If you have a baby or small child, and are concerned that humidity levels in your home may be too low, then it’s important to nip it in the bud, and one relatively low cost way of doing it is to consider investing in a quality baby humidifier from the range of best humidifier appliances available.

The best baby humidifier appliances deal with a humidity deficit tackle the low humidity problem by adding moisture to the air, providing a customisable, adjustable flow of evaporative mist into the bedroom, nursery and other areas of the home where baby will need it the most.

Here, prior to our indepth buyers guide to the best baby humidifier units, is a brief video presentation of some of the best humidifier appliances available on the market:

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. What exactly is humidity, and why do we need to decrease it or increase it? According to the Mayo Clinic, the ideal range of relative humidity (water vapour) in the air is 30-50%. Less than 30% humidity is likely to cause conditioners that will be incredibly uncomfortable for a baby or little tot, including colds, dry skin, irritated nasal passages and throat, and itchy eyes.

In general terms, when you’re shopping for a baby humidifier, there are five key questions you should be asking:

Humidity levels are higher in summer and lower during winter. Ideally, humidity in your home should be 30% to 50%. Humidity that’s too low or too high can cause problems.

1. Why do I need a baby humidifier? – there are two broad answers to this question. The first, of course, is that you have been specifically advised to by a healthcare professional because of allergies, skin conditions or other ailments that your young child may suffer from. Secondly, you may live in a climate or a house in which the dry air, particularly in winter time, can lead to cracked lips, itchiness, irritation of the throat, asthma, allergies, colds and all manner of respiratory conditions. If this is the case, and you’re bringing a new baby into this environment, a baby humidifier, with its humidifying bursts of moisture, will give you greater control over these unpleasant conditions.

Research from the Center for Disease Control shows that a humidity range of 43%-60% will help prevent the movement of germs & viruses. This is particularly important for newborn babies, who breathe only through their noses for their first six months of their lives. Therefore, any congestion or atmospheric conditions that make breathing more difficult for baby must be tackled. And many paediatricians recommend a baby humidifier as an effective means of heading off the germs that lead to the common cold, flu and other ailments, as an alternative to cough and cold medicines.

2. Do I need to humidify the entire house? – not necessarily. You can use units such as the products reviewed in this post—portable room humidifiers—to easily make things more comfortable on a room-by-room basis. These baby humidifier units can be conveniently moved to the rooms where they’re required most, and they have sufficient built in regulators for speed, mist outputs and germ protections, to provide you with a safe source of humidification without any hassle. For larger spaces, there are central console humidifiers, and bypass humidifiers which can be integrated into an air conditioning unit so that your house or office benefits from a continual steady dispersal of moisture. The advantage with such units is that they do not have to be refilled, as they are plumbed directly into your home’s cooling system.

3. So what is best type of humidifier? – there are several different methods of humidification, although all of them create and emit a water vapor or steam into the air in order to increase moisture levels (humidity). Ultrasonic humidifiers produce a cool mist using ultrasonic vibration. These do not use much electricity, as the mist produced with be room temperature only. there are warm mist models that are extremely effective at fighting impurities, as the inner boiling process that crease the mist will kill a plethora or germs and impurities before the mist is release. Ultrasonic models are are also good if you are sensitive to noise and want a nuisance-free unit to take care of your humidification. There are also impeller humidifiers, which produce a cool mist with a rotating disk; evaporators, which use a fan to blow air through a wet wick, filter or belt; and vaporizers, which create steam that cools before emission, although these should not be considered for baby humidifiers, because the hot water inside can burn if spilled. If you have no difficulty with tabletop or portable baby humidifier units, then this post is for you, but for a long-term solution to residential humidity, we would recommend considering a whole-house central console or in-duct humidifier that can be stored out of sight and connected directly to your water source and into your AC.

4. How noisy are baby humidifiers? – noise is going to be an obvious concern for any young parent who will want a baby humidifier that does not disturb their little ones’ sleep time. It is impossible for a device such as a humidifier to operate without making any noise, but some are quieter than others. And for a baby, it’s likely that the best solution for you will be the ultrasonic models, which use high-frequency soundwaves to vibrate a metal plate at ultrasonic speed, creating a fine cooling mist. Despite the vibration, the soundwaves are outside the hearing range of humans, and so that’s why these units tend to be the best baby humidifier options.

5. Do baby humidifier appliances need much maintenance? – no, most of you will be glad to hear! These units are among the more low-maintenance appliances. All that’s really required is for the water tank to be checked to ensure that impurities like mold, etc, have not set in. The outlets should also be checked regularly, as should any internal filters. For the most part, there is nothing that will not be covered by the manuals that are supplied with these products.

 

Baby Humidifier Review

Our team took a look at a wide range of humidifiers for babies, and after assessment, considered that the following units from Crane, Honeywell, Air-O-Swiss and Safety 1st to be the best baby humidifiers available currently.

