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After years of testing, we recommend the Vicks EasyCare+ for most people, especially if you’re looking for a low-frills, simple device that effectively humidifies your space. During lab testing, we worked near the humidifier and noticed a significant difference in the air’s humidity after just 30 minutes. After three hours on the high setting, the humidity in the 186-square-foot testing room increased from 26% to 37%, one of the largest increases we measured. Our noses felt less dry, and the essential oils we added filled the room with a pleasant—not overwhelming—scent.
With a tank capacity of just 0.6 gallons, this is the smallest of the three humidifiers we recommend. However, after running the humidifier on high for three hours in our lab, it used just over a third of the tank’s capacity to significantly raise the room’s humidity. And while testing it at home for six months, we regularly set it to the medium or low settings, which lasted two full nights. We noticed it helped alleviate congestion and discomfort, especially when paired with the brand’s menthol VapoPads.
The flip-top design makes it simple to fill with water and add essential oils, and the small size allows it to fit under most bathroom faucets for easy cleaning and filling—though we always recommend using distilled water in your humidifier. This is because the distilling process removes the minerals and bacteria found in tap water that causes excess buildup growth and dust accumulation. In addition, using tap water may add allergens in the air.
The reservoir doesn’t have any small crevices for buildup to hide, and we were pleased that there wasn’t any limescale after letting water sit in the tank overnight. During our long-term testing, we went multiple weeks between cleanings and were able to effectively clean the tank without any issues. We even used tap water and didn’t notice any mineral deposits, despite having medium-hard water.
The smaller size also allows you to leave it on your bedroom nightstand or even your office desk. While we wish the humidifier had a more attractive design overall, its transparent tank makes it easier to monitor the water levels.
One thing to note: This humidifier does not have any smart features, and it doesn’t self-regulate. That means that there is a potential for over-humidifying your space. However, because of its smaller tank size and relatively short runtime, this risk is fairly low
Product Details: Type: Ultrasonic | Room Size: 250 square feet | Capacity: 0.6 gallons | Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.5 x 8.6 inches | Run Time: Up to 24 hours | Mist Temperature: Cool
The BHG Team Tests Humidifiers
Key Terms to Know
- Ultrasonic: This type of humidifier works through high-frequency vibrations, which causes a fine mist to emit into the air. You’ll find that most personal humidifiers, and most of our top picks, use ultrasonic technology thanks to its quiet operation.
- Evaporative: This type of humidifier uses a fan to blow the water through a wick, or filter, which turns the water into vapor, meaning you won’t see mist coming out of the unit when it’s running Evaporative models tend to be larger and require more maintenance.
- Cool Mist vs. Warm Mist: The temperature of the water vapor released from the humidifier can be either cool or warm, depending on the model. Cool-mist humidifiers are more common and are energy efficient. Warm-mist humidifiers are better at reducing bacteria but can be more dangerous around young children.
- Hygrometer: A device that measures the air’s humidity levels, which we used to determine effectiveness throughout our testing.
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If you’re looking for a humidifier with more than the basics, we recommend the Levoit OasisMist 450S. In addition to the basic cool-mist humidifying function, it can emit warm mist, regulate its output, and be controlled with its accompanying app.
For such a tech-focused humidifier, we found it very easy and intuitive to operate. We especially appreciated the simple-to-use display panel. While it’s larger than our top pick—it holds up to 4.5 liters—it’s still slim enough to fit on a nightstand. When filled to the top, the device can last nearly 12 hours, enough for a full night’s rest.
The humidifier is effective, especially on high settings. It increased the humidity by an average of 12% on low and 28% on high during our tests. Cleaning wasn’t difficult either. There are a few removable parts that can be cleaned separately, and the tank is wide enough for us to reach into and wipe clean.
However, while most ultrasonic models operate filter-free, the Levoit includes a water filter sponge and mineral absorption pads to help capture minerals from your water. While these are nice to have (and should help prevent buildup), they need to be replaced regularly. With daily use, Levoit recommends replacing these every two to four weeks, depending on the hardness of your water. At the time of publishing, Levoit sells 10-packs of their filter sponges and mineral absorption pads for less than $15 per pack, so the added cost is minimal.
We haven’t had any trouble cleaning the tank after months of use, and even though a bit of film forms around the base, it’s easy to wipe away.
One of the coolest app features is geared specifically toward plant care, making it a great humidifier for houseplant owners. Create watering and fertilizing schedules, use the plant-identification feature, and set reminders so you’ll never forget to give your plants some TLC again. This pick also lets you alternate between warm and cool mist, which is a nice option.
We used the humidifier once a week for six months and every time we turned it on, it felt like going to the spa. The quiet operation continued to impress us throughout the long-term testing period, and we were impressed with the water to vapor ratio.
