Life often beats us up with responsibilities and chores. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want to be bothered with constant refills, then a top-fill humidifier is the way to go.
After testing a bunch of humidifiers, we picked the four best top-fill humidifiers based on our firsthand experience. They not only feature a top-fill design but also have many other great features to cater to your different needs.
Why you can trust this review: We purchased more than 20 humidifiers with our own money, took pictures, and spent two weeks testing them.
Best Top-Fill Humidifiers – Our Top Picks
1. Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Top-Fill Smart Humidifier – Best Overall
Levoit 300s not only has a top-fill feature but also has a variety of other features we like, so we decide to put it on the top of our best top-fill humidifier list.
It has two colors available: blue and grey. I choose the grey one because it blends better with the decor in my house, but the blue one is also beautiful. While it has a 6L water tank, the footprint is still relatively small, allowing you to place it at any table.
While you can control it through your smartphone, the four buttons on the side of the display can fulfill most of your needs, including the mist level, nightlight, and sleep mode.
It has three mist levels: auto, low and high. After putting it to our test, the output on high mode is 256 ml, making it a suitable option for larger space. Since it is an ultrasonic humidifier, it is quiet in any mode.
We really like the sleep mode in this 300s model because it can turn off the display and switch to auto mode automatically. This is great for light sleepers and can prevent the room from getting too damp at night. I have continued to use it for two weeks at night and found no issue with it.
On the bottom of the base, there is an oil tray. You can add some essential oil to it to reap more benefits.
I love this model even more after connecting it to its Veync app. I can set the timer, create a schedule, or even take care of my plants according to what plants I have. I have to say this humidifier is really smart.
Many people worry about the ease of cleaning. Luckily, thanks to the large lid on the top, you can easily reach every corner of the water tank. It has a filter on the bottom of the water tank, but it is much cheaper to replace than the filter in evaporative humidifiers.
In a word, I really enjoy the process of using this humidifier.
However, this Levoit humidifier does have two minor drawbacks. First, the price is relatively high, but it is fair due to its many features. Secondly, the built-in humidistat is not accurate. It could be a bit higher than the result we get from the ThermoPro hygrometer.
Coverage: 505 square feet Water capacity: 6L Output: 256 ml (based on our result) Weight: 4.3 pounds Warranty: 2 year Size: 9.6*7.5*13.4 in
What we like
- Quiet operation.
- Easy to use and clean.
- Diffusion function included.
- It can work with the Veync app, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
- Special function for plants.
- Sleep mode to help you sleep better and healthy.
What we don’t like
- Inaccurate humidistat.
- High price tag.
2. Smartmi 2 Evaporative Top-Fill Humidifier – Best Evaporative Model
Evaporative humidifiers could be better if you want to use tap water and don’t want to deal with white dust.
This Smartmi evaporative humidifier features a top-fill design, which is hard to find in its evaporative counterparts. You can either fill the water from the top or the water tank at the base.
Like many humidifiers, it has four modes: auto, low, middle, and high. As per our test, the output is 130 ml on high. Add to that the 4L water capacity, and this humidifier is more suitable for a smaller room. Note that it will make some noise when in high mode. I only turn on auto or low mode at night.
It doesn’t have a nightlight, but you can adjust the brightness of the display or even turn it off completely. While you can adjust the mode and brightness directly on the screen, you can activate more functions through the Mi Home APP. Personally, I like to control it via my phone. It is just much more convenient.
What we like most about this Smartmi humidifier is that it is filterless! Rather than using a wick, it comes with a plastic evaporator to boost the evaporation process. That is to say, you can save a bunch of money on filter replacement. It works on a similar principle to the Venta humidifier Venta humidifier, which is also popular in the market.
Beyond that, it has two unique features that we don’t often see in other models. One is the air drying mode, and the other is the clean mode.
The air drying mode can dry the machine for 8 hours when the water level is low so as to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. But I prefer to dump the water and remove the top to prevent smell and microbes when not in use.
The manufacturer claims that the clean mode can help remove stains on the evaporator.
