If you’re an allergy sufferer, having one of the best humidifiers for allergies in your home can make a huge difference. Breathing in higher humidity air can help relieve common allergy symptoms like runny nose, congestion, sore throat, watery eyes, and discomfort by reducing inflammation. The water vapor that the humidifier releases into the air moistens your nasal tissues and soothes, making it easier to expel allergens and irritants from your nose to breathe better, too.
For healthy indoor air, the ideal humidity level is between 30 to 50%, according to the Mayo Clinic. Using a hygrometer will allow you to measure the humidity level in your home so you can determine whether they are too low or high, and many more expensive humidifier models have this function built in, including one on this list.
There are several different types of humidifiers, but the biggest thing you should decide between is whether you want a warm or cool mist. Warm mist humidifiers are better at thinning out mucus and soothing congested sinuses. However, cool mist humidifiers are also helpful with this and provide a few other valuable attributes: They provide a cooling vapor that’s usually more ideal in warmer climates, and since there’s no hot water coming out of the unit, they’re also safer to use around children and pets. However, cool mist usually requires more frequent cleanings since there’s no heat involved to kill off bacteria.
To make the decision process easier, I rounded up the best humidifiers for allergies. You can find all of these top-rated picks on Amazon to help soothe your sinuses and provide relief.