(Amazon)
A humidifier for your baby is an often overlooked but important item to consider purchasing when setting up your baby’s nursery. Pediatricians tout the benefits of humidifiers, from treating eczema to soothing a sore throat and easing a stuffed up nose. A humidifier works by pumping moisture into the air in order to counteract the effects of a central heating system, keeping baby’s skin smooth, soft and clear all winter long. According to CNN.com, some studies have even shown that a humidifier can be effective in preventing the spread of influenza. Warm mist humidifiers may be more effective at killing germs and viruses in addition to the benefits listed above, and they provide the added perk of increasing the humidity in a room more quickly. Cool mist humidifiers are safer in case baby gets her hands on them; they are also recommended for babies suffering from croup.
To ensure a great night’s sleep for baby, you can also check out our list of the top 10 best baby swaddles, as well as our list of the top 10 best crib mattresses for babies.
I’ve rounded up the top 10 best humidifiers for your baby’s room. These humidifiers come at a variety of price points and offer an array of cool bonus features—some double as aromatherapy diffusers or nightlights, to help soothe baby and create a peaceful ambient atmosphere.
1. Best Budget Cool Mist Nursery Humidifier: Honeywell HUL520W MistMate Cool Mist Humidifier
(Honeywell)
The Honeywell MistMate Cool Mist Humidifier is an inexpensive option that is ideal for smaller rooms. At just $21, it’s the most affordable humidifier on the list. The MistMate utilizes ultrasonic technology to put out a very fine yet visible cool mist to keep baby’s room moisturized and comfortable. The compact size makes this humidifier easy to transport and refill, though it may not be the best option for larger rooms. Although the product description reads that this humidifier can last up to 20 hours without needing a refill, many consumers have reported it actually needs to be refilled more frequently. The price varies depending on color of this product.
Price: $21.25 (24 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Honeywell HUL520W Mistmate Cool Mist Humidifier here.
Pros:
- Low price
- Compact size
- Automatically shuts off when empty
- Quiet
Cons:
- Not as good for larger rooms
- Ultrasonic humidifiers can leave a fine mist of white dust
- Needs frequent refilling
- No extras
Find more Honeywell HUL520W Mistmate Cool Mist Humidifier information and reviews here.
2. Best Nursery Humidifier with LED Display: TaoTronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With LED Display
(TaoTronics)
This cool mist ultrasonic humidifier from TaoTronics boasts many bonus features, such as a built in timer with sleep mode and LED display. It allows you to control the level of mist and set the humidity level to your preference. This model is quiet, producing less than 38 decibels of noise, which should not disturb baby while she sleeps. The larger water capacity allows you to go for longer stretches without refilling (some consumers report having to refill only every two to three days). The resuable microporous filter prevents micro-organisms from proliferating and keeps away bad odors. This humidifier is not recommended for use as an essential oil diffuser. Also something to keep in mind is that ultrasonic humidifiers can leave a fine white film on furniture in your room, which is exacerbated if you have hard water. (Use distilled water for best results.)
Price: $47.99 (31 percent off MSRP)
Buy the TaoTronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With LED Display here.
Pros:
- Built in timer and LED display
- Over a gallon water storage capacity
- Microporous cartridge to filter the water from micro-organisms and prevent bad odor
- Quiet
Cons:
- Not recommended for use with essential oils or perfumes
- Somewhat lacking in design
- Filter needs semi-frequent cleaning
- Ultrasonic humidifiers can leave a fine mist of white dust
Find more TaoTronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With LED Display information and reviews here.
3. Best Nursery Humidifier with Projector: Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier
(Vicks)
The Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier from Vicks has some features that are perfect for babies. The top of the humidifier is a projector that creates a beautiful night sky on your child’s ceiling, which can be mesmerizing and soothing for babies and toddlers. Another feature not available with any of the other top humidifiers is the Vicks VapoPad™ Scent Pad Heater, which diffuses a soothing menthol vapor throughout the room. This humidifier is great for medium sized rooms, and it has a large one gallon tank that will last up to 24 hours before it needs a refill. The major drawback is the need for filters, which must be changed at least once a month; a two pack of Protek Extended Life Humidifier Wicking Filters will set you back $15.83 on Amazon. Additionally, several Amazon reviewers have reported that the light on the knob is very bright and can be distracting at night.
Price: $34.98 (22 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier here.
