The 6 best humidifiers for combatting dry air, tested and reviewed
The best humidifiers add moisture back into the air and offer health benefits. We tested their ability to increase humidity, ease of use, and care.
admin
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Levoit, Honeywell; Business Insider
The best humidifiers can maintain optimal indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50%, potentially preventing nosebleeds, reducing allergies, supporting overall wellness, and moisturizing skin.
After thoroughly testing 21 different models and consulting with five industry experts, we found the Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier delivers exceptional performance at a reasonable price, making it our top pick. For those seeking premium features, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool combines humidification with air purification and cool capabilities, plus smart features like app integration and voice commands.
Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.
Top picks for humidifiers
Best overall: Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier - See at Amazon
Best with air purifier: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool - See at Dyson
Best for bedrooms: Levoit Classic 300S Humidifier - See at Amazon
Best for large rooms: Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier - See at Amazon
Quietest: Levoit OasisMist 450S Smart Humidifier - See at Amazon
Best for travel: Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier - See at Amazon
Best overall
The Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier continues to hold its position as the the best humidifier overall because it worked so quickly and efficiently on its highest setting in smaller bedrooms and offices that we worried about over-humidifying.
It raised the humidity levels in our office by 29% in just four hours, a feat most humidifiers we tested couldn't even accomplish after eight hours. Luckily, the settings are highly adjustable via an easy-to-use scroll knob, so you can set the humidifier to a lower level once your desired humidity has been reached.
The Honeywell is incredibly easy to use; setup took mere minutes. It has a simple, wide removable tank that you fill up and then slip back in. Plug it in, and you're ready to go. The humidifier also alerts you with a refill light when the water levels are low and automatically shuts off when empty. On the lowest settings, it can last a full day on one tank.
There is an occasional dripping noise that may annoy some. It's quiet enough that you won't hear it over a fan or background music. While it worked well in smaller spaces, you may want to use a fan near it for bigger rooms to help better disperse the vapor stream.
While the Honeywell humidifier has an essential oils feature, one pulmonologist recommended against diffusing essential oils if you have respiratory issues. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology also cautions against it.
The humidifier is easy and quick to clean and doesn't require changing a filter. As a bonus, the sleek look is far more aesthetically pleasing than many other humidifiers on the market, and it can easily fit on most desks, nightstands, and shelves.
The Vornado UH200 Ultrasonic Humidifier is a close runner-up. It features a larger tank (1.75 gallons versus 1.25), a built-in fan for dispersing water vapor, and warm mist humidification. The Vornado performed similarly to the Honeywell in our humidification tests, but it costs twice as much. Still, it's a solid choice if you require a larger tank design.
Best with air purifier
There's no getting around the fact that the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool is expensive. But as a three-in-one machine that also functions as an air purifier and a fan, you can make the case that it's more convenient and potentially cheaper to get the Dyson rather than buy those three devices separately.
While the Dyson has a smaller footprint than the three machines would separately, it will take up some floor space. That said, for those in the market for the best air-purifying humidifier with smart functions that think for you, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool is an excellent choice.
You connect the Dyson to the MyDyson app (available for iOS and Android) to check your current home humidity and air quality levels. The machine can be controlled with a remote, the app, and via voice control with Alexa and Siri.
Though you can change the humidity and fan levels yourself, you can also set it to auto, and it will decide the best levels for you based on local weather data and your Air Quality Index score. When we used the auto feature, it raised the humidity in a larger open-concept kitchen and living room area to a nice 50% and stayed there.
The 1-gallon tank also lasts a long time. Dyson claims it lasts for 36 hours even on high settings, and though we didn't time it down to the exact hour, one tank could easily last a few days.
The fact that it's also a fan makes this a nice year-round option, as it can easily switch between adding extra humidity during winter months to circulating cool air on sticky summer nights. While the fan is very loud on its highest settings, it's nice and quiet on settings of 4 and under, and it does have a night-mode feature that will keep everything automatic but at the quietest levels possible.
