Best Humidifier 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Part of Dyson’s Air Multiplier range, which includes their best-selling fans, this humidifier is a perfect tabletop model if you want something which doesn’t take over your room but still makes a difference.

When you are humidifying the air, you still want to ensure that the moisture is clean and won’t agitate any allergies or make an uncomfortable atmosphere. The Ultraviolet Cleanse™ technology removes 99.9% of bacteria from the water before it is released into your room so that you can breathe easier.

The three-litre tank means you won’t have to fill it up too much, and it could even last up to 18 hours. There are built-in sensors which can measure the temperature and moisture in the air, so it isn’t going to be working away when it isn’t needed, and Air Multiplier Technology projects the moisture across the room quickly and quietly.

A sleep timer makes it an ideal addition to any bedroom. You can set it to turn off after a certain amount of time if you need perfect peace for some shut-eye or to come on every so often to maintain a balance.

If you want a humidifier for use with essential oils to help you breathe easier, then any old model isn’t going to do. You’ll need a dedicated option, and this portable model is ideal for moving wherever you go.

It should work for around ten hours on a single tank of water, which will keep you covered for most of the day. The design means it doesn’t look like a humidifier, so you can pop it anywhere in the room without it ruining the look of the overall environment.

Set the timer to 1 hour/3 hours/6 hours/steady and enjoy a continuous burst of fragrance and mist within those time frames. Or, just press the button for instant relief. There are also seven light options, from calm and collective single colours to a combination which is more flashy and fun.

It doesn’t have to be used as an aromatherapy diffuser, as you can just add plain water if you want something plain and simple. There is a beeping sound emitted when the water is empty so you know you’ll need to refill, and it will turn itself off before anything dangerous is risked.

Instructions are nice and simple, and you soon pick up what to do to get the right settings and use. There is little noise made except the occasional bubbling of the water.

It is very affordable and a great idea, although it does feel and look rather cheap in person. The lights also risk looking a little childish depending on your atmosphere, and the smell from the oils can wane off over time. Still, as we say, it is a nice price.

A nice big capacity and half the price of the market leaders make this a very appealing choice.

The humidity sensor can detect when action is needed, turning on and off in response to ensure a consistent feel. As it can hold 4.5L of water at any one time, you aren’t going to have to top it up often, which will allow you to leave it to its own devices for around 12 hours.

It can work in rooms up to 40m², making it one of the best for open plan homes or large rooms. You can add some of your favourite oils for a bit of a scent boost, and the illuminated water tank allows you to see the water level so you can top it up before it switches itself off automatically.

The timer option means you can set it to work in a period between 1-12 hours. This could allow you to plan ahead or conserve some energy usage. There is a separate slot at the back for the oils, so you don’t have to put them in the water and risk not being able to smell them or being overcome.

There are a couple of things to bear in mind. Firstly, try to use filtered or distilled water as hard water will damage the machine over time. You would also have to clean everything in the area often as it leaves it all covered in a bit of white dust. It is also vital you read the instructions first as there are a couple of important pointers in there, even though it is a bit of a slog to get through.

Coming complete with a warm air option as well as the ordinary cold mist, this is an ideal unit if you need something which can be adapted depending on the time of year and to cope with periodic issues such as hayfever.

The warm air is perfect for Winter when you can’t risk the temperature dipping. It also helps if you suffer from respiratory issues, as it can ease breathing and dry throats. If it runs out of water, it will automatically shut off to protect both the unit and your home.

There is a useful timer function, so you can set it to turn on at specific times. If you want the house to be perfect before you get home for work, or when you get up in the morning, the timer will allow it to get to work, so you live in comfort.

If you want to use it in the bedroom or hallway as you sleep, there is a nightlight which could come in handy if you want to create a bit of an atmosphere or don’t like the room to be in complete darkness.

As a finishing touch, the humidistat allows you to set your own perfect conditions, so whether you like it to be on the drier side or ramped up fully, it won’t go past that point or leave you disappointed.

A pricey option, but one of the more advanced in terms of all the extras and features.

There are two power levels, and it can work in rooms up to 30m2, so you can give it a quick boost to clear the room, and it will then work to keep everything consistent.

