You like to travel. Each time you get more than two or three free days in a row, you hop on the first plane or train that will take you on your next adventure. However, this does not mean that you have to put up with the dry air in a hotel room, your tent – or wherever you are planning on staying.
So, what do you do in this situation? Obviously, you go for the best personal humidifier. These are generally small in size – and can easily fit inside a travel suitcase. They are the perfect thing to carry around if you cannot handle dry air that makes even your mouth dry.
Still, there are many options to choose from when it comes to travel humidifiers – so how do you choose a good one? Obviously, you read through the best travel humidifier reviews – and pick the one that calls out your name. Thus, if you are looking for advice on how to pick a good humidifier, you have come to the right place.
Best Travel Humidifiers Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fancii Cool Mist Personal Mini Humidifier |
| View On Amazon |
 | JZK Mini Portable Personal Cool Mist Air Humidifier Diffuser |
| View On Amazon |
 | BONECO Travel Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier |
| View On Amazon |
 | Canary Products Mini Travel Air Humidifier |
| View On Amazon |
 | Sunpentown Travel-Size Personal Humidifier |
| View On Amazon |
 | HoMedics Personal Ultrasonic Humidifier |
| View On Amazon |
 | Satechi USB Portable Humidifier |
| View On Amazon |
Top 10 Best Personal Dehumidifiers (New List)
1- Fancii Cool Mist Personal Mini Humidifier
If you are looking for a fancy humidifier, then Fancii certainly has the answer for you. This humidifier may be portable and small enough to fit inside a purse – obviously, without the bottle – but it has the power to humidify a small to a medium-sized room.
This portable humidifier is very easy to clean and maintain – not only because of its size but because it does not have any difficulties to reach creaks. Plus, most of the cleaning is done during the humidifying process – when you use pure, distilled water. For an extra aromatherapy scent, you can also add one or two drops of essential oil.
The unit works with a plug-in process, which means you won’t have to replace batteries continuously. Plus, it releases a cool mist, making it very comfortable during the warm months. If the room is small, you probably will not even need air conditioning.
2- JZK Mini Portable Personal Cool Mist Air Humidifier Diffuser
If you don’t want to continuously carry water bottles around with you, this humidifier is a great option for you. Featuring its own water bowl, this humidifier is compact and stylish – and overall perfect to place on a nightstand.
If you are the type of person who enjoys sleeping with a nightlight on, this model can also double in that aspect. However, if you prefer to turn the nightlight off, you should know that the humidifying process will continue throughout the night.
This unit is safe to use even for children’s rooms since it does not overheat – even after prolonged use. Plus, since it is very quiet – basically noiseless – you can use it throughout the night and not even notice it’s on. It is a great option if you have a light sleep and every slight noise tends to wake you up.
3- BONECO Travel Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
If you want something simple that does not take a lot of space in your luggage, then this unit is certainly the thing for you. All you have to do is unpack it and attach a small bottle of water to it – something that you can buy at every nearby store.
Releasing a comfortable cool mist, this unit is perfect for those warm summer months when the air is very warm and dry. Plus, the unit comes with interchangeable plugs so that you can use it in any part of the world.
The model might be slightly larger than newer models on the market – but at the same time, it is very lightweight. It can run up to 24 hours, and it also has an automated feature that allows you to set the humidity level. The humidifier also comes with a led nightlight, allowing you to easily see in the dark.
4- Canary Products Mini Travel Air Humidifier
If you are looking for something small and compact enough to carry in your car or your luggage, then this unit is certainly a suitable option for you. Looking literally like a stylish cup of water or a can of soda, this will blend into any background.
One of the most appreciated features of this model is its automatic shut-off feature. When you are in a hurry or forget to turn the unit off, the Canary will do so by itself. Once it senses that it has run out of the water, it will turn off so that you can save on energy.
Featuring an integrated PET bottle with a refill indicator, you will know right away when it is time to refill the humidifier. Plus, thanks to its mist intensity setting, you can choose for yourself the level of humidity. The drier the air, the more intense it should be.
5- Sunpentown Travel-Size Personal Humidifier
Those looking for a quiet humidifier that won’t keep them up at night will learn to appreciate this small model. Featuring an ultrasonic technology, this one is as quiet as it can be – which means that you won’t be woken up by random background noises.
Unlike other products that have their own container, this one uses regular bottles of water – which means that it won’t take up much space in your luggage. All you have to do is take a bottle from the nearest shop (or refill an old one) and you are done.
