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Buying a humidifier for your baby is an inevitable step of parenthood. Our top picks come from Honeywell and Levoit.

Whether you’re prepping the registry for your first baby, or you’re in the thick of cold and flu season with three kids 3 years and under, you may find yourself in need of a humidifier.

If your baby gets sick with a cold or other respiratory illness — and this isn’t really an if as much as it is a when — you can’t always give medication. Adding some moisture to the air may help ease your little one’s symptoms.

Although they all serve the same purpose, there are a lot of options for at-home humidifiers. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right type for your baby, what features you may want to look for, and how to keep your humidifier running safely.

A humidifier may be particularly useful if your baby is born in cold weather months or live in a dry climate. For example, if you’re running the heat, the air in your home may be dry and contribute to your little one’s congestion or dry skin. Colds and flu may cause cough, sore throats, and stuffy nasal passages, which can also be worsened by dry air.

A humidifier can help with these complaints because it adds water back into the air, easing irritated airways without medication.

A humidifier may help with dry skin in general, or even skin complaints, such as eczema. Many babies experience chapped cheeks or chins when they’re teething, as drool can be quite irritating to the skin. Once again, dry air can make this worse, so a humidifier, in conjunction with skin care, may offer some relief.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to humidifiers. The most annoying for busy parents (and potentially dangerous for children) is that they can be difficult to clean, but it’s necessary to prevent mold buildup in the tank. Some types of humidifiers may even be unsafe for your infant or young child.

There are two main types of humidifiers:

  • Cool mist humidifiers: These release moisture into the air in a few different ways. Ultrasonic humidifiers use sound waves (vibrations) to create mist. Impeller humidifiers, alternatively, use a rotating disk. There are also evaporative humidifiers on the market that make mist by blowing air through a wet filter or wick.
  • Warm mist humidifiers: Also called steam vaporizers, these humidifiers boil water, turning it into steam that’s released into the air.

Both types of humidifiers work equally well at adding moisture to a room. And despite how the mist is created, the temperature is the same by the time it reaches your child’s airways.

Regardless, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends cool mist humidifiers for babies and children. Why exactly? Because the boiling water and hot steam from warm mist humidifiers is a burn risk, particularly in the event that a child gets up close to the unit (and as soon as your little baby heads into toddlerhood, they’re going to be very interested in how that humidifier works!).

Keep in mind

Warm mist and cool mist humidifiers work equally well at getting the job done, but experts recommend cool mist as safer for nurseries and children’s rooms. For that reason, we’ve only included cool mist options.

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The humidifiers we selected earn high marks from customers for their quality, performance, and overall value. Other considerations include how easy they are to clean (which ultimately is a safety issue!), and features that make them fit for a nursery.

Price guide

  • $ = $30–$50
  • $$ = $51–$75
  • $$$ = $76–$150
  • $$$$ = more than $150

Best humidifier overall

Honeywell HCM350B UV Germ-Free Humidifier

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: evaporative
  • Auto shutoff: no
  • Night-light: No
  • Tank size: 1.1 gallons
  • Range: 400 square feet
  • Filter required: wick

This Honeywell humidifier offers ultraviolet technology to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria in the water. This is a huge deal when considering a humidifier for your baby’s room.

While humidifying the air offers some very clear respiratory benefits, inhaling bacteria-filled air is also a health risk for babies. So this device offers the best of both worlds: the soothed skin and airways of moisturized air, and the reassurance of clean air (if the unit is properly cared for).

Additionally, the 1-gallon capacity tank allows it to run for 24 hours on low, making it a good choice for medium-sized bedrooms.

The cool mist is made using evaporation — blowing moisture from a wicking filter. Because of this, the Honeywell won’t create “white dust” (aerosolized minerals that can be created by using tap water in ultrasonic humidifiers, and which aren’t great for kiddos to inhale).

Another big pro for this unit is that it’s easy to clean — a feature well worth paying attention to for something that needs cleaning as often as a humidifier. In fact, all of the components that come into contact with the water can be put right into the dishwasher (score for busy parents!).

This humidifier doesn’t have a night-light, which can actually be a bonus if your little is a light-sensitive sleeper. There’s a very small amount of light emitted by the UV light inside the unit that runs constantly to help sterilize the water.

Considerations

The price for the units and the filters has been going up over the past few years.

You also need to remember to flip the filter over every day so it doesn’t get crusty with the minerals it’s filtering out (which is easy to do, since you’ll probably also be refilling the water tank), as well as change the filter every 2 weeks to 2 months (depending on whether you’re using tap or distilled water, how frequently you’re using the humidifier, etc).

