7 Best Humidifiers For Sinus Problems in 2024 – Purchased & Tested

Using a humidifier can be a simple and effective way to alleviate sinus problems. By adding moisture to the air, humidifiers can soothe and moisturize the sinuses, easing discomfort and reducing inflammation.

In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best humidifiers for sinus problems. We’ve also included how we test, and important factors to consider when choosing a humidifier for sinus relief. 

The Levoit LV600S humidifier  can produce cool and warm mists, cover a large room, turn on and off according to your settings, and be controlled by APP, making it our top recommendation for alleviating sinus problems. But for a kid’s room, Taotronics BPA Free humidifier is an excellent one, even if it only has the basic functions. 

Note that you should talk to your doctor before using a humidifier for remedying sinus problems.

Why you can trust this review: We purchased these humidifiers with our own money, took pictures, and spent at least two weeks testing them with a hygrometer, a scale, and a sound level meter.

Our Top Picks

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We were really impressed by all the awesome features this Levoit LV600S humidifier offers, like the ability to produce both warm and cool mist. That’s why we decided to put it at the top of our list!

We did some testing and found that it can output 279 ml of cool mist and 399 ml of warm mist, which is perfect for covering a large room in either mode. Plus, with its 6L water tank, it can run for a long time and help relieve sinus problems continuously.

The water tank is easy to carry thanks to its top handle and has a relatively large opening, making it a breeze to clean. And the best part? It’s super quiet even when set at high, so it won’t disturb your sleep if you’re dealing with congestion or a sore throat.

It is a smart humidifier and you can control it via its App. You can set the timer from 1 hour to 12 hours and adjust the target humidity from 40% to 80%. There are also 3 mist levels available in both warm and cool mist modes, and an auto mode that adjusts the mist level based on the indoor humidity.

Another cool feature is that you can turn off the display completely, which is great for light sleepers. However, it doesn’t have an independent night light.

And get this – it even has an essential oil tray on the side! Some essential oils can help ease congestion and open up nasal passages, so that’s a nice touch.

Now, it’s not the cheapest humidifier out there, but trust us, the hassle-free experience it provides when you’re feeling sick is totally worth it.

If you can’t withstand the dryness and want to hydrate your dry sinuses quickly, this Air Innovations humidifier is a great option. 

According to our tests, the output of this humidifier is 307 ml, which ranks high among all the humidifiers we’ve tested. You can expect it to rapidly increase your indoor humidity level, and with its large 6.2L water tank, it can continue to operate for over 20 hours.

It will not win any style points, but its size is more compact than we expect.

While it doesn’t have an APP or remote control to work with, it has a variety of buttons around the display on the base to fulfill your different needs. The text on the buttons is quite small, so it may not be very suitable for people with poor eyesight.

You can set the target humidity from 40% to 95%, use a timer, and preset it so that it can work and stop automatically and prevent the air from being over-moisturized which is also bad for sinusitis.

As per the mist level, it has four modes, whereas most models only have two or three modes. 

Another cool feature is the LED dim function, which turns off most of the lights on the display. This is perfect for light sleepers who don’t want any annoying lights keeping them up at night.

We found that the operation is pretty quiet and appreciated the handle on the water tank for easy carrying. There’s even an aroma tray for adding essential oils!

One of the downsides is that the lid of the water tank is relatively small, which can make cleaning it a bit of a hassle. And unlike the Levoit LV600S, as we just mentioned, it can’t produce warm mist.

But all in all, it’s still a great option if you’re looking for a powerful humidifier to remedy stuffy nose!

When your children suffer from sinus problems, as a parent, you should create a healthy and comfortable home environment to help them feel better. This humidifier from Taotronics is great for putting in your kid’s room. 

It is made with BPA-free material. While there is no solid evidence to prove whether BPA-free material is necessary for a humidifier, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Many kids of my friends really like this one when they visit my home. It’s super cute – the humidifier looks like a little whale with a soft blue tail on the side, which can easily blend in with the decor in your kid’s room.

This is a cool mist humidifier so that it will not hurt your kids.

In terms of functionality, it is simple. All you can get is a knob for adjusting the mist level and a button for the night light. Unless it runs out of water, it will not stop working.

Since its output is 118 ml (our test result) and the water tank is 2.5 L, it is definitely not a suitable option for a large space but should be OK for most kids’ rooms. 

To make sure your child recovers quickly, you should empty and clean the humidifier regularly. Luckily, the lid of the water tank is so large that your hand can easily reach inside.

This humidifier is likely favored by your children and has a low price tag, but it is not an advanced model.

