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Best Humidifier OverallBlueair Invisible Mist HumidifierRead more$150Amazon
Best Budget HumidifierDreo Humidifier 524Read more$60 $50 (17% off)Amazon (Regular, 524)
Best Humidifier That’s Also an Air PurifierBlueair 2-in-1 Purify + HumidifyRead more$430Blueair
Best Whole-House HumidifierDreo Smart Humidifier 735S 11LRead more$140Amazon
Everyone remembers the moment they realized they need a good humidifier—maybe even the best humidifier. For WIRED contributor Lisa Wood Shapiro, it was New York City's second-longest drought on record. Her skin cracked, the inside of her nose hurt, and air quality monitors showed her indoor humidity at 32 percent. For Matthew Korfhage, it came much sooner, amid dry-aired Portland, Oregon, summers that made Burt's Bees lip balm into a citywide party favor. As wildfires become a health-ruining annual promise, this situation hasn't gotten better since.
Parched interiors have dangers beyond chapped skin. According to medical literature and the recommendations by Harvard’s School of Public Health, indoor humidity can slow the spread of respiratory disease such as Covid-19 and influenza. Ideal indoor humidity should be between 30 percent and 50 percent. There’s a lot those little humidifiers can do.
But the road to humidifiers is slicked with good intentions. If it's too hard or tedious to clean and maintain, chances are you'll join our countless neighbors and abandon yours on the stoop: “Free. Still Works!” That's why WIRED's number one pick, the BlueAir Invisible Mist Humidifier ($150), is also the humidifier that best removes the little chores involved in keeping your humidifier in good shape, including a dishwasher-safe reservoir. Others integrate beautifully into your living space, like a HoMedics Natura Small Plant Humidifier ($160) that doubles as green decor.
Still, the minerals in water are an issue. If you have hard water, your humidifier might produce a film of white-dust mineral buildup; that is why so many models recommend distilled water or come with filters. For more on how to improve your indoor air quality, check out our guides to the Best Air Purifiers, Best Space Heaters, Best Dehumidifiers, Best Indoor Air Quality Monitors, and Best Fans.
Updated April 2026: We've added the Molekule Glow Smart Humidifier to honorable mentions, streamlined and rearranged the top picks, and ensured accurate links and prices throughout.
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WIREDTIREDRecommended waterFillabilityDishwasher safe tank?App, voice control?MistAir sensor?Filter?WarrantyBlueair Invisible Mist HumidifierMultiple fill options; antimicrobial wick filter to capture minerals and pollutantsN/ATapTank with handles or top pour-throughYesYesInvisibleYesYes, with optional subscription1-3 yearsDreo Humidifier 524User-friendly app; color correlated settingsFilter needs to be bought separatelyPurified or distilledTop fill tankNoYesAdjustableBuilt-in humidistatYes, but sold separately1 yearHoMedics Natura Small Plant HumidifierBamboo material and pot for plants; built-in humidistat and an easy-to-see digital displayIsn’t app compatibleTap or distilledTop filler or pull-out tankNoYesAdjustableBuilt-in humidistatDemineralization cartridge included2 yearsHoMedics Ultrasonic Humidifier CMTF14Petite and portable; built-in seven-color glowing nightlightN/ATapTankNoNoVisibleNoDemineralization cartridge2 yearsCarepod OneInexpensive; has a timer for four, six, and eight hours, along with three levels of mistNo sensor, auto mode, heat, or sterilizationDistilled or filteredRemove tank to fillYesNoVisibleNoNo1 yearBlueair 2-in-1 Purify + HumidifyAn air purifier and humidifier in one sleek applianceThe water tank holds only 3 liters of waterTapTank or top pour-throughYesYesInvisibleBoth air sensor and humidistat1 year with optional subscription1 yearDreo Smart Humidifier 735S 11LNearly three gallon tank means fewer refills; 100 hours of constant humidifyingThe tall tower tank might be difficult to fill from certain faucetsTapTank or top pour-throughNoYesVisibleHumidistatDemineralization cartridges1 yearRecommended With Reservations
Photograph: Lisa Wood ShapiroCarepod Mini for $150: When turned on, the Carepod Mini looks like a Brita Filter that's also an electric tea kettle. And you’ll think this too because of the Carepod’s unique oscillator that moves the water around inside the clear plastic tank. And unlike the larger stainless steel parts of the larger Carepod models, the Carepod Mini is not dishwasher safe. However, like all Carepod models, the Mini doesn’t have a filter because Carepod recommends using filtered water, putting the water-purifying duties on the user. I would prefer a model with a filter option. Still, the Mini is easy to clean with mild soap and water, unlike some humidifiers that require special descaling solutions. I like what Carepod is trying to do in the humidifier market space, but I almost tipped the whole thing over when I instinctively picked it up by the handle that only lifts up the top part. Still, I found the percolating water effect to be soothing and it does a good job of providing a steady flow of mist. I elevated my Carepod Mini because of its slightly sideways mist flow. I put it on a ceramic plant stand because Carepod warns against placing the Mini directly on wood or furniture because of possible water damage. And while I still do not understand the benefits of Carepod’s oscillator, it looks cool.
