Best Portable Humidifiers | Whole House, Steam, Ultrasonic

Wanting the best portable humidifier for your household or even an office space is a valid desire to have. However, you need to know about a few things to make sure you find and purchase the best humidifier in the market. That is where this article can help you out!

Humidifiers of today have advanced in some impressive ways. Some of the new humidifiers have become incredibly small in size to offer incredible portability when it comes to traveling from one place to another.

But compared to non-portable humidifiers, should you always go for a portable humidifying unit?

Well, both types come with the ability to moisten up dry areas and provide you with proper (and yes, good) levels of humidity. Apart from improving the air you breathe, these units also help you with a peaceful sleep cycle. However, there are certain benefits accompanying a portable humidifier you might be very interested in.

So, if you have been wondering about what a portable humidifier can offer you, how they differ from non-portable units, and which model you should buy, we have it all covered below!

Comparison Chart of the Best Portable Humidifiers

IMAGE	PRODUCT
Our Top Pick	URPOWER Cool Mist Humidifier It Requires No Filters at All This is the Best Runner-Up Option It Provides the User With a Quiet Whisper Operation	View Latest Price →
Best Budget Option	Smart Frog Multifunctional Portable Mini Humidifier This is the Best in Terms of Money It Consists of Super Silent Ultrasonic Design It Provides Users With a Cool Mist Wherever They Want	View Latest Price →
	AIRCARE MA1201 Humidifier It has a Runtime of 36 Hours This Unit is the Best for the Whole House It is Easy to Refill and Keep Track of Due to the Filter Indicator	View Latest Price →
	Honeywell HWM705B Humidifier This is the Best Steam Humidifier It Comes With an Illuminated Power Switch This Unit is Low Maintenance Since it Has a Filter-Free Operation	View Latest Price →
	Pure Enrichment MistAire Travel This is the Best Ultrasonic Model It Can Humidify Medium-Sized Rooms It Prevents Germs and Bacteria From Thriving in Your Room	View Latest Price →
	Honeywell Quiet Low Energy Humidifier It Comes With Five Different Speed Settings This is the Best Air Conditioner Combo Offering It has a Whisper Quiet Motor That Provides You With Peaceful Sleep	View Latest Price →
	Crane Travel Cool Mist Humidifier It Can Work for Ten Hours Straight This is the Smallest Portable Humidifier It Provides You With Quiet, Whisper-Level Operation	View Latest Price →

Aspects to Consider Before Buying

If you have decided on investing in a portable humidifier, then good for you! These units have been exceptionally designed and offer many benefits. Still, when it comes to selecting the best portable humidifier, things might not be as easy as you might think. You can’t just go and pick the first humidifier you see on the market, right?

When investing your hard earned money in an item, you are allowed to be incredibly picky. The same holds true when you are shopping for a humidifier.

So, when you are looking for the right portable humidifier for you, well, you may want to consider the following things:

Noise Level

Some people don’t mind if their unit makes some noise; in fact, some people like such noise, whereas there are others who can do without it. When investing in a traveling or portable humidifier, you will likely be placing it next to your bed. That is why knowing the noise level of your unit is important.

People who are light sleepers (who can become disturbed even by the tiniest sounds), shouldn’t go for a humidifier that makes too much noise. A quieter unit is the best option for them. Make sure to test a humidifier and see the amount of noise it makes before you buy it. Or, if buying online, check reviews to see what actual owners of the product have experienced.

Automation

Depending on the humidifier model you buy, you must know that such units can be automated or manually operated. Manually operated humidifiers, as the name suggests, must be set manually. If you need to turn such a unit ON or OFF, you will have to press a button. This isn’t a very bothersome feature for some. People do tend to invest in manually operated units since it is less expensive.

On the other hand, automated units are a very convenient option, especially if you don’t have time to waste on setting up your humidifier. These units turn themselves OFF when the desired humidity level is reached, making your life easier without you having to do anything. They come with a timer as well as an automatic shut-off feature and even a humidistat to keep humidity levels at a consistent level.

Square Footage

Portable humidifiers are small in size and have a small capacity tank. However, don’t let a unit’s size fool you. A good portable humidifier can serve an entire house. To find a humidifier that suits your household needs when it comes to humidifying spaces, it is vital you get the approximate measurements of your house and see how large of an area you need to cover. 

