The 24 Best Humidifiers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Vicks EasyCare+ TopFill Ultrasonic Humidifier

$58 at Amazon $58 at Walgreens $62 at CVS

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  4.8/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  5/5

Out of over 60 humidifiers we tested, the Vicks EasyCare+ was an all-around favorite. The instructions were clear, and the setup was straightforward — you only need to attach a couple of pieces to get started.

While it wasn't as noticeable on low, it didn't take long before we could tell a difference on the high setting. Sitting about 10 feet away, a half-hour after turning it on, the air seemed more moist, and our nasal passages felt less dry and congested. This diffuser is quiet — the gentle whirring sound is almost like white noise. The diffuser component seemed to work well, too. It filled the room with a pleasant but not overpowering essential oil scent.

With a transparent tank, we could easily tell how much water was remaining. More than half remained after three hours on the high setting. It has a decent capacity but is still small enough to refill in most bathroom sinks. Since the EasyCare+ doesn't have a filter or small interior crevices, it's easy to clean. Still, you'll need to clean it once a week or so, and the process will take roughly 25 minutes.

The only thing we'd change about this humidifier is its appearance — though it's user-friendly and absolutely serves its purpose, it's not as sleek as some other models. But in the end, it's definitely worth buying.

Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 2.3 liters | Coverage Area: 250 square feet

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Levoit Smart Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier

$110 at Amazon $110 at Target View on Levoit.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  4.5/5

We were also big fans of the Levoit LV600S. Setup is a breeze, and you can easily fill the tank in a sink, though we used jugs of distilled water during our tests. We couldn't tell much of a difference on the low setting, but on high, it really amped up the room's humidity within a few minutes of switching it on. It emitted large mist clouds that spread throughout the space, and we could feel the moisture on our skin from a few feet away.

This humidifier is very quiet, and it doesn't make a dripping noise like some other models. The essential oil diffuser function worked well, too, gracing the air with a nice scent for about an hour after adding the drops.

We didn't see any mineral residue, limescale, or pink mold built up inside the reservoir. However, this humidifier is somewhat challenging to clean. You have to remove several small pieces, and the filter has various openings that require a brush to thoroughly clean. The process took about 30 minutes, including rinsing the tank with vinegar, soaking the parts, and putting everything back together. We recommend reading through the maintenance instructions before cleaning to ensure everything is taken apart and reassembled properly.

Dimensions: 11.6 x 11.3 x 7.7 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 6 liters | Coverage Area: 753 square feet

Best Budget

Mainstays Rechargeable Cool Mist Travel Humidifier

$15 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Setup
  2.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.2/5
• Design
  4/5

For those on a budget, we suggest the Mainstays Rechargeable Travel Humidifier. Setting it up and getting started is pretty simple, but bear in mind the brand recommends using tap water rather than distilled — we tried both and noticed a residue buildup with distilled water, so definitely go with tap.

Since this is a personal humidifier, it's really small. You can feel the mist sitting a foot or two away, so it's good for a desk, car, or nightstand — but know it won't humidify an entire room. We like the compact, cordless design and appreciate that it can be recharged with a USB port. The sound is hardly noticeable — you can hardly tell it's running other than the light mist blowing from the top.

Though you can't see how much water is remaining in the tank, it's small enough that you can easily refill it when it stops emitting mist. Also, there are only two buttons: one for power and the other to change lights. You keep pressing the power button to turn it on and off and toggle from low to high, and since the mist is so mild, it's hard to tell what mode it's on. But all things considered, you really can't go wrong with such a wallet-friendly price.

Dimensions: 5.75 x 3.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 10.8 ounces | Coverage Area: 2-foot radius

Best Investment

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde

$995 at Amazon $1,000 at Walmart $1,000 at Best Buy

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Dyson makes lots of splurge-worthy hair and home products. If you can swing the price and want a sleek-looking, feature-rich design, you should definitely consider the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool. This high-tech gadget was easy to fill up, thanks to the wide tank opening. It began working as soon as we turned it on, and while there was no visible mist and almost no noise, we could feel the cool, moist air coming out.

You can adjust the intensity, select pre-set programs, and run the nighttime mode, all using the included remote, which attaches to the top of the machine via a magnet for convenient storage. This humidifier has a self-cleaning cycle and notifies you when it's time to change the easy-to-replace filter, a must-have feature for any high-quality air-purifier.

