Humans are most comfortable when indoor humidity levels range from 40 to 50 percent. “Below 40 percent air is considered dry, which can cause eyes, throats, [and] sinuses to dry out,” says Dr. Ken Spaeth, medical director of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center at the North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York. “Greater than 50 percent relative humidity can promote mold growth.” To determine the best humidifiers for different rooms and conditions, we purchased 27 humidifiers from various brands and tested them in The Lab, simulating real-world situations by running each in different-size rooms for 15 minutes. We timed each product’s unboxing and setup process, and evaluated mist output and direction control, cleaning and filter replacement needs, and even how much noise it made. After testing all of the humidifiers in the lab, we sent them home with volunteer testers, who evaluated their long-term performance over three months. Backed by our testing and Dr. Spaeth’s insight, the Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier was the clear winner because of its compact, modern design, intuitive touchscreen features, and easy-to-clean tank. Here are the best humidifiers, backed by our testing and research. The misting strength level was initially robust, but our tester reported it didn’t strengthen significantly from its lowest setting. You can easily adjust the mist nozzle to direct the airflow. During the 15 minutes, our lab tester ran this humidifier continuously. She noted that not even a faint hum or whirring fan was detected. After using this humidifier for three months each night in her bedroom, our at-home tester said she loved this humidifier’s large tank capacity; how efficient it was at maximizing the amount of water used between refills; and its quiet, steady output of mist, compared with other models that are quite loud for an overnight setting. However, she believed the flush, touchscreen-style buttons might be difficult for some users and preferred that the unit use buttons that protruded more. You can add an aroma pad if you want the aromatherapy benefits of a diffuser. However, our tester could not do so while the machine was running. Cleaning the large, 6-liter tank—which provides up to 60 hours of operation—is a simple process that involves opening the whole top and using mild soap and the included cleaning brush. The humidifier left no residue on its surroundings during testing. Price at time of publish: $80 Size: 9.65 x 7.56 x 13.39 inches | Water Tank Capacity: 6 liters (1.5 gallons) | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Room Size: 215–505 square feet This humidifier produces mist almost immediately; a separate attachment allows you to change the mist’s direction. An indicator light turns red when the tank needs refilling, which our in-home tester appreciated for its ease. “I like that the top tank removes completely,” she said. “I have another humidifier in my house—a larger one—where the tank is connected to the base. You have to fill that from the top, so you have to unplug the entire machine and bring it to the sink, which is a nuisance.“She also noted that moisture doesn’t entirely dissipate when the machine has been off for several days—something we noticed across the board in nearly every product we at-home tested. “When I go for days without using it, you can still see a lot of condensation,” she reported. “This makes me worried about how well or not the device is getting rid of moisture in between uses.” She also said the cap that changes the mist’s direction felt a bit cheap. But overall she was impressed by this humidifier’s steady output and quiet operation. Although the Magictec doesn’t include all the high-tech features of other humidifier models, it is hard to beat its quality performance at a reasonable price.   Price at time of publish: $20 Size: 11.6 x 8 x 7.8 inches | Water Tank Capacity: 2.5 liters (0.6 gallon) | Weight: 2.35 pounds | Room Size: Not listed Three levels of mist output and two adjustable nozzles allow you to separate the airflow or concentrate it in your preferred direction. Our lab tester noted that the 1.5-gallon tank has to be filled from the bottom, but it isn’t difficult to carry or place on the base. However, the tank lacks a fill line or a suggested amount of water to avoid overfilling.  Although the manual says to allow up to 15 minutes for the warm mist to reach its temperature setting, our lab tester noted she could feel warmth after only a few minutes. She also appreciated the multifaceted remote, which makes it easy to adjust all the settings from the comfort of your bed or up to 20 feet away. Our at-home tester said he left this humidifier running both day and night and could easily forget about it between refills. He only had to refill the canister every 3 or 4 days and said it operated consistently on the automatic setting without any issues. The three mist settings and separate, directional mist output allowed him to ensure the whole room was easily reached. The owner’s manual advised not placing this humidifier on the floor; doing so takes up a large portion of a nightstand or a dresser. And our at-home tester disregarded this advice because he didn’t have a table large enough to support the product. Despite its larger footprint, this model remains our top pick for the Best Mister category because of its adjustable temperature settings, 50-hour run time, and remote-controlled settings. Price at time of publish: $90 Dimensions: 11.6 x 7.7 x 11.3 inches | Water Tank Capacity: 6 liters (1.6 gallons) | Weight: 5 pounds | Room Size: 753 square feet Our at-home tester, who says she suffers from frequent nose bleeds, reported that this humidifier has helped her nasal passage dryness and she has not experienced nosebleeds since incorporating this mister into her home. She said she enjoyed standing in front