The humidifier also announces you when it is time to refill the bottle by means of an indicator. Furthermore, if you do not have the time (or simply forget) to shut the unit off, its automatic shut-off feature will do it for you.
This way, you can easily leave your room for longer periods of time without worrying about the unit overheating itself. It is certainly one of the best travel humidifiers.
6- HoMedics Personal Ultrasonic Humidifier
If you want something chic and simple to humidify your room with, this compact unit will definitely do the trick. Featuring ultrasonic technology, you could place this on your nightstand and you probably won’t even know that it’s working. All you will know is that the air is becoming more breathable.
Featuring a one-touch operation, this unit is user-friendly and intuitive. Since it doesn’t have any complicated buttons and controls, even a child would be able to operate it. Plus, it is safe and cool – making it perfect for a child’s room as well.
The power buttons are illuminated, allowing you to control the unit even when it’s pitch dark. Plus, the LED is not even that strong – in the sense that it will not disturb your sleep throughout the night. It’s even weaker than your average night light.
7- Satechi USB Portable Humidifier
If the models presented above are not compact enough for you, then you might want to try out the Satechi portable humidifier. Compatible with practically almost every bottle, it acts as a lid, securing itself so that no liquid spills.
The humidifier releases cool air, making it perfect for those hot summer days when the air is dry and difficult to breathe. On the other hand, if you want the mist to be warmer for winter months, then you can opt for lukewarm water instead.
Plus, it will add enough moisture in the air so that your cold and flu symptoms are relieved almost immediately. You can also add essential oils or inhaler medication if you want to give an extra kick of fragrance or therapy to the mist.
8- Pure Enrichment Travel Ultrasonic Humidifier
This modern and compact humidifier is convenient mainly because it allows you to convert a simple bottle of water into a humidifying device. It sends enough humidity in the home, making it one of the best humidifiers for sinus problems.
This unit is small enough to fit into your palm – so let alone the fact that it fits inside your suitcase, you can easily carry it inside a purse or a small backpack. This way, whenever you want to humidify the air around you, all you have to do is get your hands on a water bottle.
This best travel humidifier features a humidistat with settings that allow you to choose the humidity level. Plus, once the water bottle has emptied, the unit will shut itself off. This is a great option if you want to leave it on overnight – but don’t want to worry about the unit overheating itself.
9- Crane USA Travel Cool Mist Humidifier
Weighing less than 2lbs, this humidifier might not be the most lightweight product out there – but it sure is efficient. Having an almost noiseless technology, it’s the perfect thing to add to your luggage – and then to your hotel room’s nightstand.
Having a built-in antimicrobial material, it’s a great option if you are down with the flu – or are simply allergic. It will make the air more comfortable to breathe, relieving your symptoms – and it can easily cover a small to a mid-sized room.
Its automatic shut-off feature is also convenient if you don’t have time to continuously check the humidifier. This way, even if you leave the room or are in a deep sleep throughout the night, the humidifier will shut itself off to prevent overheating.
10- WM Whitmoore Portable Cool Mist Personal Humidifier
Weighing only a bit over 6 ounces, this humidifier is perfect to carry it in a handbag or a small backpack – and even easier to carry in the pocket of your luggage. Considered one of the best cool mist humidifiers by many people, this small unit can keep the air breathable and cool during the hot summer months.
Having a whisper-quiet technology, this device can be used both during nighttime and during office hours. It’s barely audible, so it won’t bother any of your activities –no matter if you’re sleeping or working.
If you have any allergies, this unit is perfect for clearing the air. The diffusing steam will relieve symptoms for sinus congestion, coughing, dry throat, or allergies – improving your comfort wherever you are staying. And all it takes is a simple touch of a button.
Differences between Full-Size Humidifiers and Travel Humidifiers
Everyone owning a humidifier knows how such a unit looks: a big or small device in which we pour water. These units have their own water tanks – and because of that, the unit tends to be rather bulky. Even small humidifiers sometimes tend to be quite large – even if they were made to occupy little room on your nightstand.
So, how did humanity try to fix that? They removed the water tank, of course. While there still may be some travel humidifiers with their own water tank, most of them have a system through which you add a disposable water container.
Long story short, you buy a small bottle of water and you use it as the reservoir. Most units were already made so that they could fit every bottle size. Still, some of them come with their own portable and/or disposable water containers – so you have to choose it based on your own convenience.
After that, the unit will use the ultrasonic sound waves to turn that water into vapors. Also going under the name of personal humidifiers, these units are perfect for people that are always on-the-go and need something to keep the air nice and humid.
