The 11 Best Humidifiers To Help Combat Winter Dryness

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Don Reisinger Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Sep 13, 2023, 05:17pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin When temperatures start to drop in the fall and winter, so does the amount of moisture in the air, which can lead to a whole suite of unpleasant symptoms—dry skin and eyes, respiratory irritation and a scratchy throat, to name a few. This is where humidifiers come to the rescue.

By releasing water vapor or steam into the air, the best humidifiers can add moisture to even the driest of indoor spaces, allowing you to breathe more comfortably. Our current favorite humidifier is the Venta LW45 Original Humidifier , which can tackle spaces up to 600 square feet, though that’s not the only model we’d rely on during the cooler months. The best humidifiers add extra moisture to the air you breathe, ultimately creating a healthier and .

. . [+] more pleasant home environment.

Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers Not everyone needs a humidifier, but many can benefit from them, according to Eric Holbrook , M. D. , director of rhinology at Mass Eye And Ear.

“You wouldn’t want to use one somewhere where it’s already humid,” he says. “But if the air is dry, it can have quite an impact on the nose and lungs. ” When the mucus membranes in your nose and lungs dry out, it can raise your risk of infection, Holbrook explains, making a humidifier a good tool to have in your health arsenal.

In addition to offering preventative measures, a humidifier can help if you’re already sick. “Humidifiers can also be used to ease symptoms caused by common viral infection, such as the cold or flu virus, and congestion caused by sinus allergies,” clarifies Sabrina Barata , M. D.

, a primary care doctor at Mercy Personal Physicians in Lutherville, Maryland. There are plenty of powerful humidifiers out there, and the right one for you ultimately depends on your personal needs. First and foremost, you want to determine whether you’d prefer a model that uses cool mist or warm mist.

Cool mist humidifiers are more common and ideal if you like to add essential oils to your device; hot mist models, on the other hand, aren’t as kid-friendly but excel at reducing germs and bacteria growth. Beyond that, you’ll also want to consider the size of your space, plus the machine’s aesthetics and ease of use. Ahead, find our curated list of the best models on the market today.

Best Humidifier Overall: Venta LW45 Original Humidifier Best Smart Humidifier: Levoit OasisMist Best Portable Humidifier: Movtip Portable Mini Humidifier Best All-In-One Humidifier: Dyson Purifier Humidify + Cool Autoreact Best Budget Humidifier: AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier Best Humidifier For Design Lovers: Objecto H3 Hybrid Humidifier Best Humidifier For Large Rooms: Levoit 6L Humidifier Best Humidifier For Small Spaces: Honeywell Mistmate Cool Mist Humidifier Best Humidifier For Essential Oils: Everlasting Comfort Humidifier Best Humidifier For Bedrooms: Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier Best Humidifier On Amazon: Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier Best Humidifier Overall A Filter-Free Model With An Extra-Large Water Tank Amazon Venta LW45 Original Humidifier Buy From The Home Depot Dimensions: 17. 7 x 11. 8 x 13 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 3 gallons While it is on the more expensive side, this humidifier from Venta outperforms other machines on the market in several key areas.

It’s ideal for rooms up to 600 square feet, and in addition to adding humidity to your living space, the Airwasher also helps remove indoor air pollutants. The humidifier maintains a humidity level between 40% and 60%, and it has a large two gallon water tank that can be filled with regular tap water. One of the best things about the Venta Airwasher is that it doesn’t use any filters, making it easier to clean and maintain.

Instead, you simply need to disassemble and rinse the housing every few weeks. This humidifier has three power levels and an automatic shutoff if it runs out of water, and it’s extremely quiet during operation, as well. Best Smart Humidifier A Quiet Machine You Can Operate With Your Phone Amazon Levoit OasisMist Smart Cool And Warm Mist Humidifier Dimensions: 10.

8 x 6 x 11. 97 inches | Weight: 5. 3 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool and warm mist | Capacity: 4.

5 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 OasisMist 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, and setting timers.

The humidifier also offers a cool and warm mist to give you options, and is as quiet as 26 decibels (slightly less noise than a whisper). This machine goes to work fast, too: It can increase the humidity in your room by 10% in just 15 minutes and covers a span of up to 430 square feet, making it a good choice for bedrooms and even medium-size living rooms. Enjoy up to 45 hours of humidifying before the roomy tank needs a refill.

