An ultrasonic humidifier is an affordable solution to add moisture to any indoor environment. It is also the best solution to combat dry air in the home if you don’t want to use a traditional humidifier that boils water to produce steam and doesn’t want the risk of a very hot device near children. Even better, ultrasonic humidifiers do not produce heat and give a cool and comforting mist. And best of all, modern ultrasonic humidifiers are virtually silent -you’ll forget it’s in the room.
There are quite a few things to consider when picking out an ultrasonic humidifier. If you want to know more about how these devices can benefit you and your family, keep reading. We shortly review the top 10 best ultrasonic humidifiers and give you all the information you need to know.
| Rank | Brand | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  | Everlasting Comfort | Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistFeaturing a 6L (1.6 gal) tank, with a super high mist output up to 270 ml/hr, works with rooms up to 400 sq feet and lasts 50 straight hours between refills. Features a tray where you can add your favorite essential oils. The vaporizer atomizes the oils and circulates them into the mist giving you a clean, pure and fresh smelling aroma. Include a blue LED nightlight and a 360 degree rotating nozzles and fully adjustable mist and steam output knob. The humidifier automatically turn off when it runs out of water preventing damage to the unit. Can be used with regular tap water. Perfect for children, infants, teens, dorm rooms, living rooms, office, desk, tabletop, nightstand, nursery, or babies’ bedroom for a full night of sleep. | ||
| 2. |  | Pallas | Pallas Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistWith a 5L (1.32 gal) tank, it can run continuously for up to 20 hours without refill. It has a 360-degree rotating nozzle to make sure that the soft mist is distributed evenly around the area where it’s placed. The activated carbon filter helps to remove impurities from the water and mist so you get the maximum health benefits. The automatic shut-off feature prevent the unit stops when the water level gets low. The small footprint makes this unit perfect for any room, able to sit on the floor or fit on a table or shelf. Using it as you sleep it can help avoid any potentials colds or flu as well as loosen any congestion you may be experiencing. | ||
| 3. |  | Proaller | Proaller Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistThis unit is packed with a 5L (1.32 gal) tank, and you’ll enjoy up to 30 hours of continuous operation from a single fill. As a plus, there are three mist level settings and a built-in humidity monitor. So you’ll know the exact humidity level in your home in real time. Also include a convenient timer to let you shut the unit off automatically whenever you like. Simple touch screen controls make everything easy to set. It works best in enclosed rooms and areas of up to about 300 sq feet. Less than 30 decibels noise, will never disrupt your rest. Perfect humidifier for bedrooms, nursery rooms and offices. | ||
| 4. |  Editor’s Choice for Best Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier | TTLIFE | TTLIFE Ultrasonic Humidifier Warm and Cool MistA good 5.5L (1.45 gal) capacity allows for 40 hours of continuous use at cold low mist so you don’t have to refill it often. Dual 360-degree rotatable nozzles can provide uniform humidification. A LED screen can show accurate real time humidity. Auto mode can automatically diffuse mist to adjust the humidity to the most suitable level. Three level cold and warm mist can adjust the speed of mist. An ionic resin filter has three times purification effect than most other filters. Add essential oils into the aroma box to give you a clean, pure and fresh smelling aroma. Easy to take and the tank can be put on any surface without falling and leaking. Max 550 ml/h mist can cover your master room, bedroom, living room quickly. | ||
| 5. |  | VicTsing | VicTsing Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistThis humidifier is holding up to 2L (0.53 gal) of water, which allows up to 10 hours of working time in low mist. Include one control knob to easily adjust mist output in any direction. A 45-degree tilted nozzle is designed to quickly give off the continuous mist. The classic dial knob makes it much more precise and effortless to adjust mist output volume and maintain an ideal humidity level. Automatically shut off, with a red LED light on when runs out of water. Easy to refill, the arc shaped handle with anti-slip grooves offers you a secure grip and makes refilling a breeze. Perfect for bedrooms and other small to medium-sized rooms. | ||
| 6. |  | Elechomes | Elechomes Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistThis powerful device can humidify small rooms, large rooms, and everything in between. The extra-large 6L (1.6 gal) tank and dual 360 degree rotatable nozzles provide maximum efficiency. The humidity level, timer, and warm mist settings allow for ultimate customization. Activate sleep mode to turn off the LED display and ensure quiet operation. The built-in sensor will automatically detect the moisture in the air and display the humidity level on the LED screen. Add a few drops of essential oils into the aromatherapy box for extra comfort. No need to set/reset, this humidifier will automatically save your most recent settings. | ||
| 7. |  | GENIANI | GENIANI Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistAvailable with a 3L (0.79 gal) and 4L (1.06 gal) water tank. Producing 250-300 ml of mist per hour, you can get up to 24-48 hours of continuous operating action (depending upon room size and setting). The night light button allows you to turn the light off when you do not need it. The power knob provides you with multiple mist setting. The usual auto-shutoff switch is included as well as the 360-degree mist nozzle rotation. The creative nozzle design gives you maximum protection and mist spray. No need to frequently clean this unit, once a week should be enough. The one drawback is that there is no anti-microbial filter in its construction. Fills your room or office with clean and fresh air and makes your activities much more pleasant and efficient. | ||
| 8. |  | TaoTronics | TaoTronics Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistAvailable with a 4L (1.06 gal) water tank. Over a gallon of water lasts for 12-30 hour working time on a full tank, depending on settings. Built-in humidistat tells you the current RH and you can easily choose between three mist levels. Set your desired humidity level, where 40-60% is the best level. Choose to turn on the nightlight, or enter sleep mode to shut off LED screen for a discreet sleep at night. Please do NOT use with essential oils, which will damage the machine and cause leakage problems. It is incredibly silent, produces less than 38 dB of noise. Perfect for a disturbance-free sleep at night, designed to humidify rooms of 107 to 322 sq feet, like bedrooms, nurseries, offices and so on. | ||
| 9. |  | ONSON | ONSON Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistWith a water tank capacity of 4.5L (1.2 gal) it support 15 to 30 hours of continuous humidification. Ideal for bedrooms, offices, and other rooms from 376 to 480 sq feet. It has three mist levels which can be adjusted according to space and seasons and an informative LED display. The built-in humidistat tells you the current RH. The timer will cut off the power when setting time is reached to avoid excess humidification. It will also be trigger when water level is low. The internal base is embedded with masterbatch materials for limiting dust and stains growth. There is also a stainless steel filter inside for blocking impurities which is easy to clean. Very quiet when turned on, noise level is under 35 db. | ||
| 10. |  | iTeknic | iTeknic Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool MistEquipped with a 4L (1.06 gal) water tank, this support 12 to 50 hours of continuous humidification. Large tank and powerful mist output provides ideal coverage for single bedrooms, offices, and other rooms from 215 to 430 sq feet. Maximum mist output up to 300 ml/hr and the 360-degree all-round rotatable nozzles helps to adjust the mist direction. Lengthy life span due to nano-coating (protects the circuit boards from moisture) and dustproof sponge (prevents dust from entering the base). Permanent filter requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Produces less than 35 dB of noise. Ideal for bedroom, office, babies and large room. |
How We Evaluate Top 10 Ultrasonic Humidifiers
After we review the top 10 best humidifiers, we start to collect information and came up with a list of ultrasonic humidifiers to take into consideration. After a scrupulous analysis, we highlight this list of the best top 10 ultrasonic humidifiers. For each product, we considered the next factors: water tank capacity, features, coverage area, design, and costs. We rate each model based on our criteria, where low factors receive 0 points and higher factors get 10 points. For “Costs” ratings, as always, we had a distinctive approach. The humidifier with the lowest price receives the most points (10), and the one with the highest value receives fewer points (only 5). We thought this costs rating system is not quite ethical this way, so we also took into consideration consumer’s reviews and period of warranty where is available (using a proportional mathematical formula).
What Is An Ultrasonic Humidifier and How Does It Work?
Ultrasonic humidifiers produce vapor from water using high-frequency (ultrasonic) soundwaves. This frequency is far too high for the human ear. The vibrations are capable of powerful things – they are capable of splitting water molecules to create a fine cool mist. The humidifier releases this mist into the air, instantaneously distributing humidity throughout the room.
A piezoelectric transducerr is the unit that ignites the high-frequency vibration and causes the water to transform into a vapor mist. The ultrasonic generator is what the transducer feeds power from. Without the operation of the generator, the transducer would not work. The transducer (usually a small metal plate) is placed in a reservoir that is fed by the water tank. That metal plate gets bombarded with at an ultrasonic frequency. This causes it to vibrate at such a fast rate that when water comes in contact with it, the molecules are instantly split, changing state from a liquid to a mist (about one micron in diameter). This is why ultrasonic humidifiers are virtually silent.