Photograph: Lisa Wood ShapiroDreamwell Humidifier from Blueair for $190: Blueair’s DreamWell Humidifier has several features to make this one of the easier humidifiers to use and maintain. Blueair makes the DreamWell in both 1- and 2-gallon tank sizes. WIRED tested the 1-gallon model. The DreamWell has mood lighting (warm, normal, and bright), along with a scent pod that can be filled with a few drops of essential oil, which turns this humidifier into a sleep aid. Its understated design blends into most interiors. Similar to Blueair’s Signature air purifier, reviewer Lisa Wood Shapiro found the DreamWell’s control panel difficult to see in bright light. What the control panel lacks, Blueair’s advanced app makes up for. Blueair has a “welcome home” function that uses geolocation to turn the humidifier on 15 minutes before the user walks in the front door. In using the feature, the user needs to plug in their mode of transportation: walking, biking, public transport, or car. There’s also an option for drying the wick, the humidifier’s machine-washable filter, which starts automatically when the tank is empty. The DreamWell comes in Coastal Beige or Stone Gray and is the ideal size for a small bedroom. For larger rooms, go for the 2-gallon DreamWell. And while the tank is only 1 gallon, the fill-top option makes for easy refilling.
Photograph: Matthew KorfhageMolekule Glow Smart Ultasonic Humidifier for $130: The Molekule Glow is small and quiet, with a gentle, sub-40-decibel sound like a babbling brook, and a dim green glow—suitable for a midsize room. Its tank is detachable for easy filling. It's good to run gently for a day, can be timed for turn-on and shut-off, and is easily controlled from your bed with an intuitive phone app. It is, in short, perfect for bedroom humidification, and it blends easily into a cool minimalist aesthetic. Indeed, its humidifier spot top looks a little like a blank, cartoon smile. It's friendly. Compared to our previous top bedroom pick, the Blueair Dreamwell, the price is also friendly. But the smart app is needed for any features beyond setting the humidity level, and filters aren't part of the bargain. As of the end of March 2026, the device is already out of stock after a January release.
Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist for $44: This Levoit model is priced at the most affordable end of the spectrum, and advertises itself as appropriate for aromatherapy as an essential oil diffuser. But unlike other aromatherapy-ready humidifiers, the Dual 150 doesn't offer pads on which to apply the oil—meaning any aromatherapy is applied directly to the basin and a bit permanent. Geraniums forever! Lavender till the end! The filters also seem to wear out quickly. But at a mere $44, it still might fit the bill for a dorm or nursery, and offers up a nice mist for a medium-sized room. A 10-pack of Levoit filters also costs less than $15, so replacement is easy. A two-year warranty is far better than expected for a device at this price.
Not Recommended
Photograph: Lisa Wood ShapiroPure Enrichment Hume XL Humidifier for $80: There are certain design issues that can make a humidifier less user-friendly, and Pure Enrichment’s Hume XL has them all. To begin with, the Hume XL has the old-style tank that needs to be removed and flipped over to fill from the bottom, with a cap that needs to be unscrewed. And while The Hume has a surprisingly large-capacity 5-gallon tank, the filling process is cumbersome, and I always spilled water while doing it. And while the Hume XL has an automatic shutoff when the tank is empty, the opaque black plastic tank is nearly impossible to see through, making it difficult to gauge if I need to fill the tank. There’s also no indicator light to let me know the tank is running low. And while the Hume XL has a solid five-year warranty, night light, and two settings for low or high mist, it’s neither app-compatible nor does it have a built-in humidistat. Other lower-cost models have these features. Lastly, the decalcification cartridge filter is sold separately.
FAQs
How We Tested
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronLisa Wood Shapiro has been writing about air quality for WIRED since 2019. Matthew Korfhage has been a staff reviewer on home devices, including air quality, since 2024. Both reviewers live in hundred-year-old homes in Brooklyn and Portland, Oregon, respectively. Both reviewers test humidifiers with the heat on in cool weather, which tends to dry out the air. Korfhage also tests during Portland's dry summers.
