Humidifiers offer a lot of benefits in the home; they help regulate allergies, keep control on dust, relieve itchy throats or eyes, and lessen nose bleeds. All this with just a little added moisture to the air. If you’re in the market for a humidifier, you’ve probably already come across the literal hundreds of options out there and may be a little overwhelmed – it’s a lot to sift through, after all. To help you narrow your search, we’ve compiled a list of the best cool mist humidifiers – what they are, and why they’re worth looking at, as well as where to find them.

​Table of

Comparison

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THE BEST COOL

 MIST HUMIDIFIERS

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There are a few branches of humidifiers to consider once you’ve decided that your home is in need of one. To avoid spending extra money on specs you don’t need, or accidentally skipping the specs you do need, look through these questions. These will help you narrow your search even further as you determine what exactly you need from the best cool mist humidifier.

​1. What Is a Cool Mist Humidifier?

There are two main types of humidifiers, warm mist and cool mist. While both will work to solve the aforementioned issues, you’ll want to get a humidifier that best suits your current environment as well as one that will fit where you plan on placing the humidifier.

Warm mist humidifiers are best suited for cool temperatures, so if your house is typically cool, you’ll want something to counter-balance that. Warm mist humidifiers are also recommended for baby or children’s rooms as they have some antibacterial properties to help prevent the spread of illness.

Cool mist humidifiers are better suited for warm temperatures (try to imagine adding warm moisture to an already warm room and the resulting sauna will give you a good idea why). If your house is typically warm, go for this type of humidifier. It is also important to note that cool mist humidifiers can still be used in baby or children’s rooms – they’re not a danger and will still aid in all the other benefits of a humidifier.

​​2. How Big of a Space Do You Need Humidified?

The size of the room will determine how big of a tank you need, as will how long you intend to keep the humidifier running at a time. Of course, the larger the room and the longer intended continuous use, the larger capacity it will need to be.

Typically, a 1-gallon tank is a good size for a bedroom or room on the smaller side if you plan to have the humidifier running more often than not. You’ll probably need to refill every day or two depending on use.

A 3-gallon tank is a good size for a medium living space or bedroom, though how long this will last depends on use and output capacity. If you know you’ll need to have it running constantly, and the room is on the larger size, shoot for around 6 gallons.

​​3. Do You Need to Add in Medicine/Essential Oils?

Typically, this is a common need for humidifiers going into children’s rooms, but it is entirely based on preference. Some humidifiers will offer a medicine compartment to infuse with the moisture it puts out, which can be a nice addition for sick kids or just for an added smell.

​​4. Do You Need a Quiet Humidifier?

While most are built to be quieter and less intrusive anyway, if you’re planning on using it in a bedroom, you’ll probably want an actual quiet mode so it doesn’t disturb sleep.

HOW WE REVIEWED: THE BEST COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER

In order to give you the most simple and straightforward comparison, we’ve used the following criteria: features, pros and cons, price, and warranty. These criteria should cover and highlight all the unique features of each humidifier as well as answer the above questions, so you know exactly which option will be the best cool mist humidifier for your home.

OVERALL

 PRICE RANGE

​Generally speaking, humidifiers have a large price range of about $30 to over $300, however, for the purpose of this article, we have narrowed it to around $25 to $100. In order to keep up with changing prices on the market and to simplify this search for the best cool mist humidifier, we’ve abbreviated the price of each model as follows: up to $35 is $; to $60 is $$; to $110 is $$$ – with some outliers on either end.

