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Combination air humidifiers and purifiers add moisture to the air and filter out pollutants at the same time. For homes that can benefit from both functions, these units make sense, as they’re often cheaper than buying a separate air purifier and humidifier. Plus, they take up less space and can work just as well as separate units.
A good air humidifier and purifier is effective and very user-friendly, and it doesn’t hurt for it to look nice either. Factors like a unit’s filtration system, humidifying system, reservoir size, and control features all come into play when shoppers are choosing a suitable option. We’ve rounded up the top units for a range of room sizes and needs. Read on for the best air humidifiers and purifiers for more comfortable indoor air.
- BEST OVERALL: Dyson PH04 Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Afloia Miro Pro 2-in-1 Air Purifier & Humidifier
- BEST FOR ALLERGIES: Turonic PH950 HEPA Air Purifier with Humidifier
- BEST FOR BEDROOM: Sharp KC85OU Plasmacluster Air Purifier + Humidifier
- BEST LARGE-ROOM HUMIDIFIER: Boneco H400 Hybrid Humidifier & Air Purifier
- BEST WITH HEATER: Envion Four Seasons FS200 4-in-1 Purifier Humidifier
- BEST DESIGN: Brondell Revive True HEPA Air Purifier & Humidifier
How We Chose the Best Air Humidifiers and Purifiers
The best air purifier and humidifier combo units on our list are effective and reliable. We only selected highly rated models, choosing feature-filled picks that get the job done.
When choosing the best humidifier and air purifier units, we considered user-friendliness above all. Features we looked for included an effective filtration system (multistage filtration with a HEPA filter is ideal), automatic humidifying modes to maintain comfortable indoor humidity, and user-friendly controls, including different fan speeds, timers, and night modes. We also looked at air purifier and humidifier reviews to make sure the unit’s features performed as well as promised.
Shoppers choose air purifiers and humidifiers for all sorts of reasons, from allergy symptom management to freshening the air in a kitchen or living room. To suit a variety of room sizes and uses, we chose a range of unit types.
Our Top Picks
These top air humidifiers and purifiers are among the best on the market for cleaner, more comfortable air at home.
Best Overall
Dyson PH04 Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde
The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde takes air quality and comfort very seriously. This unit is a 3-in-1 air cooler, humidifier, and purifier with a variety of distinctive functions. It also has a range of automatic options, with sensors to detect, analyze, and capture pollutants (while displaying air-quality details on an LCD screen). It also monitors humidity levels and adjusts the unit accordingly. The reservoir tank holds 1 gallon of water to provide up to 36 hours of humidifying.
A HEPA filtration system with an odor and gas filter ensures cleaner air. As a big bonus, this unit detects and destroys formaldehyde, which is a common indoor pollutant. This unit also has Dyson’s Air Multiplier technology, which boosts airflow and allows the unit to function as a fan, blowing cleaner air around the room. Lastly, it’s smart-enabled for control from the Dyson app.
Dyson doesn’t specify a recommended room size or CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate). However, Dyson does mention the purifier humidifier was tested in a room measuring 81 meters cubed, so it’s safe to assume it will work in rooms of that size.
Product Specs
- Filtration: HEPA filter, odor and gas filter
- Room size recommendation: Not specified by manufacturer
- Reservoir capacity: 1 gallon
Pros
- Automatic air purifying and humidifying features monitor and adjust settings accordingly
- Whole-machine HEPA filtration ensures pollutants aren’t released back into the air
- One of only a few air purifiers on the market that also detects and destroys formaldehyde
- Functions as a fan as well as an air purifier and humidifier
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than the other options on our list
Get the Dyson air humidifier and purifier at Best Buy, ABT, or Dyson.
