Best Overall
Vicks EasyCare+ TopFill Ultrasonic Humidifier
- This option is easy to use and refill, is quiet, and can be used with Vicks VapoPads, Vapo Steam, or essential oils for aromatherapy.
This option is easy to use and refill, is quiet, and can be used with Vicks VapoPads, Vapo Steam, or essential oils for aromatherapy.
- The low setting doesn’t produce as much noticeable humidity as the high setting.
The low setting doesn’t produce as much noticeable humidity as the high setting.
The Vicks EasyCare+ is the best cool mist humidifier for a number of reasons, not least of which is the easy set up process. We found the instructions easy to follow and appreciated how simple it was to add essential oil into the opening at the top of the lid for a bit of aromatherapy. Thanks to the clear tank, it’s easy to see when you need to refill it with water. And because it’s a top-fill option, you can take it right to the sink or pour distilled water directly into the top when it’s ready for a refill.
The humidifier noticeably increased humidity in the room within just 30 minutes on the high setting. The humidity levels didn’t feel noticeably higher when the machine was on low. While running on low, the humidifier didn’t pull much water. When running on high, the humidifier used more water, but the tank was still about half full after we ran the unit for three hours, meaning you won’t constantly be refilling this model.
Both the high and low settings were so quiet that we only noticed quiet dripping and whirring sounds when standing right next to it. And the humidifier was easy to clean, with no visible limescale or pink mold buildup. We noticed our nasal passages weren’t as dry and some mild congestion cleared after using a combination of the humidifier and essential oils.
How It Performed After Six Months
When testing the humidifier at home, the water tank lasted us an average of two nights. We appreciated that the small size allowed the device to fit under our bathroom faucet, and with regular maintenance, we didn’t find any mineral buildup.
Product Details: Type: Ultrasonic | Room size: 250 square feet | Capacity: 0.6 gallons | Dimensions: 8.6x8.5x8.6 inches | Run time: Up to 24 hours
Key Terms to Know
- Ultrasonic: Most cool mist humidifiers operate using this technology, which releases a fine mist into the air through high-frequency vibrations.
- Evaporative: This type of humidifier draws water into a wick, or filter, then uses a fan to turn the water into vapor.
- Hygrometer: A device that measures humidity levels. Some humidifiers include a built-in hygrometer, and we used an external device to measure effectiveness throughout our tests.
- THE VICKS EASYCARE AND TOP FILL ULTRASONIC HUMIDIFIER IS EASY TO SET UP AND USE, AND CHANGES THE AIR NOTICEABLY IN JUST 30 MINUTES. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Budget
Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
- A top-fill tank, sizable capacity, and diffuser make this a feature-rich humidifier that’s also wallet-friendly.
A top-fill tank, sizable capacity, and diffuser make this a feature-rich humidifier that’s also wallet-friendly.
- Though easy enough, cleaning the model took 50 minutes.
Though easy enough, cleaning the model took 50 minutes.
On the hunt for a budget-friendly humidifier? This Levoit model features a top-fill tank for ease of use, includes an essential oil diffuser, can hold up to 0.79 gallons of water, and can rotate 360 degrees. It sounds a bit too good to be true, but trust us when we say it’s definitely real.
It earned top marks for effectiveness, and we noticed an immediate increase in the room’s humidity while on the high setting. The low setting still added moisture to the air, though it wasn’t quite as noticeable. Both settings were quiet, with only a subtle sound of water bubbling when we stood nearby.
The water tank holds up to 0.79 gallons. During our tests, we were able to run the humidifier for eight hours on both high and low without needing to refill the tank.
Cleaning the humidifier was a bit more involved with the filter, sound silencer, and float needing to be disassembled and soaked in vinegar for 20 minutes. We spent a total of 50 minutes cleaning and reassembling the humidifier. Though a simple process, it was a bit more time-consuming overall.
How it Performed After Six Months
When using the humidifier in our bedroom, it was quiet enough that we never heard it over our white noise machine. In our weekly cleanings, we sometimes noticed a slight discoloration in the tank, which wiped off easily and was likely caused by our tap water.
Product Details: Type: Ultrasonic | Room size: 290 square feet | Capacity: 0.79 gallons | Dimensions: 8.6x8.5x8.6 inches | Run time: Up to 25 hours
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Splurge
Dyson Purifier Humidify + Cool Autoreact
- It doubles as an air purifier.
It doubles as an air purifier.
- The water tank may leak when being pulled out of the unit, and a deep clean may take an hour or more.
The water tank may leak when being pulled out of the unit, and a deep clean may take an hour or more.
Dyson is known for its advanced technology, and that is evident in their Humidify+ Cool Autoreact humidifier as well. In addition to adding moisture to the air, this model also acts as an air purifier. Not only that, but the Dyson runs the water used through a UV light to remove bacteria before humidifying the room. This even removes mineral buildup, making clean up a bit easier.
Though we found the setup process pretty simple, it actually took us more time to download and read through the owner’s manual to learn about all the features and how to operate the humidifier than to put the device together.