 

Baby Humidifier Brand & Model	Check Price
Crane Drop Shape >	Check Price >
Honeywell HCM-350 >	Check Price >
BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm or Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier >	Check Price >
Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 >	Check Price >
Honeywell HCM-890B >	Check Price >

 

 

1. Best All-Round Baby Humidifier – Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier

The Crane USA Droplet humidifier, with its 0.5-gallon tank, provides up to 15 hours of soothing moisture in spaces of up to 500 square feet. Not only does it provide relief from coughs and colds and other conditioners that may be the result of low humidity, it also does so with minimum frustration or nuisance for the user, as it has an automatic shutoff when the water reservoir empties.

It’s also light enough (5.2lb) to be easily carried from room to room in your home, and measuring just 8.4×8.4x10in, is compact enough for easy storage when not in use. This humidifier has a warranty cover, and has no anti-germ or anti-bacterial filters, although the lack of these filters means that the unit is more low maintenance than others on our list.

With its whisper-quiet operation, a better night’s sleep for your baby is all but guaranteed, and its user-friendliness is another big point in its favor, including its 360-degree mist nozzle and variable controls.

Amazon Customer Reviews: 66
Average Review Rating: 3.3 out of 5 Stars

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Crane USA Droplet – Performance, Efficiency & Safety

The Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier is an extremely energy-efficient machine, with an ultrasonic mist creation process that can run continuously for up to 24 hours. It will effectively humidify small and medium rooms of up to 500 square feet, using less energy than a 45W household light bulb. It’s also safe for baby too, as it has been designed for use with water only.

All Crane humidifiers are made with the following materials: ABS, SAN, and PP. The chemicals Bisphenol A and Phthalate are not used in the manufacturing process.

At the end of its life, the plastic tank and mist lid can be recycled in a regular plastic recycling stream. The base has electrical components so it should be dropped off at an E-Waste recycling center.

Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier - Performance, Efficiency & Safety
Rating Voltage	120V
Frequency	60Hz
Power	45W
Water Tank Capacity	Approx. 1-gallon / 3.78l
Run Time per Tank	Up to 24 Hours
Humidifying Capacity	Up to 250 square feet / 23 square metres
Noise Level	Less than 37 decibels from 3ft away

 

Crane USA Droplet – Design & Convenience

This is a smartly designed humidifier that would not look out of place in any modern home. It’s smart, no-corners aesthetics make it ideal for a baby’s room, and even if you want to put it away for semi-permanent out-of-sight storage, all you have to do is clean and dry the unit thoroughly, remove the cap from the water tank, and stow it away until you need it again.

Operation is, no pun intended, child’s play. Firstly you fill the tank with water (and the tank on the Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier is designed to fit under any household sink) and then plug in the appliance. You then turn the control knob to adjust the mist output (ideally, the mist should rise; not rise then fall).

Please bear in mind that this unit is designed for water and water only. Do not add any essential oils or medication such as Vicks, which may crack or otherwise damage the water tank. In more recent times, Crane has developed Humidifier Liquid for aromatherapeutic qualities. Consult the Crane website for full details.

Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier - Design & Convenience
Width (inches)	8.6in
Depth (inches)	8.6in
Height (inches)	13.4in
Weight (pounds)	5.2lb

 

Crane USA Droplet – Operational Noise

This is truly quieter than a human whisper, running at a noise level of no more than 37 decibels from 3ft away. This makes the Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier one of the ultimate machines to consider as a baby humidifier.

 

Crane USA Droplet – Maintenance & Support

This is a very low-maintenance baby humidifier option that does not require a filter. The clean control antimicrobial materials used in the base is proven to help reduce mold and bacteria growth by up to 99.96%. From time to time, replacement parts may be required, due to general wear and tear, and these are easily obtained from the Crane website.

There is a one-year manufacturers warranty with the product, and the company’s website also hosts a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section, in addition to an online manual. Customer service representatives are contactable by toll-free telephone (Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm CST), in addition to email. All of this information is available on the Crane website, which also hosts a Live Chat function.

Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier - Maintenance & Support
1 Year Appliance Warranty	Yes
Email & Phone	Yes
Online Manual	Yes
FAQs	Yes
Live Chat	Yes

 

Crane USA Droplet – Overall Value for Money

Given its design elegance, convenience, safety, minimal maintenance requirements, whisper-quiet operation, there could hardly be a more appropriate baby humidifier for your nursery or child’s bedroom than the Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier.

Crane Droplet - Pros	Crane Droplet - Cons
“White” noise is completely unobtrusive.	Outlets must be adjusted so the table or chair the unit stands on does not get wet.
Auto cut-off shuts down when tank is empty.	Water tank is a sizeable 2.3 gallons, but must be refilled if you intend to use it all night.

Crane USA Droplet Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier – Check Price >

 

 

2. Baby Humidifier Review – Honeywell HCM-350

According to manufacturers Honeywell, the HCM-350 baby humidifier has QuietCare Performance technology that makes it up to 25 percent quieter than other evaporative humidifiers. With three speed settings for adjusting moisture output and sound level, the Honeywell HCM-350 can produce two gallons a day of soothing invisible moisture from its 1-gallon water tank.

