The 3 Best Vicks Humidifiers in 2023

This is our buying guide on the 3 best Vicks 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.

BEST BUDGET

Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer and Humidifier

  • Dual technology vaporizer and humidifier
  • Compact, portable design
  • Ease of use and maintenance
  • Budget-friendly
  • Top-fill tank design
  • Sizeable 5.5-liter tank capacity
  • Up to 10 hours runtime
  • Instant relief against dryness
  • Soft night light
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Filter-free humidifier
  • Medicated vapor output
  • Works with Vicks VapoPads
  • 5-year warranty
  • Safe for children’s use
Best Overall

Vicks Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier

  • Very simple to use
  • Variable humidity control
  • Adjustable mist direction
  • Wide tank opening
  • Runtime up to 35 hours
  • Sizeable 4.5-liter water tank
  • Area coverage up to 400 square feet
  • Produces visible cool mist without a filter
  • Rotatable nozzle
  • Safe for children, pets, and plants
  • Dual scented pads slot
  • Whisper-quiet operation
  • Ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, and studio apartments
  • Automatic shut-off
PREMIUM CHOICE

Vicks Starry Night Humidifier

  • Sizeable 1-gallon tank capacity
  • Runtime up to 24 hours on low setting
  • Wide tank opening
  • Readily available
  • The initial cost is less than a filter-free option
  • Option to add VapoPads
  • Self-regulating evaporating system
  • Reaches optimal humidity levels instantly
  • Moving stars projection in night light
  • Sleep mode included
  • LED lights on the dial
  • 3 years warranty

This is our review of the best Vicks humidifiers.

With the ability to ease congestion and improve your health, Vicks humidifiers provide excellent bang for your buck. However, the problem arises when deciding which Vicks humidifier you should buy—there are simply too many models to choose from!

We’ve reviewed most of the Vicks humidifier lineup and narrowed down the top three Vicks humidifiers of 2022.

We found Vicks Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier leads the pack with its awesome feature set. Its smart features, adjustable mist output, and VapoPads tray make it one of our favorite humidifiers.

However, this humidifier does not take the top spot on this list without some fierce competition from other Vicks units.

Keep reading for more of our thoughts on the best Vicks humidifiers.


Vicks Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier

BEST OVERALL

At a Glance

The Vicks Filter Free humidifier takes the top spot on our list because it’s the most versatile and efficient model in the lineup. 

With a cool design, significant area coverage, and best in class efficiency, we believe this is the best model Vicks has ever produced.

Design

Humidifiers with a compact design are surprisingly useful since they are easily portable and don’t take up too much space. And when it comes to being compact, this Vicks humidifier has the others beat by a country mile. 

It can easily live on your dresser or bedside table, while its sleek and modern exterior will go well with most home décor.

It also sports a transparent tank, so you can always keep an eye on the water level inside it. This also lets you keep an eye out for any build up or mineral deposits in the tank, which could potentially cause mold in your home. 

Water Tank Capacity

This humidifier has a decent water tank capacity of 1.2-gallons. While that’s comparatively smaller than other products on our list, you can still expect excellent mist output.

The water tank has a sturdy handle, making it easier to carry and refill. However, we found that the lid is a bit too tight and may be challenging to open. The good part is that a tight lid minimizes the risk of leakage or accidental spills.

Runtime

A good humidifier should have at least a 24-hour runtime. That makes the Vicks Filter-free humidifier a great humidifier, as it gives you 33 hours of continuous runtime. You really can’t ask for much better without paying an arm and a leg. 

Its long runtime means you’ll only need to refill the water tank once every two days!

If the tank runs out of water, the automatic shut-off feature turns the humidifier off and saves you a fair bit in electricity costs. This also prevents the internal components from getting overworked, resulting in better longevity for the humidifier. 

Coverage

The Vicks Filter Free humidifier covers 400 square feet with its mist output, which is perfect for bedrooms and living rooms. However, this isn’t the best choice if you want a humidifier for a larger space, such as open plan homes. 

