Dry air causes nasal congestion, dry coughs, chapped lips, parched skin, and can aggravate eczema. It is especially true for babies since their immune, and respiratory systems are not fully developed. The best baby humidifier will irrigate the nose to loosen mucus, prevent sinus congestion and alleviate allergy symptoms. It will also hydrate your baby’s skin to keep it soft and clear and create white noise which can comfort and lull babies to sleep.
Among the features we considered in our review are tank capacity (to determine how long the unit lasts till it needs to be refilled) and an auto shut-off feature (to know if it’s safe to leave working overnight). We also looked at the humidifier’s ability to double as an oil diffuser for additional therapeutic calming and soothing benefits. Lastly, we reviewed the dimensions for portability and storage options and noise levels that will not disturb your baby. With all these features in mind, we decided that he Levoit LV600HH is worthy of becoming our Editor’s Choice.
More features: humidity sensor; LED screen; comes with 2 extra aroma pads and absorption pads
This unit comes with the technology, advanced features, and powerful high mist output required in the best humidifier for a baby nursery. It is also the best-rated humidifier for a baby by Amazon. Since Amazon selects top models based on their popularity, high ratings given by buyers, low return rate, and competitive pricing, you can be guaranteed of this humidifier’s quality and performance. Safety is also assured because it is certified by CE and ETL.
LEVOIT is a hybrid model which serves as a warm and cool mist baby humidifier that can heat water to a high temperature in order to destroy bacteria and increase moisture levels 25 percent faster than cool mist units.
An LED digital screen displays the actual humidity level in your baby’s room so you can adjust it as you want.
A convenient remote control and a user-friendly touchpad allow you to select and change the settings. You can also program it to Auto mode for automatic detection and adjustment of humidity levels, or use the built-in timer with an auto shut-off feature.
The water tank is made of durable ABS plastic with a special leak-proof design. It has a large capacity of six liters which can humidify the baby nursery for up to three days without needing to be refilled. A maximum vapor output of up to 500 ml/h can add moisture to the entire room in mere minutes. Thanks to its extensive coverage area it’s also a great humidifier for large rooms.
The unit works as an essential oils diffuser and comes with two extra aroma and two absorption pads which, along with the whisper-quiet operation, make it a decent humidifier for sinus problems which provides a soothing and peaceful environment for babies in the nursery.
More features: anti-leakage design
This is the best humidifier for a sick baby or a baby prone to allergies because it has a medical stone filter which removes airborne impurities and bacteria from the atmosphere for clean, healthy air.
The water tank has a capacity of three liters which lessens the rate of refilling and increases moisture levels for up to 30 hours depending on the selected mist output mode; low, mid or high. When the water level runs low, an orange indicator light flashes for ten seconds and the humidifier automatically switches off to protect the unit from damage caused by overheating.
A very convenient feature is the anti-leakage top-fill design which does not require the lid to be removed or the unit to be switched off in order to refill. The opening is also spacious enough for you to reach into the reservoir and clean it without removing it. In addition to the one-year warranty, the manufacturer also offers a 3-year limited warranty.
More features: BPA-free; antimicrobial material in the base
Crane is a humidifier designated for children with the aesthetics to match. It features a cute monkey design which adds fun to your baby’s room.
It is made of BPA-free and antimicrobial material with Clean Control technology which prevents the proliferation of mold and bacteria.
The water tank has a large capacity of 3.8 liters which can humidify rooms measuring up to 500 square feet for 24 hours without requiring to be refilled. Once the water runs low, the unit automatically switches off.
One of the best things about this model is its filter-free operation which eliminates the inconvenience of cleaning and replacing filters.
The nozzle rotates around 360 degrees to humidify the entire space, and you can direct the nozzle to focus on one area of the room. A dial allows you to adjust the volume of moisture emitted which also has an impact on the overall runtime. The higher the setting, the less time it will operate on one refill.
The ultrasonic technology generates whisper-quiet noise which serves as pleasant white noise to lull your baby to sleep.
Note though, that a number of customers noticed leaking when the water level ran low.
More features: built-in 7 color LED night light; comes with 3 scented sachets; 2 e-books; 1 e-course
This is a versatile 5-in-1 model which can serve as a humidifier, air purifier, ionizer, nebulizer, moisturizer, and oil diffuser, making it worth the price.
It features a water tank capacity of 2.8 liters which reduces refilling frequency and a runtime of 20 hours which can extend to 24 hours in small and medium rooms. The unit automatically detects when the water level is low and shuts itself off.
