The Best Home Humidifiers

We sifted through user reviews and leaned on our own experiences to choose the top humidifiers.
Best overall
Levoit Classic 300S
  • pro
    1.5 gallon tank
  • pro
    App and voice control
  • pro
    Ultrasonic
Best for warm and cool mist
Elechomes Smart Humidifier
  • pro
    1.5 gallon tank
  • pro
    App and voice control
  • pro
    Ultrasonic
Best for budgets
Vicks Nursery Vaporizer
  • con
    1 gallon tank
  • con
    No app or voice control
  • pro
    Vaporizer
Best humidifier with a filter
Honeywell Cool Mist
  • con
    1 gallon tank
  • con
    No app or voice control
  • pro
    Wicking filter
Longest run time
PureGuardian
  • pro
    2 gallon tank
  • con
    No app or voice control
  • pro
    Ultrasonic

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review

The Levoit Classic 300S cinches the number-one spot on our list of best humidifiers thanks to long-lasting performance and smart features at an affordable price. But because it’s a cool-mist-only humidifier, it might make your home chilly in winter. Read our other recommendations for warm-mist vaporizers and cool-and-warm combos. 



Compare the top humidifiers

Product (or specify product type)
Best for
Price
Mist type
Timer
Max run time
Learn more
Levoit Classic 300S
Best overallCool
Icon Yes  LightYes
60 hrs.
Elechomes Smart Humidifier
Best for warm and cool mistCool and warm
Icon Yes  LightYes
55 hrs.
Vicks Nursery Vaporizer
Best for budgetsWarm
Icon No  LightNo
18 hrs.
Honeywell Cool Mist Humidifier
Best humidifier with filterCool
Icon No  LightNo
24 hrs.
PureGuardian
Longest run timeCool and warm
Icon Yes  LightYes
100 hrs.

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Best humidifiers reviews

1. Levoit Classic 300S: Best overall

Best overall

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Levoit Classic 300S holds just over 1.5 gallons (6 liters), allowing it to continuously humidify your home with a cool mist for up to 60 hours—one of the longest run times we found in our research. You can control it with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, or switch it to auto mode. It’s quiet and features a backlit digital display that turns off, so it’s perfect for bedrooms.

pro
Pros
pro Humidifies over 500 sq. ft.
pro Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
pro Holds 1.5 gallons
pro Comes with aromatherapy pads
pro Shuts off automatically
con
Cons
con Doesn’t produce warm mist
con Reports of sensor inaccuracy

Getting an accurate humidity reading

In auto mode, the Levoit Classic 300S turns off automatically once it senses ideal humidity levels and kicks back on when the air gets too dry. We read some user complaints regarding the accuracy of the humidity sensor, so you may run into trouble with this feature.

That said, we read similar comments about every humidifier we researched. The Levoit Classic 300S stood out to us because many users also claimed the sensor worked fine. 

To improve your chances of getting the best reading, keep the humidity sensor (located under the Levoit Classic 300S and to the left) pointed out toward the middle of the room and rotate the misting nozzle in the opposite direction. Make sure the humidifier isn’t near an air vent or fan, which could affect the readings.

Smart features on the Levoit Classic 300S

If it still just doesn’t seem to be accurate, you can use a separate humidity sensor and run the Levoit Classic 300S on manual mode. Since it pairs with a smartphone app and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, it’s easy to turn it on and off whenever you remember. Or, you can set schedules and timers to make life even easier.

This humidifier also alerts you when the tank runs out of water and automatically shuts itself off.

2. Elechomes Smart Humidifier: Best for warm and cool mist

Best for warm and cool mist

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Elechomes Smart Humidifier is like the Levoit Classic 300S in almost every way. The main difference is that it produces both cool and warm mist. There isn’t much research to suggest that either cool or warm mist is better for health,1 but the temperature differences can make you more comfortable when you’re trying to warm up a chilly room in winter or cool down in the summer. That’s why we think this is the best type of humidifier for year-round use.

pro
Pros
pro Produces warm and cool mist
pro Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
pro Holds almost 1.5 gallons
pro Shuts off automatically
con
Cons
con Costs more than other options

You’ll lose about two cups of tank capacity and five hours of run time by choosing the Elechomes Smart Humidifier instead of the Levoit Classic 300S, but all of the smart options remain the same:

  • Control with voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant
  • Set schedules and timers
  • Use app to adjust other settings like mode or mist intensity
  • Get low water warnings
  • Turn off light display with sleep mode

Plus, you can set a child lock to prevent curious kids from changing the settings.

3. Vicks Nursery Vaporizer: Best for budgets

Best for budgets

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The bulky plastic base of the Vicks Nursery Vaporizer isn’t much to look at, but it won our hearts with a price tag cheaper than $20.  It transforms one gallon of water into a warm mist over the course of 18 hours before shutting itself off.

pro
Pros
pro Auto shut-off
pro Built-in night light
pro Vaporizes Vicks medicinal additives
pro Holds 1 gallon
pro Easy to clean tank
con
Cons
con No cooling mist
con No smart features
con Lasts about 18 hours

This is   when I’m feeling sick. I’ve also used it to keep humidity-loving plants healthy during winter. It works like a charm, but it needs to be filled on a daily basis if you want to use it all the time.

