Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s how profound and insightful her reviews always are.
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may arise during our tests and research.
Last updated: April 02, 2022
HVAC Life Hack is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
At certain times throughout the year the humidity levels can drop. This may not sound like a bad thing, most of us associate humidity with a sticky and stuffy feeling, but what humidity actually means is the amount of water vapor in the air. Some humidity is needed for humans to function at their best (and most comfortable). Having a good humidifier which operates without any filters (saving you money and effort) can ensure you avoid discomfort and even health issues which can arise from low water levels in the air.
In our review of the best filterless humidifier options, we have explored the essential features including the mist type (whether it dispenses warm or cold mist, or gives you a choice) and also the tank capacity, area of coverage and even the noise level have all been taken into account. Your humidifier should be able to cover the room you need it to, and also not be too loud if you plan to sleep in the area. Some filterless humidifiers have additional features such as compatibility with essential oils.
Our research has involved first-hand experience as well as consumer reviews and information provided by the manufacturers. Our team has carried out extensive research to bring the very best rated filterless humidifier options. This guide has been presented as a comprehensive comparison table, reviews of the very top models and a detailed buying guide to help you decide which features are the most important ones.
"A stylish unit that will not only blend in with your home décor seamlessly, but also efficiently humidify any of your house rooms thanks to the extensive coverage area."
The Everlasting Comfort humidifier is hard to argue with as being one of the best for the output and runtime it offers. This can give off a lot of mist and humidity (270ml/h) and can do so for up to 50 hours, which makes this an incredibly heavy duty humidifier, suitable for use in larger rooms and with minimal need for maintenance.
This humidifier is one of the few products which is compatible with essential oils: it has an oil tray so you can add your favorite one and get the benefits of it being released into the air over a long period of time. This can be great for sufferers of insomnia and noise congestion. Even if you don’t use oils to treat an ailment, it can be as simple as releasing a nice aroma into the room.
The standard safety features, including an auto shut-off when the water level drops low are included within this humidifier. It also has a night light function if you plan to use it while you are sleeping.
Somehow, in spite of being a powerful humidifier able to cover large rooms, it manages to remain quiet enough for use overnight, too.
What are its best features?
High output at up to 270 ml/h
Compatible with essential oils
Lasts up to 50 hours of use
What could be improved?
Heavier and bulkier than some competitors due to larger tank
More features: built-in handle on the water tank; variable mist control knob
This cool mist humidifier has some really impressive features including long runtime and mist controls to allow you to choose the height of your spray. This can reach two feet high as opposed to many competitors which struggle to get to one foot. Other adjustable features include a mist nozzle which lets you control the angle of the mist, and can point in any direction you wish.
This is one of the top models for using at night. It has a long runtime, as the large one-gallon tank can give you 40 hours of use which is much more than most competing options offer.
This is also arguably the best filterless cool mist humidifier for baby, it has a night light feature allowing you to see it when the lights go off, and adjust it if needed. It is also one of the quietest humidifiers, making it a good choice for children’s rooms or other places where people want the noise at a minimum.
As you would expect, this humidifier has been safety tested and is up to standards for use in the home.
All-in-all, this humidifier isn’t quite perfect and can’t use essential oils, but its big capacity and quiet operation make it a good choice for most purposes.
More features: 360-degree nozzle; auto shut-off; cleaning brush included
This makes our list as the best filterless ultrasonic humidifier. It runs exceptionally quietly so it can be used in offices and other rooms which need to be quiet such as a bedroom or a nursery.
The cool mist technology means that in spite of only 0.4 gallons of capacity, it can run for up to 25 hours, far longer than a lot of the other humidifiers of this size.
This model is the latest one in the MistAire range, and boasts some improved features in comparison with older ones. For example, the on/off beeping sound was made much quieter, and the power light itself disappears after ten seconds. The unit also has a built-in optional night light with a soothing glow. All of these features are great for using at night as they don’t interrupt your or your baby’s sleep.
A rotating nozzle and safety features to ensure this automatically switches off when the water level is low complete this offering. The humidifier also comes with a handy brush to make it so much easier when cleaning time comes.
This model has an incredible five-year warranty, so you can rest assured that it is a well-made appliance. It represents excellent value for money too, as this isn’t the most expensive humidifier in spite of having some really useful features.
What do we love it for?
Quiet and soothing for use in offices, nurseries and anywhere else you need peace and quiet
Warranty: 1-year limited (can be extended to a 2-year period with an order number from Amazon)
More features: comes with three aroma pads, a cleaning brush, and a remote control
This Levoit model is one of the most modern humidifiers we’ve come across, with an LCD screen and some very smart features. It is also the best filterless humidifier for large rooms, as it can cover an area of up to 753 square feet.
Though you may pay a little more for some of the high-tech features on offer, it is worth it if your humidifier plays a key role in your household.
This is designed to work faster than the other models on the market, and can increase humidity levels up to 25% quicker than its competitors. The Levoit can also always show you the level of humidity, so you can choose the level desired and ensure it stays there.
