Best Humidifier Expert Buyers Guide 2024

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A humidifier is the only real solution for if you are struggling with a lack of moisture in the air at your home. You may wonder how this could be the case, but a lack of moisture in the air can cause breathing and skin problems if you are exposed to the environment for too long. There can be many cases of this – the time of year, the location where you live or just the type of home in which you live – but there is only one real solution and that is a good quality humidifier.

It may even be that the humidifier is not for you, but for your house plants. House plants are becoming increasingly popular and often need a lot more moisture in the air than we would. By positioning a humidifier close to your plants for at least a few hours a day, you can promote healthy growth and care of your plants.

Whatever reason you have for wanting to purchase a humidifier, it is our job to help you find one that is going to be best – here is what we have to offer…

Best Pick – Levoit 6 Litre

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In A Hurry?

If you know that a humidifier is what you need and you are struggling with breathing difficulties over the cold winter months when there is less moisture in the air, then look no further. Here you will find the best humidifiers available at the moment and all the key features that you need to look out for when buying! 

Warm or Cool Mist? 

Humidifiers tend to come under two categories – warm mist or cool mist. It is important that you opt for the right one for what you need, as the wrong one could make your allergies or breathing problems worse rather than better. 

Warm Mist

Warm mist humidifiers work by heating the water in the tank to release the warm mist – as you would find in a sauna. These have many benefits as the fact that they are heating the water to boiling point means that they are going to be killing off a lot of the water-based bacteria and mould. The fact that the water has been heated also helps to encourage the moisture saturation that you can achieve from the water in the air, reducing congestion and improving breathing. However, if you suffer from allergies or asthma, then this may not be the best route for you, as the warm air can increase the potential for dust mites, which can exacerbate allergies. 

SAFETY TIP: If you opt for a warm mist humidifier then make sure to keep it at a height where it will be safe away from children and pets as the water inside is going to be at boiling point. 

Cool Mist

Your second option is a cool mist humidifier. Don’t panic that these are going to be making your room particularly cold – because that really isn’t the case – they will actually just be blowing out air at room temperature. The way that they put the water into this air is done in two different ways depending on the machine. The more simple option is to send the water over a wick, with a filter which will then send out the evaporated particles. A more complex option is when the machine uses vibrations to create a mist which can then be blown into the air – these are known as ultrasonic humidifiers. The main benefit of cool mist options is that they are going to be better for anyone with allergies, as they won’t increase the harmful spores in the air. They also use much less electricity as you aren’t having to heat the water – which is also going to make them safer for you if you are around children and pets. 

Style and Size 

There are a variety of different styles of humidifiers that you will be able to choose from – and sizes too – so this really comes down to personal preference. 

We will start off looking at the size. The size of your humidifier is going to determine how much water it is able to hold at one time (so how frequently you are going to have to top this up) and also where you are going to be able to position it. Smaller models will fit perfectly on a shelf in your home, whereas larger models are going to be able to sit on the floor and will be able to work with much larger rooms. We found that sizes (for domestic models) ranged from around 15cm x 15cm, all the way up to around 50cm x 30cm. 

When looking at the style of your humidifier, you will have an even wider variety to choose from! Some will be modern and angular in design so are made to stand out in your home, whereas others are designed to look more like a piece of furniture and blend in with your home. Some achieve this by using wooden frames which hide all the clever mechanical workings of the machine. 

We particularly like humidifiers that come with built-in lighting – these offer a real relaxing glow and can provide ambient lighting to your room whilst they are working! Some will offer warm glow lighting for a warmer, relaxing light whereas others will offer bolder white or blue lighting to help your humidifier stand out. 

Power

Most humidifiers are going to be mains powered, which means that they will need plugging in to be able to work. There are many benefits to this – to begin with they are going to be more reliable and more powerful, thanks to the constant power source. You will also tend to find that they will have more features as well. But, it may be that you don’t want a model where the wire is going to be on show, or maybe the room that you want your humidifier to be in doesn’t have a plug socket close by, in which case you are going to need a battery powered model. If this is the case, make sure to opt for one that is going to be quick and easy to charge with a long battery life. 

TOP TIP: If you do opt for a model that is mains powered then change the length of the power cable as this will give you much more flexibility in where you position your humidifier. 

