In today’s climate-controlled homes, maintaining ideal indoor humidity is crucial. According to a recent study by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, indoor humidity below 30% can lead to various health issues like dry skin, respiratory discomfort, and increased susceptibility to allergies. In this post, we’ll be discussing top picks for humidifiers for various types of rooms.
This site contains affiliate links. View the About page to learn more.
This post is all about humidifiers.
Table of Contents
- What is a Humidifier?
- How Does it Work?
- Evaporative Humidifiers
- Ultrasonic Humidifiers
- Steam Vaporizers
- Impeller Humidifiers
- Why Should You Consider Getting a Humidifier?
- Winter Wellness
- Allergy Relief
- Improved Sleep
- Skin Hydration
- Respiratory Comfort
- What You Should Consider When Getting a Humidifier?
- Room Size
- Type of Humidifier
- Noise Level
- Humidistat
- Water Quality
- Ease of Use
- Safety Features
- Design and Aesthetics
- Top Humidifier Product Reviews
- For Large Rooms
- BREEZOME 6L Humidifier
- LEVOIT Smart Humidifier 300S
- Coolfiqu 6L Humidifier
- Everlasting Comfort 6L Humidifier
- LEVOIT OasisMist 1000S
- For Medium Rooms
- GoveeLife Smart Humidifier
- ROSEKM Humidifier for Bedroom
- Oraimo Humidifier for Bedroom
- For Small Rooms
- Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Humidifier
- Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier
- GENIANI Portable Cool Mist Humidifier
- Conclusion
What is a Humidifier?
A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air in your home. It helps prevent issues like dry skin and irritated sinuses, especially during dry seasons or in heated indoor spaces. By emitting water vapor, humidifiers create a more comfortable and balanced environment.
How Does it Work?
Humidifiers work by adding moisture to the air through various methods. The most common types include:
Evaporative Humidifiers: These use a fan to blow air through a wet wick or filter, causing water to evaporate and humidify the air.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers: These produce a cool mist by using ultrasonic vibrations to break water into fine droplets, which are then released into the air.
Steam Vaporizers: These heat water to produce steam, which cools down before being released into the air. They are often used for respiratory relief.
Impeller Humidifiers: Using a rotating disk, these devices fling water at a diffuser, breaking it into fine droplets that are released into the air.
Why Should You Consider Getting a Humidifier?
Winter Wellness: Combats the dry air commonly associated with indoor heating during winter.
Allergy Relief: Adds moisture to the air, potentially relieving symptoms for individuals with allergies.
Improved Sleep: Maintains a comfortable and humidified environment, contributing to better sleep quality.
Skin Hydration: Alleviates dry skin and prevents issues like chapped lips.
Respiratory Comfort: Helps soothe irritated sinuses and reduces the risk of respiratory problems.
What You Should Consider When Getting a Humidifier?
When buying a humidifier, consider the following factors to ensure you choose the right one for your needs:
Room Size: Choose a humidifier that matches the size of the room for optimal performance.
Type of Humidifier: Consider the different types (evaporative, ultrasonic, steam vaporizers) and choose one that fits your preferences and needs.
Noise Level: If placing the humidifier in a bedroom or quiet space, opt for a model with low noise levels.
Humidistat: Look for a humidifier with a built-in humidistat to regulate and maintain desired humidity levels.
Water Quality: Check if your water source requires distilled or demineralized water to prevent mineral deposits in the humidifier.
Ease of Use: Choose a user-friendly humidifier with convenient controls and features.
Safety Features: Prioritize safety with features like automatic shut-off when water levels are low or adjustable mist settings.
Design and Aesthetics: Select a humidifier that complements your home’s décor and suits your style preferences.
Top Humidifier Product Reviews
For Large Rooms
Product Details:
- Room Size: 500ft²
- Capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Runtime: 60 hours
- Size: 6.3 x 10.8 x 13.8 inches
- Weight: 3.86lbs
It has adjustable mist levels and humidity settings to provide customized comfort.
You can add your favorite scented oils to make your room smell nice and calming.
It’s equipped with a humidistat so you can check the humidity level in real-time as well as choose your preferred humidity level.
It has a top fill design that makes it convenient to add water to the humidifier. Also, it comes with a detachable tank for easy cleaning.
The humidifier is very quiet. On sleep mode, the noise level is 25dB which is what you might experience in a quiet library. The sleep mode also dims the lights for a better sleeping experience.
The humidifier also has a safety feature that turns off the device when the water tank is empty.
Product Details:
- Room Size: 505ft²
- Capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Runtime: 60 hours
- Size: 9.6 × 7.5 × 13.4 inches
- Weight: 4.3lbs
The feature that stands out for the 300S is that it connects to the VeSync app. You can check the humidity level through the app and you can control the settings and modes on the humidifier.