of it, especially when congested and believed it helped add moisture back into her home’s air that has consistent AC blasting during the summer. While the water tank only holds 250 milliliters, this humidifier can run for up to 8 hours on two different mist settings (continuously or intermittent 10-second bursts). The water tank also has an optional night light feature. And despite its small size, the tank’s large opening makes it easy to clean, with no special brush required. Our lab tester appreciated the intermittent operation feature but noted that the button to toggle between this and constant mode was slightly confusing. And our at-home tester reported she had to hunt for a computer adapter to use this humidifier because it doesn’t connect to a standard electric outlet, only a computer, adapter, or car USB port, with a short USB plug. Price at time of publish: $24 Dimensions: 6 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches | Water Tank Capacity: 250 milliliters (8.5 fluid ounces) | Weight: 0.55 pounds | Room Size: 65 square feet Our at-home tester said she appreciated this humidifier’s steady output and found it quite soothing to use overnight in her bedroom. “It’s rather easy to clean, simple construction, and I find the sound to be soothing at night and not a disturbance,” she summed up. Our lab tester noted that the dishwasher-safe tank has a groove for easy carrying, but there is no fill-line label, which makes it difficult to know if you’re using too much water. Also, this humidifier whirs when in use. Despite this mister’s few downsides, its price and simple settings make it a great option for any small bedroom or even an office. Price at time of publish: $40 Dimensions: 9.13 x 8.3 x 8.3 inches | Water Tank Capacity: 1.89 liters (0.5 gallon) | Weight: 3 pounds | Room Size: Not listed Our at-home tester also said this humidifier was easy to set up and unbox, and he appreciated how simple it was to refill. He also said this mister left no residue on his other belongings, which was a major draw. It also consistently put out mist overnight. Although this diffuser has a large tank with an included cleaning brush, our lab tester believed it is difficult to clean by hand, so be sure to use the included brush for the recessed corners of the tank. The owner’s manual also suggests using distilled water because tap water can lessen the product’s lifespan. Despite these minor usage issues, this humidifier is still our choice for large rooms because of its versatility as a floor or shelf model, its dual nozzle design, and mist settings, with a run time of up to 100 hours with cold, low mist. Price at time of publish: $66 Dimensions: 14.4 x 9.8 x 5.7 inches | Water Tank Capacity: 4.92 liters (1.2 gallons) | Weight: 1.91 pounds | Room Size: 600 square feet The Dyson does everything by a magnetized remote, which sits on top of the machine when not in use, and a smartphone app compatible with Alexa or Siri. The included HEPA+Carbon Filter cycles out 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger, and a permanent catalytic filter decomposes formaldehyde and dust particles. You also can change the direction of airflow, set night mode, and a sleep timer. Price at time of publish: $920 Size: 36.33 x 11.02 x 12.23 inches | Water Tank Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 18 pounds | Room Size: 400 square feet While our lab tester noticed no visible mist emission, she could feel cool air coming out of the machine. Six airflow options allow customization. “I can hear that it’s on,” reported our in-home tester, “but it’s not objectionably loud or distracting.” But our lab tester reported the sound becomes louder as you cycle through the higher settings. The sleep-mode function turns off the lighted display and quiets the fan. Our at-home tester said she appreciated this humidifier’s unobtrusive design and said it was relatively quiet when operating on its middle setting. Given an opportunity to perform necessary maintenance, our at-home tester did appreciate the ease of cleaning the pre-filter. “It’s so simple,” she told us, “and the actual filter only needs to be replaced annually, so it’s not a major headache.” However, she did note the filter’s hefty price—we’ve seen it from $50 to $70—“so I’m glad it’s only a once a year cost,” she said. Price at time of publish: $400 Dimensions: 12 x 14 x 21 inches | Water Tank Capacity: 7 liters | Weight: 14.3 pounds | Room Size: Not Listed The machine made a faint bubbling noise while it ran and initially emitted an unpleasant smell, which dissipated over time. You can adjust the level of mist with a noticeable difference between each level, but not its direction. The convenient auto-shutoff feature activates once the tank runs out of water, giving it about a 24-hour run time on the low setting. A separate tray accommodates essential oils, but our tester found it a bit difficult to open.  After three months of using this humidifier at night, our at-home tester said she felt it made a difference overnight to moisten the air in her bedroom. As someone with dry skin and allergies, she appreciated its overall effectiveness and user-friendly design. She also noticed that water tended to accumulate in the reservoir; many of our at-home testers noted this with the products they tried out. “The water should be dumped out frequently and cleaned, which I haven’t been the best about,” our at-home tester confessed. “It’s not super difficult to clean, though.”  Price at time of publish: $67 Dimensions: 13.2 x 8.8 x 8.8 inches | Water Tank Capacity: 4.73 liters (1.25 gallons) | Weight: 5 pounds | Room Size: Not listed After Lab testing, we sent 16 humidifiers home with volunteers who evaluated the machines’ long-term performance over 3 months. We then combined all our testers’ firsthand insight with our writers’ and editors’ independent research to offer you a comprehensive roundup. 

