Keep your skin popping this winter - dry, flaky skin has officially met its match!
We have some bad news. And no, it’s not from China. Phew, what a year 2020 has been!
The reason your skin is acting up might be the dry air in your home. You see, dry skin often leads to irritation, excess oil, redness, or even zits. And here’s the thing; the good moisturizer you’re slathering on won’t help. Why? Because the thin layer of lotion wears away fast when there’s dry air actively pulling water from your skin.
It gets worse. Ahem... the bad news just keeps coming.
Dry air can also be problematic for adults and babies with sinus, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Yep, it could be the reason your partner is snoring like a pig in a trough. The fix? You guessed it - keeping indoor humidity levels between 40 to 60% by investing in a humidifier.
Today, we’ve rounded up a list of must-buy humidifiers for 2020. You’re bound to find the best humidifier for your needs here.
- Honeywell HCM350W
- Levoit 6L Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
- Pure Enrichment MistAire
- TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier
- Vicks Filter-Free Humidifier
- Dyson Humidifier
- Crane Humidifier
- Miroco Cool Mist Humidifier
- Ultrasonic Viral Support Humidifier
- GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier
1. Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier
The Honeywell HCM350W is a cool-mist evaporative humidifier with a 3-speed setting that allows you to vary the sound level and moisture output. The Honeywell is one of the quietest options on this list. It works a treat for mid-sized rooms and can go a whole day on its lowest setting.
This humidifier is easy to hold and carry around due to its large tank handle. It also comes with an opening that’s large enough to allow for easy refill and cleaning. The Honeywell HCM350W uses UV light to kill germs that tend to accumulate in water tanks. It ensures your home isn’t being filled with bacteria-ridden moisture.
✅ PROS:
- Easy to clean and refill
- Quiet
⛔️ CONS:
- Filter needs to be replaced regularly
2. Levoit 6L Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
The Levoit comes with a 1.5-gallon tank that allows it to service larger spaces of up to 750 square feet. The good news is, you won't have to refill it often if you have a smaller room. It can go up to 36 hours on low setting. This humidifier operates with both ultrasonic warm and cool mist, so users can get the benefits of both.
The Levoit humidifier has a nifty humidity readout panel that lets you know the status of the room without having to use an additional meter. You can operate the humidifier with the remote or the panel’s touch controls. This adds a layer of convenience that most humidifiers in the market lack.
This device comes with an automatic mode that self-adjusts the mist level. Yep, you won't have to get off your seat.
✅ PROS:
- Option for warm or cool mist
- Humidity level auto adjustment
- Visual humidity panel
⛔️ CONS:
- It’s not easy to clean
3. Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Pure Enrichment MistAire has a compact design and astonishingly quiet operation. You’ll even forget you’re using a humidifier. This is why the manufacturer included an auto-shutoff feature. The Pure Enrichment MistAire is so silent that you might forget to refill it when the water level is low or the tank is misaligned.
Using the humidifier is a breeze. It has a one-button operation that’s easy to use and is backlit for easy operation in the dark. Pure Enrichment MistAire has a mid-size tank whose opening is a bit small. You might find it hard to clean. This is a real bummer on an otherwise great device. Even so, it comes with a cleaning brush that makes the cleaning process a little less nerve-wracking. It's worth a try.
✅ PROS:
- Small humidifier for space-constrained homes
- Beautiful contemporary look
- Quiet operation
⛔️ CONS:
- Managing setting is difficult
- The mist nozzle gets stuck
- Leaks
4. TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier
The TaoTronics humidifier comes with an inbuilt ceramic filter, so you don't have to worry about replacing filters. This is the best cool mist humidifier for bedrooms under 400 square feet.
The TaoTronics humidifier comes with a tank capacity of a little over a gallon. One of the most popular features of this humidifier is the nifty humidistat. It informs you of the humidity levels in your room. And it turns on or off based on your desired humidity level.
The TaoTronics also comes with a sleep mode that turns off all the lights, including the screen, when you need an uninterrupted night of sleep.
✅ PROS:
- Silent operation
- Easy to use
- Selection of mist settings
- In-built water filter
- Smooth nozzle with a 360⁰ range
⛔️ CONS:
- Leaks during refill
- Clunky design
5. Vicks Filter-Free Humidifier
This humidifier from Vicks is perfect for those looking for a Warm Mist Humidifier. It has a quiet operation and comes with a convenient tank handle that allows for easy transportation. The tank is transparent, so you can easily see when the water levels are falling low.
