The 5 Best Warm Mist Humidifiers of 2024, According to Testing

Best Overall

Dreo Smart Humidifier

Setup5/5
Effectiveness5/5
Design4.3/5
Ease of Maintenance4.2/5
We were impressed by this humidifier’s efficiency and special features.

We were impressed by this humidifier’s efficiency and special features.

Disassembly and cleaning were more difficult than in other models we tested.

Disassembly and cleaning were more difficult than in other models we tested.

The best overall warm mist humidifier we tested was the Dreo Humidifier 713S. This humidifier had a very noticeable impact on the room; on the high setting, we measured a 70% humidity increase from 2 feet away and a 23% humidity change from 10 feet away. The humidifier has several useful features, including both warm and cool mist settings, an essential oil diffuser, a no-lights sleep mode, and an app to control it all from your phone.

In addition to controlling settings and setting schedules, the app provides insightful charts to monitor the room’s humidity levels over time. It also provides reminders to clean the tank and replace the filter.

This humidifier was one of the easiest to set up and operate. The instructions were very easy to read and understand, but we didn't need to use them as there were only three pieces to assemble: the base, the tank, and the top. Though this stylish humidifier was large enough to fit 6 liters, its slim design blends in with decor. We also liked the clear basin, which let us easily see how much water was left in the reservoir.

The warm mist brought an extra element of coziness and created a more prominent mist cloud than the cool setting. The humidifier lasted the entire night, and the amount of mist released was impressive considering how little water the device used. Even after running on its high setting for three hours, it only used 5 cups of water, leaving 20 cups still in the tank.

The main drawback with this humidifier was cleaning and disassembly. Disassembly was confusing because there were many parts, including a top cover, water basin, a tall tube, and a drawer for the aromatherapy pads. While cleaning, we noticed that the base had a lot of little crevices, and we were concerned that there were interior channels that couldn’t be reached for cleaning. Keep in mind that you’ll want to let this humidifier cool down before cleaning it. We also noticed that even though it had only been running for a few minutes, some parts were uncomfortably warm to the touch.

How It Performed After Two Months

We’ve been using tap water in this humidifier, which has caused some mineral dust to appear. Thankfully, it’s been easy to wipe down during cleaning. Our favorite feature is its app connectivity. The app allows us to set a target humidity level, which adjusts the output to keep the room humid but not too moist.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Key Terms to Know

Ultrasonic Humidifier: Ultrasonic humidifiers use two small ceramic plates that vibrate at a high frequency to produce a mist. This mist spreads through the air and evaporates, increasing the humidity in the room. Ultrasonic humidifiers require distilled water but are quieter and require less maintenance than evaporative humidifiers.
Evaporative Humidifier: Evaporative humidifiers use a fan to blow air through a moist wick filter. As the water evaporates, it’s pushed out of the device as a water vapor. Evaporative humidifiers have the benefit of dispersing less dust, but their filters need to be replaced periodically.
Hygrometer: This tool measures how much moisture is in the surrounding air, which we used in our testing. Some devices also include a built-in hygrometer to monitor humidity levels.

Best Budget

Vicks Dual Comfort Cool + Warm Mist Humidifier

Setup5/5
Effectiveness4.7/5
Design4.2/5
Ease of Maintenance4.5/5
This humidifier can be used with Vick’s products to create a medicated mist to help clear congestion.

This humidifier can be used with Vick’s products to create a medicated mist to help clear congestion.

Re-filling the water reservoir is more difficult than in other models.

Re-filling the water reservoir is more difficult than in other models.

This Vicks humidifier provides a lot of functionality for a lower price. The device boils water and then combines it with a cool mist to generate vapor that is just the right temperature. Pairing the device with Vicks VapoPads can create a medicated mist to help clear congestion. There’s also a heated medicine cup which can be used with Vicks VapoSteam or essential oils. It has dual cool and warm options you can adjust based on the season or temperature.

The humidifier has only two pieces, making it very easy to put together, and the instructions were simple but clear. One downside was that to fill the tank, we had to pick up the humidifier and flip it over. You need two hands to do this, and it is a bit on the heavy side when completely full of water. This humidifier was a bit louder than other models, but the water gurgles were not disruptive and some may like it as a peaceful background noise.

When cleaning, we didn’t notice any limescale or pink mold buildup, and the filter and heating element were residue-free. The cleaning process was easy, though some tight areas needed to be accessed with a small brush (included in the box) to remove scale.

How It Performed After Six Months

We tested this humidifier in the dry Colorado air and were incredibly happy with the results. Our skin and hair felt more hydrated after just a few uses, and the static in our clothes disappeared. Our dog’s fur even felt softer to the touch. With regular upkeep and a single deep clean, the device hasn’t shown any signs of significant wear, even after consistent use.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best for Bedrooms

Crane Warm and Cool Mist Top Fill Humidifier

Setup5/5
Effectiveness4.9/5
Design4.7/5
Ease of Maintenance4/5
It’s extremely quiet and has a suite of customizable settings.

It’s extremely quiet and has a suite of customizable settings.

The remote control didn’t work consistently, and there are extra cleaning steps.

The remote control didn’t work consistently, and there are extra cleaning steps.

