Parents searching for a way to provide their baby a quick relief from cold and flu symptoms can now install an ultrasonic humidifier (cool or warm mist) in their room.
As such, there are many reasons to consider buying the best humidifier for a baby suffering from cold, congestion, and mucus-filled stuffy nose.
But if you are concerned about what are the best types, models, and brands to choose for your baby, here we provide you with a detailed guide along with a few valuable tips.
These can help you make the best-informed decision without compromising your toddler’s health.
10 Best Humidifiers for Baby Cold
People have recognized the fact that the humidifier is now a crucial home appliance that is a must to have in a home, especially for babies health.
However, determining which one is the best for the baby’s cold is a bit challenging.
For your convenience, we have already shortlisted and reviewed the best models (7 cool-mist models and 3 warm-mist models) that are most efficient for easing the baby’s cold.
You may check out the detailed reviews below and pick the one that is most suited for your specific requirements.
7 Best Cool Mist Humidifier For Baby Room
1- Crane USA Ultrasonic Humidifier
Forget those irritating cold symptoms, chapped lips, and dry, itchy skin!
A cute crane cool mist humidifier is one of the best devices for baby cold as it offers quiet nights and sound sleep for you and your little ones.
This child-friendly animal-designed humidifier offers 24 hours of moisture on medium mode to humidify rooms of up to 250 sq. ft.
This filterless humidifier consumes very little power and provides 11 hours of moisture with an automatic shut-off safety mode that warns you when the tank is empty.
This cute and compact device is equipped with ultrasonic technology and comes with easy to use Control knob that allows you to adjust the intensity of mist output to get the best-desired results.
You can choose this Crane adorable humidifier device to get non-medicated relief for your baby’s nasal congestion, dry cough, cold, and flu symptoms.
Also, you can give this as a gift for baby showers, kids’ birthdays, and for the holiday season.
2- Honeywell Germ-Free Humidifier
Honeywell germ-free is one of the best cool mist humidifiers for babies available on the market.
With its best performance, it helps in keeping away the baby’s cough and other symptoms shown due to dry & allergic air.
This Honeywell germ-free humidifier has 3 settings for controlling moisture output, and its easy-to-fill water technology makes the device convenient to use & refill.
The wicking filter provided in this device is antimicrobial treated, making the air from the humidifier 99.9% germ-free.
3- TaoTronics Ultrasonic Humidifier
For the kids in your family who suffer from respiratory issues, the TaoTronics humidifier comes as the best rescue. It welcomes you to a comfortable environment, no matter how bad the weather is.
The highlight of this TaoTronics Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier device is its 3.5L large reservoir which helps you in getting 10 hours of continuous air moisture without the need for refilling.
The built-in ceramic filter in the humidifier helps eliminate all the harmful allergens like bacteria, viruses, water impurities, and foul odor, producing only the pure fresh vapor of relaxing mist in the air.
4- Anypro Cool Mist Humidifier
Anypro cool mist humidifier works amazingly to improve air moisture and thus help baby sleep comfortably with easier breathing.
It features variable control settings, a 360-degree mist nozzle, and an auto-shutoff safety feature that warns you when the unit’s tank empties.
Furthermore, this Anypro cool mist humidifier also comes with a night light function and 3 timing settings that make the unit safe and efficient to use at night.
Although this humidifier does not have too many great features to boast of, this is an excellent humidifier to buy for kids if you are looking for something cheap.
5- Homasy Cool Mist Humidifier
This stylishly designed spherical shape humidifier is another great humidifying machine you can buy for your baby’s room.
As this Homasy cool mist humidifier comes with a unique stone filter and top-refilling tank, it is highly efficient and easy to use.
You just need to pour water into the tank from the top, and the device is ready to work there.
The transparent tank lets a person know that the unit is working properly with enough water inside the tank.
Once the water gets finished, the unit shuts off automatically, making it extra safe to use for the baby’s room.
