Best humidifiers 2021: Relieve dry skin & allergy symptoms with these humidifiers

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Best humidifiers 2021: Relieve dry skin & allergy symptoms with these humidifiers

By Sarah Finley 19 November 2021

The best humidifiers not only keep the air clean, they also help prevent physical discomfort caused by dry indoor air.

(Image credit: Getty Images) Jump to:

• Best humidifiers
• How to maintain your humidifier

Breathing clean air is high on everyone’s agenda, which is where the best humidifiers step in. These appliances are ideal for solving the problems that arise due to dry air that can include sinus problems and cracked skin that’s lacking moisture. In this guide, we’ve meticulously researched humidifiers that are worth your time and put them to their paces in a series of tests in order to review them. That means that you can be sure of what you’ll be getting when you pick the humidifier that’s best suited to you.

What the expert says

“Humidifiers add moisture to indoor air and are often used in homes to relieve the physical discomforts of dry nose, throat, lips, and skin caused by drier indoor air. However, it’s important to note, excess moisture can also encourage the growth of biological organisms, including mold in the home.” - Tim Carroll, Environmental Protection Agency 

Over the last two years, it’s fair to say that we’ve all increased the time we spend inside and grown to monitor our air quality a little closer. That’s one reason why the popularity of humidifiers has skyrocketed, just like the rise in sales of the best air purifiers. You might be wondering, do humidifiers help with allergies? They can contribute to altering the humidity levels in your home in order to avoid triggering allergy symptoms and help filter out dust, dander, and virus particles from the air, all of which can trigger undesirable problems.

When it comes to monitoring air quality, you may be thinking what is relative humidity and how does it affect the humidifier I need to buy? Calculating the relative humidity of a home will allow you to establish what you need to do to become more comfortable. So, dive into our guide of the best humidifiers to establish the perfect appliance for your home, and get one step closer to better air quality.

Best humidifiers

(Image credit: Amazon)Dyson AM10 humidifier The best humidifier for stylish homesSpecificationsSmart enabled/compatibility?: NoWater tank capacity: 3.5LRun time: 2 hours +Dimensions: 8.7 x 9.4 x 22.8 inchesTODAY'S BEST DEALSView at AmazonView at Walmart35 Walmart customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆Reasons to buy+Doubles as a fan+Very quietReasons to avoid-Expensive-Small water tank

The Dyson AM10 is a sleek model that features a stylish loop design and a clear water tank.

What users say

Amazon reviews give the Dyson AM10 an average score of 4.2 out of 5, however 70% of them are five star reviews. Positive reviews commented on how well the ultraviolet light worked to kill bacteria in the water, as well as how easy it was to use. Negative reviews cited that the machine is quite complicated to set up and clean, and others commented on how small the water tank was, which means that you have to fill it up more often than other humidifiers.

 It acts as both a humidifier and a fan, featuring 10 levels, and will look good in any office or living area space. With some great functions, it enables you to set it for sleeping, while an auto mode gives you a choice of your preferred humidity level. However, it’s one of the most expensive models on the market and its water tank is relatively small - only holding 3.75 quarts.

One of the best things about this Dyson Humidifier is that before the water gets vaporized it purifies the water - getting rid of bacteria and minerals with its ultraviolet light. This is one of its best qualities, especially for those who are worried about the air quality in their house. It’s easy to refill the water and it will last continuously for 12 hours before it needs to be refilled. This model is better for smaller rooms up to 172 square feet.

With only one button on the actual model, the humidifier is controlled via its remote control that enables you to change the fan and humidity levels. Humidity levels can be set to between 30 and 70 per cent. However, this humidifier also aims to regulate your desired temperature and will change according to the temperature in the room. This Dyson humidifier is a great investment piece, especially as it doubles as a fan, which means that in the summer months it won’t sit dormant. 

• Read our full Dyson AM10 humidifier review

(Image credit: Amazon)Honeywell HEV685W The best humidifier for performanceSpecificationsSmart enabled/compatibility?: NoWater tank capacity: 3 gallons Run time: 24 hoursDimensions: 23.23 x 15.35 x 16.38 inchesTODAY'S BEST DEALSCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Large water tank+Good performance   Reasons to avoid-Loud-Bulky  

This humidifier is great for big rooms due to its large water tank, which holds up to three gallons of water. 

