The 11 Best Humidifiers to Hydrate Dry Skin and Curb Irritation
Dry skin, parched hair, and painful sinuses aren't just side effects of winter. That's why finding the best humidifier for your space could be your best beauty buy of the year. Thanks to modern life, our air conditioners and heating systems can keep us dry as a bone all year round. Not to mention the increased sun exposure and environmental stressors that occur during the warmer months, it's no wonder you feel like your moisturizer isn't enough. Using a humidifier in your home (or even on the go) combats dry air so you can breathe easier and keep your skin and hair from feeling like leather and straw.
The Best Humidifiers:
- Best Overall: Canopy Humidifier, $150
- Best Portable Humidifier: Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier, $60
- Best for Large Rooms: HoMedics Ultrasonic Humidifier,
$120$88 - Best for Bedrooms: Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier, $229
- Best Splurge: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde, $900
- Best Budget: Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier, $61
- Best for Baby: Fridababy 3-in-1 Humidifier, $45
- Most Customizable: Levoit LV600HH Humidifier,
$100$89
Dry air may not seem like the most pressing beauty issue, but according to Suzanne Friedler, MD, clinical instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, this change in humidity (or lack thereof) can lead to issues like dry, brittle hair and leathery skin. "At these times when our skin and eyes are already prone to dryness, taking long hot showers and using harsh soaps can further remove the natural oils and moisture from our skin." Dr. Friedler says. "People who live in dry climates also face a challenge in keeping their eyes and skin hydrated," so using a humidifier is a helpful way to offset dryness, she says. With all of these at play, you can degrade your skin's moisture barrier, so you might start to see flaky, cracked skin on your face or body.
If you've been alternating between dry, hot air, and cold air, heed this warning. These constant changes can strip your skin of its natural oils, Gary Goldenberg, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based at Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City, previously told Allure. Dr. Goldenberg regularly recommends humidifiers to patients managing conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or simply dry skin.
We've narrowed it down to the best humidifiers money can buy—paying attention to runtime, ease of use, smart features, and area-coverage capabilities. You'll find a range of options, whether you want one for your office's parched corporate air or a design-forward humidifier for your bedroom oasis. One more word to the wise: When used regularly, humidifiers need to be cleaned every week (soap and water or some vinegar will do), otherwise they can become a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mold.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Best Overall: Canopy Humidifier
1/11Canopy
Canopy Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: Few can come close to the air-enhancing powers of the Canopy Humidifier, which hydrates the air in rooms up to 500 square feet and has smart sensors that keep the device running until the 2.5-liter tank is completely dry, therefore, eliminating the risk of mildew or mold. Executive beauty director Jenny Bailly is a fan of Canopy. "My issue with humidifiers is always cleaning them out," she said. "This one has a separate compartment that you just fill up with water; it stays super clean."
While many humidifiers encourage the use of filtered or distilled water in their tanks, this one sanitizes water through a built-in UV light and paper filter, so feel free to use as much tap water as you please. Canopy's Humidifier also includes a built-in aroma diffuser to enjoy your go-to essential oils.
Tester Feedback: Like many others, associate director of special projects Hunter Lacey thought humidifiers were reserved for babies and didn't use humidifiers (portable or otherwise) between the ages 2 and 28. "However, as my skin matured, I found myself chasing the white whale of hydration—chugging water, pilling on essences and serums, and locking in that hydration with an occlusive moisturizer—but not once did I consider adding moisture to the air," he says. "The Canopy Portable Humidifier is a petite juggernaut; it's simple in design, provides a steady stream of fine mist, a 24-hour run time, and is dishwasher-safe (a big plus for anyone lazy like me)," they add. And the results? Plumper, less-tighte skin, and unexpectedly, alleviated allergies.
Product Specs: 500 square feet coverage, 2.5-liter tank, up to 36-hour run time, partially dishwasher safe, aromatherapy option
Best Portable Humidifier: Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier
2/11Hey Dewy
Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: Small rooms require less humidification, which is why Hey Dewy's Wireless Facial Humidifier is great for compact areas. This portable option is cordless and rechargeable, so you can take it anywhere to add refreshing water vapor to indoor air without taking up too much room in your bag or on your desk. This Allure Best of Beauty Award winner won our inaugural humidifier category because it boosts moisture levels for eight hours without making any noise. Bonus: It's equipped with an illuminating option to double as a night light.
Editor Tip: For larger areas, the Wellness Humidifer covers up to 500 square feet, holds 1.5 liters of water, and runs up to 24 hours. Notable features include an adjustable/rotating nozzle, high and low mist modes, and a mood light. (This is a corded device, by the way!)
Product Specs: Personal coverage, 12.4-ounce tank, up to 12-hour run time, optional nightlight
Best for Large Rooms: HoMedics Ultrasonic Humidifier
3/11HoMedics
HoMedics Ultrasonic Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: HoMedics' Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a sleek, modern option that won't be an eyesore in your living room. Its tower design will fit in slim spots, and its bamboo legs nod to mid-century style. Aesthetics aside, this humidifier is functional: It has a large, top-fill tank and a swivel nozzle to switch up the direction of the ultrasonic mist.
Editor Tip: The panel on this humidifier has a timer, three mist settings to choose from, plus a digital humidistat to maintain the relative humidity in your space. It comes with special essential oil pads so you can soak in your favorite oil blend for an aromatherapy treat.
Product Specs: 426 square feet area coverage, 1.47-gallon tank, 70-hour run time, top-fill tank, aromatherapy option
Best for Bedrooms: Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier
4/11Vitruvi
Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: Undoubtedly one of the chicest air humidifiers we've ever seen, the Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier features a wavy design and a discreet water tank—so it looks more like decor than a beauty and health tool. It doesn't light up and operates silently, making it perfect for your (or baby's) bedroom.