The appliance, which works most efficiently and effectively in spaces of up to 360 square feet (and will run for up to 24 hours on the low power setting) does not have an automatic shut-off feature which means that this is a unit that should be monitored to ensure that the tank does not run dry.

This is also one of the heavier units that we reviewed by some margin, weighing 9.8lbs, making it that little bit more unwieldy for moving from room to room. Of course, this should not be an issue if you need the humidifier for one room and don’t plan to move it, and its 14.4in x 9.5in x 11.6in dimensions will present no significant challenges for placement or storage.

This machine uses Honeywell’s replaceable Wicking Filter, which removes impurities from water and reduces white dust residue, and with its Protec antimicrobial treatment, inhibits the growth of up to 99.99% of moulds. Best of all, for complete peace of mind, the Honeywell HCM-350 comes with a whopping three-year warranty.

 
Amazon Customer Reviews: 4,307
Average Review Rating: 3.6 out of 5 Stars

 
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Honeywell HCM-350 – Performance, Efficiency & Safety

This is a compact humidifier unit that is perfect for use as a baby humidifier. At its most efficient, this Honeywell humidifier will bring the environment in a room measure 150 square feet room to 45% humidity in less than 35 minutes.

The unit uses Self Regulating Evaporative Technology to eliminate up to 99% of bacteria, mold and various other harmful allergens from the air. Its process makes it up to 25 percent quieter than rival humidifiers, so it certainly won’t disturb baby’s nighttime sleeps and daytime naps.

On a related point, this humidifier has three speed settings enabling users to adjust moisture output and sound levels, and the unit, which is ideally suited for medium-sized rooms, can run for up to 24 hours continuously on one filling.

Honeywell HCM-350 - Performance, Efficiency & Safety
Rating Voltage	120V
Frequency	60Hz
Power	60W
Water Tank Capacity	1.1-gallon / 4.16l
Run Time per Tank	Up to 24 hours.
Humidifying Capacity	Most effective in medium-sized rooms of 150 square feet.
Noise Level	A gentle 'white noise' at the highest setting.

 

Honeywell HCM-350 – Design & Convenience

The Honeywell HCM-350 boasts a contemporary design—not unlike a pretty, hi-tech toaster in appearance and size—ensuring that it will fit in anywhere in a modern home, be it in a bedroom, kitchen, or living room: anywhere where the humidity makes things a little more uncomfortable than they should be. All you need is a firm, level water-resistant surface at least 6in (15cm) from walls and furniture for proper airflow.

This unit requires a little more maintenance than some of the other models we reviewed for this post. The Honeywell HCM-350 has a UV bulb that must be replaced after an average output of 3,000 hours. While contacting customer service might be recommended, the online manual has a handy, easy-to-follow phone instruction to help you do the job yourself. The humidifier also uses a HAC-504 series replacement Filter A.

It’s easy to fill, clean and carry, with its wide opening and large recessed tank handle, and the water tank and tray can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher on a light duty or normal cycle, but not with soiled dishes. Cleaning the base and tank cap involves scale removal and disinfecting.

For end-of-season storage, The unit should be washed, disinfected and dried thoroughly, and the used filter removed. The filter should be cleaned, or a new one installed, before the unit is next used, and packing in the original carton is recommended for storage.

Honeywell HCM-350 - Design & Convenience
Width (inches)	17.48in
Depth (inches)	9.37in
Height (inches)	11.85in
Weight (pounds)	8.36lb
Any filters or perishable parts?	Yes - UV bulb (3,000 hours lifetime); HAC-504 series replacement Filter A; and Protec Continuous Cleaning Cartridge: PC2V1

 

Honeywell HCM-350 – Operational Noise

Although we don’t have exact manufacturers noise levels, all indications would be that this Honeywell humidifier is one of the quietest such appliances on the market. And Indeed, we found it to be pretty much silent on the low and medium power settings. And even at the highest of the three fan settings, we didn’t discern much more than a “white noise” effect, which many consumers say helps them to fall asleep at night. All in all, there’s nothing here that’s going to give a baby a restless sleep.

 

Honeywell HCM-350 – Maintenance, Help & Support

Although this is probably a little higher in maintenance, so not really suitable for a complete newcomer to the world of humidifiers or dehumidifiers, the Honeywell HCM-350 Series models have a lot to recommend them.

There is an ultra generous three-year limited warranty, a comprehensive online set of resources, including a manual; FAQs, and directions to customer relations via post, toll-free telephone, and email.

Honeywell HCM-350 - Maintenance & Support
Appliance Warranty	Yes - 3-Year Limited Warranty
Email & Phone	Yes
Online Manual	Yes
FAQs	Yes
Live Chat	No

 

Honeywell HCM-350 – Overall Value for Money

While it’s not quite so user friendly as the Crane USA Droplet to operate, the Honeywell HCM-350 constitutes remarkable value for money for an appliance in this price range. Is whisper quite operation, and ease of set up and operation, will be strong selling points. This humidifier is denied our top choice status because of its lack of an automatic shut-off.

