Last Updated: February 26, 2024
Dry winter air causes several health complications such as dry skin, chapped lips, and sinus problems, while it can also aggravate existing allergies. A warm mist humidifier can help in curing cold and flu symptoms by releasing moisture into the air in the form of warm mist by heating water too, and also reducing allergies, asthma attacks, and the irritation caused by dry skin, rough lips, and itchy skin.
Warm mist humidifiers produce minimal noise since the steam comes out of the unit without the aid of a fan. One of the primary drawbacks of the warm mist humidifier is that it consumes more energy as compared to other types of humidifiers since it uses electricity to boil water draws power. Moreover, warm mist humidifiers are not recommended for use around children since the boiling water, along with the steam the unit emits, may be hazardous if a child gets too close or knocks it over.
Choosing the Right Warm-Mist Humidifier?
Before investing in a warm mist humidifier, please consider the following factors when it comes to using this appliance.
Automation
Some warm mist humidifiers come equipped with a built-in humidistat that monitors the humidity in the room and shuts off the appliance when the air’s moisture level reaches a pre-set target. Some machines also have an auto-shutoff feature, where the unit will shut down if it runs out of water.
Size
It is essential to consider the size of the room before purchasing the humidifier. A compact humidifier would be suitable for rooms up to 300 sq. ft. or smaller, while for a room size between 300 to 600 sq. ft medium-sized humidifiers should be sufficient. For room areas up to 1000 sq. ft., whole-house humidifiers should be considered.
Water Tank Capacity
Humidifiers are available in varying tank capacities and should be considered based on the frequency of use and size of the area. If a humidifier is required to run all night long, then it is advisable to invest in a humidifier with a large tank capacity, which will necessitate fewer refills. However, the bigger size will entail the use of more space and also impact the budget.
Demineralization Cartridge
If the house gets hard water, we recommend a humidifier with a demineralization cartridge, which collects the minerals rally present in hard water and prevents them from being released into the air as fine white dust that can become a nuisance and a respiratory irritant.
Noise
Warm mist humidifiers make varying amounts of noise, especially as they need to heat/boil the water. Getting a relatively noiseless humidifier can lead to a peaceful home environment and a good night’s sleep. It is ideal to consider units that are equipped with ultrasonic technology, given that they operate quietly for better night’s sleep.
Warranty
Before you invest in a humidifier, consider the type and duration of warranty offered with the unit. Different kinds of warranties include parts replacement, unit repair, unit replacement, etc.
We have selected a few humidifiers based on the criteria mentioned above.
Here are the 7 Best Warm Mist Humidifiers
1. Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier:
Levoit is a California based wellness brand specializing in building humidifiers, air purifiers, and water filters with minimalist designs.
The LV600HH comes with a six-liter capacity tank and provides a runtime of 36 hours without requiring a refill, and claims to humidify the room 25% quicker in winter. The transparent container is made of ABS, making it durable while also eliminating guesswork about checking water levels in the tank. Capable of delivering mist output of up to 500 mL/hr, the humidifier can easily handle spaces as large as 753 sq. ft. Thanks to the two 360-degree nozzles, the unit can cover a broader area in a short period.
The Levoit LV600HH is equipped with five mist levels, with each mist level having three diffusion levels. The unit comes with a default “Auto” mode,” where a built-in humidity sensor gauges the humidity levels in the area and adjust the amount of mist accordingly to achieve optimum levels.
Levoit Ultrasonic humidifier’s digital display is easy to read, and the control icons are intuitively designed and consistent between remote and on-unit touch panel. The model is equipped with an essential oil tray, that provides the aromatherapy benefits of a diffuser along with the regular humidifying functions. The unit’s wide opening allows a hassle-free cleaning process, consisting mostly of rinsing parts.
What We Like
- Warm and Cool Mist options
- Remote-controlled digital interface
- Near-silent noise levels and a display-off feature
Reasons to buy this: Cold and warm mist options, the ability to diffuse essential oils or medicated liquid vaporizers, and a night light function, this LEVOIT humidifier packs a punch.
