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Avoiding dry skin and the respiratory issues associated with chilly fall air is easy with these top-rated humidifiers.

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humidifiers
Staff, Courtesy of Levoit

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Health - Injuries Best Big City Marathons that are exacerbated by dry air, a humidifier can be a valuable investment. These handy little machines add moisture to the air, raising the humidity, and generally make it easier for your respiratory system to do its job. This humid air can also help combat the frustrating and painful cracked skin on your hands and face.

Even if you don’t suffer from any serious ailments, a humidifier can have another positive benefit: better sleep. By reducing the chances of a dry nose or throat, you’re more likely to sleep soundly and wake up less frequently during the night.

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  • 1
    Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

    Best Overall

    LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

    $89 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    Mistaire Ultrasonic

    Not suitable for medium or large rooms

    Pure Enrichment Mistaire Ultrasonic

    Read more
  • 3
    Portable Humidifier

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    GENIANI Portable Humidifier

    Read more
  • 4
    Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

    Some found it difficult to clean

    LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

    Read more
  • 5
    MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

    Wide tank is easy to clean

    Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

    Read more

What to Consider

The first thing to consider when choosing a humidifier is the size of the space you’ll be using it in. By doing some quick math and multiplying the length and width of your room, you can figure out its square footage. Then, use this number to compare with the maximum square footage specs of your potential humidifier. This can keep you from purchasing a unit that is too weak to be effective, or wasting your money on one that’s too powerful for what you need.

You should also think about the running time of your potential humidifier. If you’d prefer to not worry about frequent refills, and want more of the set-it-and-forget-it type of unit, make sure to choose one with a long enough runtime. At minimum, you should make sure your unit can run for at least 8 or 10 hours, so it can function all night without running out of water.

If you’re interested in using essential oils or other aromatics with your humidifier, make sure to choose one with a specific reservoir for these products. Don’t just assume that you’ll be able to just add them to the main water tank, since this may reduce its effectiveness.

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While researching options for this guide, we consulted several online forums and reputable review websites—including our own The 6 Best Walking Pads for Your Home Office—to find the most popular and reliable humidifier models on the market today. After compiling a list of the top picks, we narrowed down our choices to make sure we were offering a good variety of types, sizes, and styles. We also kept pricing in mind, so regardless of the type of unit you’re looking for, you should find one that fits in your budget range. We then finalized our list by eliminating any products that had frequent customer issues or had been discontinued.

For more simple tools that can help make your skin healthier in a hurry, check out our picks for the best hand creams, Best Smart Humidifier, and sinus or allergy issues.

1
Best Overall

LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier
1
Best Overall

LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

Now 11% Off
$89 at Amazon$68 at Walmart$85 at Walmart
Pros
  • Affordable price for the size
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  • Automatically shuts off when tank is empty
Cons
  • Size might be too bulky for some

Those looking for a humidifier to cover larger spaces will appreciate the 6-liter water tank and powerful mist output of this Levoit unit. Its large capacity reduces the number of times you’ll need to refill it, and allows it to function for up to 60 continuous hours on the lowest setting.

A handy remote control makes it easy to change the settings from across the room, or you can use the Auto setting, which makes the adjustments for you. You can also use the convenient timer setting to avoid leaving the unit on when you’re not using it.

Key Specs

Runtime 60 hours
Tank Capacity6 liters
Max Coverage743 square feet
Pros
  • 5-year warranty
  • Night light
  • CA Notice at Collection
Cons

    Even though this humidifier is on the lower end of the price spectrum, it still offers most of the same bells and whistles found on more expensive models.

    Its auto-shutoff feature turns off the power whenever the water level gets low, or when the tank is removed for cleaning or refilling. The night light is also a nice perk, and one that isn’t found on many other models at this price, making this a great choice for kids' rooms.

    This unit's 1.5-liter water tank makes it effective for rooms up to 250 square feet, and it will operate continuously for up to 25 hours.