The Vicks Nursery Vaporizer isn’t exactly quiet or discreet—you can hear the water gurgle as it boils, and the steam produces a thick, visible mist as it exits the vaporizer. This didn’t bother me since it sounded like a trickling water fountain and it was apparent the machine was working.

There’s no way to control how much vapor is produced by the Vicks Nursery Vaporizer, so if you’re trying to achieve a specific humidity level, you’ll need to use a separate air quality monitor and run this machine as needed.

I also liked how easy it is to clean the tub by hand thanks to the wide-mouth design, and you can add Vicks VapoSteam or essential oils to the trough at the top for aromatherapy.

Just don’t use this (or any other warm mist humidifier) where toddlers or pets could get too close and burn themselves on the steam. 

4. Honeywell Cool Mist: Best humidifier with filter

Best humidifier with filter

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Honeywell Cool Mist uses a wicking filter to prevent the minerals in hard water from  becoming airborne.  This reduces the presence of “white dust” in your home and is a good solution if you don’t have a water filter on your faucet or a home water softening system.

The wicking system adds moisture to the air through evaporation, so there’s no plume of mist being pumped out of this discreet machine.

pro
Pros
pro Reduces white dust
pro Dishwasher-safe
pro Holds around 1 gallon
con
Cons
con No smart features
con No warm mist
con Relatively expensive
con Must buy replacement filters

Humidifier water tanks have to be scrubbed on a regular basis to prevent mold from growing inside. The Honeywell Cool Mist is one of the only models with dishwasher-safe components that make this chore a little easier. But if you’d rather hand-wash the water tank, the opening is easy to reach into.

It can run continuously for around 24 hours and holds a little more than one gallon of water. It has three fan settings but no other modes. It’s also not compatible with any smart hubs or apps, which makes its price tag—around the same as the Levoit Classic 300S—seem pretty high.

5. PureGuardian: Longest run time

Longest run time

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

If you need a home humidifier that doesn’t need to be refilled constantly, try the PureGuardian H5225WCA. It’s a cool- and warm-mist humidifier with a 2-gallon tank. It can run for up to 100 hours before needing a refill, and the tank is made of silver-treated material to make sure mold and bacteria don’t grow inside.

pro
Pros
pro Warm and cool mist
pro Runs for up to 100 hours
pro Holds 2 gallons
pro Includes aromatherapy tray
con
Cons
con No smart features
con May leak

You can control mist output, set timers, and turn a nightlight on, but you have to push buttons on the machine since it’s not compatible with any smart hubs or apps.

We read several user complaints about this humidifier leaking from the base, so keep an eye on it when you first set it up.

Final word

The Levoit Classic 300S is a large-capacity smart humidifier with a reasonable price tag. Although there have been reports of sensor issues with this model, that’s easily remedied with a separate sensor placed well away from the unit. But it may be worth spending a little more money on the runner-up—the Elechomes Smart Humidifier—if you want a warm mist option too.

FAQ

What’s the best kids humidifier?

The best kids humidifier produces cool mist only—warm mist is a possible burn hazard. But warm mist humidifiers can be used safely around kids as long as they are kept well out of reach. If you get a warm-and-cool combo humidifier, look for one with a child lock to prevent kids from changing the settings.

What’s the best humidity level for a home?

Between 30% and 50% humidity is considered ideal for a home.2  Anything higher than 60% humidity creates an environment in which mold and dust mites thrive.3

What’s white dust?

White dust is made of minerals like calcium. These minerals disperse through the air when hard water is used in a humidifier. Once the water molecules evaporate, the minerals are left behind and settle onto surfaces in a thin layer of dust.

You can reduce white dust by using a humidifier with a wicking filter, adding a water filter to your kitchen faucet, or using distilled water in the humidifier.

How we reviewed the top humidifiers

We looked for humidifiers that could hold a lot of water, run for a long time, and shut off automatically when empty. We short-listed the best humidifiers based on extra features like smart home control, aromatherapy compatibility, and ease of maintenance. Then we dove into reading customer experiences and looking for common malfunctions or other product issues. Finally, we considered the price of each unit. Learn more on the SafeWise methodology page.

Related articles


Sources

  1. Julie Baughn, M.D., Mayo Clinic, “Warm-Mist Versus Cool-Mist Humidifier: Which Is Better for a Cold?” July 2021. Accessed May 31, 2022.
  2. Mayo Clinic, “Humidifiers: Ease Skin, Breathing Problems,” June 2021. Accessed May 31, 2022.
  3. United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Mold Course Chapter 2: Why and Where Mold Grows,” June 2021. Accessed May 31, 2022.
Disclaimer

*Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

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Cathy Habas
Written by
Cathy Habas
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

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