Best Budget – H2O Humidifier

Sale
Vintoney Humidifiers, 500ML Humidifier for Bedroom with Night Light, Humidifiers for Home and Plants, Humidifiers for Baby with 10~16 Working Hours, Waterless Auto-Off, for Home Baby Office
  • 【Adjustable Mist Modes & Light Modes】Long-press the light button to turn on the warm light, the second time long-press, the light will be changed into breathing light, the third time long-press, the light will be turned off. Enjoy even, non-flickering light for stress-free work and relaxation. Intermittent Mist(3 seconds on/2 seconds off), Continuous Mist, Lights only. You can easily press the Mist button to choose the modes which you like.
  • 【Ultrasonic Quiet Operation】Vintoney humidifiers Less than 28 dB quiet atmosphere can create a quieter sleeping environment. The humidifier can humidify your living space to prevent dry, stuffy air and flu/cold germs infecting your loved ones. Prevent dry and chapped skin in dry winter months.
  • 【Powered By Usb /Waterless Auto-Off】The cool-mist humidifiers powered by USB Adapter( NOT battery-operated, the USB cable is included, USB Adapter is NOT included). The humidifiers will automatically shut off when water runs out, no need to worry about causing danger to your family or damaging the device itself, safer than a regular humidifier.
  • 【500ml Large Capacity & Large Spray】Vintoney humidifiers with tank capacity is 500ml, up to 10-16 hours working time. The large volume of 500ml and the fine spray are used to increase the air humidity. And improve the air quality in a medium sized bedroom, living room or any other rooms.
  • 【Quality Material & Warm Gift】Humidifier is constructed with the finest durable materials that provides long-lasting usability . A great gift for your families and friends on Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, New Year, Birthday, or other important days.

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Cleaning

It is important to consider how easy it is going to be to clean your humidifier! Your humidifier is going to need cleaning regularly, as failing to do this will lead to you just sending more bacteria and mould into the air. Rather than curing colds and coughs you will just be making them worse! This means that you need a humidifier that is going to be easy to clean, as otherwise you just won’t make the time to clean it! 

Some of the best models actually have cleaning functions that will clean most of the parts of the humidifier themselves. Models that you need to clean yourself are going to need to be easy to separate and take apart so that you can access the water tank etc. 

Finally, make sure that the filters are going to be easy to remove and clean. These are going to help you remove any dirt and debris from the water particles that are being sent into the air. This does mean that they are going to need cleaning probably every couple of months (Depending on how often you use your humidifier). They will also need replacing occasionally too – check with the manufacturer guidelines as to how often and how easy this is going to be to do. 

TOP TIP: Some models will come with replacement filters for your humidifier which is going to save you time and money as they will be ready for as soon as you need them! 

Humidifier Noise

It is definitely worth checking the noise of your humidifier – particularly if it is going to be used in one of the main rooms of the house that you are going to use regularly! Humidifiers that use vibrations are going to be louder than warm mist models that just release the steam, but it is still worth checking exactly how loud they are actually going to be. This is almost always advertised in decibels so can be compared easily when you are shopping. 

The Best Humidifier Features 

Once you have decided on the style and type of humidifier that is going to be best for you and your home, you can start looking at the more complex features that are worth considering. If you are wanting to buy the best humidifier for your home so that you can breathe easy – then keep reading. 

  • Stationary or Portable – It is worth thinking about whether you want your humidifier to stay in one place or whether you are going to need it to move around into different rooms or even different buildings with you. Some larger models will come with wheels, whereas others will come with handles to allow you to move the device with ease! 
  • Humidistat – This clever little device is only going to be found in the best humidifiers. They are there to measure how much moisture there is in the air of the room that your machine is situated. This will then control how much moisture they let out into the air automatically, switching off when the room reaches perfect level. So you won’t need to worry about your room turning into a sauna. 
  • Water tank size – This is going to determine how often you are needing to refill your tank, a larger tank is definitely going to make your life easier, but it is going to mean a bigger overall machine. You also want to look at how easy it is going to be to refill your tank – the best ways are through a simple funnel on the top of the machine. Tanks tend to range from around 1L up to around 3.5L for most domestic models.
  • Refill warning – Some of the best humidifiers will come with a warning light for when your tank is running low, which helps to avoid the chance of you running the machine on an empty tank (as this can cause damage). Others won’t have a warning light but will come with a transparent tank so that you can clearly see how much water you have left. 
  • Settings – Many more simple humidifier designs will purely be a case of filling with water and switching on, but some designs are more complex than this. We found some models that allow you to set the speed and amount of moisture that you want being pumped into the air. Some even have time settings so that you can choose when you want the humidifier to come on and off. 

Best of the Rest

LEVOIT Humidifiers for Home Bedroom, Top-Fill Cool Mist Essential Oil Diffuser Air Humidifier for Baby Room, Plants, Quiet Sleep Mode, Auto-Off, Easy Clean, BPA Free, 1.8L Up to 20 Hours, 24㎡
  • Intelligent Sleep Mode: Sleep Mode turns off all display lights and uses a built-in humidity sensor to automatically maintain a comfortable humidity level to let you sleep soundly.
  • The 2-in-1 Humidifier & Diffuser: The Dual 100 acts as both a humidifier and a diffuser, so you can pair essential oils with the humidifier's mist to spread your favorite fragrances throughout the room.
  • Top-Fill Design: Remove the lid to add cool water directly into the water tank, making refills and cleaning easier than the traditional humidifiers.
  • Quietest in the World: Sleep soundly as the near-silent ultrasonic cool mist technology generates less than 28 dB, which is quieter than a library.
  • Spiral Air Duct Technology: Turns water into a fine mist that spreads throughout a larger area in a shorter amount of time without fogging the room or wetting the floor.

