Best Humidifiers of 2025: How It Works, Our Top Picks

If you’ve been suffering from dry, cracked or itchy skin, it could be caused by cold air and low humidity stripping away the natural moisture from your skin. Sudden drops in temperature and a variety of heating options in your home can cause the humidity to decrease, resulting in the evaporation of moisture in your skin causing redness, roughness, itching, peeling, or even cracks and fine lines.

According to the EPA, humidifiers are commonly used to relieve dry nose, throat, lips and skin, as well as help other common household conditions like static electricity and cracks in paint. But it’s important to maintain the proper humidity levels, as too much moisture in the air can lead to mold and dust mites.

Indoor heating and cold winter air both decrease humidity, so it may be time to research if a humidifier could help balance out your moisturizing needs. In the guide below, we’re going to explore ways you can measure how much indoor humidity is in your home, when to use a portable humidifier (versus a dehumidifier), and some of our top humidifier product picks for 2025.

Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier: What Is Best For Each Season

If any of this information looks familiar, you may have already checked our Dehumidifier Guide, which takes an in-depth look at how to choose the best dehumidifier based on season, type and room size. As a refresher, here’s a quick look at some important distinctions to get us started.

Relative humidity (RH) measures water vapor relative to the temperature of the air - basically, it’s a measure of the actual amount of water vapor in the air compared to the total that can exist at the current temperature. Warm air will typically have more moisture than cold air, and the “feel” of the temperature is actually the amount of moisture in the air. So for example, a relative humidity of 25% means that air is at a quarter of its potential water vapor capacity.

Humidifier: Also known as a vaporizer, a humidifier adds moisture to the air through vibration, ultrasonic (spinning discs), or evaporators (wicks and fans). As mentioned earlier, humidifiers are best used when the air is very dry, especially during the winter or if you live in a low humidity state.

Dehumidifier: Removes excess moisture from the air, reducing the air’s RH by cooling the air that passes through the unit and decreasing the ability to hold moisture. Dehumidifiers are largely recommended during spring and summer when the air is too humid, and may be especially useful in high humidity states like Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. A dehumidifier can help reduce the moisture in the room which mold needs to grow - and while it cannot kill mold, it will lower the humidity to help dry out and prevent mold in certain spaces in your home.

How To Measure Indoor Humidity Levels

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60%, most ideally between 30-50%. Low humidity may also discourage pests like cockroaches and dust mites, according to the same source.

Since winter is typically drier, maintaining a slightly lower humidity level is recommended compared to summer. Central heating systems tend to dry out the air in your home by removing moisture as it warms the air and lowering the relative humidity.

If you intend to purchase a humidifier or dehumidifier, we suggest investing in a hygrometer or indoor thermometer to digitally measure the indoor humidity level. These tools can allow you to adjust your usage higher or lower depending on the humidity percentage.

Top Selling Hygrometers And Indoor Thermometers

• ThermoPro TP49 Digital Hygrometer - $7.99, was $11.99 at Amazon
• AcuRite 00613 Digital Hygrometer - $11.21, was $12.83 at Amazon
• SMARTRO SC42 Professional Digital Hygrometer - $14.39, was $17.99 at Amazon
• Mini Digital Temperature Humidity Gauge (4-Pack) - $8.97 at Amazon

Four Types of Portable Humidifiers

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to humidifiers and dehumidifiers. This guide is focused on the different types of portable humidifiers versus central or console humidifiers that are built into HVAC systems or cabinets.

1. Evaporative humidifier

The evaporative humidifier functions by using a fan that blows air through a moist wick filter, and as the water evaporates, it’s pushed out of the humidifier as water vapor.

Humidifying process: The evaporative humidifier has a reservoir to hold water, a wick to draw water to the surface, and then the fan blows across the wick to carry the moisture into the room.

Pros:

• Not hot surfaces
• Considered easy to clean and low maintenance
• Self-regulating – some can adjust the amount of moisture they release based on the room’s humidity levels
• Certain options come with built-in filters to remove allergens
• Cheaper than other alternatives

Cons:

• Noisy
• Bacterial and other contaminants in tanks with standing water
• Filter needs to be replaced frequently

According to the EPA, evaporative humidifiers are not expected to disperse substantial amounts of minerals into the area compared to ultrasonic and impeller options.

2. Steam humidifier (steam vaporizer)

Fairly self explanatory, the steam humidifier (or steam vaporizer), heats water to create steam and diffuses it into the air. Steam vaporizers and humidifiers release warm air, while evaporative and other “cool mist” humidifiers release cool air.

