6 Best Affordable Humidifiers [That Actually Work Well] 2023 – Purchased & Tested

Budget is important when shopping for a humidifier. While you can purchase an advanced model that costs you a few hundred dollars, a humidifier that costs only a few tens of US dollars can also be very effective.

After testing a bunch of humidifiers, we come up with a list of the best affordable humidifiers. They are not only budget-friendly but also suitable for different spaces and groups of people.

You are likely to find one that meets your needs after this post. Let’s get started!

Why you can trust this review: We purchased these humidifiers with our own money, took pictures, and spent two weeks testing them.

Best Cheap Humidifiers – Our Top Picks

1. BEAR Humidifiers for Bedroom – Best Easy-to-Use Humidifier

BEAR is famous for making cost-effective electronics in China. This ultrasonic humidifier also comes at an affordable price.

Even though it is not exactly aesthetically appealing, we really like its retro green color, which is elegant and gives us a feeling of vintage.

It is a top-fill humidifier, meaning that you can directly fill the water from the top. It can save you a lot of effort, drawing from our experience. This design is also great for people with weak hands, such as people with disabilities or the elderly. 

See also our list of the best top fill humidifiers

Meanwhile, since it only has one big knob, it is very easy to use. All you need to do is rotate the knob to decide the mist level you need.

Our tests show that the maximum output of this humidifier is 162ml, making it a good option for small to mid-range rooms. Because the water tank can hold up to 5L of water, you can expect it to run for more than 30 hours. 

Another thing we like is its quiet operation. We tested it in our office and our home, and it was hard to tell any noise from it. 

However, it is worth mentioning that this is definitely a simple humidifier. It can only produce mist and shut off automatically when the water level is low. It even doesn’t have a nightlight.

So we think it is an affordable and reliable humidifier for people who don’t care about those bells and whistles. 

(What we purchased is a Chinese version, but you can get an English version through the link above)

Coverage: 320 square feet 

Water capacity: 5L

Output: 162 ml (based on our result)

Weight: 3.76 pounds

Warranty: 1 year

Size: 9.65"D x 7.99"W x 9.72"H

2. Honeywell Cool Mist Humidifier – Best Cheap Evaporative Humidifier

Based on our research, evaporative humidifiers are more expensive than ultrasonic humidifiers on average.

This evaporative humidifier comes from a trustworthy brand but has a lower price tag than its counterparts, making it great for people working on a budget. It is also a good choice for people who want to use tap water with their humidifiers.

Like the Bear humidifier we mentioned above, it has a knob on the top to control the fan speed, which is highly related to the output. You can choose from low, middle, to high, and I advise you to switch it to low when sleeping because it is a bit noisy.

According to our test, the maximum output is 189 ml, which is high enough for a middle-sized space, but you should make sure the filter is completely wet before running it. Otherwise, you may end up thinking this device is useless. We made this mistake during the testing process.

The highlight of this model is that it has a UV light for killing bacteria, which is not so common in a humidifier at such a price range.

Regarding the cleaning, it is easy. The parts are dishwasher safe but you should replace the wicks every one or two months, which can cost you some money. The UV light also requires to be replaced after 3000 hours.

We’ve noticed that there’s room for improvement in one specific area – the device doesn’t have an automatic shut-off function. Therefore, you should remember to add water yourself.

Coverage: 400 square feet (our estimation)

Water capacity: 3.79L

Output: 189 ml (based on our result)

Weight: 3.76 pounds

Warranty: 3 year

Size: 10.39"D x 18.58"W x 13.03"H

3. Taotronics BPA Free Humidifier – Best Affordable Humidifier for Baby

This affordable and charming humidifier is a must-have for any parent looking for a convenient way to help their child through cold symptoms, without breaking the bank.

It is made of strong BPA-free plastic and has a whale-shaped appearance, which is favored by many kids as well as our team members. When the nightlight is activated, it can add a cozy touch to your kid’s room.

