Whether you value convenience, love smart tech, or simply want an appliance that fits seamlessly into a modern home, a smart humidifier can be a worthwhile investment. Many models now offer Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone app control, allowing you to adjust settings, track humidity levels, and monitor performance remotely, sometimes even hands-free. From ultrasonic to evaporative designs, almost every humidifier type is now available with smart features. But with this added technology often comes a higher price tag – so is it really worth it?
In this guide, we’ll look at the most suitable humidifiers, review popular manufacturers, and help you buy the best option for your specific needs.
Smart/App Connectivity
If you’ve landed on this guide, you’re likely looking for a smart humidifier. But not all smart models are created equal. Brands now compete on app quality, available features, and even how reliably their humidifier responds to voice commands.
The features you can most commonly control via an app include:
Voice Control
The voice control feature lets you operate your humidifier by speaking to your phone or home assistant, such as for example Amazon Alexa. It’s a convenient feature which guarantees hands-free operation – helpful if your hands are wet, dirty, or you don’t have your phone with you. Look out for voice command assistant logos on the listing page or product packaging if this is a must-have feature for you. Most manufacturers provide the voice command feature automatically with the app.
Humidistat Control
Humidistat control lets you set and maintain a target humidity level (40–60%) and prevents over-humidifying. This helps protect your home from damp, condensation, and mould while keeping the air comfortable for breathing, sleeping, and skin health.
Humidity Range Control
Humidity range control might come in handy when you need to adjust the range of your humidifier, maintaining healthy moisture levels without constantly adjusting the unit yourself.
- Fixed output (no control) – The humidifier runs at a constant output, not letting you set the target humidity.
- Basic (e.g. 40–60%) – Offers a standard healthy range, automatically maintaining comfortable humidity without manual adjustment.
- Adjustable (30–70%) – Gives you more flexibility to find the perfect humidity levels based on seasonal changes, room size, or personal comfort.
- Wide range (20–80% or more) – Provides maximum control for specific needs, very dry climates, or spaces that require advanced humidity management.
Output Rate (ml/hr)
Output rate indicates how much liquid your humidifier can disperse into the air in an hour. To ensure you get the most use out of your humidifier, always opt for a higher number than your intended room size; however, the exact number usually isn’t a deal-breaker.
- <200 ml/hr – Light output: Best for small areas or personal use near a desk or bed.
- 200–400 ml/hr – Moderate output: Suitable for medium-sized spaces such as bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens.
- >400 ml/hr – High output: Designed for larger bedrooms, open-plan areas, or very dry climates.
Higher output means quicker relief, but it usually requires a larger tank and higher energy consumption.
Run Time (hours)
Run time shows how long a humidifier can operate before needing a refill. Even if you don’t plan to run your humidifier all day, it’s important to choose a model with enough runtime for your needs.
- Up to 6 hours – Short-term use: Sufficient for quickly humidifying small rooms or using for short periods at home.
- 6–12 hours – Moderate: Works well during the night or day without frequent refills.
- 12–24 hours – Extended use: Suited for bedrooms and living rooms, offering continuous comfort without the need to refill every day.
- Over 24 hours – Continuous: Perfect for continuous humidity control.
The mist output level, humidifier type, and the room’s humidity all affect the runtime.
Tank Size (L)
Brands all around the world have adapted to modern times, and so it’s not uncommon for even the most compact humidifiers to come with Wi-Fi compatibility these days. However, the limited internal space in small units might mean fewer smart features compared to larger units.
- Up to 2L – Small: Highly portable and ideal for desktops, bedside tables, and personal spaces.
- 2–4L – Mid-size: A practical balance of portability and runtime, suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, and small apartments.
- 4–6L – Large: Offers longer operation with fewer refills, ideal for larger rooms or overnight use.
Output Type
Humidifiers release moisture in different ways, and each mist type has its own advantages.
- Steam – Boils water to create a warm, clean water vapour that helps reduce bacteria and impurities. Best for easing congestion during allergies and illness, and ideal for winter use.
- Ultrasonic – Uses a vibrating plate to produce a fine, cool mist. Quiet and energy efficient – recommended for bedrooms, nurseries, and small living rooms.
- Evaporative – Uses a fan to pass air through a wet wick or filter, releasing a natural cool mist. Ideal for everyday use, though the fan can make some noise.
Display Type
Luckily, Wi-Fi compatibility and LED/LCDs go hand in hand. Humidifiers with these displays have a sleeker look, thus suitable for modern homes.
- Digital humidifiers: Feature LED or LCD screens showing humidity and precise timers, usually ranging from 1–12 hours.
- Touch-control models: LED or LCD screens offer quick readings, 24-hour timers and quick mode selection.
Mist Intensity Levels
Being able to adjust mist output is beneficial for comfort and efficiency. There are multiple options to choose from:
- Single level: Basic on/off mist. Easy to use but offers limited control.
- Two levels: Gives more flexibility to match different room sizes or changing conditions.
- Three or more levels: Offers the most advanced control over humidity. Common in higher-end ultrasonic models and useful for use in multiple rooms.
Mist Type
What mist type you choose really depends on your needs and lifestyle. From warm to cold, each option serves a different purpose.
- Warm Mist – Best for colder rooms and winter use. Produces a gentle, heated mist that can help soothe congestion and aid wellness.
- Cool Mist – Great for year-round use, especially in warmer spaces. Energy-efficient, child-safe, and adds moisture without raising the room temperature.
- Dual Mist – Offers both warm and cool settings for all-season flexibility, letting you adjust humidity to changing conditions.
Energy Use (W)
Smart humidifiers are generally energy efficient, but exact usage depends on the model, size and type. If energy consumption matters, look for ‘eco’ labels to keep energy bills low.
- <30W – Low consumption: Only common for small ultrasonic models used in bedrooms and nurseries.
- 30–50W – Standard: A good mix of performance and efficiency.
- >50W – High output: Common in large-capacity or evaporative models designed to tackle larger areas.
Leading Manufacturers Overview
Levoit
Best for: Quiet operation | Reliable performance
Levoit is one of the most popular smart-humidifier brands, combining strong performance with an app that’s easy to use, making it a good value for money.
- App and voice-assistant control via Wi-Fi
- Quiet running for bedrooms and nurseries
- Wide range of tank sizes and styles
Cons: App features vary by model; some filters add an ongoing cost.
Blueair
Best for: Premium design | Air quality focus | Hygiene-first features
Blueair targets the high-end market with its minimalist designs and a strong focus on clean, healthy air.
- Sleek, modern designs
- Emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness
- Trusted brand in air-treatment products
Cons: Higher price point; fewer models than mass-market brands.
Dreo
Best for: Long runtime | Large rooms | Modern smart features
Dreo offers smart humidifiers with large tanks, strong output, and reliable app control, making them ideal for everyday use in living spaces and bedrooms. The sleek designs, combined with its well-built app, make Dreo a leading smart appliance brand.
- Long run times with bigger tanks
- Smart scheduling and humidity control
- Low-noise performance for overnight use
Cons: Bulkier designs; smaller range than established brands.
Dyson
Best for: High-end design | All-in-one humidify + air circulation | Premium feature set
Dyson brings premium engineering and design to smart humidifiers. Their “Humidify + Cool” model combines humidification with powerful airflow and advanced air cleaning.
- Offers hybrid models that serve as year-round home appliances.
- Sleek, modern designs that fit well in contemporary homes
- A high-ranking MyDyson app lets you control your humidifier via the phone.
Cons: Much higher price than standard humidifiers; maintenance and filter replacement are more expensive.