Looking for the best humidifier for your living space so you can maintain the perfect humidity levels? Buyer's Report has reviewed and rated all of the top models to bring you the most comprehensive selection available.
CHIVALZ
Blueair
MORENTO
Everlasting Comfort
MIKO
Turonic
CHIVALZ
Turning your home into a comfortable and relaxing oasis requires more than just choosing the right furnishings and decor, and if you truly want to enjoy your space and keep yourself healthy, then taking your humidity levels into consideration should be a priority. As one of the most frequently overlooked aspects of a well-rounded home environment, fluctuating humidity levels can have a profound impact on both your overall health and your comfort level, and the drier the air around you is, the more unpleasant it will be. From flaky skin to cracked lips, low humidity can wreak havoc on your body and your home, and whether or not you realize it, this tends to be one of the main reasons why many people experience on-going discomfort whenever they have to spend extended periods indoors. Thankfully, tackling low humidity levels doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive project, and for those who have found themselves struggling to enjoy their space, especially at night or in the hotter months, a humidifier may be the perfect solution for you. Simple, affordable, and shockingly effective, portable humidifiers can swiftly transform your environment and provide you with the relief you’ve been craving, and this buying guide will assist you in finding the correct option that fits seamlessly in with your space.
If you’ve never put much thought into humidity levels before, you’re certainly not alone, and while this is a crucial aspect of everyday life that impacts both your indoor and outdoor environments, it’s also something that many people just accept and deal with. But humidity levels that are too high or too low can make existing pretty unpleasant, and if you’ve ever stepped outside on a super humid day, or tried to fall asleep in a very dry room, you already understand how significant that impact can be. Ideally, most people tend to find that an indoor humidity level around 40% to 60% tends to be the most comfortable, but depending on the time of day, the season, and the weather, maintaining that perfect balance can be challenging. This is why investing in a humidifier can be so beneficial, and if you’ve found yourself questioning why your home, or your health, seems to suffer during certain times of the year, then a portable humidifier could be the answer to your concerns.
Before making a big purchase, however, it’s important to investigate if it truly is low humidity levels that are causing your on-going problems, and this can be done by either using a hygrometer, or by looking for common signs and symptoms such as:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially during specific seasons or weather conditions, it's likely that low humidity levels are the culprit, and in that case investing in a portable humidifier can be one of the best decisions you can make.
Once you’ve decided that a humidifier is the right choice for you, the first thing you will need to determine is what size is appropriate for your space. Ranging from tiny models that are designed specifically for your desktop, to industrial-sized versions that can cover large areas like warehouses or open-plan offices, humidifiers come in various sizes to suit different needs, and you want one that will provide sufficient moisture, without drenching your home. In general, the size of the humidifier you purchase should ultimately correspond with the actual square footage that you’re looking to tackle, and this means you’re going to want to aim for the following:
After narrowing down potential humidifiers based solely on their size, the next step in the purchasing process is going to be deciding on whether you prefer a warm mist or cool mist version. Which one is right for you is ultimately going to be a matter of personal preference, and both types have their own benefits and drawbacks that should be considered. Warm mist humidifiers, for example, provide soothing heated air that people tend to find comforting, especially during the colder months, and they can be a smart choice if you tend to get sick frequently or suffer from on-going allergies. However, since they do have an internal heating system they will require more electricity than the cool mist versions, and that added warmth can also create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. This means that warm mist humidifiers do require more frequent and thorough cleaning in order to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits and bacteria in the water reservoir, and this is something you’ll want to keep in mind, especially if you’re looking for a hassle-free solution that is easy to maintain.
On the other hand, cool mist humidifiers operate exclusively without heating the water, and instead they rely on either ultrasonic technology or a built-in fan to create and disperse the moisture. This makes cool mist humidifiers generally more energy-efficient than their warm mist counterparts, but it also makes them more expensive as they have slightly fancier technology and feature wicks or filters that need to be replaced. With that said, cool mist humidifiers will almost always be the preferred choice for individuals who live in very warm climates as it won’t contribute to raising the temperature inside your space, and they also tend to be smarter investments for households with small children or pets as there is no risk of burns due to heated water. Ultimately, the choice between warm mist and cool mist humidifiers should be based on your unique home environment, your budget, and your own goals, and there is no right or wrong answer to which one is best.
Beyond just looking at size and type, there are also a number of additional factors that you’ll want to take into consideration as you shop for a humidifier, as these will help enhance the convenience, usability, and overall effectiveness of the model you purchase. While not everyone may need every feature, it doesn’t hurt to keep them in mind as you browse and compare, and some of the most popular aspects that are frequently seen will include:
At the end of the day, choosing the right humidifier for your needs comes down to understanding your specific preferences and requirements, and there is a wide range of options available for you to choose between. As long as you are focusing on finding the correct size, type, and additional features that matter, you’re guaranteed to walk away with a new humidifier that will revolutionize your living environment, and you can get back to feeling comfortable, happy, and healthy within your own home.
