The Best Humidifiers To Help You Breathe Easier This Winter (2024)

Camryn Rabideau

Contributor

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

Dimensions: 11.3 x 7 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Room size: 430 to 753 sq. ft. | Run time: 36 to 50 hours | Mist: Warm and cool | Capacity: 6 liters

Offering both warm and cool mist settings, the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier is one of the largest and most versatile options in this roundup—not to mention, one of the most reasonably priced at under $100. If you’re looking to humidify a big room (up to 753 square feet) and want a machine that can run for up to 50 hours before you have to refill it with water, this model is a fine choice. The brand claims this humidifier can raise the humidity level 10% in just 20 minutes, and it comes with a remote control so you can change its settings from across the room. This pick is extremely easy to clean, and it works with essential oils to make your room smell better while it operates.

What the editors say: Home and shopping editor Sholeen Damarwala, who uses the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic for her child’s nursery, says, “It's whisper quiet and doesn't have any flashing lights that can disturb my little sleeper. The best feature is that the machine maintains a target humidity level on an auto setting all night. Unlike older models I’ve owned, the Levoit tank can be easily detached so you can take it to sink to give to a clean wash. It's an impressive humidifier with tons of smart features that are easy to use.”

Pros:

• Powerful enough for large rooms
• Can be used with essential oils
• Runs very quietly
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons:

• Cannot add essential oils directly into the tank

Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Room size: 400 sq. ft. | Run time: 24 hours |Mist: Cool | Capacity: 2.2 liters

This compact humidifier is a budget-friendly option to put in a bedroom or smaller-sized living space. It can hold up to 0.6 gallons (2.2 liters) of water at a time, and it’s virtually silent during operation, meaning it won’t disturb your daily activities. The unit has a 360-degree rotating nozzle that lets you direct its cool mist, and a knob dial adjusts the mist output. The humidifier doesn’t use a filter, making it easy to clean, and it’s petite and lightweight in case you want to move it around your home.

What the reviews say: One apartment dweller reports on the company’s website, “This humidifier has been a huge help for me, sleep-wise. My room would get so dry to the point where I would wake up dehydrated. But ever since I started using this product, that hasn't been a problem. It's extremely easy to set up and refill whenever all the water drains, and there is barely any noise when it's on.”

Pros:

• Has an auto-shutoff feature when tank runs out
• Rotating nozzle to direct mist
• No filter to change
• Backed by a lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Needs to be refilled often

Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Fill Humidifier

Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 13.4 inches | Weight: 4.3 pounds | Room size: 505 sq. ft. | Run time: Up to 60 hours |Mist: Cool and warm | Capacity: 6 liters

Getting up to flip your humidifier on and off can be a pain, especially if you’re already cozy in bed. That’s where the Levoit Classic 300S has a unique value-add (on top of being great at retaining moisture in your environment). This smart humidifier comes with a VeSync app that lets you do a slew of things from your phone, including turning the device on and off, creating schedules, setting timers and connecting to voice assistants. The humidifier also offers cool and warm mist to give you options, and it makes under 30 decibels of noise (slightly less than a whisper). This machine covers a span of up to 505 square feet, making it a good choice for bedrooms and medium-size living rooms. Enjoy up to 60 hours of humidifying (on low) before the roomy tank needs a refill.

What the reviews say: A verified Amazon reviewer was impressed with this model, saying “I am using this humidifier to give my plants the extra humidity that they need. Being able to set it to automatically adjust its output to reach the desired humidity has been really convenient. The app even reminds me when the water has run out and the machine needs to be cleaned.”

