Best Humidifier for Baby Congestion (2023)

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best humidifier for baby bongestion is, I’d recommend the Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier.

A congested baby can keep the entire house up at night. Easing your baby’s discomfort and congestion is essential for a good night’s sleep. Adding the best humidifier for baby congestion to your little one’s room can break up that pesky congestion and ensure that both baby and parents alike catch some Zs.

Here are the humidifiers for baby congestion I will be reviewing:

• Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
• Pure Enrichment MistAir Cloud
• Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier
• Honeywell Mistmate Cool Mist Humidifier
• Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier
• TaoTronics 3-in-1 Humidifier
• HOPEME USB Cool Mist Humidifier
• Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier
• LEVOIT Cool Mist Humidifier
• Safety First Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier
  

Baby Humidifier Shopping Guide

When you’re the parent of a baby, there’s nothing more disheartening than when your little one isn’t feeling well. However, the occasional cold is simply a part of life for children, even babies. In fact, during their first 2 years of life, you can expect your baby to have between eight and 10 colds, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Being prepared for those inevitable sniffles, then, is essential so that you can ease your baby’s symptoms and put them on the road to recovery.

Learn more about baby congestion and how you can improve symptoms with the help of a humidifier.

How a Baby Humidifier Works

We’ve all been there. You’re fighting a stuffy nose and having trouble breathing comfortably. Sleep can be even more challenging because when you’re lying on your back, your congestion seems to build. Now, imagine this situation for a baby. Babies can’t communicate how they’re feeling. They can’t blow their noses, and they can’t take cold medicine. They can’t sleep at an incline either to ease nighttime congestion. It’s no surprise, then, that you notice a change in your baby’s temperament when they’re fighting a cold.

Adding a humidifier in your baby’s room can relieve some of that congestion––and hopefully deliver better sleep with it. Dry indoor air can dry out the nasal passages. Dry passages don’t effectively allow mucus to flow like it should, meaning the sinuses just aren’t working right. Congestion occurs, which requires relief for your baby.

A cool mist humidifier adds moisture to your room’s air, increasing the humidity levels. Breathing in more humid air can deliver added moisture inside the nose. As a result, those sinuses can start working correctly again, helping mucus flow out instead of stuffing up the nose. Turning on a baby humidifier in the nursery when your little one is sleeping can be an effective way to ward off congestion.

Using Your Baby Humidifier

Using your baby humidifier correctly is essential to maximize its effectiveness. If you don’t follow manufacturer instructions, for example, you might not notice much difference in your room’s humidity levels and, in turn, your baby’s congestion. 

Turning on the humidifier at night will be your best strategy to reduce your baby’s congestion. After all, nighttime is when your baby spends most of their time in the bedroom, allowing them to breathe in that moisture-rich air for hours. Flip on the humidifier about an hour before bedtime so that you can boost the humidity level even before your little one goes to sleep.

Using distilled water in your humidifier is best because it ensures that any pollutants in tap water don’t then float around your baby’s room while they sleep. Replacing the water after every use is essential to ensure fresh water is being emitted into your child’s room. Additionally, you should clean the tank every few days and replace the filters as required by the manufacturer. Keeping the humidifier in good condition is essential for your baby’s health. 

Baby Humidifier Dos and Don’ts

When you’re using a humidifier to fight congestion, consider these do’s and don’ts.

Do:

• Keep the door open to avoid over-humidifying the room.
• Purchase a machine that’s sized appropriately for your space.
• Use distilled water with every use.

Don’t:

• Reuse water for several days, which increases the risk of pollutants in the air.
• Use a warm mist humidifier, which can become hot and, as a result, hazardous for the baby.
• Buy without doing your research. The right humidifier is different for every family.

Shopping Considerations

So, as you begin your search for the perfect baby humidifier, consider your baby, your space, and your needs as you shop. Also, keep these items in mind as you compare products and consider what features are most important to you.