There are still two possible disadvantages. Unlike the humidifiers that boil water, the cool mist produced by a cool-mist humidifier contains impurities that are in the water tank which include minerals contained in hard water. If you use tap water in an ultrasonic humidifier, it will produce white dust which can settle on nearby objects and furniture. If you use distilled water, white dust is not produced. And the presence of stagnant water in the tank can produce pathogens that can be expelled into the air. However, nearly all modern ultrasonic humidifiers have technologies in place to compensate for these disadvantages.
Lastly, do not confuse them with an ionic air purifier. An ionic air purifier emits electrically charged molecules (ions) into the air. These charged ions attach themselves to particles of dust, mold, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens in the air. That charges the particles so that they will attach, making them larger and heavier so they settle faster. Some ionic air cleaners include an electrostatic collection rod that aids in collecting these fallen pollutants.
Consumer Reports – Ultrasonic Humidifier Pros and Cons
Controlling the humidity levels in your home is important. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you keep the air in your home between 30 and 50 percent humidity. Humidifiers offer definite benefits if you suffer from the effects of dry air, but those benefits can come at a price. Every humidifier has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros- Soothes medical problems caused by dry air
- Safer for children and pets
- Noise level is pretty lowr
- No fans or heating elements to break down
- Uses less electricity than other types of humidifiers
- Proper humidity levels can increase the life of fixtures in your house
- Minimal water consumption and maximum water vaporization
- Easier to operate
Cons- Set it wrong may cause high humidity levels
- Bacteria and fungi can breed in the water tank
- Mineral dust may accumulate from water filtration
For regions where dry air is a problem at different times of the year, the benefits of an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier far outweigh the drawbacks! These humidifiers have a quiet operation, are easy to maintain, energy efficient and easy to use. In addition, you will not carry more money in the name of maintenance cost.
Warm Mist vs Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifiers
Warm mist humidifiers are made to produce warm moisture from heated water. So it can fight off any bacteria or mold that may start to grow or develop in parts of the humidifier. This is the main reasons why warm mist humidifiers are considered one of the healthiest humidifiers on the market right now. Warm mist humidifiers can also pick up any minerals that are leftover from the heated water.
Warm humidifiers operate without having to replace the filters. Common types of warm mist humidifiers are steam humidifiers and vaporizers. Vaporizers can tend to be healthy because they can produce steam with fewer minerals than other humidifiers and is perfect to be used during winter.
Cool mist humidifiers spread a cool mist into the air. It is released at room temperature and can the main job is to increase the humidity level in your home. There are two types of cool mist humidifiers: evaporative and ultrasonic. Both produce the same results but work very differently. An evaporative humidifier increases humidity using its fan and wick filter. The water flows to the wick filter, which is then blown by a fan and transforms into a cool mist. As we explained previously, an ultrasonic humidifier uses vibrated technology to break down water into cool mist particles.
Ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers are a lot quieter and can also incorporate a warm mist feature – check TTLIFE Ultrasonic Humidifier Warm and Cool Mist. Cool mist humidifiers are the perfect option for humidifying small rooms, medium rooms, and entire homes. Best of all, these humidifiers come in a variety of capacities, shapes, and sizes.
How To Choose an Ultrasonic Humidifier
There are several factors to consider before making a final decision and purchasing an ultrasonic humidifier. And it’s not just about the quality of a model (which is pretty hard to differentiate for these units), but what you expect from ultrasonic humidifiers.
Area to Be Humidified – when choosing the best humidifier for your space, consider the size of your space. Will it be a child’s bedroom or a master bedroom? Will it be a small single room or a large living room, or maybe an office or hospital?
Each model of humidifier will be rated to work properly within a certain amount of space. One that is too powerful will create too much humidity. One that is too weak won’t help with your dry air problems. It’s important to get a unit that is rated for the area where you want to use it. Don’t assume that a more powerful unit will always work better. And on the other side of the coin, don’t go too small trying to save money. In either case, you won’t get the results you’re looking for.
Before shopping, measure the approximate area of your room or the space you want to humidify. Once you have this information, look for ultrasonic humidifiers that are designed to cover an area similar to the size of your space. Portable humidifiers are great when you plan to move them around. There are no standards, although, small humidifiers work for rooms up to 300 square feet, medium humidifiers suit spaces that are 399 to 499 square feet, and large varieties are best for larger spaces, 500-plus feet.
