Finding the best humidifiers may help with some health issues you've been noticing recently. After all, humidifiers are the easiest way to bring back the moisture your home is lacking. Just like how high humidity can be bad news, low humidity can lead to dry skin and allergy irritations. From compact units perfect for smaller flats to larger models designed for basements and entire homes, there is a model for every need.
They also can come with features like auto shut-off, essential oil modes or air purifier functions, making these devices both efficient and user-friendly. Nobody wants dry air to the point that your airways feel irritated and your skin noticeably lacks moisture. Very dry air can affect your health in many ways, especially if you suffer from asthma or any other respiratory illness. It can make these issues worse and a lot harder to manage. Appliances such as dehumidifiers and humidifiers can be an excellent way to restore a healthy environment in the home.
Best humidifier at a glance:
• Best overall humidifier: Dyson PH3A Pure Humidify - view on Amazon UK
• Best humidifier on a budget: Vintoney 500ml Cool Mist Humidifier - view on Amazon UK
• Best humidifier for design: Stadler Form Humidifier Oskar - view on Amazon UK
Controlling indoor humidity generally makes your living conditions more comfortable. Some humidifiers offer both warm and cold mist to target temperature and humidity at the same time.
On top of being a great way to bring back moisture, humidifiers are amazing for keeping track of your home humidity levels. Oxford City Council states that the ideal range of indoor humidity is between 30 to 60 per cent. Any humidity levels below 30 per cent are too dry. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the best humidifiers.
The best humidifiers for allergy season
Best overall humidifier
Currys PC Worldwww.dyson.co.uk
Description
Dyson leads the home appliances market with the latest technologies and innovative designs, built to make life just that little bit easier, and this smart humidifier is no different. Featuring multi-stage air purification and real-time air quality monitoring, this is as smart as a humidifier could get.
Customer review: "This machine was easy to set up and is amazing at removing allergens and pollutants from the air! It is a must-have for those who suffer from asthma and hay fever, to name a few. The coloured display lets you know the air quality and if a new pollutant has been detected. You can really feel the difference in the air quality! I love it, and it looks great too!!"
Pros
- Purifies, chills and humidifies your environment
- App and voice control
- Excellent performance
Cons
- Few onboard controls
Best humidifier for on a budget
Description
Ideal for small to medium rooms, this affordable ultrasonic quiet humidifier was designed to help you sleep like a baby. The night light function makes this a great addition to your bedroom, and the waterless auto-off function means you don't have to worry about damage to the device once the water runs out. With a 500ml capacity, this humidifier allows for hours of uninterrupted running. For the price, this option is hard to beat.
Customer Review: "Good price and nice appearance. The only problem is the intermittent mode makes it feel like there's an 80-ish-old boy breathing in my room."
Pros
- Two misting modes and waterless auto off
- Quiet and night function
Cons
- The cable is very short
Best humidifier for design
AmazonDescription
Energy-saving and efficient, this humidifier provides precise humidification and reduces power consumption, with an automatic switch-off when empty. Practically silent and invisible, the Oskar humidifier provides optimal hygiene and freshness with ease. Its innovative design also allows for use with essential oils, so you have a humidifier and aromatherapy diffuser all in one.
**Customer review: "**Having reviewed all the alternatives, I opted for this because it seemed highly functional and at a good price. I was not disappointed. It does the job, is well-designed, and is minimal in design so that it sits unobtrusively. Good Swiss engineering!"
Pros
- Contemporary design
- It can be operated with essential oils
- The humidifier reminds you of the filter change
Cons
- The button to set the fan, turn off the LED, and the humidity isn't obvious
Best humidifier for babies
AmazonDescription
Designed to promote easier airflow and breathing for babies, this cool mist humidifier regulates the safest humidity levels, recommended for little ones. Using silent and ultrasonic technology, it continuously humidifies and refreshes the air to help babies breathe better whilst ensuring the air is healthy while they sleep. With seven built-in coloured night lights, creating the ultimate soothing atmosphere in the nursery has never been easier.
Customer review: "This has really helped our little one when he has had a cold or cough. Keeping the air a little moist seems to help him breathe better and stops the tickly cough from waking him up. It's easy to use, although I recommend regular cleaning on the outside parts, and every few months to use a sterilising fluid in the main water chamber to guard against mould etc. starting to grow."