It has a 360-degree nozzle with adjustable vapor speed which gives you more control to concentrate humidification on any area of rooms measuring 200 to 300 square feet. Selection of settings is facilitated by a control knob located at the front of the unit. The stone filter removes odor and airborne particles to emit clean vapor.
The integrated LED display avails seven-night light color options so you can select the ideal one for your baby’s restful nights. You can program the colors to alternate automatically or turn them off if you prefer a dark room. Being an ultrasonic humidifier, it also runs very quietly.
The unit has been certified by ETL as safe for children. The purchase comes with an e-course, two e-books, and three free scented sachets which along with the integrated diffuser for essential oils add fresh fragrance for a soothing and calming atmosphere. Mind though, that the model’s design makes it somewhat difficult to clean the unit from the inside.
More features: 45° tilted nozzle; dial knob mist control
This ultrasonic unit has a blue translucent water tank with a capacity of two liters which can humidify your baby’s room for up to 24 hours without requiring refilling. The unit works flawlessly and effectively, which makes it a perfect humidifier for dry skin hydration and sinus problems elimination. Once the water levels run low, the LED indicator light changes from green to red and the humidifier automatically shuts off. The LED light does not go off which can be inconvenient if your baby prefers a dark room. Some buyers fix this by placing tape over it.
At only 2.5 pounds and a small footprint, this humidifier is compact enough to be placed on any nightstand. The ergonomically designed handle has an arc shape and anti-slip groove for a firm grip and portability. This also makes it easy to refill and clean.
Vapor is emitted by a fully rotating nozzle tilted at 45 degrees for more extensive coverage. You can control the speed of the emitted mist by turning the dial knob on the front lower part of the humidifier. Normally, humidifiers become loud when you set the speed to the highest setting, but only not this model. Since it uses high-frequency vibrations instead of a fan, it generates only 30 decibels of noise at maximum speed, which is quieter than a laptop and will not disturb your baby’s peaceful sleep.
The air flow duct has a tube shape which increases humidification by 20 percent. It is advisable to place the unit at least 15 cm away from walls to avoid limiting vapor emission.
Learn more about the benefits of a humidifier and the important features which determine the best baby humidifier in this detailed guide which also answers your most frequently asked questions.
Improved air qualityDifferent humidifiers remove bacteria, allergens, and other impurities from the atmosphere using various methods. The LEVOIT Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier heats water to high temperature to kill bacteria, the Crane USA Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier for Kids uses Clean Control technology.
Dry air can cause coughs, sinusitis and nasal congestion. Increasing moisture levels loosens mucus, unclogs the stuffy nose and lubricates the throat to improve breathing. FDA recommends humidifiers Trusted Source Should You Give Kids Medicine for Coughs and Colds? | FDA Although most colds in children don’t cause serious complications, they can cause stress and worry in parents and caregivers. Most children will get better on their own, and cough or cold medicine will not change the natural course of a cold or make it go away faster. www.fda.gov as a safer alternative to over-the-counter cough medicine in babies below two years of age.
Dry air causes chapping and cracking of the skin due to dehydration. Humidifiers hydrate the skin so it can retain its moisture and remain soft and clear.
Humidifiers generate white noise which can lull your baby to sleep. Aennon Cool Mist Humidifier and Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Visible Cool Mist Humidifier work with essential oils and VapoPads respectively for their calming therapeutic properties. Apparently, a baby with no congestion issues will also sleep better.
The following features should serve as your checklist when selecting the best baby humidifier. Otherwise, the different types and variants of humidifiers available will make your selection process challenging.
There are two major mist types baby humidifiers can produce: warm and cool.
Warm mist humidifiers (such as LEVOIT Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, which actually allows you the option of both mist types) heat the water then release it into the room as steam. The risk of scalding is what makes them unsuitable for babies. However, they are the best at killing bacteria due to the high temperature. They also work well with essential oils by warming them first to add a calming aroma into the air your baby breathes in.
Cool mist humidifiers use evaporation to transform water into vapor. They are popular as baby humidifiers although they are noisy because of the fans integrated inside. They fight bacteria using filters and cartridges rather than heat as seen in warm mist humidifiers.
Baby humidifiers feature water tanks which vary in the volume of water they can hold. This capacity is usually denoted on the package or in the product description.