WHAT WE

REVIEWED

• ​PureGuardian H920BL Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
• ​BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm or Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
• ​TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier, 4L Ultrasonic Humidifiers
• ​Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier
• ​LEVOIT Humidifiers for Large Room
• ​BONECO Travel Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier 7146
• ​Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier
• ​Crane Humidifier Cool Mist 250 Sq. Ft
• ​Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
• ​Holmes Smart Home Humidifier HCM3888 C-U

10 BEST

HUMIDIFIER

PureGuardian H920BL Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

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Features

This humidifier is perfect for small rooms like nurseries. It has a .21 gallon tank and a 10 hour run time on low, so using it all night won’t be an issue. It is also small in size and easy to place out of the way on a dresser or table. The ability to turn it on nightlight mode makes it a better choice for bedrooms as well since the decrease in bright lights will aid in sleep.

Pros

• ​​Ultrasonic – so quieter while running
• ​​2 speed settings
• ​​Silver Clean protection to prevent mold and mildew
• ​Nightlight
• ​Compact
• ​Filterless

Cons

• ​​No quiet mode
• ​​Needs to be cleaned often – depending on use
• ​​Cannot add in medicine or essential oils

Warranty

There is a 3-year warranty included with this humidifier, so should any issues arise during that time concerning malfunctions or missing pieces, you’ll be covered.

​​BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm or Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier

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Features

This option is better suited for larger rooms (around 600 square feet). It has a 3-gallon output for 24-hour usage (1.5-gallon tank). The ability to switch between warm and cool mist is also a great plus, as is the auto mode that can automatically detect which type of mist is needed and adjust accordingly. The digital display is touch controlled, and there is a whisper-quiet mode as well.

Pros

• ​​Larger tank for larger rooms
• ​​Warm or cool mist
• ​​Auto-detect
• ​​Auto shut off
• ​​Whisper-quiet mode

Cons

• ​​Pricey
• ​​Needs lots of upkeep/maintenance
• ​​No medicine compartment

Warranty

The warranty differs depending on the part in question. The tank only has a 3-month warranty, but the purification system has a 5-year warranty, with 1 and 3-year warranties for other various parts as well.

​​TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier, 4L Ultrasonic Humidifiers

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Features

This humidifier offers a little over a gallon tank and is able to run continuously for 10-30 hours depending on output level. It is best suited for smaller rooms like offices or a nursery and offers a nightlight or LCD shut off mode to aid in sleep. It is ultrasonic, so it runs quietly, though there is no quiet mode. There is also a humidistat that monitors the levels of humidity in the room so you can adjust as needed.

Pros

• ​​Nightlight and shut off mode
• ​​Quieter running
• ​​Auto shut off
• ​​Humidistat

Cons

• ​​Not filterless
• ​​Bottom-loading
• ​​No quiet mode
• ​No medicine compartment

Warranty

There is a standard warranty included, though most users have not needed to cash in on it, given the maintenance is kept up with. This warranty will only cover malfunctions and not user error.

​​Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier

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Features

There is a 1-gallon tank for this humidifier that comes equipped with a handle and is easily detachable from the rest of the machine, so the filling process is easier. The size and output of this humidifier is well suited for a small or medium room, depending on how long it will be used. There is UV technology to ensure the moisture produced is germ-free as well, so using it in a child’s room to aid in preventing illness is still doable. An added humidistat also helps regulate the moisture in the room.

Pros

• ​​Easy filling and cleaning
• ​​UV technology for germ-free moisture
• ​​Humidistat

Cons

• ​​Regular cleaning and filter changes required
• ​​No medicine compartment
• ​​No quiet mode

Warranty

There is a 3-year limited warranty to cover malfunctions or manufacturer error. This is a standard amount of time for a warranty of this type of product and many users have not needed to utilize it.

​​LEVOIT Humidifiers for Large Room

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Features

You can use warm or cool mist through this humidifier and use a separate remote to change or adjust the level of humidity or turn the machine on or off (as well as a few others). There is a 1.5-gallon tank, which will work for more medium-sized rooms and offices. It operates on a low-noise level with touchpad controls and can auto adjust as needed to different levels and temperature. This humidifier has a medicine compartment as well.