With this best humidifier for nursery, a whisper-quiet performance is ensured for your baby to enjoy a peaceful night.
And we are sure that you will love using this device to relieve your baby’s cold symptoms like a stuffy and runny nose.
6- URPOWER Cool Mist Humidifier
Best suitable for baby room sizes, this humidifier device makes sure that every nook & corner of the room is filled with fresh air.
With its generous tank capacity of 4L, this URPOWER humidifier is sufficient to run for the whole night (about 12 hours) without any need to refill.
The device is easy to clean and maintain, and its calm working mode with auto shut-off feature guarantees a tranquil atmosphere without any risk for small children.
Available in attractive white color, it adds to the aesthetic appeal of any given space. Its stylish design with high-tech functioning also makes it an ideal gift for occasions such as baby showers, birthdays, etc.
7- Vicks UV Germ-Free Humidifier
Vicks cool mist germ-free humidifier V3900 is another good baby humidifier unit you can buy for humidifying your child’s room.
The unique feature of the device is it kills up to 99.9% of viruses, fungus, bacteria & mold in the water very efficiently to provide you with only a clean purified mist of air to breathe in.
Due to its stylish compact design, you can use this Vicks germ-free humidifier in your bedroom, your office, or wherever you go.
But as this Vicks germ-free cool mist humidifier comes at a bit high price as compared to other models in the same genre, we recommend checking the above few models if you are tight on budget.
3 Best Warm Mist Humidifier For Baby Room
8- Vicks Vaporizer Humidifier
Is your baby suffering from cold and flu symptoms? Or is disturbed by sleepless nights due to coughing fits?
Well, this Vicks warm steam vaporizer equipped with pure steam action can help you through.
With the steam-guard design, this unique vaporizer offers excellent performance, safety, and reliability.
The Vicks Vaporizer with a night light device boils water to generate pure warm steam vapor and releases it into the air.
Bacteria-free and no-white dust vapor are produced and released. The device has a 1.5-gallon capacity that works for 18-24 hours for a single fill. You can put Vicks vapor stream or Kaz inhalant in the medicine cup.
It is equipped with triple wall insulation for maintaining the reservoir water at a safe temperature. Night light mode offers more safety and convenience, mainly if you use it in the kids’ room.
The auto shut-off sensor informs you when the reservoir water reaches the minimum level.
You can buy this contemporary Vicks vaporizer at Amazon. It does not come with vapor steam so remember to buy it along with the device.
Provide your children with sound sleep and a cold-free night by having this ultra-modern vaporizer in their room. It is easy to use and simple to refill.
You don’t need any technical assistance to install this device at your home or office space.
9- Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
Vicks warm mist humidifier V745A is best for babies’ cold and congestion as it produces a warm stream of water into the air, making them feel better.
The unique feature of Vicks warm mist steam humidifier or vaporizer is it allows you to use Vicks VapoSteam for your baby.
When added to the water, this helps in getting faster relief through medicated vapors.
The best part of using this Vicks warm mist humidifier for your kid’s bedroom is your baby can start breathing through the nose instead of the mouth, which makes them sleep comfortably.
Whether you need a humidifier for a baby with a cold or want to install one to get a comforting humid environment, this is a great machine.
10- Rowenta Aqua Perfect Humidifier
If you are looking to purchase the best warm mist humidifier for kids with hassle-free operation, then Rowenta Aqua Perfect Humidifier is the best to choose.
A digital display with inbuilt hygrostat is present in this Rowenta Humidifier unit to auto govern desired humidity in the room.
Furthermore, with its 3-speed settings and 30 hours of run time, it can continuously produce a clean, germ-free mist of warm air in your room for about 12 hours.
Care that – for younger kids or pets at home who wander all over, it is best to choose a cool-mist humidifier instead of a warm mist due to its burning risk.
However, choosing a warm mist is highly recommended if you want to buy a humidifier for infants, newborns, or tiny babies.
Why Use A Humidifier for Baby?