The device has a sizable capacity—even when run on the high setting for eight hours, the tank wasn’t completely empty. When running on low, the humidifier was extremely quiet, but the high setting produced a louder noise, though it was comparable to a fan and quickly faded into background noise. While the wheeled water tank made refills convenient, we observed water pooled on the lid, which then spilled onto the carpet. This occurred each time, so you’ll want to be cautious pulling the water tank out and wipe up any spills immediately.
Deep cleaning the model took us an hour and 20 minutes and the included instructions weren’t clear, so we had to research it online. In addition, Dyson recommends deep-cleaning the unit with citric acid, which adds a bit of extra cost.
The unit displays air quality and humidity levels, plus it gives you the option of 45- or 90-degree oscillation or no oscillation, similar to a fan. It also comes with HEPA and carbon air purifier filters and a magnetized remote control for convenient storage right on the unit itself. While it comes at a splurge—nearly $800—if you’re looking for a sleek, feature-rich unit, the Dyson is worth the investment.
How It Performed After Six Months
When testing this all-in-one unit at home, our dry mouth and scratchy throat were reduced, and we measured around an average 15 percent change in humidity. Despite the unit’s large size, the handle on the water tank made it easy to take to our kitchen sink for filling. However, it won’t fit in small, shallow sinks, so it may be tricky to fill in some homes.
Product Details: Type: Evaporative | Room size: 871 square feet | Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 11x36x12 inches | Run time: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best for Bedrooms
Vicks 3-in-1 SleepyTime Humidifier
- It has a built-in night-light and can be used with Vicks VapoPads.
It has a built-in night-light and can be used with Vicks VapoPads.
- Overfilling the water tank is easy to do, and the high setting may add too much humidity, depending on your room size and preferences.
Overfilling the water tank is easy to do, and the high setting may add too much humidity, depending on your room size and preferences.
Using a humidifier in your bedroom can be especially beneficial if you’re experiencing allergies or a cold, and we recommend the Vicks 3-in-1 Sleepy Time Humidifier. It can easily humidify rooms up to 300 square feet, plus the model comes with a Vicks VapoPad, which can help ease congestion. We noted the Vicks scent started off strong but faded by the end of the day, so we switched to three to four drops of essential oils in the tank for a more consistent, longer-lasting scent.
This unit increased the room’s humidity by an average of 15 percent over three days of testing on its low setting. It also used less than 2 cups of water per day, which is impressive given the increase in moisture levels we observed. After three days on the high setting, the average humidity increase was an even more impressive 42 percent when measured in the same spot.
Both settings produced a low level of noise which was comparable to a sound machine used for sleeping. We ran the humidifier for eight hours before it needed a refill, and we enjoyed the night-light feature, which has seven color options and could be especially fun for a child’s bedroom.
Refills are a snap since you simply pour water in, and it’s easy to see when the tank needs a refill. However, it was tricky for us to see when the tank was at capacity while refilling, so we overfilled it a few times. It’s also important to note that the tank’s cap takes up a bit of space, so you’ll want to leave a few centimeters of air in the tank rather than filling it to the brim with water.
While cleaning, we didn’t see any visible mold or limescale on the unit. It’s a small tank, so it’s easier and quicker to clean—use vinegar to give the tank a good soak for up to 20 minutes and rinse it thoroughly, then wipe down the base.
How It Performed After Six Months
We found this device best for one-off uses, like when you or a family member are dealing with a cold. At its highest setting, the water capacity didn’t last through the night, and the small tank means you’ll need to refill the device every day. However, the small size made refilling and cleaning a breeze, as it fit in a shallow bathroom sink.
Product Details: Type: Ultrasonic | Room size: 100 to 300 square feet | Capacity: 0.6 gallons | Dimensions: 8.6x8.23x8.15 inches | Run time: Up to 24 hours
- THE TOP OF THE UNIT IS EASY TO LIFT OFF TO FILL THE 0.6-GALLON WATER TANK WITH WATER. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Large Rooms
Lacidoll Cool Mist Ultrasonic Whole House Humidifier
- This humidifier includes an essential oil diffuser tray, and can easily be refilled simply by pouring water into the top of the unit.
This humidifier includes an essential oil diffuser tray, and can easily be refilled simply by pouring water into the top of the unit.
- The tank only has a 4-inch window, which doesn’t let you see when it is getting empty.
The tank only has a 4-inch window, which doesn’t let you see when it is getting empty.
Larger spaces call for a humidifier than can handle more square feet, like the Lacidoll whole-house humidifier. It includes a diffuser tray for essential oils and can handle up to 1,000 square feet, much larger than many of the other models out there. With a capacity of over four gallons, it’s a cinch to refill the tank—just pour water into the top of the unit.
Setting up this humidifier was quick and easy, and the high setting immediately increased the humidity levels within the first hour. However, it also meant the air was thicker and heavier in the room, so you may not want to place this in a small space. By day two on high, a hygrometer reading showed an increase of 54 percent humidity.