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Sale
Pro Breeze® 3.8L Large Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier - Large Water Tank Capacity, Works For Up To 48 Hours, Aroma Diffuser Tray, Night Light and Auto Shut-Off
  • Ultrasonic Cool Mist: This Pro Breeze humidifier safely releases moisture into the air for up to 48 hours, helping you to breathe easier and enjoy a better night’s sleep – The fully adjustable dial lets you choose the perfect speed for cool soothing mist to be released into your room.
  • Integrated Ceramic Filter: A ceramic ball filtration system removes impurities from the water before it is vaporised, providing you with clean hydrating mist that relieves cold and flu symptoms, dry skin & prevents dry sinuses.
  • Led Night Light: At the click of button your humidifier can turn into a relaxing night light perfect for children's and babies' bedrooms. – The fully 360° rotating nozzle allows you to direct cool mist into any direction you desire, making it perfect for bedrooms, kitchens and other medium sized rooms.
  • Up To 48 Hours Continuous Operation: The large 3.8 L water tank allows the humidifier to run continuously between 20 to 48 hours, depending on the mist setting. The whisper quiet operation allows it to be on all night without causing a disturbance, making it a great choice for both children’s and adults' bedrooms.
  • Removable Tray For Essential Oils: Add essential oils to the removable tray to create a scented mist that fills your room with a soothing aroma. The humidifier is also designed with an auto shut off function for when water levels are too low, allowing you to leave it on overnight worry free.

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

SmartDevil Humidifiers 500ml Cool Mist Humidifier Air Humidifier Whisper Quiet USB Humidifier with Night Light, Waterless Auto Shut-Off, for Home Baby Bedroom, Yoga, Office, Travel
  • 1.【Whisper Quiet & Night Light Function】 Silence operation below 30dB allows you to sleep easily in a comfortable and quiet environment. There are two modes of night light function, constant light mode & breathing light mode(Long press the button to control).
  • 2.【Large Capacity & Large Spray】 The liquid water is atomized into micron-sized water particles by ultrasonic vibration. The large volume of 500ml and the fine spray are used to increase the air humidity. It is a good companion for air-conditioned rooms.
  • 3.【Waterless Auto-Off & Powered by USB】 The humidifiers will automatically shut off when water runs out. This USB humidifier is powered by USB cable(interface of computer, laptop, adapter, power bank). No AC Adapter in box, one USB cable is included.
  • 4.【Two Spray Modes】 This cool mist humidifier contains two spray modes: continuous spray & intermittent spray. First single press mist button to start the continuous mist mode; Second press mist button to switch to intermittent mode. The duration of the spray can last up to 12 hours and the intermittent spray can last up to 18 hours.
  • 5.【Quality Materials & Warm Gifts】 SmartDevil Desktop Humidifier is made from the finest durable ABS material to provide long-lasting usability. It is designed to perfectly match every occasion. A great gift for men or women on important days such as birthdays, holidays and housewarming.

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Frequently Asked Questions 

Will humidifiers come with a warranty?

Yes! All good quality humidifiers are going to come with a warranty. This ranges from around 6 months up to around 2 years depending on the model. It is important to make sure what this covers, as many warranties will be invalidated if you have the machine switched on without any water in it. 

Why do people use humidifiers? 

Many people use humidifiers for the health benefits. These include improved breathing, reduction in dried skin and lips as well as relieving dry sinuses. However, there are many people that also use humidifiers for their plants to increase the moisture in the air!

Can you leave a humidifier on over night?

Providing the humidifier is in a safe location then there is no reason why it cannot be left on over night. There are also benefits to sleeping with a humidifier on, including improvements in skin condition and breathing.

About Thomas Paxton 368 Articles
Hey there, I'm Thomas Paxton, your Tool Guru with a Twist! I've been knee-deep in the world of tools since I was a little tinkerer in my dad's shed. Now, I'm running my own website where I share my passion for tools and gardening products through buyers guides and insightful tips. I've got the knowledge and experience to break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand language. I purchased Tools Review from Mike Jones at the start of 2023, he has done a sterling job of building the site and I hope I can continue in his success! When I'm not writing guides, you'll find me in my garden or garage, putting my skills to work and pushing the boundaries of creativity. So, whether you're a pro or just starting out, join me on this adventure, and let's conquer DIY projects together!

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