We Tested Humidifiers: Here Are the Best Ones

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We Tested Humidifiers: Here Are the Best Ones

Whether the air is already dry or a running heater is sucking the moisture out of your space, a humidifier can help. Adding moisture to the air can relieve dry skin and respiratory issues, especially for people in colder climates. With so many options on the market—warm mist, cool mist, ultrasonic, evaporative, and more—finding the right choice can be challenging.

That's why we tested 56 ultrasonic and evaporative humidifiers in our lab and at home for six months. During this process, we looked for picks that were effective, stylish, easy to clean, and offered a long runtime. Stick around for our top picks that will help you breathe easy this winter.

It runs for up to 40 hours and comes with LED lights, aromatherapy, and guided meditation.

It’s fairly noisy on the higher settings.

The Miko Myst Ultrasonic Humidifier checks all the boxes of a great humidifier: It’s effective, versatile, and easy to use. After leaving it running for a few hours with the door closed, the remote had condensation on it. We were similarly amazed by its performance on the lowest setting, which increased our room’s humidity by 11% in just a few hours. Four months later, and we're still impressed by its strong output.

We love the features packed into this little machine, including a long 40-hour run time, optional LED lights, and a humidistat to track the room’s humidity levels. It comes with a variety of modes, including sleep mode, auto mode, light mode, and even meditation mode. Plus, you can set it to run for anywhere between two to 12 hours using the timer.

It was fairly quiet on the lowest setting, but whirring noises were constant on the medium and highest settings. While we found the sounds soothing, those looking for a quieter operation might prefer a different option.

The water tank’s handle made it easy to carry from room to room. The setup is also super intuitive—the clear window allows for easy water level tracking, and the top-fill design ensures a spill-free refill process. Overall, this device’s powerful output, ease of use, and several settings make it an excellent choice.

It was surprisingly quiet and ran for three nights before needing a refill.

You must replace the filter every 30 to 60 days.

Unlike ultrasonic models, evaporative humidifiers use a moistened filter and fan to distribute cool mist evenly throughout the room. After running the Honeywell Cool Moisture in a small bedroom for eight hours each night, we saw an increase in humidity by an average of 33% on the highest setting and 24% on the lowest setting. It ran for two to three nights before needing a refill. And, despite being a budget-friendly option, it definitely doesn’t skimp on durability—after six months of use, it’s still in great shape.

Considering this model has an internal fan, we found it surprisingly quiet, producing just a subtle, non-disruptive noise. What we really loved, though, is that all parts that come in contact with water are dishwasher safe, making it low maintenance and easy to clean. We found the water reservoir easy to remove and bring to the sink for a refill. Filter replacement was a bit more tedious, though—you’ll need to replace it every 30 to 60 days depending on the type of water you’re using.

It’s simple, effective, and easy to use.

The bulky design may be obtrusive in smaller locations.

Humidifiers can be expensive, but the Levoit Top Filled Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier proves you don’t have to sacrifice quality for the price. While the low setting wasn’t very strong— it took about 15 minutes for us to feel the effects on the lowest setting—the higher setting produced a much greater output. When we put it on our dresser, across the room from our bed, we still felt the impact. After four months of use, it's still just as powerful.

With just one setting, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of more advanced models, but we found the single brightness setting to be low and non-disruptive. Its soft, soothing LED nightlight is perfect for a bedroom or nursery, and for those who prefer a blackout bedroom, you can switch the nightlight off.

This model was super easy to use, clean, and adjust. We also appreciate its large water reservoir, which lasted for two or three nights before needing a refill. The tradeoff, though, is that it does take up a fair amount of space, making it a bit tricky to find an ideal home for it when you’re using it regularly. The opaque water tank made it easy to view the water line, the filter was easy to replace, and the wide-mouth top-fill design was easy to refill without spills. If you’re seeking a basic, no-frills humidifier, this one is a real steal.

The compact design and noiseless operation make it ideal for travel.

It won’t be effective in larger spaces.