• Customizable output – Some humidifiers allow you to adjust the strength of the cool mist output, while others provide a standard output. Think about how much customization you need when it comes to humidifying your baby’s room.
• Built-in features – You can find humidifiers that are paired with other features, including essential oil diffusers and nightlights, to make the unit even more versatile. Consider what features you actually need when you shop. There’s no need to pay more for features you don’t want.
• Size – The size of the humidifier determines how much cool air mist it can release––and for how long. Smaller units emit more subtle humidity than larger sizes, so keep your baby’s room size in mind as you shop.
• Warranty – Some humidifiers come with a warranty. If you plan on using this humidifier for a long time or for multiple children, consider investing in one with a warranty that will protect your purchase for the long term.

My Humidifier for Baby Congestion Reviews

I have taken a look at the best humidifiers for baby congestion, and reviewed them below.

Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

The Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier offers a kid-friendly design that will incorporate well into any nursery. Choose from more than 20 designs, including cute animals like pigs, ducks, and elephants and other characters like trains. While the cute design might be what first catches your eye, making it our choice for the most stylish humidifier in this category, this unit is packed with other features that you’ll love.

Parents love that it runs quietly, which means it doesn’t disturb your baby’s sleep when the cool mist is released into the air. Another parent-friendly feature is its filter-free design, which means that busy parents can skip regular filter changes. Along with that, you can skip the added expense of buying replacement filters.

Generally, parents are pleased with the longevity of this baby humidifier. In fact, some report using it for years for multiple kids. However, a few parents had some issues with their humidifier not working properly within a year of purchase. In addition, while many parents like the LED light that makes accessing the controls easy, some found it to be too bright and a distraction for a baby who prefers a dark room at night.

Overall, the Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier delivers just the features that parents need. It operates uninterrupted for up to 24 hours, allowing you to deliver plenty of moisture-rich air to your congested baby’s room. Its gallon tank holds enough water for that length of time, too. Plus, a carrying handle makes it easy to transport your humidifier from room to room––or even bring it with you when you travel.

Pure Enrichment MistAir Cloud

If you’re on the hunt for a multifunctional baby humidifier, consider the Pure Enrichment MistAir Cloud. While its room humidifying abilities are certainly the focus, this humidifier also acts as a nightlight in your baby’s room, which can make middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes a bit easier. This cloud-shaped humidifier complements any nursery thanks to its universally appealing design. The night light rotates through eight color-changing LED lights, or you can select your preferred color and leave it set to that color to subtly brighten your space.

While these features are a parent favorite, the humidifying abilities are why you buy this product. Parents find this humidifier to be low maintenance, requiring little upkeep to keep it in optimal condition. The tank is large enough that you can reach into it for easy cleaning with the provided brush. Plus, parents appreciate that this large tank doesn’t require frequent refills. This humidifier lasts up to 24 hours and has a variable mist control knob so you can customize the mist to suit your baby’s needs.

Parents also like the night light option because it provides just enough illumination at night. However, some find the color-changing feature to be distracting and a bit too bright and recommend you set the nightlight to a dimmer color like yellow. Finally, you’ll find that the compact size of this humidifier makes it easy to position in your baby’s nursery.

Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier

Help relieve your baby’s cough and congestion with the Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier. This cool mist humidifier doesn’t use filters, requiring less upkeep than other styles. Its tank is big enough to add cool mist to your room for up to 20 hours before requiring a refill. Once the tank is empty, the humidifier shuts off automatically, offering a hands-off operation for busy parents. This humidifier also features an integrated scent pad heater that allows you to incorporate the scent of Vicks VapoPads for added relief.

Parents praise this humidifier for a number of reasons. Its quiet operation doesn’t disturb the baby while sleeping. The addition of Vicks VapoPads can help alleviate congestion even more than just a standalone humidifier, but talk to your pediatrician to see if they’re right for your baby. Overall, parents find this humidifier easy to operate, which makes it simple to add humidity to your baby’s room every night and ward off that bothersome congestion.

This humidifier is best designed for smaller spaces, so if your child has a large room, then you might need a larger option. Some parents found the tank cleaning to be challenging and time consuming to eliminate bacteria buildup in the tank and tubes. So, if you invest in this humidifier, be sure to follow manufacturer directions for cleaning to ensure the humidifier emits only clean cool mist into your baby’s room.

