If you're dealing with dry air in your home and are suffering from itchy skin, irritated sinuses, or respiratory issues, it might be time to invest in a humidifier. The best humidifiers on the market will have a reasonably large capacity, include quality-of-life features like an auto-stop function or integrated humidistat, and be relatively easy to clean.
That said, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The best option depends on your budget, space, and whether you want a cool or warm mist unit. We've tested 20 humidifiers, and below are our recommendations for the best options based on their performance, price, and feature sets. We've also included an FAQ section at the end of the article to answer some basic humidifier-related queries. If you're shopping for a bedroom or nursery humidifier, you can also see our recommendations for the best bedroom humidifiers or the best baby humidifiers.
If you're concerned about your home's overall air quality, you can also check out our recommendations for the best air purifiers and the best dehumidifiers.
Quick Look
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.
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Best Humidifier
Home8.2Cleaning9.5Bedroom8.8Capacity7.9Humidifier Efficiency7.8TypeUltrasonicMist TemperatureCoolHumidistatNoSee all our test resultsRuntime10 hrsThe Carepod One is the best humidifier we've tested. This high-end ultrasonic cool-mist unit produces more than enough moisture for living rooms and larger bedrooms. However, its main attraction is its easy-to-clean design: there are only five main components to wash, and with the exception of its oscillator, all are dishwasher-safe. Plus, unlike most other humidifiers, there are no tight crevices or hard-to-reach spots. It's also incredibly quiet and power-efficient, a common characteristic of ultrasonic humidifiers.
Unfortunately, there's no getting around the fact that this is a fairly expensive device, especially considering the limited number of additional features. For example, there's no integrated humidistat that allows the unit to adjust its mist level in real-time, and no Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can't control the unit while away from home. Its max runtime of approximately 10 hours is also on the shorter end of the scale, though on the upside, it does have an auto-off function that'll power down the humidifier once its tank is empty. In addition, as with any ultrasonic humidifier, you should really only fill this unit's tank with distilled water to prevent white dust from being blown around.
If you can't find it through major retailers, you can purchase it directly from the manufacturer's website.
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Best Mid-Range Humidifier
Home7.0Cleaning4.5Bedroom7.3Capacity8.5Humidifier Efficiency8.0TypeUltrasonic & SteamMist TemperatureWarm/CoolHumidistatYesSee all our test resultsRuntime17 hrsCheck out the Levoit LV600S if you want a humidifier with more bells and whistles. Compared to the relatively spartan Carepod One, the Levoit is positively bursting at the seams with features. It features a built-in humidistat, allowing the device to automatically maintain your desired humidity level. Additionally, it offers Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control, support for the VeSync companion app to check air quality, and an essential oils tray for a scented mist. Not to mention, this hybrid ultrasonic and steam humidifier is capable of outputting cool or warm mist, which is helpful for hot and dry environments or cold and dry environments, respectively. Its humidification capacity is also higher than that of the Carepod model, allowing it to efficiently add moisture to larger spaces. As with the Carepod, we only recommend filling this unit's tank with distilled water.
That said, the Levoit has one big downside next to the Carepod: its difficult-to-clean design. There are almost 20 different components you'll have to wash periodically, none of which are dishwasher safe. There are also plenty of tight corners and hard-to-reach spots, some of which require a very thin sponge or a thin toothbrush to clean properly.
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Best Budget Humidifier
Home7.6Cleaning8.0Bedroom7.7Capacity7.1Humidifier Efficiency6.8TypeEvaporativeMist TemperatureCoolHumidistatNoSee all our test resultsRuntime28 hrsIf you're looking for an affordable way of getting rid of dry air in your home, the Vicks V3900 is among the best humidifiers we've tested. This compact unit isn't quite as easy to clean or as efficient as the Carepod One or nearly as feature-packed as the Levoit LV600S, but it has advantages that go beyond its budget-friendly price tag. For one thing, this humidifier can run for almost 30 hours with a full tank, and while it lacks an auto-off function, this is long enough that you won't have to worry about it running out of water too often. You can toggle between three different misting modes, and there's even a UV light bulb to help minimize bacteria and mold buildup within its water tank. Like many other Vicks humidifiers, you can also add Vicks VapoPads for a scented mist.
This humidifier's capacity falls behind pricier alternatives, and it might struggle to humidify efficiently, especially in large areas like open-concept apartments or living spaces. It's still well-suited to most bedrooms, offices, or college dorms, though. If capacity isn't an issue, but you're looking for a wider array of features, the Crane Droplet is a good option at a similar price.