For controlling the mist level, there is a knob on the base and as per our tests, the maximum output is 118ml, meaning that it is only suitable for small bedrooms. 

Different from the Honeywell one, it has an auto shut-off feature. Add to that the 2.5L water capacity and this cute humidifier can expect to run more than 20 hours.

If you’re worried about a humidifier disturbing your child’s sleep, this humidifier is the perfect solution. Its operation is incredibly quiet, so you can rest easy knowing that it won’t disrupt your little one’s peaceful slumber.

For busy parents, the large opening on the water tank makes refilling and cleaning a breeze. Simply remove the lid, fill the tank, and you’re good to go. You can reach every corner of the base and tank.

Again, it is a simple device. It doesn’t have any advanced features.

Output: 118ml (based on our test)

Coverage: 269 square feet

Water capacity: 2.5L

Weight: 1.59 lbs.

Warranty: 18 months

Size: 11.3 x 8.5 x 6.0 in

4. Levoit Dual 200s Smart Humidifier – Best Affordable Smart Humidifier

If you are tight on a budget but still want a humidifier with more advanced features, this is a perfect choice.

You can control it via its Veync app, Google Assistant, or Alexa. This APP is very easy to connect with and operate. You can set the mist mode, timer, and schedule, or turn on or off display through it. 

This Levoit humidifier has an auto mode, allowing it to stop automatically once the humidity reaches a certain level. This can prevent your room from getting over-moisturized. You can set it between 30% to 80%. 

If you are someone who loves having some greenery and blooms in your home, you will like it as well because it features a specialized program for moisturizing plants based on which species you have.

For those who don’t bother to use its smart feature, you can still adjust the mist level directly on the base. The display will also indicate the humidity level, even though it often reads a little higher than the actual humidity level.

Regarding the humidification performance, its output is 147 ml based on our test results, which is suitable for a small to mid-range room. 

Another perk of this smart humidifier is that it has a top-fill feature. However, since the mist tube is in the middle, you should avoid pouring water into it.

If you are currently coughing or have a cold, then this humidifier has another feature you like. That is, it can also be used as a diffuser. You can directly add essential oil to the base. 

Check the best humidifier for cough we recommend

However, this humidifier doesn’t have a night light.

Coverage: 290 square feet 

Water capacity: 3L

Output: 147 ml (based on our result)

Weight: 3.08 pounds

Warranty: 2 year

Size: 9.5 * 9.5 * 14.3 in

5. Vicks Warm Mist Vaporizer – Best Affordable Warm Mist Humidifier

Even though cool mist humidifiers don’t cool the room, many people prefer a warm mist model, especially in winter months. 

Usually, Vicks humidifiers cost a bit more than their competitors, but this vaporizer is definitely a cheap one. It is a classic product that many American families have heard about.

While its price is low, it can cover a large room. According to our test, its output is as high as 358 ml and the water capacity is 5.68L, which is quite high among all the humidifiers we have tested.

It has a nightlight function, but it can’t be turned off. As you know, Vicks also sells coughing and cold relieving products such as Vapopad and Vaposteam. This humidifier has a medicine cup and scent pad slots on the top for you to place these products. 

You can reap more benefits by using these products or essential oils with this humidifier together. 

It is also a good option for hard water due to the fact that it needs some salt to produce mist. 

During our first test, we found that it didn’t produce any steam after waiting for 20 minutes. Then we decided to add one tablespoon of salt to it. Immediately, it started to produce mist.

One advantage of this humidifier is that it will kill germs and bacteria while heating the water. Therefore, it will not result in white ducts or the spread of microbes. 

However, since the water is hot, you should place it far away from your kids and pets. Meanwhile, you have to pay more for electricity bills.

Output: 358 ml (based on our results)

Coverage: 800 square feet (our estimation)

Water capacity: 5.68L

Weight: 2.2 lbs

Warranty: 3 year

Size: 15 x 12 x 10 in

6. Jisulife Dounut Mini Portable Humidifier – Best Cheap Humidifier for Travel

If you are traveling to a location with an arid climate, it can be very uncomfortable due to the lack of humidity in the air. Fortunately, bringing a portable humidifier with you can make a big difference in how you feel during your trip.