Honeywell Mistmate Cool Mist Humidifier

If simplicity is what you want when you’re shopping for a baby humidifier, look no further than the Honeywell Mistmate Cool Mist Humidifier. It’s designed with user-friendly features in mind that make the tank easy to fill and easy to clean. Even more, an easy-grip handle makes transporting the humidifier from the bathroom to the baby’s room simple.

Parents find that this humidifier is easy to set up and get started. So, you won’t have to spend much time adding cool mist humidity to your baby’s room. An adjustable mist allows you to control just how much humidity you emit into the room, depending on your baby’s needs. Some parents have found, though, that this control knob doesn’t always stay put, which means that the mist strength can change over the course of the night.

Using distilled water with this humidifier, like others, can make cleaning easier, which many parents report. In fact, parents are pleased with the ease of cleaning this humidifier, which can often be a challenge with other models. Easy cleaning saves you time and energy, ensuring that your humidifier is always ready to be used when your baby is congested. 

The quiet humming of this humidifier also gets praised because it won’t disturb your baby when they sleep. Its compact size allows the humidifier to fit easily in many spaces. Its filter-free operation is simple and versatile, perfect for use in a baby’s room.

Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier

The Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier is a 2-in-1 humidifier that helps add moisture to your baby’s room while softly illuminating it. It features a built-in nightlight that transforms your room’s ceiling to a starry night, which will be a feature that some curious babies and toddlers find engaging. This nightlight also adds some illumination to the room when you enter during middle-of-the-night wakeups. In fact, some parents and kids love the night light so much that they use it even when they don’t need a humidifier.

When it comes to adding moisture in your baby’s room, this humidifier delivers. Parents are pleased with the mist output, finding that it effectively impacts the room’s humidity levels. Unlike other filters in this category, this Vicks humidifier uses a filter. You’ll receive one filter with your purchase, but you will need to invest in replacement humidifiers in the future.

This humidifier holds a gallon of water, allowing it to run throughout the night without needing a refill. As a result, your baby can breathe in moisture-rich air all night long to combat the congestion. Like other Vicks humidifiers, it can be paired with Vicks menthol pads for added congestion relief, but be sure to talk to your pediatrician to determine if that feature is right for your baby.

Like other products in this collection, this humidifier has a few drawbacks. Some parents were not pleased with its longevity, finding that they started to have some trouble with its operation after just a few months of use.

TaoTronics 3-in-1 Humidifier

The TaoTronics 3-in-1 Humidifier delivers three practical applications in one purchase, which is why it’s a popular choice among parents. If you’re looking to help your congested baby, use the humidifier feature to add cool mist to your little one’s room. Parents appreciate the quiet operation that doesn’t disturb the baby at nighttime. They also love the easy-to-access water tank that’s easy to clean.

This humidifier’s second feature is an essential oil diffuser, which allows you to add your favorite essential oils to your baby’s room. These oils can add a subtle scent to the space, as well as the benefits specific to the type of oil you choose. 

Next, both parents and baby will enjoy the built-in nightlight on the TaoTronics 3-in-1 Humidifier. This whale-shaped humidifier doesn’t just offer a whimsical design. It also delivers subtle lighting to your little one’s room at night. This light can be soothing for your baby and can help Mom and Dad navigate those middle-of-the-night visits more easily.

While some parents had some operating trouble with this humidifier, they praised the customer service for helping them solve any issues or even replace the unit at no charge. So, if you do face an issue with your TaoTronics 3-in-1 Humidifier, you can rest easy knowing that the company will help you troubleshoot the product. Fortunately, parents are generally pleased with the operation, so this step may not be necessary.

HOPEME USB Cool Mist Humidifier

Compact and cute, the HOPEME USB Cool Mist Humidifier is an unobtrusive addition to your baby’s nursery. However, its small size doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. This humidifier can deliver cool mist air to your baby’s room for up to 8 hours. It delivers this cool mist in two modes: continuous mist or intermittent mist (every 3 seconds). An automatic shutoff allows you to use the water tank until it runs out without having to worry about leaving the humidifier on too long.

Parents find that this compact humidifier is a smart addition to baby’s nightstand or dresser. Because of its small design, it’s best used in small spaces. If your baby has a large nursery, a humidifier with a stronger output will be necessary. However, if you can position this humidifier near the crib, it can deliver the soothing cool mist that your little one needs to fight congestion.