How Do Travel Humidifiers Work?
Every human knows that it’s very uncomfortable to stay in a room with low humidity levels. Your skin and throat get dry, you feel constantly cold, and your nose seems to be continuously stuffy. No, you’re not sick; but the humidity (or, to be more precise, the lack of it) makes you feel that way.
However, these units will humidify the air by sending a cool mist at regular intervals inside the room. Generally using ultrasonic technology, its action will make the air more breathable – and also clean your house of allergens. If you are the kind of person that immediately starts sneezing in a dusty room, then a humidifier should be just the thing for you.
Inside the humidifier, steam vaporizers will work to heat the water and then cool it before sending it back in the air. Bear in mind that in rare cases, these devices may cause burns – so you might want to keep them away from any potential hyperactive kids.
Going back, an evaporator will make use of a fan and send water drops through a filter that has been moistened. The rotating disks will “wash” the air of toxins, sending it back into the air allergen-free.
The most popular humidifiers are ultrasonic options. As mentioned, they are very effective in clearing up the air – but they are also very quiet. If you only have one room, the chances are that you will appreciate this type of unit not waking you up in the middle of the night.
Types of Travel Humidifiers
There are several types of humidifiers out there, each of them using different technologies to bring moisture into the air. Some are more expensive than others, while others are more efficient and/or quiet.
You will choose these humidifiers based on your priorities, so here are your options:
Steam
Also referred to as vaporizers, these units will boil the water from within the humidifier and then send the vapors into the air. This method is very simple – which is why this type of unit is very affordable. Plus, these units allow you to use medication inhalants so that you can reduce coughing – making it also a good humidifier for allergies.
Most people use these travel humidifiers during cold or winter months since they release a rather warm, soothing air. Since they release a slightly heated mist, it will be very comfortable to breathe in when the temperatures are not as forgiving.
These types of humidifiers can be found for less than 10 dollars at a random discount store – making them the preferred option for those who are humidifying on a budget.
Impeller
This technology uses a rotating disk that will send the water into a diffuser that looks like a comb. Therefore, the “comb” will break the water into tiny little droplets that are lightweight enough to float in the air. To the simple eye, these droplets will look nothing different to fog.
These units also produce a warm, soothing mist that will bring comfort during the cold months. This is why most models feature medicine cups into which you can add inhalants. Still, not all models feature this bonus, so you may want to ensure yours has it – if that’s what you are looking for.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic humidifiers may be a bit more expensive than steam humidifiers, for example – but they are also some of the most popular options. These humidifiers will use a metal diaphragm that will vibrate at ultrasonic speed – which will result in the creation of droplets.
These are also very popular for the fact that they are quiet, which is why they can easily be used in hotel rooms and offices. If anything, you will only hear the sound of the fan – but considering the unit’s size, you’d need to have super-hearing in order to be bothered by it.
Evaporative/Wick
While these may not be as popular as your average ultrasonic humidifier, they are still a fairly good choice for those wishing to humidify their rooms. This technology uses cloth, paper, sheet, or foam wick to draw the water from the reservoir – and then blowing it into the air.
These units release a rather cool mist, which is a good option for summer days. It will keep a decent level of moisture in the air – but at the same time, it will make you feel cool and comfortable. If you are staying in a room that does not have air conditioning, then this might be a suitable option for you.
This type of humidifier is rather self-regulating. The higher the humidity in the room, the more difficult it will be to evaporate the water using the fans. As the humidity in the room increases, the unit’s ability to vapor out water into the air also decreases.
Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Humidifier
You’ve decided it is time to get yourself a travel humidifier. You’ve had it with the dry air each time you step into the room, and you finally want to enjoy your time away from home. Good for you!
Still, you can’t just pick any humidifier you can get your hands on. You are allowed to be picky. And when looking for humidifiers, you may want to consider the following things:
Portability
Yes, we know what you are thinking: “Shouldn’t all travel humidifiers be portable?” Well, yes and no. For example, some humidifiers might be portable enough to occupy a pocket in your suitcase – and others are so small, they can fit in your purse. You have to decide just how much portability you need.
You need to buy something that you could easily carry from one place to another – and not just leave it home because it’s “too much of a drag.” At the same time, do not compromise quality for size. Look for a travel humidifier that is small but packs a good punch.
