The Best Humidifiers for Babies to Get You Through Cold + Flu Season

This humidifier ticks all the boxes: it’s easy to set up, has a large one-gallon tank that provides up to 24 hours of mist and is relatively easy to clean (you can fit your whole hand inside the tank to wipe it out). It’s also not just a humidifier: there’s a night light feature and an option for white noise, and it can be used to diffuse oils. “I love that it has so many different functions,” one parent said. “It also works extremely well. The output is just amazing. It's our favorite humidifier!” At $60, not only does it do a lot, it does it for a pretty affordable price. 

I used this humidifier in my two-year-old son’s room and the first thing that stood out to me was the spout’s swivel feature; I could point the mist directly at his crib for targeted moisture.

It was also almost completely silent. My favorite feature, though, was the one-gallon tank. A full tank gives you about 24 hours of use, so I could refill every other night instead of every night like with many smaller humidifiers. Another handy feature was the top-fill tank, which made it really easy to use and refill when the water did run out. 

For downsides, there are some quirks to the cleaning process: the design is such that you may have to bring the whole unit to the sink to rinse it out and refill it, rather than just removing the tank. The cord detaches to make this easier, but it can still be a bit cumbersome. It can be a worthwhile tradeoff, though: “I especially like[d] not [to] have to unscrew a lid to fill with water,” one parent told us. And while this didn’t happen with my humidifier, there were a few parents who said theirs leaked.

Additional Specs

• Tank size: 1 gallon 

• Room size: up to 500 sq. ft. 

• Other features: night light, diffuser, sound machine

This humidifier from the innovative brand FridaBaby (the minds behind the Snotsucker) is the one that Babylist parents add to their registries the most. It’s chic enough to use anywhere (I kept mine in my own room) and the three-in-one design also features a night light and a diffuser. 

Parents love this humidifier for its good looks, price and many uses. “The best room humidifier I have owned,” agreed one parent. “Not only is this affordable, but they have an amazing warranty program. We use this year-round in our small living room. I plan on buying another two for our room and my daughter's room.”

The tank is half a gallon, so it’s on the smaller side, which is something to keep in mind.  And it’s pretty hard to clean. The opening is narrow, making it tough to get inside to give it a good scrub.  FridaBaby recommends using a bottle brush, but even that is tricky. “​​It got moldy and was so hard to clean. Had to throw it away!” said one parent in our survey. And a few parents have had issues with the unit no longer working after a few months, but parents also rave about FridaBaby’s warranty and customer service. So if you have an issue, definitely reach out.

Additional Specs

• Tank size: 0.5 gallon 

• Room size: up to 320 sq. ft. 

• Other features: night light, diffuser

The biggest selling point of the Canopy is that while it needs to be cleaned, it needs it much less often than many other humidifiers on the market—and it’s a lot easier to do. That’s because this baby humidifier uses antimicrobial LED technology to kill 99.9% of bacteria and prevent mold growth. And when it is time to clean it, the tank is dishwasher safe. “That’s probably the biggest win,” Babylist editor Jen LaBracio told me. Parents agree, noting it’s “insanely easy to care for.” There’s also a large tank for 24 hours of run time. 

Aesthetically, the Canopy is a nice departure from the traditional humidifier style. “I also love that it doesn't emit any visible mist or steam,” notes LaBracio. “You don't have to worry about resting it on a wood or other damage-prone surface when you're using it since there's no obvious moisture coming from it.” Diffusing essential oils are a nice addition, too—LaBracio said she didn't find them too overpowering. 

For downsides, it’s considerably more expensive than the others on our list. And it’s not quiet. “I was especially disappointed in the noise level since I purchased one for my daughter’s room,” says one parent. Some users have also mentioned mold buildup on top of the main unit by the fan, which can be difficult to clean if it does accumulate (though it is possible by unscrewing the area and wiping down the area). And while minor, it’s worth noting that the antimicrobial light does emit a soft glow between the base of the humidifier and the tank that can act as a night light, but it doesn’t turn off. If your child likes or needs a dark room, you may have to cover it.

