Best Humidifiers for Kids
Is little Sarah waking up at 2 a.m. each night with massive coughing fits for no apparent reason? Or maybe Tommy has been getting a bloody nose every morning and you’re not sure why?
While you should take your child to see a doctor for any real health concerns, you might be able to soothe their woes by placing a humidifier in their room. A humidifier is a device that pumps or propels mist into a room in order to raise its humidity level. This may be helpful in lessening symptoms like those described above, as the added humidity can keep your child’s nasal passages and throat moisturized—thus preventing complications caused by dry air.
In this article, we’ll talk about who might need a humidifier, discuss what to look for in a great humidifier for kids, and introduce you to our top picks.
| Rank | Product |
| #1 |  Aroma Room Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, 3.2L
|
| #2 |  HOPEME USB Cool Mist Mini Portable Humidifier
|
| #3 |  K&H Ultrasonic Cool Mist Portable Humidifier
|
| #4 |  TaoTronics 3-in-1 Premium Cool Mist Humidifier, 2.5L
|
| #5 |  MOVTIP USB Portable Mini Cool Mist Humidifier
|
| #6 |  Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
|
Table Of Contents
- Who Needs a Humidifier?
- Pros and Cons of a Humidifier
- — Pros
- — Cons
- What to Look for in a Humidifier for Your Child
- Extra Features
- The Best Humidifiers for Kids
- 1. Aroma Room Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, 3.2L
- 2. HOPEME USB Cool Mist Mini Portable Humidifier
- 3. K&H Ultrasonic Cool Mist Portable Humidifier
- 4. TaoTronics 3-in-1 Premium Cool Mist Humidifier, 2.5L
- 5. MOVTIP USB Portable Mini Cool Mist Humidifier
- 6. Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
- Conclusion
Who Needs a Humidifier?
How can you know if your child really needs a humidifier? Well, there are a few tell-tale signs. Your child may benefit from a humidifier if he or she:
- suffers bloody noses most nights or mornings.
- has coughing fits while at home.
- complains of a dry or scratchy throat.
- experiences frequent congestion.
- has chronic dry skin, dry hair, or cracked lips.
- experiences any breathing issues.
- has a condition such as asthma or chronic bronchitis.
In addition, many families find humidifiers particularly beneficial during the winter months. This is because homes are heated more during winter than any other season, and this extra dry heat can cause any number of the symptoms above—even if no one in the household has those problems any other time of year!
Pros and Cons of a Humidifier
If you’re still on the fence about whether to go ahead with your purchase, you may want to consider the pros and cons of having a humidifier.
— Pros
Humidifiers can reduce or eliminate negative symptoms associated with dry air.
These include coughing, nose bleeds, and runny nose. In addition, humidifiers are thought to ease the symptoms of those with asthma or bronchitis.
They can also improve the overall quality of your sleep when used at night.
Getting a good night’s sleep can feel impossible when you just can’t stop coughing or when you feel all plugged up in the nasal department! By reducing these symptoms with a humidifier, you’re also taking a step in the right direction toward better sleep.
Your hair and skin will thank you.
Anyone who grew up or currently lives in a dry climate can relate to the tragedy that is chronic dry skin and brittle hair. Even those living in more humid climates probably notice a decline in the quality of their skin and hair during the winter time. But the good news is that something as simple as placing a humidifier in your room at night can work wonders here!
You know what else will thank you? Your wallet.
You know how during the winter you turn the heat like way up? The price you pay for that extra coziness is a sky-high electric bill, friend. But adding a humidifier to your home increases its humidity level, which in turn makes it feel warmer at lower temperatures. So instead of keeping the thermostat hanging around 80°F, you can drop it down a few notches and save some money—without feeling like a character in The Day After Tomorrow.
Oh! And your plants will thank you too.
Another major benefit of having a humidifier in your home is that it can help provide the humid atmosphere so many plants thrive in. If your house plants are looking a little drab lately, a humidifier may be just what they need to perk up again!
— Cons
The wood flooring in your home will not love the humidifier.
Neither will your wooden instruments or appliances. This is because when wood is exposed to moisture, an increase in heat will cause it to expand and a decrease in heat will cause it to shrink. These changes can do quite a number on any wooden possessions or flooring in your home and cause a few unsightly shifts (such as gapping in the floor).
Humidifiers can cause mold growth in your home.
Relax! This will only happen if you don’t clean the humidifier often or if you allow the humidity in your home to exceed the recommended percentage (30% to 50%). To keep the latter from happening, you just need to frequently measure the humidity inside your house (using a hygrometer) and turn the humidifier on/off as required. As for the former…
Humidifiers also require quite a bit of maintenance.