At 18 pounds, it's one of the heaviest we tested, but the handle makes moving it around a breeze. This state-of-the-art purifier-humidifier hybrid looks nice just sitting out, too. The price is a bit hard to justify, especially since it's about ten times higher than most other humidifiers. But if it's within your budget, it might be worth treating yourself.

Dimensions: 36.5 x 12 x 11 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 4 liters | Coverage Area: 400 square feet

Best Investment, Runner-Up

Carepod One Humidifier

$275 at Amazon $275 at Hellocarepod.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4/5

Even on the lowest setting, the Carepod One noticeably increased the moisture levels in our test room in just the first hour of use. On the highest setting, we felt the difference in just 10 minutes. We were impressed with the consistent steam output and well-designed body. The stainless steel interior naturally repels mold and is super easy to remove and fill up in the sink. 

One of our favorite features in the smartly designed Carepod One were the indicator lights on the outer casing, which not only told us which setting the device was set to (low, medium, or high), but also alerted us to how full the water tank was and when it needed to be refilled. And, even after using the humidifier on the highest setting for eight hours straight, the tank was still about half-full of water, so we didn’t have to worry about it running out while we slept. 

While there was no mold or buildup present on the Carepod One humidifier during our testing, the instructions say that the oscillator should be cleaned weekly with a small brush or toothbrush, and the stainless steel cover and water tank should be cleaned with boiling water. The cleaning itself was simple enough and took us only 15 minutes, but boiling the water and figuring out how to submerge the different parts into it took us longer. The only real qualm we have with this humidifier is that it makes a light dripping noise that feels reminiscent of a fish tank, but that noise isn’t worse on lower or higher settings and overall didn’t detract much from this easy-to-use, effective humidifier. 

Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 10.6 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 4 liters | Coverage Area: 500 square feet

Best Design

Homedics TotalComfort Deluxe Ultrasonic Humidifier

$86 at Amazon $87 at Walmart View on Pcrichard.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.2/5
• Design
  4.8/5

The Homedics TotalComfort Deluxe stood out in terms of design. Unlike more utilitarian models, the sleek, mid-century modern appearance looks good on display in a living room or bedroom. There's also a nightlight on the base, which you can keep off if the illumination bothers you while sleeping.

But this humidifier isn't just aesthetically pleasing. The setup was intuitive, thanks to the pared-down design and minimal parts. It moistened the air after running on high for about an hour. The moisture change also seemed to offer a subtle remedy for dry hands. 

The TotalComfort Deluxe has an aromatherapy option, but the scent wasn't very noticeable compared to others we tested. It makes a light blowing sound, but without a whirring or dripping noise, it's virtually undetectable. One drawback is that you can't tell how much water is remaining without removing the lid, but we like that the water doesn't settle into the base. There's also an indicator that tells you when the interior needs to be cleaned, which takes roughly 15 minutes.

Dimensions: 21 x 7.1 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 5.7 liters | Coverage Area: 426 square feet

Best Portable

Geniani Erie Humidifier

$27 at Amazon $28 at Walmart $28 at Geniani.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Design
  3/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  5/5
• Size
  5/5

Interested in something more wallet-friendly? Check out the Geniani Erie — an affordable humidifier that’s extremely easy to use. Other than filling it with water and keeping the battery charged, there's not much to it. The included USB charging cable is kind of short, but you can use any USB cord with the right connector.

Once we turned it on, it took a minute or so for the mist to appear, and even then, it wasn't very visible and made virtually no noise. At 6 inches tall and about 4 inches in diameter, the super-compact, cordless design can be placed just about anywhere. Even after months of testing, we’ve found ourselves bringing this little machine all over the house with us. It even fits in a cup holder if you want to humidify your car during a long drive.

The Erie was easy to clean, but bear in mind you're supposed to change the cotton stick filter once a month. Since the water tank and coverage area (65 square feet) are really small, we think this is a good option to use on your desktop during your workday or potentially on your nightstand while sleeping.

How it's held up: Over six months, we reached for the portable Geniani whenever we were sick, and it continued to perform as well as the first time we tried it. Throughout our additional testing, we carried the Geniani from room to room with us whenever we needed it and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a convenient, portable humidifier.

Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 3.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 0.25 liters | Coverage Area: 65 square feet

Best Temperature Control

Lasko Warm and Cool Humidifier

$64 at Amazon $81 at Walmart $87 at Wayfair

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  3/5
• Size
  4/5

This modern option from Lasko is an excellent choice for those who like warm and cool mist. It was simple to set up and produced visible vapor as soon as we switched it on. And though the warm setting wasn't immediately noticeable (it's more like room temperature as opposed to warmth from a space heater), it does feel different than the cool mode.

