Key Points
When choosing the best humidifier, there are several factors to consider, including coverage, price, tank size, maintenance required, and whether the mist is cool or hot.
The Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Humidifier was voted the best overall humidifier.
If tank size is a concern, then the Aircare 4DTS900 may be for you.
When choosing the best humidifier, there are several factors to consider, including coverage, price, tank size, maintenance required, and whether the mist is cool or hot
Types of Humidifiers
Before diving into the top picks, it‘s important to understand the different types of humidifiers available:
Ultrasonic Humidifiers: These humidifiers use high-frequency vibrations to create a cool mist. They are quiet, efficient, and good for distributing moisture evenly throughout a room. However, they require frequent cleaning to prevent mineral buildup.
Evaporative Humidifiers: Sometimes called "wick humidifiers," these models draw water up a wick filter which a fan blows across to evaporate the water. They provide a cool mist and are good for large spaces, but the wicks need regular replacing.
Steam Vaporizer Humidifiers: These humidifiers boil water to create steam vapor which is distributed into a room. They provide a warm mist which some find soothing. But they use more energy and the boiling water poses a safety risk, especially around children.
Impeller Humidifiers: Relying on a rotating disk, these humidifiers fling water droplets into a room. They also provide a cool mist but are not as quiet or efficient as ultrasonic models.
Now let‘s look at the top 5 humidifier picks across these categories.
Best Overall: Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Humidifier
The Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Humidifier was voted the best overall humidifier thanks to its versatility and smart features. This model can produce both warm and cool mist, making it useful year-round for maintaining comfortable humidity levels.
With a 1.58 gallon tank capacity and output up to 500 mL/hour, the LV600HH can handle large spaces up to 753 square feet. I particularly like the built-in humidity sensor which allows the humidifier to automatically adjust mist levels to maintain an ideal humidity percentage.
Other notable features include:
- Variable misting speeds
- Built-in aroma diffuser
- Remote control
- Programmable on/off timer
- Quiet operation
Maintenance is straightforward with a handy bottom drain which allows easy water changes without moving the entire unit. My only gripe is the lack of a top-fill tank which would make refills less messy.
Overall though, the smart humidification technology, extensive coverage, and dual misting abilities make this an excellent all-around humidifier.
Best for the Whole House: AIRCARE 4DTS900
If you‘re looking to humidify your entire house, the AIRCARE 4DTS900 is up to the monumental task. This is one of the largest console humidifiers available for residential use with an incredible coverage range of 3,600 square feet.
It holds a massive 5.7 gallons of water in two side-by-side tanks. Running at its highest misting setting, it can output 11.5 gallons of moisture over a 48 hour period before needing a refill. Suffice to say, it has the capacity to handle most homes with ease.
I love the inclusion of digital controls and an adjustable humidistat allowing you to dial in your desired humidity with precision. Large caster wheels also make it easy to roll from room to room.
My main gripe with evaporative humidifiers like this one is they tend to be on the louder side. The replaceable wicks and filters also mean ongoing costs you wouldn‘t have with an ultrasonic model. However, for whole home humidifying power, the AIRCARE 4DTS900 is tough to beat.
Best for Children: Crane Adorables Humidifier
When shopping for a kid‘s humidifier, two priorities are safety and visual appeal. The Crane Adorables line nails both while also providing solid performance.
These humidifiers come in fun animal shapes like monkeys, elephants, and hippos that children will adore. The 1 gallon tank supplies up to 24 hours of soothing cool mist to rooms around 500 square feet.
For safety, the Crane Adorables include an automatic shut-off to prevent overheating or tipping accidents. The exterior also remains cool to the touch during operation. Adjustable outputs allow customizing the moisture levels as needed.
As a parent, I appreciate that these humidifiers are filter-free (optional filters available) for fuss-free maintenance. My only complaint is the tank fills from the bottom which my kids inevitably end up spilling.
Nonetheless, if you‘re looking to add moisture to your little one‘s room, the cute and safe Crane Adorables are a top choice.
Best Smart Humidifier: Levoit Classic 300S
Smart home technology has entered the humidifier market, and one of the best app-connected models is the Levoit Classic 300S.
