The 5 Best Humidifiers (2024)

Most Intuitive Humidifier

Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart

Tank Capacity: 1.2 gallons | Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.5" x 13.4"

The Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart is a high-performing option and our top choice for its convenience and usability of the models we tested, thanks to numerous ergonomic features. Its user-friendly screen, controls, ease of operation, and cleaning are what set it apart. A step up from other models in our lineup, the four control buttons and digital screen enable you to switch and view settings easily. If you prefer apps or smart home integrations, it has an app that allows your phone to function as a remote and pairs with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With inset handles on each side of the tank and a completely removable lid, filling and cleaning the tank is a breeze.

The Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart is one of the more expensive models we tested, and its performance is average for the price. Still, unless you have higher than average humidification requirements, we would recommend this model to anyone who wants a no-fuss humidifier that is easy and intuitive to use.

Read more: Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart review

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Why You Should Trust Us

After extensive online research, our test team settled on 13 of the best humidifiers available today to test. This review represents over 100 hours of controlled testing with these products and dozens of nights spent with them in our bedrooms. The cornerstone of our humidifier testing involved letting each model run for three hours in the same 150-square-foot room. Between tests, we ran a dehumidifier to ensure that each model started at the same relative humidity. We measured the changes in humidity with an industrial-grade humidity meter and then charted this data over time. These two specific tests — measuring the percentage change in relative humidity and tracking consistency over time — comprise the Humidifying Performance score. This is the most important aspect of a humidifier and, as a result, makes up 35% of the overall score.

We also ran each model through the normal paces of use, cleaning each at least five times and adjusting all the possible settings, searching for anything that made the machines more difficult to use or clean. We measured each model's energy usage with a wattage meter, then used that data to calculate their estimated lifetime costs of ownership. Our experts conducted more than 93 individual tests to help you find the best humidifier to match your needs and budget.

We performed our in-depth humidifier testing using four performance metrics:

• Humidifying Performance (35% of overall score rating)

• Ease of Cleaning (35% of overall score rating)

• User Friendliness (15% of overall score rating)

• Operating Cost (15% of overall score rating)

Genaveve Bradshaw and Hale Milano have spent countless hours researching, using, and testing a variety of home appliance products. Spanning the worlds of the best air purifiers, best food dehydrators, and many other household items, they have put dozens of models to the test. The testing team also lives in the arid climate of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, where ambient humidity levels rarely rise above 30%, necessitating a humidifier lest you wake with a scratchy throat and parched lips.

Analysis and Test Results

We categorized our tests into four separate testing metrics and weighted them according to their importance, ultimately assigning scores in each metric for all of our models. This allowed us to find the best humidifier for every situation, from mist-breathing dragons that can keep large rooms from getting too dry to smaller, more budget-friendly models that are perfect for apartment-sized bedrooms.

Value

We know that most shoppers care about price just as much as performance. The Honeywell HUL430 performs the best at a high cost. Another top model, the Levoit LV600HH, offers outstanding performance but also commands a high price to receive it. The Honeywell HUL520B offers solid performance but costs substantially less. That's why it's our favorite for humidifying small rooms on a budget. Another well-valued option is the Levoit Classic 200. It is slightly smaller than the Levoit LV600HH but performs almost equally.

Humidifying Performance

Good humidifying is all about balance. You want a machine that can efficiently add humidity to the air, but not to the extent that it leaves condensation all over the walls. Our first humidifying performance test focused on power; that is, how quickly and consistently each model was able to achieve a target humidity level and its ability to maintain a desired level of humidity. Models with humidistat controllers that read and react to the room's humidity performed much better in this regard. All of our tests were completed in a 150-square-foot room, about the size of an average bedroom.

The Levoit LV600HH is the overall top performer in this test. Although its humidifying power was bettered by a couple of models, it is one of only a few models in our test to offer the control and accuracy of a built-in humidistat controller to help dial in your optimum humidity level.

The Levoit Classic 200, Honeywell HUL430, and the AquaOasis Cool Mist were the clear winners in the humidity power test. Over three hours, the Levoit could increase the humidity in our testing room by 145%, the Honeywell by 118%, and the AquaOasis increased the room's humidity by 94%. All of these are significantly higher percentages than any of the other models. Unfortunately, none of these models have built-in humidistats, so you'll need to keep in mind you could easily over-humidify small spaces. This shouldn't be a big concern for anyone in an especially arid climate because the probability of over-humidification is low. However, if you live somewhere where the ambient humidity is higher (20-30%) or prone to fluctuations, a humidistat would probably be a nice feature to have on your humidifier.