Ideal indoor humidity should be between 30% – 50%.
However, heating appliances and a fireplace inside your home reduce the natural moisture levels significantly during winters.
Studies show that viruses can grow much easier in dry cold air than as compared to warm, humid air.
Installing a humidifier is necessary to help prevent your baby from getting sick this season.
Especially for people who live in colder areas, find humidifiers a great way to ease discomfort for everyone in the family (including kids, toddlers, and newborns).
Rather than being helpless, you can help your baby feel better when they catch a cold by getting a room humidifier installed in the nursery.
Installing an ultrasonic humidifier is the wisest decision you can make, especially when your infant is down with cold problems.
Leaving it “ON” in your kid’s room (while they are sleeping) will work for their betterment by eliminating various health symptoms like chest congestion, stuffy nose, dry nose, runny nose, sinuses, etc.
A few top benefits offered to your baby by room humidifier include:
✅ Prevents Breathing Problems
Warm, humid air acts as a great natural decongestant for babies.
Installing an ultrasonic humidifier for babies cold is helpful as the device moistens the dry chilly air to make breathing easier for them.
This also helps in soothing wheezy coughs by clearing up the nasal congestion and loosening up the clogged mucus in the lungs.
✅ Provides Soft, Supple Skin To Babies
One of the essential reasons why you should install a humidifier in the nursery is its protection from dry air to your baby.
Dry air, which becomes harsh in winters, can cause severe trouble to your baby as it extracts all the natural moisture from their soft sensitive skin.
Using a good humidifier, however, helps hydrate their skin better, thereby eliminating the risk of getting issues such as dry, irritated skin, chapped baby lips, red patches, etc.
✅ Kills Viruses and Bacteria & Keeps Allergens Away
Home appliances like air purifiers and humidifiers are considered best to reduce the allergens in the air that are most of the time responsible for allergies such as sinuses, asthma flare-ups, respiratory disorders, hay fever, croup cough, etc.
Pediatricians, therefore, advise using a humidifier or steam vaporizer for children who have a weaker immune system and are prone to getting infected from various kinds of nasal infections or allergies fast.
A mom can provide numerous other benefits to her baby by installing and using a quality humidifier in the room.
Check them here through this Infographic…
Factors to Consider When Buying
Buying the best humidifier for a baby’s cold is a decision you should take wisely and not in a hurry.
Although researching some of the best models and studying the reviews in detail will let you know which is good for your baby’s cold and flu, you should also consider a few essential factors before buying one.
To help you out in this matter, here are some important things that should be considered while you are on track to choose the best type of humidifier for babies.
✓ Size
does matter when you want to choose the best humidifier for your kid’s room.
Consider choosing a portable type over a whole-house unit, especially when you have lesser space available at home.
The humidifier you choose should have a longer cord which enables you to place the unit at a distance (as your kids should not interfere with them while working).
✓ Safety
is an important aspect, especially when there are children around.
It is wise to choose an oil diffuser and humidifier safe for babies that are designed ideally for the baby’s room.
These come with an auto shut-off feature and can work for at least 6- 8 hours without the need for refilling again.
Therefore, these are safe to operate at night even when the water tank empties.
Do not go for a cheap humidifier or diffuser that lasts only 2-3 hours and needs to refill the tank frequently.
✓ The Brand
you are choosing is highly important, especially when you want to buy something for your kids.
Branded humidifiers (and not Chinese-made) come with high-quality plastic parts and with the best safety features to keep your children in a never-ending comfort zone.
You can go for a brand that is reliable in the market (like Vicks, Crane, and Honeywell, to name a few) and comes with a proper warranty.
After making a quick comparison choose a model that has higher ratings or customer reviews.
✓ The Price
should not be an issue when you are buying a good humidifying device for your baby.
Depending on the features and specifications, a branded humidifier may cost you anything from $25 to $150.
After analyzing your baby’s requirements, space and budget, go for the one that is most suited to you.