Although many of the products we review give an objective humidification coverage in square feet, we did not seek to determine how each company established this measurement. Instead, we consider it a general statement rather than a guarantee that it could provide consistent humidity for specific square footage.
Tank Capacity – refilling the water tank is perhaps the most common and annoying chore associated with a cool mist humidifier. A model with a small tank capacity will require extra footwork for refillings. For continuous operation, large tank capacities are ideal. There are plenty of humidifiers with different tank sizes and they all function for widely varying periods. The run time you’ll get out of a single tank of water depends on factors like the combination of the tank size and the power of the humidifier. And don’t forget about the mist level settings!
Mineral dust – this nasty dust refers to a thin film of dust that settles on the furniture when you run your humidifier for a few hours. This dust is not good and can lead to health complications. If this concerns you, use filtered or distilled water inside of your tank. The best thing to do is to purchase a humidifier that doesn’t disperse any kind of mineral dust.
Humidistat – A humidistat is a device designed to control the levels of humidity in a closed space. Some humidifiers have a built-in humidistat that shuts the unit off when it reaches a preset humidity level. Models without such a humidistat can raise the humidity in your space. If your model does not include one, consider purchasing a separate hygrometer to monitor humidity levels in your room.
Timer – with such a feature you can program your humidifier to turn on/off at the desired time so that your room is at the right humidity level when you come home. The inconvenience is that water will sit in the tank for hours facilitating the appearance of microbes if you don’t dry the humidifier each day.
Ease of Use and Cleaning – an ultrasonic humidifier should be easy to move and clean. Like it or not, all humidifiers require regular maintenance and cleaning, whether they are ultrasonic or not. A smaller unit may be easier to fit onto a shelf or storage, but it may be a lot more difficult to thoroughly clean all of its parts. Larger units may require more cleaning, more often, to be sure that the water doesn’t generate bacteria or mold.
Level of Noise – ultrasonic units are known for being very quiet. However, some humidifiers make more noise than others – but that depends on a person’s sensitivity to noise.
Costs – the cost of a great cool mist humidifier varies from vendor to vendor. Keep an eye on cleaning sale or discounts which appears on holiday periods. Otherwise, always shop for a humidifier from our top 10 list which brings the highest benefits within your budget!
How To Clean Ultrasonic Humidifiers
In order to prevent the appearance of bacterias in ultrasonic humidifiers, you should clean it about once a week. Follow the process below for general apparel and you should get fine results for your ultrasonic humidifier for a long time to come.
- First, turn off your humidifier, unplug it, and disassemble into components.
- It is important to drain water from all parts.
- Fill the water tank halfway with warm water and add either one tablespoon of bleach or two tablespoons of white vinegar.
- Place the cap on the water tank and shake it for about 20-40 seconds.
- Allow the tank to sit 20-30 minutes to disinfect the inside.
- Next, shake again the tank again for 10 to 30 seconds, drain it and clean completely with plain water.
- Once again, drain water and allow the tank to dry.
- Put a similar mixture into the base of the humidifier and let it sit for about 30-40 minutes.
- Rinse with plain water, drain and dry completely.
- Insert the cleaning mixtures through the nozzle(s) and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse with water and air dry.
- Remove the filter (if exist), pour equal parts of white vinegar and water into a container and place the filter in the solution.
- Let the filter sit in the solution for at least 60 minutes.
- Remove the filter and rinse it with clean water. Let dry before placing it back in the humidifier.
- Scrub all plastic surfaces with a sponge, scrubber or cleaning brush dipped into a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
- Wipe all surfaces with a clean, soft cloth and allow them to air-dry.
- Reverse the process and put all the pieces together.
It is mandatory to follow the manufacturer’s directions on cleaning and maintaining your humidifier. Also, precisely proceed manufacturer’s suggestions on the use of cleaning products or disinfectants. Below is a good routine to comply for cleaning your cool mist humidifier:
- Every day: empty, rinse, and dry the base tray or tank before refilling.
- Every week: follow the above instructions.
- Before storing: clean and disinfect, and dry thoroughly.
- After storing: clean to remove scaling, disinfect, and dry. Don’t fill it before you use it.
