Pest Strategies

When your skin becomes increasingly dehydrated when the air is dry, a cool mist humidifier can help add necessary moisture to the air in your home. To help you save time in your search for the best cool mist humidifier, Pest Strategies researched several products on Amazon. Learn more about our top recommendations below.

 

Buying Guide

Cool mist humidifiers are a simple, cost-effective way to combat dry skin and moisten the air around you. However, cool mist humidifiers range in size, coverage, style, noise, and other features. To find a cool mist humidifier that best meets your needs, check out our buying guide. 

• Size and capacity: Cool mist humidifiers are available in units as small as a portable misting device that clips onto the air vent of your vehicle, all the way to bulky, heavier humidifiers that contain a six or seven-liter water capacity. The larger the water reservoir, the longer your humidifier can operate without the need to add more water. However, larger humidifiers can be more difficult to clean compared to compact or travel-sized ones. Whole-house humidifiers are also sold that connect to your home’s HVAC system, reducing the air’s dryness in every room. Though professional installation is likely necessary for a humidifier like this, it’s worth the upfront investment if you want humidified air automatically pumped throughout your home.

• Coverage: While whole-house humidifiers are a convenient and efficient way to humidify the air in your entire home — able to reach multiple thousands of square feet — standalone humidifiers that plug into an electrical outlet can quickly add moisture to the air in a single room. 175 to 500 square feet of coverage is common amongst many typical cool mist humidifiers. 

• Style: If you want your cool mist humidifier to blend in with your interior decor, there are options out there that use neutral colors, few exterior bezels, and a minimalist design. Humidifiers are also sold in a wide variety of shapes and colors, so no matter what your aesthetic needs are, you’re likely to find a cool mist humidifier that functions well and won’t stick out like a sore thumb. 

• Noise: Like most consumer electronics, the noise output of cool mist humidifiers is expressed in decibels (dB). The sound of the electric motor and bubbling water will produce an audible noise, but most humidifiers are very quiet, producing around 30dB of noise. Any humidifier that’s rated lower than 30dB will be virtually silent, emitting a soft background noise at most.

• Features: Basic humidifiers have a power switch and a reservoir to fill water, and that’s about it. More robust units have LED screens with a humidistat readout, displaying the current humidity levels in a given area. Other features include remote control, timer settings, UV filtration for air purification, soft glowing lights, trays to add essential oils, and even smart features like mobile app connectivity. Among most humidifiers, automatic shut-off is very common to avoid running the unit when it empties of water. 

• Filter vs filterless: Some cool mist humidifiers advertise themselves as filterless, while many models have a replaceable or washable filter. 

• Filter humidifiers: Removing the allergens and bacteria from the air, these filter humidifiers are ideal for people with allergies or respiratory issues. Humidifier filters can be costly to replace, however. Look for a model that has a washable filter. 

• Filterless humidifiers: You can save time and hassle by not cleaning or replacing the filter for a humidifier. If you’re sensitive to airborne contaminants, though, a filter-free humidifier might not be a great option, as they often leave more bacteria in the air compared to humidifiers that use a filter. 

 

Related Information: 

 

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Cool Mist Humidifier

• If you turn your humidifier off before it runs out of water, don’t let the stagnant water sit longer than a few hours. As this is a breeding ground for microbes and bacteria, make sure to dump out the remaining water and wipe down the water tank with a paper towel. 
• Use your cool mist humidifier to keep your houseplants happy, healthy, and lush. If they’re near a window and your humidifier is compact enough, place it on the windowsill adjacent to the plants. Otherwise, simply place the humidifier on a nearby table or even on the ground between multiple plants. 
• Cool mist and warm mist humidifiers are useful during any time of the year, regardless of the ambient humidity. This is due to the air purifying effects of humidifiers, which are highly beneficial for those living with respiratory conditions or allergen sensitivities. For enhanced air purification, look for a cool mist humidifier with a UV light filter. 
• For a refreshing scent, some cool mist humidifiers have a tray for essential oils to double their functionality as a humidifier and a scent diffuser. 
• To increase the coverage area for your humidifier, we recommend placing a fan nearby to direct the humidified area into multiple rooms. 
• If you have curious pets or roaming children, consider placing your cool mist humidifier(s) out of reach, ideally on top of elevated surfaces such as bedroom furniture or kitchen counters. 
• Cool mist humidifiers also serve as a great alternative to a white noise generator, as many find the subtle bubbling sounds of the water very soothing. 
• For most models, distilled or demineralized water works best to slow down any residue buildup inside of the water tank. 

 

FAQs

• What do I need a cool mist humidifier for? 

Suitable for any situation where the air around your home, workplace, or anywhere else where the air is dry, cool mist humidifiers subtly add moisture to the ambient air, rejuvenating your skin and hydrating your body. If you’re a plant owner, cool mist humidifiers also support their health, providing a temperate, moisture-rich environment. 

• How do I clean my cool mist humidifier? 

For general maintenance, we recommend fully draining and drying out the humidifier’s water reservoir before refilling it. To prevent bacteria buildup, use vinegar or a mild cleaning agent and wipe down the surfaces using a kitchen rag or paper towel. You can also place the water tank in the dishwasher for certain humidifiers. If your humidifier uses a filter, reference the manufacturer’s cleaning and/or replacement instructions to ensure longevity and optimal performance. 

• Which is better for me: a warm mist humidifier, or a cool mist humidifier? 

Though colder weather also typically means dryness in the air for many parts of the world, the chilly temperatures also make warm mist humidifiers a great option to raise the temperature while adding needed moisture to the air around you. On the other hand, if it’s warm and dry in your home, a cool mist humidifier is ideal — but still a great option even when it’s chilly outside. If you have children, opt for a cool mist humidifier, as the hot water in a warm mist humidifier can be a hazard.

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.