Like the top pick LV600HH, the 300S can diffuse moisture across medium-large rooms up to 505 square feet. It includes convenient features like aromatherapy, auto mode, and sleep timer.
Where this humidifier stands out is the addition of WiFi and smart app connectivity. This allows monitoring humidity levels and adjusting settings from anywhere. You can also enable voice control through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to go hands-free.
I love the simple one-button top-fill design of the 1.58 gallon tank. And runtime lasts an incredible 60 hours on the lowest mist setting.
As someone obsessed with graphs and data, I‘ll admit the ability to track humidity trends over time via the app gives me life. The smart Levoit 300S appeals directly to my tech geek heart.
Best Portable: HoMedics Personal Ultrasonic Humidifier
As a frequent business traveler, having a portable humidifier is a game changer for improving sleep when on the road. My current travel companion is the ultra-compact HoMedics Personal Ultrasonic Humidifier.
Weighing less than 1 pound, this little humidifier is small enough to fit anywhere and produces 4 hours of cool mist from a tiny 200 ml tank. The included USB power option lets me use my computer as the power source rather than relying on a wall outlet.
Despite its diminutive size, the metal diaphragm ultrasonic element packs a surprising punch in terms of silent yet visible moisture output. I also appreciate the night light function and auto shut-off when the tank empties.
Obviously with a 0.2 gallon capacity, this isn‘t built for large spaces or all-day use. But for traveling or desk humidifying, the handy HoMedics personal humidifier gets the job done.
How to Calculate Coverage Capacity
Choosing a humidifier with an appropriate coverage capacity for your space is critical. Here‘s a quick guide to sizing your humidifier correctly:
Step 1) Measure your room in feet to determine total square footage.
Length x Width = Square Footage
For example, my bedroom is 15 ft long x 12 ft wide = 180 sq ft
Step 2) Identify humidifiers that cover your room‘s square footage. Most humidifiers provide a square footage range.
Add a 20-30% buffer if the humidifier will be used in an open concept space.
Step 3) Consider other factors like runtime, tank capacity, outputs, and features. Models with higher runtimes require less frequent refilling.
That‘s it! Following those tips will ensure your humidifier has the power to effectively and efficiently moisturize the full space you need.
Humidifier Maintenance Best Practices
While humidifiers provide immense comfort and health benefits, they also require regular maintenance for safe operation. Here are my top care tips:
- Change water every 1-2 days to limit bacteria growth
- Fully empty tanks between refills and wipe down with disinfectant
- Soak tanks in vinegar water to dissolve mineral deposits
- Replace wicks/filters per manufacturer instructions
- Use distilled or filtered water to minimize white dust
- Let parts fully dry before reassembling to avoid mold
- Follow all cleaning guidance in the operating manual
Setting a reminder on your phone‘s calendar app can help remember maintenance on schedule. Performing proper humidifier care will maximize performance and neat super-clean operation.
FAQs
Q: What humidity level is best for my home?
Between 40-50% relative humidity is ideal for home health and preventing mold growth. Humidifiers typically have built-in hygrometers helping maintain optimal moisture.
Q: How do I know if my home needs a humidifier?
Signs like dry skin, scratchy throats, static electricity, furniture creaking, and increased illness likelihood signal too little humidity in your home. Target 30-50% for ideal comfort.
Q: Can humidifiers make allergies worse?
Yes, by encouraging dust mites and mold growth if not cleaned properly. Be diligent about maintenance to provide allergy relief rather than aggravation.
Q: Is warm or cool mist better?
Cool mist is generally safer since there is no boiling water. However, warm mist provides greater comfort for some during cold, dry months. Hybrid models allow switching as desired.
The Bottom Line
Adding moisture back into dry air provides season-long comfort and health benefits. The humidifiers featured here represent the top options across different needs and budgets.
Factors like square footage, runtime, special features, ease of filling/cleaning and warm vs cool mist all impact finding "the one" for your situation.
Hopefully this technology geek‘s rundown has shed helpful insight on picking the perfect humidifier for your home. Happy shopping and happy breathing easier!