Additionally, for anyone who worries about potential bacteria from humidifiers, the Dyson uses UV light to kill bacteria before expelling the (invisible) water vapor into the air. It alerts you when it needs cleaning and comes with citrus powder packets for that purpose (you can also buy your own). Fill the water tank, add a packet, and hit the self-clean button.
We haven't needed to change the HEPA filter yet, but be aware those will cost you an additional $80 every 12 months.
We're currently testing the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde (PH04). Its design and performance are virtually to the PH03, and it's often cheaper than the PH03, but it also removes formaldehyde from the air.
Best for bedrooms
The Levoit Classic 300S Humidifier runs as quiet as ambient noise, has a small footprint, and features a nightlight, making it the best humidifier for bedrooms and the best humidifier for your baby. Don't want a nightlight? No problem. You can turn off the display to achieve darkness.
The Levoit Classic 300S Humidifier did an excellent job of humidifying a 100-square-foot office during testing. On a particularly dry winter day, it steadily increased the office humidity by 11% in four hours. We let it run overnight, and the humidity increased by another 11% by morning.
While the button controls on the unit are intuitive, we especially like that you can monitor and adjust the 300S using the VeSync app (available for iOS and Android.) For instance, the app sends a push notification when the tank needs refilling or cleaning. In tests, the humidifier ran on top mist level for 24 hours before needing a refill.
You can operate the Levoit Classic 300S in manual or auto mode. We preferred manual mode because the built-in hygrometer showed higher readings than the hygrometer we placed on the other side of the room. Thus, it would shut off before areas further from the unit were at the desired humidity level.
Cleaning the humidifier was relatively easy using the in-app step-by-step instructions and an included brush.
Best for large rooms
The Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier delivers outstanding humidification performance and is designed to increase moisture across your entire home. It increased the humidity by 36% in our 100-square-foot test room, blowing away the competition. More notably, it increased the humidity in a drafty 1,000-square-foot room by 7%, another best, earning its position as the best humidifier for large rooms.
The unit maintains precise humidity control within 2% of target levels. While it lacks a remote control, the VeSync app interface provides full functionality. The included fill tube and wheel system address the challenge of filling a six-gallon tank, eliminating the need to lift it during refills. And, even if you run it on high, you only need to refill every two or three days.
The initial setup process was somewhat cumbersome. Between tank filling, app configuration, and assembly, it took about 20 minutes and wasn't intuitive.
Fortunately, maintenance is straightforward, though you must clean the tank with each refill. The humidifier includes a specialized brush for filter maintenance, and its generously sized openings facilitate easy hand cleaning. A convenient "dry mode" dries the filter when the unit isn't in use to ensure it lasts longer.
The Levoit 6000S is louder than most and produces noticeable background noise, operating at 51 decibels on its high setting — roughly as loud as a quiet office,
Despite the complicated setup process, the Levoit Superior 6000S delivers reliable, powerful humidification with thoughtful design elements that simplify long-term maintenance and operation.
Quietest
When you first turn the Levoit OasisMist 450S Smart Humidifier on, you'll hear some trickling — but once it gets going, you won't hear much. This humidifier remains extremely quiet on all cool mist settings, though it gets slightly louder when producing warm mist.
Beyond being the quietest humidifier, this machine operated efficiently, with no noticeable condensation leakage. Two nozzles rotate 360 degrees so you can aim both mist plumes in any direction. We tested it in a room of roughly 230 square feet, and the humidity shot up by 8% within just one hour. If your room is any smaller than 215 square feet — the brand's recommended lower range — this option may end up over-humidifying your space.
If you like smart features, this humidifier comes well-equipped. It's compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Voice, and you can use VeSync app to control the humidifier's settings, check the humidity in the room, set it to auto mode, or schedule shutoff. The humidifier will also shut down automatically once the tank empties.