Additional Specs

• Tank size: 0.66 gallon 

• Room size: up to 500 sq. ft. 

• Other features: diffuser

This humidifier comes with a bit of a learning curve—but a worthwhile one. To make sense of the numbers and symbols that appear on the unit when you turn it on, you need to download the Safety 1st Connected Family app. If you have multiple WiFi networks in your house to boost signal strength, you may have trouble connecting the humidifier to the app (I did, because it kept bouncing between networks and losing the Bluetooth connection), as other parents have also noted—but once I figured out the connection, it was great. 

I could fully customize the settings from my phone, anywhere from 30 to 75 percent humidity. “We had a regular humidifier but being able to control via phone without waking up the baby is amazing,” agreed one parent. 

I also loved the thoughtful features like a timer and a lock that prevent the unit from being adjusted by anything but the app (handy for little hands who can’t resist the siren song of digital numbers to push and play with). The large tank holds two nights’ worth of water. “A big bonus was that it didn't need to be filled as often as others I've used,” said one parent.  The simple tank shape is easy to clean, too. But the best part is when you’re low on water or need to clean it, you get a push notification on the app, which is so helpful. The filter needs to be replaced every 250 gallons, which I found manageable.

For downsides, other than the challenges with setup, other parents said their unit leaked. “Leaks, everywhere. Regardless of cleaning, resetting and following instructions explicitly. Ruins furniture,” said one parent. “I follow the directions but somehow the base always gets too much water in it, and the tank pours when you remove it from the base so my ground is always soaked,” agreed another.

Additional Specs

• Tank size: 1 gallon 

• Room size: up to 500 sq. ft. 

• Other features: Nighlight

This is a simple, no-frills humidifier, but that’s also what’s great about it. It fills so easily, for one. “I’ve owned my fair share of humidifiers, and they’ve all made me feel like I was preparing for a NASA mission just to refill the tank,” said one reviewer. “Not this one! The LEVOIT Top Fill Humidifier is a game-changer. The top-fill design is so simple, even my dog could do it (well, if he had opposable thumbs). Just lift the lid, pour in the water, and you’re done—no more spilling half the tank on the floor while trying to flip it over!” The shape of the interior makes it easy to clean and the large two-and-a-half gallon tank lasts a long time. It puts out a powerful mist that my four-year-old loved watching.

It’s very quiet, too. “A good humidifier should operate quietly, as loud noise can disrupt a child’s sleep,” say Hunter and Walker, and not only is this one silent, it has no distracting lights. “I sleep so much more comfortably,” said one reviewer.  It also has a small footprint, which is extra impressive considering the large capacity. 

The whole thing comes apart for easy access for cleaning, and the simple shape makes it faster to clean than other models. “Cleaning this thing is a breeze too—no awkward corners that make you wonder if you're harboring a small ecosystem of bacteria,” says one user. “Easy to clean and easy to put back together,” agrees another. 

If you’re looking for extra features, like a nightlight or diffuser, this isn’t the option for you. But otherwise, it’s great.

Additional Specs

• Tank size: 0.66 gallon 

• Room size: up to 280 sq. ft. 

• Other features: none

Designing a nursery can be fun, and the Pure Enrichment humidifier looks good in just about any of them. The playful cloud shape houses a half-gallon tank that can run for up to 15 hours on the high setting. Of all the humidifiers on this list, this is definitely the one with the best nursery aesthetic. “Cute, great working humidifier,” says one parent.

It runs quietly, which parents appreciate. “I love the design and how super quiet it is. And the colors are fun,” says a parent. It also includes a nightlight, which is available in one of five colors. “We like the colored lights as a bonus night light,” said another. 

Generally, parents say it works well, though the unique shape can be difficult to clean. “[It] was super hard to clean, scraped all my hands to try to clean it,” said one parent. It’s also worth noting that in order to use the nightlight function, there must be water in the tank.

Additional Specs

• Tank size: 0.5 gallon 

• Room size: up to 250 sq. ft. 

• Other features: Nightlight