While a unit which covers more area can make the said humidifier slightly pricier, its benefits definitely outweigh the cost in the long run. Some portable humidifiers are made for a single room or moderately-sized houses, whereas some can cover areas close to 4000+ square feet.

Now, that you know about certain features you should be looking at when shopping for a humidifier, let’s go over some of the best options for you to consider!

Review of the Best Portable Humidifiers

Let’s take a look at the top models on our list and see what makes them unique:

Best Overall

URPOWER Cool Mist Humidifier

Specifications

Decibel Level: N/A

Coverage Area: N/A

Tank Size: N/A

Dimensions: 3.1 x 3.1 x 5.5

Weight: 0.68 pounds

$15.99 On Amazon

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Review

If you want a humidifier that not only moisturizes your room but has a little oomph behind its mist, as well due to an oil diffuser, then this URPOWER unit is a good choice for you. Since the frosted diffuser is tapered slightly, it looks great in any corner of the room. The plastic components of this unit don’t contain BPA. So, you no longer have to worry about toxic chemicals roaming around in the air.

It has a height of 5.3 inches and this makes it perfect for your bedside table. The essential oil diffuser is not larger than an iPhone 6, and that makes it incredibly portable as well.

Inside this humidifier, you get a tank of 100-milliliter capacity and a sensor that can turn the power off when the tank is empty. You also get user-friendly controls through two labeled buttons present on the unit and can control the output of the mist as well as the light. You can choose between two different mist timers which are 30 seconds to 3 hours long, depending on what you want.

As far as the light buttons are concerned, you can enjoy seven different LED light colors, and if a specific color catches your eye, then you can simply press the light button two times so that certain color stays. Refilling this unit is a very simple process. All you have to do is take the cover off and use the measuring cup present with this unit to pour the water in. After you are done, plug-in the long power adapter and enjoy your humidifier.

Bottom Line

The URPOWER Humidifier is a visually appealing unit. It has impressive features and is ideal when it comes to the level of performance you get for the price tag. This humidifier can be used for aromatherapy to help with getting rid of irritated nasal passages.

Pros

Requires No Filters

Low Maintenance

Can Be Used for Aromatherapy

No Special Water Is Needed, Works Perfectly Well With Ordinary Tap Water

Has an Appealing Display Making it Perfect for Any Corner of Your House

Comes With an Auto Shut-Off Feature, Making it Worry-Free to Use Throughout the Day

Cons

You Can’t Turn the Light Off. So, That Might Be an Issue for Some During Nighttime

Best for the Money

Smart Frog Multifunctional Portable Mini Humidifier

Specifications

Decibel Level: 15 dB

Coverage Area: N/A

Tank Size: N/A

Dimensions: 6.9 x 3.07 x 3.07

Weight: 0.4 pounds

$16.04 On Amazon

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Review

Here, we have the best for the money Smart Frog humidifier that is made of anti-corrosion and anti-acid material. This unit helps in vaporizing the purified water without leaving behind white powder. This Smart Frog humidifier is small and lightweight, making it perfect for carrying wherever you want. It comes with an easy-to-use, automatic shut-off feature.

This humidifier can shut down easily after eight hours of usage on its own. After an automated shutdown, you can make it begin working again if need be. This unit is compatible with any kind of water container. Due to the super silent and ultrasonic design embedded in this unit, it can work in absolute quiet and provide you with a cool mist at the same time. The noise it makes is less than 15 dB which is ideal for bedrooms, offices, and your baby’s nursery.

It increases the moisture in the air and makes sure there is no irritating dry skin or blocked nasal passages as well as relieves cough and flu symptoms surrounding you and your kids.

Bottom Line

This Smart Frog humidifier is an exceptionally good product and has great features for the price point. This unit is ideal for small spaces and looks incredibly stylish. It also doesn’t make a lot of noise during use.

Pros

Has an Appealing Look

Easy Refilling Process

Small in Size, Making it Perfect for Traveling With

Comes With Safe Automatic Shut-Off Features

Cons

Doesn’t Act as an Essential Oil Diffuser

Best for the Whole House

AIRCARE MA1201 Humidifier

Specifications

Decibel Level: N/A

Coverage Area: 3600 sq ft.