Make sure you choose the features you require most and the one within your budget without compromising on quality and performance.
Cool Mist vs. Warm Mist Humidifier For Babies
When it comes to choosing between a vaporizer vs. a humidifier for a baby, there are a few things you need to know about.
In fact, if you know about the working & benefits of each, you can easily differentiate between these two devices better.
It will then help you make a wise decision in choosing the one for your baby’s room.
Warm Mist Humidifier for Baby- How Does It Work?
Warm mist humidifiers or vaporizers boil the water to 100 degrees Celsius in the built-in water tank.
The distilled steam which is produced due to evaporation is released as water vapor into the room, thus making your room humid in dry conditions.
The warm mist eventually makes breathing easier in winters and can help avoid various health issues, especially for babies.
Few warm mist humidifiers are also included with a small medicine chamber that can be used for steaming medications as well.
Pros and Cons
Advantages of a warm mist humidifier that make it a great buying option for the baby room are:
- Good for relieving flu and cold in winters
- Works with less noise when compared to cool mist humidifier units
- Kills bacteria and viruses when boiling water in the tank; hence much cleaner mist is produced
- Some of these come with a medicine cup to distribute respiratory inhalants, medicines, and essential oils.
Disadvantages of using a warm mist humidifier are:
- Produces a bit of muggy feel in the room
- Consumes extra energy for heating and boiling the water
- It covers comparatively smaller areas than a cool-mist humidifier
- Frequent cleaning is required as minerals are deposited behind by boiling water
- Hot steam can be dangerous; hence children and pets at home should keep a distance
Cool Mist Humidifier for Baby – How Does It Work?
These types of humidifiers consist of parts like a reservoir tank, a cotton wick, and a blower fan.
The wick which is present inside the device absorbs water from the reservoir tank to its surface through the capillary action, and the evaporation process occurs at the surface of the wick.
This wick is then blown with the blower fan to increase the speed of the vaporization process.
As the water gets evaporates, it goes into the room’s atmosphere, and this increases the moisture level in your room.
Pros and Cons
A few advantages which make a cool mist humidifier a must-have device for babies at home are:
- It prevents static electricity problems
- Avoids damage to wood and plants
- It prevents the spread of airborne viruses
- It prevents dry skin problems like chapped lips
- Helps in relieving allergy symptoms (sinus, snoring, cold, and flu)
The only disadvantage of using a cool mist humidifier is it requires regular cleaning due to the lime and other minerals (getting deposited on the filter and tank) present in the water.
Especially if you have lots of minerals in your water supply, you can also see “white powder” sprayed by your humidifier in the environment.
This may get deposited (in the form of white dust) on your furniture and indoor plants.
The above condition can be easily controlled if you use distilled water in your humidifier device.
Also, care that you clean or replace the filter in your unit, which is replaced every 2-3 months for the smooth functioning of the unit without any problems.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
The truth is – if you know how to use or handle your baby’s room humidifier properly, these can never go wrong.
Hard to believe but true, in many cases, humidifiers have helped in preventing SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome) or crib death.
If you have a baby at home, we highly recommend using both devices.
While an air purifier will provide cleaner air to breathe, a humidifier, on the other hand, will add and maintain optimum humidity in the room so that your baby can relax comfortably.
Adding moisture and warmth to the air before it hits your nose can be an obvious solution to avoid the running nose problem in infants due to cold.
And for making the air moisturized, using a good room humidifier is highly recommended. This can help your baby best to prevent cold and flu.
When to Use a Humidifier for Baby?
To be straightforward, a humidifier can help you protect your baby from various types of illnesses all year long.
You should be using one when your child is suffering from cold, flu, sinus, or other respiratory troubles in winters.
Also, it’s a great way to reduce the infection of allergens during the seasons like fall, spring as well as dry summer.
As long as you have a smart humidifier that automatically detects the moisture level inside the room (and maintains the desired level), you may leave the unit on for a whole day and night 24×7.
