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: March 27, 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
Your skin and sinuses aren’t the only things affected by dry air in your home. Plants also need moist air to thrive and will suffer as much as you do without it. Having the best humidifier for plants can remedy this issue, though not all of the models available are created equal. To help you pick the right one, we’ve done the necessary research, choosing the top humidifiers on the market.
When choosing the 6 humidifier models for our reviews, there were some features we focused on. We chose units with varying coverage areas, so you can choose the right one for your specific rooms. We also picked a few models with a warm mist option since some plants prefer the heat. There are also a few models with built-in humidistats to help you track and maintain the humidity level for your plant’s health. If you’re in the market for the best humidifier for plants but still aren’t sure which one to choose, check out our detailed reviews and buying guide below.
More features: timer; comes with aroma pads; remote control; auto adjustable mist level
The best humidifier for indoor plants works well with little effort on your part. The Levoit LV600HH is one of these units, with a ton of great functions that make it easy to use without disturbing your daily routine.
This model has a large capacity of 1.5 gallons and a huge coverage area of 753 sq. ft. so it can humidify even the largest rooms in your home. It runs quietly, with an LED display that shows you all the functions and settings but can also be turned off for a darker room at night.
The Auto Mode uses a built-in humidity sensor that adjusts the mist output to maintain the humidity level you`ve set. There is also a timer that allows you to choose 1 to 12 hours of runtime. Both the cold and warm mist options have 3 output levels. When the tank is empty, the Levoit LV600HH turns off until it`s refilled.
Other great features include the remote control, the aroma box and pads for essential oils, the dual 360-degree nozzles, and the powerful output. It is also easy to clean using the included cleaning brush.
Why is it special? This tank has a large water capacity and an auto-shutoff when the tank runs dry. It also includes a 12-hour timer for set runtimes and remote control for easy setting changes.
What are the flaws? There is no handle on the tank, making it a bit awkward to carry the full tank to the unit and put it back where it belongs.
More features: dial knob control; auto shut off; LED indicator
Though it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other models, the Raydrop KC-RD03 has a sleek, slim design that fits in any room, plus it is lightweight at about 2 pounds, so you can move it wherever you need it without straining yourself.
This tall, oval humidifier for plants is whisper-quiet, so it won’t disturb your conversations or keep you awake at night, even if it’s placed right next to your bed. It also uses cool mist, so it is safe to have around children, making this a great option for their bedrooms or nurseries to prevent dry skin and bloody noses.
The controls on this unit consist of a single dial that you can adjust to turn the unit on and raise or lower the mist level. It can run for up to 10 hours, depending on the level you choose.
Another handy feature is the auto-shutoff, which turns off the mister when the tank runs out of water or is lifted off the base. A smart LED indicator light also changes color, turning red when the water is empty and green again when it is full and ready to go.
What are our favorite features? We liked the slim design of this unit, as well as features like the adjustable mist level using the dial and the auto-shutoff when the water runs out, plus it has a great low price.
What could be better? The nozzle on this model is fixed in place, so you can’t change the direction without turning the entire unit.
More features: timer; essential oils compatible; 2 spray nozzles; humidistat
If you’re looking for the best humidifier for tropical plants or any others that you have in your home, the Elechomes SH8820 is a great model to try out. It has a large humidity range of 30% to 80%, so you can set it as needed to keep your plants green and healthy.
This model has a large coverage area of 775 sq. ft. and is capable of misting 600 ml of water per hour using the dual 360-degree rotating nozzles. It has a capacity of 1.45 gallons and is top-filling for added convenience.
This unit is affordable and runs quiet, with a Sleep Mode that uses ultrasonic cold mist technology with a maximum of 32 decibels, plus it dims the lights on the control panel to help you sleep. It also includes a timer and a min/max humidity setting to adjust the output as you see fit.
Other great features include the cold or heat mist options, the child lock, a diffuser, and the remote control for altering the settings from anywhere in the room. It comes in white and black to help match your home décor.
What do we love it for? This unit is quiet, with warm and cold functions, has a child lock, and opens at the top for easy filling.
What were we disappointed with? The diffuser function doesn’t produce a strong scent when used with essential oils. There are also some dripping sounds when the unit is running, which could be disruptive when you’re trying to sleep.
More features: LED screen; Sleep Mode; less than 38dB of noise
This cool mist humidifier for plants has a sleek design that comes in 3 stylish colors, including white/blue, white/gray, and black. They are all simple to use, with clear controls for setting adjustments and a large LED screen that displays the humidity level of the room and any selections you’ve made.
This model is quiet, with a sleep mode that turns off the screen and a nightlight for those who need it. It also includes 3 mist levels and a timer, both of which can be adjusted to give you the perfect amount of humidity in your home
The tank on this unit holds a gallon of water and can run from 12 to 30 hours, depending on the mist level and the runtime you’ve set. It has a coverage area of up to 322 square feet, so is perfect for small to medium rooms. The auto-shutoff turns the unit off when the tank runs dry, and the built-in handles on the top and bottom of the tank make it easy to fill.