You may also want to consider the environment and place you’re visiting when you purchase a humidifier. Some people use the humidifier on planes, where the air can get dry very quickly. Ideally, you might want to pick a model that can be used with a regular bottle – and not have only one tank that you can use. This way, it will be much easier for you to carry it in a purse or a carry bag.
Technology
It is an ultrasonic technology, or is it a steam one? Technically speaking, there are four technologies when it comes to the best travel humidifiers – and they can either be steam, impeller, ultrasonic, and evaporative.
The result for each of these humidifiers is, obviously, the same – only the process is fairly different. For example, ultrasonic humidifiers use vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies to send moisture into the air. Because of this, they are quiet – and they are generally the ones that people choose to bring into their hotel rooms or sleeping quarters.
Every technology has its own advantages and disadvantages – and you may want to keep all of them in mind. For example, here are the most important things to remember:
- A steam humidifier can cause burns – and therefore, can be very dangerous around kids. It also consumes more energy than an ultrasonic humidifier – in a way, making up for the fact that it costs so little to buy. It is, however, great at getting rid of bacteria and allergens from the air.
- While impeller and ultrasonic technologies may have antibacterial features to kill off the allergens, they can still spray out bacteria if you do not clean them regularly. It is recommended that you use water low in minerals with these units (distilled water) for the best results. However, they have some of the quietest technologies – and are great options if you don’t mind doing a little maintenance every now and again.
- Some high-tech humidifiers will measure the current humidity into the air and will release just enough moisture to bring it at a certain level. This is why, if you have a particular preference when it comes to humidity, you can set it on the display yourself.
Each model is different and will provide various advantages – which is why you always need to read the full specifications list. Also, you may want to read as many reviews as possible for every model you are considering purchasing. This way, you can narrow down your choices and pick the best personal humidifier to take on a trip with you.
Noise Level
Some people do not mind if their humidifier makes a fair amount of noise when running; however, there are some people who would think otherwise. When you are purchasing a travel humidifier, the chances are that you will have to place it in the same room, next to your bed.
When it comes to their size, this is a convenient and logical course of action. However, those who have light sleep can be easily disturbed by a noisy unit. This is why you may want to make sure that your humidifier is as quiet as possible.
Since these units are, by nature, fairly small, they won’t make much noise – at least compared to a full-sized humidifier. Most of the time, you can leave it on during the day and you won’t even notice it – until evening comes, that is.
Some manufacturers make personal humidifiers that are completely noiseless. However, you should expect them to be slightly more expensive than the ones you can buy over the counter.
These noiseless units are generally ultrasonic since they use high-frequency vibrations. These are generally inaudible to the human ear, which is why you can safely use them throughout the night.
Ideally, you should test the humidifier for its noise level – to see whether it would be uncomfortable during the night or not. However, if it is not possible to test it yourself, you can always trust the opinions of those who have already used it. Go through a few product reviews, and see what the people say about the unit’s noise level.
Automation
Depending on the model, the best travel humidifiers can be manually operated or automated. The manual humidifier, as its name implies, will have to be set manually. In other words, if you want to turn it on or off, you will have to press the buttons yourself – which is not that much of a bother for many people. Plus, it is less expensive than automated models, making it a great choice for those who are shopping on a budget.
On the other hand, an automated model can be a very convenient option if you do not have the time to “stalk” your unit. Unlike non-automated models that have to be turned off when your room reaches its desired humidity, these models will do all the work for you.
For example, most automated travel humidifiers will feature a humidistat that will measure the air’s humidity level. This way, all you have to do is set it for your preferred level – and the unit will send moisture into the air accordingly. This way, the room won’t be too dry or too humid.
Depending on the humidifier, these units may also be equipped with an automatic shut off feature. This is convenient when it comes to steam humidifiers since it will prevent them from overheating.
Regardless of the features, you are looking for, there should certainly be a humidifier with your name on it. All you have to do is conduct some research and carefully read the specifications of different models. Many people skip over this step and buy a cheap humidifier – only to realize at home that the product is of no good to them.
Final Thoughts
Picking the best travel humidifier is certainly not very easy to do – but by picking the right one, you can solve a fair amount of problems. It can easily eliminate the dry air, bringing it to a very comfortable level – and it can help you inhale healthy air wherever you go.
Be careful to always read the specifications, since every product has different features. For example, some units are automated while others are not – and the latter category may not be a good option if you want to leave it on when you are gone.
Once you have picked the best personal humidifier, though, you can take it everywhere with you. All you need is the unit – which can generally fit inside your palm – and a bottle of water. This way, even if you change climates, you’ll still be able to remain comfortable.
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