This silent humidifier is the perfect choice for light sleepers or infants. While the average decibel reading across all the humidifiers we tested was 47.6 dBA, the Crane Warm and Cool Mist Top Fill Humidifier measured just 40.1 dBA on its high setting. In addition to being extremely quiet, it has bonus features such as a remote, essential oil diffuser, built-in hygrometer, warm and cool mist settings, night mode, auto mode, adjustable mist cap, and a timer.

The setup had the unusual step of cleaning and air drying the ceramic ball filter, which can take up to six hours. However, the overall setup was easy, and the instructions were clear.

Throughout the high setting portion of the test, we could tell the air in the room felt more humid and the room felt slightly warmer. Though the reservoir isn’t see-through, a red indicator light turned on when the water level was low so we knew when it was ready for a refill.

The remote control was initially one of the features we were most excited about. However, the remote was not functional as we had trouble changing the settings from the remote, even when standing directly next to the humidifier.

We appreciated the removable 1.2 gallon water tank, which made it easier to refill and clean the device. Keep in mind that this unit required more cleaning than most models we tested as water collected in nooks and crannies beneath the removable tank. The manufacturer recommended daily rinsing between use, and a weekly soak in a water-vinegar mix for 20 minutes followed by a rinse and wipe-down with a cloth. In addition, the ceramic filter requires care after every 30 uses.

How It Performed After Two Months

The humidifier has held up well during at-home testing. One thing to keep in mind is that the larger capacity makes this pick heavier than most, especially once it’s filled. But the built-in handle helps when carrying it to and from the sink.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best for Large Rooms

Levoit Smart Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier

Setup5/5
Effectiveness5/5
Design4.5/5
This humidifier offers useful settings, including a sleep mode and a built-in hygrometer.

This humidifier offers useful settings, including a sleep mode and a built-in hygrometer.

The design is clunky and difficult to clean.

The design is clunky and difficult to clean.

Like many Levoit models, this is a smart humidifier that you can link to the Vesync app to monitor humidity and set schedules and timers. It will also integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The humidifier’s settings, including a sleep mode, built-in hygrometer, and warm and cool mist options, can also be controlled through the device’s intuitive display.

The warm mist is created by heating water internally and combining it with cool water. This mixture turns into a fine mist and is released at a safe temperature of 86°F to 120°F. The warmed mist can disperse more easily than cool mist, covering a larger area more quickly.

The humidifier instructions were clear, and the parts were clearly labeled. To assemble, we simply put together the base, tube, water tank and lid together. One design feature we loved was the top-fill, making it easy to add water. We were impressed by how quiet this humidifier was; in fact, it ran so quietly on the low setting that we had to keep checking if it was turned on. On the high setting, it was a bit louder but still extremely quiet.

One drawback is that the design isn’t as sleek as other options, and we felt it did not blend into our space as well as other humidifiers we tested. Though the top fill design made it easy to clean the majority of the humidifier, the unit had a lot of nooks and crannies inside that were difficult to clean.

How It Performed After Two Months

The humidifier continues to perform well in our home, and we haven’t noticed any change in quality. With regular cleaning, there hasn’t been any mineral buildup in the tank. We appreciate that the device is light enough to carry to and from the sink for filling and cleaning.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best for Plants

Levoit OasisMist Smart Humidifier

Setup5/5
Effectiveness5/5
Design5/5
Ease of Maintenance4/5
You can control this humidifier remotely through its app so you can take care of your plants even while you’re on vacation.

You can control this humidifier remotely through its app so you can take care of your plants even while you’re on vacation.

The aromatherapy pads don’t provide as strong of a scent as we expected.

The aromatherapy pads don’t provide as strong of a scent as we expected.

Most houseplants come from warm and humid tropical jungles. To help your houseplants thrive, you can use a humidifier to help recreate your plant’s natural environment. The Levoit Oasis Mist is a smart humidifier that stood out due to its free app with features designed for plant care. The Vesync app allowed us to create watering and fertilizing schedules and set reminders. For budding plant enthusiasts, it even had plant identification and gardening advice features.

A built-in sensor allows you to set the desired humidity level, and the OasisMist automatically turns on or off to stay at a consistent level. The humidifier will also send alerts from the app to your phone if the water level is low. In addition to the app, this humidifier is also compatible with Amazon Alexa. Even though this humidifier is tech-heavy, it is easy to use. We especially appreciated the intuitive display panel.

Other features include a sleep mode with a night light, a rotating nozzle that controls the direction of the mist, and an essential oil diffuser. A large opening on the top makes the tank easy to refill and clean. Featuring a large 6-liter water tank, the humidifier can run for 60 hours.

The humidifier came pre-assembled, so we were able to simply fill it with distilled water and let it run. The humidifier is less sleek than some others we tested, but we still found it to be relatively slim and attractive in person. Cleaning wasn’t difficult—there are a few removable parts that can be cleaned separately and the tank is wide enough to reach into and wipe clean.

How It Performed After Six Months

We’re still impressed with this humidifier after six months of regular use. The only issue we’ve found is that the aromatherapy pads don’t create much of a noticeable scent, though we think they could be saturated more for a stronger effect.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK