If you’re not a doctor, it can be hard to distinguish a high-quality humidifier for your baby from an average one.
There are so many characteristics you have to look for. What’s more, the price can sometimes be misleading and makes the job even harder.
If you’re not a doctor, it can be hard to distinguish a high-quality humidifier for your baby from an average one. There are so many characteristics you have to look for.
What’s more, the price can sometimes be misleading and makes the job even harder.
This article will review different types of humidifiers and explain their various characteristics. After reading this guide, you’ll be able to choose the best humidifier for baby according to your needs and budget.
Comparison Chart
Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier Small Humidifier for Bedrooms, Baby, Kids Rooms, Auto-Shut Off, 0.5 Gallon Tank for 20 Hours of Moisturized Air, Use with Vicks VapoPads
Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, Filter-Free, 1 Gallon, for Home Bedroom Baby Nursery and Office, White
Best Humidifiers for Baby Reviews
Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier
This humidifier is a mini version of the most powerful Vicks humidifiers. It’s ideal for people looking for a filter-free solution, as it can run for up to 20 hours.
Product Highlights
When you’re a new parent, the last thing you need is to deal with complicated devices. Bearing this in mind, Vicks created this long-lasting and easy-to-use humidifier. The transparent tank has a wide opening that makes it easy to fill, use, and clean.
This humidifier is designed for small rooms, such as nurseries. It might be small and convenient, but its capacity is impressive – it has a half-gallon tank, which means that if you use it on the lowest setting, it can last for up to 20 hours. Then, it’ll automatically shut off, with no sound, and without disturbing your baby’s sleep. All you have to do is refill the tank.
If you already have a large humidifier for your living room and are looking for something baby-friendly, this may be the best humidifier for a baby you’ll find.
The Good
The best thing about this humidifier is that it requires no filters. It comes with a free sample of Vicks VapoPad. You can add soothing menthol vapors if your child is having problems with coughing and congestion. Alternatively, you can add lavender for a calming and improved sleep.
The Bad
There are a lot of advantages to a small humidifier, but the biggest disadvantage is that it’s more challenging to clean than a bigger version. Cleaning the tank is easy, but the top doesn’t come off, so it’s hard to clean the cylinder area. You will need a super-tiny brush and a lot of patience if you want to prevent mold.
Pros
- Filter-free
- Small and compact
- Menthol and lavender vapors
Cons
- Some parts difficult to clean
- Not very durable
- A bit noisy
Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
This Crane humidifier is ideal for medium and large rooms where the family spends time together. It has a 1-gallon tank, which means it can operate for up to 24 hours, even in large areas.
Product Highlights
If you’re looking for something to keep your family covered day and night, this may be the best humidifier for a baby you’ll find.
Once you fill the tank, you can relax and enjoy the healthy air throughout the house. It may be too intense for small nurseries, but there’s a solution; simply place it in front of the door and leave the door open. That way, it’ll spread to both rooms.
Crane’s humidifier runs extremely quietly, which makes it the perfect option for babies and light sleepers. Also, you can set it to automatically turn off during the night, without making any noise.
The opening is very wide, which makes refilling it effortless. It comes with a detachable bottom fill tank, which makes it very easy to clean. If you maintain it properly, it can last for years, unlike some other affordable humidifiers. Therefore, it’s an excellent value for the money.
The Good
Crane recognized that one of the biggest problems with humidifiers is preventing mold. This issue becomes even more critical when we’re talking about using one in the presence of babies and small children. That’s why this model is made with a clean control anti-microbial material, which reduces mold and bacteria growth by up to 99.96%.
The Bad
This humidifier has multiple speeds. However, it seems it’s optimized only for high and medium speed. When you use it at the lowest speed, it tends to leak and leave wet marks. Therefore, it’s perfect for large rooms where you need a lot of humidity, but not for tiny rooms where you need moderate moisture.
Pros
- Anti-microbial material
- Large capacity tank
- Very quiet
Cons
- Not suitable for small rooms
- Not optimized for low-speed
- Difficult to find parts for replacement
Safety 1st 360 Degree Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
This 360-degree ultrasonic humidifier is ideal for families with two babies. It has two rotating mist outlets, and it can soothe two babies in different beds at once, all night long.
