Immediately upon turning on this humidifier, a visible mist appeared and the white indicator light switched on to signal that the machine was in use. The ultrasonic operation was practically silent, and there was no leaking or puddling. We particularly loved the nozzle sprayer attachment that allows you to direct the flow of the mist to where it’s most needed. Performance-wise it draws 350 Watts, making it one of the most powerful on this list at a competitive price. I tested it in my shower room, where I usually keep a window open to prevent mould. As the mornings get chillier this dehumidifier is the perfect replacement, keeping any mould at bay and the heating in. The auto-defrosting function also means it can carry on working when the temperature drops. Veva Cool Mist Humidifier: We liked this humidifier’s 360-degree rotating nozzle and appreciated the “night” feature, which let us turn off the device’s LED lights before bedtime. While we were impressed by how well this humidifier performed on the high setting, the low setting left much to be desired. This is our most expensive option, but there’s enough purifying and humidifying power here to take care of a 26m² space, while the larger UA-HD50U-L will handle rooms of up to 38m². Splash the cash, and your sinuses or skin will thank you.

In reality, it’s probably a little too powerful for my needs, instead I’d recommend it to anyone with large, open-plan rooms in their houses or a big house with open doors, where it can sit in a hallway. While the power of 290 Watts means it only costs around 8p per hour, there are still lower energy options on this list that anyone with a smaller house or flat should consider. Whole-house humidifiers do a better job of covering the entire home, but are more complex to install because they connect to a home’s heating and cooling system. A little bit of green always helps to add a pop of life to your desk. But if you’re the sort who can never keep plants alive, the Xiaomi Mijia Cactus Humidifier is a nifty fix, for both that and too-dry air. Look for one which draws less than 360 Watts and you will never spend more than 10p per hour. It’s often much less on lower power settings. Dehumidifiers are generally cheap to run. What size dehumidifier do I need? Rather than being a compressor or a desiccant, the ProBreeze instead uses peltier technology, similar to that used in some mini fridges, to cool water vapour into water. It’s much quieter than the other methods.Ultrasonic: These create mist by vibrating a metal diaphragm at an ultrasonic speed. A major pro of ultrasonic humidifiers is that they’re quieter. They are typically more costly but if you’re a light sleeper this may be the best type of humidifier for you. Because evaporative humidifiers require an internal fan to run, they’re usually louder than their ultrasonic counterparts. Fortunately, we found this evaporative humidifier to be both effective and quiet, so much so that we’d even recommend it for use in the bedroom or in a nursery, particularly when used on the lowest setting. Homedics TotalComfort Ultrasonic Humidifier: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly yet effective option, this simple model was able to increase the humidity of our space by 26% from two feet away on the highest setting. We did take off points for the confusing instructions and the messy refill process, which resulted in water seeping out.

Despite its compact size, this humidifier proved highly effective in our testing. From two feet away on the high setting, the humidity increased by an average of 37%, and from 10 feet, it increased by an average of 42% after running for eight hours. Even when sitting over 10 feet from the humidifier, we felt a change within 30 minutes on the high setting. The trade off, though, was a vast contrast from the lower setting. After using the humidifier for three hours on low, the humidity was hardly noticeable, and only about 0.5 cups of water had been used up. While we found the humidity less pronounced on the lower setting, we were still able to detect the fragrant essential oils. It’s also great at filtering out indoor air pollution and a mighty powerful fan to boot. Expensive, then, but it does a lot and looks exceedingly attractive, too. If you’ve ever had reason to ask yourself ‘what is the best dehumidifier?’ it was probably with a sense of desperation over mould in your bathroom that just won’t shift, or window condensation forever puddling on the sills. Humidity can be a real problem. A dehumidifier is your best defence. Some are manually operated while others are automated, which type you choose just comes down to personal preference. Manual humidifiers have an on/off button that you can press whenever is convenient. If you upgrade to an automated humidifier, you will be able to set a time and your preferred output for your humidifier. Many humidifiers will also have a shut-off safety feature that prevents it from operating without water and prevents it from overheating. 8. PortabilityA compressor dehumidifier is almost like a mini-fridge that cools the air and converts it into water that you can pour away,” says Ryan Kandola, a dehumidifier expert from Aircon Centre, “whereas desiccants take the air and run it over a rotating flywheel which absorbs the moisture, before heating it so the wheel doesn’t get saturated.” How do you know when you need a dehumidifier? When it comes to time of day, many people choose to run their humidifiers at night. Not only does this provide ambient noise for sleeping, but it also helps alleviate the symptoms of dry air or allergies, including congestion or a dry throat.

One major con: After culturing the tank, we discovered that this humidifier held the most bacteria of any we tested. Still, considering its strong performance in all testing categories, we think this smart option would be a valuable addition to your household, as long as you’re willing to clean it regularly. Muji’s Aroma Diffuser is likely the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to humidifiers and diffusers that can suit any home decor theme. As expected with anything from the Japanese minimalist brand, the diffuser is simple and aesthetic – perfect for completing any IG-worthy corner in your home or office. The recommended humidity for your home is 40-60 per cent in the summer months and between 30-50 per cent in the winter. You can measure it with a hygrometer (a humidity gauge - they’re not expensive). If it goes over 70 per cent, you run the risk of condensation, damp, mould, fungi and bacteria. That’s when you need a dehumidifier. Which is better, a compressor or desiccant dehumidifier?Although this dust is harmless (unless you are sensitive to dust particles), it can begin to collect on your furniture, walls, and floors. You don’t get a sensor or any automatic controls – you’ll need the more expensive Dual 200S for that – but the Dual 150 puts out plenty of fine mist, raising the humidity in our test room by around 18% in half an hour. It’s also very quiet, measuring 28dB at most, which makes it perfect for a living room or bedroom. What’s more, you can add essential oils and aromas to the water without fear of damaging the ultrasonic mechanism. Compact, effective and affordable, it’s an excellent choice for a quiet bedroom or any smaller space. Over time, the humidifier has helped in alleviating dry skin and sinus problems, although we have noticed a bit of a ripe smell coming from the tank, so regular cleaning is a must. If you’re looking for an inexpensive humidifier that can blend into small to medium spaces while still delivering powerful results, this one more than fits the bill. During the winter months, especially in dry climates, humidity levels can dip below 30%—so when temperatures drop, it’s the ideal time to run your humidifier. However, constantly running your AC unit during the summer months can remove moisture from the air too, so you may choose to run it year-round. If your humidifier does not feature a humidistat, Carver suggests purchasing a low-cost hygrometer to monitor your home’s humidity level.