the sinuses and relieve congestion.
However, my favorite feature of this humidifier is the smart control option. The unit pairs with your phone via an app, or you can even control it with your voice. The app offers a surprising amount of control and adjustability.
You can set timers, tweak the relative humidity, and even control the night light (yes, it has one).
The real game-changer, though, is the ability to create schedules for the humidifier. Don’t mistake this for a regular timer; it’s much more than that.
It enables you to decide when the humidifier turns on and off, even allowing different schedules for different days. This is incredibly convenient if you want your living room to be snug when you return from work, but don’t want the humidifier running when you’re out.
Finally, I was impressed with the clear LED display that provides all the necessary info and settings at a glance. It’s among the quietest units I’ve tested, and the 360-degree adjustable nozzle makes directing mist to a specific spot a breeze.
Pros
- 3 liter water tank
- Upto 24 hour runtime
- Can cover up to 290 sq-ft of space
- Fully adjustable humidity level and mist speed
- 3 mist speed levels
- Really effective auto mode
- Essential oil diffuser
- Dishwasher safe
- Cleaning brush provided in the box
- Can be paired to an app
- Voice controls offered
- App can control timer, adjust mist settings, turn on night light
- Schedule settings allow for automatic start/stop at specified times, days
Cons
- Requires more frequent cleaning than other units