Pros

• ​​LCD shut off
• ​​Medicine compartment
• ​​Warm or cool mist
• ​Auto adjust
• ​Remote

Cons

• ​​Not filterless
• ​​Bottom loading
• ​​Needs constant cleaning and maintenance
• ​No quiet mode

Warranty

There is a two-year warranty included, however, many users have reported needing to utilize it almost immediately with issues of leaking, incorrect humidistat readings, and other malfunctions.

​​BONECO Travel Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier 7146

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Features

This may be a new design for many – it is a travel humidifier that comes with an adapter to work with water bottles. It has a 1-gallon output level and is incredibly small and portable – making it a great choice for offices or hotel rooms. It comes with a carrying pouch to pack it in your luggage as well.

Pros

• ​​Portable
• ​​Level options
• ​​Auto shut off
• ​​Adapter for water bottles

Cons

• ​​Requires constant cleaning and maintenance supplies
• ​​Will not last through the night on low setting
• ​​Larger water bottles won’t fit
• ​​No medicine compartment
• ​No quiet mode

Warranty

Like the other Boneco humidifiers, this one has a varied warranty depending on the part – from 3 months to 5 years. Given the user feedback, this humidifier has performed fairly well.

​​Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier

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Features

This humidifier features 2 tanks for a total capacity of 3 gallons. It has multiple levels and can run for 24 hours on low. The humidistat can automatically turn the humidifier on or off to reach the set humidity level, and it features a quiet design to run in bedrooms with less disruption. It is built to humidify multiple rooms at once as well.

Pros

• ​​Auto-detect design
• ​​Large capacity for multiple rooms
• ​​Quiet design

Cons

• ​​Not filterless
• ​​Requires regular cleaning and maintenance
• ​​No medicine compartment
• ​​No quiet mode
• ​​Replacement filters are inefficient and hard to come by

Warranty

There is a three-year limited warranty included to cover malfunctions and manufacturer error. While users have not had issues covered by the warranty, they have been let down by various design choices.

​​Crane Humidifier Cool Mist 250 Sq. Ft

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Features

This is a compact, 1-gallon filterless humidifier built for smaller rooms like offices or a nursery. It offers a whisper-quiet mode and can run for up to 24 hours. There is an auto shut off and clean control to prevent mold and bacteria.

Pros

• ​​Whisper-quiet mode
• ​​Compact
• ​​Low light levels
• ​Filterless

Cons

• ​​No medicine compartment
• ​​Not easy to fill and transport
• ​​Mist instead of vapor

Warranty

There is a one-year limited warranty that has been sufficient for this humidifier. However, it should be noted that the warranty does not extend to Arkansas or Hawaii.

​​Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

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Features

This humidifier offers a 1.5 Liter tank, making it a good choice for small rooms. It can run for up to 16 hours on low and offers other speed settings as well. It has a whisper-quiet mode as well as auto shut-off. There is also an optional nightlight mode for when this humidifier is in a bedroom. It is also simple to fill since it can be detached from the base.

Pros

• ​​Whisper-quiet mode
• ​​Easy to fill
• ​​Auto shut-off
• ​​Filterless

Cons

• ​​Hard to clean
• ​​Needs daily cleaning if being used daily
• ​​Issues with leaking
• ​No medicine compartment

Warranty

There is a two-year warranty for this humidifier, however, users have reported having trouble getting in contact with customer support to report or solve issues regarding malfunctions.

​​Holmes Smart Home Humidifier HCM888C-U

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Features

This humidifier operates through wifi on a (free) app for your phone – making it an innovative contender for best cool mist humidifier. You’ll get all your needed alerts and updates there and can order filters too. It has a 5-gallon water tank with a 14-gallon output per day. This is built for large spaces (around 2500 square feet) and can run for 72 hours depending on the setting. There are 5 speed level settings with a humidistat and auto adjust features.

Pros

• ​​Large capacity
• ​​Can be controlled through the app
• ​​Auto shut-off, detect, and adjust
• ​​Easy to fill detachable tanks
• ​Runs quietly

Cons

• ​​Pricey (most expensive on the list)
• ​​Not filterless
• ​​No medicine compartment
• ​​No specific quiet mode

Warranty

There is only a 1-year warranty included with this humidifier, which we feel is a little short given what the humidifier is marketed to do. Users have not needed to cash in on the warranty, however.

THE VERDICT: THE BEST COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER

There are certainly a lot of options here, and, while we hope you’ve been able to narrow down your search and find the best cool mist humidifier for your home, here are some suggestions just in case:

For a small room like an office or nursery, we recommend the Leviot or PureGarden humidifiers. Both of these offer a medicine compartment, which is a useful feature for children’s rooms especially. Neither are heavy on maintenance either – so they won’t add too much to your to-do list.

For large spaces, the Holmes or Boneco/Air Swiss humidifier will likely be the best options to look at. There is a definite price difference between them, but they’ll both work for larger spaces.

There are, of course, lots of other options on here for the best cool mist humidifier, and we hope that you’ve found the right fit for your needs, regardless of our above suggestions.

Humidifiers have been a staple in many homes and offices for a while now. Not only do they add necessary moisture to the air, but they can also combat things like allergies, winter air, dust, and other contaminants.

There are a lot of different types of humidifiers though, and finding the right one can be a long process of trial and error – a game many don’t want to play when it comes to comfort.

To aid in narrowing your search, we’ve done our own digging into the best warm mist humidifier on the market – and what makes it so crucial for the home.

Product	Image	Rating	Check Price
BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm or Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier	Image via Amazon
Honeywell HWM705B Filter-Free Warm Moisture Humidifier	Image via Amazon
Holmes Warm Mist Filter-Free Humidifier	Image via Amazon
Vicks 1-Gallon Warm Mist Humidifier	Image via Amazon

How We Reviewed

In order to provide a straightforward comparison, we used the following criteria for each humidifier: features, price, portability, performance, noise level, maintenance, and warranty.

We found these criteria best at highlighting the uniques features of each model as well as providing answers to the above questions – giving you everything you need to select the best warm mist humidifier for your home.

Overall Price Range

Humidifiers, in general, can cover a wide price range of about $30 to over $300. However, for our purposes, we’ve narrowed the range to $30 to $100.

For simplicity’s sake, and to keep up with the changing prices on the market, we have abbreviated the prices as follows: $ for up to 45; $$ for up to $70; and $$$ for up to $100.

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm or Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier

Image via Amazon

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Features

This model is best suited for large rooms or rooms that need constant humidifying.

It has a 3 gallon tank that is top-loading – meaning you don’t have to take the entire model to the sink to refill it (though you do still need to take a part of it as the opening itself is not on the top).

It operates with warm or cool mist and even has an auto-detect setting so it can change the temperature as it needs to. There is a whisper mode for those concerned with noise, and all the controls are touch as well.

Portability

This humidifier is not meant to be brought from room to room as you need it. It is large and better left in a stationary place. You will have to take the top portion to the sink to refill it as needed – which is not as convenient as having a full top-loading humidifier.

Performance

Overall, this humidifier does what it claims to. The auto-detect system and whisper mode are definitely favorites among users as both operate very well.

However, there have been complaints about filling the tank, as it isn’t easy to do with the angle it needs to be done.

The touch LCD screen does not have a dim or shut off setting either, meaning there will always be a bright light on it (bad news for those wanting to use this in a bedroom).

Noise Level

The whisper mode works wonderfully well. This model is well-suited for a bedroom – even a child’s room or nursery – with how quiet it operates (despite its size).

Maintenance

There are a few things to maintain with this model. There is a hydro cell and a cartridge that need to be changed out every 1 to 3 months, as well as a descaler packet you’ll use when cleaning (every 2 weeks is recommended).

Warranty

The warranty reaches from 3 months for the water tank to 5 years for the purification systems, with other time specifications in between for the other parts. 

While it is good that the company has adapted the warranty to fit each system, it can be a little confusing for the user to know what is broken and whether it is covered.

Honeywell HWM705B Filter-Free Warm Moisture Humidifier

Image via Amazon

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Features

This is a smaller humidifier for small bedrooms. As it mentions in the title, there is no filter to worry about, and a large portion of the machine can go in the dishwasher for cleaning. 

There are two settings (high and low) and a medicine compartment as well – making this a good choice for a child’s bedroom. While there are no noise modes, it is an ultrasonic humidifier which tends to be quieter anyway.

Portability

This model is not overly large or heavy, so moving it from room to room may not be a big inconvenience – however, there are no handles or other tools to aid in carrying it either, so keep that in mind.

Performance

Overall, this model does what it says it will. It operates well and holds up to the standard set for it. The filterless feature definitely draws a lot of users to it, as does the top-filling feature as it makes refilling much faster.

There is no auto-detect or adjust system like the previous model, though there is an auto-shutoff for when the tank runs empty.

Noise Level

While there is no specific mode for low-noise, the humidifier operates with minimal noise. There is no fan to tune out, so the only noise you’ll hear from it is a little bubbling from the heated water.

Maintenance

There is no filter to worry about (or extra cartridges either), but it is recommended that you clean out this humidifier weekly to avoid build-up that will essentially shut off the humidifier.

Warranty

There is a straightforward three-year limited warranty to cover malfunctions of the machine. If the machine is kept clean though, there shouldn’t be any issues.

Holmes Warm Mist Filter-Free Humidifier

Image via Amazon

No products found.

Features

This humidifier offers a 1-gallon tank and a true top-filling tank – meaning you can bring water to it instead of taking it to the sink.

It operates at a low-noise level in either of its settings (high or low) and is filter free (so less maintenance for you).

This is a great budget option for smaller rooms, children’s rooms especially, as there is a medicine cartridge that will let you put needed medicines into the mist.

Portability

This humidifier is fairly small, making it easier to take to the kitchen to refill, or to move between bedrooms as needed. There are no handles or added aid in transportation though.

Performance

There have been good and bad mentions in terms of performance. For small areas, this should work well.

However, medium-sized rooms will not gather much or any effect from this humidifier, so use it only for truly small spaces. The power light is dim and minimal so there won’t be any disruption there though.

Noise Level

The noise level is quieter than a normal humidifier, however, for light sleepers (or babies), this will likely be too loud. Even on the low setting, there is a noticeable sound.

Maintenance

There are no filters, which is a plus and having parts of the humidifier be dishwasher safe is also a plus.

However, if you are using this machine daily for more than an hour or two, you will likely need to clean it daily as well.

Users have reported that if this is a high-use machine for your home, it will take daily cleaning with more than just the dishwasher to keep it functioning.

Warranty

There is a standard warranty offered, however, depending on where you buy this humidifier, there may be modifications to the warranty to include the seller’s warranty as well or instead.

Vicks 1-Gallon Warm Mist Humidifier

Image via Amazon

No products found.

Features

This filter-free humidifier offers a 1-gallon tank – perfect for smaller bedrooms or office spaces. It works with Vicks products and others for medicine dispersal as well – making it a good choice for children’s rooms especially.

There is a whisper mode and auto shut off for when the tank is empty. It is lightweight and compact too, made to be easy to transport and fill.

Portability

This humidifier is small and compact. It is built for easy transportation – whether from room to room or to the sink for cleaning or refilling. There is a handle on the tank to aid in both of those as well.

Performance

Overall, this humidifier lives up to its name. It is a great option for small bedrooms (kids rooms especially). It is one of the more budget-friendly options on this list as well.

Noise Level

Though it does have a whisper mode, it isn’t perfect. You will hear some bubbling as the water heats up, but users found it not to be disruptive. If you are a light sleeper though, keep this in mind..

Maintenance

Though there is no filter, you will need to clean the tank regularly. The machine does come with a cleaning ball to help keep everything clean longer, but you’ll need to keep an eye out for mold especially and clean as needed.

The clear water tank helps in this regard.

Warranty

There is a 3-year limited warranty included should any of the parts malfunction. Many users have not needed to cash in on this though, which speaks to the build of this budget-friendly humidifier.

FAQ

There are a few things that need to go into the best warm mist humidifier, however, some of those will be left up to your preferences.

In order to make sure you come out of this article knowing what the best warm mist humidifier is for you, look through and answer these questions before viewing our comparison.

What Is a Warm Mist Humidifier?

While many of us are already familiar with humidifiers, what is different about a warm mist option?

When you’re looking into getting a humidifier, it is important that you take into account the general temperature of the air and where you’ll be putting the humidifier. 

If the air is naturally cool, a warm mist humidifier is a perfect choice.

However, if the air is naturally warm, you will want to look for a cool mist humidifier instead (because add warm, moist air to an already warm air is the perfect combination for an uncomfortable sauna in your living room).

While warm mist humidifiers can be used in any room of the house, they are particularly well-suited for nurseries and children’s rooms.

The heating process kills bacteria and germs, making it a healthier choice for rooms that tend to carry the most harmful bacteria, so, if it seems that your child is always sick, this could be a game changer.

What Problems Are You Wanting to Solve?

Humidifiers can help in areas like allergies, nose bleeds, dry skin, itchy eyes, and asthma.

Both cool and warm mist humidifiers can help in those areas, however, you’ll want to stick to a warm mist humidifier if colds or other viruses tend to make their rounds in your home.

Like we mentioned above, the warm mist will help eliminate bacteria and lessen the nastiness and/or longevity of a virus.

How Big of a Space Do You Need to Humidify?

While cool mist humidifiers are typically better suited for larger spaces, it is not impossible to find a large capacity warm mist humidifier.

The capacity you need will depend on the size of the room you are humidifying and for how long you intend to keep the humidifier running continuously.

Obviously, a larger area or longer time period will need a larger capacity – just note that the larger the capacity, the harder it can be to move and the more space it will take up.

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Are You Concerned About Noise?

In a large space, noise may not matter. However, in a bedroom or small office space, it is important that the humidifier cause as little disruption as possible.

For this reason, many humidifiers come equipped with a whisper mode (or operate with low noise in general). Make sure to look for a no-noise mode or low-noise operation if this is a priority to you.

What about Maintenance?

Many humidifiers require regular cleaning, filling, and filter changes. While it is possible to get a filterless humidifier, the rest of the requirements will stay regardless.

It is important to make sure that the cleaning or filling schedule is doable for what you already have on your plate, otherwise, the humidifier will become obsolete as it gets more and more backed up and gross.

The Verdict

Now that we’ve gone through a few options, which is the best warm mist humidifier? While the final verdict may be more up to you and your individual needs and preferences, we can definitely give some suggestions.

For those needing the best warm mist humidifier for a child’s room, we would recommend Vicks 1 Gallon Warm Mist Humidifier, particularly for its portability and medicine compartment.

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It outperformed the Holmes Warm-Mist Filter Free Humidifier and offers an almost exact package.

For those who have large rooms to humidify, the Boneco humidifier is a good option (if you can live with the maintenance).

This offers the biggest tank and the most high-tech features but at the expense of more routine cleaning and maintaining. This also offers a warm and cool mist.

The Honeywell humidifier is a great in-between option. It has a larger tank than Vicks and offers the medicine compartment, but is easier to maintain than Boneco – though not as large in terms of capacity.

In the end, the best warm mist humidifier is up to you; these are just our suggestions, though we hope we’ve given you the information you need to decide what option really will make the best warm mist humidifier.

Featured Image via Flickr​