Best Bang for the Buck
Afloia Miro Pro 2-in-1 Air Purifier u0026 Humidifier
Maintaining better air quality needn’t be expensive. The Afloia Miro Pro 2-in-1 Air Purifier & Humidifier is a budget-friendly pick with a distinctive design feature: The humidifier is detachable from the air purifier. Since many people only use humidifiers during dryer seasons, this design allows users to detach the humidifier and take advantage of a smaller, sleeker air-purifying unit. The air purifier can be used independently from the humidifier, but not the other way around, which is one downside of this design. This unit also lacks a humidistat, so there’s no auto shutoff for the humidifier.
This unit has a three-stage filtration process, with a prefilter, activated carbon filter, and HEPA filter. It has three filtration speeds; an optional 2-, 4-, and 8-hour shut-off timer (to turn off the whole unit); a filter replacement indicator; and a night-light function. The CADR score is 150, and Afloia claims it’s good for rooms around 270 square feet. We recommend it for rooms slightly smaller, though, based on the CADR rating.
Product Specs
- Filtration: Prefilter, activated carbon filter, and HEPA filter
- Room size recommendation: 270 square feet
- Reservoir capacity: Not specified
Pros
- Detachable humidifier section; users can remove it for a more compact design
- Front-access onboard controls with 3 filtration levels and shut-off timers
- Optional night-light function that casts a soft light for sleeping
Cons
- The detachable humidifier does not work separately from the air purifier
- Afloia does not specify the reservoir size or estimated humidifier runtime between refills
Get the Afloia air humidifier and purifier at Amazon or Afloia.
Best for Allergies
Turonic PH950 HEPA Air Purifier with Humidifier
Common allergens are no match for this air purifier from Turonic, which has a five-stage filtration system among other notable features. Air goes through a prefilter, cotton filter, HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and cold catalyst filter (which can filter some gases). It also has an optional humidifier, UV light (which purports to kill germs), and an air ionizer (which can remove some small particles).
The HEPA filter does the hard work of trapping dust, pet hair, pollen, mold, and other common airborne allergens. Users can choose from eight speed modes or an automatic mode, and the control panel also has an air-quality display and filter-change indicator. Lastly, this air purifier is a WiFi-enabled smart unit, so users can connect and control it via an app.
Turonic doesn’t specify a CADR, but it does say the purifier can filter the air in a 1,250-square-foot room once an hour (or one “air change per hour”). We recommend it for rooms around 260 square feet based on the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers’ (AHAM) recommendation that to be effective, the purifier’s room-size recommendation should be based on 4.8 air changes an hour.
Product Specs
- Filtration: Prefilter, cotton filter, HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and cold catalyst filter
- Room size recommendation: Not specified by manufacturer
- Reservoir capacity: Not specified
Pros
- 5-stage filtration system traps particles large and small
- Includes a UV light and an air ionizer feature
- Has an onboard air-quality monitor and filter-change indicator
Cons
- Recommended room size is exaggerated
- Reservoir capacity is not specified
Get the Turonic air humidifier and purifier at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Overstock.
Best for Bedroom
Sharp KC85OU Plasmacluster Air Purifier + Humidifier
Not merely effective at cleaning and humidifying the air, this Sharp model is also quiet, so it should not disturb even a light sleeper. The Plasmacluster Ion Air Purifier + Humidifier features a prefilter, activated carbon filter, and a HEPA filter. It also has an optional ionizer, which helps clean air by charging airborne particles, causing them to leave the air and stick to surfaces. Sharp recommends this unit for rooms up to 254 square feet based on its CADR score of 164. It also has a 0.96-gallon water tank
A variety of modes suit different needs, and it comes with three fan speeds, a pollen setting, a Quick Clean setting, and automatic purifying and humidifying settings. This unit is particularly great for the bedroom because it runs at only 19 decibels on the lowest setting; this is quieter than a whisper, which registers at around 30 decibels. It’s also Energy Star certified, so it draws less power than noncertified models, which is a plus when it’s running through the night.
