With cold and flu season officially here, you’re likely extra cautious about washing your hands and sneezing into your elbow. And while those are both great measures, experts say you also want to think about your nose. Specifically, what’s going into it.
“The nasal apparatus is designed to be the first step in fighting off infection and filtering out irritants in the environment,” Dr. Amy Brown, board-certified pulmonologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at New York Medical College School of Medicine previously told HuffPost. “The nose has its own internal humidification system that allows it to adapt to changes in the external environment easily,”
In the winter, when the air is extra cold and dry, your nose goes into humidifying overdrive, weakening its ability to filter. Per Dr. Brown, when your nasal filtration lags, your immune defense lowers, potentially letting viruses into your body. Further, when your nose is all dry, it jeopardizes the mucus layer in your nose, which protects and blocks viruses and bacteria.
Cold weather is a large culprit for a dry nose, Dr. Brown says your nose passage can also dry out from things like smoking, air pollutants, allergies and even nose picking. “If there are excessive amounts of irritants or infectious particles in the environment, the nose has to work harder on filtration and then also may not keep up with promoting ideal humidification which then leads to dryness,” she previously said.
Brown says for short-term help with a dry nose, you can visit a steam room, stay hydrated, limit scented items and try saline-based nasal sprays. Yet, if you’re looking for big help, you may want to grab a humidifier for your home.
“Ensuring appropriate ideal humidity in your indoor dwelling space is really the key for ongoing, long-term relief,” Brown said.
To help you and your nose this winter, we rounded up a selection of humidifiers for all sorts of people and places.
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Best option for small spaces
Made for spaces up to 250 square feet, this tabletop humidifier is great for bedrooms or offices. With an auto shut-off feature, the 1.7-liter tank can run up to 25 hours between fills. It’s a straightforward machine with two-speed settings and a mist nozzle that gives 360-degree coverage of your space.
Promising review: “I’ve got to say, this humidifier has been a game-changer for me. It’s like a breath of fresh air, literally. My allergies have been way more manageable since I started using it, and I’m sleeping like a baby again. Especially I’m from Denver which is a Mile High city, has less oxygen and almost no humidity in the air, it is very difficult for people as they suffer with nose bleeds and constant irritation. This humidifier outright removed this issue. Plus, my dry skin feels so much better. And I’ve noticed my plants are thriving too, which is a nice bonus. Definitely worth the investment.” — Bharath
Best for large spaces/whole house
Offering cool and warm mist, this large-format humidifier holds a whopping 5.3 gallons of water, working to up to 3,000 square feet with either cool or warm mist. Choose how humid you want your space for up to 12 hours, with a variety of levels and mist modes. An essential oil diffuser makes this machine a little more fun, letting you fill your space with spa-like aromas. It’s a top-filling design, so you don’t have to worry about leaks or pulling out a water box to refill and the brand offers a one-year warranty and 24-hour tech support.
Clip the on-page coupon for extra savings at checkout.
Promising review: “I recently purchased this great humidifier, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision! This product has truly transformed my indoor air quality. The setup was incredibly easy, and I appreciated the sleek design that fits perfectly in any room. One of the standout features is its adjustable humidity settings, which allow me to customize the humidity level according to my preference. The whisper-quiet operation is a huge plus, making it ideal for use during the night without disturbing my sleep. Not to mention, the tank capacity is impressive, providing hours of continuous mist without frequent refills. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in overall comfort since I started using it. If you’re considering getting a humidifier, I highly recommend this humidifier. It delivers excellent performance and has quickly become an essential part of my home. Truly a five-star product!!!” — WaltM
Best bang for your 50 bucks
Clocking in at $49.99 — and even less if you hit the 10% off coupon — this Dreo smart humidifier gives you plenty of bells and whistles at the best price. It’s a smart humidifier that you can control and adjust via the app on your phone or with voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant. The 4-liter tank can run up to 32 hours with a nightlight feature to boot.
Just be sure to clip the on-page coupon before adding to cart. Savings will show up at checkout.
Promising review: “I have this in multiple rooms and love them! They are reasonable priced and have lasted me years!! Super quite. Easy to maintain and clean. The perfect amount of mist and I love how I can control everything with my phone! With a wood burner in the house, these are a must! Super quiet as well!” — erika
A solid option with smart control and other fun features
Known for its home appliances, Levoit makes quality air purifiers, fans and of course, humidifiers. This superstar option has nearly every feature you could want from smart control via the Levoit app, from essential oil diffusing to warm and cool mist options. The handy top-fill design lets you easily fill the 4.5-liter tank and use the auto mode to set your space to your preferred humidity level automatically.
