Keeping your baby healthy and happy is priority number one. And there are a lot of things you can do to ensure that. One of which is to create an optimal environment for him or her to grow. Having a humidifier for your baby helps do that. Not only will help prevent the air from having too much moisture and promote mold and bacteria growth, it can keep your baby’s skin from drying out. However, the world of humidifiers is a big one. And choosing which model would suit your baby best isn’t going to be easy. To make things easier for you, we researched and tested lots of humidifiers for baby. Below are the best ones we’ve come across.

#1: Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

The MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier from Pure Enrichment is a tabletop humidifier that features a 1.5 liter tank with a moisture output of 150ml per hour. It has a 360-degree nozzle allowing you to direct moisture towards or away from certain areas. At the lowest setting, this humidifier can operate continuously for up to 16 hours. It also features a night light and an automatic shut-off feature, turning off the humidifier once the water is low or the tank is removed. The humidifier can cover a maximum room size of 250 square feet. What we love about this unit is that it is completely silent, perfect for a baby’s room. The only problem is that it beeps when you change settings to high or low. Also, we don’t like that the tank needs to be filled upside down. Having to reinstall the tank on the base when it’s full isn’t easy. And it doesn’t have a handle.

#2: Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

The Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Humidifier is another favorite of ours because of its very large capacity. It is specifically designed for rooms up to 400 square feet with its 6L water tank which can last up to 6 days (at the lowest setting) before refilling. The max mist output of the humidifier is 270ml/hr. The Everlasting Comfort also has an auto shut-off feature which shuts down the humidifier if it runs out of water. Other features include an essential oil tray, 360-degree rotating nozzles, and an adjustable mist output knob. The humidifier is quiet and pretty efficient. However, you do need to turn the water tank upside down to refill and there’s no handle to help you transport it from faucet to table. Plus, the tank doesn’t sit flat in the sink while you’re refilling it which is inconvenient.

#3: Essick Air Aircare MA1201

This evaporative humidifier is a console type which can cover as much as 3600 square feet. With its 3.6 gallon tank, this unit has a 36-hour runtime. The humidifier features a digital display, 4 fan speeds with an auto mode and quiet night time mode, customizable humidity settings, and an auto shut-off feature. It has a refill and check filter indicator so you’re always aware of its maintenance needs. It comes with casters so you can move it around your home as needed. And have we mentioned that this comes with a digital humidistat that monitors the home’s humidity level and shuts down the machine once it reaches the desired level? It’s the only one on our list that has this feature. However, the filter is not washable/reusable. You’ll need to purchase one every month or so, depending on how hard your water is. The filters aren’t cheap either. It can be quite loud when the fan speed is high. There’s no indicator to let you know how much water is left inside the tank; there’s just an indicator when it needs a refill.

#4: Crane USA Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifiers

The Crane Adorable Cool Mist Humidifiers features a removable 1 gallon tank that can run quietly for up to 24 hours in a 500 square-foot room. One of the best features of this humidifier is the use of antimicrobial material to make the unit which reduces mold and bacteria growth by 99.96% – something that makes parents rest easier. The unit also includes an automatic shut-off feature that shuts down the machine when the water level is low. There’s also no filter required though you can buy a demineralization filter if you have hard water. Another thing we love about this humidifier is that the water tank has an actual handle so you can carry it from the sink very easily. The lid rotates 360 degrees so you can direct the mist where you wish it. However, it isn’t so easy to clean because the corners are quite hard to reach. You still have to fill the tank upside down. And some parents have reported leaking.

#5: Optimus U-31002

The Optimus U-31002 is another ultrasonic humidifier on our list. This model features a 1.11 gallon tank with an output of 1.5 gallons in 18 hours. It also has an automatic shut-off feature, a refill light, an adjustable mist volume control, and a “permanent” filter. The latter just requires cleaning and you’re good to go – the perfect solution for reduced mineral buildup without the additional expense of spare filters. It’s very quiet and very easy to use. However, refilling isn’t very convenient. The tank needs to be upside down like much of our other choices and this one cannot stand flat on its own in the sink. Taking out the tank isn’t that easy either and it’s pretty easy to spill some water on the floor or table. Cleaning this unit is also not easy with some hard-to-reach corners.

