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We found the best humidifiers for kids and babies.
Wintertime can make for a miserable season of coughs and congestion, which is no fun for anyone in the family — especially for baby, who can’t medicate to suppress these symptoms. A humidifier is often the best course of action to help your little one breathe a bit better, suggests S. Daniel Ganjian, MD, a pediatric specialist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “I prescribe it for colds, flu, sinus infections, bronchiolitis, croup and even recurrent nosebleeds due to dry noses.”
But what kind of humidifier is best for baby? “The cheaper, the better,” advises Dr. Ganjian. “They often break or get moldy, so be prepared to replace it every one to two years, unless you clean and maintain it as instructed.” Also, avoid warm vaporizers, he cautions. “Warm humidifiers work by boiling water. When there is a child in the house, you do not want them to be around boiling water because of the risk of scalding their skin.”
Check out our selection of humidifiers for kids and babies, below.
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier
This cool-mist humidifier can run for up to 20 hours and comes in kid-friendly colors like pink, green, and blue. It's quiet, small, and perfect for a nursery or kid's room.
2 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
You can adjust the speed settings and the direction of the nozzle on this cool-mist humidifier. It features an automatic shut-off and an optional night light for kids.
3 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Crane USA Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifiers for Kids
Mom will breathe much easier knowing that this Crane USA Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier is not only absolutely adorable but also reduces the growth of mold and bacteria by up to 99.96% while providing fast relief with an ultrasonic cool mist that humidifies up to 500 square feet. The convenient compact design comes with a one-gallon tank and runs quietly for up to 24 hours.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I love these humidifiers. Cute, easy to clean and reliable! It holds so much more water than you would think! It matches perfectly in my son’s nursery!
4 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
HOPEME USB Cool Mist Humidifier
This affordable humidifier comes in pink, blue, and white and has seven different color light options. It can run for up to eight hours in continuous mode and is powered by a micro USB, so it can work virtually anywhere.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
So quiet. Perfect size to place on your nightstand. Great price. Would definitely buy it again.
5 of 10 Image Credits: Target
Fridababy 3-in-1 Humidifier with Diffuser and Nightlight
A nightlight, diffuser, and humidifier in one, this awesome gadget from Fridababy is a must-have nursery and kids' room product. It runs continuously for up to 12 hours and has an auto-off feature.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Very effective and zero noise makes it perfect for the kid's bedroom.
6 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Honeywell Mistmate Ultrasonic Humidifier
This filter-free Honeywell Mistmate Ultrasonic Humidifier dispenses a cool, calming mist and can run for up to 18 hours on a low setting. Perfect for small rooms such as nurseries, it also shuts off automatically when the half-gallon water tank runs low. The humidifier features an ultra-quiet technology for light sleepers and is specifically designed to ease coughing.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
We LOVE this humidifier!! It's quiet, easy to clean and lasts for 8-10 hours on a medium setting. I've been searching for years for a humidifier like this. I'm going to buy a second one just to have as a backup.
7 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier relieves allergies, blocked sinuses, colds, and coughing. It also features a blue LED nightlight, a tray for adding scented oils, and a 360-degree rotating nozzle to control mist spray to decrease airborne viruses significantly. It also requires no filter, though using distilled water is recommended "to avoid mineral buildup," suggests Dr. Gritchen.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Helps our baby not be so stuffy In the morning and I swear my skin is less dry.
8 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier with Light Up Star Display
Designed to provide comforting relief for coughs and congestion, this Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier has an antimicrobial filter to diffuse moisture while easing cold symptoms. The unit also projects soothing star patterns on the ceiling to help lull little ones to sleep. Avoid using the Menthol VapoPads included with the humidifier on babies younger than a year old, cautions Dr. Ganjian, as they "can increase the amount of mucus in their noses." When using this model, "just plain water is sufficient," he says.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Miracle worker! My kids LOVE this! The nightlight put them in some kind of trance... they suddenly stayed in their bed all night and slept so well! We need another!
9 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Homasy Cool Mist Humidifier Diffuser
The top-fill design of this Homasy Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier makes the humidifier easy to use and keep clean. This super silent design runs at 28 decibels, which are measured to be quieter than turning the page of a book (now that's quiet!). The humidifier won't disturb sleeping babes, while an anti-bacterial filter stops the growth of airborne bacteria. Runs up to 10 hours releasing a low mist.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Arrived very quickly, and was easy to set up and start working. Got this for our baby so she wouldn't get stuffed up, and she's doing so much better with this in our room!
10 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Geniani Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier
This humidifier comes in white or black and can maintain the humidity of the room via the built-in sensor. It's easy to refill and is extremely quiet.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I put this in my baby's room next to his crib and after a week, it's already made a difference in his breathing in the dry winter air. For how small it is, it packs a powerful punch. Happy with my purchase!
