Best humidifiers to help with baby congestion and cough, according to a pediatrician

Yes, it’s possible for something that helps your baby’s stuffiness to be as adorable as it is functional, as is the case with this line of sweet animal humidifiers. The generously-sized one-gallon tank means it can run continuously for 24 hours without having to be refilled, and a simple intuitive knob lets you customize the humidity level. 

I’ve personally owned this humidifier and found it super quiet, and appreciated the auto shut-off feature that prevents an annoying noise when the water runs out. It’s available in a wide range of cute animals from elephants to owls to hippos, and even a Hello Kitty version, to fit every nursery.

The aesthetically minimal Canopy Nursery Humidifier is an initial investment, but will last you for multiple cold and flu seasons to come. Not only is the tank extra large, holding 2.5 liters of water, it’s extremely easy to clean. That’s because unlike most other humidifiers, it can be tossed into the dishwasher to ensure a thorough clean — no complicated water and vinegar routine required. 

The pediatrician-recommended Canopy is also notable for its no-mist technology which ensures the air in their room is moist enough to help with congestion, but not so moist it risks mold on other items in the room or makes it uncomfortable. There’s UV LED technology to prevent mold growth in the unit itself.

As a mom of three, I’ve personally had to throw away and replace multiple humidifiers due to mold growth each winter season, and the Canopy is now going on three seasons strong. There’s even an aromatherapy pad if you want to diffuse relaxing scents like lavender to help create the ultimate soothing environment.

The Vicks Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier is so intuitive and easy. The 1.2-gallon tank is big enough to provide 30 hours of mist but small enough to refill under your kitchen sink. Best of all, the humidifier is supremely easy to operate, even in a dark room: There's just one dial to turn the machine on and control the amount of mist. 

Tika Fender, BabyCenter's Art Director, says the "super easy dial" is her favorite feature. She tried a pricier smart app-controlled humidifier, but preferred her Vicks humidifier, saying, “It does the job and lasts forever.”

This humidifier hisses quietly, so it won't keep babies awake, and it automatically shuts off when the tank is empty. Cleaning is quick and straightforward; you'll just need bleach, vinegar, and a soft cloth. However, it's worth noting that this humidifier is made to accept Vicks VapoPads. There’s no clinical evidence that sachets or additives are effective in treating congestion, and they should not be used for children under 2, says Dr. Poinsett. 

The Safety 1st Connected Smart Humidifier conveniently lets you control humidity levels, set timers, change the nightlight brightness, or turn the unit on or off without having to sneak into your baby’s room praying you don’t wake them. Caregivers simply download an app to gain remote access to the humidifier. The app will even give you low-water warnings and reminders that it’s time to clean the unit. 

The LED touch display on the humidifier itself looks equally high-tech and lets you monitor the moisture level and temperature of the room, and you can even set it up to work with Alexa or Google Home devices.

Prior to purchasing, you’ll want to note that many reviewers say the unit doesn’t work without WiFi, and a 2.4 GHz connection is required.

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The Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier's standout feature: Parts that come in contact with water are dishwasher-safe. So instead of a weekly de-scaling and bleaching, you just chuck the tank into the top rack of your dishwasher and deep-clean by hand only when needed. 

Stephen Klop, BabyCenter's Director of Product Management, has two of these humidifiers: one for each of his kids' rooms. "It's a bit bigger than other options, but you don't need to refill the tank every night and it is easy to clean," he says. 

The Honeywell humidifier has a 24-hour run time which, as Stephen mentioned, reduces the amount of times you have to refill it in a week. But Stephen found that if he set the mist at the lowest of the three settings, it could run for about 48 hours. 

In addition to a long run time and easy-to-clean pieces, Honeywell’s humidifier has a wicking filter, which captures minerals and keeps them out of the air. If you have pets, this may be a nice feature to have. 

The Mikikin Cool Mist Humidifier does double duty in your child's room, providing a steady stream of cool mist and a soft light for comfort. It’s easy to turn off the light when you don't need it: Just press the on/off button for three seconds. That same button also allows users to cycle through three mist levels (low, medium, and high), and you can adjust the mist's direction by rotating the nozzle on top of the tank. 

Karen Sly, Finance Director of BabyCenter, has this humidifier and uses it daily in her baby's room. "I like that it has a large opening so it's easy to clean the tank," she says. 

This humidifier has a special absorbent part meant to hold essential oils, but Dr. Poinsett does not recommend them for children under age 2. 

The Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier has premium features worth the price tag. Our favorite: the built-in moisture sensor, which automatically turns the humidifier on (or off) to ensure the room is at your pre-set humidity level. 

Melissa Bykofsky, Everyday Health's Executive Editor, says this is her favorite feature too: "It makes properly humidifying the room something I don't have to actively think about,” she says. “I turn on the humidifier, set the sensor to my preferred humidity level and then I just leave it. It will turn on if the room is too dry and shut off when it hits the humidity level. One less thing to think about as a busy mom!"

Melissa also appreciates the large tank, which she fills every two days in "peak winter," and about once a week in summer. As if it couldn’t get better, the controls are easy to operate. There are dedicated buttons to set mist level, temperature, and desired humidity level. Even easier, the LV600HH comes with a remote, so you can change settings from bed. 

This humidifier can emit warm mist (there's a button to turn it on) but the AAP recommends cool mist only for childrens' rooms. 

The AAP recommends a 40% humidity level for baby’s rooms: It keeps the air moist enough to help with dry skin, coughs, and congestion, but not so much that it encourages mold growth. If your nursery is too humid, a dehumidifier can help. Favored by parents, the Pro Breeze mini machine reduces humidity in rooms that measure up to 205 square feet. Parents appreciate that it's portable and compact; it's small enough to sit on a nightstand that’s safely out of your baby’s reach. 

Whisper-quiet and efficient, this humidifier removes ounces of moisture from the air each day. An LED indicator lets you know when the tank is full, and auto shut-off activates if you're unable to empty the unit immediately. 

When shopping for a humidifier for a baby nursery or child’s room, there are several factors you’ll want to consider:

Type of humidifier

Make sure to read the box carefully to determine what type of humidifier it is. There are two types: cool mist and warm mist — and some that do both. The AAP recommends using cool-mist humidifiers in kids’ rooms as warm mist ones can potentially scald curious hands. 

Room size

Consider the size of the nursery or room it will be used in and make sure the humidifier you’re looking at has a large enough tank capacity to effectively work in a room that size. Most labels have a square foot capacity on them. Additionally, the larger the tank is, the longer it can run continuously so you don’t have to sneak in to add water and risk waking a sleeping baby.

Easy to clean

All humidifiers are at risk of growing mold, so regular cleaning is essential. Some have parts that can be tossed in the dishwasher, while others require you to mix a solution of water and vinegar and let it soak. Consider your lifestyle and what you’re likely to actually do to clean it on a regular basis.

Noise level

Read reviews from other parents and note what they have to say about how quiet the humidifier is. Some are definitely louder than others, and may make it hard for an already sick baby or child to fall asleep, or wake them in the middle of the night.

Dr. Poinsett says that using a humidifier safely and effectively is relatively easy, but there are some rules you'll want to follow for safety and optimum efficiency:

• Set your humidifier close to the crib or sleeping space, but do not allow the mist to fall directly on your baby or on any furniture. 
• Ensure your baby can not grab or reach the humidifier and that any cords are not in reach of their crib.

• Use filtered or distilled water to help avoid particles building up over time, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

• Clean your device regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Don’t use essential oils for children under the age of 2. 

Joyce Slayton and Kelly Bailey contributed to this story.