Allergies acting up? You may need a humidifier.

Those who live in dry or frigid climates know that a little humidity goes a long way for the skin. Humidifiers can help introduce more moisture into your home by emitting water vapor into the air, which helps alleviate dry skin, chapped lips, nosebleeds and other dry-weather conditions.

“Dry skin can have an impaired barrier function, making it more prone to irritation and inflammation — humidifiers help prevent winter dermatitis,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessie Cheung. More moisture in the air also helps slow down the transmission of microbes in your home — which helps with allergies — and combats irritation of your skin, nasal passages, throat and more due to dry air, according to experts. (But keep in mind, humidifiers require weekly cleaning to avoid build up of mold and bacteria.)

To help you find the best humidifier for your space, I spoke to experts about the benefits of humidifiers, the different types available and what to consider when shopping for one.

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All of the humidifiers below are either recommendations from our experts, NBC Selected staff favorites, or are top-rated options with at least a 4-star average rating from 100 or more reviews on Amazon.

Every winter, I have so much trouble with the dry air and usually wake up with a painful, bloody nose. I also never had enough space for a humidifier in my tiny NYC apartment, so when I moved to a bigger place a few months ago, I was finally able to use this bedside Canopy one. It has made a huge difference when it comes to my quality of sleep and how comfortably I wake up. I also love how it looks; I have the sage green one and it’s the perfect look and size for my nightstand.

NBC Selected commerce editor Bethany Heitman and her family love Canopy — both of her kids have a Nursery Humidifier 2.0 in their bedrooms, plus they use the Baby Bath Tub Filter. Recently, the brand sent her their new Canopy Portable Humidifier 2.0 and she decided to keep it for herself. “My skin gets incredibly dry in the winter, particularly the inside of my nose. I set this up at my desk to use while I’m working and love how small and easy to set up it is,” she says. “The best part is, I can easily transport it to my nightstand to use while I’m sleeping. The humidifier also has a dimmable nightlight, that is great for middle-of-the-night bathroom runs. After a few weeks of using it, I’ve noticed my skin is much less dry, too.”

Levoit is one of our favorite humidifier brands, and NBC Selected special projects associate Vanessa Bethea swears by this model during allergy season, especially since her small apartment doesn’t have the best airflow. “I like that it’s a simple humidifier that I can keep by my bed and doesn’t require an app or remote. It’s also easy to refill from the top, has dishwasher-safe parts and is small enough to store away when I’m not using it,” she says.

Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier

Water capacity: 1.6 gallons | Run time: up to 50 hours | Room size: up to 500 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: yes

What we like

• Automatic shutoff
• Essential oil diffuser
• Compact design

Something to note

• Can’t be filled from top

This cool mist, ultrasonic humidifier is designed to automatically shut off when the device detects it has run out of water. The essential oil tray also lets the machine double as a diffuser to add a pleasant scent throughout your home. Since it humidifies large spaces, you can use it in a bedroom or even the living room. It’s also slim and tall, which means it doesn’t take up too much surface area on a counter or side table.

Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

Water capacity: 1 gallon | Run time: up to 24 hours | Room size: up to 500 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: yes

What we like

• Helps with allergies
• Good for larger spaces
• Easy to fill

Something to note

• Nothing to note at this time.

The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier can temporarily relieve cold symptoms and congestion by pumping out a warm mist into the air, according to the brand. It comes with a large tank opening for easy filling and is designed for medium- to large-sized rooms.

This humidifier’s lightweight design — slightly under 1.5 pounds — makes it ideal for tighter, cozier spaces, according to the brand, such as a small bedroom or home office. The top of the humidifier is also transparent, so you can always see the water level without worrying about it running out abruptly. It also includes a nightlight to help create a more soothing sleep environment, according to Pure Enrichment.

Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier

Water capacity: 1 gallon | Run time: 24 hours | Room size: up to 400 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: no

What we like

• Antimicrobial filter
• Adjustable settings
• Projector display

Something to note

• Nothing to note at this time.

If you’re looking for a cool-mist humidifier to put in your child’s room, this budget-friendly Vicks model might be a good option. It has an antimicrobial filter that removes impurities to prevent white dust in hard water areas, according to Cheung. The humidifier has a changing light, adjustable mist settings and a transparent top. Plus, “it has the bonus of a relaxing starry sky projector,” she says.

Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

Water capacity: 1.6 gallons | Run time: up to 50 hours | Room size: up to 753 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: yes

What we like

• Dual temperatures
• Big tank
• Remote included

Something to note

• Better for large spaces

This ultrasonic humidifier from Levoit includes dual-temperature control, which means you can set a cool or warm temperature. It also comes with a remote that lets you turn the humidifier on and off, as well as control mist levels. “It has a large tank and provides humidistats to avoid over-humidification,” says Cheung. The humidifier also has a transparent water tank and functions relatively quietly, according to the brand. Since it covers such large areas, you could use this one for your entire home or apartment.

Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier

Water capacity: 12.4 oz. | Run time: up to 8 hours | Room size: under 400 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: no

What we like

• Wireless
• Rechargeable battery
• LED light

Something to note

• For facial use

A favorite of NBC Selected editorial director Lauren Swanson, the Hey Dewy Facial Humidifier can help hydrate your face throughout the day. It’s both wireless and rechargeable, so you can travel with it. It also offers continuous and intermittent mist settings, as well as a soft LED light to keep next to your nightstand.

This humidifier weighs 2.2 pounds, making it one of the most lightweight options on this list. It also comes with a personal steam inhaler for cough and cold that you can set up by replacing the humidifier tank with the included inhaler attachment, according to the brand. This model can heat water up to 131 degrees to produce a warm mist, according to the brand.

Honeywell HWM845 Warm Mist Humidifier

Water capacity: 1 gallon | Run time: up to 24 hours | Room size: up to 270 sq. ft. | Automatic shutoff: yes

What we like

• Very quiet
• Affordable price
• Transparent design

Something to note

• Must be cleaned often

Cheung says this warm-mist humidifier is especially quiet because it doesn’t have a fan — although users may hear the sound of bubbling water. “There’s also no costly filters to replace, but it’s important to clean the mineral scale from a warm-mist humidifier to keep it running,” she says.

The best humidifier is the one that you will use and maintain regularly. Whether you’re looking for your first humidifier or want to upgrade your current model, our experts highlight the different types of humidifiers, along with several features to keep in mind below.

• Type of humidifier: Humidifiers come in two main types: cool-mist humidifiers (evaporative and ultrasonic) and warm-mist humidifiers (vaporizer). The one you choose depends on your own space and needs. For instance, warm-mist humidifier models are best if you live in a cold but very dry climate; a cool-mist humidifier is best for people who live in a warm but arid environment.
• Automatic shutoff: Self-regulating humidifiers can automatically turn off. This avoids putting too much moisture in the air, which can speed the growth of mold and mildew, says Cheung.
• Mold resistance: Any mold that forms within the water or machine can disperse into the air, so this feature helps keep the water clean. However, even with mold-resistant humidifiers, it is imperative to clean them at least once weekly to avoid buildup, our experts say.
• Tank size and speed settings: The size of the tank and the different speed settings can affect how long the humidifier can run before needing a refill, as well as the size of the room it can rehydrate. Portable units range in size from one liter to six gallons. A two-gallon humidifier will usually run for 12 or more hours on low, but a one-liter humidifier will require refilling every eight hours or so.
• Room size: The size of your humidifier largely depends on the size of your room, according to our experts. For smaller rooms under 400 square feet, a humidifier with up to 1.5 gallons is sufficient. For a medium room between 400 and 1,000 square feet, a tank size between one and three gallons is needed. A large room of over 1,000 square feet should have a humidifier with a tank size of more than three gallons.
• Multiple uses: In addition to adding moisture into the air, some humidifier models are also able to purify the air, diffuse essential oils through a separate chamber and work with a nebulizer attachment.

Although there are two main types (warm and cold mist), there are multiple versions of the latter, according to our experts.

Cool-mist humidifiers help reintroduce moisture into your home by pumping a cool mist into the air. These humidifiers can be a bit noisier than warm-mist humidifiers as they typically contain a fan. There are two main types of cool-mist humidifiers: evaporative and ultrasonic.

Evaporative humidifiers create a very fine mist that isn’t always visible to the human eye. Unlike warm-mist humidifiers, these humidifiers have no heating element, so there is no risk of burns, says Cheung. They work by using a fan to blow air through a filter. However, the fans can be noisy, and the filter should be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria and mold from growing.

Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency sound vibrations outside the human hearing range to expel water droplets into the air as a cool mist. They usually have a small fan to disperse the mist over large areas. “These devices don’t use heat and are quiet, but do require maintenance to keep them free of mold and bacterial overgrowth,” says Cheung, adding that she prefers this type because it doesn’t have a filter that needs to be replaced.

Warm-mist humidifiers — also known as vaporizers — have an internal heater that boils the water before releasing it into the air as steam, creating a warm mist. They’re typically more affordable and quieter than cool-mist humidifiers, and they can slightly warm up the air in the wintertime. Our experts say users should avoid sitting too close to steam vaporizers and avoid putting them in children’s rooms since they can get very hot.

You should clean your humidifier at least once a week if you use it regularly. Otherwise, clean it at least once a month. To clean it, unplug it, pour out any residual water, wipe away any grime with a paper towel and use a sprayable dish soap to coat the inside of the tank. Wipe the tank with a damp paper towel. You can also add equal parts white vinegar and water to the tank, let it sit for about half an hour, pour it out and then rinse with a damp paper towel and let it dry.

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Jessie Cheung is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cheung Aesthetics & Wellness.
• Dr. Debra Jaliman is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

I’m a commerce editor at NBC Selected, where I write about a variety of home and kitchen products, including space heaters, washable rugs and laundry stain removers. To write this story, I consulted dermatologists for expert guidance and gathered a list of product recommendations (including NBC Selected favorites) that align with their shopping advice.

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