Product Specs
- Filtration: Prefilter, activated carbon filter, and HEPA filter, plus ionizer
- Room size recommendation: 254 square feet
- Reservoir capacity: 0.96 gallons
Pros
- Very quiet at only 19 decibels on the lowest setting, so it shouldn’t disrupt sleep
- Optional ionizer for even more thorough air purifying
- Energy Star certification means it’s more energy efficient than noncertified models
Cons
- The ionizer can make a ticking sound when it’s on
Get the Sharp air humidifier and purifier at Amazon or Appliances Connection.
Best Large-Room Humidifier
Boneco H400 Hybrid Humidifier u0026 Air Purifier
The Boneco H400 Hybrid Humidifier & Air Purifier is made to humidify large rooms with its 3.17-gallon reservoir. Its humidifier parts are also very easy to clean—some are even dishwasher-safe to simplify frequent cleaning (a must to keep humidifiers hygienic). Users can use the onboard controls or take advantage of the smartphone app, since this purifier and humidifier is smart-enabled as well.
The main downsides of this unit are its lack of filtration power and lack of a HEPA filter. No HEPA filter does not mean a purifier won’t work; it just doesn’t guarantee the 99.9 percent filtration level that HEPA filters do. Boneco describes the filters as a prefilter and a pollen filter. It recommends this unit for rooms up to 650 square feet, though that’s likely for humidifying. This unit has a rather low CADR rate of 59 cubic feet per minute, so it’s better for small rooms when it comes to air purifying.
Product Specs
- Filtration: Prefilter and pollen filter
- Room size recommendation: Up to 650 square feet (for humidifying)
- Reservoir capacity: 3.17 gallons
Pros
- Extra-large tank holds 3.17 gallons of water to humidify bigger spaces
- Some dehumidifier parts are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
- Smart-enabled; users can monitor humidity and set unit mode and humidifier controls through a free smartphone app
Cons
- Air purification feature is lacking; it does not use a HEPA filter and is better suited for purifying the air in smaller rooms
Get the Boneco air humidifier and purifier at Amazon, Williams Sonoma, or Boneco.
Best with Heater
Envion Four Seasons FS200 4-in-1 Purifier Humidifier
The Envion Four Seasons 4-in-1 is a feature-filled pick for comfort in most seasons. This four-in-one unit is an air purifier, humidifier, fan, and heater, all in one compact machine.
This device has three modes, three fan speeds, and three heating levels. The three modes include heat-only, humidifier and fan, and heater and humidifier settings. The air purifier runs regardless of the setting and uses a HEPA filter to clean the air. Keep in mind that this unit does not have a fan-only option, so it’s not very useful for hot and humid climates.
While it has the perk of heating, this unit lacks a humidistat and automatic humidifier shutoff, so users may need to monitor room humidity. Although Envion doesn’t specify a recommended room size, it does mention a CADR score of 80. This means it should work for rooms up to 120 square feet, according to the AHAM’s recommendation that the CADR equals two-thirds of a room’s square footage.
Product Specs
- Filtration: HEPA filter
- Room size recommendation: Not specified
- Reservoir capacity: 0.85 gallons
Pros
- The compact unit is a 4-in-1 air purifier, humidifier, fan, and heater
- There are several variable settings to control fan speed and heat level
- Automatic heater safety shut-off function if unit is tipped over
Cons
- Does not have a fan-only mode
- Does not have a built-in humidity monitor or automatic humidifier shutoff
Get the Envion air humidifier and purifier at Amazon, Ace Hardware, Sylvane, or Envion.
Best Design
Brondell Revive True HEPA Air Purifier u0026 Humidifier
With two air-intake ports and two HEPA filters, the Brondell Revive is capable of filtering ample air despite its compact size. Small but mighty, it can be used in rooms up to 376.5 square feet, changing the air five times per hour for truly cleaner air. This unit has an optional evaporative humidifier that automatically adjusts the humidification levels to maintain comfortable humidity in the home.