Whether you’re going on a long vacation or a weekend road trip, we recommend the Canopy Portable Humidifier. It’s the perfect solution for travelers (it’s TSA-approved for your carry-on luggage) or anyone looking for a compact, space-saving humidifier. No more dry airplane air? Yes, please. After four months of daily use, it's still exceeding our expectations.

Its sleek design and small footprint make it ideal for smaller spaces, like bedrooms, office desks, or even on the go, and the nearly silent operation is non-disruptive in public settings. We also love that it’s compatible with essential oils, with the ceramic stone included for aromatherapy. Plus, the steel filter, water tank, and tank cap are all dishwasher safe. Our only complaint? The water tank visibility. Since the water line isn’t visible, you’ll have to manually monitor when it needs a refill.

It has three mist settings ranging from low to high. We found the output fairly strong given its size, but it isn’t likely to change a large room’s overall humidity. While it’s not ideal for large-scale humidification, its portability, quiet operation, and aromatherapy make it a versatile option for vacations and road trips.

You can adjust the settings from anywhere using the app.

You need to clean it regularly to avoid bacteria buildup.

Looking for a customizable, high-tech humidifier? The Levoit OasisMist is a must-have. During testing, we found the humidifier noticeably effective on any setting. We've been using it for six months, and it's become a staple in our nighttime routine.

The corresponding smartphone app allows you to adjust the mist level, set schedules and timers, and monitor performance from anywhere. It also has an auto mode that keeps the humidity at an ideal level, between 40% and 60%. Plus, you can sync it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

You can choose between the low, medium, and high settings by clicking the mist button—one light indicates the low setting, while three lights indicate the high setting. When we first turned it on, we had to sit about 2 feet away to feel the moisture. However, during our four- and eight-hour check-ins, we immediately felt the difference as soon as we entered the room. On the highest setting, it ran for about 12 hours before needing to be refilled, making it a great option for uninterrupted overnight use. You can also add essential oils.

Cleaning was relatively straightforward, and the removable tank with a handle made refilling easy and mess free. We did notice some film buildup around the base where water drains into the machine, but regular maintenance resolved the issue. We especially love how discreet it is—thanks to its compact design and quiet operation, we’d forget it was running if not for the visible vapor.

It's compact and tap water compatible, making it easy to bring on the go.

It requires four hours of charging for an eight-hour runtime.

If you’re looking for a personal humidifier to pamper your skin, the Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier is the perfect choice. Its compact design makes it portable and travel-friendly, so you can easily take it to your desk, bedroom, or even on your commute (it fits in most cup holders). It also operates quietly, even on higher settings, producing only a faint hum. Six months later, and we still have no complaints.

Overall, we found this humidifier to be very low maintenance. Since it works best with tap water, you can refill it almost anywhere. The clear window on the tank, along with the backlight, made it easy to monitor the water level. Cleaning took less than two minutes—just wash and rinse it with mild soap and water as you would any cup or mug. We did notice some buildup around the nozzle over time, but a quick wipe with a cotton swab took care of it.

Despite its small size, this humidifier has a surprisingly long runtime—about eight hours on the continuous setting. Just keep in mind that it does take four hours to fully charge, so you’ll want to plan accordingly before you use it. You can also opt for the intermittent setting, which we found a bit stronger (and noisier) than the continuous one. While it’s not designed for larger spaces, we think its compact design, tap water compatibility, and impressive battery life make it a great personal option.

Our top ultrasonic humidifier is the Miko Myst for its impressive output, long runtime, and various settings (including a meditation mode). If you’re looking for an evaporative humidifier, we recommend the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier, which is effective on both the highest and lowest settings.

To find the best humidifiers, we tested 56 of the most popular models in our lab and at home. First, we set up of each humidifier, assessing how difficult the process was and how long it took. We also filled the water tank to its capacity with distilled water, noting how heavy the tank was when full.