Product Highlights
This is a decent humidifier and is well designed. Thanks to ultrasonic technology, it operates quietly and without filters. You can use it all year round, as you can set the level of humidity desired.
It’s suitable both for small and large rooms, depending on the speed you set. On the low setting, it can operate up to 24-hours without a refill. This feature is convenient and makes you forget that you even have it. When it’s time to refill it, the device will remind you with an alert light.
Two mist outlets rotate 360-degrees, providing full nursery coverage, great for if you have other kids in separate beds. It’s ideal for families on a budget, as there’s no need to buy multiple humidifiers. You can get this one for a very reasonable price, and you won’t be disappointed by its quality.
The Good
This humidifier does not only shut off automatically, but it also has an alert light to let you know when it’s time to refill the tank. This feature is a great reminder for busy parents. That way, you can make sure it’ll never stop operating during the night if the water level gets low.
The Bad
The only issue with this humidifier is that it requires a certain level of strength. The cap is very tight, which makes refilling and cleaning difficult. It takes some muscle power to remove it, and although this may not seem like a big issue, it can become frustrating if it happens day after day.
Pros
- Suitable for two babies
- Low alert light
- Affordable
Cons
- Tight cap, hard to refill
- Hard to clean
- A bit foggy
Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier
This Honeywell germ-free humidifier is one of the best models you will find on the market today. It provides optimal moisture control and protection from germs, mold, and bacteria.
Product Highlights
This is a professional humidifier, often used in hospitals and nurseries and other places that need to have super-clean air. It has a patented Ultra-Violet light system that kills up to 99.9% of mold, fungus, and bacteria in the water. Therefore, it may be ideal for parents who are concerned about their baby’s health and well-being.
Another great thing about this humidifier is that it uses evaporative technology to blow the moisture off a wicking filter. This system makes sure you never over-humidify a room, and it ensures optimal balance. Apart from your health, this system also protects your wooden furniture from shrinking (when the humidity is too low) or cracking (when there are extreme temperature changes).
This humidifier has a 1-gallon tank that can run for 24 hours, making it suitable for medium and large rooms.
The Good
This is, by far, one of the top models on the market. It guarantees professional results and protection from germs and mold. One of the features that sets it apart is that it comes with additional equipment, such as a humidity monitor and special cleaning ball. The cleaning ball allows you to deep clean the humidifier, which is impossible with other tools.
The Bad
It’s hard to find any flaw in this premium air humidifier. The only drawback could be its price, but this aligns with the quality and safety it provides. If you want a Honeywell humidifier, you can expect to pay double the price of a regular humidifier. However, if your baby has respiratory problems, this may be the best solution for their health.
Pros
- Professional-grade
- Germ-free and bacteria-free
- Humidity monitor
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Uses only genuine filters
- Issues with replacement
Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
This 2-in-1 humidifier comes with an optional night light which is an excellent option for kids who don’t like the dark. It offers a soothing glow for relaxation and eases falling asleep.
Product Highlights
This 360-degree humidifier is ideal for nurseries and bedrooms. You can easily control and direct the flow of the mist away from areas that don’t need moisture. That way, your baby can sleep peacefully without distractions, and you can also protect your furniture and plants. Also, you can control the speed and the settings.
Pure Enrichment is famous for its premium customer service and warranty, and this device is no exception. It comes with an industry-leading 5-year warranty, including customer support available seven days a week. If you ever need to replace a part, the process is much faster and easier than with other manufacturers.
The device comes with a user manual and a disk cleaning brush for effortless maintenance. A cleaning brush is an excellent bonus because those tiny brushes are difficult to find. You’ll finally have a way to clean even the hardest to reach areas and prevent mold.
The Good
What we love about this humidifier is its night light. It helps babies and adults relax, and it prepares them for sleep. It’s a nice feature, and it provides additional value. If you don’t want to keep multiple devices in your baby’s room, this humidifier may be a lifesaver.
The Bad
In comparison to other humidifiers, this one needs to be refilled most often. While some other devices last up to 24 hours, this model only lasts 16 hours. However, that is not a huge deal as refilling it is effortless. Once it becomes a habit, you’ll do it automatically without thinking.