The touch control panel makes it pretty easy to adjust all of the settings, and you can even change whether it is dispensing warm or cool mist. This model even has a remote control! You won’t even have to get up to make the adjustments. This can be a very appealing feature if you’ve just got comfortable in bed.
36 hours of use can be offered on the lowest mist setting, but this will drop as you increase the mist intensity. The highest mist output can dispense an incredible 500 ml/h.
Aroma pads are also included to help dispense smells and provide you with all the benefits of essential oils. Oils can also be added directly and dispensed via this humidifier.
We would rate this a lot higher, and though the actual tech specs are very impressive, some users have reported the tank being not that sturdy and not the best customer support. Though the functionality is terrific, this lets the unit down somewhat.
Why is it special?
Long runtime
Remote control and touch control panel
Can be used with essential oils
What are the flaws?
A few users have reported cracked tanks due to temperature changes
The customer service is not the most responsive one
This model is an excellent option if you want a decent cool mist humidifier and don’t want to spend a considerable amount of money on it. The coverage area is very impressive so you can use it in any room of up to 538 square feet.
One control knob lets you choose which direction you wish the moisture to be released into and you have a dial knob to adjust the output volume, too. It has a 45-degree tilt on the nozzle which allows you to release mist quickly and further into the room.
This is another very quiet humidifier. The mist is released without making much noise at all, so it is suitable for a bedroom where you need peace and quiet.
Being cheaper than some of the other options, there are some negatives of this product, the main one being that this only allows for ten hours of usage before you need to refill the tank. This is because of the small 0.5-gallon tank and the fact that this humidifier doesn’t use water as efficiently as some of the other models out there.
Though a decent cheaper option for a humidifier, this isn’t ideal for large rooms or extended periods of time.
More features: Vicks VapoPads compatible; variable humidity control
Vicks is a brand with a focus on respiration, they offer nasal sprays as well as cold and flu remedies, so no wonder their cool mist humidifier also comes with a lot of health benefits.
It has a half-gallon tank which provides roughly 20 hours of mist. Though it isn’t as quiet as some of the other options on our list, you certainly wouldn’t call this a noisy filterless humidifier, and it is compact too, so perfect for children’s rooms.
Vicks have clearly made this humidifier with a focus on soothing coughs and nasal congestion. Humidifiers can be good for this, and Vicks allow you to use this with a “VapoPad”, which give soothing and calming effects from oils such as eucalyptus, menthol, and lavender. As well as the humidity in the air allowing relief from congestion and colds it can stop the spread of disease, too.
This Vicks humidifier is easy to clean and has a transparent tank so you can see what you are doing when you need to clean it.
The coverage area isn’t one of the strengths of this model. You should only really use this in small rooms, or it won’t be very effective at all.
What are its best features?
Can release soothing aromas into the room with Vicks VapoPads
Easy to clean
Up to 20 hours of use
What could be improved?
Only suitable for small rooms
Only Vicks branded pads can be used for releasing oils
As the technology changes, it is essential to know precisely what features are the most important and useful ones, and which suit your own home best. The best filterless humidifier for townhouse may not be best for a small apartment due to differing features.
Our buying guide is designed to walk you through the choices you have and the functionality which is most important for a humidifier.
Advantages and disadvantages of filterless models
Filterless models are extremely popular among people who need a quiet and hassle-free humidifier.
First off, you don’t have to change the filters regularly if the humidifier doesn’t need them. This means that, even though the model is probably more expensive initially, it may save money in the long run. Also, such humidifiers generally produce much less noise than their filter counterparts.
Filter models have the added bonus of being able to draw bacteria out before dispensing water, but this isn’t a big problem for filterless models as long as they are kept clean.
Features to consider while choosing a filterless humidifier
So what do the individual features of a filterless humidifier mean? Which are the features and functions you should look out for when searching for the perfect one for your home?
Mist type
The mist type refers to the temperature at which the mist is dispensed and stored. Cool mist models only release water at roughly warm temperature. It doesn’t have a noticeable cooling effect as such, but it doesn’t heat the room either. Warm mist humidifiers will have a slight warming effect as they increase the humidity, but will also kill some of the bacteria as the water is heated to add an extra safety and health benefit.
Water tank capacity
This is, quite simply, how much water can be held within the humidifier. Most of the models tend to have between half and two gallons of capacity, and this can make a huge difference to the size of the unit overall, as well as the runtime (as explored below).
Runtime
Runtime is the amount of time you can use your humidifier for between refilling the tank.
The runtime is based on how much water the humidifier can hold, but also how quickly it dispenses. Many humidifiers have different settings and levels of mist which can influence how long the humidifier can run for.
Top models such as the Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier can last over two days on the lowest setting without having to replace the water in the tank. Of course, those which have multiple settings for dispensing mist will often use more water and lower the runtime if being used on a more intense setting.
Coverage area
The manufacturer will usually include a figure, measured in square footage, of how large a space their humidifier is suitable for. You need to work out your room size and ensure that the coverage is as big, or bigger than this.