2. Honeywell HWM705B Filter-Free Warm Moisture Humidifier:
The Honeywell HWM705B is a steam-based humidifier that produces visible warm mist to make the air comfortable. The unit comes with a 1-gallon water tank, which can operate for up to 24 hours and is capable of humidifying area up to 250 square feet.
The Honeywell HWM705B comes with two power settings that allows you to control the moisture output as per your convenience. The unit is equipped with a reset light indicator to signal that it needs a refill and is also equipped with an auto shut-down feature that activates once the water tank is empty. Furthermore, this warm mist humidifier comes with an inbuilt medicine cup, which allows you to add essential oils for your aromatherapy needs.
Honeywell HWM705B has a removable transparent water tank and comes with an easy top-fill design. The humidifier is easy to clean and makes minimal noise. The only drawback Honeywell HWM705B is that you must tip the water container upside down to put it on the base, which can be a small irritant to fill and then flip over from the sink to carry it.
What we like
- Easy to refill
- Automatic shut-down
- Low noise making it ideal for babies
- In-built medicine cup to hold essential oils
- Best filter-free option
- Easy to clean
Things to consider
- Bubbling sound
- Needs to cool down before refilling
- Some users have experienced leaking
Reasons to buy this: Easy to operate and maintain and excellent functionality, combined with a trusted brand name makes the Honeywell HWM705B an appealing alternative.
3. Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier (V745)
The Vicks V745 is a small, budget-friendly warm mist humidifier with 1-gallon tank capacity, capable of emitting warm mist for up to 12 hours and a daily humidity output of 1.9 gallons.
The Vicks V745 comes adjustable knob with dual output settings (high and low), allowing you to set the ideal mist level based on the size of the room. The unit uses a boiling chamber to emit a steam vapor and produce a 95% bacteria-free mist and is capable of covering an area around 500 square feet. The device comes with soft handles, making it convenient to shift it from one room to another. The Vicks V745 comes with an automatic shut-off feature and an optional night light.
The Vicks V745 does an excellent job of humidifying the room by quickly increasing the humidity levels without getting too hot. The device is comfortable to fill, moreover it is filter-free, and this makes maintenance a breeze clean, and maintain. The humidifier comes with a medicinal cup for medicinal inhalants, adding extra support to your steam to help with minor cold and flu symptoms.
One drawback of the machine that it works very loudly, making noticeable bubbling noise even in the low setting.
What we like
- Affordable
- Large room coverage
- Humidifies quickly
- Easy to clean/maintain
Things to consider
- No humidistat
- No low water indicator
- Loud
Reasons to buy this: A large number of satisfied customers backed by a lengthy warranty makes the V745 an excellent, budget-friendly option to keep your home warm and cozy.
4. Boneco Ultrasonic Humidifier 7147
The BONECO 7147 is one of the best ultrasonic humidifiers, which employs high-frequency vibrations to convert water into micro-fine mist, capable of emitting both warm and cool mist. The humidifier has a tankless design with a top fill feature, allowing you to fill the tank with a jug or watering can instead of lugging a large water tank around the house.
The BONECO is a powerful machine capable of producing up to 3.17 gallons of mist per day with a coverage area of 600 sq. ft. The large tank allows the device to run for a full day before requiring a refill, while the spout rotates 360 degrees to allow the mist to spread evenly. The humidifier emanates warm mist at a pleasant 104 degrees, which is not as hot as the mist produced by competitive machines.
The Boneco 7147 boasts excellent features, including an “Intelligent Temperature Compensation” which regulates humidity automatically depending on existing conditions, an ultra-quiet motor, and a timer which allows you to give a pre-set time for it to shut down automatically, and a “clean me” light.
The Boneco 7147 features a demineralization cartridge, designed to deliver mineral residue or limescale free mist. The Swiss-designed humidifier also has a dedicated essential oil tray to diffuse your favorite scents.
The Boneco 7135 humidifier comes with a drawback, most notably with the demineralization cartridge. If the cartridge is not replaced regularly, it will turn hard water into which fine dust, which settles on furniture and other items around the house.
What we like
- Germ protection
- Energy efficiency with the AUTO feature
- Large area coverage
- Easy fill tankless design
- Produces a lot of mist
- Whisper-quiet
Things to consider
- A bit hard to clean
- Bright lights may keep you awake
- Noisy when it shuts off and on
Reasons to buy this: The Boneco boasts an array of impressive features and delivers an exceptional amount of humidity, making it good enough for large rooms as well.
