A good humidifier will give you the best air quality in your home. They will keep moisture at an optimum level while minimizing noise. Check out our top picks of the top six humidifiers.
What is a humidifier?
A humidifier is a device used to increase the humidity or moisture level in the air of a room. They are generally used to help with problems associated with dry air.
Indoor humidity levels can be too high or too low. Too low can cause dry skin, wrinkles, nose bleeds, and static electricity, among other things.
If your humidity levels are too high, it can cause mold and mildew. Your ideal humidity level should be 35%-55%. Humidifiers help you reach your ideal humidity level in your home.
People use humidifiers to ease symptoms from congestion due to a cold, flu, or allergies, soothe dry skin conditions, and help with chronic nosebleeds.
With so many different kinds of humidifiers, including cool-mist humidifiers, warm-mist humidifiers, and ultrasonic humidifiers, to name a few, it may be hard to find one to suit your needs.
We at kidsplayandcreate have done the research and have compiled a list of the best humidifiers on the market based on reviews, research, and personal use. Here are our picks for the best in-home humidifiers.
Pure Enrichment Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Its ultrasonic cool mist technology safely moisturizes the air for up to 16 hours of continuous use. Say goodbye to colds, dry skin, and other dry air symptoms, and hello to a good night’s sleep.
Its 360-degree mist nozzle and dual-speed control make it easy to adjust the mist’s direction and speed to give you maximum comfort. It has an automatic shut-off that allows it to shut off when the water level is low or the water tank is removed.
The night light has a soothing glow for relaxation, night lights now your thing?
Simply shut it off and enjoy your sleep. This humidifier is the perfect solution for improving the air quality in your room.
Key Features:
- A 1.5-liter tank that delivers a moisture output of 150 millimeters per hour
- Great for relieving symptoms related to dry air.
- 360-degree mist nozzle
- Great for small rooms such as nursery, bedroom, office, den
- Optional night-light
- Auto shut-off
- 16 hours of continuous use
- Great design
- 2-year warranty
URPower 2nd Version Essential Oil Diffuser
URPOWER 2nd Version Essential Oil Diffuser,100ml Aroma Essential Oil Cool Mist Humidifier with Adjustable Mist Mode, Waterless Auto Shut-off, and 7 Color LED Lights Changing for Home Office Baby
This 2nd generation URPower Ultrasonic Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser is an upgraded original version.
It has advanced ultrasonic vaporizing technology and whisper-quiet operation, producing more mist, and making the air quality better in any nursery, office, bedroom, or any small-sized room.
Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender, and relax in the soothing fragrant mist for up to 6 hours. What’s great about this diffuser is that it diffuses the oils without heat, so you don’t lose their holistic properties. It also works as a humidifier without oils. But why skip those fragrant oils?
They can freshen any room and make you feel more relaxed and comfortable. Another great feature of this humidifier is the seven color-changing LED lights. You are able to change the color based on mood or to fit into your décor.
It also auto-shuts off when the water level is low. What’s great is the easy operation. Remove the cover, add water with the included measuring cup, add 2-3 drops of oil, and close the cover.
You can push the red light for the continuous mode, which means it will mist for 3 hours straight or you can push the green light for an intermittent mode. This means it will mist every 30 seconds for 6 hours.
Key Features
- Elegant design
- No filter
- Whisper-quiet technology
- Auto shut-off
- Use tap water and essential oils (not included)
- Small in size, weighs 10.9 ounces, and dimensions are 3.1 x 3.1 x 5 inches
Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer
If you’re looking for a fantastic humidifier but don’t want to spend much money, then the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer is the unit for you.
This is the model we are currently using in our home. This is a great inexpensive model.
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer with Pure Steam Action temporarily relieves common cold or flu virus symptoms.
The vaporizer boils the water, releasing the pure warm steam vapor into the air.
The vaporizer is designed with a steam guard for maximum safety. You can also use it with Vicks VapoPads to relieve cold and flu symptoms.