The large tank means this humidifier takes up more space in your room. But that could be a plus since a bigger tank can run longer between refills: After 24 hours of testing on medium and high operation, some water remained in the tank. If you keep the humidifier on low, it can run up to 45 hours. Another bonus of the large tank is a smoother cleaning process. Moreover, the entire top of the tank comes off, making it very easy to scrub.
Best travel
Travel humidifiers have less range than their larger counterparts, but their smaller size makes them easy to bring on the go or to move throughout your home as needed. The Hey Dewy humidifier is the best travel humidifier because of its larger 11.3-ounce tank size, powerful mist, and long-lasting charge.
It didn't pump up the overall room humidity quite as much as the traditional humidifiers we tested, but it still helped add plenty of moisture to the room, especially at close range. After seven hours, it raised the humidity by 6% in a four-foot range and 13% in a two-foot range. So, it may be a good option to set your humidifier on your desk or park it next to your indoor plants.
While this humidifier doesn't make much noise, you can hear it running from across the room. When set to the continuous mist option, the sound worked well as gentle white noise — but the on-off sound of the intermittent spray could be distracting at bedtime.
The humidifier's filter needs to be replaced at least every six months. However, this may not necessarily be a drawback since the filter means you can use tap water instead of distilled water. The unit comes pre-assembled with the filter in place, and once charged, it will run wirelessly for about eight hours. However, the water may run out before the unit needs recharging. In testing, we found that a full tank of water only lasted about six hours with a continuous mist spray.
The Hey Dewy humidifier is also available in a plug-in wired version, though we haven't tested it yet.
What to look for in a humidifier
Consider important features like room size, filter, and mist temperature when shopping for a humidifier. Here are some more details to guide your shopping.
Room size: Determine your room's square footage and make note whether the brand recommends the humidifier you're considering for small, medium, or large spaces, and if it is compatible with your room size.
"If you buy a model that is designed for a larger space, the room will be uncomfortably humid and create an environment that could encourage mold and mildew growth," says Sydney Rexroad, communications associate at the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. "If the model is too small, it won't generate adequate humidity for the space."
Filter versus filter-free models: Your choice here may depend on a few factors since one isn't necessarily better. "Filtered humidifiers are evaporative and use a fan to humidify the air. Filter-free models will put a mist directly into the air," Rexroad says. Additionally, filter-free models have a higher risk of bacteria or allergens getting into the air, so be sure you can clean it thoroughly at least once a week. On the other hand, filters need to be replaced, which adds cost you may not want to take on. Filter models are often noisier, too.
Cold mist versus warm mist: According to all three experts we spoke with, this is entirely based on personal preference. Depending on your main use for the humidifier, you may want to consult your healthcare provider before making a choice.
Small versus large humidifiers: Generally speaking, larger humidifiers have bigger tanks, meaning they can run longer between refills. Smaller humidifiers are easier to move throughout your house or take with you when you travel, but some may not last an entire day or night when set to high. That said, if the room you want to humidify is on the smaller side, a larger humidifier may add too much moisture to the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor humidity should never rise about 60%. This is because too-high humidity can lead to mold growth. You can check the humidity in your room with a hygrometer.
Additional features: A common humidifier feature is essential oil diffusion, but we warn against using this. If you do so, pick a model explicitly for that dual purpose. For example, some humidifiers have essential oil trays beneath the tank where you can add a drop or two of your chosen oil. Never put the oil directly into the machine. "Essential oils, medications, or other substances can damage the humidifier's mechanical parts," Rexroad says.
How we test humidifiers
James Brains/Business Insider
We tested 21 popular humidifiers for this guide. What you need from a humidifier will depend on the size of your space, how frequently you want to use it, and your main goal for humidifying. However, some universal factors make for a good humidifier. Here's what we looked for while testing and choosing our top picks:
Humidity increase: This is the most obvious and most important factor. If a humidifier doesn't raise the humidity levels of your space to the EPA-recommended 30% to 50%, it doesn't serve its main function. We used a hygrometer to definitively test the humidity levels of our space before, during, and after using each humidifier. We tested the levels right near the humidifiers and across rooms of various sizes.
