When it comes to the health of those in your home, you need to be concerned with the air quality you keep inside your house.
In both the summer and winter months, internal and external elements will affect your breathing, dry skin, and other parts of your body negatively, and you need to make sure that you and your family do not have health issues that arise from specific weather conditions.
One surefire way to do that is by getting the best warm mist humidifier. And while any humidifier you use can make a difference, opting for a warm mist humidifier can add safety and security to your life, and make sure your family stays happy and healthy.
Choosing one of the better warm mist humidifiers available can help satisfy your concerns about performance and you can count on the product you purchase to do its job when you need it the most.
Best Warm Mist Humidifier Comparisons
Why Choose the Best Warm Mist Humidifier?
When shopping for a humidifier, you have a choice between warm mist and cool mist technology. Cool mist humidifiers typically force particles of water into the air with a fan, adding moisture to the environment.
Cool mist humidifiers are typically adjustable in many ways, including the direction in which the mist flows and the amount of output (based on a knob setting).
By contrast, warm mist humidifiers utilize a heating element to create vapor by heating or boiling the water in the unit. The vapor is typically released without a fan, since warm air/particles rise, giving it a more natural and quieter entrance into your home atmosphere.
Both types of humidifiers employ multiple technologies to achieve their goals, and it’s important to consider these technologies when making your purchase since your individual needs and preferences can greatly impact the best option for you and your home or large rooms.
Warm mist humidifiers have several advantages to consider, including the cleanliness of the unit. Because the water is boiled before being released into your home environment, it’s highly purified, leaving allergens such as mineral dust, mold spores, and potential toxins like waterborne bacteria behind.
A warm mist humidifier, also known as a vaporizer, also offers the distinct benefit of quiet operation so you and your family aren’t disturbed by the volume.
Other benefits are included with some warm mist humidifiers, making them an even more valuable choice.
The only reason to not choose this type is the danger it can pose for babies. The hot water and vapor can spill or leak, causing burns. But if you’re careful, follow instructions, and never leave it unattended for too long, there’s no reason you can’t use them to help your child.
What is a Warm Mist Humidifier?
Employing specific technologies and various safety and overall ‘green’ or ‘clean’ features can really make a warm mist humidifier stand out above the rest.
However, there are a few other reasons certain models rank at the top of the list, including tank size, settings capabilities, potential filters, and ease of cleaning.
Take a look at some of the things we’ve identified as top features to rank a warm mist humidifier at the top of the list for satisfaction.
Technology
For most warm mist humidifiers, the technology used for operation is essentially the same. A heating element of some kind boils the water you put into the tank.
Then, without other tools and counting only on physics, the warm mist – or vapor – is released into the space around the humidifier. But it’s the other technology available that could make or break the rating of the humidifier.
For example, having multiple settings available for overall functionality, including the amount of vapor being released. What does that mean?
You can actually control the temperature and amount of mist released in many warm mist humidifiers, and these have an advantage over the competition because the last thing you need is for your humidifier to put too much moisture into the air.
Another technology feature is a shut-off feature that automatically turns the device off when the water level gets low or runs out. This is good for preventing damage to the unit from overheating and burning since it can’t operate properly without water.
It also reduces the risk of that low volume causing some of the unwanted particles left behind from re-entering your atmosphere.
Convenience
Take into consideration that the boiling process used to create vapor in a warm mist humidifier is environmentally friendly and virtually allergen-free.
It also removes harmful waterborne bacteria from the air you breathe, as well as preventing mold and other spores from causing damage to you and your family’s health.
So, in order to maintain this beautiful trade-off, you want a warm mist humidifier that’s easy to clean. Those spores and dust remain behind in the tank of the humidifier – or the filter, if you have one – so you need to be able to conveniently clean the tank and various parts of the humidifier on a regular basis.
This may mean also having a humidifier without a filter, which can assist in streamlining the cleaning process so it’s less work.
Another convenience of warm mist humidifiers is that they are often portable. Unlike some cool mist humidifiers, warm mist humidifiers typically aren’t made for the whole house or even large area use.
Therefore, even within a large room, you may want to place the humidifier in a different location depending on what you’re doing and what space in that room you’re occupying.
Since there are fewer parts, warm mist humidifiers should be compact and easily portable from one place or room to another, both in weight and handling.
With portability comes versatility, preferably of location. In the past, many vaporizers were made to sit on the floor, but it’s crucial to keep your warm mist humidifier out of the reach of children and infants since the boiling water heats up the unit, which can lead to burns.