We like that you can set the mist intensity to low, medium, or high and point the 360-degree dual nozzles in any direction. It's also whisper-quiet and doesn't leave any dew on the surrounding surface. But unfortunately, this humidifier isn't the easiest to clean, as the corners and recessed edges are tricky to access — at least without special tools.

Still, we are big fans of the clean lines and high-tech appearance. And the 600-square-foot coverage area is among the largest of all the models we tested. All things considered, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a friend.

Dimensions: 14.5 x 10 x 5.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 5 liters | Coverage Area: 600 square feet

Easiest to Clean

HoMedics Humidifier

$36 at Amazon $55 at QVC $45 at Macy's

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.6/5
• Design
  4.7/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4.7/5

The Homedics TotalComfort also stood out during our tests. Setup only involves attaching the base to the tank and filling it with water. You have to be within a few feet of the device to really feel the mist. It doesn't work as quickly as others we tested, but after three hours, the air didn't seem as dry, and we felt like we could breathe a little better. The diffuser component was faster — we could smell fragrance almost immediately after adding essential oil.

This humidifier is quiet. There's a minor whirring sound and occasional water droplets, but we actually found this soothing and just fine for sleep. We also like that you can change the direction the vapor blows. And while you can turn off the lights if it disrupts your sleep, you can't set it to a specific color. When the light is on, it shuffles through the illuminated hues.

The TotalComfort is the easiest to maintain out of the tested models, as you just replace the filter rather than having to clean it. We used a DIY vinegar solution to rinse out the tank and then wiped it down. Weekly cleaning is recommended, but it shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes.

Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.75 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 1.9 liters | Coverage Area: 373 square feet

Best for Dry Skin

Pure Guardian Tower Humidifier

$100 at Amazon $80 at Walmart $180 at QVC

Our Ratings

• Setup
  3/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  3/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  5/5
• Size
  5/5

We all know the struggles of dry skin in the winter, but did you know that hyaluronic acid serums, moisturizers, and night creams can only do so much without the help of a humidifier? Enter: the Pure Guardian Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, a floor model that features a large water tank (good for overnight run times) and soothing results.

This humidifier includes a mold and mildew-protected tank, so that you can make sure your air is as pure as possible while you inject some moisture into it. To our pleasant surprise, the Pure Guardian is whisper-quiet, thanks to its ultrasonic technology, incorporating smart mist sensors that adjust to the level of humidity in the room for a customized experience. 

It’s easy to store, too — the teardrop-shaped machine fits perfectly into corners, keeping it out of the way and out of sight. However, we do wish it was a little more aesthetically pleasing, as the bright blue and white tank won’t be to everyone’s taste. But for this humidifier's ultra-moisturizing effects, we'll consider it a fair trade.

Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 23.3 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 5.67 liters | Coverage Area: 440 square feet

Best Value

Vicks Mini Cool Mist Humidifier

$45 at Amazon

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Design
  3/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4.5/5
• Size
  5/5

You may know Vicks for their classic VapoRub, but did you know their Mini Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier could be just as helpful for stuffy noses and dry winters, too? This machine was one of our favorites due to its small size yet long lasting run time (it can go for up to 20 hours) and made a huge difference in our spaces as the weather cooled off.

We noticed a significant difference in both the moisturization of our skin and the state of our homes after using this humidifier through the fall and winter. Our dry skin was suddenly looking a lot healthier after incorporating this humidifier into our routines, and you have the option to add Vicks VapoPads into the machine if you come down with a seasonal cold or virus.

Though this model lacks bells and whistles (it only has one knob that adjusts the moisture output), it’s extremely effective. For the price, you can’t beat this one.

Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 9.13 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 1.89 liters | Coverage Area: 538 square feet

Best for Colds

Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

$42 at Amazon $43 at Target $52 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4/5
• Size
  5/5

With winter comes cold and flu season, and you’ll want a humidifier on your side to help combat any germs that you encounter during this time. The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is your best friend when it comes to seasonal viruses, as the compact machine was made to be used in tandem with menthol vapor pads and includes a medicine cup for inhalants. 

Though this machine is slim in size, it’s mighty enough to provide moisture throughout a medium to large-sized room. We didn’t experience any leaks or spills when filling this humidifier and found it easy to both use and store on a countertop due to its compact design. Its simplicity was one of the beauties of it (because really, who wants to mess around with technicalities when they’re sick), but it also could be a drawback for someone wanting to personalize and control the moisture in their space beyond “low” and “high” settings. 

