The 8 Best Humidifiers for Aromatherapy
The health benefits of humidifiers are well documented, and many people use them to improve the air quality in their homes. What, though, are the benefits of humidifiers and diffusers that emit aromatherapy oils? How good are humidifiers that disperse essential oils into the atmosphere? We take a look at 8 of the best so that those who are interested can begin infusing their space with some splendid scents.
- 1.1-gallon tank
- Whisper-quiet operation
- 3 mist levels
- Separate essential oils tray
- 2-year warranty
- Diffuser and humidifier in one
- Auto shut-off
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Cool mist safe for children
- 1-year warranty
- 1.6-gallon water tank
- Essential oils tray
- High mist output
- Auto shut-off
- 2-Year Warranty
- 3-in-1 functions
- Ultrasonic humidifier
- 500ml tank capacity
- Maximum 180-minute timer
- 1-year warranty
- 1-gallon tank capacity
- 70-hour run time
- Ultrasonic
- Water refill indicator
- 3-year limited warranty
- 7 LED colors
- Aroma dispenser
- Replaceable filter
- Ultrasonic
- 2-year limited warranty
- 2.4 liter tank capacity
- LED and nightlight feature
- 48-Hour run time
- 360-degree nozzle
- 2-year warranty
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Filter free
- 1-gallon water tank
- Medicine and essential oils cup
- 3-year warranty
Levoit has created a humidifier that is whisper-quiet and has intuitive one-touch controls, an adjustable mist output, and a dedicated essential oils tray for your favorite fragrances. This humidifier has a substantial 1.1-gallon water holding tank, which means it should cater for larger rooms and can also run for 36 hours continuously when in the low mist setting.
Cleaning should also be simple as it has a 3-inch water tank that’s easily accessible, unlike the Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier by Everlasting.
On the downside: the one-touch sensor is very sensitive making it difficult to judge the settings and to switch it on or off. In addition, reviews of this model on Amazon often reflect that this unit is also prone to leaking.
Pros
- Large water tank
- 36-hour run time
- 3 mist settings
- Intuitive one-touch controls
- Dedicated essential oils tray
Cons
- One-touch controls over sensitive
- Prone to leaking
This InnoGear diffuser/humidifier is our budget pick. It retails at just under $20, which means it’s a bargain that come with great features. It operates at a whisper-quiet level, so it’s ideal for bedrooms and nurseries, and since it is an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier, it’s perfectly safe for the kids and pets.
This InnoGear is fun too, with 7 bright LED color settings to match your mood, or to make a great night light for younger children that are scared of the dark.
It has 3 working modes: intermittent (with mist released every 30 seconds with a run time of between 6 and 9 hours), continuous (consistent mist with a run time of 3 to 5 hours), and night light only.
On the downside, it can be a bit tricky to fill the aroma cartridge due to its location on the unit, which then causes spillage and leaking. At this price, though, and with the excellent reports of impeccable customer service, this is a product worth buying.
Pros
- Efficient customer service department
- Night light
- Diffuser and humidifier in one
- Whisper quiet
- Ultrasonic
Cons
- Tricky to get to the aroma cartridge
- Prone to leaking
This Ultrasonic Humidifier by Everlasting is the most expensive humidifier on the list, so you’d expect it to be good. It has a 1.6 -gallon water reservoir, a dedicated essential oils tray, auto shut-off when the water runs dry, and it will run continuously for up to 50 hours.
This model has a room coverage of about 400 sq.ft, so it is ideal for bedrooms and smaller spaces, and it can raise humidity levels quickly with its output of 270ml an hour. A fan disperses the essential oils into the atmosphere to create a calm and inviting environment.
Unlike other humidifiers, this model doesn’t require a filter, so there are real savings to be made by buying this, but the manufacturer warns that if you live in a hard water area, the machine may emit white chalky dust. To counteract this, they recommend using distilled or demineralized water instead.
Pros
- No filter required
- Cool mist for safety
- 1.6-gallon water tank
- Auto-shut-off
- High mist output
Cons
- Requires distilled water
- Tricky to clean
- Fiddly to fill up the water tank
This model boasts a 3-in-1 function that enables the user to have a diffuser for the essential oils, a humidifier for air quality, and a night light. The water tank holds 500ml, and the unit has a maximum constant run time of up to 10 hours. The timer can be set to 60, 120, or 180-minutes, and when the water runs dry, it shuts itself off.
The ultrasonic feature emits micro-particles of water through vibration, meaning that no heat is necessary and thus making it ideal for areas where young children and pets may come into contact with it. This humidifier/diffuser is whisper-quiet and has an adjustable mist output, and it is extremely popular on Amazon, selling over 10,000 units.
On the downside, the LED light continuously changes color without the ability to change it. Also, the refill of the reservoir is tricky because you have to remove the adaptor, which is located at the base of the humidifier. Inevitably, when you have refilled the tank, trying to plug the adaptor back in means that you get spillages.
Pros
- Ultrasonic
- 10 hour run time
- 500ml water tank
- Whisper-quiet
- 3 in 1 function
Cons
- LED lights continuously change color
- Difficult to avoid spillages when plugging the unit in with full reservoir
This PureGuardian model has a 1-gallon water tank with a run-dry indicator, so you know when it needs a refill. This model will run for an impressive 70 hours on one tank of water before refills, and it has an easily accessible essential oils tray on the side of the machine.
Keeping it clean should be a breeze too because this PureGuardian’s water tank has been treated with Silver Clean Protection that fights the build-up of mold and bacteria. It has 3-speed mist control, a multi-directional mist output, and because this humidifier doesn’t use a fan, it’s ultra-quiet.