Ease of setup and use: If a humidifier is hard to figure out, a pain to fill up, or doesn't last a full day or night on one tank, chances are you won't want to use it very often. Most of our picks take five minutes or less to set up, are easy to fill, and last at least 10 hours on one tank. Some can even last days on a single tank.
Ease of cleaning: Without proper cleaning, humidifiers can grow mold or bacteria that can then be dispersed into your home. We deep-cleaned every humidifier we chose and found it to be easy for all of our recommendations.
Extra features: Some humidifiers come with fancy extras that range from simple night-light settings to app and voice control. These extras were considered to discern if they provided additional value and ease of use.
Longevity: We've tested most of these humidifiers for about two months and have not encountered issues with the top choices. We will continue to test to ensure they hold up over time and no serious problems arise, such as mold growth.
Humidifier FAQs
Are humidifiers good for the lungs?
Dr. Purvi Parikh, an adult and pediatric allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network, said dry air can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms. Introducing a humidifier will moisten the air, which may help protect your lungs from irritants. However, keeping the humidifier clean is essential to prevent mold and bacteria buildup. Additionally, only use distilled water in your humidifier unless the device specifically says to use tap water. Tap water can release minerals into the air, and experts don't yet know the long-term health effects of breathing in these particles.
Is a cool mist or warm mist humidifier better?
Warm and cool mist humidifiers work equally well to add moisture to the air, so Rexroad and Parikh suggest letting your personal preferences guide you in this decision. If a doctor or other healthcare professional recommends using a humidifier, check with them to find out if a cool mist or warm mist would help you get the most relief. You may also prefer a warm mist humidifier during the colder months. Remember that the Mayo Clinic warns against using warm-mist humidifiers around babies and children since they pose a risk of burns.
What is the most effective type of humidifier?
An effective humidifier should raise the humidity in a room without over-humidifying. Our picks raised room humidity by at least 6% over eight hours. However, since experts recommend keeping the humidity level in your home between 30% and 50%, the most effective humidifier for you will help maintain this humidity level. If you'd like to use your humidifier to help ease congestion, dry skin, and other symptoms, a healthcare professional can provide more guidance on choosing a humidifier for your specific needs.
Which humidifiers are best for winter?
According to Christine Kingsley, APRN, the health and wellness director of the Lung Institute, using a humidifier during the winter can be helpful because indoor heating can dry out the air. "Humidifiers add moisture to the air, alleviating symptoms of dry skin, dry throat, and sinus congestion," Kingsley said.
Some people prefer warm-mist humidifiers during the colder months. These humidifiers disperse vapor by heating water, adding warmth to chilly rooms. But Kingsley cautioned that warm mist can create an extremely humid environment, which could lead to mold and bacteria growth.
Do I need an air purifier and humidifier?
An air purifier removes pollutants, helping reduce potentially irritating particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander, said John Landry, licensed registered respiratory therapist and founder of Respiratory Therapy Zone. On the other hand, Landry said a humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can help soothe dry skin, sinus congestion, and respiratory issues. You may benefit from an air purifier if you have seasonal allergies or asthma, while a humidifier may offer relief if you live in a drier climate or have dry skin.
Which humidifiers are safe for children and babies?
The American Academy of Pediatrics considers cool mist humidifiers the safest option for babies and young children. Warm mist humidifiers work by producing steam, which can be hot enough to burn a curious toddler who tries to touch it. Whichever type of humidifier you choose, always set it somewhere out of reach of children and pets. Another important part of humidifier safety is only using distilled water, which is free of minerals that may evaporate into your household air, and cleaning the unit regularly with vinegar.
How often do you need to clean a humidifier?
