As a parent, you want to create the ideal environment for your little one. Before they're even born, you might spend hours deciding on a paint color, filling the nursery with soft toys and books, or searching for yet another corner of your home that needs babyproofing. And when they finally arrive, there's no shortage of practical concerns. Is it too cool, too warm, too dark, too bright, too loud, or maybe even too quiet? What about too dry? Finding the right humidity level for your baby's room can help keep them comfy, care for sensitive skin, and give you peace of mind when they get the sniffles. To do that, you'll need the right humidifier.
When searching for the best humidifier for baby use, you likely want to start by narrowing your search down to cool mist humidifiers. The alternative, a warm-mist model, heats the water inside to a boiling or near-boiling temperature, which is a safety concern for babies, especially once they're mobile. It's also important to find an option that can effectively humidify your space, whether it's a cozy nursery, spacious bedroom, or larger living area. Plus, it should be able to run for at least a full night, be easy to clean, quiet, and probably include an auto-off function for peace of mind. You might want to consider models with app control for remote operation or a built-in humidistat so that the device can automatically maintain your chosen humidity level, too.
We've tested 20 models, and below are our recommendations for the best humidifiers for babies based on their performance, price, and feature sets.
If you're looking for a more general overview of the market, check out our picks for the best humidifiers or the best humidifiers for bedrooms. Conversely, if some rooms in your home are too humid for your little one, see our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers.
Our humidifier recommendations come from our independent reviews. We purchase each model through major retailers, just like you would; no manufacturer provided samples or data points here. We use a data-oriented approach to testing humidifier performance. Each model goes through the same suite of tests, and the results are verified by multiple teams, so you can easily compare models with each other, regardless of price or features.
Want to learn more? Check out our About Us page.
-
Best Baby Humidifier
Bedroom8.8Cleaning9.5Noise:Type:UltrasonicMist Temperature:CoolHumidistat:NoSee all our test resultsRuntime:10 hrsThe best baby humidifier we've tested is the Carepod One. This high-end ultrasonic cool-mist unit stands out for its streamlined, easy-to-clean design. Only five parts need regular cleaning, and except the oscillator, all are dishwasher safe. You can even fill the stainless steel tank with water, add the top plate, and set it directly on the stove to boil for quick and easy sterilization. Despite this model's compact size, its humidification capacity is enough for most nurseries and bedrooms, and while its 10-hour runtime is a bit short, it features an auto-off function, so it won't need babysitting. Plus, its whisper-quiet operation won't wake a sleeping infant or add to the chaos during crying spells, though this is true of most ultrasonic humidifiers.
Unfortunately, this is a very expensive device, and despite that, it's a pretty spartan option. Apart from its auto-off function and a timer, there are no extra features to speak of. For example, it doesn't include a humidistat or app control, which would make for a more hands-off user experience. Still, it's an efficient option that offers peace of mind to parents and caregivers.
If you're having difficulty finding this humidifier through major retailers, you can purchase it directly from Carepod's website.
-
Best Mid-Range Baby Humidifier
Bedroom8.2Cleaning7.5Noise:Type:UltrasonicMist Temperature:CoolHumidistat:NoSee all our test resultsRuntime:6 hrsThe Vitruvi Cloud is another solid option at a more wallet-friendly price point. Of course, compared to the pricier Carepod One, there are a couple of big downsides. While this model is quite easy to clean, it doesn't match the ease of the Carepod; only its water tank is dishwasher-safe, and its narrow shape means it has some hard-to-reach crevices that are tough to clean properly. At just six hours on high, its runtime is very short, and it can't quite compete with the humidification capacity of our top pick either. That said, it'll still effectively humidify large nurseries, bedrooms, or even most living rooms, and once its tank runs dry, it'll turn off automatically.
This humidifier is also compact enough to fit on a dresser or nightstand and quiet enough to run during naptime. Plus, it has some convenience features that make it ideal for baby and toddler bedrooms. There's a night mode that turns off the machine's lights, a spout that rotates 360 degrees so you can direct the mist where you like, and the option to add a few drops of (baby-safe) essential oils. While it doesn't feature a built-in humidistat to maintain a chosen humidity level or app control for remote operation, it does have some convenient timers that make it a bit more hands-off.
-
Best Budget Baby Humidifier
Bedroom7.9Cleaning6.0Noise:Type:UltrasonicMist Temperature:CoolHumidistat:YesSee all our test resultsRuntime:38 hrsThe best nursery humidifier we've tested in the budget range is the Levoit Classic 300S. Despite its modest price, this humidifier has some convenience features that the pricier options here don't. It has a built-in humidistat and offers access to the VeSync companion app, which allows you to control the humidifier remotely; this is handy if you want to turn it on without waking a sleeping baby. Like the Vitruvi Cloud, you'll also find a rotating nozzle on this model and a sleep setting that turns off the display. Conversely, you can turn on its nightlight for a soft glow. There's also a separate tray for essential oils, and with a 38-hour runtime, you can use it to add a fragrant mist to the room around the clock. When it finally runs dry, the machine will automatically turn off.
While this model is packed with features, there are a couple of downsides. It has the lowest humidification capacity on the list, though it's still more than enough for the average nursery or bedroom, and it's a pain to clean. None of its components are dishwasher safe, and the water tank has a few tight spots that are tricky to reach. That said, if you're willing to give it a proper scrub pretty regularly, you won't need to check in on this smart appliance much during operation.
-
Best Cheap Baby Humidifier
Bedroom7.8Cleaning7.0Noise:Type:UltrasonicMist Temperature:CoolHumidistat:NoSee all our test resultsRuntime:19 hrsIf you're looking for a great baby humidifier at an affordable price, check out the Crane Adorable. As its name hints, this model is designed for babies, toddlers, and kids. It comes in a whole bunch of animal shapes, including a fox, penguin, sheep, and even Hello Kitty, so you can pick an option that matches your little one's room. Of course, there are some downsides compared to the more expensive options above. It can't match the humidification capacity or simple maintenance of the Carepod or the Vitruvi, though; it performs better than Levoit Classic 300S on both accounts. It also lacks the Levoit humidifier's quality-of-life features—you won't find a humidistat or access to a companion app.
Still, there's a lot to love in this kid-friendly model. On its highest setting, it'll run for 19 hours, more than enough to get you through a full night. And, if it does run dry, its auto-off feature will kick in, adding peace of mind. Overall, it's a simple option but still a solid (and very cute) choice.
Notable Mentions
-
Crane Droplet:
Like the Crane Adorable, the Crane Droplet is a budget-friendly ultrasonic cool-mist humidifier with a cute design. This water-droplet-shaped model is quieter than its sibling but offers less humidification capacity and a shorter 15-hour runtime.
See our review -
Vicks VEV400:
The Vicks VEV400 is an affordable evaporative cool-mist humidifier. It's noticeably louder than the ultrasonic models on this list and doesn't have an auto-off function. However, if you don't mind these concessions, it's a compact option that can run for over 30 hours. Like many Vicks humidifiers, you can add a menthol-scented pad to the unit for a fragrant mist.
See our review
All Reviews
These recommendations are some of the best humidifiers for your baby on the market. We factor in price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
That said, there is no single best option that will suit every home or every family; your needs will depend on your budget, the size of your living space, your tolerance for operating noise, and whether you like having a device with convenience features like Wi-Fi connectivity or a humidistat. If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our humidifier reviews.