    Key Specs

    Max Runtime 25 hours
    Tank Capacity1.5 liters
    Max Coverage 250 square feet
    3
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    GENIANI Portable Humidifier

    Portable Humidifier
    3
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    GENIANI Portable Humidifier

    Pros
    • Three settings
    • Night light
    • Compact size
    Cons
    • Not practical for larger spaces

    Weighing just half a pound and with a 3.4-inch footprint—small enough to fit in your car’s cup holder—this Geniani unit would be well-suited for those who need a compact and portable humidifier for traveling.

    Its light weight makes it convenient for tossing into a suitcase or backpack, and an optional night light is a nice perk, as well. Despite this small size, it’s still designed to be effective in areas up to 65 square feet in size, and also offers three settings to choose from.

    This unit is also designed not to spill its water tank if it’s accidentally knocked over.

    Key Specs

    Max Runtime8 hours
    Tank Capacity0.5 liters
    Max Coverage65 square feet
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    4
    Some found it difficult to clean

    LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

    On Sale
    Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
    4
    Some found it difficult to clean

    LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

    Pros
    • CA Notice at Collection
    • Seven light color options
    • Auto mode
    Cons

      If you prefer to control your appliances with your phone, this Levoit model and its app connectivity could be just what you’re looking for.

      You can enable voice commands to control your unit hands-free, and can even program preset schedules to work with your personal routine. This unit is also well-suited for use around newborns or in a nursery, thanks to its low 26-decibel noise level.

      We’re big fans of the adjustable nozzle, which can be rotated 360 degrees, and the bright LED display that allows you to easily see the current humidity level.

      Key Specs

      Max Runtime25 hours
      Tank Capacity3 liters
      Max Coverage290 square feet
      5
      Wide tank is easy to clean

      Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

      On Sale
      MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
      5
      Wide tank is easy to clean

      Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

      Pros
      • Low cost
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      • 10-hour runtime
      Cons
      • Races & Places

      It wouldn’t be practical for areas over 175 square feet, but if you’re just looking for a humidifier for a small space, or for personal use like keeping on your desk, this could be a good fit. Despite its small size, it’s still able to operate for up to 10 hours, making it useful for those who need a model that can operate overnight while they sleep.

      The single-button control makes it simple to use, as well, allowing you to select either of the two mist settings or power on the night light.

      Key Specs

      Max Runtime10 hours
      Tank Capacity0.7 liters
      Max Coverage175 square feet
      6
      Easy to use

      Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

      Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
      6
      Easy to use

      Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

      Now 33% Off
      Pros
      • Large capacity
      • Cute designs for kids
      Cons
      • Some found it difficult to clean

      This may look like a fun little buddy, but it's actually a fully functioning—and effective—humidifier. It comes in nine different designs—eight of which are various animals, and one token train— and has a dial that's easy for both kids and adults to control. It has a one-gallon water tank, and it works in rooms as large as 500 square feet.

      Key Specs

      Max Runtime24 hours
      Tank Capacity 3.8 liters
      Max Coverage 500 square feet
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      Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

      Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
      7
      Best Big City Marathons

      Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

      Now 47% Off
      Pros
      • Large tank
      • Very quiet
      Cons
      • A bit pricey

      While a lot of us use essential oil diffusers for the pleasant scent and aromatherapy benefits, they don't offer a ton of help when it comes to functioning as a humidifier. This model, however, is a humidifier first, and will actually help hydrate your room for up to 50 hours.

      It also has an essential oil tray that allows you to add your favorite oils, which will then be integrated in the mist, making any room smell great. Since it's designed for use in the bedroom, it also runs incredibly quietly, and automatically shuts off when it runs out of water.

      Key Specs

      Max Runtime50 hours
      Tank Capacity 6 Liters
      Max Coverage 500 square feet
      Headshot of Gabrielle Hondorp
      Gabrielle Hondorp

      Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track. 

      Headshot of Alex Rennie

      Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.

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