As mentioned, humidifiers can cause mold to grow inside your home. They’re also known to grow and spread harmful bacteria if not properly cleaned and maintained. Honestly, the maintenance might be the most frustrating thing about owning a humidifier: It’s recommended that you give it a quick clean every day and a deep clean every 3-7 days. Yikes.
A quick clean usually means rinsing the tank and base with a white distilled vinegar + water mixture, letting it sit, scrubbing with a brush, drying the parts, and reassembling.
When performing a deep clean, you’ll want to use either liquid chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide with water, and perform the steps as above.
What to Look for in a Humidifier for Your Child
There are a few things you should consider when purchasing a humidifier for your child. Keeping these factors in mind can help you make the best decision and provide the best dry-air symptom relief for your little one.
Type
There are two main considerations you should take into account when determining the type of humidifier you need.
Central vs. Console vs. Portable
A central humidifier is one that is designed to humidify the entire house; a console humidifier is one that is installed in a specific room to humidify that room alone; and a portable humidifier is one that can easily be moved from one room to another.
There are several types of humidifiers that fall under the console and portable categories:
- Evaporator
- Impeller
- Steam vaporizer
- Ultrasonic
When considering a humidifier for your child, any of these types can work well. The choice is up to you!
Cool Mist vs. Warm Mist
The safest humidifier for your child would be a cool mist type. Because the water is never heated during the humidifying process, there is zero chance of your child getting burns and you can place the unit nearer the bed.
While you could buy a warm mist humidifier, this is not recommended due to the increased chance of burns.
Design
Because you’re trying to find a humidifier for your child, you might want to prioritize the unit’s design. You can take your child’s personality, interests, and room into consideration here and choose a humidifier that falls in line with those factors.
To give you an idea, there are units with simplistic designs that will blend into a given setting; if your child is older or more serious, they may appreciate something like this. But you can also find humidifiers that feature animal designs or decorations, as well as those with colored LED lights or a soft night light function. One of our top picks is shaped like a whale!
Size
The humidifier you choose should be small enough to fit in its intended space. Before perusing your options, you might want to determine 1) where the humidifier will be placed, and 2) how much space is available for it. With this information, you can pick out a humidifier that’s just the right size for your intended use.
Moisture Output
This refers to the amount of moisture the humidifier will release into the air, measured either in gallons per day or milliliters per hour. The average humidifier has a rating anywhere from 1 to 14 gallons. There’s no “best” moisture output rating, because the optimal amount of moisture depends on your needs and preferences as well as the size of the room.
Noise
The noise level of a humidifier is measured in decibels. If you plan on having your child sleep with the humidifier on, it’s important that the model you choose runs quietly (preferably at less than 30 decibels). Ultrasonic humidifiers are the quietest you’ll find on the market; you’ll also find that most humidifiers that do not make use of fans are quieter than those that do.
Extra Features
There are numerous “extras” you should look for in a humidifier before purchasing. Here are just a few:
Variable Speed
A variable speed setting allows you to have more control over moisture output, noise level, and how much power the humidifier uses while in operation.
Control Panel
A well laid-out control panel is a must! This panel should make it easy for you to adjust any included settings to your liking.
Auto Shutoff
This is especially useful if you’re trying to save money on electricity or tend to worry about leaving things on too long.
Demineralization
As mentioned earlier, humidifiers are pretty high-maintenance. It’s generally recommended to use purified, demineralized water in your humidifier instead of tap water—and this can be a hassle! If you can afford it, a humidifier that demineralizes the water for you would definitely be a wise investment.
The Best Humidifiers for Kids
Now that you have a better idea of what to look for in a humidifier for your child, it’s time to start exploring your options. Here are our top five picks!
1. Aroma Room Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, 3.2L
Featuring the archetypal white base and transparent blue holding tank, the Aroma Room Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier is probably what comes to mind when you think “humidifier.” If there’s one thing we must applaud this model for, it’s the user-friendliness found in every aspect of its design. A large opening that makes filling and cleaning a breeze, a sturdy built-in handle, and an easy-to-use flow control knob are only a sample of what you can look forward to when you purchase this humidifier.
The unit can run for up to 30 hours, though it does have an auto shutoff feature that keeps it from running when the water level is too low. Its 360-degree rotating nozzle allows you to experience a more complete humidifying experience, while its ultrasonic design keeps it running quietly all night long.