Similar to the evaporative humidifier, according to the EPA, steam vaporizers should not diffuse mineral buildup that can clog up other types of humidifiers.

Pros:

• Can help ease cold and flu symptoms
• Water heated to boiling so vapor is relatively germ-free

Cons:

• Potential for too much humidity
• Excessive moisture can lead to mold growth
• Not ideal for families with small children due to heat

3. Ultrasonic humidifier

Ultrasonic humidifiers create water vapor through high-frequency vibration, which will break up the water into a “cool mist” cloud of tiny droplets. There’s no evaporation or steam, and can increase the risk of contaminating the air with bacteria and minerals if not kept properly clean.

Pros:

• Inexpensive, quiet and energy efficient
• Ideal for small spaces
• Very quiet
• Some will come with antibacterial filters

Cons:

• More likely to disperse bacteria and minerals
• Excessive moisture can lead to mold growth

4. Impeller humidifier

An impeller humidifier is another “cool mist” humidifier that produces water vapor with a high-speed rotating disk. Similar to the ultrasonic humidifier, the risk of contamination is higher because of the in-water bacteria or minerals being “flung” into the air and inhaled.

Pros:

• Costs less than other humidifier options

Cons:

• Fans and discs will be louder
• More likely to disperse bacteria and minerals

Humidifier FAQ

What type of water should I use in a humidifier?

It’s recommended to use filtered or distilled water in your humidifier, since tap water can contain other contaminants (like minerals) that will then be dispersed into the air. Distilled water is considered the most effective type, according to the EPA.

Minerals from tap water can build up in the humidifier, causing it to wear down faster and release the contaminants into the air, or settle around the room as dust.

How often should I clean a humidifier?

You should clean your humidifier every two to three days. Some humidifier manuals claim up to seven days between cleanings, but depending on the type of humidifier, you could be risking minerals and contamination in the air.

Create a diluted bleach solution (10% bleach) for the tank, and dry off the interior surfaces when you turn off the machine. You should use a brush or scrubber to clean any mineral ring in the water tank. Be sure to add fresh filtered or distilled water every day, and read the manufacturer’s instructions regarding use, maintenance and cleaning.

Best Humidifiers of 2025

In our search for the most highly-rated humidifiers, we selected our final winners based on a variety of criteria, including humidifier type, room size, water reservoir and run time, and filtration options. You can get the complete specs, as well as reviewer pros and cons, in the full reviews below.

• Best Evaporative Humidifier For Large Rooms: LEVOIT Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier
• Best Evaporative Humidifier For Bedrooms: Canopy Bedside Humidifier (2.5L Capacity)
• Best Ultrasonic Humidifier: Dreo 6L Smart Humidifier
• Best Steam Humidifier: Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
• Best Budget Humidifier: LEVOIT Top Fill Humidifiers for Bedroom

1. Best Evaporative Humidifier For Large Rooms: LEVOIT Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier

Shop It: Amazon, Levoit

Lowest Price: $249.99 at Amazon and Levoit.com

Type: Evaporative | Size: 23L (6 gallons) | Effective Range: Up to 3,000 sq ft. (6.5 hours) | Run Time: up to 72 hours (30% humidity) | Filter: Yes

Features:

• No mist humidification (high-speed fans and wick)
• 3-6 month filter lifespan
• Voice and app control
• Sleep mode, auto mode, auto away mode, 24-hour timer

The Levoit Superior 6000S evaporative humidifier is a popular pick for an entire home, or at least very large spaces. It won’t be the lowest price on this list, but it has some smart features that make it stand out. Home products by LEVOIT have gone fairly viral over the past year – you can find more products in our top picks for air purifiers. This humidifier has 4.3-stars and over 5,500 ratings on Amazon.

Overall, reviewers say it’s fairly quiet and a worthwhile investment thanks to its effectiveness and ease of use. One of the more recent top reviewers said, “...I live in the North East, summers are usually hot and humid, and fall and winters tend to be very dry. We had a particularly dry spell at the end of October, which led to sinus issues and I needed some relief.” They went on to say, “This works great for your whole house, even with forced air HVAC, it has a lot of nice creature features you’ll appreciate, and doesn’t seem to need a lot of attention…the design is resistant to leaks and spills.”

Another longtime user said, “I have had this humidifier for over two years now, and can say this is a great little workhorse for the money. The app is intuitive and easy to operate.”

Multiple reviewers noted that the large reservoir has increased the run time (some get up to three days even in areas of low humidity), it’s easy to clean and fill, and this particular humidifier can work on tap water because of the filter.