#6: VicTsing Cool Mist Humidifier

The VicTsing Cool Mist Humidifier is another contender for best baby humidifier. It’s much quieter than a running computer and that’s saying something. It features a dial knob mist control and a 45-degree tilted nozzle for wider coverage. Its tubular-flow air duct boosts the models humidifying performance by 20%, giving it a max output of 180ml per hour. The tank can hold up to 0.53 gallons of water and can run for up to 10 hours on the lowest setting. When it runs out of water, the auto shut-off feature will turn off the unit. The tank is made with Anti-Bac material to prevent bacterial growth. And there’s even an automatic detection circuit board that will sense if the unit is toppling. If this happens, the unit will automatically shut down. Another thing that this model features is the arc shaped handle with anti-slip grooves. However, it isn’t easy to clean. The opening in the water tank is quite small. And the tank doesn’t “latch on” to the rest of the unit so it can easily get detached and cause you to spill water everywhere. Also, a lot of reviewers have reported that their unit didn’t last long.

#7: Anypro Cool Mist Humidifier

The Anypro Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier has a lot of features in common with several of the models on our list. It has a 0.9 gallon capacity and can run for 20 to 36 hours continuously. It features an antibacterial material that prevents mold growth. It has a 360-degree nozzle, an adjustable mist control setting, and a night light. There are differences though. The night light in this model has 6 different colors for you to choose from. The max output of this unit is 250ml/h. But what we really like with this model is the deep groove design. The base of the humidifier has a deeper groove to help decrease the likelihood of leakage and to enable the base to carry the weight of a full tank of water without the plastic breaking. And, compared to others, this is fairly easy to clean. However, the essential oil diffuser doesn’t really diffuse that much oil, at least not any that we can smell. While the unit is very quiet as it runs, the “gurgling” noise is quite loud when at the highest setting which might bother light sleepers. And this one also requires you to flip the water tank over to refill it.

#8: MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

The MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is the perfect choice if you have a small room (175 square feet). It’s quite compact with a pretty small tank – only 0.7 liters. It comes with only two settings – low and high – with a mist output ranging from 60ml/hr to 80ml/hr. Its longest runtime is 10 hours (low setting) so you don’t have to worry about running out of water while sleeping. Plus, it shuts down automatically if the water level gets too low. And, unlike most other models, this one comes with a 5-year warranty. Best of all, this is super quiet. You won’t even notice it’s on. However, the hole for refilling the tank is very small. And you will need to refill daily. And it can be difficult to clean.

#9: URPOWER 2nd Version Essential Oil Diffuser and Cool Mist Humidifier

This unit from URPOWER isn’t your typical humidifier. It’s actually an ultrasonic oil diffuser that can serve as a humidifier as well. While it can cover a 150 to 350 square foot room in terms of fragrance, it’s not going to increase the humidity level of a room. What it can do is increase the moisture in the air near your baby’s bed but you’re going to have to set it up pretty near him like a bedside table. That being said, this one features several modes including an intermittent mode that allows you to have it running for a full 6 hours. It’s very easy to clean. And it comes with a measuring cup for easy refilling. If you want an essential oil diffuser for your baby’s room as well as a humidifier, this one is a good compromise.

How to Buy the Best Humidifier for Baby

When buying baby stuff, a humidifier for the baby probably isn’t one of the must-haves on your shopping list. We get it. A lot of the other stuff like a crib, bottles, clothes, stroller, changing table, car seat, diapers, and wipes are more immediate. But, if you’re a first-time parent, you’re bound to come across articles and other parents who swear by these devices. Obviously, you’re already thinking about buying one if you’re reading this article. So, let’s get one thing out of the way before we start talking about must-have features and what not to consider.

Does my baby really need a humidifier?

Good question. And the answer is yes. You may not need it at all times but you will eventually. But don’t take our word for it. Let the experts tell you where it’s at. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, humidifiers are essential for nurseries that have extremely dry air. This device is also a safer alternative for treating stuffy noses compared to over-the-counter decongestants according to the FDA. Other benefits of using a humidifier include preventing respiratory problems, dry skin, chapped lips, and dry eyes.

However, there are precautions to be made if you’re going to use one. You need to make sure that you frequently clean it. The humidifier must also remain empty of water if not in use. Doing these ensures that mold and bacteria won’t grow inside the humidifier. Equally as important, you will need to make sure that you maintain optimal humidity levels to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria inside the room. Take note that most experts recommend only using cool mist humidifiers for babies. This is because steam vaporizers can scald if the hot water spills.

Types of Humidifiers

There are two general types of humidifiers warm mist (also called steam vaporizers) and cool mist humidifiers. Both types of humidifiers add moisture to the air.

