Have you been on a search for the best vocal humidifier? Growing up with asthma attacks and seasonal allergies in the winters, I knew the struggle that lower humidity levels can cause. For me, dry air also brought about a dry throat, which meant a raspy voice and strained vocals. This is when a vocal humidifier can really help, especially for singers and musicians.
If this sounds familiar, then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a singer or just don’t want to live with dry vocals, improving the air quality in your home can help. I noticed this when I started using a humidifier.
This article will help you find the best vocal humidifier as I review the top 5 vocal humidifiers on the market and share a buying guide for the features you should consider.
Table of Contents
What is a Vocal Humidifier and How Does it Work?
If you live somewhere with dry conditions, the lack of humidity in the atmosphere inside your house can cause the air to draw moisture from alternate sources to increase the level of humidity.
As a result, dry air can force the moisture to evaporate from our skin and mucous membranes that line our respiratory system – which includes vocal cords.
This can lead to various issues including dry skin, dry throat, coughing, irritated eyes, cracked lips or skin, as well as triggering or worsening the symptoms of allergies and asthma.
This is where air humidifiers can help. These devices are designed to dispense water vapor or mist, consequently increasing the level of humidity or moisture in the air.
In other words, humidifiers provide dry air with an alternate source of moisture instead of drawing moisture from your skin, lungs, or nose. In turn, this helps prevent problems caused by dry air (along with the administration of medication if necessary).
How Can a Humidifier Help Your Vocal cords?
As I explained above, it’s very likely that your mucosal membranes will dry out if the air surrounding you is dry. This means translates into a dry throat with dry vocal cords, which can make it hard to talk or sing.
Generally speaking, the more humid the air, the more moisturized your nasal passages and vocal cords will be. You want to aim for humidity levels of 40% to 60% as they allow for optimal moisture.
This can help your vocal cords handle the extensive load of singing in dry conditions. If you’ve ever tried singing in a room with dry air, you know how straining it can be.
By providing mist, a humidifier can prevent sore throat and sooth irritated vocal cords.
How to Choose the Best Vocal Humidifier
When shopping for the best vocal humidifier, there are a few features you should consider so you can make the most out of your purchase.
Cool vs Warm Mist
Humidifiers can either dispense cool mist or warm mist. Both options are equally effective when it comes to vocal cords, so it ultimately depends on the temperature of your room.
If your room is cold, you may be better off with a warm mist humidifier, and of course the other way around.
Filter vs Filterless
There two most common types of humidifiers are ultrasonic and evaporative. Ultrasonic humidifiers are quieter, but evaporative humidifiers can be better for singers in some cases.
This is because many ultrasonic humidifiers are filterless, so they can’t prevent minerals from getting dispersed with the mist. These minerals can irritate your throat.
Capacity and Runtime
The runtime of a humidifier varies according to its water tank capacity. The larger the tank, the longer the runtime and the fewer refill trips you need to make.
Remember, a higher capacity doesn’t necessarily mean you should get a humidifier with a bigger footprint. Some humidifiers have a compact design but their tanks are rather large.
So, make sure to check the water holding capacity specified in the description of the humidifier you plan to buy.
Timer
A timer allows you to control how long the humidifier stays running. After the set period, the machine will automatically shut off.
This makes the unit more energy-efficient because it’ll stop working when you don’t need it to. A timer also comes in handy when you’re all comfy in bed and suddenly remember that you have to turn off or refill the device.
Automatic Shut-Off
This is a crucial safety feature to prevent the overheating of the humidifier, which protects the unit from getting damaged and protects kids or pets from accidental burns. Humidifiers with automatic shut-off feature will stop working when unable to detect water in the tank.
Noise Level
Finally, consider the noise level when deciding the type of humidifier you should buy. If you’re a light sleeper or you simply don’t appreciate loudness during the day, you’ll definitely want a humidifier with a low noise output.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are very quiet, so they’re a great choice in such cases.
5 Best Vocal Humidifiers
1. GENIANI Top Fill Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Kicking off our list with one of the top-rated options on the market, the GENIANI Top Fill Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier offers an easy-to-use system with an adjustable, convenient operation.
This unit is one of the quietest you can get your hands on, promising all the benefits of cool mist humidification without disturbing you or those around you during day or night times. With a noise level of 38dB, it’s as quiet as a ticking clock.
It even comes with a soothing blue light to help you relax and fall asleep sleep. For safety, this unit shuts down automatically when the tank runs out of water.
The GENIANI Ultrasonic Humidifier features a 2-in-1 design that allows it to operate as a diffuser as well. This means you get to fill the room with essential oils while the cool mist spreads around.
There’s also a Smart Mode that helps maintain a healthy humidity level automatically using a built-in sensor. Additionally, you can adjust the misting rate by choosing between low, medium, or high speed.
The GENIANI Ultrasonic Humidifier offers a lot of coverage for spaces up to 220 square feet. The included 1.06-gallon (4 liters) tank runs for up to 18 hours on the highest setting.