A five-stage filtration system helps remove a range of pollutants. This purifier has aprefilter, activated carbon filter, two HEPA filters, and an off-gassing reduction filter, the last of which helps reduce pollutants like VOCs and formaldehyde. The control panel is robust but easy to use, with an air quality indicator, humidity indicator, five fan speeds to choose from, and a timer option.
Product Specs
- Filtration: Prefilter, activated carbon filter, HEPA filter, and off-gassing reduction filter
- Room size recommendation: 376.5 square feet
- Reservoir capacity: 0.92 gallons
Pros
- 2 intake fans and HEPA filters allow the unit to filter more air at a time
- Compact unit, despite its ability to clean the air in large rooms
- Off-gassing reduction filter lowers airborne VOC and formaldehyde pollution
Cons
- Not very portable; quite a heavy unit at 20 pounds
Get the Brondell air humidifier and purifier at Amazon, Target, Wayfair, or Brondell.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Air Humidifier and Purifier
Living with dry and unclean air can negatively affect comfort and health. Dry indoor air can cause an uncomfortable feeling at best and cracked skin at worst. Even “clean” indoor air can benefit from an air purifier, which can remove common pollutants such as pollen, pet hair, and smoke. Air purifying is even more important for allergy and asthma sufferers, who may notice a reduction in symptoms with a good air purifier.
There is a difference between air purifier and humidifier units: Purifiers remove pollutants from air, whereas humidifiers add moisture to the air. Combination units do both. Consider the following factors when shopping for an air humidifier and purifier: room size, filtration system, reservoir capacity, and additional user-friendly features.
Room Size
Air humidifier and purifier combo units are generally intended for use in one room. Whole-house humidifier and air purifier options are a different product and usually professionally installed into the home’s climate control system.
To help consumers, air humidifiers and purifiers indicate the maximum room size for a unit, which is measured in square feet. The advertised recommended room size can sometimes be misleading, so consider the CADR rating as well, explained ahead.
Using a unit rated for a larger room size usually isn’t a problem, as long as it has a humidistat and automatically shuts off once it reaches a comfortable humidity (which is between 30 and 50 percent; some units shut off when they reach 50 percent, while others allow users to set their ideal humidity). If there’s no auto shut-off feature, a too-large humidifier can make a room too humid. Also keep in mind that the larger the room a unit covers, the more expensive it will usually be. It makes the most sense to buy an option rated for the intended room.
On the other hand, if the unit is intended for a smaller room, it won’t work as effectively in a too-large room. In short, room size is the first factor to consider when shopping, since even the best air humidifier and purifier won’t work well if it’s not suited for the room.
Filtration System
Air humidifiers and purifiers can have a few filter types, and many have a multistage filtration system. These systems can include activated carbon filters to remove odors, large particle filters, dust and pet hair filters, and the “gold standard,” HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters. HEPA filters remove over 99.97 percent of dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and other airborne particles measuring 0.3 microns (and actually trap smaller and larger particles even more effectively). These extremely effective filters are shown to improve air quality. Shoppers who are interested in an air purifier and humidifier for allergies will want to look for a unit with a HEPA filter.
Air humidifiers and purifiers have a CADR (clean air delivery rate) score. This rating is used to measure an air purifier’s efficiency. It indicates the amount of filtered air a unit can deliver per minute and is often broken down into separate ratings for tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen. Products certified by the AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) are proven to live up to their CADR rating.
The higher the CADR score, the faster the filtration system. CADR is often used to calculate the appropriate square footage for a unit. The AHAM recommends that the CADR score of a unit should be a minimum of two-thirds of the room’s square footage.
Some units don’t display a CADR score and only display the room size the unit is suitable for. Knowing the CADR score is more reliable, as some manufacturers will recommend a room size that does not align with the AHAM’s recommendations. According to the AHAM, the recommended room size should be based on 4.8 air changes per hour (how many times the purifier cleans and circulates the air in a room). Many manufacturers will share a recommended room size based on only one or two air changes per hour to boost their square footage recommendation.
