7 best humidifiers for baby in 2023 - Insider

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As a mom of two I'll do anything — truly anything — to get a good night's sleep, especially when my kids aren't feeling well, and I've found that a humidifier is a must-have item. I registered for a humidifier while pregnant after I learned that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends having a cool mist humidifier on hand for nurseries. When my daughters were infants, I took comfort in the AAP's advice that humidifiers could help ease a stuffy nose. Now that they're older, they ask for the humidifier once a cough or the sniffles strike. 

What sets one humidifier apart from the rest, when it comes to choosing a humidifier for a baby or small child? For starters, you'll want to stick with cool mist humidifiers to prevent burns. In addition, skip diffusers, which can be harmful, especially to little lungs and people with asthma. Keep in mind, too, that dirty humidifiers can make your baby sick. So, you'll want to opt for one you find both easy to clean and easy to use, according to Dr. Hailey Nelson, a pediatrician with Valley Children's Healthcare. It's also important to test the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer before using a humidifier. Ideally, the relative humidity indoors should stay between 30% and 50% and never rise above 60%. Excess humidity in your home can lead to mold growth. Once you've met those safety criteria, it's all about function, Nelson says. 

Other nice-to-have features include automatic shut-off, timing controls, and a low noise level, according to Marilyn Black, vice president and senior technical advisor of the Chemical Insights Research Institute of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Research Institutes. UL is a non-profit that tests consumer products, including humidifiers, for safety. With that guidance in mind, read on for the seven best humidifiers for babies in 2023.

Top picks for baby humidifiers

Best overall: Levoit 300S Humidifer - See at Amazon
The Levoit 300S Humidifier is a quiet humidifier with a large holding tank. You can adjust its settings with the free VeSync app so you don't need to enter the room and potentially wake your sleeping baby.

Best budget: Safety 1st 360° Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier - See at Amazon
Safety 1st 360° Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier costs just over $30. It provides value with a few perks, including quiet operation and the ability to aim the mist in two different directions.

Best easy-to-clean: Miro NR07G - See at Miro
You can fully clean every part of the Miro NR07G that comes into contact with water, which can help prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria. The design of this humidifier also allows you to add water while it runs.

Best dishwasher-safe: HoneywellCool Moisture Humidifier - See at Honeywell
You can run the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier tank through the dishwasher for an effortless and thorough cleaning.

Best smart: Safety First Connected Smart Humidifier - See at Amazon
The Safety First Connected Smart Humidifier allows you to control the humidity in the nursery from your phone. You can integrate it with other Safety 1st smart nursery tech, including the baby monitor, air purifier, and noise machine.

Best for congestion: Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier - See at Amazon
The Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier quickly raises the humidity in the nursery, which may offer fast relief when your baby has a stuffy nose.

Best with air purifier: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Autoreact - See at Dyson
Not all babies need air purifiers, but if your child has allergies or asthma you might opt for the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Autoreact, a three-in-one air purifier, humidifier, and fan.