In CR’s tests, the best models – for any room size – were from Babymoov, Honeywell, Lasko, and Stadler Form
A good humidifier is a welcome relief from the cold, dry winter air.
By Tobie Stanger
Updated by Tim Barribeau
The cold of winter is synonymous with drier air, both inside and outside the home. Cold air tends to hold less water vapor than warm air, and that can make the air drier, even indoors. An effective humidifier can regenerate moisture and prevent a variety of problems.
For example, a humidifier can prevent or relieve dry skin. If you have a cold, a humidifier that blows cool air can help reduce nasal inflammation and make breathing easier, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And higher humidity helps reduce static electricity, so you can avoid those annoying discharges you feel when crossing a carpet.
Humidifiers can also help keep things you own in good condition. Without enough humidity in the indoor air, leather goods can crack, hardwood floors can shrink and creak, and guitars and other musical instruments can quickly go out of tune.
Our tests have revealed that some humidifiers are much better than others at pumping out the amount of moisture manufacturers claim they do. And some humidifiers are quieter, more convenient to use and clean, or use less energy.
Another factor that influences the proper functioning of a humidifier: the adaptation of the device to the size of your room. “Make sure the humidifier you choose can handle the size of your space,” says Misha Kollontai, the engineer who leads Consumer Reports’ humidifier tests. Keep in mind, for example, that open spaces might require larger units. “Living rooms often have open doors that really add to the square footage.”
You’ll see dozens of models in our humidifier ratings. Most are cold steam, which is the most widely used type. Some are hot mist, also known as vaporizers, which should not be used near children. (The humidifier tank contains hot water which can burn children if they get too close or if the hot water is spilled.) And avoid hot-mist humidifiers if you have a cold. Hot humidity can swell the nasal passages and make it difficult to breathe.
Here are five of the best humidifiers, one for each size we tested.
For more buying advice, check out our humidifier buying guide. For test results and more options, CR members can check out our complete humidifier ratings, which include units ranging from personal-size to consoles that can generate humidity for 1,000 square feet or more.
travel/personal humidifier
Stadler Form Emma E031
CR’s opinion: Designed for areas up to 25 square feet, the stylish Stadler Form Emma E031 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is the most expensive personal/travel unit in our ratings, but well worth it. This unit achieved stellar performance in several of our tests, including comfort. In part, this is because the wide-mouth water tank that comes with this humidifier is easily accessible for cleaning. The generator machinery can be disassembled to fit into the water tank, which in turn fits into a cloth travel bag. To turn it on, you need a wall plug, a USB cable connected to a computer, or a battery (not included).
small humidifier
Babymoov Hygro (+)
CR’s opinion: Designed for rooms around 215 square feet, the Babymoov Hygro Ultrasonic (+) is top-rated for a reason: It excels in every one of CR’s tests. It is one of the only small humidifiers to score above average in hygrometer reading accuracy. Its features include a night light that rotates in a rainbow of colors, an automatic shut-off system when the tank is empty, a timer, and the option to disperse scents into the air. One drawback, however, is that its 58-inch cable length is short.
medium humidifier
Honeywell HUL430B
CR’s opinion: The sleek, ultrasonic Honeywell HUL430B has consistently scored high marks in our ratings, hitting top scores in five out of six of our tests. (We couldn’t run our sixth test, for air humidity meter accuracy, because this model doesn’t have a hygrometer.) This appliance, which is designed for rooms of about 400 square feet, includes several attractive features: an empty tank indicator, an automatic shut-off system when the water runs out, a fairly long cord (74 inches), a 2-year warranty , and the ability to disperse scented essential oils into the air. Since this unit does not have an air humidity meter, we recommend purchasing a hygrometer, a meter that costs about $10 and measures relative humidity. It will help you maintain your environment with the level of humidity you want.
large humidifier
Lasko UH300
CR’s opinion: The low-priced ultrasonic Lasko UH300 can humidify a large room of up to 600 square feet, earning a “Very Good” rating in our performance test, and beating several other reviews. Unlike most models in our ratings, this Lasko is a dual-mist humidifier. This means that you can pump hot or cold steam, using more energy in the latter mode. When the tank is empty, the Lasko automatically shuts off. However, the air humidity meter on this model was not very effective, so consider purchasing an inexpensive hygrometer to monitor the humidity level in your environment.
console humidifier
Essick MA1201
CR’s opinion: The Essick MA1201 is the highest-rated console humidifier in CR’s tests, but like all console humidifiers, it has some notable downsides. This type of humidifier is designed to tackle large spaces, and the manufacturer says the Essick can humidify up to 2,500 feet. But for that you need to run a fan, which makes it quite noisy. Despite this, it remains a reliable product, excellent in efficiency and very good in performance and comfort. It has a built-in hygrometer, which is quite accurate, and an indicator for when to change the wick.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with the advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.