When you are looking for the best travel humidifier you want something light, compact, cordless and easy to use.
A humidifier can be an essential gadget in the home for anybody living with respiratory problems, especially those who live within particularly dry climates.
Used to emit water vapors and steam into the atmosphere, these implements can prevent all kinds of the problems associated with excessively dry indoor air.
Contents
Dry air in the home or a hotel room can lead to chapped lips, blocked sinuses, bloody noses, irritated eyes and difficulty breathing, as well as making your surroundings feel stuffy.
Excessive moisture, meanwhile, can generate the growth of mold on walls; particularly troubling for asthmatics or individuals with COPD, as well as being visually unsightly.
A humidifier set at the appropriate level will balance out the levels of humidity in the air of a property, and ensure that the occupant is able to remain comfortable.
Typically, however, a humidifier is a large piece of apparatus that needs to stay locked into position within a home or office.
If you have a respiratory condition and are planning a holiday or other kind of prolonged stay in a country or city with a warmer climate than you are used to, it is well worth investigating the purchase of a travel humidifier. This guide will help you decide which item is best for such a task.
Here are our Top 5 choices…
Fancii Cool Mist Personal Mini Humidifier
Cordlessly operated by USB or AA batteries, this hugely popular model ticks almost every box that you could be seeking in a travel humidifier.
Weighing less than 4 ounces, operating at low volume (typically below 15 decibels – that’s as loud a dropping a pin from a height of a single centimetre), equipped with a timer function that turns the device off after two, four or six hours and operated by plugging in a 16-20oz water bottle, this is not the most powerful humidifier on the market, but it’s an ideal beginner model.
PROS – Virtually silent and able to be run on batteries or USB, this is a hugely mobile and versatile model of humidifier.
CONS – This model can be used with a great many water bottles, but not all; you may find that your choice of refreshment cannot double up as a humidifier after ward.
BONECO Travel Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier 7146
Weighing in at 1.3lbs, this is one of the more versatile models thanks to its ability to fit a range of different bottle sizes.
Typically running for up to six hours this is a perfect model for use in a small space, and contains a safety feature that will switch off automatically once the water expires – meaning that you can leave it running overnight without fear.
The only potential snag is that this model is not USB-chargeable; batteries or the AC adaptor contained within are the ways to keep this humidifier operational. Happily, however, the aforementioned plug comes with a worldwide convertor.
PROS – This model will accept just about any form of water bottle, and is lighter than a feather – a dream for frequent travelers.
CONS – It’s always a little dangerous to have a water-centric product running from electricity and batteries, and it’s possible that the humidifier could leak or spill slightly. This is also costlier than the rest of the models on our list.
URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser
Something a little different for our third recommendation in the form of the huge-selling URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser – the perfect compromise for anybody seeking aromatic scents alongside improved air quality.
You’ll need to pick up essential oils of your choosing separately, but once you’ve done so mix them in with 100ml of water and leave the device to do its work.
Running quietly from a 70” power cable for roughly six hours, you’ll also be treated to a pleasant blue hue, meaning that the URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser could double as a night light in a children’s room.
PROS – The chance to bring a pleasant scent into your room along with increased humidity is always a bonus, especially when you can choice your choice of aroma. Kids will love the light element, and remove the need for a separate nightlight.
CONS – The power cable is long, but it could still be an annoyance for travelers; many models operate from batteries or USB charging instead. The light feature is charming for children, but may keep adults awake at night.
Deneve Cool Mist Travel Humidifier Stick
The Deneve Mini Humidifier Stick markets itself as ‘the most hassle-free, worry-free, trouble-free and personal portable humidifier on the market today’, and while that’s quite a claim, it doesn’t seem to be an empty boast.
There’s no need to plug a bottle into this gadget as it involves filling a small canister contained within with water, which will then run for eight hours and cover upward of 20 square feet.
Weighing less than five ounces and fitting in the palm of your hand, this possibly the most subtle travel humidifier available, and is perfect for personal use.
PROS – The smallest humidifier on our list, and there’s no need to attach water bottles – never mind hand luggage, this model will fit into your pocket without you even noticing it’s there.
CONS – The canisters used to refill the humidifier last a while but are not always easy to source when a replacement is required. The unit also has a very bright blue power light that may annoy some.
Best Cool & Warm Mist Humidifier by JZK
Small and subtle, available in a range of colors and chargeable by either USB or AC adaptor, there is a lot to love about this travel humidifier.
Weighing just under seven ounces (and holding around four ounces of water) and coming with four settings, this humidifier kicks out an impressive amount of steam over the course of eight hours for such a compact unit, in addition to running very quietly.
If you are looking to refresh a small space such as a car, office cubicle or corner of a hotel room, this item is heaven-sent for your needs.
PROS – One of the most powerful travel humidifiers on the market, you’ll be amazed at how much steam and humidity this tiny gadget can generate. The multitudes of colors available are aesthetically pleasing too.
CONS – On the rare occasion that there’s a problem with the humidifier, it will emit a shrill noise – hardly ideal for a tool that’s designed to help you sleep!
Buyers’s Guide
A travel humidifier could greatly enhance your experience of spending time away from home. It can be difficult to adapt to new surroundings such as a hotel room at the best of times, and if you have precise requirements in terms of air pressure and humidity, you may be reluctant to commit to any extended time on holiday in a climate that is theoretically uncomfortable.
A fraction of the size of their hulking full-size counterparts, most travel humidifiers will fit comfortably within your hand luggage and can often be charged using the USB port on your computer.
Many travel humidifiers can also be used outside – making them perfect for adventure holidays that involve camping or long drives in an RV – and many can even be used to make the compressed atmosphere of airplane travel more comfortable.
Travel humidifiers will not be dangerous if they are properly maintained, though like all electrical appliances, failing to take the appropriate care of your humidifier can lead to health and safety concerns.
They can be breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, especially if used by anybody with a cold or viral infection, and humidity levels should always be monitored using a hygrometer. Dropping below 30% or rising about 50% can be a health concern, so be vigilant.
If you plan on using a humidifier on the move, there are a number of factors that should be factored into your purchase.
- Is the humidifier of a suitable size? Too big and you’ll struggle to cart it around, too small and potentially it won’t be of any use for all of your needs
- Does the humidifier carry the appropriate power? If the battery is likely to give out after a short amount of time, it may not be of any use if you’re planning on using it on long days and nights out and about.
- How noisy is the humidifier? If you are intending to use it to sleep better in a hotel room, the last thing you’ll want is a constant loud hum or beeping sounds.
- Will you be able to take readings from the humidifier – does it have a hygrometer built in to the model
With all these questions in mind, it can be a tough choice to decide what is the best travel humidifier for your needs. Above you’ll find five of the highest-regarded models on the market, all of which are easily obtainable by placing an order online.
