There are no easy-to-clean humidifiers per se, but top-fill reservoirs generally have larger openings for somewhat easier cleaning. The former stays upright while you fill it from the top, while the latter needs to be inverted, usually into a tray, after being filled. Reservoir type: Humidifiers generally come with either a top-fill or bottom-fill reservoir. To get your humidity levels right, you need to know the dimensions of the space you want to humidify to find the model that covers your square footage.
Size: Just like with air purifiers or window AC units, your humidifier needs to be large enough for your space. They are inexpensive, but because they don’t have a filter, you need to use them with distilled water, and the same goes for warm-mist humidifiers, too. Lastly, cool-mist humidifiers work by using high-frequency sound vibrations to break water droplets into a fine mist that gets pushed out into the air. The fans can be noisy and the filters need to be replaced often, but the filter will catch any minerals in your water and keep them from getting deposited elsewhere in your home. Evaporative models wick water through a filter, then use a fan to blow air across the filter, and the air absorbs moisture as it passes. The heat can destroy germs, but it can also be a danger to kids and pets. The warm-mist kind boils the water and releases the steam into the air to increase humidity. The three main types of humidifier are warm mist, evaporative, and ultrasonic, a.k.a. Type: “All humidifiers put water vapor into the air, but they do that in different ways,” says Sarah Drake, brand manager of seasonal humidifiers at Helen of Troy, the parent company behind Vicks and Honeywell humidifiers.
#The wirecutter humidifier archive#
To find the best humidifiers, we sifted through our extensive archive of humidifier coverage and called experts and allergists for their recommendations.īest overall humidifier | Best small-space humidifier | Best easy-to-clean humidifier | Best humidifier for a large room David Hill, M.D., a spokesperson for the American Lung Association and a pulmonary and critical-care physician in Connecticut, says you should be cleaning your humidifier at least once a week with soap and water. Cleaning is critical, however a humidifier that is not properly maintained can end up contaminated with pathogens that can exacerbate allergies and cause serious illnesses. (Your house plants will benefit too.) However, humidifiers can be loud, messy, and a nightmare to clean.
#The wirecutter humidifier skin#
By pumping moisture into the air, they can help keep your skin and nasal passages from drying out, particularly in the winter months. Humidifiers can be a great addition to your living space or bedroom.