The Honeywell HCM-350 was another high performer. It was able to bring our testing room up to the ideal 45% humidity in just 34 minutes and reached a maximum of 58.9% after running on high for 3 hours. Multiple models fell into the average range in this metric, providing noticeable but not overly impressive humidification capabilities. The Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 took a full hour to hit the ideal 45% humidity but did achieve a maximum of 56.8% by the end of the test. The Crane Drop got to 45% faster, taking just 45 minutes, but stalled out at a maximum of 51.2%. The Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart fell into the average performance category as well, taking an hour and a half to reach the ideal 45% humidity, and maxed out at 50% humidity. The Honeywell HUL520B was the slowest of this group, taking a full 2 hours to hit 45% and maxing out at just 47.8%.

Although every device we tested was able to add humidity to our testing room, a couple of models didn't perform quite as well as the rest of the group. It took the Pure Ultrasonic 2.5 hours to get our testing room up to 45% humidity, nearly the duration of our 3-hour test time. At the end of the test, the maximum humidity had only reached 47.5%. The Fridababy 3-in-1, even after 3 hours of continuous use, failed to reach our ideal 45% humidity, maxing out at only 41% humidity. Despite its relatively weaker performance, the Fridababy does have redeeming qualities; it is inexpensive to run, and the whole tank lights up to your color preference, making it a great nightlight for kids.

Ease of Cleaning

Humidifiers that aren't cleaned regularly can become a breeding ground for bacteria and do more harm than good. Therefore, if a model is so hard to clean that you neglect it, it's not worth the effort. Most machines will require basic scrubbing and soaking in a vinegar or bleach solution to eliminate mold. We cleaned every model multiple times and kept careful notes on how laborious the process was for each one.

The Honeywell HUL430 and the Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart earned high marks in both of our ease of cleaning tests. Both models had a large tank lid opening that let you fit your whole hand inside, a huge bonus for cleaning. The Honeywell stood out for its cylindrical tank design; without any crevices or sharp corners, it was easy to access all parts of the tank. Meanwhile, the Levoit 300S was one of the only options we tested that included a bottle-cleaning brush.

The Honeywell HCM-350 was the only evaporative model we tested. These types of humidifiers eliminate those hard-to-reach corners around the sonic agitator where mold can slowly take hold in other models. The tank is large and easy to scrub, and the bottom tray is even dishwasher safe. The one caveat is that the actual filter (which soaks up water before it evaporates) can get moldy if neglected for a couple of days. If that happens, you're out of luck and will need to buy a new filter.

The Honeywell HUL520B was a close runner-up to its sibling. Its opening is nearly 4-inches wide, allowing for plenty of access for easy scrubbing. There are some nooks and crannies around the ultrasonic unit, but generally, you can scrub everything without too much maneuvering. The Levoit LV600HH also fared fairly well in our cleaning tests. To ensure every crevice is clean, this model requires more focused scrubbing than the Honeywell HCM-350, but it's not particularly arduous.

Just verging into 'oh crap, this thing needs cleaned' territory is the Crane Drop and the Sunpentown SPT SU-4010. These products have smaller openings, and the internal construction is more crowded, making both accessing and scrubbing every surface more difficult. You can do it, but it requires some hand yoga and maybe even sacrificing a toothbrush to the cleanliness deities. The Fridababy 3-in-1 was difficult to clean; the tank opening was small, so using anything other than a bottle brush was futile.

User Friendliness

Humidifiers are generally very simple machines, but a few small design differences can make using them feel like either a walk in the park or a laborious undertaking that prompts you to question whether the air in your house is too dry. From large water tank openings to remote controls that let you change settings without getting out of bed, choosing a thoughtfully designed model can save you from the scourge of extra logistics that many of our modern appliances can bring on.

The Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart and the Levoit LV600HH proved to be our favorite models for the overall user experience. This is mainly due to their easy-to-fill water tanks. The Classic 300S possessed a plethora of features contributing to its high performance: recessed carrying handles on the tank, a completely removable top tank lid, and the ability to fill the tank right-side up. All these made carrying and filling the tank a breeze. The Levoit LV600HH's opening isn't quite as large, and the tank is on the larger side at 1.6 gallons, so it may take some maneuvering to get it into a small sink, but it is still very easy to fill. Another favorite, without extra bells and whistles, is the Honeywell HUL430. This model has a straightforward design that is easy and intuitive to use: a single control dial and ergonomic tank features left us with no complaints.

The LevoitLV600HH also has a convenient remote control that lets you adjust settings without leaving your bed and has a simple and intuitive interface. Meanwhile, its sister humidifier, the Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart, does not have a remote but instead pairs with a smartphone app and Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to accomplish the same results. It also has a straightforward interface allowing you to control and view current settings. The Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic features a simple, single dial control panel and 2.75-inch tank opening that makes filling and operating the machine quite easy.

The Honeywell HCM-350 fell just behind the top performers in this metric. Like its smaller sibling, it has a wide opening in its water tank, making refilling painless. It also uses evaporative humidifying, which self-regulates based on the room's humidity and requires less monitoring. However, it missed out on a top slot because this evaporative technique requires replacing the filter/wick every six months.

The Levoit 200 Classic was another easy option to fill. The removable tank had comfortable handles and easily slid in and out of the main body. A large access hole makes filling the unit with water easy to do. The controls revolve around a single-touch button that our testers found a little strange to operate.

Leading off the relatively poor performers in this metric was the Pure Ultrasonic. The tank's opening is rather small, but the tank itself is also small and easy to maneuver during refilling. It lost points due to its interface, which requires you to scroll through different settings by pushing a single button. There is no display to indicate which setting is currently selected, so you just have to remember how many button presses get you to your preferred setting.

Operating Cost

Humidifiers generally do not use much electricity, but their operating costs can add up in the long run. To estimate operating and lifetime costs, we measured each model's electricity usage with a wattage meter. Then, we assumed 12 hours of use each day at the cost of $0.12 per kWh (the national average) and a functional lifetime of five years. We also factored in each machine's upfront cost and the filter costs for those models that need filters. This resulted in an estimated lifetime cost of nearly $400.

The Supentown SPT SU-4010 has an estimated lifetime cost of just $56. This is largely due to its incredibly low list price and the fact that it barely uses any electricity (less than 0.01kWh per hour to run its sonic agitator. The Pure Ultrasonic wasn't too far behind, logging an estimated lifetime cost of just $63. It also has a low list price and uses even less electricity than the Honeywell. Next in line was the Fridababy 3-in-1 with an estimated lifetime cost of $76.

The Vicks Filter Free Cool Mist was one of the more inexpensive models we tested with a low list price. Thanks to its relatively low electricity usage and no filter replacements, it performed well in overall annual costs as well ($17).

Two of our award winners, the Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart and the Levoit LV600HH, performed similarly in electricity usage, with the Classic 300S edging out a slightly better performance thanks to its lower list price (lifetime estimated costs were at $120 and $159 respectively).

Thanks to its evaporative humidifying technology, the Honeywell HCM-350 has the additional cost of replacement wicks. These will set you back $8 and must be replaced every six months. Combine that with the list price and 0.02 kWh per hour, and you have an estimated lifetime cost of $203.

Now we get into the 'is this even worth the cost?' territory. First up is the Sunpentown SPT SU-4010. Its list price is relatively high, but its electricity usage is quite efficient at 0.015 kWh per hour. It adds a lot of extra cost in its ION exchange filter. This filter is meant to reduce the number of minerals in the water and thus make the ultrasonic unit last longer. That's all well and good, but these filters cost $30 and must be replaced every six months. That skyrockets the estimated lifetime cost up to $447.

Conclusion

A humidifier can enhance the comfort of your home and minimize many of the adverse side effects of dry climates and parched winter air. If you've never owned one before, you'll be amazed that you can wake up after a hot, dry summer night with dewy, fresh skin, or without chapped lips and a scratchy throat after running the heat all night in the middle of winter. Any humidifier, however, requires diligent cleaning and maintenance, and not all are created equal when it comes to the convenience of this upkeep. We hope our detailed testing results have led you to a powerful and user-friendly model for all your needs while fitting into your budget.