It is one of the most eco-friendly options, with a filter made of plant and textile fibres. There is no doubt that it is more economical and environmentally friendly than comparable humidifiers. If it runs out of water it will switch itself off and is easy to top up when the time comes.

There are a lot of other great things about it, too. It is super quiet when running and definitely would win the fight for the best looking humidifier on the market. Unfortunately, the user manual states it can’t be used in hard water areas so you’re going to have to filter the water thoroughly or else it will leave your possessions covered in white chalky dust and won’t work for long. The filters must also be replaced every 2-3 months, which adds to running costs. They are also hard to find, so have a hunt around before buying.

One of the most adaptable humidifiers, you can set the desired level with complete freedom, so you get the atmosphere perfect.

It can work with oils if you need assistance clearing a blocked nose or stuffy head, and the choice to turn the power up or down will ensure you get the right amount of steam without being overcome or unaffected.

We would say this is best for small rooms, such as secondary bedrooms if the kids can’t sleep because of a blocked nose or their room is dry due to the heating. For larger living rooms or open plan spaces, it will still work, but just take quite a while to make an impact.

It is also a pain to refill, as you have to take apart the whole unit. If you need it to run all day, then this may become a pain as it lasts for around ten hours before needing a top up.

Humidifiers for use in a baby’s bedroom is a lot more complicated than picking the one which fits the decor or your price bracket. Babies are very sensitive to their atmosphere, and the wrong conditions could see breathing issues, dry skin and a struggle sleeping.

They need to be quiet, give out the perfect level of moisture and also need to be reliable, as you may be leaving it to work its magic. You may also want something which can be entertaining though, featuring lighting which can help your little one doze off.

It is all touchscreen control for a simpler setup, and it is suitable for rooms up to 20 m² so could even be taken into the living room or kitchen when it is play or dinnertime. Control can be set to automatic monitoring, or you can do it by hand if you know the ideal point.

There is also an essential oil diffuser option, and although this isn’t massively suitable for little ones, it could come in handy if they ever have a stuffy nose or they get a bit older, and the smell helps them to sleep.

It runs at 25dB, and you can choose from seven colours with the multicoloured night light. The 360-degree adjustable mist outlet is also handy in case you want to target specific areas.

We think it is one of the best baby humidifiers around. It does the job and is under £100.

Able to release warm air which could relieve congestion and the other first signs of a cold or allergy, this humidifier could be the perfect answer to stuffy noses and sore throats.

The mist released is 95% bacteria-free, which will help if you are trying to keep everywhere clean. There are two intensity settings so you can give it a boost if need be, and it will shut off if it happens to run out of water.

If you need some oils to help you breathe, the VH750 is compatible with VapoPads scented pads which feature essential oils. One menthol pad is included with the purchase, and others are available to buy at a later day. If you’re buying for a baby, lavender pads are around instead.

To keep the 95% bacteria-free mist, there is a lot of cleaning to be done. It suggests this is all done daily, but the likelihood you’ll be able to fit this into your schedule is low. The unit dismantles easily when the time does come, but other reviewers have said that they left cleaning a bit too long and sticky residue formed.

It is suitable for rooms up to 35 m2, and we would say it is best for larger rooms as it does get quite noisy in operation.

Able to purify your air as well as humidify, the Philips AC3829/60 lets you visualise the air so you can stay in full control of the conditions you want.

The purification technology can capture up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including viruses, bacteria, pollen, dust and pet dander. NanoCloud technology then uses a hygienic process to release humidity into the air, so these allergens won’t just be replaced again as it will be clean air.

You can set it to keep an eye on things automatically. It will monitor the situation and turn on and off to keep on top of the situation. Just set the desired humidity to 40%, 50% or 60%, and it will turn itself off and on again to keep on top of it all.

The air visualisation app is brought to you via the Air Matters app, which Philips has partnered with to monitor indoor and outdoor air quality. It offers insights and one-week forecasts, so you know if you’ll be able to open your windows or how best to control the situation. You’ll also be able to see the filter status and control it all remotely.

There are four speeds in case you need to give it a boost, and the four casters on the base make it easy to move from room to room.