Those who live in dry or frigid climates know that a little humidity goes a long way for the skin. Humidifiers can help introduce more moisture into your home by emitting water vapor into the air, which helps alleviate dry skin, chapped lips, nosebleeds and other dry-weather conditions.
“Dry skin can have an impaired barrier function, making the skin more prone to irritation and inflammation — humidifiers help prevent winter dermatitis,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessie Cheung. More moisture in the air also helps slow down the transmission of microbes in your home — which helps with allergies — and combats irritation of your skin, nasal passages, throat and more due to dry air, according to experts. (But keep in mind, humidifiers require weekly cleaning to avoid build up of mold and bacteria.)
To help you determine the best humidifier for your space, we spoke to experts about the benefits of humidifiers, the different types available and what to consider when shopping for one.
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There are four main types of humidifiers, each using a different method to produce hot or cool moisture (or both) into the air, according to our experts.
Cool-mist humidifiers help reintroduce moisture into your home by pumping a cool mist into the air. These humidifiers can be a bit noisier than warm-mist humidifiers as they typically contain a fan. There are two main types of cool-mist humidifiers: evaporative and ultrasonic.
Evaporative humidifiers create a very fine mist that isn’t always visible to the human eye. Unlike warm-mist humidifiers, these humidifiers have no heating element, so there is no risk of burns, says Cheung. They work by using a fan to blow air through a filter. However, the fans can be noisy, and the filter should be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria and mold from growing.
Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency sound vibrations outside the human hearing range to expel water droplets into the air as a cool mist. They usually have a small fan to disperse the mist over large areas. “These devices don’t use heat and are quiet, but do require maintenance to keep them free of mold and bacterial overgrowth,” says Cheung, adding that she prefers this type because it doesn’t have a filter that needs to be replaced.
Warm-mist humidifiers — also known as vaporizers — have an internal heater that boils the water before releasing it into the air as steam, creating a warm mist. They’re typically more affordable and quieter than cool-mist humidifiers, and they can slightly warm up the air in the wintertime. Our experts say users should avoid sitting too close to steam vaporizers and avoid putting them in children’s rooms since they can get very hot.
The best humidifier is the one that you will use and maintain regularly. When shopping for a new humidifier, our experts say to consider the following factors:
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All of the humidifiers below are either recommendations from our experts, NBC Select staff, or are top-rated options with at least a 4-star average rating from 500 or more reviews on Amazon. .
This cool mist, ultrasonic humidifier is designed to automatically shut off when the device detects it has run out of water. The essential oil tray also lets the machine double as a diffuser to add a pleasant scent throughout your home. Since it humidifies large spaces, you can use it in a bedroom or even the living room. It’s also slim and tall, which means it doesn’t take up too much surface area on a counter or side table. Plus, it has a 4.2-star average rating from 58,468 reviews on Amazon.
Water capacity: 1.6 gallons | Run time: Up to 50 hours | Room size: Up to 500 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
Something to note
The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is designed to temporarily relieve cold symptoms and congestion by pumping out a warm mist into the air, according to the brand. It comes with a large tank opening for easy filling and is designed for medium- to large-sized rooms. It has a 4-star average rating from 1,787 reviews at Target.
Water capacity: 1 gallon | Run time: Up to 24 hours | Room size: Up to 500 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown runs this humidifier year-round in her apartment to combat the dry hair that typically affects her skin and hair. “I love that this humidifier has both warm and cool settings so I can use during summer and winter,” she says. Her favorite feature is the humidifier’s back slot for aromatherapy, which she says releases a subtle yet effective scent after about an hour of use. “I love putting a few drops of lavender into it before I go to bed,” she says.
Water capacity: 1.2 gallons | Run time: Up to 45 hours | Room size: Up to 580 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
This humidifier’s lightweight design — slightly under 1.5 pounds — makes it ideal for tighter, cozier spaces, according to the brand, such as a small bedroom or home office. The top of the humidifier is also transparent, so you can always see the water level without worrying about it running out abruptly. It includes a nightlight to help create a more soothing sleep environment, according to Pure Enrichment, and a 4.4-star average rating from more than 103,000 reviews on Amazon.