It’s a bit bulky, and some people feel that it makes a little too much noise on the highest setting.

Pros

  • This humidifier is easy to clean, including dishwasher-safe tank and parts.
  • It’s the evaporative cool mist type, which is considered the safest option for children.
  • The UV light reduces or eliminates bacteria in the water.

Cons

  • It’s a little pricey.
  • There’s an ongoing cost of filters.
  • It’s a bit bulky.
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Best budget-friendly humidifier

Levoit Dual 150 Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier

  • Price: $
  • Type: ultrasonic
  • Auto shutoff: yes
  • Night-light: no
  • Tank size: 3 liters (0.79 gallon)
  • Range: 290 square feet
  • Filter required: no

It’s not necessary to break the bank to provide your baby with the benefits of a humidifier. Levoit is a well-known brand both for whole-house and one-room humidifiers.

This is one of their basic models, and works great for smaller rooms. The top-fill design makes refills a breeze, and the mist output can rotate 360 degrees so you can get the most mist where you want it.

It’s small and has an attractive look, so it won’t be an eyesore in your babe’s cute nursery. Plus, reviewers say it’s pretty simple to clean (bonus points for sure).

Considerations

This is an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier, so it’s grat to use distilled water. Mineral buildup from tap water can result in “white dust” being deposited in your nursery, or even inhaled by your baby.

Regularly cleaning the unit will also help prevent mineral buildup. This humidifier doesn’t have as large of a range as others on our list, which is something to consider if your baby has a large room.

Pros

  • This humidifier has a lower price compared with others on this list.
  • It provides good humidification.
  • It’s small and well designed.
  • It has a top fill feature.
  • It’s simple to clean.
  • There are no filters to replace.

Cons

  • It’s adequate only for a small- to medium-size room.
  • It should use distilled water.
  • There are no extra features.
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Best automatic humidifier

Babymoov Hygro+ Automatic Humidifier

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: ultrasonic
  • Auto shutoff: yes
  • Night-light: yes
  • Tank size: 0.7 gallon (almost 3 liters)
  • Range: 220 square feet
  • Filter required: no

This humidifier gets some major cool points. The design is both aesthetically pleasing and super functional. It features seven different light options (or a soothing rotation of lights), a run timer, LCD display that shows the room’s temperature and humidity level, and a 360 rotating mist nozzle.

This is the only option on our list where you can set your desired humidity level, and the humidifier will automatically shut off once that humidity level is achieved. If you live in a climate where mold is a concern, or have a baby with allergies or asthma and you don’t want the room to get too damp, this is a fantastic feature.

The Babymoov Hygro+ is an ultrasonic humidifier, so it doesn’t require filters. It has the capability to diffuse essential oils (not all humidifiers can do this) for a soothing scent in your baby’s room (just be sure to check with your pediatrician — some oils aren’t safe for babies!).

Considerations

While this humidifier is quite pricey, it offers a lot of great features. Many parents love the night-light feature, that it doubles as a diffuser, and the automatic humidistat.

Since this is an ultrasonic unit, you’ll want to use distilled water if possible, or clean frequently to avoid mineral buildup.

Some users felt this wasn’t quite as easy to clean due to the shape, but others said it was very easy to clean (for a humidifier).

Pros

  • There are tons of features: night-light options and diffuser capability.
  • It automatically shuts off when your desired humidity level is reached.
  • It’s aesthetically pleasing.
  • There are no filters to replace.

Cons

  • It’s pretty pricey.
  • Distilled water is recommended.
  • It may be a little difficult to clean.
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Best smart humidifier

Safety 1st Connected Smart Humidifier

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: ultrasonic
  • Auto shutoff: yes
  • Night-light: yes
  • Tank size: 1 gallon (3.8 liters)
  • Range: 500 square feet
  • Filter required: no (built-in ceramic filter)

There aren’t many parts of parenting you can do just sitting on the couch, but controlling this humidifier is one of them.

Another super cool pick, the Safety 1st Connected Smart Humidifier looks great, is simple to fill and clean, and can integrate into your smart home system.

The free app allows you to set mist speed, check the nursery’s temperature and humidity level, adjust the night-light, set timers, and more. No sneaking into the nursery in the middle of the night to check on this one.

The 1-gallon tank can humidify a good-sized room, and the built-in ceramic filter doesn’t have to be regularly replaced (although it should be cleaned to avoid mineral deposits). The design aesthetic is simple, and fits in a variety of nursery styles.