Tank Size: 3.6 gallons

Dimensions: 14.5 x 21.5 x 20.5

Weight: 14 pounds

$143.99 On Amazon

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Review

This evaporative humidifier from AIRCARE has the tendency to complement any kind of décor. It features an easy, single bottle design and works by adding invisible moisture into your environment. This humidifier performs by moving dry air through a wick filter that is saturated. This evaporative humidifier is an ideal solution for the humidity you need indoors.

It also helps in reducing the number of airborne flu viruses and dryness symptoms. This humidifier also helps in treating allergy symptoms, soothing dryness, nasal passages, and sinuses. Furthermore, this unit has a tank capacity of 3.6 gallons. This allows it to run for thirty-six hours straight without any issue. So, you know this unit will run throughout the night.

This is an energy-efficient unit and has the ability to moisturize large homes which measure up to 3600 square feet. So, if your family deals with irritating nasal passages and dryness, then this unit is perfect for you.

Bottom Line

This is an exceptional and feature-filled portable humidifier. This unit comes with four different speed levels, long working abilities, and a stylish design. All of this helps in making up for the noise it produces to make sure your house is being humidified in the best manner possible.

Pros

Comes With a Single Bottle Design

Small Size Makes This Unit Easy to Carry

You Get a Digital Display That Makes it User-Friendly

With Four Different Fan Speeds, You Can Customize the Unit as You Wish

Cons

Doesn’t make use of Ultrasonic Technology so the Noise Might Be Too Much for Some, Even at Low Settings

Best Steam Humidifier

Honeywell HWM705B Humidifier

Specifications

Decibel Level: N/A

Coverage Area: N/A

Tank Size: N/A

Dimensions: 10.75 x 6.5 x 12.68

Weight: 4 pounds

$54.84 On Amazon

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Review

This warm mist Honeywell humidifier is the best steam humidifier present in the market. It comes features ultra-quiet, filter-free technology which produces a soothing and warm mist to make your house more comfortable. This unit helps in counteracting the effects of harsh and dry winters by adding moisture in the air to any medium-sized room.

This top filled humidifier comes with a one-gallon tank and can run easily for 24 hours straight. It comes with two different settings that include high and low, as well as a light that helps in indicating beforehand when it should be refilled. Moreover, this unit also comes with a medicinal cup which you can use for liquid inhalants to help treat flu and nasal congestion.

This humidifier is ideal for babies, adults, and children of all ages. Its user-friendly manual knob and filter-free operation make it an ideal unit to invest in.

Bottom Line

The Honeywell Humidifier is a well-known unit belonging from a respectable company. It comes with great features, especially the user-friendly interface. This unit is safe for everyone, humidifies your house, and prevents colds, the flu, and dry skin problems during winter.

Pros

User-Friendly

Safe for the Entire Family

Quiet in Performance

Comes With Two Different Moisture Settings

Has an Indicator to Let You Know When a Refill is Needed

Cons

Cleaning This Unit Can Be a Bit Tricky for Some

Best Ultrasonic Model

Pure Enrichment MistAire Travel

Specifications

Decibel Level: N/A

Coverage Area: 160 sq ft.

Tank Size: 0.13 gallons

Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.5 x 5.5

Weight: 0.75 pounds

$29.99 On Amazon

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Review

This unit is easy to use and an effective product present in the market. It aims at providing users with convenience and comfort at night. It comes with excellent features, which include auto-shut off functions. This means this unit turns itself off as soon as the water level gets too low. This unit can work for sixteen hours straight and can easily humidify a small or medium-sized room with ease.

Not only is this humidifier small in size, it is also affordable. Since it can moisturize for a long time, you can sleep and breathe easily. Due to its size, it can be placed in nurseries, bedrooms, and other medium-sized rooms in the house. Also, with this unit, you can get peaceful sleep at night because of its quiet operation. The mist nozzle on this unit can be modified and turned toward whatever direction you want. Moreover, you also get a speed adjuster with this unit which helps to determine how moist the room can be.

Bottom Line

This PureEnrichment Mist humidifier has a higher mist output than most and performs exceptionally well in office cubicles and small rooms. It is an ideal working humidifier and has features which compensate for its drawback related to not being able to cover a larger area.

Pros

Easy to Use

Can Work for 16 Hours Continuously

Allows You to Adjust the Mist According to Your Requirements

The Nozzle on this Unit Can Be Turned in Any Direction You Want

Cons

On the Lowest Setting, it Doesn’t Offer the Best Coverage

VAVA Quiet and Small Ultrasonic Humidifier

Specifications

Decibel Level: 30 dB

Coverage Area: 220 sq ft.