The EPA advises cleaning your humidifier every third day with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. You can also clean your humidifier with vinegar. To clean your humidifier properly, unplug the unit and then use a scrubbing brush to clean all surfaces that touch water. If you use any chemicals to clean your humidifier, rinse it with clean tap water several times before using it again. You can check the instruction booklet that came with your humidifier for additional cleaning instructions specific to your unit. If you don't intend to use your humidifier for a while, it's a good idea to clean it out and allow it to fully dry before you store it.
Target
Pros: Adjustable settings, extremely efficient, easy to set up and clean, lasts 24 hours on one tank, no filter to change
Cons: Occasional dripping noise, no smart settings, doesn't disperse humidity as evenly in large rooms
The Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier worked so quickly and efficiently on its highest setting in a smaller bedroom and office spaces that we actually worried about over-humidifying.
In fact, it raised the humidity levels in our office by 29% in just four hours, a feat many of the other humidifiers we tested couldn't even accomplish after eight hours. Luckily, the settings are highly adjustable via an easy-to-use scroll knob so you can set the humidifier to a lower level once your desired humidity has been reached.
The Honeywell is incredibly easy to use; setup took mere minutes. It has a simple, wide removable tank that you fill up and then slip back in. Plug it in, and you're ready to go. The humidifier also alerts you with a refill light when the water levels are low, and it automatically shuts off when it's empty. On the lowest settings, it can last for a full day on one tank.
There is an occasional dripping noise, though we didn't find it too distracting, and it's quiet enough that you won't hear it over a fan or some background music. While it worked more than well enough on its own in smaller spaces, you may also want to use a fan near it for bigger rooms to help better disperse the vapor stream.
While the Honeywell humidifier has an essential oils feature, one pulmonologist we spoke to recommended against diffusing essential oils. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology also cautions against it.
There's no filter that needs changing, and it's easy and quick to clean. As a bonus, its sleek look is far more aesthetically pleasing than many other humidifiers on the market, and it can easily fit on most desks, nightstands, and shelves.
Best Buy
Pros: Smart automatic features, works with an app, reads home and outside air levels, easy cleaning mode, three-in-one machine
Cons: Takes up a lot of space, very expensive
There's no getting around the fact that the Dyson Pure Humidify + Cool is expensive. But as a three-in-one machine that's also an air purifier and a fan, you can make the case that it's more convenient and potentially cheaper just to get the Dyson rather than buy those three devices separately.
While the Dyson has a smaller footprint than three machines would separately, it's going to take up some floor space. That said, for those in the market for a smart humidifier and air purifier option that does all the thinking for you, the Dyson Pure Humidify + Cool is an excellent choice.
You connect the Dyson to the MyDyson app (available for iOS and Android), and from there you can check your current home humidity and air quality levels. The machine can be controlled with a remote, the app, and via voice control with Alexa and Siri.
Though you can change the humidity and fan levels yourself, you can also set it to auto, and it will decide the best levels for you based on local weather data and your Air Quality Index score. When we used the auto feature, it raised humidity levels to a nice 50% and kept it there even throughout a larger open-concept kitchen and living room area.
The 1-gallon tank also lasts a long time. Dyson claims it lasts for 36 hours even on high settings, and though we didn't time it down to the exact hour, one tank was easily able to last a few days.
The fact that it's also a fan makes this a nice year-round option, as it can easily switch between adding extra humidity during winter months to circulating cool air on sticky summer nights. While the fan is very loud on its highest settings, it's nice and quiet on settings of 4 and under, and it does have a night-mode feature that will keep everything automatic but at the quietest levels possible.
Additionally, for anyone who worries about potential bacteria from humidifiers, the Dyson uses UV light to kill bacteria before expelling the (invisible) water vapor into the air. It alerts you when it needs cleaning and comes with citrus powder packets for that purpose (you can also buy your own). Fill up the water tank, add a packet, and hit the self-clean button.
We haven't needed to change the HEPA filter yet, but be aware those will cost you an additional $80 every 12 months or so.
