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This lightweight personal humidifier fits easily on a desk and can be powered by a USB port.
This lightweight personal humidifier fits easily on a desk and can be powered by a USB port.
Gently rounded shape weighs less than a pound. Ultrasonic misting technology is cool and quiet. USB powered works even from a computer port. Less than a cup of water lasts for four hours of runtime. Auto shut-off when tank is empty.
Filters are consumable and need replacing.
Humidify your car or truck cab with this complete mini travel humidifier kit.
Humidify your car or truck cab with this complete mini travel humidifier kit.
Tiny humidifier is only seven inches long and less than three inches in diameter. Fits into any cup. Includes its own travel cup designed to fit into car cupholders. Runs up to 8 hours on a single charge. Auto shut-off when cup is empty. Includes travel bag, USB adapters, and filter wicks.
Doesn’t have a sealed water tank so splashes are possible especially on the road.
A small personal humidifier that looks made for the workplace rather than the bedroom.
A small personal humidifier that looks made for the workplace rather than the bedroom.
Attractive, professional styling appropriate for work environments. Tank holds 1.18 (280ml) of water. Two spray modes, steady and intermittent. Quiet operation with night light for undisturbed slumber. Includes USB charging cable.
Reports of units breaking down after a few months.
Customers rave about this compact personal humidifier that fits in a car cupholder.
Customers rave about this compact personal humidifier that fits in a car cupholder.
Half-gallon (250 ml) tank holds enough water to run 8 hours. Runs quietly. Includes nightlight. Single-button control for simple operation. Easy tank refill. USB-powered. Two spray modes for steady or intermittent misting. Offers auto-shutoff when empty.
No battery, only USB direct power.
Globetrotters will appreciate this compact model’s flexibility and utility.
Globetrotters will appreciate this compact model’s flexibility and utility.
Can handle international voltage range from 100 to 240 V AC. Use any standard 16.9 oz water bottle as a tank. Runs up to 6 hours before needing new bottle. Offers nightlight. Compact design fits into a bag or briefcase, no refilling necessary. Quiet ultrasonic operation.
Nightlight cannot be turned off. Needs water bottle to operate.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Are you looking for a cost-effective way to improve air quality in a small space? Hotel rooms, offices, cubicles, and even cars can all benefit from travel humidifiers. Travel humidifiers introduce humidity by dispersing a cool or warm mist into the air. For allergy sufferers, moisture is essential to maintaining a comfortable breathing environment. Humidifiers are also helpful in preventing nosebleeds and dry skin.
Less is more with travel humidifiers, and the more convenient their design, the better. Unlike household humidifiers, travel models feature much smaller bases and tanks. Certain styles forgo tanks altogether and simply use a standard water bottle instead. For even more convenience, some travel humidifiers are cordless to avoid the fuss of finding a nearby power outlet.
Breathe easy in your space with a travel humidifier. Our buying guide has everything you need to consider when shopping, including how much you should pay. For our five favorite travel humidifiers, see the matrix above.
Tabletop travel humidifiers take up the most space because they feature larger tank capacities, between eight and 32 ounces. For the most part, they either come with the tank attached to the base, or they require a standard water bottle for operation.
Car humidifiers fit in cup holders, and their tanks are around 16 ounces. They aren’t the most powerful travel humidifiers you can find, but they do a good job inside your car. You may need to adjust your AC ventilation in a way that helps circulate the mist better, however.
Straw-style models are the smallest travel humidifiers available, which is why they’re preferred by commuters, students, and professionals. They don’t have tanks at all. Instead, you place them in a filled water bottle or vase for operation. Keep in mind that the bottle or vase should be somewhat weighted to support the humidifier and prevent spills.
Travel humidifiers spray either a cool or warm mist – but not both as offered by some full-size humidifiers. Warm-mist travel humidifiers are ideal for adding warm moisture to dry rooms, a common issue when heating is turned on during the winter months. Most travel humidifiers are cool-mist models, however. These humidifiers rehydrate the atmosphere and are ideal for combating dry eyes and nasal passages.