Pros
- You can turn the direction of the air easily without moving the whole appliance
- A good amount of vapour
- Night light
Cons
- On the noisier side
Best humidifier for essential oils
Description
This aesthetic humidifier is ideal for living rooms or bedrooms; it works for up to 16 hours to convert your favourite essential oils into a cool mist, to help relaxation, relieve stress, ease allergies and more. It can be controlled using the smart app to easily turn it on and off and change the settings and mood lights. Alternatively, you can set a timer to suit you.
Customer review: "Packaged well and arrived sooner than expected, so very pleased. So easy to use! Take off lid, add some water and few drops of essential oil, put on lid, plug in and turn it on! Smells lovely with my favourite lavender essential oil around my bedroom, it makes me feel calm and relaxed. Very pleased with this diffuser, definitely would recommend to friends."
Pros
- Good for aromatherapy
- 16 hour streams
- Smart functions
Cons
- Best used for aromatherapy
Best quiet humidifier
Description
Elevate your home's ambience with our multi-functional humidifier. Designed to enhance air quality by reducing allergens, it offers a quiet operation, ensuring a peaceful environment. It lets you scroll through various colours until and add oils for a lovely aroma. Whether it's for a nursery, plants, or simply as a stylish bedroom accessory, this humidifier promises both health and comfort.
Customer review: "I have now used this humidifier for over a month. I must say it is an excellent humidifier + essential oil diffuser + night light. Each of these functions have helped me and my family. I hope someone else who reads this will find this information helpful and will invest in a humidifier."
Pros
- Quiet
- Easy to clean
- Creates a soothing ambience
Cons
- Customer reviewers are mixed on the value of the humidifier
Best humidifier FAQs
Signs that you need a humidifier at home
Prone to colds and flu
If you find that you are particularly prone to colds and flu, this could be a sign your home is lacking humidity. Higher humidity decreases the infectivity levels of common colds and flu. It helps you sleep when you have a cough. Bacteria particles cling to moisture, and if it hits the water vapour before you, the chances of it infecting you decrease.
Dry skin and lips
Dry skin is the easiest way to spot your home that needs moisture. Whether it's suddenly turned irritable or has been an ongoing issue, dry skin is incredibly uncomfortable. Using eco-friendly moisturisers, lotion and Vaseline may not be enough to rehydrate your skin. A humidifier can help you to retain more moisture and reduce skin cracking and wrinkling when it's too dry.
Snoring
Dry air can contribute to the intensity of your snoring. With low levels of humidity, your nose can become increasingly congested. This can restrict the air able to pass through, causing you to breathe out of your mouth. Low humidity can ultimately be the reason you’re keeping your partner up at night or vice versa.
Plant health
Most indoor plants thrive in humid environments. If you’ve found your indoor plants struggle to live for a long time, the low humidity in your home could be the issue. This also depends on the plants you have, but if your plants don’t retain moisture, a humidifier could help.
Do these signs feel all too familiar? Check out our selection of the best humidifiers available right now in the UK to get your home humidity levels as comfortable as possible for you.
How does a humidifier work?
Humidifiers work by emitting water vapour into the air. This process adds moisture to your environment, which will work to relieve any dryness and irritations commonly associated with low humidity.
Are humidifiers and diffusers the same?
Humidifiers and diffusers share a few of the same processes but are by no means the same. A diffuser is typically smaller and designed to be used with aromatherapy or essential oils. Why not try an aromatherapy diffuser? Whereas, a humidifier is generally a larger device that increases moisture levels in the air and maintains a well-balanced humidity level.
Will a humidifier help with allergies?
Humidifiers can help to ease allergy symptoms and allergy-induced asthma. Keeping humidity levels well-balanced can keep nasal passages clear, giving your body a much easier time purging allergens. 2-in-1 humidifiers with air purifiers are great for killing bacteria in the air, ensuring the air we breathe is as clean as possible and free of any allergens like dust.
Ellen Kinsey was a Senior Health and Wellness Product Writer and has been a part of Bauer Media since 2020. She has left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.