Pros
- Night light
- 5-year warranty
- Disk cleaning brush
Cons
- Only lasts 16 hours
- It could be more sturdy
- A bit leaky
Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the best humidifier for a baby can be very stressful, especially if this is your first time doing so. Every company advertises their humidifier as the best one, but we’re here to help you make an informed decision. In this guide, you’ll find all the features you have to consider.
Types of Humidifiers
Two main types of humidifiers exist cool mist and warm mist humidifiers. All of the humidifiers in our guide are cool mist because doctors don’t recommend warm mist humidifiers for babies. When it comes to cool mist humidifiers, the difference is in the way they operate. The two most common types are evaporative and ultrasonic.
Evaporative humidifiers have a cylinder that absorbs water and a fan that blows air across that water. They’re often more affordable, but they can be noisy. The fan is constantly blowing, and it produces noise, which can prevent your baby from falling asleep.
However, it doesn’t always have to be like that. The Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier is an excellent example of a high-quality evaporative humidifier with noise control.
Ultrasonic humidifiers use a more advanced system – they emit water in the form of a mist and rely on vibration instead of a fan. Therefore, they’re a much quieter option, ideal for nurseries and bedrooms. All of the humidifiers on our list, except for the Honeywell, are ultrasonic.
Another important decision is deciding whether you want a filter or no filter humidifier. We’ll explain the pros and cons of both options below.
Automatic Shut-Off
Most modern humidifiers have an automatic shut-off option, and this feature is worth paying for. When the water level is low, your humidifier will turn off. If you plan to use it overnight, you should look for humidifiers with a silent shut-off. This is vital as it could wake up your baby otherwise.
The latest models also have a light signal when the water level is critically low. That way, you can refill it when needed, so it doesn’t run dry. This feature can be a life-saver if you’re busy and don’t have time to think about small details like this. The last thing you want is your humidifier to stop working during the night.
Filter vs. No Filter
Filterless humidifiers have become very popular in recent years. Parents are choosing them because it seems they require less time and money. However, that is not entirely true. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
If you opt for a filterless humidifier, you’ll have to clean it more often, to prevent bacteria, mold, and germs. Some models are easy to clean, while others have areas that are almost impossible to reach. The good news is that the cool mist filterless humidifiers, the ones reviewed in this guide, are a much better option than the hot water filterless humidifiers.
On the other hand, filter humidifiers may be safer as they automatically filter the water to remove germs. They also need cleaning, and you mustn’t forget to replace the filter from time to time. There’s one catch, though. Some expensive filter humidifiers require using only the filters from their company, which can be very costly.
Financial issues apart, if your baby has respiratory problems, it may be a good idea to purchase a model with a filter. Nowadays, there are filters made of anti-bacterial materials, and they may be the safest option available, especially if you don’t have time to clean it daily. Doctors recommend using anti-bacterial filters for a good reason, but they’re also the priciest models on the market.
Diffuser
A diffuser and humidifier are sometimes contained in the same device, but that’s not always the case. For example, the first model on our list, the Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier, can also be used as a diffuser. In that case, the 2-in-1 model represents great value for the money.
However, bear in mind that there’s a big difference between humidifiers and diffusers. Humidifiers are recommended for kids who suffer from respiratory issues, while diffusers can help with a stuffy nose and relaxation and are also advised to adults who suffer from stress.
Diffusers are generally used for distributing essential oils throughout the air. There are many benefits to using essential oils. First, they’re great for relaxation and falling asleep. Second, some of them can help with respiratory problems and such issues. However, some babies may be sensitive to oils. Therefore, it may be a good idea to talk with your doctor before you introduce essential oils.
There’s one more catch with essential oils. You have to make sure your humidifier is suitable for them, otherwise, you may ruin it. We suggest checking in the user manual or asking customer support before doing so. It’s important to be 100% sure you can use them with your device. Also, bear in mind that this kind of issue is never included in the warranty.
Cool Mist vs. Hot Steam
When it comes to humidifying the air, cool mist and hot steam humidifiers are equally effective. However, doctors only recommend cool mist humidifiers for use with kids due to safety concerns. A hot steam humidifier is full of hot water, and if you accidentally spill it, you could burn yourself or your child.