If you like the simplicity of the Taotronics one I just talked about, there is a high likelihood that you will like this humidifier from Vicks.

On the base, you’ll find a large knob with a green indicator light in the middle for adjusting the mist level, as well as a slot on the side for inserting a Vicks vapopad to create a pleasant scent. That’s it.

Anyone can get the hang of it immediately. There is almost no learning curve. If you are considering purchasing one for your old parents, this one is great.

Since Vapopads can help make you breathe better, you can reap added benefits for relieving sinus issues, like a stuffy nose. But you can use the cool mist function independently. 

Note that the green indicator light may be used as a night light but it will not turn off as long as the machine is producing mist. 

As per the humidification performance, this machine has a 183ml output (our data) and a 4.54L water capacity, which is high enough for a middle-sized room. 

We like the handle of the water tank, making the refilling process much easier. 

Vicks is a household name and this humidifier has a 3-year warranty. You can rest assured that it can last long. However, given its limited functionality, the price of this humidifier is still relatively high.

While the Levoit LV600S can already cover a large room, this Vornado model can even cover an entire floor. The coverage can be as high as 1000 square feet.

Unlike the ultrasonic models we’ve talked about, this humidifier uses natural evaporation but adds a fan to speed up the process. And here’s a cool feature – it has two wicking filters in the base, which means it won’t disperse white dust and germs into the air.

The infections and inflammations of the sinus can get worse when exposed to polluted air. So if you’re using tap water, this is a great choice – just keep in mind that you’ll need to buy replacement wicks, which can cost a bit.

Another thing we love about this humidifier is its energy-smart technology, which automatically adjusts the fan speed to save electricity. Plus, after using it for two months, we found that it’s really easy to clean since every part can be disassembled.

Plus, it’s made of high-quality materials and comes with a 5-year warranty, so you know it’s a reliable gadget.

However, we should mention that the included fan does make more noise than other models we’ve discussed – around 49 dB on low, according to our tests. Beyond that, the nightlight can’t turn off at night. So if you’re a light sleeper, this might not be the best option for you.

But overall, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone dealing with chronic sinusitis or looking to humidify a larger space.

This is another evaporative humidifier we think is great for relieving sinus problems.

Better than the Vornado one, it has a quieter operation and the light of the control panel can be turned off completely.

However, because its output is only 130 ml and the water capacity is 4L, it will fit a small or medium-sized room. 

Featuring a simple and sleek design, we think it can fit well with the contemporary home. It is also a smart humidifier – You can control it via the Mi Home APP. 

According to our test, it is very easy to set up and use. You can turn your humidifier on and off and set a timer from your phone while lying in bed.

What’s really impressive is that this humidifier doesn’t need a filter. While it may cost a bit more upfront, you’ll end up saving more money in the long run by not having to replace filters.

Another great feature is that it has a top-fill design, allowing you to save some effort on refilling. 

This is actually the second version of the Smartmi humidifier, and it comes with some extra features like a self-cleaning mode and a drying mode. While these modes aim to prevent bad smells and the growth of bacteria and mold spores, we’ve found that they’re not very useful.

Instead, we highly recommend giving your humidifier a thorough cleaning at least once a week to avoid any unpleasant odors. And since the evaporator inside consists of various chips, it’ll take you about half an hour to get it fully cleaned.

If your doctor advises you to use a humidifier for sinus but you are working on a budget, this Bear humidifier is what you need. It is one of the best budget humidifiers we found on the market.

While its price is low, it has good performance in every aspect. First, its water tank can hold up to 5L water and the output is 162 ml (our data), providing you with sufficient moist air in most bedrooms.

Secondly, it is easy to use. Like the Vicks humidifier in the list, it only has a large knob for adjusting the mist level. The top-fill feature is also a nice touch. 

Meanwhile, it has a lovely retro-green color and is quiet when operating. In a word, it can fulfill all the basic needs. 

However, it doesn’t have any additional features, even a nightlight. You should monitor the indoor humidity level continuously, preventing any negative effects on your sinus due to the moist air. Besides, the warranty is only 1 year.

How did we test?

We began by researching the best humidifiers on the market that were specifically designed to ease sinus congestion and related symptoms. Our team selected a range of top-rated models from well-known brands that offered unique features and advanced technology.

Following the initial research phase, our team procured a selection of the most promising humidifiers and subjected them to rigorous two-week testing. We recorded detailed observations throughout the process, taking note of any noteworthy features and characteristics.