Honeywell HCM-350 - Pros	Honeywell HCM-350 - Cons
Very quiet; almost silent on low & medium speeds.	No auto-shutoff. Unit may overheat if running on an empty tank.
Low maintenance, just clean unit & replace filters regularly.	Lack of warm mist option is disappointing.

Honeywell HCM-350 – Check Price >

 

 

3. Baby Humidifier Review – BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier

BONECO is a Swiss company that has been in business for more than 50 years, and its products have been available in North America since 2001. The firm is renowned for using techniques and components such as the non-corrosive titanium membrane that helps to ensure years of no-hassle operation of its products.

There are many pros for the BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm or Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, which, with its 1.5-gallon water tank, can provide up to 3 gallons of moisture per day, most effectively in spaces of up to 600 square feet. While this attractive appliance with its digital display and programmable hygrostat (which measures and controls humidity) is whisper-quite and can facilitate fully automated operation, the lack of an automatic shutdown when the tank fully empties is a bit of a downside.

There is a replaceable demineralisation cartridge that removes limescale or mineral residues from the water and resulting in a purer warm or cool mist, while Hydro Cell technology helps to ensure your humidifier remains fresh at all times. Unlike the Honeywell products, there is no anti-bacterial or germ-removal filter, but the 3-year warranty on this product is another major factor that will, for many, make up for any operational shortcomings.

Amazon Customer Reviews: 785
Average Review Rating: 3.7 out of 5 Stars

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BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 – Performance, Efficiency & Safety

The BONECO 7147/Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic is a smart and efficient ultrasonic humidifier that has an incredible humidifying capacity of up to 600 square feet. This humidifier has an internal hygrostat, so the mist will be determined to your desired humidity settings. There is also a variable control that can be used to adjust the humidity setting at any time.

This appliances comes with a hydro cell, demineralization cartrdige and EZCal for water maintenance; mist can be distributed in two directions using the dual jet nozzle; and there is an ’empty’ indicator light to tell you when the water has emptied from the tank.

Other features of this unit include a multifunction display, three performance levels, sleep mode for low-noise a night time, and a timer function.

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier - Performance, Efficiency & Safety
Rating Voltage	120V
Frequency	60Hz
Power	40W
Water Tank Capacity	1.5 gallons / 5.6l
Humidity Output	3.5 gallons per 24 hours
Run Time per Tank	Up to 24 hours
Humidifying Capacity	Up to 600 square feet / 55 square metres
Noise Level	Less than 25dBA
Accessories	Demineralization cardtridge, hydro cell, EZCal

 

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 – Design & Convenience

This is extremely easy to use. It’s extremely portable and compact, and the fact that it has an automatic operational mode that is calibrated to conform to your requested humidity levels, makes this device a fantastic option to meet the sometimes sensitive demands created by having a new baby in the house. No only is this BONECO appliance easy to operate, but the manufacturer, by supplying a replaceable demineralization cartridge and other accessories, ensures that the water you use will have no limescale or mineral residues in the mist it create. There is also a Hydro Cell that keeps your machine fresh at all times.

The low-key contemporary design aesthetics will ensure that this humidifier—with its cool mist and warm mist options—will look handsome in any part of your home. BONECO products have been in North America since the turn of the millennium, and its Swiss parent company Air-O-Swiss, has been a trusted manufacturer since 1956, renowned for using high quality materials and components—such as this device’s non-corrosive titanium membrane—that will function trouble-free for years.

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 - Design & Convenience
Length (inches)	9.5in
Width (inches)	10.3in
Height (inches)	12.2in
Weight (pounds)	6.6lb

 

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 – Operational Noise

It is difficult to imagine anything being much quieter than a human whsiper but the BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 humidifier would appear to be it! This ultrasonic humidifier has been proven in testing to have operational noise levels of less than 25 dBA.

 

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 – Maintenance & Support

While there is no Live Chat option on the website—a pity, because this is an excellent featured being carried by manufacturers right across the electronics sphere—BONECO offers sufficient resources to enable its customers purchase products with complete peace of mind. In respect of the 7147 humidifier, this means a generous three-year limited warranty, while customer service is available by email (via the company website) and telephone. There is also an online manual and extensive FAQs section that will help you to troubleshoot in the event of something going wrong with your product.

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 - Maintenance & Support
Appliance Warranty	Yes - 3-Year Limited Warranty
Email & Phone	Yes
Online Manual	Yes
FAQs	Yes
Live Chat	No

 

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 – Overall Value for Money

The return on investment for the BONECO/Air-O-Swiss 7147 is pretty astounding. If you have an apartment or a living space up to 600 square feet, this is the very dehumidifier for you. It is incredibly quiet, so won’t disturb your baby, and not only is it low maintenance, but the company helpfully supplies you with the hydro cell, demineralization and EZCal that you need to keep your water and machine as clean as it should be at all times. It’s user friendly, and with automatic operation and sleep modes is an absolute cinch for anyone to operate. While it’s a bit more expensive than other humidifier appliances that you’ll find on this post, in this case you really do get what you pay for. The choice of cool and warm mist is the icing on the cake for this great humidifier.