Best Portable Humidifier A Miniature Option That Comes In Several Colors Amazon Movtip Portable Mini Humidifier Buy From Amazon Dimensions: 3. 74 x 5 x 3. 74 inches | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 0.

13 gallons If you travel frequently, this portable mini humidifier is just 5 inches tall, making it a convenient option to pack in your suitcase. It comes in a variety of fun colors, and you can choose between two operating modes—the first sprays cool mist continuously for up to six hours, and the second sprays intermittently for up to 12 hours. It’s easy to operate with just one button, and it charges via a USB cable, making it convenient for use on the go.

The unit is extremely quiet during operation, and it puts off a warm soothing light that will make any hotel room feel a little more cozy. Best All-In-One Humidifier A High-End Model That Humidifies, Purifies And Cools Your Home Dyson Dyson Purifier Humidify + Cool Autoreact Dimensions: 36. 33 x 12.

28 x 11 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: One gallon As sleek as they come, this Dyson humidifier is also an air purifier and a cooling fan all in one—which may or may not justify the steep price tag to you personally. That said, many users find that it’s worth its cost, considering the Dyson brand reputation and the premium performance of this multi-use appliance; after all, few other humidifiers, if any at all, automatically detect temperature, humidity levels and pollutants in a room. The advanced filtration system uses an activated carbon filter to remove gases and odors and a HEPA filter to capture 99.

97% of particles 0. 3 microns in size. There are some great features included, like night mode with a sleep timer, breeze mode for cool air and continuous humidification.

It circulates purified, humidified air through your whole space and has a very convenient deep clean cycle that cleans the machine at the touch of a button. Best Budget Humidifier A Lightweight Option With A Rotating Nozzle To Direct The Mist Amazon AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier Buy From Amazon Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 10. 5 inches | Weight: 2.

3 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 0. 6 gallons 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 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 easier to clean, and it’s petite and lightweight in case you want to move it around your home.

Best Humidifier For Design Lovers A Chic Model That Could Pass For A Vase MOST POPULAR West Elm Objecto H3 Hybrid Humidifier Buy From West Elm Dimensions: 8 x 12 x 8 inches | Weight: N/A | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 0. 5 gallons Your guests will likely think the Objecto H3 Hybrid Humidifier is a vase or decoration, thanks to its sleek and modern form. However, the unit can hold up to a half a gallon of water, and it will release a stream of cool mist for up to 18 hours before automatically shutting off when the water tank is empty.

It comes with an aroma tray where you can place essential oils, if desired, and despite its compact design, the humidifier can be used in rooms of up to 350 square feet. Best Humidifier For Large Rooms An Oversized Humidifier That Offers Warm And Cool Mist Amazon Levoit Humidifier Dimensions: 11. 3 x 7 x 10.

5 inches | Weight: 4. 9 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Warm and cool mist | Capacity: 6 liters Offering both warm and cool mist settings, the Levoit Humidifier is one of the largest and most versatile options in this roundup. If you’re looking to humidify a big room—up to 753 square feet—and want a machine that can run for up to 30 hours before you have to refill it with water, the Levoit humidifier is a fine choice.

This pick is extremely easy to clean, and it works with essential oils to make your room smell better while it operates. Best Humidifier For Small Spaces An Easy-To-Fill Option With Adjustable Mist Output Best Buy Honeywell Mistmate Cool Mist Humidifier Buy From Amazon Dimensions: 26. 6 x 20.

7 x 20. 7 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 0. 5 gallons You can keep a small bedroom or office at the perfect humidity level with this compact humidifier from Honeywell.

It produces a fine, cool mist that will keep humidity levels between 40% and 60%, and its half-gallon water tank can run for up to 20 hours per filling. There’s a dial on the front of the humidifier that allows you to adjust the mist output, and a wide tank opening makes the unit easy to refill and clean. Plus, there’s no filter required, decreasing long-term maintenance costs and making day-to-day cleaning much simpler.

Best Humidifier For Essential Oils A Sleek Model That Can Make Your Home Smell Great Amazon Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier Buy From Amazon Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 13 inches | Weight: 3. 1 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 1. 6 gallons Another large-capacity option, the Everlasting Comfort Humidifier comes with a 1.

6 gallon tank that can humidify a room for up to 50 hours before it needs to be refilled. The device, which comes with cool mist support, is also designed to work with essential oils so it’s a great option for those who enjoy aromatherapy. Users said they were pleased with the device’s performance, but cautioned it’s not as quiet as they would’ve liked.

