The Best Humidifiers To Help You Breathe Easier This Winter

Dimensions: 11.3 x 7 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Room size: 430 to 753 sq. ft. | Run time: 36 to 50 hours | Mist: Warm and cool | Capacity: 6 liters

Offering both warm and cool mist settings, the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier is one of the largest and most versatile options in this roundup—not to mention, one of the most reasonably priced at under $100. If you’re looking to humidify a big room (up to 753 square feet) and want a machine that can run for up to 50 hours before you have to refill it with water, this model is a fine choice. The brand claims this humidifier can raise the humidity level 10% in just 20 minutes, and it comes with a remote control so you can change its settings from across the room. This pick is extremely easy to clean, and it works with essential oils to make your room smell better while it operates.

What the editors say: Home and shopping editor Sholeen Damarwala, who uses the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic for her child’s nursery, says, “It’s whisper quiet and doesn’t have any flashing lights that can disturb my little sleeper. The best feature is that the machine maintains a target humidity level on an auto setting all night. Unlike older models I’ve owned, the Levoit tank can be easily detached so you can take it to sink to give to a clean wash. It’s an impressive humidifier with tons of smart features that are easy to use.”

Pros:

• Powerful enough for large rooms
• Can be used with essential oils
• Runs very quietly
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons:

• Cannot add essential oils directly into the tank

Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Room size: 400 sq. ft. | Run time: 24 hours | Mist: Cool | Capacity: 2.2 liters

This compact humidifier is a budget-friendly option to put in a bedroom or smaller-sized living space. It can hold up to 0.6 gallons (2.2 liters) of water at a time, and it’s virtually silent during operation, meaning it won’t disturb your daily activities. The unit has a 360-degree rotating nozzle that lets you direct its cool mist, and a knob dial adjusts the mist output. The humidifier doesn’t use a filter, making it easy to clean, and it’s petite and lightweight in case you want to move it around your home.

What the reviews say: One apartment dweller reports on the company’s website, “This humidifier has been a huge help for me, sleep-wise. My room would get so dry to the point where I would wake up dehydrated. But ever since I started using this product, that hasn’t been a problem. It’s extremely easy to set up and refill whenever all the water drains, and there is barely any noise when it’s on.”

Pros:

• Has an auto-shutoff feature when tank runs out
• Rotating nozzle to direct mist
• No filter to change
• Backed by a lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Needs to be refilled often

Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 13.4 inches | Weight: 4.3 pounds | Room size: 505 sq. ft. | Run time: Up to 60 hours | Mist: Cool and warm | Capacity: 6 liters

Getting up to flip your humidifier on and off can be a pain, especially if you’re already cozy in bed. That’s where the Levoit Classic 300S has a unique value-add (on top of being great at retaining moisture in your environment). This smart humidifier comes with a VeSync app that lets you do a slew of things from your phone, including turning the device on and off, creating schedules, setting timers and connecting to voice assistants. The humidifier also offers cool and warm mist to give you options, and it makes under 30 decibels of noise (slightly less than a whisper). This machine covers a span of up to 505 square feet, making it a good choice for bedrooms and medium-size living rooms. Enjoy up to 60 hours of humidifying (on low) before the roomy tank needs a refill.

What the reviews say: A verified Amazon reviewer was impressed with this model, saying “I am using this humidifier to give my plants the extra humidity that they need. Being able to set it to automatically adjust its output to reach the desired humidity has been really convenient. The app even reminds me when the water has run out and the machine needs to be cleaned.”

Pros:

• Easy to set up connectivity to your smartphone
• Convenient top-fill design
• Quiet operation on low
• 360-degree nozzle helps aim mist where you need it

Cons:

• Prone to leaking if not cleaned carefully per instructions

Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.8 x 13.2 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Room size: 300 to 500 sq. ft. | Run time: 24 hours | Mist: Cool | Capacity: 4.7 liters

Many people like to run a humidifier in their bedroom while they sleep, as it can help improve air quality, and this midsize model from Honeywell is a top choice for keeping next to your bed. It’s virtually silent during operation, and its 1.25-gallon water tank can run for up to 24 hours per fill. The sleek unit comes in white or black colorways, and you can easily adjust its mist output to suit your preferences. There’s a small essential oil tray at the bottom in case you want to use lavender oil (or another soothing scent) at bedtime, and the water tank has a large recessed handle and wide opening that make it easy to refill and clean. 

What the reviews say: The machine is, “extremely quiet,” confirms editorial director Brinda Ayer who tested the model for the Forbes Vetted Best Products Awards. “Water compartment is easy to take out and fill, which you’d need to do about once a day if you ran this for 24 hours. Size is pretty small and can be tucked away in a corner when not being used,” she adds.

Pros:

• Extremely quiet during operation
• Can be used with essential oils using tray
• Sleek, modern design won’t stick out
• Very easy to set up and use

Cons:

• Occasionally makes dripping noises
• Some users advise elevating it for better humidifying

Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.3 x 25.1 inches | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Room size: 1,000 sq. ft. | Run time: 48 hours | Mist: Cool | Capacity: 16 liters

For those looking for a humidifier that can cover an entire floor or other large common space, Lacidoll’s powerful 4.2-gallon option is a solid pick. This surprisingly attractive model can cover up to 1,000 square feet and has four mist level settings that you can adjust with either the touch control panel or an included remote. It also has other useful smart features, like auto-adjusting its mist output based on your preset humidity level, turning off the display lights in sleep mode or automatically shutting off based on a set timer (or when the water tank runs dry). It’s also designed to be simple and convenient to clean and maintain: It has an intuitive top-fill design, you don’t need to remove the tank to fill it and it has a built-in UV sterilizing light that the company says helps clean the mist before it enters your space.

What the reviews say: One verified reviewer, who’s owned one other Lacidoll model, reports on company’s website, “This model does an amazing job at maintaining a consistent humidity level for our entire first floor. It is easy to fill, easy to clean and the extension tube shoots the mist over our plants (which is very conveni