Key Features
- Nightlight
- Auto shut-off
- Steam vapor to help relieve cold and flu symptoms
- 1.5-liter water capacity
- 18-24 hours of running time
- 3-year warranty
Aqua Oasis Cool Mist Humidifier
The Aqua Oasis cool mist humidifier is our top pick for a baby nursery, baby room, or room for a young child. It’s great in any room of the house. Why did we recommend it? It’s extremely quiet. There are no humming, whistling, or crackling sounds.
It is designed with a simple control dial and rotates 360 degrees. This allows you to customize the output and direction of the mist fully.
The Aqua Oasis, a cool mist humidifier, has an automatic shut-off to keep your mind at ease. No more worrying about shutting it off.
It comes in two sizes large and extra large. The large has a 2.2 L water tank that can run up to 24hrs on a single tank.
It is easy to clean and comes with a cleaning brush.
This humidifier is filter-free!
Key Features:
- Operates in silence
- 360 degrees rotating nozzle, simple control dial
- Automatic shut-off
- It comes in two sizes large with a 2.2 L tank and extra large with a 6 L tank
- filter free
- Lifetime warranty
- East to clean, comes with a cleaning brush
- It can run up to 24 hours on one tank
Honeywell Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier
This Honeywell Germ-Free Humidifier features UV technology that helps kill up to 99.9% of bacteria, mold, and fungus in our water. So, how does it work? The untreated water flows from the tank into the UV water path, where it is exposed to ultraviolet light, killing the mold, bacteria, and fungus in the water.
The now sanitized water enters the base, where the wicking filter absorbs it. Then the dry indoor air is drawn through the filter absorbing the moisture. Finally, up to 99.9% Germ, Free moisture is emitted into the air as a fine invisible mist. It has a large 2-gallon tank that is easy to carry, fill, and clean.
Key Features
- Quiet operation
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Designed for medium size rooms
- It comes in two colors, white and black
- 3-year warranty
- 9.6 pounds
- 18.6 x 10.4 x 13 inches
Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 Ultrasonic Dual-Mist Warm/Cool Humidifier
SPT SU-4010 Ultrasonic Dual-Mist Warm/Cool Humidifier with Ion Exchange Filter – Blue
This ultrasonic humidifier by Sunpentown is the best of both worlds, as it can work as either a cool-mist or a warm-mist humidifier. It has a sleek design, a transparent blue water tank, and an easy-to-carry handle. The ion exchange filter demineralizes and treats water to reduce calcium and magnesium from hard water, preventing white dust particles from entering the air.
Key Features
- 360 adjustable nozzle
- Designed for rooms up to 500 square feet
- Warm-mist continuously for 10 hours
- Cool-mist continuously for 12 hours
- It comes in blue or green
- Weight 7.5 pounds
- Dimensions 13.2 x 5.3 x 12.4
How do you know if you need a humidifier?
There are many ways to tell if you need a humidifier in your home. You can purchase a hygrometer to test the air quality in your home. Hydrometers are neat little devices that work similarly to a thermometer that measures the humidity in your home. Ideal humidity should be between 35%-55%.
AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor
The AcuRite Digital temperature, and humidity monitor, allows you to quickly and easily measure the humidity levels and indoor temperature in the air of any room. It is completely wireless and requires two AA batteries that are not included.
Dry Skin
If you suffer from a condition that causes dry skin or have dry skin or chapped lips, you may need a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
Chronic Nosebleeds
If you or someone in your home suffers from chronic nosebleeds, dry air may be to blame. Keeping the air moist, especially during winter, can help dramatically reduce nosebleeds.
Congestion/Cough/Sore Throat
If you or someone in the home suffers from common cold or flu symptoms, a humidifier can help temporarily relieve congestion, making breathing easier. A consistent cough and sore throat can indicate the hair is too dry in your home. Adding a humidifier can help relieve symptoms.
