Dry air in the home is a common culprit behind many uncomfortable conditions, including itchy skin and chapped lips, plus it can make respiratory conditions like asthma even worse, or increase susceptibility to catching cold and flu. Reintroducing moisture into your home by using a humidifier — especially during the winter season — is one way to increase your comfort, and can help prevent dry skin, coughs and congestion, and even reduce static electricity. Just be careful not to introduce too much moisture into the home, or you risk promoting the growth of mold, bacteria, and dust mites.
Humidifier Options and Features
Warm or cool mist Humidifiers are available in either warm or cool mist, with some units capable of both. Warm mist humidifiers boil water before distributing the steam, whereas cool mist humidifiers use evaporative, ultrasonic, or impeller technology to create and distribute moisture.Size Small humidifiers are ideal for rooms up to 300 square feet in size, medium units will handle rooms 300 to 500 square feet, large units 500-1000 square feet, and extra large units are suited for rooms larger than 1000 square feet.Easy to clean You should be draining, rinsing, and drying the unit every day. On a weekly basis, remove visible residue with vinegar before disinfecting the unit with a bleach solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Rinse thoroughly to remove any residue. Regular cleaning of your humidifier is essential to avoid introducing additional germs and bacteria into the air.Integrated humidistat A humidfier with an integrated humidistat lets you set the relative humidity level and turns the unit off when it is reached. This helps prevent adding too much moisture into the air, and saves on operating costs.Filters Some humidifiers include washable filters, but there are many without filters or with filters that are inexpensive to replace. Keep in mind that filter replacement will add to your regular operating costs over the life of the humidifier.
Just how much does a humidifier cost? You can find units priced anywhere from about $25 up to $200 or more, depending on size and available features. Check out our five picks for the best humidifiers.
Best Overall Humidifier
Honeywell HCM-350 Available from Walmart starting at $59
Best Humidifier for Large Rooms
Sunpentown SU-4010 Dual Mist Humidifier with ION Exchange Filter Available from Walmart starting at $87
Best Budget-Friendly Humidifier
TaoTronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Best Humidifier for Portable Use
VAVA Cool Mist Humidifier
Best Humidifier for Adding of Essential Oils
Levoit Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier Available from Walmart starting at $90
