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Compare our picks
Recommended with reservations
Photo: Lisa Wood Shapiro
Carepod Mini for $150: When turned on, the Carepod Mini looks like a Brita Filter it’s also an electric tea kettle. And you’d think so too because of the Carepod’s unique oscillator that moves the water around in the clear plastic tank. And unlike the larger stainless steel parts of the larger Carepod models, the Carepod Mini is not dishwasher safe. However, like all Carepod models, the Mini does not have a filter, as Carepod recommends using filtered water, putting the water purification duties on the user. I would prefer a model with a filter option. Still, the Mini is easy to clean with mild soap and water, unlike some humidifiers that require special descaling solutions. I like what Carepod is trying to do in the humidifier market space, but I almost knocked the whole thing over when I instinctively picked it up by the handle that only lifts the top part. Still, I found the percolating water effect to be soothing and it does a good job of providing a steady flow of mist. I raised my Carepod Mini because of its slightly sideways fog flow. I put it on a ceramic plant stand because Carepod warns against placing the Mini directly on wood or furniture because of possible water damage. And while I still don’t understand the benefits of Carepod’s oscillator, it looks cool.
Photo: Lisa Wood Shapiro
Dreamwell Humidifier from Blueair for $190: Blueair’s DreamWell Humidifier has several features to make this one of the humidifiers easier to use and maintain. Blueair makes the DreamWell in both 1- and 2-gallon tank sizes. WIRED tested the 1-liter model. The DreamWell has mood lighting (warm, normal and bright), along with a scent pod that can be filled with a few drops of essential oil, turning this humidifier into a sleep aid. Its understated design fits into most interiors. Similar to Blueair’s Signature air purifier, reviewer Lisa Wood Shapiro found the DreamWell’s control panel difficult to see in bright light. What the control panel lacks, Blueair’s advanced app makes up for. Blueair has a “welcome home” feature that uses geolocation to turn on the humidifier 15 minutes before the user walks in the front door. Using the function, the user must plug in their means of transport: walking, cycling, public transport or car. There’s also an option to dry the wick, the humidifier’s machine-washable filter, which starts automatically when the tank is empty. The DreamWell comes in Coastal Beige or Stone Gray and is the ideal size for a small bedroom. For larger rooms, go for the 2-liter DreamWell. And while the tank is only 1 liter, the fill-top option makes refilling easy.
Photo: Matthew Korfhage
Molekule Glow Smart Ultasonic Humidifier for $130: The Molekule Glow is small and quiet, with a soft, sub-40-decibel sound like a babbling brook, and a dim green glow – suitable for a mid-sized room. Its tank is removable for easy filling. It’s good for a day’s gentle running, can be set to turn on and off, and is easily controlled from your bed with an intuitive phone app. It’s, in short, perfect for bedroom humidification, and it blends easily into a cool minimalist aesthetic. Indeed, his humidifier flask looks a bit like a blank cartoon smile. It’s friendly. Compared to our previous top bedroom pick, the Blueair Dreamwell, the price is also friendly. But the smart app is needed for any features beyond setting the humidity level, and filters aren’t part of the bargain. By the end of March 2026, the device is already out of stock after a January release.
Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist for $44: Priced at the most affordable end of the spectrum, this Levoit model advertises itself as suitable for aromatherapy as a essential oil diffuser. But unlike other aromatherapy-ready humidifiers, the Dual 150 doesn’t offer pads to apply the oil to – meaning any aromatherapy is applied directly to the sink and a bit permanently. Geraniums forever! Lavender to the end! The filters also seem to wear out quickly. But at a mere $44, it can still fit the bill for a dorm or nursery, and provides a nice mist for a medium-sized room. A 10-pack of Levoit filters It also costs less than $15, so replacement is easy. A two-year warranty is much better than expected for a device at this price.
Not recommended
Photo: Lisa Wood Shapiro
Pure Enrichment Hume XL Humidifier for $80: There are certain design issues that can make a humidifier less user-friendly, and Pure Enrichment’s Hume XL has them all. For starters, the Hume XL has the old-style tank that needs to be removed and turned over to fill from below, with a cap that needs to be unscrewed. And while The Hume has a surprisingly large capacity 5 liter tank, the filling process is cumbersome, and I always spilled water while doing it. And while the Hume XL has an automatic shut-off when the tank is empty, the opaque black plastic tank is nearly impossible to see through, making it difficult to tell if I need to fill the tank. There is also no indicator light to let me know the tank is getting low. And while the Hume XL has a solid five-year warranty, night light, and two settings for low or high mist, it’s not app-compatible, nor does it have a built-in humidistat. Other lower cost models have these features. Finally, the descaling cartridge filter is sold separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lisa Wood Shapiro has been writing about air quality for WIRED since 2019. Matthew Korfhage has been a staff reviewer on home appliances, including air quality, since 2024. Both judges live in century-old homes in Brooklyn and Portland, Oregon, respectively. Both reviewers test humidifiers with the heat on in cool weather, which tends to dry out the air. Beehives also test during Portland’s dry summers.
We test for user-friendliness and efficiency to fill a medium-sized room with ideal humidity Nobody wants jugs of distilled water up the stairs, or around the house. Low maintenance is also important: Dishwasher-safe water reservoirs are sacred, and beloved. If there is an app, it should work. And the device should ideally work without the need for an app. Moisturizers that are difficult to use and clean often end up on the side of the road, labeled “Free.” We want you to avoid this fate.
At what percentage of humidity should I use a humidifier?
According to the EPAideal humidity in a home should be between 30 and 50 percent. Having an indoor humidity of more than 60 percent creates a risk of mold growth. A recent one study noted that relative humidity serves as a viable predictor of mold growth, and while temperature plays a significant role, keeping humidity levels in the safe range provides benefits without contributing to the unwanted issue of mold. One more study noted that decreased humidity contributed to increased static electricity, dry skin and eye irritations along with increased influenza virus survival. For all these reasons, a humidifier may be what your warming/winter season requires.
How often should I clean my humidifier?
WIRED has seen instructions ranging from “after every use” for dishwasher-safe tanks to “once a week,” to “once a month” in various user manuals. A recent one study found that while study participants often did not know how to clean their humidifiers, many used a solution of vinegar and water. If you save anything from the box your humidifier came in, save the manual. I used a solution of water and citric acid to clean my Dyson humidifier. It is worth noting that a South Korean study found that certain chemical disinfectants for household humidifiers caused lung injury. Follow your owner’s manual and don’t add chemical disinfectants—that’s one reason dishwasher-safe water tanks are an attractive option. study after study points to the benefits of humidifiers with a caveat—if they are not properly maintained, or if biocide is used as a disinfectant, it can have negative respiratory health effects.
Is it healthy to sleep with a humidifier every night?
Yes, there are many health benefits to sleeping with a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, and if a humidifier is properly maintained and without the use of biocide, humidifier can reduce dry eyesclosed noses, and reduces allergens. There is a real commitment when you own a humidifier, especially one for your bedroom, and that is a commitment to proper maintenance. Without proper maintenance, a bedroom humidifier can cause illness.
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