Considerations

This ultrasonic humidifier is best used with distilled water, which can get expensive over time. You do need to regularly clean the ceramic filter to ensure the best, cleanest function for your humidifier.

Some parents report glitches or issues with the app. Overall, this is a great humidifier that many parents love!

Pros

  • This humidifier has a parent lock feature so your littles can’t change the settings.
  • It has a strong mist output.
  • It has a very customizable remote control with the app.
  • It can integrate with smart home systems.
  • It’s aesthetically pleasing.
  • There are no filters to replace.

Cons

  • Distilled water is recommended.
  • Some people may not want to mess with (another) app.
  • Some users report issues with connectivity.
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Humidifier with the most kid-appeal

Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

  • Price: $$
  • Type: ultrasonic
  • Auto shutoff: yes
  • Night-light: yes
  • Tank size: 1 gallon
  • Range: 500 square feet
  • Filter required: no

If you’re looking to match a nursery theme or just delight your little one, consider grabbing the Crane Cool Mist Adorable humidifiers.

Design options include a frog, elephant, cow, dragon, pig, penguin and many more fun animals. Speaking from experience, littles love cute animal stuff. If the humidifier looks like an animal, they’re going to want it in their room all the time.

As far as function, parents love that the 1-gallon tank provides moisture for 24 hours. It’s made from antimicrobial material to resist bacteria growth up to 99.96%. This humidifier also has great price, and doesn’t require purchasing filters.

Considerations

The mist emitted from the unit may not seem to reach very far when compared with other humidifiers. Filling the tank (upside down) can be a pain. And as with humidifiers in general, there’s a certain percentage of people that report that the unit is difficult to clean.

Pros

  • It has a fun, kid-friendly design.
  • It has a night-light feature.
  • It’s made of antimicrobial plastic.
  • It has a great price.
  • There are no filters to replace.

Cons

  • This humidifier is best used with distilled water if you live in an area with hard tap water.
  • It can be a pain to clean.
  • The mist range may not be as far as other options.
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Best humidifier for large nurseries

Levoit Large Room Humidifier

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: ultrasonic
  • Auto shutoff: yes
  • Night-light: yes
  • Tank size: 6 liters (about 1.5 gallons)
  • Range: 505 square feet
  • Filter required: no

If your baby has an extra large nursery, is sharing your room, or you want to humidify one of your main living spaces, the Levoit Large Room Humidifier is a great option to consider.

It has an extra-large tank capacity (6 liters), can humidify rooms over 500 square feet, and has a whopping 60-hour run time.

The Levoit humidifier also comes with a free app for remote control of the settings, an essential oil or aroma pad tray, night-light (which can be completely shut off if your baby prefers the dark), timer, 360-degree rotating nozzle, and a cleaning brush.

Overall, reviewers say this humidifier is pretty quiet (bonus for baby’s room!) and is relatively easy to care for (although, let’s be honest, all humidifiers are a bit of a pain to keep clean). It doesn’t require filters, but does come with aroma pads that will need to be replaced if you choose to use them.

Considerations

If you use distilled water (recommended for ultrasonic humidifiers if you live in an area with hard tap water), the cost can add up with this extra large tank. It’s a bit bulkier than some of our other options, so consider whether you have a convenient place to put it.

Pros

  • The large tank capacity can humidify a larger room, and run for longer before needing a refill.
  • The timer, light, and humidification level can be controlled from an app.
  • It’s relatively quiet.
  • It can diffuse scents if desired.
  • It comes with a cleaning brush.

Cons

  • It’ll need to be descaled, or use a mineral absorption pad, if you use tap water.
  • Distilled water in large quantities can be a cost over time.
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Best night-light humidifier

Vicks Starry Night Filtered Cool Mist Humidifier

  • Price: $$
  • Type: evaporative
  • Auto shutoff: yes
  • Night-light: yes
  • Tank size: 1 gallon
  • Range: 500 square feet
  • Filter required: paper filter

As your little one grows, the Vicks Starry Night Humidifier may soothe them when they’re ill (and even when they’re not) with its ceiling projection night-light.

My daughter begged every night for “her star night-light” when we were out of town and didn’t have this humidifier with us! The 1-gallon tank can run up to 24 hours and offers evaporative cool mist moisture appropriate for medium-sized rooms.

This humidifier does require an antimicrobial paper filter, which helps ensure clean moisture being dispelled into the air. As with other Vicks humidifiers, you may use Vicks VapoPads for scent or relief of chest congestion, which can be a huge help during cold and flu season.