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss - Pros	BONECO/Air-O-Swiss - Cons
Whisper quiet operation.	One of the more expensive humidifiers available.
Warm & Cool Mist options make this a year-round winner.	At restart, unit reverts to its factory settings.

BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier – Check Price >

 

 

4. Baby Humidifier Review – Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360

The Ultrasonic 360 Degree Cool Mist Humidifier weighs just 3lbs, definitely the lightest of the baby humidifier appliances that we reviewed, and its 14.5in x 8.75in x 8.75in size makes for easy placement in operation, and storage when not in use.

With its 0.8-gallon water tank producing up to 2 gallons of mist per day most effectively and efficiently in rooms of up to 215 square feet, the Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 is one of the most flexible units that we reviewed. Its two misting outlets rotate through 360 degrees, ensuring a high degree of customisation in its bedroom or nursery coverage.

Operation could not be simpler. The tank is easy to fill and can provide a maximum of up to 36 hours humidification for your nursery. Another bonus is the automatic shutdown and ‘fill tank’ indicator, which helps to cut down on the possibility of overheating or shorting when the water tank runs dry.

The tank is extremely easy to clean, and the lack of filters to replace means a less costly operation than most, but of course, this means that the machine lacks the degree of bacterial and mould elimination of appliance by, for example, Honeywell. And the warranty is for only one year. However, this is still all-round one of the best baby humidifier appliances.

Amazon Customer Reviews: 67
Average Review Rating: 3.6 out of 5 Stars

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Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 – Performance, Efficiency & Safety

This is perfectly fine for rooms of up to 330 square feet, and with a reported power output of 32W is not going to break the bank in energy costs. The only real niggle from an efficiency point of view is the water tank, considerably smaller than on some of other units reviewed for this post, which must be filled on a daily basis if you’re running the unit continuously. Counterbalancing that is the need for regular maintenance—however, it must be pointed out that the process of maintenance, whether for wipe-clean cleansing or the more deep-clean weekly disinfecting and descaling, is very easy if you follow the instructions spelled out in the users manual.

Some users have expressed concern about the tendency of this unit to run a little hot, which might make some parents think twice before leaving it running unattended in a baby’s room, but the low power and next door to silent operational noise level will make the Safety 1st Ulstrasonic 360 a tempting proposition indeed.

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 - Performance, Efficiency & Safety
Rating Voltage	120V
Frequency	60Hz
Power	32W
Water Tank Capacity	0.75-gallon / 2.83l
Output	1.7 gallons of moisture per 24 hours
Run Time per Tank	Up to 30 hours
Humidifying Capacity	Up to 330 square feet
Noise Level	Not completely silent, but minimal, especially on a lower power setting

 

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 – Design & Convenience

Weighing in at just 3.2lb, this is not much heavier than a pair of boots, and this mass, with its ultra compact dimensions, make the Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 one of the most sleekly designed units on the marketplace. One of the really cool design touches on this humidifier is its twin misting outlets, each of which can rotate through 360 degrees, allowing you to adjust for a nursery or bedroom that has more than one occupant. Just one fill of a tank will get you more than a full day’s humidification, and the automatic shutdown is a feature that is not, and really should be, standard on all models.

Not all customers are convinced that the lightweight nature of this design is to the good of the appliance, however. Some report that the Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 overheats easily, and a number of parents have admitted nervousness about leaving it running in their child’s room while unattended. However, at this price point it would be difficult to find a humidifier of more easily portable design. It’s also very easy to operate and clean, so remains one of the best options for busy parents who need to keep their rooms comfortably humidified without any hassle.

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 - Design & Convenience
Width (inches)	8.86in
Depth (inches)	8.86in
Height (inches)	15.1in
Weight (pounds)	3.2lb

 

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 – Operational Noise

While we don’t have an exact reading on the decibel level of the, we’re satisfied that the Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 operational noise makes the appliance one of the quietest on the market today, and as such, very suitable for using in an environment where you don’t want to disturb baby’s sleep. The noise levels here are minimal, especially when a low operating speed is chosen.

 

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 – Maintenance & Support

This is one of the higher maintenance humidifiers that we reviewed for this post, and the manufacturer does recommend that a daily and weekly maintenance schedule be followed if you want to get the most value for money out of the Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360.

Daily maintenance entails thorough rinsing and drying of the unit with a clean cloth or paper towel. And you should also remove any mineral or scale buildup, as well as disinfecting the tank, on a weekly basis to keep your unit running as efficiently as possible.

For greater peace of mind there is a one-year limited warranty, not as much as some of the other humidifiers that we reviewed for this post. There is limited guidance in the form of a basic manual and an FAQs section on the company website, but there is no phone contact number for customer service. However, there is a Live Chat section on the website, which is a great bonus.