The 3 modes are Auto, Sleep and Plant mode.
Auto mode detects and adjusts the humidity level base on your preference.
Sleep mode reduces noise level below 30dB and you can choose to turn off the night lights.
Plant mode allows you to adjust the most optimal humidity level for different types of plants. It’s great if you’re a plant person and like healthy and vibrant plants. The VeSync app has the option to scan and identify different plant information.
It also comes with other features like automatic shut-off when water tank is empty, essential oil tray that allows you to put your favorite essential oil for a soothing aroma in the air.
Product Details:
- Room Size: 500ft²
- Capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Runtime: 60 hours
- Size: 9 x 6.29 x 14.76 inches
- Weight: 3.3lbs
The Coolfiqu humidifier features warm and cool mist options. You can decide which option you want to use it for. The cool mist is great for making the air feel less dry and could improve your quality of sleep. The warm mist is good for moisturizing the skin and to add a bit of warmth during the winter seasons.
It’s also equipped with a smart humidistat to regulate humidity level.
The 360° rotating nozzles provides even moisture so you can place the humidifier anywhere and will work just as effectively.
It also includes an essential oil tray so you can add essential oils into the tray and let the humidifier circulate it through the cool mist.
The safety option includes a warning when water is low and auto shut-off when there’s no water left.
It comes in 4 different colors: black, white, gray, and midnight black.
Product Details:
- Room Size: 500ft²
- Capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Runtime: 50 hours
- Size: 11.02 x 6.69 x 13.02 inches
- Weight: 3.1lbs
The Everlasting Comfort Humidifier has very simple control system. It has one knob to adjust humidity level. Which is great for those looking for a simple to use humidifier.
One thing to note about this one is that it fills from the bottom which might make it a bit inconvenient to fill depending on whether you prefer to have a top fill system instead.
It does come with an essential oil tray that you can add your favorite essential oils to scent your room.
The noise level on this humidifier is less than 35dB which is comparable to whispering.
It also comes with a night light and the auto shut-off safety feature.
Product Details:
- Room Size: 600ft²
- Capacity: 2.64 gallons
- Runtime: 100 hours
- Size: 10 x 8.4 x 28.7 inches
- Weight: 6.4lbs
For the largest rooms and humidifying jobs, the LEVOIT OasisMist 1000s is the humidifier you should get if you plan to use it for a very large room.
Like the other LEVOIT humidifier on this list, this one can be remotely controlled through the VeSync app making it very convenient to access all the features that comes with the humidifier.
It’s also top-filled making it easy to pour water in and has 3 modes:
- Auto Mode: runs smartly adjusting humidity levels that you set.
- Plant Mode: Through the VeSync app, you can check out which plants require which humidity levels.
- Sleep Mode: Turns off the display and lowers the noise to under 28dB (comparable to whispering nearby).
It has 5 feet of mist height to encompass the entire room. Again, this is especially effective for much large rooms that have a higher ceiling.
For Medium Rooms
Product Details:
- Room Size: 290ft²
- Capacity: 3 Liters
- Runtime: 25 hours
- Size: 7 x 14.8 x 8.54 inches
- Weight: 3.41lbs
The GoveeLife Smart Humidifier is designed with aesthetics in mind. The night light glows in multiple different colors and patterns and it really enhances the room atmosphere.
The humidifier can be remotely controlled through the GoveeLife app. Also, the humidifier is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. It gives you a range of options when it comes to how you want to control the settings.
It has 8 mist levels and you can adjust the direction of the mist too.
You can also add a few drops of essential oil into the base tank to diffuse your favorite scents.
It comes with safety features like low water alert that will alert you and turns off automatically when the water is empty.
Product Details:
- Room Size: 323ft²
- Capacity: 2 Liters
- Runtime: 24 hours
- Size: 5.1 x 5.1 x 10.2 inches
- Weight: 0.3lbs
The ROSEKM Humidifier for Bedroom is very light and portable. You can carry it around much easier than other humidifiers. The humidifier is perfect for large medium sized room.
It’s also a great value for its cost on Amazon. and is definitely worth it if you’re trying to save on humidifiers.
To add to that, it has a very simple control system. There are 4 mist options and a power on/off button. The setup is also easy. You just fill it with water and you’re good to go.
On the lowest setting, the humidifier’s noise level is less than 26dB which is about as quiet as a whisper from several feet away.
It comes with features like auto stop valve that makes it easy to fill without overfilling and auto shut off that shuts off the humidifier when there’s no water left.
Product Details:
- Room Size: 270ft²
- Capacity: 2.5 Liters
- Runtime: 25 hours
- Size: 5.6 x 8.1 x 9.4 inches
- Weight: 2.42lbs
The Oraimo 2.5L Humidifier has a simple control system and a 360° spray nozzle to spread it all around. This helps keep the humidity all around your room just right.