A large capacity is convenient because it reduces the frequency of refilling the tank and can run for an extended period. Aennon Cool Mist Humidifier has a water tank with a capacity of 2.8 liters which can run for up to 20 hours on low setting . Look for a model whose tank capacity can sustain the unit for at least 12 hours to last throughout the night so you do not have to wake up from your sleep to refill it.
Water tanks are generally made of transparent material so you can keep an eye on the water level and refill the unit when needed.
This refers to the designated length of time that the humidifier can run on a full tank without running out of water. A water tank with a high capacity and a low mist output translates to a longer period of operation. For instance, LEVOIT Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic humidifier has a water tank capacity of six liters with a runtime of a whopping 36 hours.
Long runtime reduces the number of times you will need to refill the water tank. Knowing the runtime will also guide you when programming your preferred humidity levels in models with an integrated humidistat, or when selecting the rate of mist output in humidifiers with variable speed. Operating the unit on a high setting increases the volume of mist output and reduces the overall runtime.
One of the hallmarks that determine the best-rated humidifier for a baby is quiet operation. Many humidifiers are made noisy by the presence of fans. However, most baby humidifiers utilize ultrasonic technology instead of fans and are therefore much quieter when running. The white noise emitted will actually soothe the baby to sleep.
You can reduce the level of noise generated by operating the unit at the lowest speed setting. Some models also feature a sleep mode for quiet and peaceful nights.
Automatic shut-off mechanism has become a standard safety feature in almost all baby humidifiers. When the water level in the tank runs low, the unit automatically shuts off to save energy and protect the humidifier from damage caused by overheating. The shut-off feature may also be used with programmable humidity levels to automatically switch off the unit once the set level of moisture has been achieved. A good example of such model is the LEVOIT Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier.
Some models, such as Aennon Cool Mist Humidifier and LEVOIT Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, are a combination of a humidifier and a diffuser which works with essential oil to emit a calming fresh fragrance with the vapor. Aromatherapy essential oils provide a soothing and relaxing atmosphere for the baby that helps them fall asleep quicker.
Always confirm whether the humidifier is designed to work with essential oils because adding oils can cause growth of mold and bacteria in some models, and void the warranty.
The best humidifier for a nursery should be compact in size and light in weight for easy portability and placement on a nightstand in the nursery. Dimensions also affect the shape of the humidifier and determine the ease of cleaning and refilling.
Generally, sizeable humidifiers have a large capacity which can humidify bigger rooms. Manufacturers indicate the coverage area in square feet so you can identify the right size of the unit that can keep your baby’s room at the ideal humidity levels of between 40% and 60%. A unit that is too small will not cover the nursery adequately while a model designated for a larger room will emit too much vapor and lead to mold.
Humidistat: An integrated humidistat detects the existing moisture level in the baby’s room and automatically adjusts it to the programmed optimal level which is between 40% and 60%.
Timer: This is a convenient feature which allows you to schedule the time the humidifier should automatically switch on and start running.
Filters required: Not all baby humidifiers come with filters. For instance, Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Visible Cool Mist Humidifier and Crane USA Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier for Kids do not include them. Filters remove odor and airborne particles to release clean mist. Depending on the model, the filter may require cleaning or replacement to avoid accumulation of bacteria and mold. This makes filter-free humidifiers better at maintenance and reduction of replacement costs.
Adjustable settings: Pre-set settings take out the guesswork of choosing the right humidification intensity and also provide a variety of options such as a digital display for information and feedback, speed control, water level indicator light, and night light for soft, ambient sleep, that give us more control and improve our experience.
Warranty: Since a humidifier is used often, it is important to buy a model that is covered for any defects that you may encounter.
Accessories: This will depend on the manufacturer and the brand. Aennon Cool Mist Humidifier comes with three scented sachets while LEVOIT Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier comes with two extra aroma pads and two absorption pads. It also includes a remote control for additional convenience.
LEVOIT Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier stood out for its dual-functionality which gives us the best worlds of both warm and cool mist humidifiers. It has digital sensors, essential oil-compatibility, a high tank capacity and an impressive runtime of up to three days. You can leave it running for a whole weekend if needed.
Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Visible Cool Mist Humidifier was our second choice as well as our best humidifier for a sick baby with a dry cough, nasal congestion, and allergic reactions. The medical stone filter removes airborne impurities and bacteria for clean, healthy and breathable air.
Finally, the Crane USA Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier for Kids not only has a fun design perfect for any baby’s room, but it’s also a filterless model, meaning that you won’t have to clean or replace filters.