Mist Output

Not only does this humidifier diffuse cool mist into the air, but the mist direction is also adjustable. The rotating nozzle comes in really handy if you’re a green thumb and want to hydrate your indoor plants more efficiently.

Noise Levels

But what we loved most was the whisper-quiet operation. Because it’s so quiet, you can’t ask for a better humidifier to help you get a better night’s sleep. 

Special Features

A handy feature of this humidifier is the Dual Scented pads slots which allow you to use up to two VapoPads–giving you relief from nasal dryness and congestion during allergy season.

This humidifier is filter-free, meaning you don’t have to buy and change its filters constantly.

A dial on the front of the humidifier lets you adjust the humidity levels depending on how humid your environment already is. There is a fair bit of adjustment available, so you can get the levels just right. 

Who’s It For?

Be it adults, children, pets, or plants, this humidifier is perfect for everyone! It’s the most versatile unit we’ve ever come across, and it’s bound to meet all your needs.

Pros
  • Very simple to use
  • Variable humidity control
  • Adjustable mist direction
  • Wide tank opening
  • Runtime up to 35 hours
  • Sizeable 4.5-liter water tank
  • Area coverage up to 400 square feet
  • Produces visible cool mist without a filter
  • Rotatable nozzle
  • Safe for children, pets, and plants
  • Dual scented pads slot
  • Whisper-quiet operation
  • Ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, and studio apartments
  • Automatic shut-off
Cons
  • The tank lid is hard to pop off
  • Weekly cleaning is required

Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer and Humidifier

BEST BUDGET

At a Glance

The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer and Humidifier is highly recommended as a remedy for dryness. It has all the functional benefits of a good humidifier at an affordable price.

Design

The design is simple and understated. It has a compact exterior constructed with BPA-free plastic. It holds up much better to external damage. 

Because it is portable, you can put it on your bedside table. This helps reduce dryness and nasal congestion overnight, improving sleep and overall health.

Even better, this humidifier has a top-fill design which makes refilling the tank super easy. All you have to do is pop off the lid, pour in water, and you’re good to go! 

Water Tank Capacity

This unit has a sizable tank capacity of 5.5-liters, slightly higher than the previous Vicks humidifier we covered. However, it’s worth noting that it outperforms many of its competitors when it comes to tank capacity for a small-sized humidifier.

Runtime

This humidifier easily lasts a whole night without requiring a refill, lasting up to 10 hours on the highest mist setting.

Lower mist settings, on the other hand, result in even higher runtimes. Therefore, if you want higher endurance, you can run it at a low setting and enjoy constant humidification for up to 20 hours.

Mist Output

This humidifier performs a dual function–as a vaporizer and a humidifier, so you get the best of both worlds. 

As a vaporizer, it works best with Vicks VapoPads to reduce discomfort. As a humidifier, it increases humidity levels significantly to ensure better health if you’re prone to allergies or have a toddler in the house.

Special Features

The filter-free design gives you the convenience and reliability you need—unlike with other compact humidifiers, you don’t have to worry about frequent filter changes.

Another cool feature of this humidifier is the soft night light, which creates a relaxing and comfortable environment in your room. And if your tank runs out of water while you’re sleeping, you don’t have to turn off your humidifier manually. It shuts off automatically!

This humidifier also comes with a 5-year warranty and reliable after-sales services, so if you end up with faulty equipment, you can easily get it replaced.

Who’s It For?

Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer and Humidifier are great for children and adults alike., This unit is recommended for people prone to allergies and dryness-induced health issues. 

Overall, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer and Humidifier steals the show. It combines the basic functionality of a humidifier with unique features to ensure you get the most out of your purchase.