If you liked this article, you’ll also be interested to read:
Ultrasonic Humidifiers FAQ
Do you need a humidifier? In short, it depends. What is the humidity level in your home? You need to check it. Much more on this is below.
· Should I Choose A Warm or Cool Mist Humidifier?
The type of humidifier you choose depends on your preference for the kind of moisture you’d like to add and your space. We discuss a lot about warm vs cool-mist humidifier here. If you have trouble deciding on an option, look for a humidifier that offers both capabilities. For example, the TTLIFE Ultrasonic Humidifier allows you to select cool or warm mist operation to suit your preference.
· What Is the Ideal Humidity Level I Should Maintain?
To maintain a healthy and maximum comfort humidity level you first understand what it means. The relative humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air expressed as a percentage of the amount needed for saturation at the same temperature. As temperatures go up or down, the capacity of the air to hold water changes too. The ideal level measures between 30% and 50%. Humidity that measures above 50% creates conditions to grow mold, dust mites, bacteria, and other pests. Humidity that measures below 30% increases the chance for cold and flu viruses to spread, also generating uncomfortable respiratory symptoms. Too much dry air causes damage to your home’s foundation and furnishings cause gaps between ceilings and walls, hardwood floors begin to creak, static electricity begins to build up.
To ensure an optimal humidity level, invest in an ultrasonic humidifier that has an internal hygrometer that continuously measures your humidity and adjusts humidifier output automatically.
· What Size Ultrasonic Humidifier Do I need?
Sizing a humidifier it’s an important step before making a purchase. It depends mainly on the square footage of the area where you want to use it and the level of humidity you’re comfortable with. Most ultrasonic humidifier manufacturers provide a square foot coverage range as part of their product’s specifications. Read our full recommendation on how to choose an ultrasonic humidifier.
· How Often Will I Need to Refill My Ultrasonic Humidifier?
Most portable ultrasonic humidifiers need to be refilled once every 24 hours depending on its tank size, settings, and if you plan to use it continuously throughout the day and night. A good buying decision is to select humidifier models that provide continuous humidification for more than 24 hours per refill. And of course, if you use your ultrasonic humidifier intermittently, you’ll need to refill it less often.
· Do I Always Need to Add Aroma Oils to My Ultrasonic Humidifier?
Adding aroma oils depends on your personal preference. If you want to add a little fragrance, pour a few drops, assuming you’re using 100% pure oil. If you want a stronger odor you can add more drops. Keep in mind that some models DO NOT function if you use aroma oils!
· Where Do I Put An Ultrasonic Humidifier?
Most humidifiers work best when placed in a single room. There are several sizes available to fit any small to a large room in your house. By far the most common area to place it is in the bedroom. On the other hand, you can use a humidifier in any of your rooms where a low humidity level causes problems. One thing to keep in mind: avoid placing your humidifier near a register or vent system. If the heat is on and the humidifier is very close to it, it can twist the relative humidity reading.
· How Often Do I Need to Clean My Humidifier?
Your humidifier should be cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria. Often a product manual comes with your humidifier and will have specific instructions as to the best way to clean and maintain your humidifier. Please follow the humidifier’s cleaning instructions carefully to ensure the most healthy and efficient operation of your apparel. If you don’t have cleaning instructions or you simply lost them, read our how to clean ultrasonic humidifier tips.
We Have Chosen a Winner
If you read the first section, you would have seen that we chose the Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Humidifier Cool Mist as the winner of the best ultrasonic humidifier for 2021. Overall it is just the better unit of all the top models we review. It have a long continuous operating time and is loaded with plenty of features.
Somehow you might disagree with our humidifier selection, however, these ultrasonic humidifier reviews are subjective and a matter of personal taste. You may like other models presented in this review list and that’s fine. They are all very good cool mist humidifiers!
Conclusion
A proper ultrasonic humidifier can do a lot to improve the quality of the air in your sweet home. Their very low operation noise makes them perfect for use in bedrooms. If you suffer from symptoms like allergies, nosebleeds, dry cough, irritated eyes, itchy skin caused by arid air, an ultrasonic humidifier could make a world of difference.
If you read our ultrasonic humidifier cool mist reviews, then your decision to purchase the best humidifier should be easier – all the facts are given here. So purchasing the best ultrasonic humidifier to improve air quality may be one of the best decisions you ever made to protect your family.