Promising review: “This humidifier works quietly and efficiently. It features an auto mode that stops operation once the set humidity level is reached. You can also choose warm mist if desired. By installing the app, you can access more detailed settings, and the app installation process is quick and straightforward. Cleaning is also convenient. Overall, I highly recommend it. It definitely deserves a high rating.” — Angela
For babies and kiddos
A humidifier, diffuser and nightlight make this baby-friendly device a great addition to any nursery or kid’s room. The single knob is easy to control, with a half-gallon tank that can run up to 24 hours covering up to 320 square feet. The color-changing nightlight brings a soothing energy to a space and the auto-stop feature gives you extra peace of mind.
Promising review: “I love this in my nursery. It has been super helpful when my baby is congested. You can control the steam. There is a nightlight on it that you can use or not. You can adjust the direction you would like that steam to go. The humidifier is super quiet along with easy to clean.” — Abigail Vandeventer
A straightforward machine with an aroma diffuser
Another Levoit option, reviewers praise this model for being a simple, straightforward humidifier that’s easy to use, easy to sleep with and super quiet. The 3-liter tank works for 25 hours, covering up to 290 square feet. Add a drop of your favorite essential to the bottom for a peaceful aroma.
Promising review: “This humidifier is fantastic. It has a knob to control the amount of humidity it releases. It is very easy to put together and use. With a wider opening cleaning it is a breeze.” — Lis
If you want a humidifier and air purifier combo
Looking to consolidate home appliances? This option from Afloia gives you an air purifier with a detachable humidifier. The air purifier has three stages of filtration that clean air up to five times an hour in rooms up to 438 square feet, while the humidifier holds a half-gallon of water and can work continuously with the purifier for 12 hours. Clip the coupon for $15 off. Savings will show up at checkout, not in your cart.
Promising review: “I love this Afloia HEPA Air Purifier with Humidifier! Our house is super dry because of winter and having the heat on all the time! Was looking at getting a purifier and humidifier and found this during my search and it’s amazing. Super quiet and we have it in our living room and already notice a huge difference with the air quality.” — Misha Stange
A stylish, splurgy and internet-famous option
At first glance, this option may look more like a storage container or ottoman than a humidifier. Yet, from the brand Carepod, this TikTok-lovedcube-shaped humidifier offers cool and warm mist with a 4.2-liter tank. Easily break it down into three parts (that are all easy to clean), with an automatic shut-off when the water is low.
Promising review: “This humidifier is the best! Firstly, it is easy to clean with only three parts to wash, making maintenance a breeze. Additionally, it is dishwasher safe for added convenience. Secondly, the warm mist it emits is incredibly beneficial during the winter nights, unlike most other humidifiers that tend to circulate cool air, leading to increased heating costs. Lastly, its sleek design makes it a stylish addition to any room in your house, instantly enhancing the decor while serving its purpose effectively.” — Gaheon Kim
A portable optional you can travel with
Holding 33 ounces, this portable humidifier is smaller than a Stanley 40-ounce cup and can run up to four hours between fills. It has an easy timer setting with an automatic shut-off with four mist settings. Great for traveling, small spaces or folks that need a lightweight, easy-to-move option.
Promising review: “Bought this for my mother in law to have in her assisted living apt. It’s just the right size, and easy for her to handle and refill.” — Doretta
A bedside option from a smaller brand
Created to inhibit mold with parts that can go in the dishwasher, this option from Canopy sells itself. The 2.5-liter tank can run up to 36 hours and is suited for rooms up to 500 square feet. It has a special filtration system to deter mold buildup, a warm reading light, a white noise machine and an aroma diffuser all in one. The perfect bedsi de companion, this baby will earn its spot on your nightstand. Find it in a bunch of cute colors too.
Promising review: “We are so happy with this! We live in VT and rely on wood stove heat all winter. Using other brand machines we are refilling every 6-8 hours of use. This one, on highest level, lasts at least 12-15 hours. We love that it doesn’t spew a thick cloud and still is noticeably different in our living and dining room, both. Worth the money for that, the easy to clean tank (why is that not the standard ?!?) and the time it lasts on.” — kassandra S.
Finally, an $8 add-on that will help you use a humidifier properly
While proper humidity is the goal, Brown says you want to be sure not to overdo it, as over-humidifying a space can actually make it harder to breathe and can encourage mold to grow. Per the EPA, you want the humidity level in your home to be ideally around 30-50%. How the heck can you tell if you’ve achieved that? A hygrometer is basically a thermometer for humility and tells you the percentage. This highly-rated option also gives you the temperature of your home, allowing you to really be in tune with what’s happening. While some of the fancier models on our list have humidity sensors built-in, this is a great add-on if you’re buying a budget model with fewer features, and you can use it in your home year-round.
Promising review: “This takes up little room, and I can move it about from room to room. It is accurate. Well worth the few dollars to buy.” — Susan Clare