While environmental allergies are easier to avoid, indoor allergies are another matter entirely. If you suffer from allergies, you might consider using a humidifier to mitigate symptoms, so we’ve done all the research to help you find the best humidifier for allergies this season.
Approximately 24 million people in the United States were diagnosed with seasonal allergies in 2018 alone, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Know that though the weather is warmer and the sun is shining longer in the spring and summer, you’re not alone in suffering from the allergy symptoms. In fact, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness among all age groups.
| Image | Air Humidifier Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | Veva Cool Mist Humidifier
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  | Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
| Check Price |
  | Pure Enrichment® MistAire™
| Check Price |
  | AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier
| Check Price |
  | Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
| Check Price |
What Does a Humidifier Do?
A humidifier is, quite simply, a device that increases humidity — the amount of moisture in the air. This is generally accomplished through the production of steam or cool mist.
Three of the most common types of humidifiers are cool mist humidifiers, warm mist humidifiers, and ultrasonic humidifiers. All three run on a tank of water also known as a reservoir and utilize different technologies to turn that water into vapor.
Cool mist humidifiers filter water from the reservoir to remove minerals and impurities before the water is evaporated into the air. These models can be a little noisy and may require frequent maintenance to keep the filter clean. Warm mist humidifiers are generally quieter but can be difficult to clean. Some require the use of heat to produce steam which may not be the safest option for use around babies or children.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are incredibly popular. They utilize a vibrating diaphragm to release water droplets into the air. They’re virtually silent and they don’t use any heat. Ultrasonic humidifiers are generally easy to maintain and simple to operate.
How Do Humidifiers Help with Allergies?
Allergy symptoms can result from exposure to any number of things. Many people suffer from allergies to dust, pollen, or pet dander but allergies can also be triggered by certain fabrics, household chemicals, or cleaning supplies. A humidifier may not be as effective as an air purifier against smoke, dust, and other airborne allergens, but it might help.
The primary benefit of a humidifier for allergies relates to increased moisture in the air. Low humidity can aggravate respiratory symptoms like those associated with allergies and may reduce your susceptibility to colds and other respiratory illnesses.
Keep in mind that while adequate humidity might be beneficial for allergy sufferers, humidity that is too high could be problematic. When the humidity in your home is too high, pet dander and dust may stick to surfaces and can then be picked up by your clothing and skin. Too much moisture in the air could also contribute to the growth of mold and mildew.
Other Tips for Reducing Allergy Symptoms
Everyone is affected by allergies differently, so the best place to start is with your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine the cause of your allergies and help you determine how best to mitigate symptoms. In many cases, you’ll need to take steps to avoid the allergen as well.
Here are some tips for reducing allergy symptoms:
- Avoid going outside on windy days – the best time is after a rain because the rain helps clear pollen from the air.
- Make sure to use high-efficiency filters in your home’s heating and cooling systems.
- After mowing the lawn or doing yardwork, remove the clothing you wore and take a shower to remove allergens from your hair and skin.
- Use air conditioning in the car instead of opening the windows.
- If you’re very sensitive to outdoor allergens, wear a mask when you’re outside and keep your hair and skin covered.
- Wash bedding regularly and use a vacuum to clean upholstered furniture.
- Keep your home organized and free from clutter that might accumulate dust.
Best Humidifier for Allergies Picks
With so many options to choose from, shopping for a humidifier can be overwhelming. Amazon is a great place to start because you can compare prices and features easily.
To help get you started, we’ve chosen four options from Amazon that we recommend:
Best Humidifier for Allergies: Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
Weighing just 4.75 pounds, this warm mist humidifier from Vicks is a compact choice ideal for small to medium rooms. It features a one-gallon tank that provides up to 24 hours of humidification on the lowest setting.
This humidifier is filter-free which makes it easy to use, though you may need to clean it often to prevent mineral deposits from impeding function. It runs very quietly and it’s practically priced for use in smaller spaces.
Keep in mind that this humidifier uses heat to produce vapor, so it may not be appropriate for babies and small children.
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Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
If you’re concerned about the potential dangers of a warm mist humidifier, this ultrasonic MistAire humidifier might be a better option. It’s small and compact for use in bedrooms and nurseries, designed to humidify spaces up to 250 square feet.
This humidifier delivers up to 25 hours of continuous operation on the lowest setting with a 4-gallon (1.5 liter) tank. It features a 360-degree nozzle so you can customize your experience and it has a night light and auto shut-off safety feature. It is even backed by a 5-year warranty.
One thing to keep in mind with this humidifier is that it isn’t a top-fill model. You’ll have to remove the tank to refill it.
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AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier
Another ultrasonic humidifier, the AquaOasis is generously sized making it perfect for large bedrooms and open spaces in your home. The 2.2-liter tank delivers up to 24 hours of continuous performance and the unit comes with a lifetime warranty.
This humidifier offers multiple mist settings and a 360-degree nozzle for full control. Because it has an automatic shut-off feature, you don’t have to worry about it running when the tank is empty.
While this humidifier has a large reservoir, the fill opening is fairly narrow which makes it tricky to clean and fill.
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Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The largest model on this list, the Everlasting Comfort humidifier has a 6-liter tank and lasts for up to 50 hours on a single fill. With a tank this large, this humidifier can humidify spaces up to 500 square feet.
This humidifier operates quietly which makes it a good option for large bedrooms and the automatic shut-off features make it safe for use around children and babies. It doesn’t require a filter either, so operation and maintenance costs are low.
One thing to keep in mind with this model is that it can be a little tricky to clean. Both the opening to the reservoir and the water inlet inside the unit are fairly narrow.
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Best Humidifier for Allergies Bottom Line
While a humidifier can’t cure your allergies, it may help. Increased humidity helps prevent respiratory problems and may reduce allergy symptoms. If you’re looking for a humidifier, you can’t go wrong with any of the models reviewed above.