The 15 Best Humidifiers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
When the humidity drops too high or too low, it can contribute to asthma, allergies, dry skin, and more, which is why managing the moisture levels in your home is so important to improve air quality. A humidifier helps to keep an optimal humidity level in your home and can even provide a better night’s rest by improving sleeping conditions for adults and babies alike.
We tested over 56 of the best humidifiers in our Des Moines lab and in our homes, evaluating them on effectiveness, noise level, design, size, ease of cleaning, and overall value. We also spoke with Melanie Carver, chief mission officer at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), to learn about the effects of humidity on asthma and allergies, as well as what features to look for in a humidifier.
Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier at Amazon
$44
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It’s quiet and doesn’t have a display light, so it won’t disrupt your sleep.
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It isn’t very effective on the low setting.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are known for providing a quiet mist, and this sleek and simple model received high marks across the board in our testing. The two-in-one design functions as both a diffuser and humidifier, enabling you to create your own at-home spa experience with essential oils. We were particularly impressed by the humidifier’s quiet operation during testing—we couldn’t hear it at all when we were just over a foot away from it. One thing to keep in mind is that we didn’t find this humidifier to be effective on the low setting. It was very effective on the high setting, though, increasing the humidity levels by an average of 39%. For this, we recommend only using it on the higher one.
We found the humidifier easy to use and clean. The dial is intuitive, and while there is no display light to indicate whether the device is on or not, we could see and feel the mist. Because it’s quiet and lacks a display light, we believe this humidifier would be non-disruptive if left on throughout the night. After using the humidifier for six months, it still functioned as well as it did at the beginning of our testing.
We appreciate the convenient open-top design, which allows for a spill-free filling process. After removing the lid, there was no limescale or mold buildup of any kind, and the fragrance of the essential oils kept the device smelling fresh, as well. We didn’t love that the water line was difficult to see, but that was a minor issue. Though this humidifier may not have the bells and whistles of more advanced models, it certainly gets the job done.
Type: Ultrasonic | Size: 7.2 by 8.1 by 11.6 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 3 liters | Run Time: Up to 25 hours on low | Essential Oil Tray: Yes