With winter comes freezing temperatures, biting winds, snowstorms galore and, the worst of all, dry skin. When the humidity drops from the air, it’s palpable. And dry skin isn’t just limited to outdoor experiences. With every door and window sealed shut to protect you from the cold, the air indoors lacks moisture, too.
Luckily, humidifiers exist as a solution to that problem. Shop TODAY asked a few doctors about what humidifiers do, when to use them and tips for when you’ve brought one home.
If you’re looking for the best humidifier for the bedroom (or for anywhere else in the house), here are seven that will get the job done and help combat skin dryness.
From budget-friendly options to splurge picks, we’ve got a complete list of expert-recommended and editor-tested humidifiers for your home this winter. Your skin will thank us.
What does a humidifier do?
A humidifier’s job is to add moisture to the air, explains Dr. Merritt Fajt, a physician who specializes in allergy and immunology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
“Using one can help make your skin, lips, nose and throat not feel as dry,” adds Dr. Emily Pennington, a pulmonologist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Simply put: it’s a comfort thing. It can also help with irritated sinus passages, Fajt adds.
When to use a humidifier
Fajt says people most commonly use a humidifier during the winter. “The air is just so dry inside and people are trying to have their skin not be so dry,” she explains. “Unfortunately, that’s also the time when […] inside allergens are the highest because people are having their windows closed because it’s so cold outside.”
Dr. Jonathan Parsons, director of the Asthma Center at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, has one warning: If you have a breathing disorder, be very careful. Over-humidifying the room or failing to clean the unit properly can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria and dust mites, which can exacerbate allergies, asthma or other pulmonary conditions, both he and Fajt advise.
If you’re looking for something to specifically filter the air, look into getting an air purifier.
The best expert-recommended and editor-tested humidifiers
Budget-friendly, editor pick: Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier (Wired Version)
- Portable
- Can be used in car
- Fits in cup holder
- Have to keep it close to you
Colorways: 1 | Dimensions: 3” x 3” x 7” | Fluid capacity: 12.4 oz.
“I love this little portable humidifier because I can easily move it around my home,” says commerce writer Jannely Espinal. “I put it on my nighttime table or desk for extra hydration. Plus, it’s easy to turn on and has a cool mist that feels moist. While is compact, the product is efficient at soothing dry skin, and it has reduced my allergies since using it,” she adds.
Very soothing: PureGuardian H980W 70-Hour Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
- Various settings
- Cool mist is soothing
- Lights are calming
- Water may run out quickly
Colorways: 2 | Dimensions: 13.78” x 7.32” x 7.32” | Capacity: N/A
“I used this humidifier while recovering from nose surgery, and it made the recovery process so much easier,” shares commerce editor Amanda Fama. “It does exactly what it’s designed to do: humidifies the air. It emits a large, billowing cloud of cool mist that feels super soothing (I spent a lot of time lying next to it), and the color-changing built-in lights are really calming,” she adds.
“The only thing I’d note is that the water does run out kind of quickly when it’s used on the highest setting,” Fama say.
Great for kids: Crane Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifiers
- Saves money on moisturizer
- Adorable
- Doesn't take up lots of space
- May be too bold for some
Colorways: 11 | Dimensions: 9” x 9” x 12.75” | Capacity: 3.7L
Shop TODAY senior analytics manager Amanda Smith received this penguin humidifier from her sister as a Christmas present and immediately fell in love. “Using a humidifier has saved me so much money on moisturizer. I hate to say it, but my dad was right. Having a humidifier is the only way to stay comfortable during the seasonal dry spells,” she explains.
“It features a 1-gallon tank that provides a cool mist for up to 24 hours. It also has a handy shutoff feature once the tank is empty,” adds Smith.
Say goodbye to dryness: Pure Enrichment HUME Max
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Some users say it can leak
Colorways: 2 | Dimensions: 7.8” x 7.8” x 11.4” | Capacity: 3.7L
“I have been using this humidifier for a few weeks, and I can’t believe I lived with one before this!” raves social video producer Anita Chomenko. “It has made such a difference in my bedroom during the winter while the heaters are blasting. I used to wake up feeling the effects of the dry air and since I started using this, I no longer wake up with a dry throat wondering if I am getting sick,” she explains.
“I run it every night, it’s easy to fill, easy to clean and has a small glow when it’s turned on,” Chomenko says.
