Best Humidifiers of 2021 - ConsumerReports.org

Turning up the heat is a natural impulse when cold weather comes, but it can dry your indoor air. A good humidifier can restore that moisture—and prevent a host of problems.

For one, a humidifier can prevent or relieve dry skin. If you have a cold, a humidifier that emits cold air can help shrink swelling in your nasal passages and make it easier for you to breathe, the Food and Drug Administration says. And higher humidity helps reduce static electricity, so you can avoid annoying carpet-walk shocks.

Humidifiers also can help keep the things you own in good condition. Without enough moisture in indoor air, leather goods can crack, wood floor boards can shrink and creak, and guitars and other musical instruments quickly go out of tune.

Our tests of dozens of humidifiers found that some are much better than others at pumping out the amount of moisture the manufacturers claim they produce. And some humidifiers are quieter, more convenient to use and clean, or use less energy.

Another factor? Matching the humidifier to the room size. "Ensure that the humidifier you choose can handle the area of your space," says Misha Kollontai, the engineer who leads Consumer Reports' humidifier testing. Keep in mind, for instance, that open-plan rooms may require larger units. "Living spaces often have open doorways that effectively increase the square footage."

You'll see more than 50 models in our humidifier ratings. Most are cool mist, the more widely used type. A handful are warm mist, also known as steam vaporizers, which shouldn't be used around children. (The humidifier tank contains hot water that can burn a child if he or she gets too close, or if the hot water spills.) And avoid warm mist humidifiers if you have a cold. The warm moisture can cause your nasal passages to swell, making breathing more difficult.

Here's a look at five top-rated humidifiers, one for each size we test.

For all the test results and more options, check our complete humidifier ratings, where you'll find personal units all the way up to consoles that humidify 1,000 square feet or more. And see our humidifier buying guide for shopping advice.

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