We concluded that this would be the one we’d be reaching for if we were feeling under the weather, thanks to its medicine-compatible capabilities and easy-to-use features, which are top of mind for anyone with the sniffles who wants to lay in bed.

Dimensions: 12.8 x 6.38 x 10.63 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 3.7 liters | Coverage Area: 300-500 square feet

Best for Congestion

Dreo Smart Humidifier

$90 at Amazon View on Dreo.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  4.3/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4.2/5

Unlike many others we tested, we could tell a difference in air moisture on both the Dreo's low and high settings. And we could feel the actual mist several feet away. After sitting next to it for a while, we felt like we could breathe substantially better. Similar to a facial steamer, standing over it with our faces pointed down seemed to clear up nose congestion.

We loved the warm mist feature, too. It created more prominent mist plumes than the cool setting and made the space feel cozier. (The mist itself feels warm when you place your hand over it, but it doesn't actually do anything to warm the room.) There's also a Dual-Aroma tray, allowing you to switch between two fragrances, and the essential oil scents were noticeable every time we entered the room.

This humidifier has a high-tech, modern appearance. You can check the humidity levels and operate it through the Dreo app or use voice commands. Maintenance is somewhat complex, as you have to disassemble many parts to clean it, and some small interior channels are hard to reach. Also, the aromatherapy drawer can be dangerously hot to the touch, so it's best to wait a while after turning it off before cleaning it. Still, we think this humidifier is worth buying based on its impressive performance and standout features.

Dimensions: 16.3 x 14.5 x 8.7 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 6 liters | Coverage Area: 550 square feet

Best for Children

Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Humidifier

$30 at Amazon $60 at Target $49 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4/5
• Size
  4/5

Of course, any of these winners could be used in children’s rooms, but if you can make your humidifier cute, why wouldn’t you? The Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier comes in the shape of an elephant, featuring a trunk as the nozzle and “feet” on the base. Other animal shapes are available as well — including a frog, monkey, sheep, and penguin. With its playful look, this machine is sure to blend in seamlessly with your child’s bedroom or playroom decor.

The humidifier came assembled, making our lives easier, and the tank detaches from the base to allow for easy refills without dragging the whole machine to the sink. We found that it’s a bit big to sit on a nightstand or shelf, but we think it could be great for a floor model or cribside stool. But no matter where you place it, you’ll get the soothing effects of the cool mist that it emits from its “trunk,” especially with its adjustable moisture levels — meaning you can turn the knob up for more mist, or down for a more subtle stream.

Though these are the humidifier’s only two settings (there’s no smart features, which means this is as technical as you can get), we figure that we don’t need as many flashy settings for a child’s humidifier. For the adorable look, effective functions, and reasonable price point, we think this is a great addition to any kid’s room.

Dimensions: 12.8 x 6.38 x 10.63 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 3.7 liters | Coverage Area: 300-500 square feet

Best with Nightlight

Vicks 3-in-1 SleepyTime Humidifier

$20 at Amazon $34 at Target $20 at Walgreens

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  4.3/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  5/5

This little humidifier is surprisingly powerful and raised the humidity levels in our room to be noticeably more comfortable during our cold winter testing period. The humidifier produces a low hum while working that resembles a white noise machine, so we think it would actually be pretty soothing to sleep with it on the bedside table. And, after running this humidifier all night, the water tank still had most of the 8 cups of water it holds left in the reservoir. 

One of the features that make the Vicks Sleepy Time humidifier stand out from the rest that we’ve tried is the customizable night-light feature, which allowed us to choose from seven pastel color modes that softly illuminate the room — a fun option for little kids or anyone afraid of the dark. The option to put scented oils in this tank also allows it to function like an essential oil diffuser.

Another thing that we loved about this model is that it was very easy to clean with a vinegar-water mixture. We found it slightly difficult to completely empty the water reservoir, and even when we completely turned it upside down over a sink, a few stubborn tablespoons of water remained in the rounded base. That felt like a small price to pay for a three-in-one device that performs all three of its promised functions exceedingly well. 

Dimensions: 8.23 x 8.6 x 8.15 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 2.3 liters | Coverage Area: 100-300 square feet

Best for Plants

Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

$90 at Amazon $89 at Walmart $91 at Wayfair

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4/5
• Size
  4/5

Looking for something that'll help your houseplants thrive? This Levoit humidifier might be your best bet. Its sizable water tank has to be filled from the bottom, which isn't the most convenient, though it didn't spill or leak during our tests. Plus, you only have to fill it every couple of days, and it covers up to 750 square feet of space.