Pros:

• Easy to set up connectivity to your smartphone
• Convenient top-fill design
• Quiet operation on low
• 360-degree nozzle helps aim mist where you need it

Cons:

• Prone to leaking if not cleaned carefully per instructions

Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier

Dimensions:8.8 x 8.8 x 13.2 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Room size: 300 to 500 sq. ft. | Run time: 24 hours |Mist: Cool | Capacity: 4.7 liters

Many people like to run a humidifier in their bedroom while they sleep, as it can help improve air quality, and this midsize model from Honeywell is a top choice for keeping next to your bed. It’s virtually silent during operation, and its 1.25-gallon water tank can run for up to 24 hours per fill. The sleek unit comes in white or black colorways, and you can easily adjust its mist output to suit your preferences. There’s a small essential oil tray at the bottom in case you want to use lavender oil (or another soothing scent) at bedtime, and the water tank has a large recessed handle and wide opening that make it easy to refill and clean.

What the reviews say: The machine is, “extremely quiet,” confirms editorial director Brinda Ayer who tested the model for the Forbes Vetted Best Products Awards. “Water compartment is easy to take out and fill, which you'd need to do about once a day if you ran this for 24 hours. Size is pretty small and can be tucked away in a corner when not being used,” she adds.

Pros:

• Extremely quiet during operation
• Can be used with essential oils using tray
• Sleek, modern design won’t stick out
• Very easy to set up and use

Cons:

• Occasionally makes dripping noises
• Some users advise elevating it for better humidifying

Lacidoll 16-Liter Whole House Humidifier

Dimensions:10.2 x 10.3 x 25.1 inches |Weight:9.3 pounds |Room size:1,000 sq. ft.|Run time:48 hours|Mist:Cool |Capacity:16 liters

For those looking for a humidifier that can cover an entire floor or other large common space, Lacidoll’s powerful 4.2-gallon option is a solid pick. This surprisingly attractive model can cover up to 1,000 square feet and has four mist level settings that you can adjust with either the touch control panel or an included remote. It also has other useful smart features, like auto-adjusting its mist output based on your preset humidity level, turning off the display lights in sleep mode or automatically shutting off based on a set timer (or when the water tank runs dry). It’s also designed to be simple and convenient to clean and maintain: It has an intuitive top-fill design, you don’t need to remove the tank to fill it and it has a built-in UV sterilizing light that the company says helps clean the mist before it enters your space.

What the reviews say:One verified reviewer, who’s owned one other Lacidoll model, reports on company’s website, “This model does an amazing job at maintaining a consistent humidity level for our entire first floor. It is easy to fill, easy to clean and the extension tube shoots the mist over our plants (which is very convenient).”

Pros:

• Powerful mist output ideal for large areas
• Can be used with essential oils using tray
• Includes a 360-degree misting nozzle
• Quiet operation (under 35 decibels)

Cons:

• Quite heavy; you may need help to transport it

Honeywell HCM-350 Cool Moisture Humidifier

Dimensions:17.9 x 9.37 x 11.4 inches |Weight:8.4 pounds |Room size:400 sq. ft.|Run time:24 hours|Mist:None (evaporative) |Capacity:3.8 liters

When it comes to looking for a humidifier for baby’s nursery, you’ll want a model that’s easy to clean (to minimize the risk of mold), quiet and preferably an evaporative (no mist) or cool-mist design to avoid burns. The Honeywell HCM-350 Humidifier, already our pick for the best humidifier for babies overall, checks off all those boxes. For starters, its water tank has a wide opening for easy cleaning, though you can throw it in the dishwasher, too. There’s also an extra layer of cleaning via its UV water-treating technology and a wicking filter that captures minerals. The HCM-350 is also an evaporative model, meaning the mist isn’t visible, which, combined with the dim power light and the white noise-like sound the device emits, will help keep the air in the nursery just right—without waking up baby.

What the reviews say:One parent, a verified Amazon reviewer who purchased this model for their infant’s room, notes, “It's extremely quiet, so quiet that even on the medium setting, I can't hear it through his baby monitor. The highest setting gives a soft humming noise that doesn't bother me. My son sleeps well through all settings in his room. The compartments all come apart easily and go back together with nearly no instruction. [...] The water canister lifts out easily [for] problem-free filling up. Simplest design I've seen.”