To provide an objective analysis, our team utilized state-of-the-art measuring tools including a specialized hygrometer to gauge humidification performance, a sound level meter to measure noise levels, and a scale to calculate the output per hour.

While it may not be as strict as a lab test, we want to make sure you can get a lot of useful and unique information about these humidifiers. 

Key factors to consider when buying a humidifier for sinus problems

While there are many factors to consider, like power consumption, and water tank size, we narrow it down to the 5 most important features. 

Output

If a humidifier can’t really increase the humidity level, it is not going to relieve sinus congestion and other symptoms. As a result, you should check the output or the coverage, ensuring it can work in your space. 

I suggest you buy one that has a slightly higher coverage or output than you actually need because you may often use the lower mist level.

The Levoit LV600s  and Air Innovations humidifier  in our list has a high output, which can fit most middle to large-sized bedrooms.

Built-in humidistat

Moist air can actually exacerbate the growth of dust mites and mold spores, which could potentially worsen any existing health conditions.

This is where the humidistat function becomes incredibly useful, as it allows you to regulate the level of humidity in the air and ensure that the humidifier is actually providing relief for your symptoms instead of exacerbating them.

This feature is typically found in more advanced models of humidifiers. For example, both the Levoit LV600S  and the Vornado EVDC500 on our list of recommended humidifiers include this feature.

Ease of cleaning 

When selecting a humidifier for sinus problems, the size of the water tank is not a major consideration since most modern models can operate for more than 15 hours on a single fill-up.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that stagnant water in the tank can become a breeding ground for germs, so it’s crucial to dump out any remaining water on a daily basis and clean the machine frequently to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms.

A model that is easy to clean can make your life much easier. Taotronics BPA-FREE humidifier is a good choice because its water tank has a large opening, whereas Vornado EVDC500  is also an ideal option because every part can be accessed easily.

Mist temperature 

According to our research, there is no big difference between warm mist humidifiers and cool mist humidifiers for sinus conditions.

However, some people may prefer one type over the other based on personal preference or other factors. For example, some people find warm mist humidifiers more soothing and comforting, while others may prefer cool mist humidifiers, which can be more refreshing and invigorating.

If you are unsure which type of humidifier to choose, a warm/cool mist humidifier like the Levoit LV600S humidifier  can be a good option. However, when it comes to using humidifiers around children, it’s important to consider safety as well.

In general, cool mist humidifiers are considered to be safer for use around children, as they do not heat up the water in the tank and there is no risk of accidental burns or scalds. The Taotronics model is a popular choice among parents for this reason, as it is designed with child safety in mind.

Noise level

Nasal obstruction can impact sleep quality. You may become sensitive to noise, especially at night. You should pick one that has a quiet operation, at least in low mode. 

Ultrasonic humidifiers usually make less noise than evaporative ones. The Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier  we mentioned above is quiet and easy to use.

How can a humidifier be used effectively to help with sinus issues?

1. Keep it clean: A dirty humidifier is basically a petri dish for bacteria and mold. So, if you want to avoid growing your own little ecosystem, make sure to clean it regularly. Note that these germs will worsen your condition!
2. Use filtered or distilled water:  By using filtered or distilled water, you’ll prevent mineral buildup and keep your humidifier feeling fresh and clean. Ultrasonic ones are more prone to the growth of germs.
3. Get the humidity level just right: You want your humidity level to be just right – not too high, not too low. Aim for around 40-50% humidity to keep things comfortable and avoid any funky growth. If you don’t have time to monitor it, you should buy one with a built-in humidistat.
4. Essential oils are like spices: They can make things taste better, but you don’t want to overdo it. Be careful with the essential oils you use, as some can irritate sinuses. Use them according to the instructions of your doctor.

Sum up

Adding moisture to the air can soothe and moisturize the sinuses, reducing inflammation and easing discomfort. But with so many humidifiers on the market, which one is the best for you?

After a two-week test, we have the answer.

Our top recommendation is the Levoit LV600S humidifier , which can produce cool and warm mists, cover a large room, and be controlled by your smartphone. It even has an essential oil tray for added benefits. However, for a kid’s room, the Taotronics BPA Free humidifier is an excellent option, despite having only basic functions.

In addition, whether you want something quick and easy like the Air Innovations humidifier  or a budget-friendly option like the BEAR Ultrasonic humidifier , we’ve got you covered like a warm mist on a chilly winter night.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before using a humidifier to alleviate sinus problems. But with our top picks, you’ll be well on your way to breathing easier and feeling better.

Last update on 2024-04-24 at 09:19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API