You can choose from warm or cool mist and three intensity levels, and even on the highest setting, it's nearly silent. The warm mode is especially great for tropical plants and flora. This humidifier is easy to control using the digital panel or included remote. You can also add essential oils for a dose of aromatherapy, though we found the tray tricky to open.

After using it for a month, we noticed a difference in recovery time from seasonal allergies and a soothing effect during minor coughs. Even if you don't have indoor foliage at home, this humidifier is a solid choice for large spaces.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 10.5 x 7 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 6 liters | Coverage Area: 750 square feet

Best Air Purifier-Humidifier Hybrid

Boneco Hybrid Humidifier Air Purifier

$380 at Target $345 at Walmart $432 at Wayfair

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  5/5
• Size
  4/5

Interested in a device that cleans your air while moisturizing it? Check out the Boneco H300. With simple setup and a leak-free design, this air purifier-humidifier hybrid was a hit in the lab. Though it doesn't create visible mist, we could feel and hear the purified vapor come out of the top and sides. It's pretty quiet on the low and medium settings, but you can hear it more on the higher modes.

This air-purifying humidifier covers up to 540 square feet of space. Its rounded, boxy design has a modish, pared-down appeal and illuminates for nighttime use. The Boneco H300 is almost too large for shelf placement, but at 18.5 inches tall, it could work as a floor unit.

This was one of the easiest humidifiers to clean because of the wide tank mouth and dishwasher-safe parts, a huge plus in our book. However, the price is undoubtedly steep. If you see it on sale, we say go for it, but if not, it’s still worth the investment.

Dimensions: 18.5 x 11 x 11 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 4.5 liters | Coverage Area: 540 square feet

Best for Bedrooms

Levoit Dual 100 Humidifier & Diffuser

$60 at Amazon $60 at Target $60 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4/5
• Size
  5/5

With its compact, minimalist design and effective functionality, we found ourselves keeping the Levoit 1.8 Cool Mist Humidifier close by while we slept. It fits perfectly on a nightstand while still leaving enough space for an alarm clock. Its 7-inch surface is great for popping onto a nightstand for an extra dose of hydration, and it even has a space for essential oils to help lull you into relaxation mode. It has three mist levels and is whisper-quiet.

The humidifier’s removable top can be filled like an essential oil diffuser (we love to throw a few drops of a relaxing oil in, at night). And the “cool mist” aspect makes it a great choice for year-round use.

However, we found out the hard way that the chamber underneath the tank retains water, even when empty. So be sure to grab the machine from the bottom when relocating and cleaning it (and be sure to clean it regularly, as the base will develop a film inside if not). Aside from this balancing act, we were fairly happy with this chic humidifier. 

Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 10.6 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 1.8 liters | Coverage Area: 107-260 square feet

Best for Nurseries

Pure Enrichment PureBaby Cloud Humidifier

$69 at Amazon $50 at Target $50 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Design
  4.8/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  5/5

The PureBaby Cloud is pretty straightforward to use, even without combing through the instructions. We couldn't tell much of a difference after three hours on the low setting. It was a bit more noticeable after a half-hour on high, but the humidifying effects generally weren't up to par with others we tested.

Since this humidifier doesn't have a filter, it's pretty easy to clean. Some corners are harder to reach, and although it comes with a little brush to access the nooks and crannies, it's too small to clean the entire tank.

The cute cloud-shaped design is perfect for a nursery or child's bedroom. We loved the color-changing light feature, which emits a soft glow and can be used as a nightlight independently of the humidifying function.

Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 5.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 1.8 liters | Coverage Area: 250 square feet

Best for Small Spaces

Magictec Cool Mist Humidifier

$21 at Amazon

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  3/5
• Size
  4/5

If you’re looking for a small, sleek humidifier that you can easily tote from room to room, the Magictec Cool Mist Humidifier is our top pick for you. During testing, we found that the tank was extremely easy to remove from the base and fill, in part due to its smaller stature. We appreciated the steady stream of mist that this humidifier consistently emitted, and it ran for a full 24 hours, as promised. However, its tank does seem to create and hold onto condensation during use, so this might cause problems in the long-term.

But even after a few months of use we’re still happy with the machine, especially on particularly dry days when that extra dose of moisturization is needed. We’d recommend this sleek model for smaller spaces because of its size and modern, black design — because if it’s going to sit out all day, you want it to look nice. 