This humidifier also has a built-in color-changing nightlight that can provide soft illumination after the sun goes down. If you think that color-changing lights will distract your baby, you can turn off the nightlight feature with the press of a button. Likewise, operation of the humidifier uses another button, allowing you to turn it on easily. 

The size and mist output are the biggest concerns among parents. However, if you know that you’re investing in a small humidifier, you won’t be surprised by its size. And, this size might be just right for your baby’s room and needs.

Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier

The Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier delivers up to 12 hours of mist production, making this product one of the longest lasting humidifiers in the collection. As a result, it’s our choice for the top humidifier for baby congestion. An auto shutoff feature kicks in once the tank is empty ensures this humidifier operates only when necessary. It features a filter-free design that offers easy cleaning, a feature that busy parents love.

This 3-in-1 humidifier emits cool mist into your baby’s room to ward off congestion. It also includes an essential oil diffuser, if you want to add a few drops to fight congestion even more. The humidifier also has a built-in nightlight, which adds a soft and subtle glow to your baby’s room. Your little one will be soothed by this light, and you’ll appreciate it when you enter the otherwise dark room at 3 a.m.

Parents are impressed by the powerful mist output of this device, which can effectively boost humidity levels in your baby’s room to help with a stuffy nose. Setup and use is efficient and easy. You simply have to fill the tank and turn it on so that it runs throughout the night to help ease your baby’s sniffles. 

Parents notice that the humidifier emits a subtle buzzing noise, which might distract your baby when they’re trying to fall asleep. The operation of the nightlight could be easier, too, but once parents figure out how to operate it, they appreciate this added feature.

LEVOIT Cool Mist Humidifier

Quiet, durable and easy to clean, the LEVOIT Cool Mist Humidifier is an effective humidifier for baby congestion. Using advanced ultrasonic technology, this humidifier turns water into a fine mist that boosts the humidity levels of your room and helps with your baby’s congestion. A rotating nozzle allows this cool mist to distribute evenly throughout the space, making this humidifier even more effective.

This humidifier has a built-in nightlight that can provide subtle illumination when needed. This can be a handy feature when you check on your baby in the middle of the night. However, it’s also easy to turn the nightlight off if it becomes a distraction for your baby.

This cool mist humidifier has a filter-free operation, which reduces any costs associated with the unit. Its design makes the humidifier easy to clean, which ensures that you’re always emitting fresh cool mist into your baby’s room.

Consider the size of your baby’s room when evaluating this humidifier. Parents say that it works well in smaller spaces, but it might not deliver enough cool mist output if your baby’s room is larger. Some users notice a hum when the unit is operating. While that hum might serve as practical white noise for your baby, you don’t want it to serve as a distraction when they’re trying to get some rest.

Safety First Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier

The Safety First Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier is a customizable humidifier that allows you to deliver the right output for your baby’s room to fight congestion. This humidifier has an adjustable knob that allows you to control the output and achieve the right amount of moisture in your baby’s room. This customized touch ensures that you can create just the right setup for your little one’s needs.

The design features of this humidifier are user friendly as well. It features a large tank with a flat cap, making it easy to refill. The rotating mist cap delivers cool mist air throughout your baby’s nursery. An easy-to-carry handle allows you to transport the humidifier from room to room as needed. It’s available in two colors–pink and blue–for coordination with your baby’s decor.

Parents are impressed by its operation. They love its quiet operation and strong output, which makes it effective at combating congestion. Many users recommend using distilled water, which makes the humidifier easier to clean. When shopping for a humidifier, consider what type of output you prefer. Some parents found that this humidifier released too much cool mist for their baby’s room. Also, when you’re refilling it, pour carefully. Some parents complained that refills can be a bit wet and messy if you aren’t careful.

Final Thoughts

The Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier is our choice for the top humidifier for baby congestion. This filter-free humidifier delivers three key functions, humidifying your baby’s room, emitting essential oils, and subtly illuminating the space. It does so with an easy setup, strong cool mist output, and user-friendly design. Say goodbye to that seemingly unavoidable baby congestion with the help of a cool mist humidifier.