Pros:
- Low price
- Includes Vicks VapoPad™ Scent Pad Heater which provides a soothing menthol vapor
- One gallon tank lasts up to 24 hours
- Starry night projector to transform child’s room into a night sky
Cons:
- For small to medium rooms only
- Utilizes a filter that must be replaced monthly
- Lights change colors and cannot be changed to a stationary setting
- Light on knob is bright and cannot be dimmed or turned off
Find more Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier information and reviews here.
4. Best Warm & Cool Mist Nursery Humidifier: TaoTronics Ultrasonic Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier with Touch Control Panel & LED Display
Taotronics
This TaoTronics Ultrasonic Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier may be the most versatile one on the list, as it operates in both warm and cool mist modes. It is perfect for those who aren’t sure which type of humidifier they would prefer, although if you will be operating it in baby’s room while she is alone, it may not be the safest option due to the ability for it to heat up for warm mist mode. This humidifier has dual 360 degree nozzles for ultimate control over the direction and angle of the mist. The touch screen LED monitor makes it easy to switch between settings and control the level of vapor emitting from the humidifier. Overall, the size is somewhat large for a baby’s room, and the sleek black design, while great for a modern living room or office, may not look as stylish in your baby’s nursery.
Price: $73.99
Buy the TaoTronics Ultrasonic Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier with Touch Control Panel & LED Display here.
Pros:
- Works in warm and cool mist mode
- Dual 360 degree nozzles for control of direction of mist
- Touch control with LED monitor
- Large tank with six liter capacity
Cons:
- Large and not very stylish for a nursery
- Temperatures are only displayed in Celsius
- Disposable air filters must be changed
- Warm mist setting may not be safe for babies’ rooms
Find more TaoTronics Ultrasonic Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier with Touch Control Panel & LED Display information and reviews here.
5. Best Nursery Humidifier with Night Light: Asom Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With Seven Color LED Night Light Function & Aroma Diffuser
(Asom)
The Asom Cool Mist Humidifier is another ultrasonic humidifier with a separate container for essential oil diffusing. It is an inexpensive option for this double whammy of functionality. It also includes an LED night light feature with seven colors, making it a fun option for babies and toddlers. The 360-degree mist nozzle allows you to disperse the vapor at exactly the angle you want, and it keeps your furniture or floor from getting covered in a mist. The easy-to-adjust vapor knob and automatic shut-off make it a super safe option for nurseries. This humidifier has a smaller capacity, meaning it will need to be refilled every 14 hours or sooner.
Price: $38.99 (44 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Asom Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With Seven Color LED Night Light Function & Aroma Diffuser here.
Pros:
- Automatically shuts off when water level is low
- Includes a separate container to diffuse essential oils
- Features a 360-degree mist nozzle and easy-to-adjust vapor knob
- Includes seven-color LED night light function
Cons:
- Smaller capacity means it will need to be refilled more often
- Ultrasonic humidifiers can leave a fine mist of white dust
- Lights on night-light feature are very bright
- Somewhat difficult to refill
Find more Asom Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With Seven Color LED Night Light Function & Aroma Diffuser information and reviews here.
6. Best Cute Nursery Humidifier: Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
(Crane)
The Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is one of my favorites because of the unique and fun colors it comes in. (I purchased the lime green one for my firstborn’s nursery, and it looked great in his room.) It also comes in brights like hot pink, tangerine and aqua, as well as a sleek gray, in addition to the standard white. I loved this humidifier because it was very easy to set up and it didn’t require a filter to either clean or replace. Refilling it is slightly tricky due to the shape of the humidifier, but once you get the hang of it it’s not bad. This humidifier doesn’t come with any bonus features like an essential oil diffuser, light projector or LED screen, but if you are looking for a decent capacity model with the basics, this one comes at a good price.
Price: from $44.95
Buy the Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier here.
Pros:
- Unique design that comes in fun colors
- No need for a filter
- Large one gallon capacity
- Spout on top rotates so you can direct the mist where you want it to go
Cons:
- Somewhat difficult to clean and refill
- Somewhat cumbersome to transport
- Cannot turn off on light when machine is on
- No extras
Find more Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier information and reviews here.
7. Easiest Nursery Humidifier to Clean: Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier
(Honeywell)
The Honeywell Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier gets points for being super easy to clean and refill. The tank is removable, fits easily into a kitchen sink and has a wide opening for ease of filling with water. This evaporative humidifier requires a disposable filter, which will need to be replace every one to three months, depending on the amount of use the machine gets. However, because it is not an ultrasonic humidifier, there is no need to worry about your humidifier producing a layer of fine white dust over your belongings. Consumers rate this product highly due to the ease of cleaning and refilling. Just keep in mind you will need to factor in the price of filter replacements, at around 10 bucks a pop.
