The Best Humidifiers to Combat Dry Air

If you suffer from sinus or allergy issues that are exacerbated by dry air, a humidifier can be a valuable investment. These handy little machines add moisture to the air, raising the humidity, and generally make it easier for your respiratory system to do its job. This humid air can also help combat the frustrating and painful cracked skin on your hands and face.

Even if you don’t suffer from any serious ailments, a humidifier can have another positive benefit: better sleep. By reducing the chances of a dry nose or throat, you’re more likely to sleep soundly and wake up less frequently during the night.

The 7 Best Humidifiers of 2022

What to Consider

The first thing to consider when choosing a humidifier is the size of the space you’ll be using it in. By doing some quick math and multiplying the length and width of your room, you can figure out its square footage. Then, use this number to compare with the maximum square footage specs of your potential humidifier. This can keep you from purchasing a unit that is too weak to be effective, or wasting your money on one that’s too powerful for what you need.

You should also think about the running time of your potential humidifier. If you’d prefer to not worry about frequent refills, and want more of the set-it-and-forget-it type of unit, make sure to choose one with a long enough runtime. At minimum, you should make sure your unit can run for at least 8 or 10 hours, so it can function all night without running out of water.

If you’re interested in using essential oils or other aromatics with your humidifier, make sure to choose one with a specific reservoir for these products. Don’t just assume that you’ll be able to just add them to the main water tank, since this may reduce its effectiveness.

How We Selected

While researching options for this guide, we consulted several reputable review websites and online forums to find the most popular and reliable humidifier models on the market today. After compiling a list of the top picks, we narrowed down our choices to make sure we were offering a good variety of types, sizes, and styles. We also kept pricing in mind, so regardless of the unit you’re looking for, you should find one that fits in your budget range. We then finalized our list by eliminating any products that had frequent customer issues or had been discontinued.

For more simple tools that can help make your skin healthier in a hurry, check out our picks for the best hand creams, sunscreens for sensitive skin, and detergents for sensitive skin.