This is a wonderful humidifier for a child’s room, though it can also be used in your living room or study.
2. HOPEME USB Cool Mist Mini Portable Humidifier
The HOPEME USB Cool Mist Mini Portable Humidifier may just be the cutest one on our list. It’s adorned with little antlers on top, features an adorable white dog inside the housing, and is available in 5 different colors your kiddo is sure to love. Another feature that sets this humidifier apart from many others is its color ambience: its LED lights can change between 7 different colors for a soothing effect to promote better sleep.
This humidifier has two settings: intermittent (which runs for up to 10 hours) and continuous (which runs for up to 8 hours). There’s also an auto shutoff feature that turns the unit off if the water level is too low or after 4 hours of use. The unit is powered by USB for your convenience and has a spray volume of 50 milliliters per hour. Its noise level is under 30 dB, it’s crafted of non-toxic materials, it’s super-portable, and—best of all—there’s a 30-day full refund guarantee if the unit you receive is defective or otherwise doesn’t work.
It’s cute, it promotes sleep, and it’s so convenient…what are you waiting for?
3. K&H Ultrasonic Cool Mist Portable Humidifier
Whether you’re already into essential oils or would like to start implementing them into your child’s bedtime, you should consider purchasing the K&H Ultrasonic Cool Mist Portable Humidifier. This model can work as both a humidifier and an essential oil diffuser—a fairly unique trait among humidifiers. You can use this humidifier for up to 8 hours, depending on which of its 2 settings you use: high or low. To ensure you get the best possible experience, the unit also features 360-degree mist sprayer that can be adjusted manually.
This humidifier also runs quietly, shuts off automatically when the water level gets low, and is easy to clean and refill. Like the previous model we looked at, this one features a mood light setting; there are 7 light colors, and it’s possible to have the humidifier either stick with just one color or change colors intermittently.
Considering all these great features and its 1-year warranty, we think this is quite a deal!
4. TaoTronics 3-in-1 Premium Cool Mist Humidifier, 2.5L
If you liked the concept of the previous model but weren’t sold on the overall design, you might want to look at the TaoTronics 3-in-1 Premium Cool Mist Humidifier. Like the previous model, this one can work as both a humidifier and an essential oil diffuser. It also features a night light setting that provides a softer, more lowkey glow that might be more relaxing than the multiple colors offered in the last one.
As for the specifics: This humidifier can run for up to 30 hours, has super-quiet operation (26 dB), features an easy-to-use dial, and is equipped with a 360-degree nozzle. There’s an auto shutoff feature for peace of mind, the humidifier is a breeze to clean and refill, and the unit is made from BPA-free materials.
You can purchase this humidifier in one of three colors: white, gray, and blue. The blue one has a special bonus: it’s shaped like a whale! What better way to make the nursery even cuter?
5. MOVTIP USB Portable Mini Cool Mist Humidifier
The MOVTIP USB Portable Mini Cool Mist Humidifier features a simplistic design that’s geared toward user-friendliness and ease of use. When you purchase this unit, you can look forward to a wealth of practical attributes: incredible portability, one-button operation, 2 mist modes (continuous for 12 hours or intermittent for 18 hours), and auto shutoff. This humidifier is easily powered via a USB cord and has a moisture output of 30 to 50 milliliters an hour.
Best of all, you have 6 attractive colors to choose from: black, white, gray, blue, green, and pink. Whichever color you choose, it’s sure to look great in your child’s room—and improve the quality of their sleep!
6. Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
We couldn’t think of a more appropriate name for the Adorables humidifier for kids. It comes in so many shapes, choosing between the available options seems almost impossible. You have a frog, elephant, cow, monkey, train, pig, and more. But let’s talk about specifications, because that’s what you’re most interested in. This is an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier with a one-gallon tank that’s easy to remove and refill, especially since it has a handle conveniently located at the top.
It operates quietly, so the chances of any noise waking up your little one are almost non-existent. While the model works without any filters, you can buy a demineralization filter, which is sold separately. You can adjust the speed setting and you can rotate the output nozzle so that the unit can spray the mist in the direction of your choice. It has a 24-hour runtime, which means it can operate throughout the entire night.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are all kinds of humidifiers for kids out there! We hope our article helped give you an idea of what to look for and what your options are. The right humidifier can be an incredibly beneficial investment, so take your time and choose the best one for your needs.
Photo credit: Lena Ogurtsova/Shutterstock
Still have questions about humidifiers? We have some answers for you!