However, after trying out this function, we found it was not as effective as expected. We still need to clean the evaporator once a week with a brush or even take apart the evaporator and put it back, which is a bit tedious and will take about half an hour.
At last, its price is higher than most ultrasonic humidifiers, but it is in the middle range of evaporative humidifiers we have tested.
Coverage: 270 square feet (our estimation) Water capacity: 4L Output: 130 ml (based on our result) Weight: 9.4 pounds Warranty: 1 year Size:11.8 *7.1*7.1 in
What we like
- It is a smart humidifier that can work with the Mi Home app.
- It is filterless.
- It will not produce white dust.
What we don’t like
- Expensive.
- The evaporator is hard to clean.
- Not for large rooms.
- Only 1-year warranty.
- It makes more noise than ultrasonic models.
3. Levoit Dual 200S Smart Top-Fill Humidifier – Best For Smaller Rooms and Bedrooms
As you know, Levoit 300s is a good top-fill humidifier for large rooms. Coming from the same brand, this dual 200s is a better option for small to medium-sized rooms since the water capacity is 3L and the output is 147ml, according to our experiment.
We like the appearance of this model because it is so easy to blend into any decor. It is cheaper than the classic 300S but has the most features it embraces. Yes, it is also a smart humidifier!
You can control it by pressing the button on the base or via the Veync app, Alexa, and Google Assistant. A special program for plants is also included.
However, it doesn’t have a sleep mode, meaning that you need to turn off the display and activate the auto mode separately. In addition, it doesn’t have a night light. But it is not a big issue for most people, though.
You can also use it as a diffuser. Instead of adding essential oil to the oil tray, you need to add it to the base chamber. Don’t worry! The water tank of this humidifier can sit stably on the table, so the process is very smooth.
Regarding filling the water tank, the lid is big. However, due to the mist tube sitting in the middle, you should be careful when filling it with water from the top, avoiding pouring water into the tube.
Cleaning this gadget is not complicated. I can reach every corner of the tank and base. But I highly advise you to fill it with distilled water. Otherwise, it may produce a bad smell after a few days.
I think this humidifier is a good value. It has some many additional features but still has a relatively low price tag.
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
What we like
- Simple and sleek design.
- Quiet operation.
- You can par it with your smartphone.
- Diffusion function included.
- Affordable price.
What we don’t like
- Not for large spaces.
- No nightlight included.
- The humidistat is not accurate.
4. Vicks Nursery Vaporizer – Best Budget Option
Vicks is a household name in North America. If you don’t intend to speed too much on a humidifier but want one that is trustworthy and has a top-fill feature, this Vicks vaporizer is a perfect choice.
Because it can hold up to 1.5 gallons of water, it is heavy if you need to carry it from the sink to the table. Luckily, you can directly fill it with water by removing the steam unit on the top.
It doesn’t have many advanced features. Except for producing warm mist, it only has a night light, a medicine cup, and two scent pad slots. Note that the night light can’t be turned off when the humidifier is in use. But the medicine cup and scent pad slots can work well with Vicks Vapopad, Vaposteam, or other essential oil.
My mom prefers warm mist, so she loves it very much and found that it is effective in relieving coughs. (Check our list of the best humidifiers for cough) We think it is also a good choice for winter because it will increase the room temperature gradually.
It is worth mentioning that bacteria and mold spores will be killed in the process so that it will not trigger humidifier sickness symptoms.
As indicated by our tests, the output is 358ml, which is impressive. While it is cheap, it can cover a large room. You can expect it to increase the humidity level in a short time.
After a series of tests, we found that there are two things you should keep in mind when using this humidifier.
One is that you should keep it away from your children because the hot water can result in scalding or burns. The other one is that you will need to add some salt to the water. Otherwise, there is no mist coming out of the top.
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
What we like
- High output – it can cover a large room.
- It is budget-friendly.
- Bacteria in the water will be killed.
- It is compatible with Vicks vapopad or vaposteam to help you ease coughing.
What we don’t like
- It is dangerous for children or pets.
- No advanced features.
- The nightlight can’t turn off.