What makes it stand out? The 3 color options make it easy to match your humidifier to your home’s décor. This model also features 3 mist levels, an LED display, and a night light for the little ones in the house.
What could be better: This model has a small tank opening that makes it hard to reach into for cleaning. There is also no memory setting, so you need to reset everything every time you turn it on.
More features: 5-year warranty; 360-degree nozzle; touch button control
Though it may not have all the features of a high-end humidifier, this model is lightweight, compact, and has a decent price that fits into any budget. This humidifier is simple to use, with only 1 button on the front to turn it on or off, set the mist level to high or low, and turn the nightlight on or off.
The MistAire Silver uses ultrasonic cool mist technology, which is safe to use in your home and whisper-quiet, so it won’t disturb even the lightest sleeper during the night. It has the capacity and the power to run for about 12 hours on high or 25 hours on low.
Despite its simplicity, this model still has some great features. The 360-degree rotating nozzle lets you position it how you need it for the proper humidity. The control button has quiet beeps when changing the settings for less disruption at night, plus it has a power light that turns off after 10 seconds. The unit also shuts off automatically when the water tank runs low or when it is removed for refilling or cleaning.
What makes it stand out? This simple humidifier for plants is budget-friendly, lightweight, whisper-quiet, and it has an auto-shutoff when the tank is empty or removed.
What could be better: The tank has a small opening, making it hard to clean inside. It is also bottom-filled, with a curved top, so it is a bit awkward to fill.
Those who need the best humidifier for house plants but have limited space available will love the MOVTIP Portable Mini Humidifier. This model is small, lightweight, and portable, so you can move it wherever you need it throughout the day.
The MOVTIP humidifier is easy to use, with a simple one-button design for the 2 mist options and dimming the light. For the mist levels, you can choose either intermittent or continuous, depending on your needs. It can run for a maximum of 18 hours when the tank is full.
As well as being a great option for plant rooms, this model is perfect for small bedrooms. It is quiet, so it won’t disrupt your sleep, plus it has a soft nightlight for those who need it.
Built into the unit is a water level sensor, which detects when the water runs low and turns off the unit until it is refilled. The filling process is also easy since you only need to remove the top of the unit and fill the base to the fill line.
What are its best features? We liked that this unit has a compact, portable size and comes in 6 colors. It also includes 2 mist modes and an auto-shutoff when the tank runs low.
What could be improved? Though it comes with a USB charging cable, there is no wall adapter included. The light also can’t be turned off, though you can dim it.
Things to Consider
To help you and your plants recover from the dry air, a humidifier is a must. These units add the necessary moisture to the air of your home, preventing those issues that you and your plants would otherwise be dealing with. There are several different models available, giving you the perfect options for the size of your home and the amount of humidity you need for healthy plants.
Features to consider when choosing a humidifier for plants
Humidifiers can vary on the types of features they offer, so choosing the right one is a tricky task. If you’re unsure of which features you need and what to look for in a new humidifier, check out the sections below for more information.
Type
There are a couple of different types of humidifiers to choose from. These include warm mist humidifiers and cool mist humidifiers. The warm mist models are quite common, heating the water in the tank to a high temperature to create water vapor. This vapor is then released into the air through the humidifier’s nozzle. Though these work quite well, they do use more electricity for the internal heating process.
There are also cool mist humidifiers, which come in 2 categories. The first is the ultrasonic humidifiers, like the Pure Enrichment MistAire Silver. These models use vibrations that increase the rate at which the water in the tank evaporates. The mist created using this technology is thin and wispy, which some people prefer.
There are also evaporative cool mist humidifiers. These have wicking material inside that draws the water in. Then a fan blows over the saturated material, evaporating it and sending the mist out into the air.
Some models also include both cool and warm mist options, like the Elechomes SH8820. This gives you both options for your home in one handy machine.
Coverage area
The coverage area is one of the most important features to look into when choosing a new humidifier for house plants. The coverage area tells you the maximum size the room needs to be for the unit to perform efficiently.
If you’re buying a humidifier for a small plant room, bedroom, nursery, or office, a little model will work just fine. For instance, the Raydrop KC-RD03 has a coverage area of about 300 square feet, so it is perfect for the smaller areas of your home.
Larger rooms need a more powerful unit that can maintain the humidity level. The Levoit LV600HH has a coverage area of up to 753 square feet, so it can handle large living areas or plant rooms, keeping the humidity level where you want it.
When choosing a new humidifier for your home, measure the room you’ll be using it in. Then find a unit that has a coverage area that is the same or more than the area you’ve measured to ensure it can do the job you need it for.
Capacity
The capacity of a humidifier refers to how much water the tank holds without overflowing. This varies, depending on the size of the unit and the coverage area it is recommended for. The larger the room, the larger the tank you’ll need to maintain the humidity levels without having to refill the humidifier repeatedly throughout the day.
Of course, small models don’t necessarily need constant refilling. It depends on how long you’re running them for and how high the mist level is. A unit that runs on low won’t use as much water as one on high, no matter how big the tank is.
