Compare Our Picks
Recommended With Reservations
Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro
Carepod Mini for $150: When turned on, the Carepod Mini looks like a Brita Filter that’s also an electric tea kettle. And you’ll think this too because of the Carepod’s unique oscillator that moves the water around inside the clear plastic tank. And unlike the larger stainless steel parts of the larger Carepod models, the Carepod Mini is not dishwasher safe. However, like all Carepod models, the Mini doesn’t have a filter because Carepod recommends using filtered water, putting the water-purifying duties on the user. I would prefer a model with a filter option. Still, the Mini is easy to clean with mild soap and water, unlike some humidifiers that require special descaling solutions. I like what Carepod is trying to do in the humidifier market space, but I almost tipped the whole thing over when I instinctively picked it up by the handle that only lifts up the top part. Still, I found the percolating water effect to be soothing and it does a good job of providing a steady flow of mist. I elevated my Carepod Mini because of its slightly sideways mist flow. I put it on a ceramic plant stand because Carepod warns against placing the Mini directly on wood or furniture because of possible water damage. And while I still do not understand the benefits of Carepod’s oscillator, it looks cool.
Not Recommended
Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro
Pure Enrichment Hume XL Humidifier for $80: There are certain design issues that can make a humidifier less user-friendly, and Pure Enrichment’s Hume XL has them all. To begin with, the Hume XL has the old-style tank that needs to be removed and flipped over to fill from the bottom, with a cap that needs to be unscrewed. And while The Hume has a surprisingly large-capacity 5-gallon tank, the filling process is cumbersome, and I always spilled water while doing it. And while the Hume XL has an automatic shutoff when the tank is empty, the opaque black plastic tank is nearly impossible to see through, making it difficult to gauge if I need to fill the tank. There’s also no indicator light to let me know the tank is running low. And while the Hume XL has a solid five-year warranty, night light, and two settings for low or high mist, it’s neither app compatible nor does it have a built-in humidistat. Other lower-cost models have these features. Lastly, the decalcification cartridge filter is sold separately.
FAQs
I’ve been writing about air quality for WIRED since 2019. All the humidifiers in this review were tested in my 100-plus-year-old apartment with the heat on. I was looking for user-friendly humidifiers that could fill a medium-size room with the ideal moisture. I didn’t want to lug jugs of distilled water up my stairs; I also wanted one that was easy to maintain. I was looking for a more committed and sustainable relationship with my humidifier. Maybe you want that too.
At What Percent Humidity Should I Use a Humidifier?
According to the EPA, ideal humidity in a home should be between 30 and 50 percent. Having an indoor humidity at over 60 percent produces a risk of mold growth. A recent study noted that relative humidity serves as a viable predictor of mold growth, and while temperature plays a significant role, keeping humidity levels in the safe range provides benefits without contributing to the unwanted issue of mold. Another study noted that decreased humidity contributed to increased static electricity, skin dryness, and eye irritations along with increased influenza virus survival. For all of those reasons, a humidifier might be what your heat-on/winter season requires.
How Often Should I Clean My Humidifier?
WIRED has seen instructions ranging from “after every use” for dishwasher-safe tanks to “once a week,” to “once a month” in various user manuals. A recent study found that while study participants often did not know how to clear their humidifiers, many used a solution of vinegar and water. If you save anything from the box your humidifier came in, save the manual. I used a solution of water and citric acid to clean my Dyson humidifier. It’s worth noting that a South Korean study found that certain humidifier chemical disinfectants for household humidifiers caused lung injury. Follow your user manual and do not add chemical disinfectants—this is one reason that dishwasher-safe water tanks are an appealing option.
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