Some filterless humidifiers will only describe themselves as being suitable for small, medium or large rooms so you will need to use your discretion and read the top filterless humidifier reviews to see what sort of room sizes people are using their humidifier in.
Sound level
As we’ve briefly touched upon, the sound level of the most filterless humidifiers is one of its big benefits as opposed to filtered ones. Some models, such as the InvisiPure Sky Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier or the VicTsing Cool Mist Humidifier, are virtually silent, and are great for kids rooms and nurseries.
If you are going to be using your humidifier in a kitchen, or somewhere there is a little bit of extra noise through appliances, then it might not be a priority to have a super quiet humidifier, but if you want one in your room while you sleep, silence is golden.
Essential oils compatibility
Essential oils can have a huge amount of benefits, from soothing a cold to helping you fall asleep. Some people are dismissive of their benefits, but oils like lavender oil are scientifically proven to have many benefits to the human body, mood and mind.
Models such as the Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier allow for essential oils to be added and slowly dispersed with the humidifying mist and can provide both a pleasant smell and lots of other benefits to mind and body.
Dimensions and weight
The size and weight of the humidifier may not matter if you have lots of space to work with. However, if you are in a small room or small apartment, you may wish to opt for a humidifier which is more compact and doesn’t take up much room. Unfortunately, the trade-off is the fact that smaller humidifiers don’t tend to have the same capacity in their tanks, which means that you may not get the same runtime.
An overly heavy humidifier might also be tough if you are refilling it regularly. If you have issues lifting heavy items then you might have some troubles with carrying a couple of gallons of water, especially if you have to take your humidifier up and down stairs, for instance.
Warranty
Humidifiers are a product with not a great deal of continuity in the warranties offered. Different manufacturers seem to have hugely varied warranties. The Pure Enrichment MistAire Silver Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is the best on this list with an excellent five-year warranty. The warranty offers you protection, but also sometimes indicates the faith the manufacturers have in their product.
Extra features
Some humidifiers have included extra features to distinguish their offering from the crowd. Some of these are safety features, others are for added convenience.
Auto shut-off. This is a safety feature included in most humidifiers. It means that when the humidifier gets to a low water level it will turn itself off automatically.
Remote control. This is a pretty self-explanatory High tech models such as the Levoit LV600HH have remote controls. This may not be the most critical feature, but it is undoubtedly appealing if you don’t want to have to keep getting up and making adjustments.
Timer settings can also be included to let you set your humidifier to come on and turn off at a certain For example, if your humidity levels drop during the day you could set your humidifier to be on in this time frame.
Oil diffusers. These are often added to slowly diffuse the essential oils which are compatible, and allow a constant stream of oils to be released.
Some humidifiers, such as the Levoit, have an automatic setting, meaning they can kick in when the humidity level reaches a certain figure, for example, the mist can kick in when you get to under 40% of humidity.
Tips to keep your humidifier in perfect condition
Your humidifier should be very beneficial for your health and comfort, but if you don’t treat it well, it can develop mildew and mold, which can have the opposite effect! These are our top tips for keeping the humidifier in perfect condition:
Regularly clean the humidifier with a brush. Some ultrasonic humidifiers will include cleaning brushes which can help you to get to even the most awkward areas of the tank.
Try to clean the mechanism itself with warm water to kill bacteria, as well as ensuring mildew cannot build up.
Don’t let your humidifier run empty too often. Though most have an auto shut-off, the mechanism working without an adequate supply of water can lead to damage.
As long as the water supply you are using to fill the humidifier is clean, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. The water supply used will play a big part in this. If you have a whole-house water filter, then most of the harmful bacteria or other pollutants should have been filtered out already.
The ultrasonic system used by most filterless humidifiers doesn’t need to use a fan. For this reason, most of the humidifiers on this list are quiet enough to be used even while you sleep, perfect for children’s rooms.
There is a huge amount of health problems that filterless humidifiers can help with. Congestion, tickly coughs, dry throats, dry skin, sinus issues, just to mention a few. A warm mist humidifier can even help to kill airborne bacteria.
There is occasionally a small white dust leftover as a by-product of a filterless humidifier, but it is totally harmless, and is the same process as getting rid of any other dust around your home.
Our Verdict
Our most liked humidifier is the Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. It has pretty much everything you could wish for, is compatible with essential oils and even has a very long runtime. All of this adds up to our top rated filterless humidifier with a rating of 9.8.
Our Budget Pick, which we also rate very highly at 9.6, is the InvisiPure Sky Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, which can run for up to 40 hours and is virtually silent. A great option for bedrooms as you probably won’t be able to hear it overnight.
Finding the right filterless humidifier for your needs will depend on which features you require, but these are undoubtedly some of the most decent filterless humidifier options on the market for you to choose from.
Filterless models are extremely popular among people who need a quiet and hassle-free humidifier.
Essential oils can have a huge amount of benefits, from soothing a cold to helping you fall asleep. Some people are dismissive of their benefits, but oils like lavender oil are scientifically proven to have many benefits to the human body, mood and mind.
Some humidifiers have included extra features to distinguish their offering from the crowd. Some of these are safety features, others are for added convenience.