These type of units only runs when there is a need to add humidity to the dry air.
Depending on how often you use the device, you must clean them 3-4 times a week and deep clean once a week.
How to Use a Humidifier for Babies?
Using a humidifier safely (for babies) in a baby room should be your top priority when you want maximum benefits out of it without any hazards.
✓ While putting them On for a full night can be a great way to help the baby sleep better, care that you do not over-humidify the room to avoid further issues.
Placing a hygrometer in a room can be helpful in monitoring the moisture levels in this case.
✓ While using a humidifier for the baby’s room, you should also take the best precautions while cleaning them at regular intervals.
The most important thing to note is: that a dirty humidifier can do more harm than good.
Therefore you need to care for regular maintenance and cleaning of these devices so that they provide you the maximum benefits all around the season.
✓ No matter whether you are using a cool-mist humidifier or a warm mist steam humidifier for your baby’s room, the filters require routine cleaning and replacement to provide long-term benefits.
Avoiding this can adversely affect your babies’ health and can even harm them greatly rather than providing real benefits.
Where to Place Humidifier in Baby Room?
Placing a tabletop humidifier device safely in your baby’s bedroom is another major aspect you should not ignore.
The flat waterproof surface, which is about 3 feet above the ground is the safest place in your baby’s room for placing a humidifier.
This will not only prevent small children at home from reaching out to the unit but also helps in preventing any accidents, especially when your kids are playing nearby.
While choosing a safe position for infants, ensure it is at the safest distance from your kid’s crib or bed.
Placing it too close to the baby’s bassinet or cradle may sometimes cause excess moisture around them, making them feel uncomfortable while sleeping.
In fact, your infant does not need to be in direct contact with the mist to get its therapeutic benefits.
These should, therefore, not be placed within their arm’s reach, where they can easily touch the unit or pull its cord.
What Kind of Humidifier is Best for a Toddler?
Due to the varied demands of people these days, humidifiers such as stand-alone, table-top, tower type, in-duct, console type, top fill, etc., are widely available.
Performing your research and choosing the best features is quite essential for a humidifier for kids’ rooms.
Based on the type of mist dispersed in the atmosphere, there are two major types of humidifiers available, i.e., cool mist humidifier and warm mist humidifier.
- A cool-mist humidifier for the baby room is most of the time recommended for additional safety.
- However, pediatricians many times suggest using warm mist humidifiers – in case your child is suffering from severe cold and cough with chest congestion.
Although both of them are effective in moisturizing the dry air, how these work in dispersing the mist is different.
As warm mist humidifiers (or vaporizers) boil the water to make the steam, these are designed to kill bacteria and viruses present in the water as well as air.
These are, therefore most preferred ones for your infants.
However, if you are considering buying a humidifier for your grown-up young children (messing around their room), it’s best to get a cool-mist humidifier for them due to safety concerns.
Why Does The Cold Make Your Nose Run and Does Humidifier Help?
A sniffly nose is a typical common cold symptom for most people in chilling winters.
When we breathe fresh cold air, our noses warm up the dry air and add moisture as it travels down into the lungs.
At the same time, your nasal linings get irritated due to cold, dry air, and as a result, excess mucus is produced by the nasal glands to keep the lining moist.
This causes those big heavy drops that seem to drip from your nostrils in the form of a runny nose or skier’s nose.
Installing a humidifier does help with the runny nose by lowering the nose irritation caused due to the dry air.
Overall, compared to the negatives about the humidifiers, the positives offered are much higher for your baby.
If you have a newborn in your home, you should go for purchasing a good humidifier immediately before it’s too late to safeguard them from the winter cold.
Meen Smith is a nurse by profession who loves writing online, spending time with her family and caring for the elderly. She has already worked as an associate editor on various moms, babies, home appliances, kitchen, and healthy living blogs. In her spare time, she also enjoys drawing, reading/writing kindle eBooks and improving her skills a bit.