What to Look For in a Humidifier

Size

The size of the humidifier you choose should largely be based on the size of the room in which you’re looking to add moisture. Basically, there are three sizes of humidifiers: portable (also called tabletop), which are personal or travel-size models; console, for spaces up to 1,000 square feet (depending on the model); and whole-house humidifiers, which attach to your home’s ductwork and add humidity throughout. Portable humidifiers are small, relatively inexpensive, can be placed on a nightstand or desk, and can be easily moved from room to room. Sometimes they can be smaller, with dimensions similar dimensions to a water bottle. In fact our Best Portable pick, the GENIANI Portable Small Cool Mist Humidifier, not only easily tucks away on a corner of your office desk but is also small enough to fit in a car cup holder and can attach to your car’s power system via a USB plug. Note that these types of humidifiers have limited water tanks, meaning you need to refill them more often. Console humidifiers are larger units that sit on the floor and are the best choice for spaces up to 1,000 square feet (depending on the model). Our Best for Large Rooms choice, the Lasko Warm and Cool Humidifier, can be used on the floor or a shelf, and humidify up to 600 square feet. These products have increased-capacity water tanks that require less frequent filling than portable humidifiers.Whole-house humidifiers attach to your home’s ductwork and add humidity throughout your home. They’re best for adding moisture on a large scale and can handle spaces greater than 1,000 square feet. Because this type of humidifier connects to your home’s plumbing, you also don’t need to refill the tank. Whole-house humidifiers draw water directly from your water supply. Some include sprayers that inject mist into your ductwork; others are equipped with foam cylinders that rotate in a water tray with air blowing through and around it.

Water Tank Capacity

Closely related to the size of the humidifier you choose is the water tank capacity. Look at the estimated run time from the manufacturer to see how often you need to refill the tank. If you want to use the humidifier all day or all night—or both—make sure you pick a model with a large enough capacity. Among our recommended products, the Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier HUL430, which we selected as Best Design, has a tank capacity of 1.25 gallons. It is important to note that tanks this size need frequent emptying because all the water is seldom used up. For these, consider whether the tank is removable, to easily fill, and how heavy it is when you carry it back full. The .6-gallon tank on our Best Budget selection, the Magictec Cool Mist Humidifier, fills from the bottom, seals with a cap before easily flipping over for reattaching, and is easy to carry. 

UV Filtration

Because moist, humid conditions can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and pathogens, some humidifiers are equipped with UV light. The specialized light filtration system eliminates microbes that may grow in the humidifier’s tank and prevents them from being released into the air with the mist.

Humidistat

For an optimal level of humidity, look for a model with a built-in humidistat. This feature monitors the room’s humidity and shuts off the appliance when the air’s moisture level hits a set target. While this isn’t an essential feature, it does take some of the guesswork out of operating a humidifier. It can also prevent excess moisture in the air from fogging up windows or creating a musty odor in the room. If you skip a built-in humidistat, you can still monitor the humidity level in your home using a hygrometer, a small and inexpensive tool.

Warranties

Because most humidifiers are considered small home appliances, warranty coverage generally is limited. Many models include one-year limited warranties that cover defects in manufacturing. Some more advanced models, including some ultrasonic humidifiers, increase the warranty period to three years. Warranties for professionally installed whole-house humidifiers vary considerably when compared with portable models. Some models offer five-year warranties. Be sure to examine the manufacturer’s warranty on a whole-house model to ensure that your investment is covered if a problem arises down the road.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Emma Phelps is an Updates Writer for The Spruce, specializing in home improvement, decor, and lifestyle. For this roundup, she researched the difference in humidifier styles and air filters. She then used the test results to compile this list before checking the price range, footprint, and user reviews of each product when writing their descriptions. She also consulted with a physician who is an expert specializing in occupational and environmental medicine. To read more of Emma’s work, go to southernliving.com. If you intend to use a humidifier in your children’s room, the Mayo Clinic recommends a cool-mist product because those contain no heating elements that could cause burns. But the clinic also notes that the mist produced by either product type, when entering a child’s lungs, has roughly the same temperature, so neither product type has an advantage in that regard. Noise levels are different for each type, however. Cool-mist humidifiers contain fans, which produce noise that warm-mist humidifiers don’t. If a cool-mist humidifier employs several fan levels, the highest settings may generate a sound that exceeds a comfortable white-noise level. If energy use is important to you, note that warm-mist humidifiers heat the water that runs through it to make steam, and any steam-making element uses additional energy compared with a unit that doesn’t. This could mean a warm-mist humidifier, used as long as 10 hours a day, could add a couple of dollars to your energy bill over 3 months, or about a dime a day.