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Best Warm Mist Humidifier
Home7.2Cleaning7.5Bedroom7.5Capacity8.1Humidifier Efficiency3.4TypeSteamMist TemperatureWarmHumidistatNoSee all our test resultsRuntime14 hrsIf you're interested in a warm-mist humidifier but don't need the added functionality of the higher-end hybrid Levoit LV600S, consider the Vicks V750. This humidifier has an easy-to-clean design, with only six components that need periodic cleaning. Three of those are dishwasher safe, saving you a bit of effort. Despite its relatively compact footprint, its humidification capacity is impressive, and it'll do just fine within larger living rooms or open-concept apartments. While it's a little noisier than the cool-mist units above, it's still fairly quiet overall and won't be much of a disturbance if you leave it running while you're listening to music, watching TV, or even sleeping.
While it lacks a humidistat and Wi-Fi connectivity, it still has a few added convenience features. If you want a scented mist, add Vicks VapoPads to the built-in tray and a liquid inhalant to the medicine cup. This model also has an automatic off function to cut power once its tank is empty.
Notable Mentions
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Honeywell HUL430B:
The Honeywell HUL430B is a compact cool-mist ultrasonic humidifier intended for medium-sized rooms. It offers good humidification capacity but falls a little short of the Levoit LV600S in that regard.
See our review -
Vornado EVDC300:
The Vornado EVDC300 is a highly efficient cool-mist evaporative humidifier. It's slightly easier to clean than the Levoit LV600S but is much louder and has a somewhat lower humidification capacity.
See our review -
Honeywell HEV320B:
The Honeywell HEV320B is a basic evaporative humidifier that runs more efficiently than the Vicks V3900 but is also a little louder and provides less humidification capacity. If you're having trouble finding this model, check the manufacturer's website.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 07, 2025:
Ensured all main picks are still available. Minor in-text adjustments to clarify product details.
Apr 15, 2025:
We've added a link to the manufacturer's site for the Honeywell HEV320B, as it can be tricky to find through major retailers. We've also checked to ensure our picks are in stock and that they remain the best options for most people.
Mar 17, 2025:
We added a link to the manufacturer's website for the Carepod One. We also made some minor text adjustments for clarity.
Feb 04, 2025:
Minor in-text adjustments to better convey product details.
Jan 09, 2025:
We've verified that our recommendations are available and represent the best choices and made some small edits for clarity.
FAQ
Should I get a warm mist or cool mist humidifier?
Well, like any product, this depends entirely on your particular needs; warm mist and cool mist humidifiers each have their own inherent compromises.
When dealing with cool mist units, you must be especially careful to keep them clean, as the standing water inside is an ideal growth environment for mold and bacteria. If they're not sterilized frequently, the machine can spread mold and bacteria around the room as it humidifies. This isn't as much of a concern with warm mist humidifiers, which heat the water inside to boiling or near-boiling temperatures. Of course, having even near-boiling water around the house brings its own risks. You must be careful where you set up a warm mist humidifier. Tipping over the unit will spill near-boiling water everywhere, potentially resulting in burns.
It's also important to consider your local climate. Cool misting units won't be an especially efficient option for cold, dry areas, as the cooling effect of their mist lowers the ambient temperature and forces your home's heating system to work harder, driving up energy costs. On the other hand, warm mist humidifiers are better suited for colder environments, but they consume more energy, especially if your home is already warm and doesn't require extra heating. For a more in-depth examination of humidifier efficiency, read our R&D article.
What cool mist humidifier is better, evaporative or ultrasonic?
Once again, that'll depend on your own needs, circumstances, and preferences.
Ultrasonic humidifiers have their own set of particular demands—it's best to fill them with distilled water, as the machine will emit impurities from tap water in the form of fine dust, you can find out more about this in our second humidifier R&D article. However, they tend to be quieter, which makes them a great option for offices or bedrooms.
Evaporative humidifiers are generally more mechanically simple, essentially consisting of a fan blowing air through a moistened wick. They don't carry the same risk of generating aerosolized impurities in your water, so you can fill them with tap water. However, mold can still build up on their wicks and filters, which will need cleaning and changing as required.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are some of the best portable humidifiers for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
That said, there is no single best option for home use that will suit everybody; 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.