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Humidifiers and dehumidifiers

Humidifier reviews

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Last updated: 11 September 2023
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In dry cold winters, a humidifier can help provide a more comfortable environment at home. We lab test and review three types of portable humidifiers – ultrasonic, evaporative and vaporiser – to help you find out:

  • which humidifiers are best at increasing humidity
  • which ones are the most energy-efficient
  • which ones are the easiest to use.

Most can perform well enough in hot humid conditions, but our rigorous testing sorts out which ones operate best in challenging cold conditions. We also measure their real water removal rate and how much they'll cost you to run.

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Our humidifier buying guide will help you decide which type of humidifier you need, while how we test humidifiers explains our testing rigour and scoring method.

Matthew Steen
By Denis Gallagher
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Type

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Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.


Humidity score

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This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

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Did water pool on the floor after testing?

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With some of the humidifiers we tested, water was observed on the floor after the humidistat test.

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    Included in this review

    Members-only access
    • Overall score
    • Recommended
    • Running cost (24 hours)
    • Running cost (90 days)
    • Humidity score
    • Water output score
    • Energy efficiency score
    • Ease of use score
    • Power consumption (W)
    • Noise on high setting (dBA)
    • Measured output of moisture (mL/hr)
    • Water consumption (L/hr)
    • Energy use (kWH/L)
    • Pooling of water on floor after testing
    • Dimensions (H x D x W, cm)
    • Good points
    • Bad points
    • Price
    • Type
    • Claimed humidification area (m2)
    • Cool mist only
    • Warm mist only
    • Dual mist
    • Antimicrobial claims
    • Humidstat
    • Adjustable humidistat range
    • Fan
    • Programmable
    • Smart app
    • Remote
    • Water level gauge
    • Empty tank indicator
    • Night light or glow in the dark
    • Cleaning brush
    • Measured tank capacity (L)
    • Cord length (cm)
    • Weight (kg)
    • Recommended weekly maintenance
    • Filter cleaning interval
    • Filter supplied
    • Refilling instructions
    • Claimed power consumption (W)
    • Warranty (years)
    • Country of origin
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    Beurer LB37

    Beurer LB37
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    $129
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    Recommended or typical retail price.

    ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
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    This overall score is made up of humidity performance (40%), water output (30%), energy efficiency (20%) and ease of use (10%).

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    Type Ultrasonic
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    Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.
    Humidity score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

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    Water output score
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    This score is based on the measured water capacity per hour.

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    Energy efficiency score
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    This score is based on the running cost and water dispersion rate in our performance testing, using an electricity cost of 30c/kWh.

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    Beurer LB55

    Beurer LB55
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    $167
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    Recommended or typical retail price.

    ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
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    This overall score is made up of humidity performance (40%), water output (30%), energy efficiency (20%) and ease of use (10%).

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    Type Vaporiser
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    Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.
    Humidity score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

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    Water output score
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    This score is based on the measured water capacity per hour.

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    Energy efficiency score
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    This score is based on the running cost and water dispersion rate in our performance testing, using an electricity cost of 30c/kWh.

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    Breville LAH300

    Breville LAH300
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    $180
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    Recommended or typical retail price.

    ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
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    This overall score is made up of humidity performance (40%), water output (30%), energy efficiency (20%) and ease of use (10%).

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    Type Ultrasonic
    Expand to view more details.
    Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.
    Humidity score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

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    Water output score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the measured water capacity per hour.

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    Energy efficiency score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the running cost and water dispersion rate in our performance testing, using an electricity cost of 30c/kWh.

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    Breville LAH400WHT

    Breville LAH400WHT
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    $299
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    Recommended or typical retail price.

    ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
    Expand to view more details.

    This overall score is made up of humidity performance (40%), water output (30%), energy efficiency (20%) and ease of use (10%).

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    Type Ultrasonic
    Expand to view more details.
    Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.
    Humidity score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

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    Water output score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the measured water capacity per hour.

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    Energy efficiency score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the running cost and water dispersion rate in our performance testing, using an electricity cost of 30c/kWh.

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    Expand to view more details.
    Clicking a link will take you to a retailer's website to shop, where available.
    5 (1 member review)
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    Breville LAH508

    Breville LAH508
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    $349
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    Recommended or typical retail price.

    ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
    Expand to view more details.

    This overall score is made up of humidity performance (40%), water output (30%), energy efficiency (20%) and ease of use (10%).

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    Type Ultrasonic
    Expand to view more details.
    Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.
    Humidity score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

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    Water output score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the measured water capacity per hour.

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    Energy efficiency score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the running cost and water dispersion rate in our performance testing, using an electricity cost of 30c/kWh.

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    Expand to view more details.
    Clicking a link will take you to a retailer's website to shop, where available.
    1.5 (2 member reviews)
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    Ionmax ION90

    Ionmax ION90
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    $299
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    Recommended or typical retail price.

    ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
    Expand to view more details.

    This overall score is made up of humidity performance (40%), water output (30%), energy efficiency (20%) and ease of use (10%).

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    Type Ultrasonic
    Expand to view more details.
    Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.
    Humidity score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

    Unlock this by becoming a member.

    Join now

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    Water output score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the measured water capacity per hour.

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    Energy efficiency score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the running cost and water dispersion rate in our performance testing, using an electricity cost of 30c/kWh.

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    Results for paid members only
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    Philips HU2716

    Philips HU2716
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    $249
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    Recommended or typical retail price.

    ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
    Expand to view more details.

    This overall score is made up of humidity performance (40%), water output (30%), energy efficiency (20%) and ease of use (10%).

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    Type Evaporative
    Expand to view more details.
    Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.
    Humidity score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

    Unlock this by becoming a member.

    Join now

    Already a member? Log in now

    Water output score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the measured water capacity per hour.

    Unlock this by becoming a member.

    Join now

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    Energy efficiency score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the running cost and water dispersion rate in our performance testing, using an electricity cost of 30c/kWh.

    Unlock this by becoming a member.

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    Results for paid members only
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    Back to filters Go to compare selected box

    Philips HU4706

    Philips HU4706
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    $129
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    Recommended or typical retail price.

    ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
    Expand to view more details.

    This overall score is made up of humidity performance (40%), water output (30%), energy efficiency (20%) and ease of use (10%).

    Unlock this by becoming a member.

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    Type Evaporative
    Expand to view more details.
    Evaporative humidifiers work by evaporating water inside the humidifier which sends water vapour into the air, while non evaporative (or ultrasonic) humidifiers transmit moisture to the air in a visible or perceptible form without the need for a fan.
    Humidity score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on how well each humidifier dispersed the moisture.

    Unlock this by becoming a member.

    Join now

    Already a member? Log in now

    Water output score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the measured water capacity per hour.

    Unlock this by becoming a member.

    Join now

    Already a member? Log in now

    Energy efficiency score
    Expand to view more details.
    This score is based on the running cost and water dispersion rate in our performance testing, using an electricity cost of 30c/kWh.

    Unlock this by becoming a member.

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    Results for paid members only
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