The mist may also cause steam burns on small children. The mobility of the unit and the ability to place it on surfaces out of the reach of children is another bonus feature you should look for when purchasing warm mist humidifiers.
At the same time, the unit should also have a sufficiently large tank to run for at least 12 hours without having to worry about refilling it.
No one wants to wake up in the middle of the night and have to add water to their humidifier, and if you can, you should look for a warm mist humidifier that will keep going for 24 hours so you can easily put the refill process on your schedule and do it once a day.
Virtual Silence
One of the biggest draws of a warm mist humidifier over a cool mist model is that, with cool mist, there is a fan driving the moisture into the air.
That means there is always going to be background noise that can disturb your sleep or the sleep of a loved one, especially an infant. With warm mist humidifiers, you should expect a virtually silent experience, since there is no fan to speak of.
The only noise should come from the boiling process, and if you ever boil water in a kitchen, you’ll know it’s a virtually silent process. In humidifiers, the lower volume of water and the lower boil both reduce even that noise to the bare minimum.
Added Essential Oils
Whether it’s dual mist or not, some humidifiers have an extra benefit that allows you to use essential oils with the water in the tank to output a fragrance that can be beneficial to your health.
Whether for aromatic and mood purposes or for health reasons – such as having a medicated menthol oil dispersed to help open up the lungs when you have a chest cold – this added feature can really increase the value of the product.
Top 6 Warm Mist Humidifiers Review
To make things convenient and easy, we’ve rounded up the 6 best-rated warm mist models and their reviews.
Honeywell Filter-Free Warm Mist Humidifier
With dual high and low output settings, the Honeywell HWM705B Filter Free Warm Mist Humidifier (from Amazon) offers you control over the amount of barely visible warm mist that permeates the air around you.
This means you can also utilize settings that allow the unit to run for up to 24 hours without refilling the 1-gallon tank. Sized to cover a medium room, you’ll find it can even be beneficial in a larger room, adding at least a small amount of moisture to the atmosphere.
There is no filter required in this unit, so that’s one less concern for cleaning, replacement, or additional cost. When the tank gets low, an indicator light comes on to let you know to refill it.
The humidifier can also conveniently be used with liquid inhalants and includes a medicine cup for your convenience. Perhaps the only downfall is that, if your environment is particularly dry, and you have to run this humidifier on the higher setting, you could end up running out of water sooner than you like.
If you’re looking for a good, solid warm mist humidifier that allows essential oils and has a long run time, you’ll be satisfied with the Honeywell Filter-Free Warm Mist Humidifier.
Pros
- Portable
- Filter-free
- Includes medicine cup
- Long-lasting (up to 24 hours)
Cons
- Maybe too small
- Not as easily portable as some models
Homedics TotalComfort Humidifier Plus Warm and Cool Technology
If you need to cover a slightly larger area of your home with a warm mist humidifier, you’ll enjoy the Homedics TotalComfort Humidifier Plus (from Amazon), which also features an ultrasonic cool mist technology.
You get a 1.4-gallon tank that’s going to fuel longer in a bigger area, with a timer to cut off power early and a shut-off feature with the tank runs low. You also get to choose the volume of mist produced as well as directional input with simple controls that are easy to use.
This warm mist humidifier is easy to clean with nothing more than water and vinegar for purification and a removable tank for convenience. The unit is easily transported, so take it with you from room to room as necessary to keep your immediate surroundings moist enough to make sure your skin doesn’t get dry and cracked.
The mist is micro-fine, so you don’t have ‘wet spots’ in front of the unit where water droplets accumulate, as an added bonus, the unit has a nightlight, so you can see when the water is low and enjoy the soft illumination in your space.
If you need a humidifier that’s a bit larger for your space and gives you the option of cool or warm mist, then this could be a good choice for you.
Pros
- The option of cool mist for summer use
- Long run time
- Easy to clean and fill
Cons
- Cool mist technology (ultrasonic) may be noisy
Aerus PowerPure Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
If you have a very large area and want to moisturize the air with all the convenience afforded to you that’s possible, consider the Aerus PowerPure Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier.
Covering a massive area of up to 700 square feet, this particular humidifier has a great deal of power and comes with a remote control for ease of operation. Set a timer and change the output direction, with 2 mist outlets for better overall distribution.
There’s an LCD control panel with soft-touch buttons that give you information on temperature and relative humidity.
This particular humidifier has a permanent ceramic filter that softens and cleans the water in the tank prior to boiling for the best results. The auto shut-off feature is a great safety benefit, making sure your humidifier turns off when it runs out of the water.