We test for user friendliness, and effectiveness in filling a medium-size room with ideal moisture Nobody wants jugs of distilled water up the stairs, or around the house. Low maintenance is also important: Dishwasher-safe water reservoirs are holy, and beloved. If there's an app, it should work. And the device should ideally be operable without needing an app. Humidifirers that are hard to use and clean often end up by the sides of roads, marked “Free.” We want you to avoid this fate.
At What Percent Humidity Should I Use a Humidifier?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronAccording to the EPA, ideal humidity in a home should be between 30 and 50 percent. Having an indoor humidity at over 60 percent produces a risk of mold growth. A recent study noted that relative humidity serves as a viable predictor of mold growth, and while temperature plays a significant role, keeping humidity levels in the safe range provides benefits without contributing to the unwanted issue of mold. Another study noted that decreased humidity contributed to increased static electricity, skin dryness, and eye irritations along with increased influenza virus survival. For all of those reasons, a humidifier might be what your heat-on/winter season requires.
How Often Should I Clean My Humidifier?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED has seen instructions ranging from “after every use” for dishwasher-safe tanks to “once a week,” to “once a month” in various user manuals. A recent study found that while study participants often did not know how to clear their humidifiers, many used a solution of vinegar and water. If you save anything from the box your humidifier came in, save the manual. I used a solution of water and citric acid to clean my Dyson humidifier. It’s worth noting that a South Korean study found that certain humidifier chemical disinfectants for household humidifiers caused lung injury. Follow your user manual and do not add chemical disinfectants—this is one reason that dishwasher-safe water tanks are an appealing option. Study after study points to the benefits of humidifiers with a caveat—if they aren’t maintained properly, or if biocide is used as a disinfectant, they can have negative respiratory health effects.
Is It Healthy to Sleep With a Humidifier Every Night?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronYes, there are many health benefits to sleeping with a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture into the air, and if a humidifier is maintained properly and without the use of biocide, the humidifier can reduce dry eyes, stuffy noses, and reduce allergens. There is a real commitment when owning a humidifier, especially one for your bedroom, and that is a commitment to proper maintenance. Without proper upkeep, a bedroom humidifier can cause illness.
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Lisa Wood Shapiro has been a WIRED contributor since 2018, covering air quality, AI, accessibility software, and gear like air purifiers, humidifiers, and air quality monitors. Her work has also appeared in The New Yorker and Vogue. She studied film at New York University and has a master’s degree in ... Read MoreContributor
Matthew Korfhage is a staff writer and reviewer on WIRED's Gear team, where he focuses on home and kitchen devices that range from air fryers and coffee machines to space heaters, water filters, and beard trimmers. Before joining WIRED in 2024, he covered food, drink, business, culture, and technology for ... Read MoreProduct Writer & ReviewerTopicsShoppingbuying guideshouseholdhealthair improvementair qualityGive Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office ChairsSitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.Julian ChokkattuBreathe Easy—We Found the Best Air PurifiersProtect your home against dust, pets, allergies, and more with air purifiers tested firsthand by WIRED.Lisa Wood ShapiroThe Best Theraguns and Therabody Devices for Rest and RelaxationFrom massage guns to compression boots and LED face masks, these are the top performers in Therabody’s wellness lineup.Boutayna Chokrane The Best Pillows for Every Style of SleeperWe’ve spent over a year testing the best pillows to support your noggin, whether you snooze on your side, on your back, or in a tangle of blankets. Nena Farrell The Right Mattress Can Erase Your Back PainIf you're struggling with chronic back or shoulder pain, these mattresses could change your life Nena Farrell The Best Headphones for Working Out, Traveling, and Putzing AroundRock your inner jock with a pair of sturdy, sweatproof, and tangle-proof headphones. Here are our favorites.Adrienne SoThe 4 Best Smart Beds You Can Buy Right NowThese tech-packed beds can adjust firmness, track your sleep, and regulate temperature automatically. Based on my testing, here’s what's worth the investment.Julia ForbesThe Best Base Layers for Every AdventureWhether you’re layering up for winter cold or looking for an ultralight summer system, I’ve tested and found the best base layers for all your outdoor adventures.Scott GilbertsonThe Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac HealthThese chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.Michael SawhThe Best Smart Video Doorbell CamerasNever miss a delivery. These WIRED-tested picks will help you keep tabs on your front door from anywhere.Simon HillWe Tried a Dozen of the Most Popular Indoor Gardening SystemsGrow a backyard’s worth of greens and vegetables in your house with a vertical hydroponic garden. Here are a few that might be worth the investment.Kat MerckThe 12 Best Coffee Subscriptions of 2026 to Keep You WiredThese services deliver freshly roasted, delicious coffee picks right to your door—each with its own twist.Matthew KorfhageWired Coupons
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