Dimensions: 11.65 x 7.83 x 7.83 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 2.5 liters | Coverage Area: Not listed

Best Smart

Levoit OasisMist Smart Humidifier

$80 at Amazon View on Levoit.com $90 at Best Buy

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4/5

For how high-tech this humidifier is, we were pleasantly surprised by how little it costs. The Levoit OasisMist 450S Smart Humidifier compares to the more expensive humidifier models that we’ve tried, with a touch-screen display and a connected smart app that allowed us to schedule when and how long the humidifier would run. 

The Levoit water tank is easy to fill, with a wide opening that holds a whopping 4.5 liters of water. The large water capacity allows this humidifier to run for long periods without depleting. We also love that it offers a smart mode, which automatically adjusts its mist output to balance the air’s moisture to your specifications. 

When it came time to clean the various bits and pieces of this humidifier, we found that it was pretty easy to wipe down, and no visible mold or scale inhabited the innards of the machine. One important downside that we found in our testing process was that a swab from the Levoit OasisMist 450S humidifier ultimately showed more bacteria in our petri dish tests than any other humidifier that we tested, so this one might need more frequent sanitizing than others on our list. 

Dimensions: 10.8 x 6 x 11.97 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 4.5 liters | Coverage Area: 430 square feet

Best Basic

Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Humidifier

$40 at Amazon $40 at Walmart $40 at Wayfair

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4/5
• Size
  5/5

Humidifiers are essential in some notoriously dry (and small) rooms like dorms, hotels, or even some bedrooms, which makes the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier ideal for places a bit short on space. But don’t be fooled by its pint-sized stature — this 9-inch tall machine can moisturize up to 250 square feet of air (making it a great size for a bedroom or small living room). 

Not only did this teardrop-shaped humidifier help inject some hydration into our spaces, but it also helped our skin during dry seasons and battles with seasonal allergies. Our plants reaped the benefits, as well. Its small but mighty 1.7-liter reservoir was able to produce a consistent stream of air, helping somewhat dry spaces in our homes feel more pleasant throughout the day, which is great for us and our plants.

If aesthetics aren’t high on your list of priorities, then you’ll be happy with this effective humidifier — but if you’re looking for something a bit more luxe, then you may want to go a different route

Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 9 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 1.7 liters | Coverage Area: 250 square feet

Best Large-Capacity

Babymoov Hygro Plus Cool Mist Humidifier

$70 at Amazon $72 at Target View on Babymoov.us

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.8/5
• Design
  4.2/5

At 2.7 liters, the Babymoov Hygro Plus has one of the largest capacities of those we tested. Although the brand makes baby and nursery products, the design is neutral enough that it's also suitable for adult use in any room. We found the control panel user-friendly, too.

The low setting didn't seem to do much, but on high, we could see mist clouds and felt a bit less congested. We appreciate that you can have it automatically shut off once the optimal humidity level is reached. The diffuser component only called for one drop of essential oil, and the fragrance lasted about an hour. We noticed just a whisper of a blowing sound and a steady trickling noise, but neither was disruptive.

Cleaning wasn't too much effort — the main thing is letting white vinegar soak in the base for 20 minutes. However, due to the small opening, we couldn't reach into the tank and access every corner. The price is a little steep, but if you're interested in a large-capacity model that works quickly and effectively, it's worth the investment.

Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 9.4 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 2.7 liters | Coverage Area: 220 square feet

Best Warm and Cool Mist

Crane Warm & Cool Mist Top Fill Humidifier

$88 at Amazon $88 at Walmart $103 at Wayfair

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.9/5
• Design
  4.7/5
• Ease of Maintenance
  4/5

We could hardly tell this humidifier was running on the low setting. But after three hours, the room felt slightly warmer, and our thermometers showed a mild increase in temperature. It was much more effective on high, raising humidity by two percent in just 20 minutes. The air felt more moisturized and a bit warmer, and our nasal passages didn't feel as dry.

We added six drops of essential oil to the diffuser, and when we returned to the room a few hours later, the scent was noticeable but not overpowering. Since this humidifier is opaque, you can't tell how much water is left in the reservoir without lifting the lid. But we liked the slick, modern design and digital control panel.

While the built-in humidistat didn't always align with the one we used externally during testing, it still shows changes in the room's humidity level. The removable tank makes this humidifier easy to clean, but some water still collects in the base. In the end, it's a great choice if you want the option of warm or cool mist.

Dimensions: 13 x 9.5 x 8 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 4.5 liters | Coverage Area: 500 square feet