On the downside, there are issues with slime build-up on the base of the machine, and when you use it in the highest setting, whatever you set it on becomes exceptionally wet. The water tank is completely inaccessible, so buying a cartridge to remove the hard elements from the water is essential and thus another ongoing cost to consider. For optimum use, place it in a small or medium sized room; if you want to avoid the dreaded white dust, try using a decalcification cartridge to remove the chalk from the hard water.
Pros
- 3-year limited warranty
- 70-hour run time
- Easy to reach aromatherapy tray
- Refill indicator
- Silver Clean Protection treatment
Cons
- Issues with slime build-up on the base
- Water tank inaccessible
- High mist setting creates high levels of moisture
Avalon has produced a cute little humidifier that looks great in any room. Because of its size, it is better suited to smaller and medium-size spaces, like bedrooms and nurseries, and its pure silent ultrasonic diffuser means it won’t disturb sleep patterns.
The color changing LED lights add to the sense of fun, and make an excellent night light for little ones who have a fear of the dark. The good news is that the light is optional and is operated via an on/off button on the base.
The aroma drawer is easily accessible, making refilling simple, and the water tank has a capacity of 1 gallon, so on the lowest setting this unit should run continuously for about 10 hours.
There are little annoyances that might make you think before you buy this model. The shape makes the humidifier hard to clean, for example, and since the manufacturer recommends not using any cleaning products, you never really get the interior workings free from mildew. There are also issues with leaking, and when the water tank gets refilled, it can be difficult to slide back in.
Pros
- Looks great
- 10-hour run time
- 1-gallon water tank
- Easily accessible aroma drawer
- Pure silent diffuser
Cons
- Awkward shape means it’s a challenge to clean
- Leaks
- Water tank tricky to replace after refill
This Geniani humidifier has a continuous run time of 48 hours when operated on the lowest mist setting, thanks to the 2.4-liter tank capacity. It also has a smart LED light indicator to let you know the current status of the humidifier. It has 2 mist output levels, and the 360-degree nozzle ensures that the essential oils and vapor are delivered evenly in the room. It works best in medium or smaller rooms, and the whisper-quiet operation lends it well to bedrooms and nurseries.
The materials used are BPA free, PVC free, and phthalate free also, so it removes the worry that harmful chemicals may enter your atmosphere. On the downside: it can leak when you refill it because the water tank gets filled upside down in the process. Also, there isn’t a clip mechanism for the water tank to lock in place; instead, it just sits on the base using gravity to hold it in place. There also isn’t an ample opening to get access to the water tank to clean it, so you have to pour in the cleaning solution, give it a shake, and hope for the best.
Pros
- 48-hour run time
- Smart LED indicator and night light function
- Ultrasonic
- BPA free
Cons
- Water tank inaccessible for cleaning
- Water tank sits on the base without the means to lock in place
- Leaks when refilling
Vick is a well-known brand, producing remedies for many ailments, so it stands to reason that they should employ their expertise to create a humidifier with medicinal properties.
This humidifier comes equipped with a medicine cup that emits decongestant remedies into the atmosphere to help you get a restful sleep. The cup can be used to infuse your indoor air with aromatherapy fragrances too. This humidifier is whisper-quiet and filter-free for reduced ongoing costs, it has a 1-gallon water tank, and it shuts off when the reservoir is dry.
It’s also the only warm mist humidifier to make this list, so placing it in a child’s bedroom may not be the most safe as this generates heat. Vicks claims, though, that the mist this model emits is 95 percent bacteria free, so it can allow you to have the best quality air.
On the downside, the water fill hole is so small that you have to be patient while it fills, and cleaning the tank is a challenge for the same reason. A lot of people report that the whisper-quiet claims are untrue as this humidifier is noisier than others in the same class.
Pros
- Medicinal uses
- 1-gallon tank
- Auto shut-off
- Filter-free
- Over 5,000 units sold on Amazon
Cons
- Refill nozzle far too small
- Can’t access the water tank to clean it
- Medicine cup tiny
- Noisier than others in its class
Comparison Chart
FEATURES | InnoGear Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier | Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier by Everlasting | URPOWER Aromatherapy Diffuser/Humidifier | Levoit Cool Mist Bedroom Humidifier | PureGuardian H965 Cool Mist Humidifier | Avalon Premium Cool Mist Humidifier | Geniani Cool Mist Aroma Humidifier | Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier |
Coverage | Medium Room | Medium room | Small Rooms | Medium Rooms | Small Rooms | Medium Rooms | Medium Rooms | Medium Rooms |
Type | Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact |
Type of Mist | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Warm |
Controls | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tank Capacity | 500ml | 1.6-gallon | 500ml | 4.5 L | 1-gallon | 1-gallon | 2.4 L | 1-gallon |
Size Inches | 6.1 x 4.3 x 4.1 | 14.7 x 12.6 x 8 | 4.8 x 6.6 x 6.6 | 7.9 x 6.1 x 13.8 | 7.5 x 7.5 x 13.2 | 16 x 9 x 4 | 12.4 x 6.5 x 5.5 | 12 x 7.9 x 14.2 |
Weight Lbs | 10.4 oz | 4.25 | 1.2 | 4.35 | 2.3 | 3.55 | 1.7 | 4.25 |
Warranty | 1-year | 2-year | 1-year | 2-year | 3-year | 2-year | 2-year | 3-year |
Buyer’s Guide:
Humidifiers for Aromatherapy
Final Thoughts
While a humidifier can improve your breathing, your skin, and your sleep patterns alongside protecting your furniture, an aromatherapy humidifier goes a step further to boost your mood and aid in the recovery of afflictions like headaches. Adding aromatherapy oils to your humidifier is the most efficient way of evenly dispersing the scent around your home. It spreads mood enhancing fragrances while at the same time regulating the humidity of your home.