Moreover, if you have a toddler who starts crawling or walking or a dog who likes to play, a hot steam humidifier is not a solution for your home. That’s why we’ve selected only cool mist humidifiers in this guide.
Don’t worry though, you’re not losing out on quality, as the health benefits are the same. The only advantage of hot steam humidifiers is that they can also be used for warming your home when it’s cold outside.
FAQs
What Types of Humidifiers are There?
All of the humidifiers recommended for babies belong to the group of cool mist humidifiers – they’re safer than humidifiers that use warm or hot water. The two most common types are evaporative and ultrasonic. The difference is in the system they use.
Evaporative humidifiers have a fan that blows air. Ultrasonic humidifiers emit water in the form of a mist. Evaporative humidifiers are usually more affordable, but the fan makes them noisy. Ultrasonic humidifiers are a better solution for nurseries and bedrooms, as they’re quieter.
Another distinction is between the filter and filterless humidifiers. Filterless humidifiers are usually cheaper, but they can be challenging to clean. On the other hand, humidifiers with filters offer better protection from germs and mold, but replacing the filter can be costly.
Does My Baby Need a Humidifier?
Some parents decide to buy a humidifier because the air in their home is dry or because the doctor recommended it to them. A humidifier can have a positive effect on the overall health of babies, kids, and adults. They’re not always necessary, but in some cases, they’re strongly recommended.
For example, you may need a humidifier if your baby suffers from allergies, asthma, coughing, congestions, etc. It can also be helpful for seasonal issues, such as a sore throat or runny nose. However, it’s always the best idea to talk to your doctor first. Unfortunately, a humidifier is sometimes not suitable for some severe cases of respiratory diseases.
If your baby doesn’t have any issues and you just want to try out a humidifier, it’s okay to go with a cheaper version. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a professional humidifier if you just want to moisten your air a bit. It’ll give you decent results, and it’ll stay safe as long as you remember to clean it often.
What Are the Benefits of a Humidifier?
A humidifier makes the air in your house more humid, which can be essential, especially in the winter, when most people struggle with dry air. It can improve the quality of your baby’s breathing, and as a result, it can improve the quality of its sleep, etc. Also, it prevents dry eye issues and irritation.
It can treat some symptoms of allergies, sore throat, and many other issues. A humidifier can also help your baby recover faster from any respiratory issues it may have. In the long run, it enables you to deal with chronic respiratory illnesses more effectively.
Should I Choose a Hot or Cool Water Humidifier?
If you have a baby or a toddler, you should choose a cool water humidifier. Their effect and health benefits are the same, it’s just that hot water humidifiers can be more dangerous. You want to do everything you can to prevent a potential problem, and boiling water is the last thing you need around your baby, especially once it learns to walk.
When your kids grow, you can then choose any humidifier you like for your home or your office. Cool water humidifiers may be better for summer, while hot water humidifiers are a perfect solution for winter, as they can also warm the room. However, you may need to put that on hold until your children grow a bit.
Are Baby Humidifiers Safe?
When adults are operating them, baby humidifiers are perfectly safe. You just have to make sure there’s no hot water that could hurt your kid and that the fan isn’t blowing directly on them. The good news is that most of the humidifiers from our guide have a 360-degree rotation, so you can protect your baby from a direct blow.
You should never allow your baby to touch a humidifier. They’re not considered safe, and they represent a potential threat. You should never leave a child alone with a humidifier. This also applies to dogs or any other pets – you should always keep your humidifier high so they can’t reach it.
For your humidifier to stay safe and effective, you have to clean it regularly. If you forget to clean it, you may be shocked to discover dirt and mold on its inside. That’s normal, as the humid areas are great for developing mold. You certainly don’t want to let your humidifier spread the germs around your baby.
Final Verdict
As you can see, there are so many different options. You can’t go wrong with either of them, because we’ve selected them very carefully. If we had to choose only one, we’d say that the Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier is the best humidifier for baby. It’s made of germ-free material and provides professional results at home.
If you’re on a budget, the Safety 1st 360 Degree Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier may also be a great alternative. It’s perfect for families with more kids as it provides full nursery coverage.
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