Cordless travel humidifiers are especially popular for international travel as they eliminate the need for converters and adapters. If you prefer being plugged in instead of burning through batteries, rest assured there are travel humidifiers that offer more than one power option, including AC adapters and micro USB cords. Car models are usually powered through micro USB cords that are plugged into power adapters.
Continuous runtime is the recommended amount of time that the humidifier can run at an optimal rate. In some cases, the runtime takes into consideration battery life, whereas other runtimes are based on how long it takes to deplete a full tank. On average, if there’s a regular power feed, travel humidifiers have runtimes between six and 20 hours.
To optimize your runtime, some travel humidifiers have intermittent mist modes. Instead of a continuous mist, the humidifier sprays every few minutes or hourly. Only some humidifiers let you change the intermittent mist schedule, and these tend to cost more than other models.
Some travel humidifiers turn off after periods of inactivity to save power, which is ideal if you have a battery-powered model. Automatic shutoff is also a safety feature in some humidifiers to prevent personal injury and fire hazards. These models turn off as soon as the water is depleted or when the tank becomes dislodged from the base.
One of the most sought-after features of travel humidifiers is a rotating nozzle. With a rotating nozzle, it’s easy to turn the mist toward your immediate area as opposed to the mist simply shooting upward. A rotating nozzle is ideal if you prefer concentrated moisture on your face as well, especially if you’re using the humidifier as part of your skincare routine.
Some travel humidifiers allow you to adjust the mist modes. You’ll either have a dial with several options or a button that transitions between two or three modes. The more powerful the mode, the louder your humidifier will operate, even with quiet models.
If you share space with coworkers, it’s worth choosing a travel humidifier with quiet operation to maintain workplace harmony. Some models have quiet modes, are advertised as “baby-friendly,” or offer whisper-quiet technology. Noiseless operation for these devices isn’t really an option, so the quietest models will still have a faint buzzing.
It’s one thing to place your travel humidifier into checked baggage on a trip, but it’s another story if you need it to fit it in your backpack, carry-on, or purse on a regular basis. The best space-savers are tankless models that use water bottles. These base-only travel humidifiers are as compact as you can get, and they sometimes come with their own carrying cases.
Travel humidifiers range between $14 and $40, and the price mostly depends on their quality and the complexity of their features.
Budget-friendly travel humidifiers cost less than $20. They have the smallest tanks or must be placed in a water bottle or vase in lieu of an attached tank. Their reliability is fair, so they’re best suited for occasional use.
Mid-range travel humidifiers cost between $20 and $30. This price range includes car models as well as tabletop models with adjustability features. They have larger tanks, and since they’re more efficient, they tend to have quieter operation.
Premium models cost closer to $40. These are the most reliable models, so if you plan to use a travel humidifier daily, you should consider units in this range. Some models have advanced features like soothing LED light shows, essential oil filters, or multiple power options.
Q. My travel humidifier uses a water bottle as a tank. Can I use an extra-large bottle to keep it running longer?
A. Standard water bottles are approximately 16 ounces, while large bottles can be as large as 32 ounces. The user manual will indicate which bottle sizes are compatible with your travel humidifier. It’s a good idea to follow the guidelines, especially since the humidifier base is designed to support a limited amount of weight. If the water bottle is too big or heavy, it’s at risk of falling over and spilling.
Q. Can I use a regular travel humidifier in my vehicle?
A. In your RV, you can use a standard travel humidifier, but not in your car. RVs have tables and plenty of space to put a tabletop travel humidifier. Cars, on the other hand, are best served by cup-holder humidifiers. Cup holders offer the most secure way to ensure the humidifier doesn’t fall over while you’re driving.
Q. Can I use a travel humidifier in a tent?
A. Yes, but you’ll have limited success if you open vents or mesh areas as the mist will just escape. On the other hand, if you keep the tent completely sealed, the humidifier will be effective. That said, since not all tent materials are breathable, you could end up with a sweltering environment inside.
Q. Will a travel humidifier affect the plant on my desk?
A. Yes, in a good way. A travel humidifier and a plant are a winning combination to promote a healthy breathing environment. By adding moisture to the air, your plant has a new way to hydrate in addition to regular watering. Plants emit oxygen, and the mist of the humidifier will help disperse it around your general area and promote better air quality.
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