It comes with a one-gallon tank that goes for about 12 hours. Vicks Filter-Free Humidifier comes with an auto-shutoff so that it doesn't run out whenever you're out of the room.
It comes with the option of adding an inhalant such as Vicks vapor steam into the medicine cup of the device. This is the perfect humidifier for when you have the winter sniffles.
✅ PROS:
- Quiet operation
- Supports medicated vapors
- Easy to transport
⛔️ CONS:
- Comes with only two settings
6. Dyson Humidifier
The Dyson humidifier is perfect for those who have asthma. The device is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America as an asthma and allergy-friendly device.
The Dyson comes with an ultraviolet light technology for killing bacteria before it disperses cool mist into the dry air in your room. The device has an intelligent climate control feature that helps maintain a steady humidity level without over-humidifying your room. Too much humidity can be overwhelming for people with asthma.
✅ PROS:
- Includes fan
- Accurate humidistat
- Attractive design
- Cleans water with UV
- 18-hour runtime
⛔️ CONS:
- Small tank
- Cumbersome to refill die to small hole
- Difficult to clean
- The device has no controls
7. Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Crane is a fun and adorable addition to a baby's nursery. As a parent, you want to have enough moisture in your child's room to help them breathe more easily. They'll sleep better as a result. The device comes in 16 different designs, including kid-friendly alien and unicorn themes.
The Crane has quiet operation, so your baby can sleep soundly all night. The one-gallon tank can serve rooms of up to 500 square feet. And here's the best part - you don't have to monitor it constantly. It has an auto-shutoff sensor that turns off the device when water levels are low.
This is the best humidifier for a home with a baby.
✅ PROS:
- Runs up to 24 hours
- Doesn’t need a filter
- Available in a huge range of colors
- Easy to use
- Good for both adults and children
⛔️ CONS:
- Light may be disruptive at night
- Not suitable for large rooms
8. Miroco Cool Mist Humidifier
Need a cool-mist humidifier for your bedroom that you can use while you sleep? You might want to check out the Miroco Cool Mist Humidifier. It's an incredibly effective humidifier and is extremely quiet. It is so quiet that you may not even notice it's in the room.
The Miroco comes with a 1.6 gallons tank that can go for between 20 to 60 hours continuously depending on the settings you've selected. It's a great choice for large spaces and exceptionally dry homes. You can safely use it in the children's room as well.
✅ PROS:
- No filter so it doesn’t require maintenance
- Easy to carry around
- Adjustable mist levels
- Low noise
⛔️ CONS:
- Cheap construction
- It leaks
9. Ultrasonic Viral Support Humidifier
Say hello to the Ultrasonic Viral Support humidifier. Compact, powerful, and stylish, this 1.5-liter humidifier is the perfect addition to a bedroom or a baby's room. But it can also work for the office, living room, or any other mid-sized rooms.
The Ultrasonic Viral Support humidifier can give you up to 16 hours of continuous use. The automatic shutoff is a handy feature that shuts off the device when the level of water in the tank is too low.
✅ PROS:
- Auto shut-off
- Quiet operation
- Up to 16 hours of continuous operation
⛔️ CONS:
- Leaks
10. GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifiers
Looking for a humidifier that maintains quality moisture in any room and leaves a soothing aroma? Today is your lucky day. The GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier is just what the doctor ordered. The humidifier helps maintain the required humidity level while keeping the air fresh and clean.
It has silent operation and comes with a diffuser where you can drop your favorite oil to help you relax after a long day.
✅ PROS:
- Water in the tank lass a long time
- Quiet operation
- Auto shut off
⛔️ CONS:
- 2-year warranty
- Manual adjustment of moisturizing speed
What Does A Humidifier Do, And What Are the Benefits of Using One?
A humidifier is a device that emits steam or water vapor to increase moisture levels (humidity) in the air. Some of the benefits of using humidifiers include:
Prevention of Influenza
Humidifiers can reduce the chances of catching the flu. You see, humidity levels above 40% help to deactivate virus particles in the air. This effectively makes the virus less infectious.
Makes a cough more productive
Dry air can cause a dry, unproductive cough. Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can make the cough more productive. As a result, you find it easier to release sticky or trapped phlegm.
Reduces Snoring
Have a snoring problem? A humidifier might just be what you need. The thing is, when the air is dry, your airways are usually not well lubricated. The lack of lubrication can aggravate a snoring problem. You might want to use a humidifier to deal with this issue.