Static Electricity
An interesting reason you may need a humidifier in your home is due to static electricity. A major cause of static electricity in your home is dry air. Adding moisture to the air in your home can lower the amount of static electricity in your home.
Asthma and Allergies
If you or someone in your home suffer from allergies or asthma, adding a humidifier can benefit those suffering. Adding moisture to the air can help make breathing easier. Many doctors recommend humidifiers for people with asthma and allergies.
Humidifier Benefits
Indoor humidity levels can be too high or too low. Low humidity levels can cause dry skin and hair; chapped lips give you a higher chance of catching a cold, cause static electricity and even cause wrinkles.
When the humidity level is too high, it can cause dangerous mold and mildew to grow and even ruin wood floors and wood furniture.
The ideal room humidity is around 40%. Using a humidifier is the best way to achieve the highest humidity comfort.
Benefits of using a humidifier
- Great for sinuses
- It helps to prevent nose bleeds.
- It helps to reduce snoring
- Prevents growth of mold and mildew
- Relieve dry skin and chapped lips
- Reducing static electricity in the air
- helps asthma and allergy sufferers breathe easier.
- Helps ease congestion
What is the difference between a Cool Mist Humidifier and a Warm Mist Humidifier?
Both cool mist humidifiers and warm mist humidifiers have their pros and cons. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with both types before purchasing to determine which suits your needs better.
Cool Mist Humidifiers
Cool mist humidifiers work great for adding moisture to the air. Because they do not heat the water like warm mist humidifiers, they tend to use less electricity.
Many people prefer the cool mist humidifier in a child’s room or nursery, as there will be no worry about burns caused by leakage or spills. One of the cons of the cool mist humidifier is that it can make the air slightly chilly.
Warm Mist Humidifiers
Many people consider warm mist humidifiers a healthier option when selecting a humidifier. This is because the boiling process to warm the mist helps kill bacteria and mold so they can not enter your breathing air.
People prefer warm mist over the cool mist, which helps relieve cold and/or flu symptoms.
One con of the warm mist humidifier is that it is more expensive than the cool mist humidifier.
Should I have a humidifier in my baby’s nursery?
This is a question that many parents ask themselves. Many people recommend having them, and here’s why. Baby’s skin is extremely sensitive; if the air in your home is too dry, it can cause the baby to have dry, chapped skin.
Since humidifiers add moisture to the air, they can help prevent or relieve dry, irritated, chapped skin. Another benefit to adding a humidifier to your nursery for the white noise it makes.
Even though most humidifiers provide whisper-quiet technology, it still makes a small sound. That sound is reminiscent of a baby’s whooshing sound in the womb.
This can make the baby feel more relaxed and comfortable, which can help them sleep better. Humidifiers also benefit babies by helping to relieve nasal congestion.
Warm mist humidifiers help to kill germs and bacteria in the air providing better air quality. This can help prevent the baby from getting sick.
Speak to your pediatrician about the benefits of having a humidifier and ask for their recommendation on whether to have a cool mist or a warm mist humidifier.
How often do I need to clean my humidifier?
You should clean your humidifier every three days or as the manufacturer indicates. It is very important to keep humidifiers clean.
Dirty humidifiers can be breeding grounds for mold and bacteria when not cleaned. Unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer, it is also recommended to use distilled or demineralized water.
Regular tap water contains minerals; these minerals can create deposits inside the humidifier and promote the growth of bacteria.
One of the best ways to keep your humidifier clean is to change the water often. Try to empty the water daily, then dry it and refill it with new water. Drying it first will prevent any film from the water from building up.
It is also important to keep all areas around your humidifier dry. If you notice damp carpeting, curtains, windows, or wood flooring, turn down your humidifier or use it less frequently.
Dampness can lead to the growth of mold. It can also cause damage to wood floors and furniture.
We at kidsplayandcreate.com hope you enjoyed our reviews on the best humidifiers. If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with us at kidsplayandcreate@gmail.com