Pros:

• Large dishwasher-safe tank and wide tank mouth make cleaning easy
• Three fan settings help to customize humidity level and output
• Evaporative design means no visible mist
• Dim display lights

Cons:

• Works best with Honeywell branded wicking filters

Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 9 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Room size: 250 sq. ft. | Run time: 25 hours |Mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 1.5 liters

With over 114,000 ratings, this cool-mist humidifier is one of the top-rated options on Amazon (helping it earn the number 1 bestseller spot on Amazon’s humidifiers list), thanks to its reasonable price and reliable operation. The teardrop-shaped unit can hold around 0.4 gallons (or 1.5 liters) of water at a time, which allows it to run for up to 25 hours. There are high or low mist settings and a 360-degree nozzle that allows you to direct the mist in any direction. The plastic construction is BPA-free, and it has an optional night light that glows a soft blue color.

What the reviews say: One verified user purchased the MistAire from Amazon to keep in their home office and help maintain their guitars. They report, “I live in a very dry [area], and it's even drier in the winter when the heat is on. This usually leads to the skin on my hands getting very dry and cracking. Further, I've realized I'm not taking good enough care of my guitars. What I like about the MistAire is that I can fill it once a day, run it on low and forget about it. It doesn't turn my room into a rainforest, but it's clearly helping to combat the dryness. The nightlight is a bonus.”

Pros:

• Simple to set up and use
• Very quiet operation
• Includes a built-in nightlight
• Not bulky

Cons:

• Indicator light is a little bright for some users
• A little tricky to clean thoroughly

Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier

Dimensions:3 x 3 x 7 inches |Weight:0.5 pounds |Room size:18 inches|Run time:8 hours|Mist:Cool |Capacity:0.3 liters (11.3 ounces)

This adorable and lightweight wireless humidifier by Hey Dewy is a blessing for skincare buffs or just about anyone who wants to maintain plump, hydrated skin during dry seasons—anywhere they go. Weighing only half a pound, and with a super-quiet ultrasonic operation as well as a luxe matte exterior, Hey Dewy is thoughtfully designed to look good on your office desk, nightstand or vanity without disrupting whatever tasks you have at hand. It’s no slouch at its job, either: With up to eight hours of misting time and a coverage area of 18 inches, you can finish all your projects for the day or sleep overnight with it at your bedside and not have to worry about dry skin. Other features we like include the easy-open top with a wide mouth for convenient filling and cleaning, the silicone nonslip base and the soft LED light that’s also useful as a nightlight.

What the editors say:Emmy Favilla, Forbes Vetted’s managing editor, says, “The major selling point of this product is, of course, just how portable it is. You can pack it in your luggage, take it to your office or just move it around the home with you. I have dry skin year-round (and particularly, like most, in the wintertime), so I like to put this on as I go to bed for an extra boost of moisture while I sleep as well as run it on my desk during the day. I could also see this being a convenient option for those who get congested regularly during the winter. I also just love the design and how cute it looks on my nightstand.”

Pros:

• Comes in five pretty matte colors
• Operates quietly
• Built-in soft LED light is helpful for sleep
• Lasts up to eight hours on a single charge

Cons:

• Can leak if tilted
• Very small coverage area of 18 inches

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Autoreact PH3A

Dimensions: 12.3 x 36.3 x 12.3 inches | Weight: 17.8 pounds | Room size: 400 sq. ft. | Run time: 36 hours |Mist: None (evaporative) | Capacity: 3.8 liters

As sleek as they come, this Dyson humidifier is also an air purifier and a cooling fan all in one—which may or may not justify the steep price tag for you. That said, many users find that it’s worth its cost, considering the Dyson brand’s reputation and the premium performance of this multi-use appliance; after all, few other humidifiers, if any, automatically detect temperature, humidity levels and pollutants in a room.