This Jisulife humidifier doesn’t have a water tank. You can put it in any bottle with water inside and it can start to produce mist. It also means that you can save a lot of space in your luggage.

Even better, it works better with tap water. You don’t have to seek distilled water during your busy trip. However, this humidifier has a cotton stick inside. You should make sure it is wet before running your humidifier. Note that you should replace the cotton stick every month but it is cheap to buy.

In addition, although it has a compact size and a low price tag, it still features an auto shut-off function. 

However, like many mini humidifiers, its output is low. With 30 ml output, you should place it closer to you to get the benefits of moist air.

Check the best travel humidifiers we recommend

Coverage: 50 square feet (our estimation)

Size: 54*179mm

Output: 30ml/h (based on our test)

Warranty: 1-year

Weight: 60g

What is considered a cheap humidifier?

Basically, there are two types of humidifiers that are popular in the market – ultrasonic humidifiers and evaporative humidifiers.

Drawing from our experience, prices vary according to the type. An ultrasonic humidifier that costs less than 50 dollars is cheap, whereas an evaporative humidifier that is priced lower than 100 dollars is considered budget-friendly.

If you are really tight on a budget, ultrasonic humidifiers are the ones you should stick to.

How did we test these humidifiers?

Before purchasing these products, we conducted in-depth research online to see the ratings, prices, and features of those popular humidifiers in the market.

Once we got these humidifiers, we spent two weeks using them continuously and wrote down anything we noticed during this process.

Beyond that, we will use a scale to calculate the output per hour, a smart hygrometer to test the humidification performance, and a sound level meter to check the noise level. 

Since this post is for picking the best affordable humidifier, we have selected six affordable and high-quality humidifiers from all the ones we have tested.

What to consider when choosing a humidifier on a budget?

Except for the budget, there are also other key factors you should consider. Otherwise, you may waste your money in the end.

Coverage

A cheap humidifier that can’t cover your space is useless. You should ensure the machine you bought has enough output to increase the indoor humidity level. 

You can check the statistics on our website or the product description on the selling page. If you have a large room, picking a model with at least 200 ml output is a better idea.

Noise level

If you are a light sleeper, you should really pay attention to the noise level of the machine. No one wants to enjoy a restless night.

Generally speaking, ultrasonic models are quieter than evaporative models, but evaporative models that run in low mode could not disturb your sleep in most cases.

Water capacity

While we always recommend you empty and refill the water tank once a day, many people don’t want to do that. 

If you want to save some effort, you can choose one with a high water capacity. But again, you should change the water regularly to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.

Ease of cleaning 

A filthy humidifier can smell bad and become the breeding ground of bacteria and mold. As a result, you should clean it on a regular basis. 

You should avoid products that have many hygiene blind spots or the opening of the water tank is too small. If not, you are likely to discard your humidifier after a few months, even if its price is relatively low.

Extra cost: filter, electricity, and so on

When purchasing a humidifier, it’s important to not only consider the initial price but also the potential additional costs that may arise later on.

These costs may include the cost of replacement filters or cartridges and the cost of electricity. For example, a warm mist humidifier will use more electricity because it needs to heat the water.

Choosing a humidifier that has low ongoing costs can ultimately save you money in the long run, even if it may have a slightly higher upfront cost.

In conclusion 

While staying within your budget is important, it’s equally important to ensure that the humidifier you choose is of good quality. You may have to compromise on some advanced features, but compromising on quality should not be an option.

We have selected the 6 best affordable humidifiers in this post and make sure each one is carefully reviewed. 

While the Levoit dual 200s is definitely a multifunctional one you shouldn’t ignore, the Vicks vaporizer is a good option for large rooms. Kids will like the model from Taotronics.

Hope you can find a good one for yourself after reading our post.

Last update on 2023-10-02 at 06:36 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API