2. Best Evaporative Humidifier For Bedrooms: Canopy Bedside Humidifier (2.5L Capacity)

Shop It: Amazon, GetCanopy.co

Lowest Price: $134 at Canopy; $150 at Amazon

Type: Evaporative | Size: 2.5L (0.6 gallons) | Effective Range: Up to 500 sq ft. | Run Time: between 18 to 36 hours | Filter: Yes

Features:

• No mist humidification (high-speed fans and wick)
• 6 week filter lifespan
• Smart sensors for on/off based on water level
• Aroma diffusion option
• Tank, cap and tray are dishwasher safe
• UV-treated water to help prevent mold growth, according to company

If you’re not quite ready to spend a pretty penny on the LEVOIT humidifier, we might suggest checking out the Canopy Bedside Humidifier, a filtered evaporative humidifier designed for bedrooms. It comes with dishwasher-safe pieces that ensure easier clean up, and currently has 4.3-stars on Amazon. If looks are important (especially perched on your beside table), it comes in a variety of color options.

Cool design, easy cleaning and low-key functionality haven’t sold you yet? 74% 5-star reviews rave about this mighty humidifier. “The perfect, compact humidifier!” says one reviewer. “Imagine a humidifier that gives you clean, moisturized air without the messy mist! You can pop it on a bedside table and not worry about damaging your furniture.”

“I admit it - I am a humidifier snob,” says another reviewer. “Due to my allergies and sinus issues, I’ve tried many humidifiers over the years. For me, there are so many remarkable benefits of this Canopy humidifier.” They rank them in order: no mist, ease of cleaning, aromatherapy, form and function, and overall impressive performance top the list.

Other reviewers mention the performance for the price, the sleek design and size, the dishwasher-safe parts, and that you can use both filtered and tap water options thanks to the paper filter.

As for complaints, the relatively short six week shelf-life of the filter is the main culprit, followed by the noise level, and some reviewers felt it didn’t put out enough humidity as it claims it should.

3. Best Ultrasonic Humidifier: Dreo 6L Smart Humidifier

Shop It: Amazon, Dreo.com

Lowest Price: $89.99 at Amazon and Dreo.com

Type: Ultrasonic | Size: 6L (1.5 gallons) | Effective Range: 100-550 sq ft. | Run Time: up to 60 hours (tested in sleep mode) | Filter: Optional

Features:

• Warm and cool mist humidifier options
• Can heat to 133 degrees Fahrenheit in five minutes, according to company
• App control, humidity monitor, cleaning reminders
• 3 mist levels, sleep mode, auto mode, 12-hour timer
• Aroma pad tray
• Optional compatible filter

While ultrasonic humidifiers do have some pros and cons, the Dreo 6L ultrasonic humidifier offers quite a few smart options, filtration and temperature settings at a reasonable price, which is why we added it to our top pick list. It currently has 4.4-stars and over 1,500 ratings on Amazon, with a big spike in purchases over the past 30 days.

As with the “cool mist” humidifier options, it’s extremely important to use distilled or filtered water. Even with the optional demineralization filter cartridge, there’s going to be some mineral residue in the water vapor if you are using tap water in this humidifier. As one reviewer noted, “I have an air quality sensor, which usually tells me the air [quality] is around 5. Running the humidifier, it passed 600. [It’s] the highest number I’ve ever seen because of all the chalky calcium in the air. Using distilled water, the air quality stays at a 5 and I have no problems at all.”

Most of the reviews are positive, with many liking both the warm and cool options, and found it effective, easy to set up, and appreciated the app controls. One review noted they were “sleeping better”, while another said it was the “best I’ve owned”.

As for complaints, a few reviewers noted the chalky and dusty surfaces that the moisture can leave behind, many users averaged 10-12 hour run time, and some questioned the longevity of the unit. A handful mentioned that directing the mist anywhere but up is difficult, so as it falls back on top of the unit, the moisture can also affect the humidity reader.

4. Best Steam Humidifier: Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

Shop It: Amazon, Walmart

Lowest Price: $39.62, was $42.99 at Amazon

Type: Vaporizer | Size: 1 gallon | Effective Range: up to 500 sq ft. | Run Time: avg. 12 to 24 hours | Filter: No

Features:

• Auto shut-off, sleep mode
• Works with Vicks VapoSteam for Vicks menthol vapors

When suffering from a terrible cold and congestion, the first thing you might think of is Vicks, whether it’s the refreshing cream you rub on your chest, or that steamy humidifier filling the room with menthol to help you sleep better at night. With over 25,000 ratings and 4.3-stars on Amazon, the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is almost synonymous with breathing better.