Levoit
Pros: Operates quietly, small footprint, nightlight and display-off modes, works with an app, lasts at least 24 hours on one tank, easy to use
Cons: Built-in hygrometer has questionable accuracy
The Levoit Classic 300S Humidifier runs as quiet as ambient noise, has a small footprint, and features a nightlight, making it ideal for the bedroom and the best humidifier for your baby. Don't want a nightlight? No problem. You can turn off the display to achieve darkness.
The Levoit Classic 300S Humidifier did an excellent job of humidifying a 100-square-foot office during testing. On a particularly dry winter day, it steadily increased the office humidity by 11% in four hours. We let it run overnight, and the humidity went up another 11% by morning.
While the button controls on the unit are intuitive, we especially liked that you can monitor and adjust the 300S using the VeSync app (available for iOS and Android.) For instance, the app sends a push notification when the tank needs to be refilled or cleaned. In tests, the humidifier ran on top mist level for 24 hours before needing to be refilled.
You can operate the Levoit Classic 300S in manual or auto mode. We preferred manual mode because the built-in hygrometer showed higher readings than the hygrometer we placed on the other side of the room, and thus, it would shut off before areas further from the unit were at the desired humidity level.
Cleaning the humidifier was relatively easy using the in-app step-by-step instructions and the included brush.
Hey Dewy
Pros: Optional soft yellow nightlight, wireless option, can use tap water, no noticeable condensation leakage
Cons: Not as quiet as some other models, continuous spray only lasts about six hours, filter needs replacing every four to six months
Travel humidifiers have less range than their larger counterparts, but their smaller size makes it easy to bring them on the go or move throughout your home as needed. The Hey Dewy humidifier stands out among travel humidifiers for its larger tank size, powerful mist, and long-lasting charge. It didn't pump up the overall room humidity quite as much as the traditional humidifiers we tested, but it still helped add plenty of moisture to the room, especially at close range. After seven hours, it raised the humidity by 6% in a four-foot range — and by 13% in a two-foot range. So, it may be a good option if you plan to set your humidifier on your desk or park it next to your indoor plants.
While this humidifier doesn't make a lot of noise, you'll be able to hear it running from across the room. When set to the continuous mist option, the sound worked well as gentle white noise — but the on-off sound of the intermittent spray could be distracting at bedtime.
You'll need to replace the humidifier's filter at least every six months. But since the filter means you can use tap water instead of having to purchase distilled water, this may not necessarily be a drawback. The unit comes pre-assembled, with the filter in place, and once charged, it will run wirelessly for about eight hours. However, the water may run out before the unit needs recharging. In testing, we found that a full tank of water (11.3 fluid ounces) only lasted about six hours with a continuous mist spray.
Levoit
Pros: Extremely quiet operation, smart features, produces cool or warm mist, auto shutoff, fully dimmable display
Cons: Larger footprint, may be too powerful for smaller rooms
When you first turn the Levoit OasisMist 450S Smart Humidifier on, you'll hear some trickling — but once it gets going, you won't hear much at all. This humidifier remains extremely quiet on all cool mist settings, though it gets a little louder when producing warm mist.
Beyond the quiet operation, this machine humidifies rooms very efficiently, with no noticeable condensation leakage. It has two nozzles that rotate a full 360°, so you can aim both mist plumes in any direction. We tested it in a room of roughly 230 square feet, and the humidity shot up by 8% within just one hour. If your room is any smaller than 215 square feet — the brand's recommended lower range — this option may end up overhumidifying your space.
If you're a fan of smart features, this humidifier comes well equipped. It's compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Voice, and you can use the free VeSync app to control the humidifier's settings, check the humidity in the room, set it to auto mode, or schedule shutoff. The humidifier will also shut down automatically once the tank empties.
The large tank means that this humidifier takes up a bit more space in your room. But that could be a plus, since a bigger tank means it can run for longer between refills: After 24 hours of testing on medium and high operation, some water still remained in the tank. If you keep the humidifier on low, it can run for up to 45 hours. Another bonus of the large tank is a smoother cleaning process. What's more, the entire top of the tank comes off, making it very easy to scrub.