Once the water tanks were full, we measured the effectiveness of each humidifier by running it for eight hours straight on both the highest and lowest setting and recorded the humidity level of the room before and after. We also considered how loud each unit was and whether it made any humming, whistling, or crackling noises. Once we turned the humidifiers off, we checked the surrounding area for any puddling or leaking.

During this process, we paid attention to the design of each humidifier, considering whether it blends in well with its surroundings, how user-friendly the display is, and if it includes any smart features. We also took size into account, noting how much room it takes up, whether the cord is long enough to reach the outlet, and how long it runs before needing a refill.

After each use, we emptied and cleaned the tank, evaluating how easy it was to clean. Finally, we rated the overall value of each humidifier based on whether its performance justified the price. Once lab testing was complete, we brought the humidifiers home and tested them over six months to evaluate how well they held up to daily use.

There are two main kinds of humidifiers: cool mist and warm mist. Warm mist humidifiers use boiling water and release steam into the room, making them ideal for cold winter months. However, they require more frequent cleaning and can be dangerous for homes with children and pets. Cool mist humidifiers, on the other hand, release room-temperature air back into the room.

Cool mist humidifiers can be either evaporative or ultrasonic. Evaporative humidifiers use a fan to evaporate water in a moistened filter, and because of the fan, they are usually a bit noisier. However, they’re more energy efficient and somewhat self-regulating—as the humidity in the room increases, the evaporation naturally decreases. Ultrasonic humidifiers use a vibrating diaphragm to disperse a fine mist into the air. They operate more quietly than evaporative humidifiers and don’t use a filter.

When shopping for a humidifier, the “size specification” you’ll see refers to the maximum room it could effectively humidify, while the capacity—usually measured in milliliters, liters, or gallons—refers to the size of the water tank. Generally, larger rooms will require a humidifier with a bigger tank. While the tank capacity doesn’t directly affect its runtime, it does determine how often you’ll need to refill it.

Depending on when and where you plan to use your humidifier, noise level is important to consider. If you’re using it in your office or overnight in the bedroom, you’ll want a model that’s quiet and non-disruptive. Ultrasonic humidifiers are typically the quietest, while evaporative humidifiers tend to be a bit louder because of the running fan.

Noise levels often correlate with settings—the higher the setting, the louder the noise. It’s also worth noting that inconsistent sounds, like dripping sounds or intermittent misting, can be more noticeable. Continuous settings, on the other hand, often become white noise that’s less noticeable. Generally, a noise level of 30 to 40 decibels provides a low, unobtrusive hum.

Different humidifiers require different levels of maintenance, and the manufacturer will indicate how to best care for them. Generally, you clean your humidifier weekly and change the water regularly to discourage mold and bacteria. You may need to do these more or less often, depending on the frequency of use. Some humidifiers have a sanitization function to assist with this. If you’re storing your humidifier or using it infrequently, make sure you empty and clean it before storing it.

Some humidifiers come with a built-in humidistat that detects and monitors a room’s humidity levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50%. Many models also feature auto settings, which sense the room’s humidity and automatically adjust output to maintain the ideal level.

Clorox Easy Clean Humidifier: We found this humidifier easy to set up, use, and clean, and noticed a significant humidity increase on all settings. However, we did observe some residue when using tap water, as well as an occasional dripping noise.

Crane Cool Mist Top Load Humidifier and Aroma Diffuser: With a large tank capacity and powerful output, the Crane Cool Mist humidifier is an excellent choice for larger spaces. We also appreciate its easy operation and convenient auto mode, which helped maintain our ideal humidity level. That said, we found it a bit heavy and difficult to clean.

Air Purifier For Mold This article was written by Jamie Fischer, a writer for Real Simple with nearly two years of experience writing about home, lifestyle, and cleaning products. Nicole M. LaMarco also contributed to this piece. She has over 20 years of writing and bylines in Yahoo, Shape, Health, and Forbes, among others. To find the best humidifiers for our list, we tested 56 ultrasonic and evaporative humidifiers in our lab and at home for six months and observed their effectiveness, noise level, design, and style.