5. PureGuardian H4810AR Ultrasonic Humidifier
The PureGuardian ultrasonic mist machine is capable of converting 2 gallons of water with a run time of up to 120 hours making it ideal for medium to large rooms of up to 600 square feet.
The PureGuardian H4810AR features three speed settings for controlling humidity with a push-button control panel. The machine generates very low noise and allows you to turn off the indicator lights while you sleep, and is equipped with a 12-hour timer. Other features include auto-shutdown whenever the water levels are low.
The humidifier is embedded with a “Silver Clean” protection system to prevent mold and mildew growth on the surface of the water tank and includes a double nozzle that can spray the mist in different directions and a timer for automatic shut-down. PureGuardian comes with an optional aromatherapy tray.
Since the humidifier does not include a filter or demineralization cartridge, it is essential to purchase an additional demineralization cartridge or use soft water; otherwise, the device will spray white dust alongside the mist. PureGuardian’s tank is not transparent, so it requires to keep an eye on the low-level indicator to know when to refill the container. The humidifier is also harder to take apart for cleaning than most of its competitors.
What we like
- Mildew and mold resistant tank
- Large tank for extended time between refills
- Ultra-quiet motor
- Auto shut-down timer
- High humidity output
Things to consider
- Lacks a dirt filter
Reasons to buy this: The PureGuardian is a tranquil but powerful machine, which makes it ideal for use during the night.
6. Elechomes UC5501 Ultrasonic Humidifier
The Elechomes UC5501 ultrasonic humidifier features a 6-liter tank and dual 360-degree rotatable nozzle and is capable of providing wall-to-wall humidification for areas up to 750 sq. ft. with a run time of up to 40 hours. The device comes fully assembled and can be easily refilled by lifting the top and unscrewing the cap to the container. However, the handle on the tank is a bit on the small side, which may pose a challenge when carrying a full tank.
The Elechomes UC5501 possesses a state-of-the-art humidity sensor that detects real-time air humidity levels. The device has a sleek, black body style with a transparent water tank at the back of the unit. The touch controls are accessible, and the model comes with a remote allowing you to choose from three emission modes to control the level of mist. The Elechomes UC5501 is enabled with a timer and a “sleep” mode, which automatically shut-downs the control panel lights while keeping the humidifier at a whisper-quiet 34dB volume throughout the night. The device comes with an inbuilt aroma tray where you can add essential oils for your aromatherapy needs.
What we like
- Adjustable nozzles allow specifying the direction of the mist
- Easy set-up
Things to consider
- No fill markings on the water tank
- When using aromatherapy, the scent is weak
Reasons to buy this: The Elechomes 5501 is a powerful machine coupled with a large tank and packed in a sleek design and great functionality.
Interested to know more? Here Elechomes UC5501 humidifier complete review
7. Vornado EV100
The Vornado EV100 humidifier promises natural humidification of rooms of up to 300 square feet. The humidifier comes with a one-gallon tank, enough to run the appliance for approximately 24 hours.
The Vornado uses Vortex Action technology to generate and disperse stream throughout the area for balance and consistency. The humidifier comes with a transparent removable container, which helps the user to check water levels as well as determine whether it needs to be cleaned.
The Vornado EV100 features 3 fan settings (low/high/auto) with push-button controls, electronic humidistat, and automatic humidity control. The device comes with a crystal-clear container that provides for an easy to carry, fill, and clean water tank. The Vornado is also equipped with a mineral cartridge to minimize the accumulation of white dust and also offers
5-year satisfaction guarantee
What we like
- Mineral cartridge included
- A humidistat
- Whisper-quiet
- Germ protection
Things to consider
- Smaller coverage area compared to other competitors.
Conclusion:
Warm mist humidifiers not only regulate indoor humidity levels, but they also come handy during winter season. While we have tried for our selections to be qualitative and cover different requirements and provide bang for your buck, please feel free to let us know if we have missed any obvious choice based on the criteria.
Read also: Humidifiers for sinus problems