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 - Maintenance & Support
Appliance Warranty	Yes - 1-Year Limited
Email	Yes
Phone	No
Online Manual	Yes
FAQs	Yes
Live Chat	Yes

 

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 – Overall Value for Money

We would describe the Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 as an absolutely fantastic short term solution to your humidification requirements. This particular model is pitched at an affordable price point, which is always an important factor at this most expensive juncture in your life (the arrival of a new baby), but it’s also lightweight enough for hassle-free operation and situating in any room of the house. And of course when it’s not in use, it’s contemporary aesthetic makes it blend in easily to any room, and it’s sleek enough to be stowed away without any problem.

It has a number of operating speeds as well and its 0.75-gallon water tank can product up to 2 gallons of mist every day, even in rooms of up to 215 square feet. The only down side is that the relatively small-sized water tank means you must refill it a number of times during the day to keep it operating. However, this is offset by its great safety feature of an auto-shutoff, which will deactivate the machine when the water tank is empty, and so will not overheat or damage the circuity.

Easy to use and very simple to clean, with a low running cost, this might not have the anti-bacterial and mold-elimination bells and whistles of other machines, but this is a unit that is very much worth your consideration if you’re in the market for a baby humidifier.

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 - Pros	Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 - Cons
Compact (yet with a decent sized tank) and quiet in operation, this is ideal for all-night operation in a baby's room.	The plastic build has a somewhat lightweight and insubstantial feel.
With auto shutoff and filter-free tank, this is very simple to use, clean and maintain.	The water tank cap does not feel quite so secure as one would expect.

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 – Check Price >

 

 

5. Baby Humidifier Review – Honeywell HCM-890B

The second Honeywell product that we reviewed for this post, the Honeywell HCM-890B, with its 0.8-gallon tank, produces up to 2 gallons of mist per day, and its operation is perfect for rooms of up to a hefty 700 square feet, making it the unit with the most humidification power on our list.

While it does not have automatic shutoff, the humidifier will run safely and quietly overnight on a single filling, according to the manufacturer. Its weight is a middle of the range 5.8lb, which is pretty handy for lifting around the house, and its dimensions 18.6in x 10.4in x 13in will also present few difficulties for storage, although its width is the largest of the units we reviewed.

Like its sister product on this baby humidifier review and buyers guide, the Honeywell HCM-350, this appliance comes with an impressive three-year warranty. And while it uses filters which must be replaced from time to time, their anti-bacterial germ-free properties will make this appliance one of the most attractive options on this roundup of the best baby humidifier products.

 
Amazon Customer Reviews: 626
Average Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

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Honeywell HCM-890B – Performance, Efficiency & Safety

This evaporative cool mist humidifier, the second Honeywell humidifier on our list of products, is certainly the largest of the products that we reviewed, but it’s also one of the most efficient.

There isn’t a room in the average sized house or office that this machine will not be able to take care of with a blast of humidifying cool in relatively swift time. However, this is going to work particularly well in medium to small sized rooms such as bedrooms or nurseries.

And with up to two gallons of mist per day, and up to 12 hours continuous usage on the low setting, it’s a great solution for your little one’s early days.
The only real downside is that it’s ever so slightly on the high maintenance side, compared with some of the other devices that we reviewed for this post.

However, if you’re prepared to follow the online resources and instruction manuals that can be downloaded from the Honeywell website, there is nothing here that will be beyond the understanding of the average consumer. As befits a brand of Honeywell’s renown, the HCM-890B is a solid, efficient and stable addition to your household.

Honeywell HCM-890B - Performance, Efficiency & Safety
Rating Voltage	120V
Frequency	60Hz
Power	45W
Water Tank Capacity	0.8-gallon / 3.02l
Run Time per Tank	10 hours, and up to 12 hours on low setting
Output per 24 hours	2 gallons / 7.6l
Humidifying Capacity	Up to 250 square feet / 23 square metres
Noise Level	Steady and quiet on low, loud on high

 

Honeywell HCM-890B – Design & Convenience

Although the look of this appliance might not be to everyone’s taste, it’s light and compact enough to blend in unobtrusively in any room of the house, and will be easily lifted in and out of your baby’s room or nursery to the kitchen sink for cleaning and refiling.

This humidifier will run quietly overnight on a single tank filling, the appliance’s Self-Regulating Evaporative System makes it very convenient to operate, there’s a choice of high and low moisture output, and an antimicrobial treated filter for even greater peace of mind.

Honeywell HCM-890B - Design & Convenience
Width (inches)	14.4in
Depth (inches)	9.2in
Height (inches)	11.5in
Weight (pounds)	5.85lb

 

Honeywell HCM-890B – Operational Noise

While we don’t have an exact decibel reading for the noise output of this machine, it varies between a steady, quiet noise on the low output setting, and quite loud while running on high.

 

Honeywell HCM-890B – Maintenance & Support

while the relatively small water tank and the regular replacement of filters make the Honeywell HCM-890B a little high-maintenance, this is really only in comparison with the best of the other products reviewed for this post. On its own merits and in its own right, the Honeywell HCM-890B is a perfectly fine performer for the average household, and it might even be suitable for small office units as well.

