You’re probably aware that a lack of humidity—whether that’s a seasonal shift as we move into winter or a year-round dryness thanks to a desert climate—causes your skin to dry out. But did you know it also impacts you on the inside? Dry air can cause your nasal passages and your sinuses to dry out, leading to issues like nosebleeds, congestion, and even sinus infections.
There are a few key ways you can mitigate the effects, but one of the best things you can do for your body is to keep the air in your home less dry with the help of a humidifier.
Here, the best humidifiers to get you through winter.
Best Overall
Crane Cool Mist Top Fill Humidifier and Aroma Diffuser
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There’s nothing overly flamboyant about the design of this humidifier, and that’s just why we like it. It has a smooth, white rectangular body with rounded corners—it’s simple, straightforward, and pleasing to the eye.
It’s also pretty powerful. Designed for medium to large rooms, the humidifier has a 1.2 gallon tank that can produce 24 hours of moisture. It doubles as a night light, which is great for kids’ rooms, and it also has an aromatherapy tray. Perhaps the device’s best quality, however, is that some of its parts are dishwasher-safe, making cleaning a breeze.
Best Design
Objecto W4 Hybrid Humidifier
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It’s a sculpture, it’s a vase, it’s...a humidifier! While most humidifiers are rather unsightly—form definitely follows function for many models—Objecto’s products are all about aesthetics. The majority of the brand's humidifiers take on curving, organic forms that can easily be mistaken for decorative art. Just check out the W4 model, which is made of wood rather than plastic for a more modern yet rustic look.
The W4 is a cool-mist humidifier with a 2.3-liter tank, allowing for 20 hours of continuous use. It comes with a remote control so you can operate it from afar, as well as an aroma tray should you want to diffuse some essential oils.
Best Splurge
Dyson AM10 Humidifier
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There’s a reason everyone raves about Dyson’s products: They work, and they work well. That goes for Dyson’s AM10 humidifier, which is pretty much entirely automated, keeping tabs on the air in the room and adjusting its mist output accordingly to keep to your desired level of humidity.
Design-wise, the humidifier is simply an ovular fan (which is actually extremely powerful, but super quiet) that sits atop a three-liter tank. Where it really stands out, however, is its UV cleaning system, which eliminates 99.99 percent of bacteria in the water tank—a problem spot where mold frequently grows in most humidifiers.
Best Diffuser
ASAKUKI Premium Essential Oil Diffuser & Humidifier with Remote Control
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Amazon
Want a humidifier that'll do double duty as a diffuser for your essential oils? Look no further than the budget-friendly ASAKUKI Humidifier, which has over 4,500 five-star reviews and costs under $30. The large 500 milliliter tank and 16-hour run time is great news for large rooms, but if you want something smaller you can also buy a 300 milliliter version for about the same price.
There are four timers (60-, 120-, and 180-minutes), as well as different mist controls so you can create the ideal mist for your needs. With automatic shut-off and a BPA-free construction, this is a humidifier you don't have to think twice about.
Best Portable
Huumi Humidifier
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Have a small space that you want to humidify in style? Buy a Huumi Humidifier, a chic little device that’s both portable and effective. Weighing just under a pound when its one-liter tank is empty, a Hummi is an ideal humidifier for those who need to take it on the go with them—and it’s cordless so you can bring it room-to-room, if not outside your home entirely.
On a full charge, a Huumi lasts eight hours, though if you keep it plugged in it can disperse a cool mist for up to 14 hours. Keep it on your nightstand or at your desk—or switch between the two!
Best High-Tech
HoMedics TotalComfort Deluxe Ultrasonic Air Humidifier
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Courtesy of Homedics
With a sci-fi-esque design that recalls either "Star Wars'" stormtroopers or maybe even SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, the TotalComfort Humidifier certainly looks high-tech—and that’s because it is. The device emits both cool and warm mist, the latter of which kills 99.9 percent of bacteria that might be in the water.
With a 1.38-gallon water tank, the humidifier can run for 85 hours continuously, though there’s also an auto-off timer that you can set for eight hours if you’d like to pause usage. Other features include a humidistat that tells you the current humidity in the room, an essential oils tray, and a night light.
Best Filter
Canopy Humidifier
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Canopy
Unlike every other humidifier on our list, Canopy doesn’t actually emit a mist. Instead, it uses evaporative technology to fill the air in a room with invisible moisture. The benefit is that the water is filtered during this process, eliminating any irritating particles (ahem, mold and mildew) that might otherwise enter the air.
It's also incredibly easy to clean—Canopy runs until its water tank is dry, which leaves less chance for mold and mildew to form. But when you do need to perform a little maintenance, you can simply place the “wet” parts of the device into the dishwasher. A final bonus: Canopy is essential-oils compatible, and it even comes with a free Hyuku aroma kit to get you started.
Best for Travel
Fancii Cool Mist Personal Mini Humidifier
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When you're eventually able to travel again, you’ll want to add Fancii's Cool Mist Personalized Mini Humidifier to your must-have list for your next trip. This tiny device—it weighs just 3.6 ounces—actually works with standard plastic bottles. Simply screw the humidifier onto a bottle, flip it over, and you’re ready to go! It’s perfect for use in hotel rooms, camping tents, or even in your car. It can be powered by AA batteries if you’re on the go, or via a USB charger if you’re staying put for a bit.
And since you can recycle the plastic bottle after use, you don’t have to worry about mold and mildew building up inside a tank. In fact, the only maintenance you really need to perform is switching out the water filter every month or two!
Best for Large Rooms
TaoTronics 6L Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier For Home
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Courtesy of Amazon
Looking for something that'll humidify your whole apartment? Go for this 6-liter option from TaoTronics. That extra-large tank produces up to 60 hours of continuous cool or warm mist for spaces up to a whopping 753 square feet, so you don't have to worry about constantly refilling it. This humidifier is smart, too—it constantly monitors humidity levels based on the environment, and will automatically turn off or on based on whether or not the humidity is at an optimal level.
It even comes with a remote control so you can easily adjust the settings, including mist level, mist temperature, and timer. There's also a sleep mode with low noise, no light display, and automatic shut-off so you can rest easy while your space stays moisturized.
Final Verdict
Our top pick, Crane's Cool Mist Top Fill Humidifier and Aroma Diffuser (view at Amazon), is nothing short of a workhorse, designed to maintain comfortable moisture levels and emit soothing scents simultaneously. If you want a unit that takes fine-tuned humidification to another level (and don't mind paying for it), the Dyson AM10 Humidifier (view at Walmart) is an excellent high-end option.