We observed a few differences between the tube versus the cover. The cover only increased humidity for the first four hours of use, whereas the tube increased humidity throughout the day. On low with the mist cover, the humidity actually dropped by one percentage point at 10 feet away. Using the mist tube, humidity increased by 62 percent on day two. Both settings were very quiet.
The tank’s viewing window is rather small at four inches, so you may not be able to tell when the tank is empty. Yet even on high, the humidifier only used about a quarter of its 4.2-gallon capacity. We found it easy to operate using either the digital display or the remote control, which both operate a 12-hour timer that comes in handy at bedtime. No mold was visible when cleaning the unit, and this humidifier comes with a UV light for sterilizing water.
How It Performed After Six Months
We were able to run this humidifier for three to four days without refilling the tank. Even when running the humidifier on low, it produced enough vapor to make a noticeable difference. The large capacity does have its downsides though, as we had to dump out a large amount of water that went unused as the weather changed. Plus, checking the water level required opening the tank, which was an inconvenience. Despite a few downsides, we still recommend the humidifier for large spaces.
Product Details: Type: Ultrasonic | Room size: Up to 1,000 square feet | Capacity: 4.2 gallons | Dimensions: 11.22x26.85x11.22 inches | Run time: Up to 60 hours
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Dual Mist
Levoit OasisMist Smart Humidifier
- This humidifier connects to an app to set timers and adjust its settings,
This humidifier connects to an app to set timers and adjust its settings,
- It held onto bacteria more than the other models we tested.
It held onto bacteria more than the other models we tested.
Earning nearly perfect marks in all categories, this Levoit smart humidifier allows you to choose a cool or warm mist—also known as a dual-mist model. It comes assembled, so other than taking time to read the quick start guide, there was virtually no setup time required.
It also comes with a pop-out panel with an absorbent pad to diffuse your choice of essential oils, and both high and low settings diffused scent thoroughly. None of the settings were loud, and the humidifier’s display indicates which setting is selected by a set of lighted dots (one for low, two for medium, three for high).
On low, the humidifier used less than 6 cups of water (the tank holds about 19 cups in total) while it used less than 9 on high. We didn’t see any limescale, mold, or buildup, and it only took about six minutes to clean the unit. Descaling the tank took up to 40 minutes and 9 cups of vinegar to soak the tank, float pad, water filter, and noise silencer. However, when we tested the unit for bacteria using an agar plate, it held onto more bacteria than other models we tested.
Where this unit shines is its smart features and app connectivity. It allows you to set timers, change settings, and turn the machine on or off all through the app. And if you want to use a humidifier as part of your plant care routine, the app has a plant-identification feature, watering schedules, and reminders specifically for your plants.
How It Performed After Six Months
The device’s capacity continued to impress us throughout our long-term testing period, as it lasted us nearly 12 hours when filled to the top. Some film does form around the base, but we’ve found it easy to wipe away, and regular cleaning has been easy overall.
Product Details: Type: Ultrasonic | Room size: 430 square feet | Capacity: 1.18 gallons | Dimensions: 6x11.97x10.8 inches | Run time: Up to 45 hours
- THE HUMIDIFIER’S TANK CAN BE FILLED WITH ENOUGH WATER TO LAST NEARLY 12 HOURS. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Nurseries
Pure Enrichment PureBaby Cloud Humidifier
- This model’s cute cloud design includes a gentle night-light that’s perfect for sleeping little ones.
This model’s cute cloud design includes a gentle night-light that’s perfect for sleeping little ones.
- It isn’t as powerful as other humidifiers we tested.
It isn’t as powerful as other humidifiers we tested.
When it comes to babies and little ones, you’ll want something that’s easy to clean and that won’t be too loud, which is why the Pure Enrichment humidifier is our pick.
For use in a kid’s room, we appreciated the cloud-shaped unit and night-light feature that can be used even when you’re not running the humidifier. It only took us only five minutes to take apart, clean, and reassemble this model, even though there are some nooks and crannies, which the included brush took care of. We didn’t see limescale or mold, which offers some peace of mind for use around littles in the nursery.
While on high, we felt the cool mist but didn’t observe any moisture accumulation on surrounding furniture or objects. The humidity level didn’t change as much as we experienced with other humidifiers, but the extra moisture did make the room more comfortable.
Refilling the humidifier is simple, since you just need to remove the tank from the base, flip it over, remove the cap, and add water. Keep in mind, the frosted design can make it tricky to see the water line, and the opening is on the smaller side. But overall, we appreciated how clean and easy this process was, with only a few droplets of water to wipe up after refilling.
How It Performed After Six Months
The humidifier worked as expected throughout our long-term testing, and we noticed a difference in our congestion after using it overnight. However, the smaller opening did make it tricky to clean buildup, especially after letting it sit unused for a few weeks, so you’ll want to make sure to stay on top of cleaning and use distilled water.
Product Details: Type: Ultrasonic | Room size: 250 square feet | Capacity: 0.47 gallons | Dimensions: 9.8x6.8x5.5 inches | Run time: Up to 24 hours
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON