Compare Our Picks
Recommended With Reservations
Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro
Carepod Mini for $150: When turned on, the Carepod Mini looks like a Brita Filter that’s also an electric tea kettle. And you’ll think this too because of the Carepod’s unique oscillator that moves the water around inside the clear plastic tank. And unlike the larger stainless steel parts of the larger Carepod models, the Carepod Mini is not dishwasher safe. However, like all Carepod models, the Mini doesn’t have a filter because Carepod recommends using filtered water, putting the water-purifying duties on the user. I would prefer a model with a filter option. Still, the Mini is easy to clean with mild soap and water, unlike some humidifiers that require special descaling solutions. I like what Carepod is trying to do in the humidifier market space, but I almost tipped the whole thing over when I instinctively picked it up by the handle that only lifts up the top part. Still, I found the percolating water effect to be soothing and it does a good job of providing a steady flow of mist. I elevated my Carepod Mini because of its slightly sideways mist flow. I put it on a ceramic plant stand because Carepod warns against placing the Mini directly on wood or furniture because of possible water damage. And while I still do not understand the benefits of Carepod’s oscillator, it looks cool.
Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro
Dreamwell Humidifier from Blueair for $190: Blueair’s DreamWell Humidifier has several features to make this one of the easier humidifiers to use and maintain. Blueair makes the DreamWell in both 1- and 2-gallon tank sizes. WIRED tested the 1-gallon model. The DreamWell has mood lighting (warm, normal, and bright), along with a scent pod that can be filled with a few drops of essential oil, which turns this humidifier into a sleep aid. Its understated design blends into most interiors. Similar to Blueair’s Signature air purifier, reviewer Lisa Wood Shapiro found the DreamWell’s control panel difficult to see in bright light. What the control panel lacks, Blueair’s advanced app makes up for. Blueair has a “welcome home” function that uses geolocation to turn the humidifier on 15 minutes before the user walks in the front door. In using the feature, the user needs to plug in their mode of transportation: walking, biking, public transport, or car. There’s also an option for drying the wick, the humidifier’s machine-washable filter, which starts automatically when the tank is empty. The DreamWell comes in Coastal Beige or Stone Gray and is the ideal size for a small bedroom. For larger rooms, go for the 2-gallon DreamWell. And while the tank is only 1 gallon, the fill-top option makes for easy refilling.
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
Molekule Glow Smart Ultasonic Humidifier for $130: The Molekule Glow is small and quiet, with a gentle, sub-40-decibel sound like a babbling brook, and a dim green glow—suitable for a midsize room. Its tank is detachable for easy filling. It’s good to run gently for a day, can be timed for turn-on and shut-off, and is easily controlled from your bed with an intuitive phone app. It is, in short, perfect for bedroom humidification, and it blends easily into a cool minimalist aesthetic. Indeed, its humidifier spot top looks a little like a blank, cartoon smile. It’s friendly. Compared to our previous top bedroom pick, the Blueair Dreamwell, the price is also friendly. But the smart app is needed for any features beyond setting the humidity level, and filters aren’t part of the bargain. As of the end of March 2026, the device is already out of stock after a January release.
Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist for $44: This Levoit model is priced at the most affordable end of the spectrum, and advertises itself as appropriate for aromatherapy as an essential oil diffuser. But unlike other aromatherapy-ready humidifiers, the Dual 150 doesn’t offer pads on which to apply the oil—meaning any aromatherapy is applied directly to the basin and a bit permanent. Geraniums forever! Lavender till the end! The filters also seem to wear out quickly. But at a mere $44, it still might fit the bill for a dorm or nursery, and offers up a nice mist for a medium-sized room. A 10-pack of Levoit filters also costs less than $15, so replacement is easy. A two-year warranty is far better than expected for a device at this price.
Not Recommended
Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro
Pure Enrichment Hume XL Humidifier for $80: There are certain design issues that can make a humidifier less user-friendly, and Pure Enrichment’s Hume XL has them all. To begin with, the Hume XL has the old-style tank that needs to be removed and flipped over to fill from the bottom, with a cap that needs to be unscrewed. And while The Hume has a surprisingly large-capacity 5-gallon tank, the filling process is cumbersome, and I always spilled water while doing it. And while the Hume XL has an automatic shutoff when the tank is empty, the opaque black plastic tank is nearly impossible to see through, making it difficult to gauge if I need to fill the tank. There’s also no indicator light to let me know the tank is running low. And while the Hume XL has a solid five-year warranty, night light, and two settings for low or high mist, it’s neither app-compatible nor does it have a built-in humidistat. Other lower-cost models have these features. Lastly, the decalcification cartridge filter is sold separately.
FAQs
Lisa Wood Shapiro has been writing about air quality for WIRED since 2019. Matthew Korfhage has been a staff reviewer on home devices, including air quality, since 2024. Both reviewers live in hundred-year-old homes in Brooklyn and Portland, Oregon, respectively. Both reviewers test humidifiers with the heat on in cool weather, which tends to dry out the air. Korfhage also tests during Portland’s dry summers.
We test for user friendliness, and effectiveness in filling a medium-size room with ideal moisture Nobody wants jugs of distilled water up the stairs, or around the house. Low maintenance is also important: Dishwasher-safe water reservoirs are holy, and beloved. If there’s an app, it should work. And the device should ideally be operable without needing an app. Humidifirers that are hard to use and clean often end up by the sides of roads, marked “Free.” We want you to avoid this fate.
At What Percent Humidity Should I Use a Humidifier?
According to the EPA, ideal humidity in a home should be between 30 and 50 percent. Having an indoor humidity at over 60 percent produces a risk of mold growth. A recent study noted that relative humidity serves as a viable predictor of mold growth, and while temperature plays a significant role, keeping humidity levels in the safe range provides benefits without contributing to the unwanted issue of mold. Another study noted that decreased humidity contributed to increased static electricity, skin dryness, and eye irritations along with increased influenza virus survival. For all of those reasons, a humidifier might be what your heat-on/winter season requires.
How Often Should I Clean My Humidifier?
WIRED has seen instructions ranging from “after every use” for dishwasher-safe tanks to “once a week,” to “once a month” in various user manuals. A recent study found that while study participants often did not know how to clear their humidifiers, many used a solution of vinegar and water. If you save anything from the box your humidifier came in, save the manual. I used a solution of water and citric acid to clean my Dyson humidifier. It’s worth noting that a South Korean study found that certain humidifier chemical disinfectants for household humidifiers caused lung injury. Follow your user manual and do not add chemical disinfectants—this is one reason that dishwasher-safe water tanks are an appealing option. Study after study points to the benefits of humidifiers with a caveat—if they aren’t maintained properly, or if biocide is used as a disinfectant, they can have negative respiratory health effects.
Is It Healthy to Sleep With a Humidifier Every Night?
Yes, there are many health benefits to sleeping with a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture into the air, and if a humidifier is maintained properly and without the use of biocide, the humidifier can reduce dry eyes, stuffy noses, and reduce allergens. There is a real commitment when owning a humidifier, especially one for your bedroom, and that is a commitment to proper maintenance. Without proper upkeep, a bedroom humidifier can cause illness.
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