When deciding on which tank size you should purchase, consider the level of humidity you’re dealing with and how often you’ll have to run the unit, as well as the coverage area of the room you’re placing the unit in. If you plan on using the humidifier every day for several hours at a time, a large tank may be needed. Those who only need to run their unit intermittently to maintain humidity levels may get by with a smaller tank that they can fill once every day or two.
Runtime
The runtime of the humidifier for house plants that you purchase depends on the capacity of the water tank and the mist setting you choose. The higher the mist level is, the more water the unit will go through, and the quicker the tank will empty, decreasing your runtime.
Most units give you minimum and maximum runtimes, which factor in these features. Smaller units usually have shorter runtimes since they have smaller tanks. The Raydrop KC-RD03 is a good example of this, with a 0.45-gallon tank and a maximum runtime of 10 hours. This means that at the lowest setting, when the least amount of vapor is produced, the unit can run for up to 10 hours. If you turn up the mist, the runtime decreases.
If you’re planning on purchasing a unit that you’ll use consistently each day, you may want one with a longer runtime to prevent constant refilling throughout the day.
Dimensions
Though it may not seem like an important feature, the dimensions of the unit are definitely something to consider when looking into these units. The larger the humidifier is, the more space it’s going to take up on your table, counter, or nightstand. This may not be an issue for everyone, especially if you have a lot of room on your home surfaces, but for those with limited space, you may want to consider where you’re going to put it before buying one, just in case it won’t fit where you want it.
Many models with high coverage areas do tend to be larger to accommodate the bigger tank and longer runtimes, while the small room models tend to have smaller tanks and dimensions. In some cases, it may even be a better option to buy 2 small units to maintain the humidity level in a large room, depending on the surfaces you have available.
Mist settings
The mist settings can vary from unit to unit. Most of the humidifiers in our reviews have 2 or 3 mist settings available, which you can adjust to reach and maintain the humidity level you and your plants need. These models have mist level buttons that you press to go from level to level. The Raydrop KC-RD03 is the exception, with no set mist levels. Instead, it includes a dial that you can adjust to raise or lower the mist level, giving you a wide range of mist options to choose from.
Other features
Though the features above are the most important ones, some extras make these units safer and more convenient. The controls are one feature to look into. These should be easy to use, no matter how many functions the unit has. An included remote control is also handy, letting you adjust the settings from across the room.
An auto-shutoff is also a good feature to have. This will turn off the unit when the tank level is low or empty instead of trying to run without water. Many models also shut off when the tank is removed for filling.
A built-in humidistat is another handy extra. These monitor the humidity level in the room at all times and may include an Auto Mode that will turn on or off the unit or alter the mist levels to maintain the humidity level that you’ve chosen.
Other features you may want included with your humidifier are a Sleep Mode or a nightlight. The sleep mode dims the lights and lowers the mist level for less noise while you’re sleeping. The nightlight is perfect for nurseries and kid’s bedrooms. A timer is also handy, allowing you to set the unit to run for a specific amount of time and then shut off when the timer is up.
You may also want to check out the tank filling design. Top-filling models are best for quick and simple filling, but the bottom-filling ones are also handy if they include built-in handles and flat tops.
This depends on the humidity in your home. In some climates, the summer months are already quite humid, so the need for a humidifier is high. The winter months are colder and drier, especially in northern areas, with low humidity, so you will likely need to run your humidifier for longer intervals. Be sure to keep an eye on your plants since too much humidity can be as damaging to them as too little. If they look unhealthy, adjust the humidity levels accordingly.
Warm and cool mist humidifiers don’t have that great of a difference when it comes to the temperature of the mist they produce, so it doesn’t really matter which one you use for your plants. The only difference between the two units is how the mist is created, with warm mist models using heat to create water vapor and cold mist models using vibration or fans. The mist itself doesn’t change the temperature of the room in any way, so both models work well for plants.
Yes, you can use a humidifier with essential oils but only do so if the unit is designed for this. They should have a special box or tray for essential oils. Do not put the oils directly into the water tank, or you risk damaging the machine. Using essential oils also doesn’t affect your plants in any way, so use your favorites as you see fit.
Our Verdict
When you have plants in your home, you need to take special care of them to keep them healthy. Though all of the humidifiers in our reviews are great options, a few of them deserve a second look.
Our favorite model is the Levoit LV600HH, which has warm and cool mist options, a large 1.5-gallon tank, and a coverage area of 753 square feet. This unit also features an LED display, timer, auto-shutoff, built-in humidistat, 3 mist levels, and remote control. It also has an aroma box for essential oils.
The Raydrop KC-RD03 is a small room model that is lightweight and whisper-quiet. This slim cool mist humidifier has a runtime of up to 10 hours, a dial control knob, an auto-shutoff, an LED indicator, and a great low price.
The Elechomes SH8820 is a warm and cool mist model with a large coverage area of 755 square feet and a runtime of up to 40 hours. This model has great features, like a timer, min/max humidity setting, child lock, Sleep Mode, dual 360-degree rotating nozzles, plus it is top-filling and can be used with essential oils.
