Living 6 Humidifiers That Will Make Your Home More Comfortable Eliminate dry air for good with these mighty machines. By Lauren Wellbank Lauren Wellbank Lauren is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on March 31, 2023 Photo: Courtesy of Target, Amazon Low humidity levels can impact everything from your houseplants to your health. If you find that your plants dry out faster than expected or you start to experience dry skin, increased bloody noses, or worsening allergies, it could be time to add a humidifier—a small appliance that adds moisture back into indoor air by vaporizing or steaming water—to your space. There are a few reasons why your home's moisture levels might be depleted: Humidity is naturally lower during colder weather, but can be impacted by heavy air conditioning use during the warmer months, too. When that internal temperature drops, so too does your home's humidity, says Nicole Backus, the home environment product manager at Hamilton Beach Brands. "According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the ideal indoor humidity level is between 30 to 50 percent," she says. Luckily, a humidifier can restore a room's optimal moisture levels in no time. These Small Humidifiers Will Fit Perfectly on Your Desk or Nightstand What to Look For While Shopping for Humidifiers When shopping for a humidifier, it's important to consider the area where you'll use it (in the bedroom, office, or living room), tank size, and how easy it will be to fill and clean. "Keeping your humidifier clean is a must, as they can be breeding grounds for bacteria and mold if not washed properly," says Backus. To help your search, we crawled several retailers' websites for models best suited for small apartments, larger rooms, kids, houseplants, and more. 6 Best Humidifiers to Shop Now Best for Bedrooms: Hamilton Beach TrueAir Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier Best for Large Rooms: Lasko Quiet Ultrasonic Digital Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier Best for Kids: Babymoov Hygro Plus Automatic Humidifier Best Looking: Honeywell HUL430W Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier Best for Houseplants: AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier Best for Office or Travel: Lasko Ultrasonic Personal Cool Mist Humidifier With Nightlight How to Properly Clean Your Humidifier 01 of 06 Best for Bedrooms: Hamilton Beach TrueAir Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier Courtesy of Amazon $59.99, amazon.com With a 5.5-liter reservoir, this humidifier can run for hours before it needs to be refilled, making it a great choice for overnight use in bedrooms. The extra-large opening also makes cleaning a cinch. Buyers consistently give this appliance five stars for its efficiency and ease of use. Several happy customers pointed out that it operates in near silence, which is a major plus if you plan to run the machine while you sleep. 02 of 06 Best for Large Rooms: Lasko Quiet Ultrasonic Digital Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier Courtesy of Walmart $82.18, walmart.com This humidifier is suited for spaces up to 600 square feet—making it perfect for small apartments or large rooms—and it offers both warm and cool mist settings thanks to its ultrasonic technology. As an added bonus, cleaning brushes are included and there are no filters to clean or maintain. 03 of 06 Best for Kids: Babymoov Hygro Plus Automatic Humidifier Courtesy of Target $79.99, target.com Though this machine is marketed for nurseries, this humidifier by Babymoov is great for kids (and adults) of all ages. It allows users to adjust the humidity levels from 30 to 90 percent and can double as a nightlight. The tank holds 90 ounces of water and will run for 22 hours straight on a single fill. It works in rooms as large as 220 square feet. 04 of 06 Best Looking: Honeywell HUL430W Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier Courtesy of Amazon $74.99, amazon.com A perfect mid-size option—and an attractive one to boot—this Honeywell machine works in rooms up to 400 square feet and creates a humidity level between 40 to 60 percent. With a 1.25-gallon tank you can expect a 24 hour runtime. This model also features a wide mouth opening which makes cleaning and refilling a breeze. 05 of 06 Best for Houseplants: AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier Courtesy of Amazon $49.97, amazon.com This 2.2-liter humidifier has a 24 hour runtime and is a favorite among human and plant parents alike. The ultrasonic technology creates a cooler environment with increased moisture, which can help relieve symptoms associated with dry air. Better yet, its automatic shut-off will kick in once the tank has run out. The adjustable nozzle has a 360 degree range of motion, so no matter where you are in your 400-square-foot room, you can always ensure that the mist is being directed where you need it most (like towards those tropical houseplants). 06 of 06 Best for Office or Travel: Lasko Ultrasonic Personal Cool Mist Humidifier With Nightlight Courtesy of Walmart $19.99, walmart.com If you're looking for a smaller humidifier that you can take anywhere—including to the office or on trips—you'll appreciate the compact size of this Lasko model. The small humidifier will work in spaces up to 25 square feet (perfect for cubicles and cars!) and has an automatic shut-off option for when it runs out of water. As an added bonus, this tiny machine has a built-in nightlight that will make it easier to get around at night if you're sleeping in an unfamiliar place. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit