The 5 Best Humidifiers (2022 Review)

Humidifiers release mist into the air, preventing your hands, feet, throat, and nose from getting dry during the colder months. The This Old House Reviews Team has researched the best humidifiers on Amazon to keep you comfortable and healthy all year round. Keep reading to explore our top picks.

Quietest Operation: Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier

Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier

• $52
• $93
• 44% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This humidifier has near-silent operation at less than 30 dB and offers a six-liter water tank with a 500-square-foot coverage area. It pushes mist into the air of medium and large rooms for up to 50 hours or six nights. You can also opt to use its built-in essential oil diffuser.

Courtesy Amazon

• $52 at Amazon

Key Features

• Has a six-liter tank
• Releases mist for 50 hours
• Covers 500 square feet
• Operates below 30 decibels
• Comes with a two-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers noted that this humidifier made a minimal amount of noise. In addition, reviewers said that it relieved the dry air symptoms that they were experiencing. Unhappy customers criticized this humidifier for leaking water and being difficult to troubleshoot.

Best For Small Rooms: AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier

AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier

• $30
• $50
• 41% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

The tank attached to this humidifier can hold up to 2.2 liters of water, keeping the mist flowing for up to 24 hours. The transparent tank gives you visibility into how much water is left, and the rotating nozzle disperses mist in a 360-degree motion.

Courtesy Amazon

• $30 at Amazon

Key Features

• Has a 2.2-liter tank
• Releases mist for 24 hours
• Comes with a lifetime warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers praised this humidifier for increasing the humidity level in small spaces. Many also noted that it was easy to use and clean and made minimal noise. Negative reviews pointed out that this humidifier leaked water instead of releasing mist.

Best For Large Rooms: LEVOIT Humidifier

LEVOIT Humidifier

• $100

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This humidifier has a digital display and a remote control, giving you the choice to select a setting from up close or across the room. Though most humidifiers release cool mist to make your home feel cooler, this model also offers a warm mist setting. You can also add essential oils to the included aroma pad.

Courtesy Amazon

• $100 at Amazon

Key Features

• Has a six-liter tank
• Releases mist for 50 hours
• Covers 753 square feet
• Operates at 28 decibels
• Comes with a one-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Many reviewers praised this humidifier’s warm mist setting, stating that they liked it when they were in bed sleeping. They also said that the customer service team helped with any problems or questions quickly. Negative reviews noted that this humidifier had a strong plastic odor and didn’t read the air’s humidity level correctly.

Best Sensor: GENIANI Cool Mist Humidifier

GENIANI Cool Mist Humidifier

• $65
• $90
• 28% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Releasing mist for up to 18 hours, this humidifier uses a built-in smart sensor to maintain a healthy humidity level around the clock. Once the four-liter water tank is empty, it is easier to refill and clean than many other models thanks to its top-fill design.

Courtesy Amazon

• $65 at Amazon

Key Features

• Has a four-liter tank
• Releases mist for 18 hours
• Covers 220 square feet
• Operates at 38 decibels
• Comes with a two-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Customers loved the sleek, minimalistic look of this humidifier. Many also noted that it was quiet and easy to clean. Dissatisfied users didn’t like how little power it had and how often it leaked water.

Best For Medium Rooms: Honeywell Cool Mist Humidifier

Honeywell Cool Mist Humidifier

• $75

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This humidifier has a water capacity of 1.25 gallons, or about 4.7 liters. It adheres to the recommended home humidity level, keeping your medium-sized room between 40% and 60% humidity at all times. After 24 hours, the tank runs out of water and notifies you with a light.

Courtesy Amazon

• $75 at Amazon

Key Features

• Has a 4.7-liter tank
• Releases mist for 24 hours
• Comes with a two-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers praised this humidifier for being easy to use and clean and for offering an essential oil function. Negative reviews criticized this product for smelling like plastic when it was running.

Buyer’s Guide

Noise, filtration, control, diffusion, capacity, and coverage are the main factors you should consider before purchasing a humidifier for your home. Keep reading to learn about each of these elements.

Noise Level

Some humidifiers are loud, while others are silent. If you are sensitive to noise or plan to use your humidifier in a room that requires silence, look for an ultrasonic model that operates at a high frequency that human ears can’t hear.

Capacity

A humidifier’s capacity refers to how much water it can hold, which is usually labeled in liters or gallons. The capacity of your humidifier should match the size of the room you plan to use it in. A humidifier that can hold six or more liters works in large rooms, while a four-liter humidifier is better for small rooms.

Coverage

Similar to capacity, most manufacturers tell you how many square feet their humidifier covers. This allows you to map out where you should place the humidifier to get the most reach out of it.

Filtration

Humidifiers are prone to growing bacteria, mildew, and mold because they have standing water in their tank. To prevent these contaminants from entering the air and your lungs, look for a humidifier with a filter.

Control

Most humidifiers have a dial or display that you can use to control how much mist comes out. Occasionally, a model also comes with a remote control or mobile app.

Essential Oil Diffusion

Some humidifiers have a built-in oil diffuser that can make the air in your home smell like whatever essential oil you put in it. With this function, you’re getting a device that does two jobs for the price of one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the ideal humidity level for a home?

Most homes sit between 30% and 50% humidity, but you may prefer a home that’s slightly less or more humid.

How do I clean my humidifier?

The owner’s manual should give you instructions on how to clean your humidifier, but here are some general guidelines:

• Disassemble the humidifier.
• Pour one to two cups of white vinegar into the tank. You can use bleach instead of vinegar to kill more bacteria.
• Place the vinegar-filled tank on its base, allowing it to drain into the reservoir to loosen any mineral buildup.
• Let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
• Empty the tank.
• Use a small brush to scrub any crevices.
• Wipe the small components of the humidifier with a clean cloth or vinegar-dipped sponge.
• Rinse the humidifier.
• Let it dry.

You should clean your humidifier once a week or once every two weeks. In addition to this thorough cleaning, rinse the tank daily with tap water.

What time of year should I use my humidifier?

You can use your humidifier at any point during the year. However, it’s most useful in the winter and fall when the air is dry.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.

We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

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