The Honeywell website is the gateway to a full array of customer supports, including email and phone contacts with customer service representatives, and online manuals and FAQs for trouble-shooting if your machine develops a problem. This web-based after-sales service only stops short of perfection due to the lack of a live online Chat option, but that’s a minor quibble.

The major after-sales point scored by the Honeywell HCM-890B is the superb three-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. It’s a generous piece of cover that will give the customer great peace of mind if they purchase the Honeywell HCM-890B for their baby humidifier.

Honeywell HCM-890B - Maintenance & Support
Appliance Warranty	Yes - 3-Year Limited
Email Support	Yes
Phone Support	Yes
Online Manual	Yes
FAQs	Yes
Live Chat	No

 

Honeywell HCM-890B – Overall Value for Money

Although this is not the quietest humidifier that we reviewed for this buyers guide to the best baby humidifier appliances, its ease of use, simple, unobtrusive design, and after-sales support make the Honeywell HCM-890B well worthy of consideration if you’re in the market for a new baby humidifier.

Honeywell HCM-890B - Pros	Honeywell HCM-890B - Cons
Runs quietly all night on one filling, on a self-regulating evaporative system.	Truly effective only for small room sizes, such as bedrooms.
Low maintenance unit but with hi-tech evaporative system that swiftly & evenly distributes moisture.

Honeywell HCM-890B – Check Price >

 

 

Buyers Guide – How to Choose the Best Baby Humidifier

In our research of the humidifier market, we identified five of the key criteria that will help you to choose a baby humidifier that will be the best match for your requirements.

 

Baby Humidifier - Key Purchasing Criteria	Further Information
Performance, Efficiency & Safety	Read More >
Design & Convenience	Read More >
Operational Noise	Read More >
Maintenance & Support	Read More >
Value for Money	Read More >

 

One or some of these factors might be more important than the others to you, when you’re weighing up the possibilities. You may actually have just the one ‘deal breaker’ criterion. Either way, it’s important to remember that no two of the baby humidifier units found in this review are identical. Each of them has made it onto our list by virtue of their distinctive standout qualities. The golden rule when choosing a new baby humidifier is understanding which aspects of a particular unit will suit you best. So here is a guide to our criteria to help you more fully understand why regarded these units as ‘best in class’

 

Baby Humidifier Review Criteria – i – Performance, Efficiency & Safety

In other words, how efficiently and safely will your baby humidifier inject sufficient moisture into the air to make breathing and sleeping comfortable for your baby. What we are looking for here is a product’s humidifying capacity (i.e., the maximum space that it will humidify); as well as its water tank capacity, its total moisture output per 24 hours, and maximum running time.

We also considered matters such as the power it would consume (with many using equivalent to or less than a standard 45W lightbulb) in addition to its total noise output (either as a decibel level, or as a description of the noise in operation).

 

Baby Humidifier Review Criteria – ii – Design & Convenience

If your have a fine eye for detail and don’t like anything that your buy for the home to stand out or clash with your decor, then the design area is going to be of chief importance to you. This will cover both the size, shape and overall look and feel of the product, and you’ll also be thinking about things like off-season storage if you don’t like to leave electrical devices on shelves when they’re not in use all the time. The smaller your living space, the more likely that design will be of greatest importance to you.

Convenience also ties in with design because, at the end of the day, that’s what people want in their homes. They’re looking for something that’s quick, quiet and handy to set up and use. This also refers to ease of operation, and whether it requires much in the way of manual work, such as frequent refilling, filter replacement, and so on.

 

Baby Humidifier Review Criteria – iii – Operational Noise

For some customers, noise levels are the decisive factor in purchasing a new air conditioner. Some people may be seeking a completely silent portable air conditioner, or as close to it as possible. This will most likely be the case if you’re using the machine for domestic reasons and want to minimise the nuisance factor presented by noise.

 

Baby Humidifier Review Criteria – iv – Maintenance & Support

The question of maintenance is important when considering which baby humidifier to buy for your home. You may simply not have the time to go for a machine that requires lots of maintenance, changing of filters and other parts, frequent cleansing, etc. In such cases, you will be looking for a filter-free option, most likely an ultrasonic humidifier.

Even more important to some purchases is the question of after-sales service and support. Thankfully, all manufacturers have online resources in the form of downloadable manuals and customer FAQs sections that will enable people to troubleshoot and fix any problems that might arise with their appliances. All offer direct contact with customer services representatives, in the form of email and phone contacts. But best of all, some offer Live Chat facilities on the websites, which can help people identify problems more quickly and help hasten the process of repair and/or replacement.

All of the appliances that we reviewed are covered by warranties, but some of these are more generous than others. People who are more conservative and like to have the full degree of product protection available to them will be particularly attracted by the three-year warranties that are provided with some of these products.

 

Baby Humidifier Review Criteria – v – Value for Money

Value for money is important when purchasing a baby humidifier. There’s an array of baby humidifiers that are affordable and which are graced with an array of features and facilities. Generally speaking, as in most areas, the best machines tend to be the most expensive, but only if they suit your circumstances or particular requirements.

