10 Best Portable Humidifiers in 2022 (Pure Enrichment, URPOWER, and More)
Keep reading, and you will find a curated list of our top 10 favorite portable humidifiers and a guide to help you make the right decision! Picking out the right humidifier may seem daunting, but we're here to take the stress off and get you clean, quality air that your body needs for any time of the year.
Quick List - Top Portable Humidifiers
Pure Enrichment
A Larger, More Powerful Portable Humidifier
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How to Choose Portable Humidifiers
Every person's situation and environment are different, which is something to think about when purchasing a humidifier. We've covered some ideas you'll want to consider as you continue finding the perfect one! Check them out below.
Understand the Differences Between Cool Mist and Warm Mist
There are two main ways that humidifiers produce mist: cool ultrasonic diffusion and warm vapor. Each come with their own pros and cons, which we entail in the next section. It is always good to know the differences and benefits of both before sealing in your decision.
Cool Mist is Safer for Children and Animals
Cool mist humidifiers work essentially by dispersing water particles into the air by one of two ways: ultrasonic or evaporation. Evaporative humidifiers use a fan to turn the water into a mist and have a wick filter that keeps bacteria from escaping into the air. However, the fan can make noise so keep this in mind.
The ultrasonic option uses frequency vibrations to create water droplets that emit in the air by a small fan that makes minimal noise compared to the evaporative ones. Make sure to use only distilled water, as others that are full of minerals can create dust if not cleaned properly.
If you have children or pets, a cool mist humidifier will be a safe option since it does not use heat, reducing the chances of getting burned. You also don't have to worry about using too much energy as these are more conservative electricity wise than humidifiers that use warm vapor.
The downsides to using cool mist are that it tends to accumulate bacteria growth and can be noisy compared to the warm mist option. Just be sure to clean your humidifier regularly to lower the chances of mold!
Warm Mist Gives Reliably Clean Vapor
Warm mist humidifiers work by heating water to produce steam. Because the water is heated, it reduces the amount of bacteria and germs which in turn, makes it easier for you to maintain its cleanliness. During winter months, it may serve a great benefit to have the warm vapor to help warm the cold air as well!
However, as they heat up these may pose a threat to kids and pets since they may get burned if they are in close proximity or knock it over by accident. They also tend to be a little more expensive both on the buying side and in electricity usage.
Pick Between a Built-In Tank or Water Bottle
All humidifiers get their water from somewhere, and what source you choose will depend on where you plan on using it. Whether you work from home or are taking your next vacation, getting your water source shouldn't be a problem.
Go With a Built-In Tank When Working From Home
Tanks are eco-friendly with no use of plastic bottles. They hold up to 350 milliliters of water, with the exception of larger ones that can hold as much as a standardized bottle of 500 milliliters. If you are home, this may not be an issue since you can refill as much as you'd like; but if you travel, you may want to reconsider a tank.
Some things to note are the size of the room, how long you’d like to go between refills, and of course, how dry the air is and how much moisture it needs. The best way to go about this is to check the humidifier’s mist output, which is the amount of milliliters of water that is dispersed per hour.
For a large room with extremely dry air, you can go with a higher mist output. It produces a greater amount of mist over a short period of time; however, it uses water at a faster rate. Lower mist output is suited for smaller spaces that do not need over-saturation, but instead maintain the moisture needed for a longer period of time.
For either levels, these factors can vary if set on continuous or interval mode. Continuous mode allows more output in a short amount of time without breaks, whereas spraying in intervals would spread the amount of mist over your ideal amount of time, possibly increasing time in between refills. It's truly up to your preference!
For Travelers, Choose a Water Bottle Source
If you live to travel and want to maintain your health while doing so, portable humidifiers that use water bottles as their water source could be your move. Not having a built-in tank automatically makes a humidifier smaller, more portable, and ultimately frees up space you need.
While it may be resourceful on-the-go, it is less eco-friendly as it can increase plastic bottle use and possible waste. Depending on your lifestyle of recycling and reusing the water bottle, this may or may not be a deal breaker.
On the other hand, using bottled water can ensure water purity and give you more leverage and versatility to choose the size of the water source. This could range from a standardized water bottle that holds 500 milliliters or a small bottle that holds 236 milliliters.
Look for Batteries or a USB for On-The-Go Access
When traveling with your humidifier, the last thing you want to worry about is the difference in outlet size and voltage. Save yourself the trouble and go with one that uses batteries or a USB charging port. Batteries are universal and since most electronics work via USB, you should be able to charge your humidifier.
