The 12 Best Cool-Mist Humidifiers That Will Become the Unsung Hero of Your Home This Summer

When your space is filled with dry air, it can wreak havoc on your body, sinuses and skin all year round. One way to combat the dry air in your home, which is likely accentuated by having a heater or air conditioner on, is to use a humidifier. "But," you may be thinking, "won't that just make my room more hot and stuffy?" While it's true that some humidifiers release warm moisture by boiling water, a cool-mist humidifier can help moisten the air without producing hot vapor, making it the perfect pick for the summer months (and the safer option around kids). Whether you're hoping to combat the sniffles, warm-weather allergies or even dry skin, read on for the best cool-mist humidifiers that will help you breathe easier this season—in more ways than one.

To pull together this roundup of the best cool-mist humidifiers, we first looked at offerings from trusted home brands, then waded through dozens of options to find top-rated models backed by positive reviews. We also tapped TikTok to discover any trending machines on the platform (spoiler alert: that would be the Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier, $229). Finally, we considered the machine's size, water tank capacity, run time and any extra features that would come in handy (from night lights to essential oil trays). Below, you can find our top picks to fit every need, space and budget.

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Humidifiers add mist into the air to increase the moisture (humidity) in a room. By adding hydration into the air, humidifiers can help alleviate allergies, dry throats, congestion, and skin irritation associated with very dry air.

There are two main types of humidifiers: cold mist and warm mist. Both pull water water from an attached, refillable tank and release it back into your room in the form of a fine mist. But while a warm-mist humidifier boils water (and can heat up a room during the warmer months), cool-mist humidifiers use ultrasonic technology or fans to release a fine mist into the air. These are also generally safer, especially around children, because there’s no heating element. 

You should also use filtered or distilled water instead of tap water when operating a cool-mist humidifier, as tap water can contain minerals that could be released into the air or could deposit into the humidifier, making it less efficient.

If you are sensitive to dry air (throat/nose irritations, coughs, dry skin/lips, respiratory issues), have allergies or live in a dry climate, you may want to use a humidifier to maintain better moisture levels in your home.

While you may think to only use a humidifier during the colder months, there are plenty of benefits that will have you wanting to run it year-round. If you’re running an air conditioner on full blast, it can create a similar dry feeling to winter air—which you can combat with a humidifier. According to Healthline, the moisture of a humidifier can help treat nasal and chest congestion that occurs with allergies. This can be especially helpful combating the high pollen and mold count during the summer months. All the more reason to run it!

Cool-mist humidifiers can be more susceptible to mold and bacteria growth because of the standing water, according to the Mayo Clinic. Aside from changing any filters, you’ll want to change the water daily and clean your humidifier at least once a week (or as often as every three days). To do so, unplug it and remove the tank, filter and other removable parts. Scrub down everything but the filter, using a brush and vinegar to remove mineral deposits and residue from the water tank. You should also rinse it several times to remove the vinegar smell.

You can also wipe down the exterior with a wet cloth to remove any dirt and dust. Once dry, you can reassemble your humidifier, fill it with filtered water and run it again.

Size: Your room size will dictate what size humidifier you need. A small humidifier in a large room probably won’t do much, but it would be fine if kept close to you on a desk or nightstand. Check the room range of the humidifier to determine the right size for you.

Water tank: The size of the water tank will usually determine how long the humidifier will last before it runs out of water, so the bigger the tank, the longer the run time. If you’re using a humidifier continuously all day and night, you’ll want a bigger tank so you don’t have to keep refilling it. Many tanks are either clear or have markers to let you know how much water is in them.

Another consideration with water tanks is their design and openings. You’ll need to clean the humidifier often to prevent mold, and smaller openings will make a tank both harder to clean and harder to fill with water. The best options have a tank that can be easily detached from the rest of the machine for ease of cleaning and refilling.