5. Snow Mountain Humidifier – Best Top-Fill Model For travel
This humidifier is slightly different from all the top-fill models we mentioned above. in terms of the way of filling water. That is, you should unscrew the lid to fill the water.
It is lightweight and small, allowing you to take it anywhere you want. Mini humidifiers usually have a low water capacity, and 0.5L is considered high among those models. According to our test, the output of this model is 73ml, which is also great. （See also the best humidifiers for travel we recommend.）
But I noticed that sometimes it could make the surrounding surface wet. You shouldn’t place it close to electronics.
What I like most is the mountain-shaped top. When the nightlight is on, this humidifier becomes a beautiful indoor decoration. You can use the nightlight function independently.
Even though it is a mini device, it also has an auto shut-off function, allowing you to have a good night’s sleep with peace of mind, even when you’re traveling.
In regard to cleaning, it is quite easy. You should replace the cotton stick inside regularly, but it is very cheap to buy. Once you notice the mist level is getting low, you can use some citric acid to dissolve the buildup in the atomizer.
Again, we don’t recommend using tap water with ultrasonic humidifiers. However, because the water droplets may block the atomizer on the top, you need to use tap water with this model.
Coverage: 100 square feet (our estimation) Water capacity: 0.5L Size: 95*95*129mm Water Capacity: 500ml Output: 73ml (based on our test) Warranty: Not sure
What we like
- Beautiful mountain-shaped appearance.
- High output (compared to other mini humidifiers)
- Quiet operation.
What we don’t like
- You need to unscrew the lid.
- It may get things around damp.
- It works better with tap water.
- No humidistat.
How do we test these top-fill humidifiers?
Instead of reading online reviews and summarizing them, we conducted our own research, purchased these products, and put them to the test.
My family members and I brought these top-fill humidifiers home, used them continuously for two weeks, and recorded any problems we found during this process.
We also used a scale to calculate the output, a sound level meter to test the noise level, and a hygrometer to test the humidification performance.
Key factors to consider when buying a top-fill humidifier
While we have provided a list of the best top-fill humidifiers above, you may want to do your own research. We think a few factors are crucial for getting a suitable one for yourself.
Room size
To ensure the humidifier can effectively relieve your sore throat, dry skin, or coughs, you should choose one that can produce enough mist in a certain time. The larger the room is, the higher the output should be.
For a mid-range room, the output should be at least high than 100ml, whereas for a large room, the output should be higher than 200ml.
The position of the mist tube
While the top-fill design can make the water-filling process much easier, you should still be careful when doing it because pouring water into the mist tube is prohibited.
If the mist tube is located in the middle of the water tank, you should check whether the distance between the tube and the inner wall is sufficient. Otherwise, water may easily spill into the tube.
Ease of cleaning
Humidifiers have annoying upkeep. You should pay attention to whether this humidifier has any hygiene blind spots. If yes, it can increase your time on cleaning significantly. Or you may have to discard it soon because of the bad smell.
Diffusion feature
Depending on your purpose, you may need a humidifier diffuser. For those who often suffer from cough, dry eyes, or sore throat, diffusion may be a useful feature for you.
Tap water or distilled water?
Due to that distilled water is expensive, many people will choose to use tap water with their humidifiers. In this case, evaporative humidifiers or warm mist humidifiers would be a better choice because fewer bacteria or mold spores will spread into the air.
However, it’s more challenging to find a top-fill model in these two types of humidifiers.
Budget
Our findings show that the top-fill feature doesn’t improve the product price too much. You can find an affordable humidifier with a top-fill function easily. But a humidifier that has a larger water tank and more modes tends to have a higher price tag.
In conclusion
More and more people prefer a humidifier with a top-fill feature. In this post, we covered the 5 best top-fill humidifiers.
The Levoit 300s is a good option for large rooms, and the Levoit 200s is a perfect choice for smaller spaces. If you are looking for an evaporative humidifier, then Smartmi Evaporative 2 humidifier is the one you should take a look at.
Last update on 2023-06-05 at 06:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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