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Cool Mist Humidifiers: Soothing Comfort for a Variety of Ailments

Danielle Mcleod

Cool mist humidifiers are likely the most common type of humidifier out there, but you might still be wondering why you need one. First off, let’s just say, the addition of one to your household offers an array of unexpected benefits that you definitely want to take advantage of.

Help provide soothing relief to seasonal allergies, both cold and dry weather, respiratory issues and illness, as well as dusty environments that may inflame your sinuses. The cool, moist airflow helps to lubricate your nasal and sinus passage to alleviate inflammation and create a healthier breathing situation. Take a look at the best cool mist humidifiers for your space, and pick the one you need.

RankProductHighlights
#1Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier

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  • Capacity: 6 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: Up to 500 square feet
  • Features: Nightlight, rotating nozzle, dial knob, essential oil tray
#2GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifiers

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  • Capacity: 4 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 220 square feet
  • Features: Diffuser oil tray, top filling, night light, auto sensor
#3LACIDOLL Humidifiers for Home

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  • Capacity: 2.1 gallons
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: Up to 500 square feet
  • Features: Diffuser oil tray, top filling, auto sensor
#4Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Cloud

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  • Capacity: 1.8 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 250 square feet
  • Features: 8 color light options, variable controls, auto shut off
#5Pure Enrichment PureSpa

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  • Capacity: 2 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 350 square feet
  • Features: variable controls, auto shut off, soft lighting
#6HemingWeigh Ultrasonic Humidifier

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  • Capacity: 2.2 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 280 square feet
  • Features: flow control knob, wide mouth for filling, 360 degree nozzle
#7HOPEME USB Cool Mist Mini Portable Humidifier

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  • Capacity: 300 milliliters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 60 square feet
  • Features: Intermittent and steady use, color changing light, adorable design, USB charging
#8HoMedics TotalComfort Personal Portable 

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  • Capacity: 22 ounces
  • Filter: yes
  • Coverage: up to 122 square feet
  • Features: Easy on/off, 10 hour runtime

What is a Cool Mist Humidifier?

These electronic devices release microscopic water vapor droplets via various methods to provide a direct stream of concentrated humidity into your environment. Different sizes and types work for different rooms and spaces, and is perfect to help alleviate all the types of symptoms related to dry and dusty environments, as well as many illnesses.

— Ultrasonic Humidifier

These are popular, budget friendly options that are often used in bedrooms and smaller living spaces – such as offices. They utilize an ultrasonic plate that creates vibrations to create water droplets that are then distributed via a fan. Many of these often work with a diffusion method for essential oils as well to make it even more beneficial to your health.

— Evaporator

Evaporators are excellent choices for larger living areas and bedrooms. They use a wick or filter system to draw water up which is then blown into the surrounding area. They are effective, but also require more maintenance and filter changes which can add to the overall cost.

Benefits of a Cool Mist Humidifier

Obviously, adding moisture into the air is the biggest benefit you will experience, but the unexpected benefits that result from this are as follows:

  • Helps with skin moisturization
  • Soothes dry skin and skin conditions
  • Eases and/or reduces snoring
  • Reduces airborne virus spread
  • Lubricates and supports clear airways
  • Protects sinus and throat surfaces
  • Helps with ambient temperature control
  • Reduces and prevents static
  • Helps keep wood furniture from drying out and cracking
  • Helps support houseplant health

Maintenance Support Issues to Know

All humidifiers require regular maintenance, and it is incredibly important to keep on top of this since a more humid environment supports mold and mildew growth. Always clean your unit as instructed and change filters if they exist. Try using distilled water when possible to avoid hard water build ups that can interrupt the effectiveness of your unit, and clean out regularly with white vinegar to help remove hard water and bacterias.

Using a humidifier in an already humid area can lead to excellent moisture buildup as well on surfaces such as furniture and bedding. Be sure to control the moisture output if possible in these conditions. You can combat moisture issues as well with careful placement of the unit. Keep it away from books and furniture, and keep the water vapor stream off bedding.

Our Top Cool Mist Humidifier Picks

There are seriously A TON of great cool mist humidifiers out there for you to choose from. Consumers choose units based on style and design, water capacity, and room range. Details included can also involve essential oil use, wifi compatibility, and even smart home use. What you want to do is find what works best for your needs. Take a look at our top picks below.

1. Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 6 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: Up to 500 square feet
  • Features: Nightlight, rotating nozzle, dial knob, essential oil tray

Label: Editor’s Top Pick

The Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier has a 6 liter capacity and runs up to 50 hours, but offers a compact, stylish design that fits great on a bedside table. The whisper quiet fan, and adjustable directional knob allows you to make adjustments to how much, or little, moisture you need – and where you need it. It also has an essential oil tray that you can add your favorite scents to to circulate health benefits and scent through the room. 

Who This is For

Ideal for larger bedrooms and living areas, this is great for children and adults and can provide moisture to an entire room. Plus it is a perfect choice for essential oil lovers. 

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2. GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifiers for Bedroom & Essential Oil Diffuser

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 4 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 220 square feet
  • Features: Diffuser oil tray, top filling, night light, auto sensor

Label: Editor’s Runner Up

The easy top fill design of the Geniani Cool Mist Humidifier makes it simple to keep topped off to avoid having to go without your favorite unit. A powerful ultrasonic style vibration plate allows the use of essential oil for aromatic and health benefits, and the 4 liter capacity offers up to a 48 hour time based on the amount of moisture needed. A medium and high setting provide control, and an auto shut off helps avoid overheating. A built in nightlight feature offers illumination whenever needed as well. 

