Dry air pulls moisture from your skin and nasal passages, leading to chapped lips, scratchy throat, and even nosebleeds or cold symptoms. Humidifiers add moisture to the air to help maintain healthy levels of humidity around you. From your office at work, road trips in your car, flights to and from home, or your hotel room when you travel, a water bottle humidifier can be the perfect little device to bring you comfort anywhere you go.
While most of these units look the same, there are a few factors you need to consider to find which one is best for you. We have put together a list of the best water bottle humidifiers on the market to guide you in making a decision.
Water Bottle Humidifiers Comparison Table
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Editor's Choice  |
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Runner-up  |
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Top 7 Picks for Best Water Bottle Humidifier
Pure Enrichment MistAire Travel Humidifier
The Pure Enrichment MistAire line of cool mist humidifiers offers a range of sizes, from a one-gallon tank, to this tankless travel humidifier. This tiny thing works as an ultrasonic humidifier when you attach a standard 17-ounce bottle, producing cooling mist for a small room or office up to 160 square feet.
Start or stop operation and regulate the mist level with the adjustable control knob on this humidifier. A single standard bottle can last up to six hours, then the unit will shut off automatically when the water bottle is empty. The humidifier base looks just like a block and fits easily in a handbag or carry-on luggage wherever you travel. It has two fold-out legs to keep it steady when operating.
The MistAire Travel comes with a cleaning brush, storage bag, and an AC adapter for universal use. This ETL listed portable humidifier is certified safe with a five year warranty. When operating, a soft blue mood light will illuminate and it cannot be turned off. This can either be relaxing or annoying depending on your sensitivity to light when sleeping.
Pros
• Lightweight and portable
• Easy adjustable control
• Reliable brand of humidifiers
Cons
• Cannot turn off the light
BONECO Travel Humidifier
This next product in our list also comes from a trusted brand of air quality products. The BONECO Travel Humidifier is exactly what you would expect in a water bottle humidifier. It features a similar compact design with fold-out legs and its bottle adaptor is suitable for standard neck 17- to 20-ounce water bottles.
BONECO 7146 uses an adjustable knob to control the humidity level and volume of mist output up to 80 ml per hour. There is a blue indicator light that cannot be turned off while the device is operating.
It will change to red when the water is running low, then the humidifier will shut off automatically. Refill the bottle and this humidifier can work to produce a total of one gallon of cool mist in 24 hours.
Using ultrasonic technology, this portable humidifier is extremely quiet when operating. It also includes a cleaning brush and a travel bag for storage.
Pros
• Lightweight and portable
• High maximum output
• Reliable brand of humidifiers
Cons
• Cannot turn off light
Jaywayne Portable Humidifier
Unlike our first two picks, this mini cool mist humidifier features a more unique design from a lesser known brand. It’s built like a stick with a “head” on top where the humidification happens. It sits in the cup of water which fits perfectly in your car cup holder. With a simple one button control and an average 40 ml per hour mist output, this humidifier is convenient to operate in your car, study, or nightstand.
As opposed to the rest of the units in this list, the Jaywayne Portable Humidifier works as an evaporative humidifier with a wick filter inside that needs to soak in water. When using the included cup, it can last up to five hours. For even greater flexibility, it’s also compatible with any water bottle or glass (given that the wick is submerged in water). The unit will shut off after 12 hours of continuous use.
With a USB cable, you can supply 5V power via your car charger port, power bank, or computer USB port anywhere you go. The 360° blue light along the head does not turn off and if you like to sleep in pitch dark then this humidifier may not be the best choice for you.
Pros
• Unique design for flexible use
• Compatible with any water container
• USB port power supply
Cons
• Unknown brand with few reviews
• Cannot turn off light
Bell+Howell Personal Humidifier
This Bell+Howell Ultrasonic Personal Humidifier works just like any water bottle humidifier. You attach a standard 17-ounce water bottle then adjust the fine mist output using the control knob. It’s claimed to last up to 12 hours but it depends on the capacity of the bottle and the mist setting you operate on.
A blue LED light will illuminate when the unit is working, red when the bottle is empty. The added UV LED light provides germicidal protection, although we’re not sure about its effectiveness. While it’s built with similar features and design, the Bell+Howell looks chunkier and cheaper when compared to the Pure Enrichment or BONECO unit.
Pros
• Easy adjustable mist
• Up to 12 hours operation
• UV LED light
Cons
• Lights do not turn off
• Unattractive design
Perfect Aire Personal Humidifier
Perfect Aire is home to an array of air products with varying degrees of portability. The Perfect Aire Personal Humidifier is a portable water bottle humidifier for people on the go. It fits any conventional water bottles from 12 to 24 ounces so you can humidify larger spaces.
This travel humidifier produces a visible cool mist you can regulate using the control knob. It also features a 360° adjustable nozzle so you can direct the mist where you need it. With an average mist output of 5 ounces per hour, a single bottle will last two to four hours. To prevent damage to the humidifier, it will shut off automatically when the bottle is empty.
To our delight, it doesn’t have one of those blue lights that never turn off. Although, with the short runtime, you may not want to leave this on overnight.
Pros
• Easy adjustable control and nozzle
• High mist output
Cons
• Short runtime
Fancii Personal Humidifier
The Fancii Cool Mist Personal Humidifier has everything you need and more all packed in a device as compact and light as 3.52 ounces. We’re a little wary about the reviews on this one, but its features and affordable price are truly tempting.
It takes in a standard neck water bottle and runs for a maximum of eight hours (after which the unit automatically shuts off). You can also set a timer for two or four hours. Its whisper-quiet operation ensures you get quality sleep anywhere you are, and the simple, compact design is sure to fit in any bag or compartment.
This mini humidifier is powered by three AA batteries which can last up to 18 hours, or plugged to a supply through the included USB cable. Also provided when you buy this unit are three cotton filters which can last one to two months each.
While this Fancii humidifier has some very neat features, something so small and cheap is bound to be a hit or miss for users. We highly suggest that you manage your expectations if you do go with this one.
PROS
• Lightweight, unique design
• Battery operated
• Timer function
CONS
• Mixed reviews
HoMedics Personal Humidifier
While this travel humidifier comes from a common brand of humidifiers, it’s not as well received as the other, bigger models. However, when you do get it to work perfectly, it can be a very useful company in your travels. The Homedics Personal Humidifier can use a standard water bottle up to 20 oz. and has as long as nine hours of runtime. It will automatically shut off when the water bottle runs out.
Unlike the little block-like design of other models, this humidifier comes in a more irregular shape. This doesn’t affect its performance, but those concerned about appearance may need to hear this beforehand.
A lot of users complain about leaks, but a simple solution to this is to keep the unit on a level surface, with the slide-out feet extended for stability.
Pros
• Bigger capacity
• Long runtime
Cons
• Potential leaks
How Does a Humidifier Work?
Humidifiers are commonly used in cold and dry winters. Dry skin, chapped lips, and itchy eyes are often signs of low humidity. It can also cause dehydration, nosebleeds, itchy throat, and other cold symptoms. Prolonged exposure to dry air can also lead to drying and cracking of wooden materials.
A humidifier simply adds moisture to the air. Different types of humidifiers use different methods to do this. The most common type is called an evaporative humidifier. It uses a wick filter to absorb water from the reservoir. A fan then blows through the filter, letting the moisture evaporate. This type of humidifier self-regulates. As humidity levels increase, it becomes more difficult to evaporate water.
An ultrasonic humidifier (like most of these water bottle humidifiers) is best used at night because of its nearly soundless operation. It produces a cool mist using a metal plate vibrating at a high frequency instead of a fan.
What to Consider when Choosing a Humidifier
Run time
Smaller capacity typically means shorter run time. Keep in mind that room conditions will also play a role in how hard your humidifier needs to work in order to balance the humidity. The dryer it is, the more water you need and the shorter your device can last. If you want your unit to run overnight, use a water bottle with a larger capacity. Check whether the automatic shut off and timer features are functioning properly so that you won’t have to worry about leaving your humidifier running while you sleep.
Output
This won’t really matter if you’re only using the humidifier for yourself or in a very small space. However, if you’re staying with another person in the same room or you want it to work in a larger space overnight, you need a device that can handle the job. The bigger the space, the more moisture it requires.
Portability
It goes to show that the biggest selling point of a water bottle humidifier is its portability. You want something light and small that you can simply slip into your carry-on and go. While a lot of humidifiers are designed to be portable, water bottle humidifiers take this to the next level. They take very little space since they don’t come with a water tank and typically look just like a block you can slip into your luggage when travelling. Some humidifier designs may be more appealing than others. It’s not too important, but it’s still great to have a simple compact design that won’t get in the way of other stuff in your bag or desk.
FAQ
Can you leave a humidifier on while you sleep?
Yes. Sleeping in a harsh environment with dry air can cause serious harm to your health. All the models we listed have the auto shut-off feature for your safety.
Where should you place your humidifier?
Keep your humidifier on a level surface and use the stabilizing feet if your unit has them. To prevent the accumulation of moisture in one area (your bedroom floor, for example), the humidifier must be placed at least a few feet above the ground and pointed to an open area. Do not move the humidifier once the bottle is attached.
How do you clean a water bottle humidifier?
The humidifier reservoir should be cleaned at least every two weeks. Simply remove the water bottle and adapter, then wipe out the reservoir with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water or liquid soap. For units that use filters, check your manual for the recommended time of cleaning and replacement.