Best Humidifier For Bedrooms A Quiet Model With A Tray For Essential Oils Amazon Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier Buy From Amazon Dimensions: 8. 8 x 8. 8 x 13.

2 inches | Weight: 6. 44 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 1. 25 gallons Many people like to run a humidifier in their bedroom while they sleep, as it can help improve air quality, and this mid-size model from Honeywell is a top choice for 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 color ways, 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. Best Humidifier On Amazon A Top-Rated Product That Can Run For 24+ Hours Amazon Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 9 inches | Weight: 1. 35 pounds | Cool mist/warm mist: Cool mist | Capacity: 0.

4 gallons This cool mist humidifier is one of the top-rated options on Amazon, thanks to its reasonable price and reliable operation. The teardrop-shaped unit can hold around 0. 4 gallons of water at a time, which allows it to run for up to 25 hours.

There are high or low mist settings, and a 360-degree nozzle allows you to direct the mist in any direction. The plastic construction is BPA-free, and it has an optional night light that glows a soft blue color. MORE FROM FORBES VETTED Here’s The Best Time To Buy A New Mattress And Save Hundreds Of Dollars By Jessica Timmons Contributor The 8 Best Hotels In Asheville, North Carolina By Susan B.

Barnes Contributor What To Look For In A Humidifier When looking for the perfect humidifier for your home, here are the most important things to take into consideration. Cool Mist Vs. Warm Mist There are several types of humidifiers you can buy today, including cool and warm mist models.

Cool mist humidifiers, which are most common, release cool water vapor into the air to improve humidity levels, and you can often add essential oils to them to make your home smell nice. On the other hand, warm mist humidifiers give off a heated vapor, which makes them a popular choice for wintertime and alleviating cold symptoms; these models also tend to be quieter and are better at killing bacteria and germs. Size/Capacity As you compare different humidifiers, it’s important to select an option that’s appropriately sized for your space.

If you get a humidifier that’s too small, it won’t be able to produce enough mist to raise humidity levels in the room, but a unit that’s oversized may put too much moisture into the air, leading to condensation and potentially mold. For this reason, you’ll want to calculate the size of the room where you plan to use the humidifier and find a unit that can handle the square footage. Safety Humidifiers require water to work, which means they will always have water in them.

Warm mist humidifiers can be a safety hazard since they heat water to create that warm mist. Since they can be knocked over or pulled down and easily spill water, they’re not recommended for households with young children or pets. It’s also important to think about how easy the machines are to clean.

If not cleaned and cared for properly, humidifiers can be a breeding ground for mold and impurities—meaning, they can actually cause respiratory problems. Look for humidifiers that are easy to clean and offer easy access to the water tank. What Kind Of Humidifier Is Best For A Stuffy Nose? Research into this topic has “largely been inconsistent,” says Robin Pappal , M.

D. , a comprehensive otolaryngologist at Mass Eye and Ear. “However, cool mist humidifiers have generally been shown to be more effective than warm mist humidifiers in loosening nasal secretions and helping clear a stuffy nose,” Pappal continues.

Just keep this in mind, per Purvi Parikh, M. D. , an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network : “Allergy sufferers should keep filters clean to avoid dust mites and mold growing in there.

” Should I Sleep With A Humidifier On? It depends on why you’re using the humidifier in the first place. If you have a stuffy nose or want to help prevent your sinuses from drying out, Pappal says it can be helpful to leave your humidifier on overnight. “Sleeping with a humidifier on can be a great way to help keep your nose healthy and help prevent nose bleeds, as well as making breathing more comfortable when you have a cold,” she says.

(Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. ) Sleeping with a humidifier on also gives you a solid seven to eight hours of being exposed to moist air that can soothe your parched airways, Holbrook says. However, if you struggle with allergies, consider checking in with your doctor before leaving your humidifier running overnight.

“Some mold or dust mite-allergic patients can be worse with humidifiers,” Parikh explains. Which Is Better, A Cool Mist Or Warm Mist Humidifier? There are benefits to both types. While cool mist humidifiers have generally been shown to be more effective at helping to clear a stuffy nose, Pappal says that, “in reality, they are both likely to be helpful.

” Barata agrees. “Research has shown that they are equally effective in humidifying the air,” she says. Still, if you have children in your home, a cool mist humidifier is “the safest option to prevent burns,” Barata says, noting that, because of this, “cool mist humidifiers are usually preferred.

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