Tank Size: 0.48 gallons

Dimensions: 8.43 x 5.12 x 9.96

Weight: 1.77 pounds

Price not available On Amazon

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Review

The VAVA Humidifier is a small and quiet unit which features has a unique style and beauty. This unit comes with a lustrous white finish, tapered bulbous shape, and a single and small band of silver wrapped around its rim. It has a high-powered fan installed internally which makes sure it works quietly while releasing mist. The nozzle on this unit is rotatable. So, you can alter the direction of the mist wherever you like.

Furthermore, this unit comes with an adjustment knob. This knob allows you to decide on the amount of moisture being sprayed into the air. You can easily moderate the exact output of mist you require in order to meet the needs and ensure the comfort of your room. To prevent excess moisture from being sprayed in a single corner of the room, the nozzle can rotate in a complete circle and distribute mist evenly in an area.

With its lightweight and slender shape, you can place this unit wherever you like. This unit comes with no filter, which makes it easy to maintain. It also saves you time because it doesn’t require excessive cleaning. All you have to do is occasionally clean it with whichever mild detergent you prefer.

Bottom Line

This cool mist humidifier, the VAVA Nightstand unit, is very well-designed and looks like a modern piece of art (in a sense). The best feature on this unit is the knob for adjusting the mist, as well as the full coverage it offers. It is easy to maintain and an automatic shut-off feature provides you with worry-free usage throughout the night.

Pros

Lightweight and Slim Unit

Nozzle on This Unit Can Rotate 360-Degrees for Even Distribution

Comes With a Smart LED Indicator That Lets You Know Beforehand When it Requires a Refill

Cons

Slight Buzzing Sound Might Be Annoying to Some Users

Portable vs. Non-Portable – What’s The Difference?

Everyone who owns a humidifier is aware of how the unit looks after pouring in water, whether it is big or small. These units come with their own water tanks and because of this, they tend to be slightly bulky.

So, how do manufacturers fix such an issue? We are talking about wanting humidifiers to be portable! Well, they simply ended up removing the water tank. Now, there might be some traveling humidifiers that come with their own water tank, but most of these units come with a system which allows you to add in a disposable water container.

All you have to do is buy a small-sized water bottle and use it as a reservoir. Most units are made in a way that they can fit almost every water bottle size. Still, some units come with their own portable and disposable water container so you can choose according to your convenience.

After the water situation is decided, the unit makes use of ultrasonic waves which turn the water into mist. Also, since these units are portable and are meant to be more personal, they are perfect for people who are traveling and need a nice and clean air to breathe wherever they are.

Types of Portable Humidifiers

There are many different types of humidifiers available on the market today. Each makes use of unique technology which helps in providing the air you breathe with moisture. Some can be slightly more expensive than others. Some can be more quiet and efficient. You should know portable humidifiers come in different types.

These include:

Steam

These units are also referred to as vaporizers. They tend to boil water from the inside of the humidifier and then send these vapors into the air. The technology behind it is simple, and for this reason, these portable humidifiers are affordable. These units also allow you to add in medicinal inhalants which can help in reducing coughs and other ailment-related symptoms. These are recommended for fighting allergies.

Impeller

Impeller humidifiers make use of a technology that uses a rotating disk and sends water into a diffuser which resembles a comb. This comb helps in breaking the water into tiny droplets which are lightweight and can float in the air. These tiny droplets will look like a fog to the naked eye.

These also produce a warm, soothing mist which provides you with comfort during the cold months. For this reason, many portable impeller humidifiers feature a medicinal cup to make them more effective for medical use.

Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic humidifiers can be more expensive than a steam humidifier, but they are the most popular option present in the market. These humidifiers make use of a metal diaphragm which will vibrate at ultrasonic speed to create droplets.

These units are also very popular because of the fact they are quiet during operation. For this reason, these units are commonly used in hotel rooms, offices, and even kid’s rooms.

Conclusion

A portable humidifier is no doubt an exceptional item to have to humidify an area. Such units come with amazing features, considering their size, and most importantly, they are easy to carry around. However, before investing your money on a particular unit, it’s important you do your own research as well. You should make an informed decision to ensure you are paying for a portable unit that will do what you want to ensure the comfort of your household.

We hope our best portable humidifier review and buyer’s guide has helped you.