Considerations

You may need to be strategic about where you place the humidifier for the star projections to be easy to see.

Some reviewers say the motor is a bit loud, especially right after turning the machine on.

You’ll need to purchase filters and VapoPads (if you use them) on an ongoing basis.

Pros

  • Starry night-light projections are appealing to babies and children.
  • It’s relatively affordable.
  • It’s compatible with Vicks VapoPads for congestion relief.
  • The evaporative cool mist is considered one of the cleaner methods of humidification.
  • This humidifier has a good range.
  • It’s easy to use.

Cons

  • It’s somewhat difficult to clean.
  • The filters must be replaced on an ongoing basis.
  • It’s not quite as aesthetically pleasing as some other options.
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Easiest to clean humidifier

Safety 1st Stay Clean Humidifier

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: ultrasonic
  • Auto shutoff: yes
  • Night-light: yes
  • Tank size: 1 gallon
  • Range: 500 square feet
  • Filter required: no

Given that most people’s chief complaint about humidifiers is how difficult they’re to clean, the Safety 1st Stay Clean Humidifier is a big win.

This simple humidifier is fairly easy to take apart and clean, but also features a built-in LED light that eliminates 99.9% of germs and bacteria, without requiring a filter.

Since dirty humidifiers are not only a chore to clean, but can also pose a health hazard to your little one, this is a fantastic feature to help ensure your baby is getting the benefits of humidification with less risk of inhaling harmful bacteria.

This humidifier also features a simple look, a decent price, and shuts off automatically when the tank runs out.

Considerations

This ultrasonic humidifier will function best if you use a mineral-absorbing pad or distilled water in the tank.

The biggest caution for using it in your baby’s nursery is that the LED light is always on, and a number of reviewers note that it’s quite bright. A few people also mentioned a buzzing sound made by the light.

Pros

  • It has a built-in LED light to kill germs in the water.
  • There’s no filter needed.
  • It has a simple design.
  • It’s relatively affordable.

Cons

  • The LED light may be too bright.
  • You have to still prevent mineral buildup and “white dust.”
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Best travel humidifier

Pure Enrichment MistAire Travel Water Bottle Humidifier

  • Price: $
  • Type: ultrasonic
  • Auto shutoff: yes
  • Night-light: yes
  • Tank size: 16.9 ounces
  • Range: 160 square feet
  • Filter required: no

Need humidity while traveling or otherwise on the go? You can use a 16.9-ounce water bottle with this travel humidifier for up to 6 hours of moisture.

This unit runs on either direct current (batteries) or alternating current (plug-in). And it’s small enough to fit easily into carry-ons or diaper bags. This may be useful in airports or hotel rooms (both notorious for dry air), or if your baby gets a cold while traveling.

Considerations

While this portable humidifier can be handy, it may become a pain to refill so frequently. It has a night-light, which may be nice, although some reviewers say it’s very bright and can’t be turned off.

Pros

  • It’s very small and portable.
  • There’s no tank needed — just use a water bottle
  • It’s versatile.
  • It has a low price.

Cons

  • The night-light can’t be turned off.
  • It may need a lot of refills depending on how long you’re using it.
  • It has a small range.
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ModelPriceTypeMax run timeKid features or cautionsAnti-
microbial materials
Honeywell HCM350 UV Germ-Free Humidifier$$$cool mist, evaporative

uses wick filter
24 hoursUV tech and filter keep germs out of your baby’s humidifier.yes
Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier$cool mist, ultrasonic

top fill, 360 rotating nozzle
25 hoursIt’s important to use distilled water with ultrasonic humidifiers.
no
Babymoov Hygro+ Automatic Humidifier$$$cool mist, ultrasonic

auto humidity sensing
22 hoursIt’s programmable — you can set your desired level of humidity. It uses distilled water. no
Safety 1st Connected Smart Humidifier$$$Cool mist, ultrasonic

works with app
24 hoursIt has customizable functions, all controllable from the app, compatible with smart home systems.
no
Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier$$cool mist, ultrasonic

no filter
24 hoursIt has fun animal shapes. yes
Levoit Large Room Humidifier$$$cool mist, evaporative

paper filter
60 hoursIt has an extra large tank capacity. The evaporative cool mist is less likely to spread minerals or bacteria. yes
Vicks Starry Nights Filtered Cool Mist Humidifier$$cool mist, evaporative

Requires filter
24 hoursIt projects starry lights onto the ceiling.yes
Safety 1st Stay Clean Humidifier$$$cool mist, ultrasonic

no filter
24 hoursThe antimicrobial LED light stays on all the time. It uses distilled water.yes
Pure Enrichment MistAire Travel Water Bottle Humidifier$Cool mist, ultrasonic

no filter
6 hoursIt has a night-light feature, and uses a regular 16.9-ounce water bottle as the tank.no

There are many solid choices when it comes to a humidifier for your baby’s nursery. Choosing the right one for your family comes down to the features you need, the extras you want, and — of course — your budget.