Expert pick: Levoit Humidifiers for Bedroom Home
- Easy to use
- Very quiet
- May be hard to clean
Colorways: 1 | Dimensions: 10.8” x 6” x 11.97” | Capacity: 4.5L
“This smart humidifier has warm and cool mist capabilities, can sync with voice activation devices, has an easy-to-use top fill tank, an option to add essential oils for aromatherapy, and can even be used to keep house plants hydrated,” explains Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
“I like it because it is affordable, doesn’t take up (a ton) of space, and is easy to clean," says deputy editorial director Alexandra Deabler. "I have it on my nightstand and it fits well enough. I will say the app is a little glitchy for me, but I never really need to use it. I just use the auto buttons at night and let it do its thing," she adds.
“I get sick all the time, and since using it, anecdotally, my sinuses are much better. Knock on wood, the only time I got sick was when I traveled home for the holidays and didn’t have a humidifier," shares Deabler.
Smarty pants: Blueair Premium Smart Humidifier
- Easy to clean
- May make buzzing sound
Colorways: 1 | Dimensions: 9.4” x 9.4” x 14.6” | Capacity: 3.5L
Camp also recommends this high-tech humidifier from Blueair. “A mist-free, top-fill, smart humidifier, this product helps limit water damage from excess moisture, has a dishwasher-safe tank and an advanced anti-microbial filter that captures impurities and water pollutants,” he explains.
Splurge option: Canopy Bedside Humidifier 2.0
- Lightweight
- Multiple uses
- Need to refill water often
Colorways: 6 | Dimensions: 10” x 8.5” x 7” | Capacity: 2.5L
“Canopy came out with an upgraded version of their humidifier a few months ago and I’ve been using it,” says associate editor Kamari Stewart. “I never thought I needed one but love that this does multiple things. It’s a humidifier, white noise machine, night light and scent diffuser,” she adds.
“They also partnered with Being Frenshe to turn some of their signature scents into essential oils for Canopy’s humidifier and I love that the scents are light and not overpowering,” Stewart shares.
Commerce editor Vivien Moon is also a fan of this pleasant-smelling humidifier. “I love for my home to have a gorgeous scent, and this one does two for one: It can act as a humidifier and can somewhat double as a diffuser with essential oils. It is really quiet and has dishwasher-safe parts,” explains Moon.
More humidifiers to shop
Most affordable: Homvana Humidifier for Bedroom
- Easy to use
- Quiet
- Multiple light colors
- Filter-free
Colorways: 3 | Dimensions: 8.39” x 7.56” x 11.54” | Capacity: 3.6L
Tackle the winter dryness with this Homvana humidifier that features a digital display, aroma diffuser and automatic shut off. With a $30 price and over 7,000 five-star ratings, it is no wonder this budget-friendly humidifier is an Amazon's Choice product.
Super quiet: Dreo Humidifier for Bedroom
- Easy to clean
- Very quiet
- Lots of steam
Colorways: 4 | Dimensions: 5.51” x 11.02” x 10.16” | Capacity: 4L
This very quiet option from Dreo is another Amazon's Choice humidifier. Featuring a night light and aroma diffuser, this misting machine is just what you need during those dry, cold nights. With nearly 5,000 five-star ratings, it's no wonder this humidifier keeps getting added to shoppers' carts.
Tips for using a humidifier
Pennington recommends cleaning a portable humidifier every 72 hours — this requires emptying out the water daily, scrubbing the tank to rid any built-up film and rinsing the base.
Fajt echoes similar sentiments, saying it’s important to clean your humidifier and change the filter on a regular basis because, like Pennington noted, not cleaning it properly can lead to potentially harmful side effects. “They think that they’re trying to do a good thing, but they’re actually blowing mold into [the] home,” Fajt says.
You’re also best served using distilled water. Otherwise, naturally occurring minerals can build up in the tank and compromise air quality, Fajt and Pennington note.
Another word of caution: When it comes to the vapor, less is more. Ideally, you should try keeping humidity between 30% and 50%, advises Pennington. Some models have built-in humidity monitors. If they don’t, Parsons suggests buying a room hygrometer.
How we chose the best humidifiers
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best humidifiers by enlisting the recommendations of a double board-certified dermatologist as well as a number of editor-tested tried-and-true favorites as well.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Merritt Fajt is a physician who specializes in allergy and immunology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
- Dr. Emily Pennington is a pulmonologist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
- Dr. Jonathan Parsons is the director of the Asthma Center at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