What users say

Reviews for the Honeywell HEV685W humidifier on Amazon rate the model 4.4 out of 5, with the majority giving 4 or 5 star reviews. Happy customers comment on how well it humidifies the room - taking it up to 50 percent, while others cite how easy it is to fill up and its multiple fan speeds. Negative reviews write about how hard replacement filters are to find and how noisy it can be. 

However, it’s a loud and bulky model, so it’s not ideal for an office or sleeping environment. This humidifier features a fairly basic design, with fewer features than its competitors at this price range.

This model is easy to set up and it comes with two flat paddles, which are easy to install and two water tanks. As an evaporative humidifier, the model sucks in dry air from the room via a wet filter and then pumps out warmer air in order to change the humidity of the room. If you’re looking for a high tech humidifier, then you might want to look elsewhere, as this model only has two buttons to control its humidity and fan speed. The fan speed can be either fast, medium or low, which is also its quiet setting. With no LED screens, being able to actually set the humidity level you’re after can be confusing.

This humidifier performs well, reaching up to 63% humidity on its highest level, while on the lowest level it reaches up to 53%. As its two water tanks are so large, it can also run continuously for 24 hours on its lowest setting before needing to be filled up again. 

(Image credit: Amazon)Levoit LV600HH humidifier The best water tank for bedroomsSpecificationsSmart enabled/compatibility: NoWater tank capacity: 1.5 gallonRun time: 36 hoursDimensions: 24.2 x 31.4 x 34 cmTODAY'S BEST DEALSView at WalmartView at levoitPrimeView at AmazonSee all prices (6 found)Reasons to buy+ Large water tank+Ultra-quiet Reasons to avoid-Auto setting not accurate-Warm mist relatively hot  

The Levoit LV600HH humidifier has some interesting features, including three mist settings, an essential oil diffuser for aromatherapy and a dual nozzle that twists 360 degrees. 

What users say

Customers on Amazon gave the Levoit LV600HH humidifier an average score of 4.5 out of 5 and mentioned its humidity levels and remote control the most. Positive reviews cite its high output of mist and how easy it is to clean, while negative reviews mention that the warm mist can get quite hot and how the auto setting isn’t accurate.

As a smaller model, it’s ultra-quiet but is capable of holding a large amount of water, which means that it can run for up to 36 hours. 

This humidifier is great for larger rooms that measure between 430 to 753 square feet. The built-in water tank is see-through, which means that  you always know how  much water you have left in your tank. Able to sit on your worktop or tuck under a table, it’s a little tricky to fill up. However, this humidifier is ready to use as soon as you get it out of the box, with nothing to set up aside from filling the water.

With a small LCD display on the front, it also has various buttons that enable you to control the mist level, humidity and how long the humidifier will run for. The mist function has three settings going from low to high, while the humidity button enables you to change the percentage of humidity in the air. Meanwhile, the nifty remote control means that you can control the humidifier from up to 16 feet away. Usefully, this humidifier is both easy to operate and extremely quiet.

• Read our full Levoit LV600HH humidifier review

(Image credit: Amazon)Elechomes HTJ-2119 Ultrasonic Humidifier The best humidifier with a remote controlSpecificationsSmart enabled/compatibility: NoWater tank capacity: 1.2 gallonsRun time: 35 hoursDimensions: 9 x 6 x 11.5 inchesTODAY'S BEST DEALSLow StockView at WalmartCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Remote control+Performs wellReasons to avoid-Leaks water on highest setting-Needs weekly cleaning 

This is a small and attractive model that features touch screen buttons and a large display that shows the temperature and humidity levels. 

What users say

The Elechomes HTJ-2119 Ultrasonic Humidifier fares well on Amazon, featuring a 4.5 out of 5 rating. Many like how sleek the humidifier was, along with its very low noise. Other positive reviews loved how it could be controlled via remote control and how easy it was to set a specific humidity level. Negative reviews concentrated on how small the handle of the model was, and others said that the lights on the model distracted them at night.

The humidifier pumps out a cool mist, while the built in humidity sensor enables you to set your preferred humidity level. Other functions include a child lock, sleep mode and the option to add essential oils.