Pros
  • Dual technology vaporizer and humidifier
  • Compact, portable design
  • Ease of use and maintenance
  • Budget-friendly
  • Top-fill tank design
  • Sizeable 5.5-liter tank capacity
  • Up to 10 hours runtime
  • Instant relief against dryness
  • Soft night light
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Filter-free humidifier
  • Medicated vapor output
  • Works with Vicks VapoPads
  • 5-year warranty
  • Safe for children’s use
Cons
  • No built-in humidistat
  • You cannot turn the night light off

Vicks Starry Night Humidifier

BEST PREMIUM

At a Glance

The Vicks Starry Night Humidifier is an excellent humidifier that uses evaporative technology, which means a wicking filter inside draws the water from the tank. The fan then blows out cool, moisturized mist into the air. 

This humidifier has many excellent features that justify the  higher price tag. 

Design

The Vicks Starry Night humidifier has a compact design that fits anywhere in your room. In addition, it has a durable and sleek exterior, so you better believe it goes well with any décor.

The design of the water tank is also user-friendly. It has a wide opening, making it easy to fill and clean.

Water Tank Capacity

It has a water tank capacity of 1 gallon, which is reasonable for a humidifier of this size. However, a smaller tank and exterior do not impact its performance—this model strikes the perfect balance between compactness and performance. 

Runtime

The runtime of this humidifier is surprisingly high, given the smaller tank size. It lasts up to 24 hours, but that’s with the lowest humidity setting.

It can still get you through 15 hours on a higher setting, which is enough for an entire night’s rest. 

Coverage

Coverage is suitable for a medium-sized room, around 250 to 400 square feet. Thus, it is best suited for medium-sized bedrooms and nurseries. 

Our testing showed that this humidifier took the least amount of time to achieve optimal humidity levels in a small bedroom.

Mist Output

The Starry Nights uses a wick filter that traps pollutants that might be contaminating the water. As a result, the mist output dispersed into the air is clean and fresh. However, owners must replace the filters monthly to prevent mold growth.

It is also equipped with an automated evaporative system that naturally adjusts the mist output to the amount of moisture in the air. So you no longer have to worry about changing the mist manually.

Special Features

A special feature of this humidifier is the starry night light, which projects stars and moon patterns onto the ceiling. This light shifts through a few different colors. This makes the use of this humidifier exciting!

One of the coolest features of this humidifier is that it allows you to switch the stars on or off. Also, there are LED lights on the dials if you want a dimmer light at night.

Another handy feature is the scented pads slot, where you can put Vicks VapoPads to get the most out of your humidifier. This works best if you want persistent congestion relief or a soothing scent for a good night’s sleep.

Who’s It For?

The Vicks Starry Night humidifier works well for every person. However, it is mainly intended for children’s bedrooms, with the colored starry projection that can catch a child’s attention. In addition, the output of cool mist makes it even safer for children’s use.

This is a premium-quality Vicks humidifier; most liked for reliability, efficiency, and starry projections!

Pros
  • Sizeable 1-gallon tank capacity
  • Runtime up to 24 hours on low setting
  • Wide tank opening
  • Readily available
  • The initial cost is less than a filter-free option
  • Option to add VapoPads
  • Self-regulating evaporating system
  • Reaches optimal humidity levels instantly
  • Moving stars projection in night light
  • Sleep mode included
  • LED lights on the dial
  • 3 years warranty
Cons
  • Requires filter changes
  • Intensive weekly cleaning required
  • May leak sometimes

Wrap Up

Vicks humidifiers are not just designed to add moisture to the air but also include VapoPads to relieve congestion and sinus symptoms. With the medicated vapor, these humidifiers are even more effective for reliving symptoms of congestion and cough. 

If you’re going to invest in a Vicks humidifier, you can make an informed decision after reviewing the best products on our list.

AUTHOR

Shawn Willis is all about humidifiers. After working for some of the biggest names in the industry, he started HumidifierGuys with Scott Dawson. Now, the dynamic duo helps others figure out what they need in their next humidifier.

Shawn is an avid sports fan, motorcycle enthusiast, and has two dogs named Whiskey and Boba.