Editor Tip: The side panel of the humidifier is where you'll find all of the fuss-free settings, like a timer (which can run for 8-, 12-, 16-, and 24-hours), humidity level, and sleep mode. The best part is that the large tank is dishwasher-safe, making it a snap to clean.
Product Specs: 600 square feet area coverage, up to 24-hour run time, automatic shutoff
Best Splurge: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde
5/11Dyson
Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde
Why It's Worth It: Yes, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde is pricey, but if you want a luxury experience that goes above and beyond humidifying, this is it. The built-in fan, which oscillates in different directions, helps to spread the moisture from the humidifier further than other ultrasonic machines. This is also app-enabled with smart features that detect the level of moisture in your space.
Editor Tip: This remote control-operated device also acts as one of the best air purifiers ever, especially since it detects and eliminates contaminants like formaldehyde from the air in your chosen area. It also comes with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter for removing particles from the air, so every breath you take is just as fresh as the last.
Product Specs: Single room coverage, 1-gallon tank, up to 36-hour run time, remote control and app-controlled, Wifi connectivity
Best Budget: Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier
6/11Vicks
Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: Cold symptoms be damned, thanks to the Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier. Most of the brand's humidifiers use a warm mist to soothe colds and coughs. Fortunately, this one can provide temporary relief from congestion using a cool mist that spreads up to 500 square feet of your home and a 30-hour run time. Because when you're not feeling well, the last thing you want to do is get up and refill the tank.
Editor Tip: This cool moisture humidifier has just a few parts and the whole operation is run without a filter. Not only that, but it has a wide opening that makes it easy to clean. (Trust me, I have this humidifier and use it religiously.)
Product Specs: Small room coverage, 1.2-gallon tank, up to 30-hour run time, filterless
Best for Baby: Fridababy 3-in-1 Humidifier
7/11Fridababy
Fridababy 3-in-1 Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: Fridababy's 3-in-1 Humidifier is one of the quietest options around and acts as a color-changing nightlight, but those are not the only reasons we love it. This filter-free gizmo has a 0.5-gallon tank that runs for 12 hours straight and covers a pretty impressive amount of square footage (320 square feet, to be exact).
Editor Tip: You can control mist levels with the dial selector and add your favorite essential oils for a customizable approach to freshening the air.
Product Specs: 320 square feet coverage, 0.5-gallon tank, up to 12-mile run time, color-changing nightlight
Most Customizable: Levoit LV600HH Humidifier
8/11Levoit
Levoit LV600HH Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: "Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency sound vibrations to produce a very fine mist," Dr. Friedler explains, which makes Levoit's LV600HH Humidifier one of the most impressive devices on the market. Its enormous six-gallon tank uses ultrasonic technology to deliver incredibly fine water vapor across (up to) a 753-square-foot area. "These humidifiers don't typically require a filter and tend to be very quiet," Dr. Friedler adds.
Editor Tip: This remote-controlled humidifier also allows you to adjust all of its features, including mist intensity, humidity levels, and even the option to disperse a warm mist.
Product Specs: 753 square feet area coverage, 6-liter tank, up to 50-hour run time, remote control, aromatherapy option
Best for Apartments: Crane Air Ultrasonic Cool Mist Tower Humidifier
9/11Crane
Crane Air Ultrasonic Cool Mist Tower Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: Like it or not, humidifiers can be breeding grounds for bacteria if they aren't cleaned frequently or properly, or if their filters aren't replaced promptly. Crane Air's Ultrasonic Cool Mist Tower Humidifier is fitted with a special UV-A light, which helps reduce the amount of germ and bacteria build-up. (But please, don't stop cleaning your humidifier!)
Editor Tip: This option is totally silent, has a 360-degree nozzle so you can point the mist in any direction, features a two-gallon tank that's easy to wipe down, and a 48-hour run time so you can chill all weekend long without sniffling.
Product Specs: 500 square feet coverage, 2-gallon tank, 48-hour run time, aromatherapy option, remote control
Best Facial Humidifer: Geniani Portable Cool Mist Humidifier
10/11Geniani
Geniani Portable Small Cool Mist Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: Geniani's Portable Cool Mist Humidifier is teeny enough to place on your work (or work-from-home) desk with ease. Don't expect it to take up any much-needed outlets, either, because this small humidifier can be plugged into your computer's USB outlet.
Editor Tip: You can improve the air quality in your personal space for up to eight hours and never have to worry about unplugging the device or hearing it throughout the day since it has an automatic shut-off feature and an inaudible noise level. One note we will say, though, is that its slender, sleek design means its tank capacity is quite low—it only holds eight ounces which is about the size of a glass of water.
Product Specs: 65 square coverage, 8-ounce tank, up to 8-hour run time
Easiest to Clean: Boneco Top-Fill Humidifier
11/11Boneco
Boneco Top-Fill Humidifier
Why It's Worth It: If you're going to keep your humidifier running all winter, you're going to be refilling it a lot. Due to its convenient top-fill design, the Boneco Humidifier makes that task as easy as possible. It also has a simple-to-use rotary nob to find the perfect humidity setting for your space, plus high and fast mist output.
Editor Tip: Boneco's humidifier has a wide opening for access to the inside of the tank, which is very important according to Dr. Friedler: "Look for a humidifier that offers ease of cleaning, because bacteria and mold can build up if these units are not properly maintained." The tank also includes a filter, which cleanses the water of impurities like copper, lead, and mercury as it mists.
Product Specs: 540 square feet area coverage, 2.5-gallon tank, up to 13-hour run time, automatic shut-off