Warm Mist Humidifiers

Warm mist humidifiers produce moisture in the form of steam by boiling water with a heating element. Because the technology used is pretty simple, this type of humidifier is typically less expensive, quieter, and fairly easy to maintain. As an added bonus, the heat from the steam can warm up a room which enables you to turn down the thermostat. Take note that some warm mist humidifiers feature mineral filters to trap mineral deposits. These filters will require changing frequently which means added cost.

As we’ve mentioned before, some pediatrecians and the FDA don’t recommend using a steam vaporizer for nurseries because it has the potential to scald or burn if the unit falls or the water spills out. If you still prefer using one, you will need to make sure to place it far out of your little one’s reach. You will also need to ensure that the cord is not something that your child can pull, causing the unit to fall down on him or her.

Cool Mist Humidifiers

There are three different kinds of cool mist humidifiers according to the technology used to produce moisture. Evaporative models utilize a fan to evaporate water from a wick which can be made of paper, cloth, or foam. The wicks will also serve as a filter like the one used in the Essick Air Aircare MA1201. Because the filter traps mineral deposits, there aren’t any fine white or grayscale dust to worry about. You will need to replace the wick filter which means an added cost to consider.

Ultrasonic humidifiers use ultrasonic vibration produced by a metal diaphragm to break water particles into a fine mist. These tend to take up less space and use up less electricity. However, this type of humidifier is more expensive and prone to break more often than an evaporative unit. Also, an ultrasonic humidifier doesn’t have a filter. Because of this, there’s a chance that the unit will produce a fine white dust which comes from the minerals in the water. The Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is an ultrasonic humidifier.

An impeller humidifier utilizes a rotating disk to fling water to a diffuser which breaks the water into fine droplets. The humidifier sends out the droplets as a fog-like mist.

While cool mist humidifiers use less electricity and does not have the risk of burns, they do require more maintenance and frequent cleaning because they can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. As we’ve mentioned, you need to factor in additional costs such as extra wicks or using distilled water to prevent the mineral buildup. Some of these units feature demineralization cartridges to prevent the mineral buildup. Replacing filters and cartridges can be costly.

What do I need to consider when choosing a humidifier?

Room Size

The humidifier you choose should be able to handle the size of your baby’s room. Small units can humidify a room that’s up to 300 square feet in size while medium-sized models like the Crane USA Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifiers are ideal for rooms that are 300 to 499 square feet. Keep in mind that small water tanks require frequent refilling. Large humidifiers can handle rooms from 500 to 999 square feet. However, these are often larger than tabletop models. The good news is that you can easily move the unit from one room to another, in case your baby is sleeping in your room instead of his.

Noise Level

To ensure your baby’s good health, he’s going to need to get an optimal amount of sleep. And to do that, you need to provide a quiet environment which means a humidifier that isn’t noisy. Generally, ultrasonic models are the quietest like the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. In addition, they’re also quite safe to place in your baby’s room. Evaporative models, on the other hand, tend to be noisy. Because steam vaporizers are potentially dangerous, we do not recommend buying one for your baby.

Ease of Use

You’ve already got your hands full with the baby so you definitely want something that’s not going to be too much hassle. Look for one that has a tank that would easily fit under your faucet. The controls should be intuitive and allow you to control the moisture output and amount of humidity in the air. It should also allow you to monitor the indoor humidity level and clearly see the display such as the Essick Air Aircare MA1201. Moreover, the humidifier should be designed well that it doesn’t present you with any problems when attempting to do basic functions. For example, transporting the unit from one point to another would be easier if it features a carrying handle. Filling the tank with water is easier if it had a wider mouth.

Easy to Clean

You’re already going to be knee deep in baby stuff that you need to constantly clean. So, you need to make sure that your humidifier is easy to maintain. Remember, cool mist humidifiers require frequent cleaning. You may need to empty out the water and rinse the tank daily. Weekly cleaning requires you to thoroughly wipe down the unit and clean parts with a brush. Being able to reach all corners of the water tank ensures you never have to worry about mold growth. The Anypro Cool Mist Humidifier is one of the humidifiers that we’ve found easiest to clean.

Nice-to-have features:

While these features are not necessary, you may want your humidifier to have them. These include auto shut-off timer, warm mist option, and a night light. Some humidifiers may also be able to diffuse essential oils such as the URPOWER 2nd Version Essential Oil Diffuser and Cool Mist Humidifier.