8 best humidifiers for dry skin and congestion, tested by an expert

The Dreo smart humidifier is a seriously capable appliance, built for people who want smart features and high performance. It delivers up to 500ml/hour of mist, providing rapid warm or cool mist to relieve dryness. The generous 6l tank (the largest I tested) means it can run for long stretches without needing a refill.

The top-fill design is simple, and the tank is easy to remove for cleaning. The three mist modes – manual (three fan levels), auto (set target humidity), and sleep (quieter, dimmed display) – give you plenty of flexibility depending on how quickly you want to humidify and how quiet you want it to be during operation.

The Dreo app is also genuinely useful. You can track real-time humidity, view 30-day trends, and get personalised cleaning reminders. Smart integrations with Alexa, Google Home, and even SwitchBot devices make it easy to control remotely. There’s also a dual-aroma pad tray for adding two different essential oils, so you can switch between your favourite fragrances in seconds. Overall, if you’re after a smart, large-tank humidifier that you set and forget, the Dreo smart is a strong choice.

The Levoit dual 150 is a simple humidifier that prioritises ease of use and quiet running. With a 2.5l top-fill tank and basic dial control, it’s refreshingly straightforward, but it can also double up as an aroma diffuser.

There’s no app, humidistat, or warm mist here but that simplicity works in its favour if you’re not bothered about smart tech. It’s easy to fill, easy to clean, and produces a steady, visible cool mist. The mist output can be adjusted via a single dial, and at lower settings it’s whisper-quiet.

It handles dry air well during colder months, though higher settings will drain the tank a little faster. Build quality feels solid for the price, and the top-fill lid makes maintenance quick and easy.

The Blueair dreamwell is one of the most stylish humidifiers you can buy. With its minimalist display, soft glow light and smooth curves, it looks more like a spa diffuser than a home appliance.

Filling the tank is a joy – just pour water in from the top, no heavy lifting or awkward lids. The 3.8l capacity is generous, and the machine-washable wick filter is eco-friendly and easy to maintain (you’ll need to replace it once a year, though). There’s also a slot for Blueair’s porous aroma stone, which lets you add a few drops of essential oil for a calming aroma.

The Blueair app experience is equally impressive. You can set timers, schedule humidifying sessions, monitor humidity trends, and even control fan speed and lighting from your phone. The dreamwell isn’t the cheapest option, but it’s beautiful, quiet, and smart – a perfect blend of technology and design.

Although this model is currently out of stock, the brand has stated the dreamwell will be available again from the end of February 2026.

If you’re looking for an entry-level humidifier for a child’s bedroom or small office, the classic 160 from Levoit is one of the more straightforward humidifiers I’ve used. There are no overly complicated settings , just clean mist delivery. Its top-fill design is hassle-free: lift the lid, pour in water, and switch on.

It’s impressively quiet on low settings (around 26dB or lower), so it's not distracting during work or sleep. The mist is smooth and consistent, and the 360-degree nozzle helps me direct it away from walls and electronics. At its lowest mist setting, the 2.5l tank lasted most of a day before needing a refill.

Filling and cleaning are easy thanks to the wide tank opening. It also includes a cleaning brush. Just note: at higher mist levels, the tank drains more quickly, and because it’s strictly a cool-mist model, you won’t get the warmer humidification effects you might want in colder seasons.

Overall, it’s a dependable, quiet machine that does exactly what you’d hope: adds moisture efficiently, without fuss.

The Meaco armin is an evaporative humidifier, so you don’t get visible mist clouds like you do with ultrasonic models, but that’s part of its appeal. It releases invisible moisture that feels more natural in the air and won’t leave a damp film on nearby surfaces.

It’s packed with useful features, including a humidity range from 40 per cent to 70 per cent, a continuous mode that keeps going until the tank is empty, and automatic shut-off when it runs dry. I also liked the child lock and night mode – the latter dims the lights, silences the beeps, and lowers the fan speed so it’s completely unobtrusive overnight.

Filling it couldn’t be simpler. You can pour water in through the top flap, lift off the lid and fill directly, or take the tank to the sink – whichever’s easiest. The top-fill design and removable tank make maintenance straightforward, too.

In use, the Meaco is pleasantly quiet with no gurgling or bubbling noises – a welcome contrast to some units. It’s a little larger than compact models, but still modestly sized for the power and coverage it delivers. If you want consistent, gentle humidity without visible mist, this is a brilliant low-maintenance choice that’s ideal for family homes or anyone sensitive to airborne particles.

The dual 200S strikes a nice balance between smart functionality and ease of use. It has a 3l top-fill tank, a built-in humidistat, and smart app compatibility – giving it a more hi-tech edge at a much more affordable price than some smart models.

I liked being able to schedule mist cycles and monitor humidity levels through the VeSync app, and voice control with Alexa worked smoothly. You can set timers and schedules, power on and off, and check your humidity levels. The mist output is even and consistent, and you can dim the display and reduce mist output during the night. Like many other Levoit humidifiers, you can also use it as an aroma diffuser, which adds value for me.

Although it only produces cool mist, you can choose from three settings. Performance is strong, and the mist spreads evenly across a medium-sized space. The tank runs dry faster at maximum output, but the auto shut-off ensures it never runs on a dry tank.

If you’re building a connected smart home, this is one of the most advanced humidifiers you can buy. The SwitchBot humidifier is a serious smart home kit – big, powerful, and packed with clever features. It’s best suited to larger spaces or anyone already using other SwitchBot devices.

You can fill it with a generous amount of water, and it offers four fan speeds plus an auto mode to maintain your preferred humidity between 40 per cent and 70 per cent. You can even pair it with the SwitchBot meter to monitor humidity and let Alexa adjust it automatically.

What really sets it apart is the smart ecosystem integration. If you own a SwitchBot robot vacuum, it can even refill the humidifier for you – though this wasn’t something I was able to test. It also includes a filter dryer to prevent mould, a child lock, and cleaning reminders after 240 hours of use.

It’s not small – you’ll need floor space for it – and it can get noisy on the highest fan speed. But on lower settings, it’s whisper-quiet. If you love the idea of a super-connected home, this is the humidifier for you.

The oasismist smart is Levoit’s premium hybrid humidifier, offering cool and warm mist options, depending on your preference or the season. Designed for medium-to-large rooms, the white design and bamboo-style lid make it elegant enough to sit anywhere in the home.

Setup is nice and quick thanks to the clear manual, and I found the large 4.5l tank easy to fill from the top. The smart control via the VeSync app works well – I could tweak humidity levels, switch between mist modes, or set a timer with ease. The built-in humidistat automatically maintains the target humidity, and the display dims nicely in low light.

Performance-wise, the oasismist smart really shines. The warm mist clears dryness faster than standard cool mist models, and even on the cool setting, it maintains a comfortable balance. It’s slightly louder at full power, but still not intrusive. I loved being able to change the night light's colour and use it as an aroma diffuser. This model is currently out of stock but we anticipate that it will be available again soon, so make sure to keep checking back.