This model is sleek, but tall, so you’ll need around a foot of height if you want to tuck this into a corner or under furniture. Filling the tank is fairly easy and it performs best in a medium sized room or house – or anything that equates to 322 to 528 square feet. The buttons on the display are easy to use and very self explanatory, while the remote control can also control the humidifier as well. 

The highest mist setting can raise the humidity levels in a medium sized room up to 69% in just under an hour, while the humidity target can be adjusted so you never feel uncomfortable with the humidity levels in the room. However, be careful that the water doesn’t leak on the highest setting - our reviewer had a pool of water escape when it was tested. The aroma pad is also a nice extra, enabling you to add essential oils to the pad that the humidifier then emits with the mist, giving an extra scent to the air. 

• Read our full Elechomes HTJ-2119 Ultrasonic Humidifier review

(Image credit: Amazon)Levoit Classic 300S humidifier The best humidifier for easy cleaningSpecificationsSmart enabled/compatibility: Yes, via WIFIWater tank capacity: 1.5 gallonsRun time: up to 60 hoursDimensions: 24.5 x 19.2 x 34 cmTODAY'S BEST DEALSPrimeView at AmazonReasons to buy+Connects to app+Good humidity levels  Reasons to avoid-Built-in humidity sensor is sensitive-Needs to be cleaned regularly 

The only smart humidifier on our list, the Levoit Classic 300S humidifier connects to the VeSync app, which enables you to control the mist levels and notifies you when it needs cleaning. 

What users say

The Amazon reviews for the Levoit Classic 300S humidifier scores an impressive 4.6 out of 5 with many happy customers commenting on how quiet it is and how easy it is to clean, because of its wide opening at the top of the humidifier. Negative reviews focused on how the humidifier was too sensitive and that the auto mode didn’t work as well as other models.

A medium sized sleek model, the clear water tank sits on the top, giving you a clear indication of how much water is left.

Perfect for small or medium sized rooms, the humidifier will need some assembling, but it's not a complicated affair. With a large LED display, it clearly indicates the humidity level, while the buttons for mist levels, night mode and humidity levels sit around this.  The connecting app is easy to download and connects via WiFi. Once downloaded, the app enables you to switch between the manual, auto and sleep modes. You can also set a timer and change the humidity levels via the app.

This humidifier is easy to clean and its humidity levels perform well on both the high and middle mist setting, climbing to a 68% level within two hours on the highest setting. Another quiet model, it will last for 19 hours on a high setting, but 60 on a lower setting. However, the built-in humidity sensor is quite sensitive and the model does need to be cleaned regularly to avoid bacteria getting into the water. 

• Read our full Levoit Classic 300S humidifier review

How to maintain your humidifier for optimum performance

The best humidifiers are an excellent investment for your home, but as with many essential devices, they require aftercare in order to keep them running at their best. Tim Carroll, the representative from the Environmental Protection Agency, gave Live Science advice on how to maintain a humidifier: 

• Empty the tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and refill the water in portable humidifiers daily to reduce any growth of microorganisms.

• Use water with low mineral content to prevent the build-up and reduce the potential dispersal of minerals into the air.

• Clean portable humidifiers every third day.

• Clean and dry the humidifier thoroughly when storing the product or when it is being used infrequently.

• Do not humidify to indoor relative humidity levels exceeding 50 percent.

• Do not permit the area around the humidifier to become damp or wet.

• Follow any specific manufacturing instructions regarding use, cleaning, and maintenance.

Round up of today's best dealsDyson 310849-02 AM10...DYSON HUMIDIFIER FAN (AM10)Amazon$444.69ViewSee all pricesLevoit Humidifiers, 6L Warm...Levoit LV600HH Ultrasonic HumidifierWalmart$89.99ViewSee all pricesLEVOIT Humidifiers for...Levoit Classic 300SAmazon$79.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best pricespowered by Sarah Finley

Sarah is a freelance writer - writing across titles including Woman&Home, Fit&Well, The Independent, LiveScience, and the BBC in the UK. She covers a variety of subjects, including trends in beauty, business, and wellness - but her biggest passions are health and fitness. She can normally be found trying out the trendiest fitness class or interviewing an expert about the latest health trends. 

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