Some tips:

  • In general, the price range for bedroom humidifiers falls between $30 and $90, depending on their capacity and features. When choosing based on price, also consider any additional supplies you may need, like filters or wicks, to keep your unit running safely. These can add up over time.
  • Price may be affected by built-in features, like night-lights or sound machines. So, if you’re in need of a few different devices, you may be able to get them in one convenient unit.
  • The size of your baby’s room matters when choosing your humidifier. Some are more appropriate for large spaces and others work best in small rooms.
  • You’ll likely come across a variety of humidifiers that also feature essential oil diffusers. While this may sound like a nice bonus, not all oils are safe for babies and children. Speak with your doctor before diffusing oils or other scents in your little one’s room.
  • If you decide to use a humidifier you already have, check to make sure it hasn’t been recalled. You can look up humidifier recalls on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.

Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for your humidifier before use. There may be specific instructions for how to clean your unit or otherwise keep it running safely.

General tips for operation and maintenance:

  • Check the electric cord before plugging in your humidifier. Any frayed or damaged wires are a fire risk.
  • Replace filters regularly.
  • If possible, empty your humidifier’s tank each day and allow it to air dry.
  • Do a more thorough cleaning at least once a week. You can descale (remove mineral buildup) from the tank by allowing vinegar to soak in the tank and on the base for 20 minutes, then dumping and wiping everything out. To disinfect, you can clean your humidifier with 3% hydrogen peroxide or bleach (just don’t combine the bleach and vinegar if you’re doing your descaling and disinfecting back to back!). Rinse well.
  • Skip tap water if possible. Bottled water with lower mineral content is preferred for use in humidifiers. Look for water labeled “distilled” or “purified” at the store. If that’s not realistic for you, you can buy mineral absorbing pads to put in your humidifier tank instead.
  • Consider using a hygrometer to monitor the level of humidity in your baby’s nursery. According to the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology, your house shouldn’t exceed 40% to 50% humidity.
  • Call your pediatrician if you notice your baby’s respiratory symptoms are getting worse while you’re using a humidifier, even if you’re cleaning it properly.
  • If you notice a dusty smell while your humidifier is running, dampness on the carpet near your humidifier, “white dust” around the humidifier, pink stuff, black stuff, slimy stuff, or anything else gross, it probably means your humidifier isn’t in good shape and may do more harm than good. Thoroughly clean and dry the area, and try giving your humidifier a super scrub using the methods above.

Can I use essential oils in my baby’s humidifier?

While essential oils may have some benefits even for babies, check with your healthcare professional before diffusing them in your baby’s room. Some oils may not be safe for young babies to inhale over a long period of time.

You should avoid putting essential oils directly into a humidifier tank, as most tanks are made of plastic, and clinical grade essential oils can eat away at the plastic. Many humidifiers come equipped with an essential oils tray, compartment, or pads that can be used to diffuse essential oils along with the humidifier mist.

How often should I clean my baby’s humidifier?

Ideally, you should dry out and refill the tank with fresh water every day. A more thorough cleaning should be done every 3 to 7 days to disinfect the tank and remove mineral buildup.

How often do I need to let my humidifier dry out?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends emptying your humidifier daily. Let it air dry for 30 to 60 minutes (or thoroughly hand dry it), and refill the tank. Make sure not to let scale or slime build up. Be sure to thoroughly dry your humidifier when not in use and before storing it for the off-season.

If you regularly clean, dry, and refill your humidifier and replace the filters on time, you should be in good shape.

Whether you’re planning ahead, or already in the midst of colds, flu, teething, or eczema, a humidifier may be on your must-have list for your baby.

The research you’re doing now is sure to come in handy (I could have saved myself some sleepless nights by being a humidifier pro when my first baby was little!), so give yourself a pat on the back for adding this info to your tool kit.

Following AAP recommendations by using a cool mist humidifier as well as keeping up with humidifier cleaning and maintenance are your best bets for a happy, healthy baby (no matter what respiratory season throws at you).