There’s a safety lock to protect curious children from harm, assuring they can’t remove the tank. The warm mist humidifier also comes with an astounding 1-year warranty.
If you’re looking for ultrasonic humidifiers that will cover a large area, this could be the perfect product for you.
Pros
- LCD display
- Remote control
- Ultrasonic, virtually silent technology
- Permanent filter
- Covers large spaces
Cons
- Heavier weight makes it less portable
- White film when first used
Hume L Pro Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier
Two independent, 360-degree rotating nozzles make the HumeXL Pro humidifier diverse, creating options for greater dispersing of mist as well as heavier misting if you point both nozzles in the same direction.
The touch button panel is easy to use to control the unit and has a night mode with LED backlights for ease of use and readout. With a built-in humidistat, you never have to worry about the room becoming too moist and sticky. Set a humidity level, and the unit will automatically turn off when the level is reached.
The 5-liter tank is easy to clean, with a large opening so you can quickly hand wash it and return it to use. The nightlight is optional, so if you like it completely dark in your room, you can simply turn it off, a feature not available on all humidifiers. You can also count on the automatic shut-off feature that assures the unit doesn’t continue to run dry.
If you want a medium-sized humidifier with long-running capability and a great warranty, this is a great warm mist humidifier for your needs.
Pros
- Remote control operation
- Offers a cool-mist mode as well
- 360-degree nozzles
- Humidistat included
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Large size means not as portable
- May not cover a large area
Elecameier Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier
No products found.The Elecameier Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier offers not only great performance but a sleek, unique appearance.
It has an advanced filter for demineralization and purification, as well as an aromatherapy tray so you can use essential oils.
You get the same ease of control, with the auto shut off feature and long operation as other warm mist humidifiers, but you get the added bonus of a design that blends into your home décor, with a walnut shell that covers the tank and hides the unsightly appearance of your typical humidifier.
This unit also comes with a 1-year extended warranty so you can guarantee your satisfaction with its lasting performance.
If you want a warm mist humidifier that blends in with your décor and maintains stellar performance, you might want to consider this particular model for your home.
Pros
- Sleek appearance
- Cool mist option
- Advanced filter
- Extended warranty
Cons
- Smaller tank for a shorter runtime
- Might not be big enough
No products found.
Bionaire Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier
If you’re looking for a warm mist humidifier that will run for a long time as well as cover a large space, consider the Bionaire Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier.
The ultrasonic technology, coupled with the heating element, creates a super fine mist that is invisible and disperses further, covering a larger space.
It also creates the option for cool mist during the hot summer. The model includes a demineralization cartridge, that adds greater purity to the water output and means there is no need for a filter.
With a 2-gallon tank, you can rest assured that the humidifier won’t shut off during the night, having run out of water. It is easy to use digital controls so you can easily choose your settings between 3 different intensities.
The product is made to moisturize the atmosphere in larger spaces but can use lower settings for medium-sized rooms as well.
Pros
- Large capacity for longer run time
- Covers large spaces
- Digital controls
- Antimicrobial protection
Cons
- Not very portable
- May over-moisturizing in smaller spaces
Conclusion
When shopping for the best warm mist humidifier, it’s not enough to find a unit with all the standard features. You want something that’s going to give you options and work well in your personal environment.
All warm mist humidifiers assist with relieving dry, irritated skin and lips, and they can all help keep sinuses clear and out of pain, especially during cold and flu season. However, they aren’t all made for the same space or the same personal needs.
Consider how large of an area you want to moisturize before looking into warm mist humidifiers, so you can rule out anything that isn’t appropriately sized.
Also, take a look at the controls you’d like to have. Make sure your humidifier is adjustable so that you can control the output and direction of the mist, enabling you to suit it to the room in question.
Think about whether or not you’d like it to incorporate a cool-mist option for summer when you don’t necessarily want to warm the air any further. Determine if you would rather simply have a vaporizer with the steam output or if you’d like to include the ultrasonic technology for greater push and finer particles.
Finally, think about safety, and determine if you are willing to risk the humidifier running dry by not opting for a model with the automatic shut-off feature. Once you’ve decided what specifications matter most to you, you’ll be able to choose the right model.
When all is said and done, each of these models above is incredible, but for the best all-around performance, the Homedics TotalComfort Warm Mist Humidifier (from Amazon) is probably the top pick, with almost every feature you could want and few questionable issues.
Related Post: Cool Mist vs. Warm Mist Humidifier, which one would you choose?
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
