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Especially in dryer months or particularly arid climates, a bedroom humidifier can be a game-changer when it comes to easing coughs, asthma, allergies, dry skin, and more. You’ll find a plethora of small, affordable options available on the internet — the difficulty is in sorting between them. In general, you want something that’s easy to use and won’t disturb your sleep, while still looking neat and tidy on your nightstand.
What Makes a Good Bedroom Humidifier?
Humidifiers are sometimes noisy, leaky, bulky, or feature tanks so small that they require constant refilling. But they don’t have to be. Here are some of the features we look for in a good bedroom humidifier.
Tank Capacity: Naturally, small bedroom humidifiers tend to have smaller-capacity tanks which need to be refilled more often. Our favorite humidifiers range in capacity from about one liter to as much as six liters at a time.
Noise Level: This is for the bedroom, which means it’s important the humidifier doesn’t make too much noise when turned on so as to not disturb your sleep. The best options are specifically designed for whisper-quiet operation and may even include automatic sleep modes.
Diffuser: Some, though not all, humidifiers double as essential oil diffusers, which disperse fragrant scent throughout the air. If you’d like to add an aromatherapy element to your bedtime space, we appreciate having this option, though it isn’t a deal-breaker.
Filters: Many humidifiers come with filters that must be changed every so often to keep the diffused air pure. This can get pricy, so double check.
Additional Settings and Features: Once you’ve got the basics covered, you can start considering additional bells and whistles you find useful. Some humidifiers detect and display air quality, for example, while many others include customizable settings for intensity levels or night lights.