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Best Humidifiers for a Peaceful Night’s Rest

Danielle Mcleod

Allergies, seasonal colds, dry weather and seasonal changes can all create breathing issues that dry you out, create sinus inflammation, or simply keep you from breathing clearly. Children in particular can struggle to sleep due to breathing issues, and can recover from a cold more slowly due to lack of rest.

Luckily, healing can be done while you sleep which opens up your nasal passage, moisturizes your sinus cavities, and helps you rest more peacefully throughout the night. Many people overlook the aid of a humidifier, thinking it’s only for solving skin dryness, but it can do so much more. If you’re struggling with;

  • Nighttime breathing issues
  • Regular sinus problems
  • Seasonal allergies
  • Dry or bloody noses
  • Inflamed nasal passages
  • Cracked lips
  • Or any other breathing issues that keep you, or your children, up at night…

You definitely want to check out our top best humidifier picks to help you get a more peaceful night’s rest.

RankProductHighlights
#1Miroco Cool Mist Humidifier

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  • Capacity: 6 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: Nightlight, rotating nozzle, dial knob
#2GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifiers

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  • Capacity: 4 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: Diffuser oil tray, top filling, night light, auto sensor
#3Keecoon 8L Diffuser for Essential Oils 

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  • Capacity: 8 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: Diffuser oil tray, top filling, auto sensor
#4Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Cloud Humidifier

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  • Capacity: 1.8 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: 8 color light options, variable controls, auto shut off
#5TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier

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  • Capacity: 1.8 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: variable controls, auto shut off

What Defines a Humidifier?

A humidifier is an electronic device that increases moisture levels in the air via tiny water vapor droplets. There are a few types of humidifiers, and some are stronger or more effective than others – although they all do the same thing, which is increasing the humidity of the air.

If you live in a dry climate, or regularly struggle with skin dryness, you may want to have a central humidifier built into your home heating or air conditioning system. These are best for chronic conditions which become more severe when winter heating or AC units dry your air out even further.

Ultrasonic humidifiers create fine droplets of mist with an ultrasonic plate that vibrates. Many of these humidifiers can also be used as a diffuser due to the fine particles created by the vibration. This provides both fragrance and humidity, and you can also take advantage of the health effects many types of oils also provide. Impeller humidifiers work in a similar manner, but have a rotating disk to create the cool mist.

Evaporators are generally larger units and can work in larger spaces. They use a fan to blow air through a wet filter or wick away moisture in the air. Steam vaporizers use hot water to create a steam of fine water particles. These are particularly useful for sickness as they often work well for certain types of menthol treatments, which help open airways further.

— What To Be Aware Of

Too much humidity can be a problem, causing a thick, stuffy atmosphere, or even water vapor buildup that can create mold and mildew on surfaces. You should also make sure to clean your unit, as dirt and bacteria can build up and worsen breathing issues.

To keep it clean, be sure to change out the water regularly and run distilled water if possible. Rinse every week with hydrogen peroxide, and remove hard water build-up with white vinegar. If it has a filter, be sure to change it out based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Benefits of a Humidifier

You need to ensure you’re using the humidifier as instructed by the manufacturer. Some are rather large, and can easily increase the humidity of a large space, but most are fairly small and are designed to be placed near the area you are sitting or sleeping to help you get the direct benefits.

— Helps Prevent Snoring

Keeping your nasal passages moisturized can help decrease and prevent snoring. The tissues of your nasal passages and throat will be better lubricated and help avoid drying out.

— Moisturizes Skin

Any time you raise the humidity of a room, you’re also helping to avoid dry, itchy and cracked skin. Combine this with a good moisturizer and your skin will begin to feel smooth and hydrated in no time. It can also help with skin irritation and chapped lips.

— Eases Symptoms of Illness and Allergies

Being sick is never a good feeling, but sleeping with some cool moisture can help open up your sinuses to help you breathe easier. You can also take advantage of humidifiers that double as diffusers, as well as warm air vaporizers that can be used with certain medications.

— Helps Clear Airways

The cilium in your nose helps to prevent bacteria and pollutants from being inhaled. Keeping your nasal passage moisturized and healthy allows your nose to operate as it should.