It also features 7 kinds of color atmosphere night lights so you can customize it to your liking. The other feature you can customize is that you can add essential oils directly to the water tank and enjoy the scented mist.
It’s filled from the top and the top can be easily removed to be cleaned.
For noise levels, on the lowest setting it’s about 26dB which is about as quiet as a whisper from a few feet away.
For safety features, this humidifier is made with BPA-free materials and has an auto shut-off feature.
For Small Rooms
Product Details:
- Room Size: 175ft²
- Capacity: 0.7 Liters
- Runtime: 10 hours
- Size: 5 x 5 x 9 inches
- Weight: 1.1lbs
The Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Humidifier is the overall pick for smaller bedrooms.
It’s designed nicely. It takes the shape of a water droplet which adds a unique appearance in your bedroom. It features a blue glowing light to add to the water theme.
To fill, you’d need to flip the tank and fill it from the bottom, but it’s easy so it honestly shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience.
The device has two nozzles: one for directing the mist in a specific direction and another for a wider coverage. If you’re placing the device near a wall, use the directional nozzle to avoid misting the wall. In open spaces use the 2-way nozzle for better coverage.
For noise level, it’s under 32dB which is around a whisper level.
It also comes with the standard safety feature of automatic shut-off when water is empty.
Product Details:
- Room Size: N/A
- Capacity: 1 Liter
- Runtime: 6 hours
- Size: 4.5 × 4.5 × 9.1 inches
- Weight: 1.5lbs
The Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier is compact and lightweight. It makes it not only great for small rooms but also your desk.
It has an easy setup and a simple control knob for those looking for a small simple humidifier.
It’s also filter-free so you don’t have to worry about changing or cleaning the filter.
It’s filled from the bottom so that means you have to flip the tank upside down.
For noise level, on low, it’s less than 32dB which is a whisper quiet.
Also, it has the auto shut-off feature when water is empty.
Product Details:
- Room Size: 65ft²
- Capacity: 250ml
- Runtime: 8 hours
- Size: 3.4 x 3.4 x 6 inches
- Weight: 0.55lbs
The GENIANI Portable Cool Mist Humidifier comes in 2 colors: white or black.
It’s extremely portable and so you can take with you when you travel.
It has a soft white night light and on the lowest setting, the noise level is 30dB which is as quiet as a whisper.
The humidifier is easy to use with just one button. It has two mist modes continuous and intermittent. Continuous runs all the time and intermittent runs on and off. It also has an automatic shut-off feature for safety and peace of mind.
It’s filled from the top and you can fill it even while it’s running.
The runtime is 8 hours depending on the mode, but you should expect it to run for about 3 or 4 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why is humidity important in indoor environments?
- Humidity is crucial for maintaining a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. Adequate humidity levels help prevent issues such as dry skin, irritated eyes, and respiratory problems. It also plays a role in protecting wooden furniture and musical instruments from cracking due to excessive dryness.
2. What type of humidifier is best for my needs?
- The best humidifier for your needs depends on various factors. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient option that doesn’t require much maintenance, an ultrasonic humidifier might be suitable. For larger spaces, an evaporative humidifier is effective. Steam vaporizers are often recommended for relieving respiratory issues. Consider your room size, maintenance preferences, and specific health requirements when choosing the type of humidifier.
3. How often should I clean my humidifier?
- Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria in your humidifier. Aim to clean it at least once a week. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disassembly and cleaning. Using a mixture of vinegar and water is a common and effective method for cleaning, but be sure to rinse thoroughly.
4. Can I use tap water in my humidifier?
- While tap water is acceptable in some humidifiers, it’s generally recommended to use distilled or demineralized water to minimize mineral deposits. If tap water is your only option, consider using a demineralization cartridge to reduce the risk of mineral buildup, which can affect the efficiency and longevity of your humidifier.
5. Can I use essential oils in my humidifier?
- Not all humidifiers are designed to work with essential oils. If your humidifier has a designated tray or compartment for oils, it’s likely safe to use them. However, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid damaging the humidifier. Using essential oils improperly can lead to clogs and affect the device’s overall performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the best humidifier for your needs can significantly enhance your living environment, promoting comfort and well-being. Whether you prioritize ease of use, advanced features, or specific misting options, the diverse range of humidifiers on the market ensures there’s a perfect fit for everyone. Remember to consider factors such as room size, maintenance requirements, and additional features like automatic shut-off for a seamless and worry-free experience. Investing in a quality humidifier is an investment in your health and the comfort of your home. So, breathe easy and enjoy the benefits of a well-chosen humidifier, creating an optimal indoor atmosphere for you and your loved ones.