Who This is For

Great for an average size troom, this humidifier doubles as a powerful diffuser for essential oils. The style is perfect for bedside use as well.

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3. LACIDOLL Humidifiers for Home

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 2.1 gallons
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: Up to 500 square feet
  • Features: Diffuser oil tray, top filling, auto sensor

Label: Best Large Room Cool Mist Humidifier

Effective humidifiers that cover large areas can be hard to find, but this particular unit has a 2.1 gallon tank and covers up to 500 square feet. Full of features, it provides UV sterilization, a 360 degree nozzle, 3 mist levels, sleep mode, touch and remote control, auto shut off, and a timer. The upright, narrow design makes it easy to place out of the way in a room next to existing furniture. Plus, the top filling design makes it easy to both fill and clean. 

Who This is For

This is the perfect unit for large area coverage that provides useful features and a slim, upright design.

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4. Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Cloud – Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 1.8 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 250 square feet
  • Features: 8 color light options, variable controls, auto shut off

Label: Best Cool Mist Humidifier for a Child’s Bedroom

Looking for a cute addition to your child’s room? One that doubles as a useful nightlight and effective humidifier? Look no further – the Pure Enrichment MistAire Cloud is a compact cool mist humidifier that holds 1.8 liters of water and will run for 24 hours. It provides a soft, colorful glow of your choice of 8 colors. It also has an auto off for safety. Coverage extends up to 250 feet and is perfect for placing next to a crib or bed. 

Who This is For

Cute and fun for a child’s decor, it is a safe, useful unit for various purposes. It also is the perfect size for office areas!

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5. Pure Enrichment PureSpa

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 2 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 350 square feet
  • Features: variable controls, auto shut off, soft lighting

Label: Best Compact Cool Mist Humidifier

When you want a powerful, yet compact unit, Pure Enrichment keeps delivering. Their PureSpa unit is designed for nightstand and desktop use without having a footprint that gets in the way. You can focus the direction of the mist and relieve dryness. With a 2 liter tank, it can cover up to 350 square feet, and offers 2 mist settings and a soft, colorful glow that you can turn on and off, and choose colors for. Whisper quiet, it also has an auto-shut off.

Who This is For

Upright, compact, and easy to fill and clean, this is a great choice for any small room space to have direct moisture sent your way.

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6. HemingWeigh Ultrasonic Humidifier

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 2.2 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 280 square feet
  • Features: flow control knob, wide mouth for filling, 360 degree nozzle

Label: Ultra Quiet Design

With the ability to run up to 24 hours on low mist, the HemingWeigh Ultrasonic Humidifier provides a 2.2 liter capacity and compact design for small room use. Incredibly quiet, it is a great choice for offices and children’s rooms, when background noise needs to be kept to a minimum. Easy to fill and use, it has a 360 degree nozzle for control over mist direction and a knob control. It does not have an auto shut off.

Who This is For

Not too big, not too small, it is a great size to sit on a bedside table and work as designed. Whisper quiet, it is perfect for night time use.

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7. HOPEME USB Cool Mist Mini Portable Humidifier

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 300 milliliters
  • Filter: no
  • Coverage: up to 60 square feet
  • Features: Intermittent and steady use, color changing light, adorable design, USB charging

Label: Best USB Portable Cool Mist Humidifier

When you need a portable, effective, and simple humidifier solution, the Hopeme USB Cool Mist Humidifier is the perfect solution. The incredibly adorable design showcases a small window with a dog peeking from it, and provides a 300 milliliter tank with a runtime of 10 hours in intermittent mode. You also have full control over the frequency of mist and mist strength. A small light also can be turned on for gently illumination. The 60 square foot range makes it useful for bedside, travel, and desktop use.  

Who This is For

This small, compact diffuser can be used just about anywhere, and is a great choice when you need potable yet effective. It is cute and powerful for its size, making it perfect for your needs.

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8. HoMedics TotalComfort Personal Portable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 22 ounces
  • Filter: yes
  • Coverage: up to 122 square feet
  • Features: Easy on/off, 10 hour runtime

Label: Best Cool Mist Humidifier for Travel

Perfect for small spaces and travel, the HoMedics TotalComfort Personal Portable Cool Mist Humidifier is designed to hold 22 ounces of water, run up to 10 hours, and cover up to 122 square feet of space. This makes it perfect for bedside and desk use, and is easy to pack due to it’s tiny – yet mighty, size. 

Who This is For

This is the ultimate travel humidifier due to the size and power it provides for next to bed use. It also is perfect for desktop, or anywhere you need direct mist.

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You might be interested: Cool Mist vs Warm Mist Humidifier

Conclusion

Having a cool mist humidifier can only enhance your space when you live in a more arid area. It provides plenty of unexpected benefits as well, and can work to help you stay healthy and breathing easier.  Most are incredibly affordable and provide a great solution to spaces that could use a bit more moisture in the air.

Pick from the favorites we’ve provided and get started with a soothing experience to help you breathe easier each night, and all day.