Product Details: Type: Ultrasonic | Room Size: 430 square feet | Capacity: 4.5 liters | Dimensions: 10.8 x 6.0 x 11.97 inches | Run Time: 45 hours | Mist Temperature: Cool and warm
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If you’ve ever used an ultrasonic humidifier, you may have experienced a fine white dust on the surfaces around the device, which is caused by the mist. Evaporative humidifiers eliminate that issue, as they operate mist-free through a wicking filter and a fan. While evaporative models are less popular than their ultrasonic counterparts—and typically performed worse in our tests—one standout is the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier.
The Honeywell is incredibly quiet, especially on the lowest setting, with a soft fan-like white noise effect that makes it a great choice for a bedroom or even a baby’s nursery. On the higher setting, it is noisier, but even when we long-term tested it in our kids’ room, it didn’t disturb their sleep. During the dry winter months, we ran the humidifier every night in their room to help combat their nosebleeds.
Within the first hour of use, we noticed a 2% change in the humidity level in the room on the low setting, which steadily increased over three days of testing. Setup is simple, thanks to clear instructions and a removable tank—aside from adding the water, it was pretty much ready to use straight from the box.
During our test, we appreciated how little water it used over the course of 8 hours—the tank holds up to a gallon of water, and it only needs to be refilled about once every 24 hours on the low setting. A transparent tank on the side allows you to see at a glance when the water level is low.
The water tank is shaped to hold as a handle, which is harder to reach and may cause issues when it comes to cleaning, especially if buildup occurs. Luckily, the tank is dishwasher-friendly, which is how we chose to clean it during long-term testing. We noticed no limescale or mold buildup on the tank, though we still suggest cleaning the tank between uses.
While we were certainly impressed with the function of this humidifier and how quickly the humidity level of the room shot up (even on the low setting), it’s not the fanciest model. There are no special features like lights, automatic shutoff, or even a timer. But for ease of use, it really can’t be beat.
Product Details: Type: Evaporative | Room Size: 400 square feet | Capacity: 1 gallon | Dimensions: 9.3 x 11.4 x 17.9 inches | Run Time: 24 hours | Mist Temperature: Cool
The Bottom Line
For ease of use and simplicity that doesn’t sacrifice quality, the Vicks EasyCare+ Top Fill Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier is our top pick for the best humidifier. It’s quiet enough to use in a bedroom, simple to operate, and easy to clean.
Our Testing Process
We began testing humidifiers in March 2022 and have since spent 208 hours testing 65 different models at our lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We’ve also spent thousands of hours testing our top picks in our own homes to assess their value as long-term investments.
In the lab, we set up each humidifier and timed ourselves assembling the products based on the included instructions. From there, we used a predetermined methodology to score each humidifier between one and five in six categories: setup, effectiveness, design, size, ease of cleaning, and overall value. The final rating was determined by averaging each pick’s scores across categories.
To measure the humidity change in the room, we used two hygrometers—one at 2 feet from the humidifier and one at 10 feet. We recorded the humidity level in the room on both hygrometers prior to turning the humidifier on and then checked the results at one hour, four hours, and eight hours. This process was repeated on both the low setting and high setting for each model.
To evaluate the ease of cleaning, we let tap water sit inside the tank overnight and monitored any bacteria buildup. Then, we cleaned the tanks using a vinegar solution and any brushes included with the humidifier. We noted any tough crevices to clean and how long it took to complete the task.
Once our lab testing was complete, we brought home top-performing models to evaluate their quality over time. We used the humidifiers as a typical household would for six months: in dry winter months, in our childrens’ rooms, and during sicknesses. We largely used tap water and extended the time between cleanings to evaluate scrubbing tough buildup. We also spent time testing the humidifiers’ smart features and night lights.
Afterwards, we compared all the results to determine which are the best humidifiers.
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
What to Know About Humidifiers Before Shopping
Type
While shopping for a humidifier for your home, you may notice that humidifiers are typically classified in two categories: ultrasonic and evaporative.
Ultrasonic humidifiers use vibrations to create water vapor, which releases into the air. Typically, ultrasonic humidifiers do not have any heating element and provide a cool mist. This operation style is extremely quiet, which makes them great picks as a bedroom humidifiers or for use in a quiet office
Almost all ultrasonic models work without a filter, which means the cost of upkeep is less and cleaning the tank is typically easier since there are fewer parts. However, the lack of filter means the humidifier can release bacteria and allergens from the water into the air, so it’s best to use distilled water in these units. Some ultrasonic humidifiers, like the Levoit OasisMist 450S, do include a filter to catch allergens.
Evaporative humidifiers work by using a fan to blow water through a wick filter. This process evaporates the water and pushes the mist into the air. Because evaporative humidifiers have more parts than ultrasonic models, they tend to be larger and trickier to clean.
Wick filters typically need to be replaced at least every three months, but if your home has hard water, you’ll need to change the filter more regularly. Our Best Evaporative pick, the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier, recommends a filter change every 30 to 60 days.
Capacity and Square Footage
A humidifier’s tank capacity refers to how many liters (or gallons) of water the tank can hold. The amount varies by unit, with the average being anywhere from 2 to 6 liters. Those with higher tank capacities will also have longer running times, a detail to keep in mind if you want to use your humidifier for long periods of time, such as overnight.
In our tests, the average amount of water used after 8 hours of operation was 7 cups, so we don’t recommend any tanks smaller than that. In general, we did find that higher capacity tanks equaled longer run-times, but some humidifiers went through water faster than others.
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Cleaning and Maintenance
After years of testing humidifiers, the biggest pain point we’ve discovered is cleaning. While manufacturers and allergists like Waqar recommend cleaning the humidifier after each use to prevent buildup, we know it’s not realistic for most users. There are a few factors that help us determine whether a humidifier is easy to clean.
While you may think that bigger is better, larger water tanks tend to leave sitting water, which will cause more bacteria and buildup, especially when using tap water. Not only that, but larger humidifiers can be more difficult to clean, as they don’t easily fit in a sink.
However, models that are too small can also cause problems as it’s not as easy to get your hand in the tank to clean. In addition, smaller crevices inside the tanks can hide buildup and make it more difficult to clean.
Evaporative models also have cleaning concerns, but in addition, they include a filter that needs to be changed at least once a season.
Features
Most humidifiers will at least have a high and low setting and sometimes continuous and intermittent mist settings. Other common features include a timer, night-light, and essential oil diffuser. More advanced models may include even more options for mist output, additional features like an air purifier or fan mode, and energy-saving automatic shutoff. Some have apps and are compatible with smart home devices like Amazon Alexa.
For the most part, we found that pricier models come packed with more features. But you don’t need to splurge in order to find one that performs all the standard humidifier duties well—all of our favorites are under $100.
Other Humidifiers We Tested
Levoit Superior 6000S
If you’re looking for a larger humidifier, the Levoit Superior 6000S performed well in our tests. The 23-liter evaporative model includes wheels which made it easy to roll around the room, especially once it was filled with water. It also has a dry mode so the wicking filter doesn’t stay wet after use. However, it increased humidity slowly and is more expensive than our top picks.
Dreo HM311S Smart Humidifier
For those who want a smart humidifier at a lower price, the Dreo HM311S is a solid option. It quickly increased our room’s humidity, operated quietly, and can be easily controlled with its accompanying app. But it’s not the most attractive humidifier available and was more difficult to clean compared to others.
Clorox Ultra Clean Cool Mist Air Humidifier
The Clorox Ultra Clean Cool Mist Humidifier is a great choice for a basic humidifier, as it was effective, quiet, and easy to control during our tests. It has some smart features—like its ability to self-regulate to your selected humidity level—though our external hygrometers read lower humidity levels compared to what was reported on the device.
Your Questions, Answered
What are the benefits of using a humidifier?
“Humidifiers can be helpful for people who have dry throat, dry nasal passages, even in patients who have dry skin, chapped lips, nosebleeds,” Waqar says. They may help with skin conditions associated with dryness, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), according to dermatologist Alison Ehrlich, M.D., FAAD. Generally, the dryer the climate, the more useful a humidifier will be.
While you may be tempted to reach for a humidifier to help deal with allergies, Waqar points out that some common allergens, such as dust mites, actually thrive on humidity, and that a humidifier might make the problem worse.
What’s the best humidifier for kids?
Most humidifiers are safe to use around children, though Waqar recommends a cool-mist humidifier if you have kids or pets to eliminate the chance of burns or injury due to the hot steam or heating element. We like the small size and easy functionality of the Vicks EasyCare+ for kid’s rooms, but the Levoit OasistMist 450S is also a great option if you want to monitor the device from afar. While none made our final list, some humidfiers offer color-changing night lights that might especially appeal to children.
Is a cool mist or warm mist humidifier better?
Cool- and warm-mist humidifiers have similar benefits, so the best humidifier for you really comes down to personal preference, Ehrlich says. For example, if you run hot, you may prefer cool mist, while warm mist might be nice if you have a drafty house. And for homes with kids or pets, warm-mist humidifiers pose more of a safety risk due to the hot steam.
Who We Are
Jessica Comstock has been an associate shopping editor at Better Homes & Gardens since the spring of 2023 and is our resident humidifier and dehumidifier expert. She’s tested dozens of products first-hand in the lab and her own home, including air-quality devices like humidifiers and air purifiers.
To write this article, she reviewed insights from our research and testing team who have conducted thorough lab testing of 65 humidifiers over the past two years. She also consulted Erum Ilyas, MBE, FAAD, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, allergist Omar Waqar, M.D., and dermatologist Alison Ehrlich, M.D., FAAD to learn more about humidifiers.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