Our best advice is that if a particular machine is beyond your budget, there are affordable alternatives that do not sacrifice their cooling power and efficiency. What is more likely to be sacrificed with the lower budget machines is their range of features. What you have to decide is whether these are features that you can live without. Often, you will be able to.

That is why our Value for Money criterion tends to be like an overview of the product, asking questions such as: What does this appliance deliver in return for the outlay? How important are these features? Do they justify the price tag?

 

 

Baby Humidifiers – FAQ

Before we finish up our baby humidifiers review, there’s just a few more things we’d like to talk about before letting you go. If you have a moment, we think it would be worth your while to check out our brief FAQs section below where we run through some of the most frequently asked questions relating to baby humidifiers. We outline how to maintain your humidifier, all the benefits of having a humidifier for your nursery, and any potential hazards of humidifiers + how to prevent them. Give it a read, you won’t be disappointed.

 

What are the benefits of having a humidifier in my nursery?

Humidifiers help to fight irritated skin, dried sinuses, sore throats, and blocked noses that come about due to harsh air.

Harsh air can have various detrimental effects on a baby, such as drying out of the sinuses, blocked noses, irritated skin, and sore throats. Additionally, as we all know babies are quite susceptible to congestion, which means they can easily contract some of the illnesses and infections that do the rounds in the colder months.

Humidifiers introduce moisture into the air, which allows for the loosening up of mucus, and improved breathing conditions. Furthermore, a baby’s skin is far more sensitive to dryness, and so harsh air can cause irritated skin, chapped lips, and red patches. By adding moisture to the air, your baby’s skin can retain its natural moistness, which results in clearer skin, and is also combats skin conditions such as eczema.

 

Are there different types of humidifiers?

There are Tabletop Humidifiers, In-Duct Humidifiers, and Console Humidifiers.

There are several different types of humidifiers, the first of which we will be discussing being the tabletop humidifier. This type of humidifier is quite compact and easily moved, making it ideal for nurseries. Only suitable for humidifying one room, these humidifiers are easily cleaned and moved to another bedroom thanks to their compact design.

Next up we have the in-duct humidifier. This type of humidifier is ideal for humidifying the entire house, installed in (you guessed it) the air ducts. These humidifiers are extremely efficient, and take very little maintenance to keep going. However, there is a catch in that these humidifiers are the most expensive out of all three types. That being said, we still recommend these units as we have found them to be remarkably effective, if you can spare the cash.

A console humidifier is almost a mid-way between the tabletop and the in-duct humidifiers. Console humidifiers are much larger than their tabletop counterparts, and will pump our moisture for entire house. These units can usually hold upwards of five gallons of water, with some even holding up to nine gallons at a time.

 

How do humidifiers work?

Humidifiers work by either introducing warm mist, or cool mist into the air.

There are two ways humidifiers may work. A warm mist humidifier will introduce warm mist into the air which will kill airborne viruses and bacteria. Additionally, warm air makes it much easier for babies to breathe by opening up the respiratory passage as it loosens up mucus.

Cool mist humidifiers will act in a similar way to warm mist humidifiers, except this time releasing cool or room temperature mist into the air. Such humidifiers are helpful for babies who have croup, which is a condition that affects a child’s trachea and bronchi.

 

Are baby humidifiers expensive?

Baby humidifiers can be moderately expensive for top of the line, although they usually average out at around $40.

Humidifiers vary quite a bit in price, although generally speaking you’ll be spending anywhere from $30 – $90 for a good humidifier.

 

Are there any safety precautions I should take with my baby humidifier?

You must be careful with warm mist humidifiers, as children can burn themselves on the steam. Further, you must let the humidifier dry out every time between uses to prevent mold growth.

Warm mist humidifiers can burn children if they are not kept out of reach. With regard to mold growth, it is vital to let your humidifier dry out entirely between uses, as the moisture can lead to build-up of lint, mold, and germs. Considering that these appliances are designed to pump out a mist, it not advisable to allow your humidifier to fall into this state as it will circulate spores. Additionally, failure to allow your humidifier to dry can lead to damaging the device over time.

 

How do I maintain my humidifier?

Regularly sanitise your humidifier to prevent build-up of mildew, mold, and bacteria.

Your humidifier should come with instructions on how to clean it after use. This is essential as you may be surprised at just how quickly mold can build up on a damp surface. Be sure to follow all cleaning instructions and guidelines to the letter. Additionally, if you wish to prolong the life of your humidifier, we recommend using distilled water where possible, and allowing your humidifier to dry out fully between uses, to prevent damage to the unit.

 

Summary

That’s it from us for our baby humidifiers review. We hope you found the information provided in our FAQs helpful. Our advice going forward? Take another look at our list at the top of our review, where each product has been carefully selected by our team here at Agent. These products are the perfect balance between affordability and super high quality performance. Use the information in our FAQs by applying it to the list, approaching our top picks from a newly informed perspective on the humidifier. With that, we wish you the best of luck finding the perfect humidifier for your nursery.