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The 4 Best Humidifiers - Fall 2024

Updated Nov 22, 2024 at 08:37 am
Best Humidifiers

If you're dealing with dry air in your home and suffering from dry skin, it might be time to invest in a humidifier. The best humidifiers on the market will offer at least a fair level of capacity, features like an auto-stop function, and not be a hassle to clean, so you aren't stuck hand-washing components every few days.

That said, there's no one-size-fits-all solution—the best option depends on your budget, the space you need to humidify, and whether you want a cool or warm mist unit. We've tested 20 humidifiers, and below are our recommendations for the best based on their performance, price, and feature sets.

If you're concerned about your home air quality on a more general level, you can also check out our recommendations for the best air purifiers and the best dehumidifiers.


  1. Best Humidifier

    The Carepod One is the best humidifier we've tested. This high-end ultrasonic cool-mist unit produces an impressive amount of moisture, more than enough for medium-sized spaces like living rooms or larger bedrooms. However, its main attraction is its easy-to-clean design: the Carepod One has only five main components to wash. Except for its oscillator, all are dishwasher safe, and unlike most other humidifiers, there are no tight crevices or hard-to-reach spots. It's also incredibly quiet and efficient, though both elements aren't uncommon in ultrasonic humidifiers.

    Unfortunately, there's no getting around the fact that this is a pretty pricey device, especially considering the relative scarcity of extra features. There's no integrated humidistat that would allow the unit to adjust its mist level in real-time and no Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can't control the unit while you're away from home. Its max runtime of approximately ten hours is also on the shorter end of the scale, though on the upside, it does have an auto-off function that'll turn the humidifier off once its tank is empty.

    See our review

  2. Best Mid-Range Humidifier

    Check out the Levoit LV600S if you're shopping at a slightly lower price point. Compared to the relatively spartan Carepod, the Levoit is positively bursting at the seams with features. It has a built-in humidistat, which allows you to input your desired humidity level and have the device try to maintain it, Wi-Fi connectivity allowing full remote operation and monitoring through the VeSync companion app, and an essential oils tray for a scented mist. Then there's the fact that this is a hybrid ultrasonic and steam humidifier capable of outputting cool or warm mist and helpful for hot and dry or cold and dry environments, respectively. Its humidification capacity is also even higher than the Carepod model's, allowing it to efficiently add moisture to large spaces.

    However, there's one big downside: 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 plenty of tight crevices and hard-to-reach spots, too, with some requiring a very thin sponge or a thin toothbrush.

    See our review

  3. Best Budget Humidifier

    If you're shopping for a considerably cheaper 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. That said, it has advantages that go beyond its budget-friendly price tag. The Vicks can run for almost 30 hours with a full tank, so you can leave it alone while you're away without worrying that it'll run out of water. That substantial runtime is a good thing, too, as this model lacks an auto-off function for when its tank runs out.

    This humidifier's capacity falls behind pricier alternatives, and it might struggle to efficiently humidify especially large areas like open-concept apartments or living spaces. It's still well-suited to most bedrooms, offices, or college dorms. As mentioned earlier, it's slightly basic in features but not completely barren. 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 add Vicks VapoPads for a scented mist. If you want a budget-friendly alternative with a wider array of features and don't mind losing some capacity, the Crane Droplet is a good option, too.

    See our review

  4. Best Warm Mist Humidifier

    If you're interested in a warm-mist humidifier but don't want or need any of the added functionality of the higher-end hybrid Levoit LV600S, consider the Vicks V750. This humidifier has an easy-to-clean design, with roughly half of its component pieces being dishwasher-safe and saving you a bit of effort when cleaning it out. 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 other 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 sleeping or if you have it on while watching TV or listening to music.

    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.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Honeywell HUL430B:

    The Honeywell HUL430B is a cool-misting ultrasonic humidifier intended for medium-sized rooms with a compact footprint. 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.

    See our review

FAQ

Should I get a warm mist or cool mist humidifier?

Well, like any product, this depends entirely on your particular needs.

A warm mist humidifier has a few inherent compromises compared to a cool mist one. They tend to incur a higher up-front energy cost, though that's also conditional on the environment you use it in. More on that later.

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. In contrast, cool mist humidifiers are pretty safe to handle. That's not to say the latter isn't without risks—the standing water in a cool-mist unit is an ideal growth environment for mold and bacteria, which isn't nearly as much a concern with warm mist humidifiers, which get the water inside to boiling or near-boiling temperatures.

It's also important to consider the environment you live in. Cool misting units won't be an especially efficient option for cold, dry areas, as the cooling effect of their mist lowers ambient temperature and forces your home's heating system to work harder, driving up energy costs. In the same vein, warm mist humidifiers are ideal for cold environments but consume more energy if you don't have to heat your home to maintain a comfortable temperature. If you want 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. 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, but mold can still build up on their wicks and filters, which need cleaning and changing as needed.

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.