Consider Hands Off Usage: Auto-Off
10 Best Portable Humidifiers Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Geniani Small Portable Cool Mist Humidifier ｜Erie | | Built Compact for Easy Portability | |
2 | Homasy Mini Humidifier｜HM617A | | A Simple Desktop Humidifier | |
3 | URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser and Cool Mist Humidifier｜OD-101Q | | Safe to Use Essential Oils | |
4 | Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier｜PEHUMSML | | A Larger, More Powerful Portable Humidifier | |
5 | SmartDevil Small Humidifier | | Makes Your Bedtime Comfortable | |
6 | Ostad Portable Humidifier for Travel | | A Humidifier That Works With Any Cup | |
7 | FIGROL Portable Mini Humidifier｜OURRYH6NEW | | A Compact, Portable Humidifier Great for Travel | |
8 | SHSTFD Portable Mini Humidifier | | Ultrasonic and Auto-Stops | |
9 | Epoch Making USB Car Humidifier | | Great for Driving in Dry Weather | |
10 | Fancii Cool Mist Personal Mini Humidifier｜FC-AM2PH | | An Ideal Travel Humidifier With USB and Battery Power |
Geniani Small Portable Cool Mist Humidifier ｜ Erie
Built Compact for Easy Portability
This humidifier is extremely compact, making it a versatile option for any situation. Don't let the small size fool you; it won’t require you to get up and refill it as often as you’d think. In fact, it lasts up to eight hours - perfect for a full day in the office or a baby's night's sleep.
Some reviewers have noted it leaves a residue or dampness after being used. On the other hand, many positive reviews rave about its simple one-button control that allows you to choose between two modes: continuous or intermittent. The night light feature and essential oil option also made it a hit.
A Simple Desktop Humidifier
Some reviewers have noted that an essential part of the humidifier is the tiny spring located inside - it is prone to get lost, so be careful. Overall, most customers are satisfied with its simplicity to use and powerful output throughout the day.
URPOWEREssential Oil Diffuser and Cool Mist Humidifier ｜ OD-101Q
Safe to Use Essential Oils
Due to its small size, it may not be best for prolonged periods of time unless switched on the interval setting. In that case, it could last up to six hours. The two running modes, levels of brightness, and scent control are what most users love about this humidifier.
Pure EnrichmentMistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier ｜ PEHUMSML
A Larger, More Powerful Portable Humidifier
Some reviewers have noted that because you can’t control the direction of the mist, it may cause the items around it to collect moisture. It’s easy to clean and doesn’t mildew as often as some other models.
Makes Your Bedtime Comfortable
Although its running power can last for up to 18 hours, many users have reviewed that its small size is not suited for large rooms. Other than that, it works great in a small space or close quarters.
A Humidifier That Works With Any Cup
It does require the use of a cotton filter, so you will eventually need to buy replacements. Some reviews have noted that the design is not always best for those who move around a lot, as it is prone to leak. The good news is that it comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty.
A Compact, Portable Humidifier Great for Travel
Some reviewers have said they needed to take extra time and precaution in the beginning to get a consistent mist. Both travelers and stay-at-home mothers have commented on the versatility and how easy it is to assemble, making it a perfect choice for most users.
Ultrasonic and Auto-Stops
One downside that some reviewers brought to our attention is that it does not have an internal rechargeable battery, so keep this in mind if you travel. However, most users love its size, portability, and LED lights feature to choose from at night.
Great for Driving in Dry Weather
A few reviewers commented on how it can leak or create a pool of water on top, so extra cleaning may be needed. Many complimented on how easy it is to use, how effective it is in clearing the dry air, and its ability to charge other devices if needed.
FanciiCool Mist Personal Mini Humidifier ｜ FC-AM2PH
An Ideal Travel Humidifier With USB and Battery Power
It has a timer that allows you to set it to turn off after two, four, six, or eight hours and at just 15 decibels, it’s extremely quiet, making it great for falling asleep to. It does call for a water bottle which some users have found to be an inconvenience, but customers say that for its small size, it has a strong mist output.
Tips to Keep Your Portable Humidifier Clean
It’s important to keep your humidifier clean so that it works well and gives off a healthy, beneficial spray. Unless your water is perfectly distilled, you’re likely to have some mineral build up, so be generous and wipe it down every few days. Once a week or so, you can swish undiluted white vinegar inside of it for a deeper clean.
If you’re using a built-in tank, change your water at least once daily to prevent stagnant water and bacteria growth. Some tanks are dishwasher safe; however, it is always a good idea to consult the instructions or manufacturer if you are unsure.
More Products to Enhance Your Air Quality
If you've read this far, you're probably well aware of how important air quality is, no matter where you are. Below you can find recommendations to maintain your clean air and keep it smelling fresh, too!
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.