Price: $54.99 (21 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier here.
Pros:
- Easy to clean and refill
- Features a germ-killing UV light
- Three speed settings to adjust moisture and sound level
- Runs up to 24 hours per filling on low setting
Cons:
- Must replace filter every one to three months
- Somewhat bulky and cumbersome to transport
- Louder than ultrasonic humidifiers
- No extras
Find more The Honeywell Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier information and reviews here.
8. Best Affordable Ultrasonic Nursery Humidifier: Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 Degree Humidifier
(Safety 1st)
This Ultrasonic 360 Degree Humidifier from Safety 1st comes at a great price for its size (one gallon tank). For the $27 price, you can purchase the blue version of this product with free shipping via Prime; there is an adorable raspberry version that is unfortunately not currently available via Prime and costs about $10 more than the blue. This humidifier is another ultrasonic humidifier, which means it contains no filter that needs to be cleaned or replaced. However, you will need to frequently clean out the tank of the machine to prevent mineral buildup. Using distilled water should decrease the need for cleanings and prevent the fine white dust from settling all over your furniture after use. The Safety 1st humidifier contains an auto shut-off feature, which makes it especially safe for nurseries. Consumers love the 360-degree outlets that allow you to direct the vapor exactly where you want it, though if turned up to a high setting and both pointed in the same direction, vapor can tend to pool beneath the machine.
Price: $29.88 (25 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 Degree Humidifier here.
Pros:
- Low price
- Easy to refill
- Automatically shuts off when water tank is empty
- Variable mist control and two 360-degree mist outlets
Cons:
- Raspberry color not currently eligible for Prime shipping
- Somewhat difficult to clean
- High vapor output that can tend to settle on your surfaces
- Ultrasonic humidifiers can leave a fine mist of white dust
Find more Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 Degree Humidifier information and reviews here.
9. Best Character Nursery Humidifier: Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
(Crane)
This Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a very close cousin to the Crane Drop Ultrasonic Humidifier. The major difference is the super cute designs this version comes in, including the Penguin, pictured above. It comes in many other animal shapes, such as Elephant, Polar Bear, Owl, Frog, Cow and Dog. This item is currently available only to Prime members. Currently, this particular Penguin model is available at a steep discount, for just $21! As with the Crane Drop Humidifier, the Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier has a large one gallon capacity and does not require a filter. It also has a spout on top that rotates so you can point the vapor where you want it to go. Consumers have reported that due to the deepness of the tank it is somewhat difficult to clean and refill. You can see the Elephant version in action in the video below, and get some tips for cleaning.
Price: $39.96
Buy the Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier here.
Pros:
- Adorable animal designs
- No need for a filter
- Large one gallon capacity
- Spout on top rotates so you can direct the mist where you want it to go
Cons:
- Not currently eligible for Prime shipping
- Somewhat difficult to clean and refill tank
- Ultrasonic humidifiers can leave a fine mist of white dust
- No extras
Find more Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier information and reviews here.
10. Best Compact Nursery Humidifier: Anypro Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With Variable Time Settings
(Anypro)
The Anypro Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a compact humidifier that packs a big punch. Although its capacity is around half of the one gallon humidifiers, consumers report that it emits a nice output of vapor to moisturize your baby’s room. This humidifier is ultrasonic, meaning you will need to use distilled water to prevent a fine white dust from settling on your belongings; but it also means you won’t need to buy filters because it doesn’t use them. The Anypro has some cool bonus features: the variable timer settings allow you to tell the humidifier when to shut off (pick from one, three or six hours); it’s made from antibacterial material that is designed to suppress mold growth; finally, the soft blue optional night-light feature makes it a great option for a nursery. This model does contain a separate aromatherapy drawer where you can insert essential oil pads for a diffuse fragrance throughout your room. Some consumers have reported the drawer is somewhat difficult to open and refill.
Price: $36.99 (26 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Anypro Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With Variable Time Settings here.
Pros:
- Variable timer settings that shut the humidifier off after one, three or six hours
- Detachable power adapter for easier cleaning and refilling
- Optional soft blue night light
- Antibacterial material helps suppress mold growth
Cons:
- Smaller water tank needs to be refilled more often
- Ultrasonic humidifiers can leave a fine mist of white dust
- Vapor nozzle rotates in a circle but angle cannot be adjusted
- Somewhat difficult to change pads in aromatherapy drawer
Find more Anypro Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With Variable Time Settings information and reviews here.
