Best Desk Humidifier - See March 2023’s Top Rated Pick

"All humidifiers release water vapor into the atmosphere, but they do it in different ways," Sarah Drake, brand manager of seasonal humidity at Helen of Troy (the parent company of Honeywell and Vicks humidifiers), says. There are three main types: ultrasonic (a.k.a. warm mist), evaporative and evaporative. cool mist. Warm-mist heat boils water and releases steam into the atmosphere to increase humidity. While heat can kill germs, it can also pose a risk to pets and children. Evaporative models use water to wick through a filter. The fan blows air across the filter and absorbs any moisture. Although the fans can be loud and filters should be changed often, the filter will capture any minerals in your water and prevent them from being deposited in other areas of your home. The cool mist humidifiers use high-frequency sound vibrations that break down water droplets and push it out into the atmosphere. These humidifiers are affordable, but you will need to use them with distilled or warm-mist water.

A humidistat feature that measures the humidity and helps you maintain an appropriate level. The function monitors the humidity and shuts down the device when it is at an amount. While it's not a necessity it can help simplify the operation of the humidifier. It can stop excessive humidity from blocking windows and causing an unpleasant smell in the space. It isn't necessary to have an instrument to measure the humidity levels of your home. A hygrometer can be an inexpensive and small device to measure the level of humidity.

The capacity of the water tank is directly related to the dimensions and type of humidifier. To determine how often the tank needs to be filled, take a take look at the manufacturer's estimated time of operation. It is recommended to choose a humidifier with an adequate capacity if you intend to use it throughout the day long, through the night, or both.

Tanks this big require frequent emptying since the water will never be utilized. Think about whether the tank could be removed to allow it to be filled quickly and how heavy it'll be once it is full.

Certain humidifiers feature UV light as moist and humid conditions can swiftly become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and other pathogens. The tank of the humidifier is shielded from microbes, and the mist stops them from being released into the air.

The majority of humidifiers have either the bottom or top-fill reservoir. The former is able to be filled with water from above, the latter remains in a straight position. The latter has to be flipped over after filling. While humidifiers can be difficult to clean, top-fill reservoirs are equipped with larger openings, which makes them simpler to clean. Top-fill reservoirs are less prone to leaks than tanks with bottom caps. We included models with bottom-fill reservoirs because they are well-known and well-rated.

The room where you want to place a humidifier should determine the size of the humidifier. There are three types of humidifiers that are available which are portable (also called tabletop) and tabletop, which can be used for personal or small-sized travel, and consoles that can be used in spaces that span up to 1,000 feet (depending on the model); and whole house humidifiers which attach to the ductwork, which adds humidity throughout the home.

Portable humidifiers are compact and relatively, they can be put on a nightstand or desk and easily moved from room rooms. They are sometimes smaller than a bottle of water and have dimensions similar to the size of a water bottle. The humidifiers are only available in water tanks so you will need to refill them frequently.

Console humidifiers are larger units that sit on the floor and are the ideal choice for rooms that are up to 1000 square feet (depending on the model). Whole-house humidifiers are connected to the air ductwork of your home and supply humidity throughout your house. These humidifiers are best for large areas and provide moisture to areas that are larger than 1000 square feet. Since this kind of humidifier is connected to your home's plumbing, you also don't need to refill the tank.

Whole-house humidifiers draw the water directly from your water supply. Certain models include sprayers that spray mist into your ductwork; others have foam cylinders that move in a water tray with air blowing through and around it.

The majority of humidifiers are as small appliances therefore the warranty coverage is typically limited. The majority of models have one2023 warranties that will cover manufacturing defects. The warranty for certain models, like ultrasonic humidifiers as well as other high-tech models, is extended to three years.

Professionally installed humidifiers come with an extended warranty than models that are portable. Certain models have five2023 warranties. To ensure that your investment is covered should there be a malfunction ensure you verify the warranty offered by the manufacturer for whole-house models.