Keep the Hair and Skin Moist
Most people notice that their hair, skin, and lips become dry and fragile during winter. The problem here is that heating units pump out hot, dry air can make the skin flaky, dry, or itchy through the office or home. Unfortunately, the outdoors is no better. The cold winter air can also dry out your skin.
A humidifier can add moisture to the air indoors to help reduce dry, cracked skin.
Other Benefits
Having the right humidity levels at home can make your houseplants more vibrant. Interestingly enough, wood floors and furniture also last longer. A humidifier can also help to prevent wallpaper cracks and the buildup of static electricity.
Humid air is usually warmer than dry air, so a humidifier can help make your house warmer during winter.
What Type of Humidifier Should I Buy and What's the Difference Between Them?
Ready to go shopping? Before you splurge, here are the types of humidifiers available:
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Cool Mist Humidifiers: These humidifiers produce a cool vapor that adds moisture to the air in your room. They use a filter to capture water impurities and are usually easy to clean. They’re perfect for areas with warmer weather.
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Warm Mist Humidifiers: These humidifiers are perfect for treating colds and the flu during winter. They work by heating water to create vapor. This vapor is cooled before being released. Warm mist humidifiers are less likely to cause bacterial contamination since the water is heated. This type of humidifier is not recommended if you have children. The hot water in the tank can cause burns if spilled.
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Ultrasonic Humidifiers: This type of humidifier produces a cool mist with ultrasonic vibrations.
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Central Humidifiers: These humidifiers come built into the heating and air conditioning system of your home. They’re meant to humidify your entire house.
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Impeller Humidifiers: This type of humidifier produces a cool mist with the help of a rotating disk.
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Evaporators: These humidifiers use a fan to blow air through a filter, belt, or wet wick.
What Should I Look for When Shopping for Humidifiers?
When shopping for a humidifier, you need to consider the following:
- Type: Decide on the type of humidifier you need based on your requirements.
- Size: Generally, you’ll need a larger humidifier for a larger room.
- Run time: Consider the approximate run time before the humidifier needs a refill.
- Water capacity: The more water the humidifier can hold, the longer it will run uninterrupted.
- Auto-shutoff: You might want to go with a humidifier with auto-shutoff. The device will go off automatically before the water in the tank is depleted.
- Room size: Measure your room before buying the humidifier so that you can buy one suited to it. You can find the recommended square footage for each humidifier in the packaging or marketing material.
- Noise Level: Consider the noise the device produces during operation. If you’ll be using the humidifier in the bedroom, you might want to go for one with quiet operation.
- Ease of cleaning: Some humidifiers are easier to clean than others. Go for a humidifier that you’re willing to live with.
Best Humidifiers FAQs
Which one is better: a cool-mist humidifier or a warm mist one?
Warm moist and cool mist humidifiers are equally effective. The water vapor is at the same temperature by the time it gets to you. Cool mist humidifiers are best for homes with pets and children. Warm mist humidifiers are much quieter and can make you feel slightly warmer during winter.
What's better for the baby: a cool mist or warm mist humidifier?
The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends the use of cool-mist humidifiers over warm mist ones. Warm mist humidifiers are a burn hazard since they contain hot water during use. It's best to keep them away from babies.
How can I clean a humidifier?
You need to keep your humidifier clean. Regularly cleaning the tank is a core part of humidifier maintenance. It helps to eliminate harmful bacteria and microbes.
Here's how to go about cleaning a humidifier:
Step 1: Start by unplugging the humidifier.
Step 2: Next, fill it with 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water.
Step 3: Leave the solution to sit for about an hour. The vinegar will help to loosen stubborn residue and disinfect the device.
Step 4: Now you can empty, rinse, and dry the base and tank of the humidifier.
Clean your humidifier at least once a week.
Do cool mist humidifiers cool down a room?
This is not the case. Cool mist humidifiers don't make the room colder than it is. You might even feel warmer since the increase in humidity causes the body to retain heat.
Where should I place a whole-house humidifier?
A whole-house humidifier is different from a room humidifier. It should be placed in a central place in the house.
Conclusion
Humidifiers not only help you fight the sniffles during winter, they also make your home more comfortable. These devices come with a wide range of features to suit your needs and designs to match your decor. Your search for the best room humidifier ends here. Make sure to buy one that meets all your needs and is easy to clean.