— Soothes Sinuses and Protects the Throat

Soothe your sinuses and keep your throat well lubricated to avoid drying out and creating scratchy, irritated surfaces and inflammation. They aren’t just great for your health, but are wonderful for improving the comfort of your home and can even protect your furniture and help your plants thrive.

— Can Make Your Home Feel Warmer in the Winter and Cooler in the Summer

Adding moisture to the air can help with temperature control and provide a more comfortable living environment overall.

Best Humidifiers

Although there is some seriously great humidifier picks out there, these are some of the most popular with consumers due to their style, water capacity, and effectiveness. They also highlight what is available concerning shape and use, and display a wide range of options for both personal, and room humidity uses.

1. Miroco Cool Mist Humidifier

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 6 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: Nightlight, rotating nozzle, dial knob

Most Quiet Humidifier

The 6 liter capacity of the Miroco Cool Mist Humidifier provides the capacity to work for up to 60 hours, yet is still compact enough to fit on your bedside table. The narrow design is sleek and modern looking, and provides mist adjustability to provide as little, or as much moisture as you need. It also provides a soft light that you can manually control and offers a red indicator light as a low water warning, when it will stop misting to avoid overheating. It also comes with a rotating mist nozzle. 

ProsCons
  • Very quiet
  • Narrow design makes it look smaller than it is
  • Works great for average-sized rooms
  • Water pools in the base and must be emptied before refill

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

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 4 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: Diffuser oil tray, top filling, night light, auto sensor

Best Humidifier and Diffuser Combo

Available in both black and white, the design of the Geniani is made for easy refilling and efficient humidity. The ultrasonic style is made to work with essential oils as well, so you can easily diffuse the aromatic and health benefits they provide. The 4-liter capacity is perfect for up to 48 hours of use, and can be adjusted for low, medium or high use. It also has an auto shut off and nightlight.

ProsCons
  • Quiet and effective
  • Easy to fill and clean
  • Provides a lot of moisture output
  • Oil may not be very strong

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3. Keecoon 8L Diffuser for Essential Oils

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 8 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: Diffuser oil tray, top filling, auto sensor

Best for Large Rooms

When you want a humidifier that can handle the larger spaces many living spaces present, the Keecoon Diffuser and Humidifier is a perfect choice. The 8-liter capacity can handle 500 square feet of room for up to 36 hours, and it also has an essential oil tray for aromatherapy and other oil benefits. Control the strength of the mist, and also read your room humidity with the digital readout. It also comes with a handy remote control. 

ProsCons
  • Sturdy floor unit
  • Very easy to use and very effective
  • Lasts a long time
  • You have to rest the control when you refill

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

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 1.8 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: 8 color light options, variable controls, auto shut off

Best for Babies

When using a humidifier with your children, you probably want a light, steady mist to provide the best benefits. Children also often sleep better with a gentle light, and this humidifier combines the best of both worlds in a whimsical, cloud-shaped package. It’s able to hold 1.8 liters of water and can last up to 24 hours. You have 8 colors to choose from, or you can turn the light off completely – the choice is yours.

ProsCons
  • Very easy to clean
  • Super cute and powerful for such a compact design
  • Runs quietly
  • Beeps when you press the light button

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5. TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier

SPECS:

  • Capacity: 1.8 liters
  • Filter: no
  • Features: variable controls, auto shut off

Best Compact

When you want a compact, easy to place personal design for a smaller room, your bedside or the home office, the TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier is perfect. Capable of holding 1.8 liters of water, it has a powerful mist adjustment to provide up to 20 hours of humidity. It’s also very quiet and won’t have any distracting noises while it’s running. 

ProsCons
  • Powerful, compact design
  • Very quiet design
  • Easy to clean with vinegar
  • Light is bright

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Conclusion

These choices are all excellent and should fit a wide range of needs in order to provide the best possible moisture to the air. No matter the size of your room, or whether you’re looking for a more compact humidifier for personal use, these products have them all. Be sure to find one that works with your output needs and can hold the amount of water you desire for the length of use. Also, don’t use essential oils unless the system specifically says it’s compatible with these. It’s also important to only use water-soluble oils (pure oils that aren’t mixed with coconut or grapeseed) to avoid clogging up the system.