Water capacity: 0.4 gallons | Run time: Up to 25 hours | Room size: Up to 250 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
Something to note
If you’re looking for a cool-mist humidifier to put in your child’s room, this budget-friendly Vicks model might be a good option. It has an antimicrobial filter that removes impurities to prevent white dust in hard water areas, according to Cheung. The humidifier has a changing light, adjustable mist settings and a transparent top. Plus, “it has the bonus of a relaxing starry sky projector,” she says.
Water capacity: 1 gallon | Run time: 24 hours | Room size: Up to 400 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: No
What we like
This ultrasonic humidifier from Levoit includes dual-temperature control, which means you can set a cool or warm temperature. It also comes with a remote that lets you turn the humidifier on and off, as well as control mist levels. “It has a large tank and provides humidistats to avoid over-humidification,” says Cheung. The humidifier also has a transparent water tank and functions relatively quietly, according to the brand. Since it covers such large areas, you could use this one for your entire home or apartment.
Water capacity: 1.6 gallons | Run time: Up to 50 hours | Room size: Up to 753 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
If you’re looking for a humidifier to take with you on-the-go, this portable option is about the size and weight of an empty wine bottle. “I’ve had it for years at this point, and it’s a very good budget option,” says NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, who uses it at night during wintertime. Due to its compact water tank, it doesn’t have the capacity to produce vapor all night long, she notes. However, “it’s just enough that the air is not super dry, which is all I need,” she says.
Water capacity: About 0.2 gallons | Run time: Under 8 hours | Room size: Under 400 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: No
What we like
Something to note
This top-fill humidifier from Levoit is a great option for large rooms at a decent price point, according to our experts. CNBC Select editor Benji Stawski says he loves being able to control it directly from his phone using the brand’s VeSync App and set it on the specific schedule he wants. You can also use voice assistants like Amazon Alexa to adjust its settings, including its humidity level and sleep timer.
Water capacity: 1.6 gallons | Run time: Up to 60 hours| Room size: Up to 505 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
Multiple experts recommend the Homvana because it can be controlled via the included remote — you can adjust the device to release warm or cool mist and control the humidity level. Plus, it can add 10% of moisture into the air in just 13 minutes, according to the brand. It also has a built-in aroma box so essential oils can be added.
Water capacity: 1.7 gallons | Run time: Up to 1.2 hours| Room size: Up to 861 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
If you’re ready to invest in a more robust option, the Venta LW25 Airwasher can help maintain a 40% to 60% humidity level in your home, according to the brand. The automatic shutoff feature also makes this filter-free model an energy-efficient option. The Venta LW25 has a 4.1-star average rating from over 1,026 reviews at Amazon.
Water capacity: 2 gallons | Run time: Up to 10 hours | Room size: Up to 430 square feet | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
A favorite of NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson, the Hey Dewy Facial Humidifier can help hydrate your face throughout the day. It’s both wireless and rechargeable, so you can take it with you while . It also offers continuous and intermittent mist settings, as well as a soft LED light to keep next to your nightstand.
Water capacity: 12.4 oz. | Run time: Up to 8 hours | Room size: Under 400 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: No
What we like
This humidifier weighs 2.2 pounds, making it one of the most lightweight options on this list. It also comes with a personal steam inhaler for cough and cold that you can set up by replacing the humidifier tank with the included inhaler attachment, according to the brand. This model can heat water up to 131 degrees to produce a warm mist, according to the brand. The Crane humidifier has a 4.2-star average rating from 2,900 reviews on Amazon.
Water capacity: 0.5 gallons | Run time: Up to 8 hours | Room size: Up to 250 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
What we like
Cheung says this warm-mist humidifier is especially quiet because it doesn’t have a fan — although users may hear the sound of bubbling water. “There’s also no costly filters to replace, but it’s important to clean the mineral scale from a warm-mist humidifier to keep it running,” she says.
Water capacity: 1 gallon | Run time: Up to 24 hours | Room size: Up to 270 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: Yes
Whether you’re looking for your first humidifier or want to upgrade your current model, our experts highlight the different types of humidifiers, along with several features to keep in mind below.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Mili Godio is an editor at NBC Select who covers a variety of home and kitchen products, including space heaters, washable rugs and laundry stain removers.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select; Lauren Levy is a former NBC Select contributor. For this article, they spoke to two dermatologists about the benefits of humidifiers, including tips on how to shop for the best ones. They also compiled their recommendations, along with top picks from NBC Select staff.
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