This humidifier comes with a one gallon reservoir, and according to reviewers, the length of time it runs really depends on how you use it. For one reviewer, they pair it with a hygrometer to turn it on and off to maintain humidity between 35% to 45% to ensure it doesn’t over-humidify a room.

Another reviewer mentioned, “I have sinus issues during the winter, and this solved them immediately. During the rest of the year, I use this to make the air in my home [less dry], which allows me to grow air-root plants. It also helps me to reduce the static shocks I get in the winter.”

One more said, “Within two minutes of filling the tank, plugging the unit in and turning it on, this vaporizer creates a visible warm steam. When the Vicks VapoSteam liquid is poured in its little slot, you very quickly sense that in the air and feel it having an impact on your nose and lungs. It is very quick to open the airways for my cat to breathe and sleep peacefully while he’s recuperating.”

As for complaints, since this is a steam humidifier, it will warm the room, so if you prefer to add humidity without increasing temperature, a “cool mist” humidifier would be a better option. As with all of the other humidifiers, this will require continuous cleaning, should only use purified water, and some mentioned the “nightlight” around the dial can be annoying if you prefer full darkness in your bedroom.

5. Best Budget Humidifier: LEVOIT Top Fill Humidifiers for Bedroom

Shop It: Amazon, Levoit

Lowest Price: $39.99 at Amazon and Levoit.com

Type: Ultrasonic | Size: 2.5L (0.6 gallons) | Effective Range: 280 sq ft. | Run Time: up to 25 hours (11 hours max mist level) | Filter: Yes (Pre-filter)

Features:

• “Cool mist” output with 360 degree nozzle
• Auto shut-off when water tank empties
• BPA-free material according to company
• Water filter sponge, cleaning brush, and user manual included
• Filter life up to 1 month - soak sponge in distilled white vinegar and rinse in warm water to clean

We’ve covered the sale price for the LEVOIT Classic 160 Humidifier (aka the Levoit top fill humidifier), so if you’re looking for a humidifier on a budget, this could be a game changer. With 4.4-stars and over 7,000 ratings, you can get this popular, straightforward humidifier at a no-frills price. One of our very own purchased this humidifier while on sale, and has been pleased with the performance so far. "The 'cool mist' was a pleasant surprise after the Vicks humidifier," she said to me after purchase.

The filter sponge is reusable with proper cleaning, so won’t require additional cost every few months like some of the other products on this list, but it is highly recommended you use filtered or distilled water instead of tap water. One reviewer cautioned that using tap water will stain the filter permanently.

“Works like a dream” says one reviewer, going on to mention, “After owning several others, this little humidifier works perfectly, easy to fill, not obnoxiously large and is silent. [I] don’t wake up to wet carpets or over humid conditions. I’m waking up refreshed without headaches and no spills or lugging large reservoirs to fill.”

As for complaints, you’ll need to clean this humidifier often, and others found that even with the max setting on, they felt like there was little change in humidity. Others felt like there was a strong odor.

More Home Product Reviews: Air Purifiers, Dehumidifiers And Portable Air Conditioners

If you’re looking for more ideas to improve your air quality, or you suffer from extremely humid spring and summer, we’ve got a few handy guides that will help you find the best product for your household.

• A Beginner's Guide To Air Purifiers
• Dehumidifier Guide: How It Works And Our Top Picks
• A Complete Guide To Portable Air Conditioners

How We Made Our Decision

F​irst-hand Testing

O​ne of our very own has the LEVOIT and Vicks humidifier, and has been impressed with the quality and performance. While she made the decision to transition over to the LEVOIT thanks to the "cool mist" functionality (over the Vicks steam humidifier), we felt both were appropriate to add to the list. We aim to include products we would feel comfortable recommending to friends and family.

Functionality

When pulling together our best-selling list of portable humidifiers, we were looking at a few different performance criteria: heating and cooling types, water reservoir sizes, effective room square footage, run time and filtration options.

Filtration Options

Filtration is important to protect from airborne contaminants, especially if you plan to use tap water in the humidifier. Having multiple filtration options was important in our selection, with the Vicks vaporizer humidifier the only one on the list without a filter due to the heating component.

Price

Depending on the room or home size, the larger the unit with more smart capabilities, the higher the price point. We aim to keep our recommendation prices reasonable and within normal industry standards.

Reviews

We let the reviewers speak for themselves when it comes to hands-on testing. We strive to highlight the pros and cons of each product based on user feedback and the feature list. If a product has few (or no) verified reviewers, or the complaints outweigh the purpose and price of the product, we won’t feature it in our lists.

P​rice accurate and items in stock at time of publish.