Reservoir Capacity
Air humidifier and purifier units have a reservoir to hold water, which the machine turns into moisture to release into the air. The unit’s overall size (and therefore reservoir size) often corresponds to its suited room size. Small units are usually ideal for small or medium-size rooms, but they may need more frequent refilling if they also have a small reservoir tank. Larger units will need less frequent topping up, but they’ll also take up more space.
Keep in mind that usage habits will also affect how often the water tank needs refilling. Many air humidifiers and purifiers have a water tank between a half gallon and 1 gallon, but extra-large options are also available—we’ve included one with a 3-gallon-plus capacity on this list.
Additional Features
A good air humidifier and purifier will have a built-in humidistat, which will measure and display the current air humidity and sometimes adjust the unit accordingly. At minimum, it should switch the unit off when it reaches the set humidity to prevent making the air too moist. Some also have features to turn on or adjust the humidifier level, depending on the ambient air humidity.
Most humidifiers have onboard controls. Digital controls and settings often offer more options than manual controls and can make a unit more user-friendly. Users will want to look for an option with a remote control for the flexibility to change settings from across a room.
Smart air humidifiers and purifiers are available. Like other smart appliances, they often use Wi-Fi to connect to a smartphone, enabling monitoring, scheduling, and control through an app.
Whether a unit is smart or not, filter-change reminders make it easier to stay on top of the filter- change schedule. Smart humidifiers will often notify through the app, whereas regular units may have a notification light to alert users when it’s time to change the filter.
FAQs
Choosing the best air humidifier and purifier for your home really comes down to choosing a user-friendly option that’s suitable for the intended room size. Still wondering if a combined purifier and humidifier is the right choice? Read on for some frequently asked questions and answers on air purifiers and humidifiers to narrow down the best option for your needs.
Q. Is it OK to leave an air purifier on all night?
Yes. Air purifiers are designed to be left on at all times. In fact, running an air purifier as often as possible is the most effective way to improve air quality. After all, indoor air quality is always changing depending on the air quality outside and what you do inside, like cooking, cleaning, or smoking. Leaving the air purifier on will help improve air quality, regardless of exterior factors.
Q. Do humidifiers help with air quality?
In a way, yes. Stand-alone humidifiers don’t remove pollutants, but they do improve overall air quality by making the air feel more comfortable. Humidifiers can help keep indoor air humidity at an ideal level between 30 and 50 percent. Keeping indoor humidity in this sweet spot reduces the chance of mold growth and dust mites, which in turn can help maintain better air quality. To further improve air quality, look for a combined air purifier and humidifier in one unit.
Q. Do you need a humidifier if you have an air purifier?
No, not necessarily. A humidifier is useful if you struggle with dry indoor air. It’s not necessary (and can even be detrimental) to run a humidifier in humid homes. If the air in your home often dips beneath 30 percent, consider using a humidifier
Q. How long does it take for an air purifier to be effective?
The unit needs to run for a certain length of time for you to take full advantage of the air purifier and humidifier benefits. Effectiveness depends on a wide range of factors, including the room size, the air purifier’s filtration system, the unit’s settings, and the surrounding humidity level. Consider the CADR rating and recommended room size to find a suitable unit. When these metrics are all taken into account, a good air purifier should create cleaner air in around just 15 minutes.
Why Trust Bob Vila
Since 1979, Bob Vila has helped Americans renovate, maintain, and repair their homes. He became a household name as the host of “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” sharing his expert knowledge with his audience. The BobVila.com team continues to share expert advice on all things home. As an experienced home products writer, Jasmine Harding knows the value of understanding products before you buy. She thoroughly researched air purifiers and humidifiers for this guide, referencing EPA and AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) resources to cut through marketing jargon and find the best air humidifiers and purifiers for a variety of users.