The advanced filtration system uses an activated carbon filter to remove gases and odors and a HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size. There are some great features included, like night mode with a sleep timer, breeze mode for cool air and continuous humidification. It circulates purified, humidified air through your whole space and has a very convenient deep clean cycle that cleans the machine at the touch of a button.

What the editors say: “It works really well at humidifying smaller rooms and moderately well at humidifying larger rooms. We had no issue keeping a master bedroom at 40% humidity and generally only had to fill the tank every other day,” says reviews coordinator Roxanne Dawson who tested the unit for the Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards. And if you’re wondering about noise, “Depending on the settings this unit is either whisper quiet or when running at full power is somewhat louder but still not offensively loud,” she adds.

Pros:

• Works as a humidifier, air purifier and fan
• Assembly and operation is simple, especially with auto-operation feature
• Carbon HEPA filter helps remove odors and impurities
• Stylish, modern appearance and a small footprint

Cons:

• Not compatible with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant

Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier

Dimensions:15.1 x 12 x 7.6 inches |Weight:3.5 pounds |Room size: 600 sq. ft. | Run time: 24 hours|Mist:Cool |Capacity:1.5 liters

There’s a reason this stylish humidifier was crowned one of the best-designed wellness gadgets by Architectural Digest. You may know the brand for its design-forward diffusers, and we’re happy to report that its humidifier is equally well-crafted. In addition to being easy on the eyes, it has a compact, 3-pound frame that still packs a punch with 600 square feet of coverage and a run time of 24 hours. You can also endlessly tailor it to your needs: It has a 360-degree rotating spout, a light-free setting, an auto-shutoff feature, five levels of mist output and eight- to 24-hour run settings. Plus, it’s constructed with BPA-free, recycled plastic and has a water tank that’s dishwasher-safe for easy maintenance. And if you’re thinking of using this for a nursery, you’ll be happy with the fact that it barely makes a sound (26.8 decibels compared with a whisper’s 30) and emits only cool mist.

What the reviews say:A verified buyer notes on the brand’s website, “We love that we can turn off the lights, which are so subtle compared to the bright blue lights of our former humidifier. We also love that we can control the flow of the mist. My husband has had virtually no snoring since we've had [this humidifier] and run it on a mid-level mist. I do wish the fill line wasn't quite so near the top of the reservoir. However, I've found that I can fill it with a quart-sized watering can with ease.”

Pros:

• Very customizable (five mist levels and four runtime settings)
• Quieter than whisper-quiet operation
• Backed by a lifetime warranty
• Fashionable but unobtrusive design

Cons:

• The brand advises to replace the filter every three months

Canopy Humidifier Plus

Dimensions: 14.5 x 12 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Room size: Up to 1,000 sq. ft. | Run time: 36 hours | Mist: None (evaporative) | Capacity: 5.5 liters

If you’re looking for an evaporative humidifier, this trendy model from Canopy will look great in your home. It comes in several different colors, and thanks to its 5.5-liter water tank, the unit can run for up to 36 hours in rooms up to 1,000 square feet.

The Canopy Plus offers several handy features that set it apart from other cool mist humidifiers. It has a special UV light that helps to inhibit mold and bacteria growth, and its components are actually dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The humidifier is also designed to keep running until it is completely out of water to help prevent mold. The Plus does have a filter that needs to be replaced every six weeks, but the brand offers a subscription model that sends you replacements automatically, making maintenance a bit easier.

What the reviews say: One verified Canopy buyer who lives in the Midwest writes, “I absolutely love this machine compared to my prior ultrasonic humidifier. No more wet floors or white dust, thank goodness. The even better feature is the ease of cleaning. No more pink sludge/mildew. If you are looking for an easy set-it-and-forget-it humidifier, this is the one. The only feature that would be nice is a humidistat to personally set the humidity to my liking.”

Pros:

• Designed with UV tech to inhibit mold and bacteria growth
• Dishwasher-safe components
• Can be used with essential oils (on included puck)
• Minimalist design goes well with most décor

Cons:

• Filter should be changed regularly (every six weeks)