This unit is also easy to fill and clean thanks to the top-fill design. It’s BPA-free, ETL certified, and offers a 2-year warranty for a risk-free purchase.
Pros
- Runs quiet
- Adjustable mist flow
- Operates as an oil diffuser as well
- Detachable power cord for portability
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- The mist can’t be directed
2. TaoTronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Neck to neck with the GENIANI humidifier, the TaoTronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier also comes with a large 1.06-gallon (4 liters) capacity that can last for up to 30 hours straight on a full tank.
Designed to cover rooms up to 322 square feet, this unit operates at a noise level of 38dB, so it won’t be too loud for you or anyone around you while sleeping. The TaoTronics humidifier features a built-in LED display that lets you easily monitor the moisture level in your room to help you keep it at optimal humidity.
This unit also allows you to choose between 3 mist output speeds for maximum comfort. Additionally, the device will automatically stop working to prevent any accidents or damage once the tank runs out of water.
The TaoTronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier houses a microporous cartridge that filters micro-organisms and bad odor from the water. For the highest filtration efficiency, the manufacturer recommends changing the filters every 4 to 6 months.
At nighttime, you can turn on the soft blue nightlight or trigger sleep mode to turns off the blue light and the LED display for uninterrupted slumber. Complete with a timer, a 360-degree nozzle, and a small footprint, this humidifier is both reliable and convenient.
Pros
- Large capacity and coverage
- LED display for monitoring the humidity level
- Filters out micro-organisms and unpleasant odors
- Convenient sleep mode
Cons
- The power cable can be a bit longer
3. Honeywell HCM350W Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier
Next up, we have the Honeywell HCM350W Germ-free Cool Mist humidifier that adopts evaporative technology where the mist is blown off a wicking filter for faster humidification of air.
This can work effectively for your dry vocals, especially without the possibility of over-humidifying.
Featuring a 1-gallon (3.78 liters) tank, this unit can last for up to 24 hours on the low setting. It offers ideal coverage for medium-sized rooms and utilizes UV technology to give you 99.9% bacteria-free water for a healthier atmosphere.
The HCM350W also prevents the minerals in the water from being blown into the air with the mist. This eliminates the formation of white dust, making it a great choice if you live in an area with hard water.
However, the filters for capturing minerals do require changing, so keep the replacement costs in mind. Additionally, the mechanism of evaporative humidifiers’ operation causes the HCM350W to run noisier than other candidates.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Removes 99.9% of bacteria
- Prevents white dust formation
- No risk of over-humidification
Cons
- Noisy
- On the expensive side
4. LEVOIT LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier
If you’re looking for a reliable hybrid humidifier, then you should seriously consider the LEVOIT LV600HH. Not only does this widely popular unit dispense cool mist, but it also generates warm mist.
In addition to killing bacteria that may be present in the water, the cool/warm mist feature allows for all-year-round use, efficiently humidifying dry air in every season. This is great news for those who suffer from dry vocals worst during the winter.
Being ultrasonic, the LEVOIT LV600HH has a near-silent operation to avoid disturbing you at night. It even turns off the display to make sure you stay peacefully asleep.
Equipped with a built-in sensor, this unit automatically adjusts humidity to a comfortable level for extra convenience. It also comes with a 1.5 gallon (6 liters) capacity, allowing up to 36 hours of continuous runtime at the low setting.
What’s more, the LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier features an aroma box where you add your favorite essential oil to make the room smell nice. The automatic shut-off function keeps you safe and protects the device in case the tank runs out of water, and the remote control allows for easier adjustment from a distance.
Pros
- Dispenses both cool and warm mist
- Comes with a remote control
- Features an aroma box
- Has a flat design to spills
Cons
- The remote doesn’t shut off the display lights
5. Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Check Price On Amazon!
Last but not least, the Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier comes with a 1.2-gallon (4.5liters) capacity that lasts for up to 33 hours on the low setting per full tank. The nozzle on this model doesn’t rotate, but it directs the mist upwards and delivers decent coverage across small and medium-sized rooms.
I like how the tank is translucent since it allows you to easily monitor the water level inside. Not only you can tell when a refill is due just by looking, but the refilling task is also hassle-free thanks to the large tank opening that serves to minimize spills.
Additionally, this unit is equipped with a built-in scent pad heater that lets you enjoy the soothing scent of Vicks VapoPads. These are sold separately but you do get one sample pad.
The Vicks Ultrasonic Humidifier operates at a whisper-quiet noise level that won’t disturb your sleep. It also has a handy dial knob for adjusting the mist output and an automatic shut-off function that gets triggered when the tank is empty.
Pros
- Affordable option
- Easy to refill
- Transparent tank allows for easy monitoring of water level
- Features a built-in scent pad heater
Cons
- Cleaning can be tricky
- Can’t turn off the power button light
Wrap Up
Choosing the best vocal humidifier can get a bit confusing. This is why I included only the top-performing humidifiers on the market to make sure you land a solid unit no matter what.
That being said, I recommend the GENIANI Top Fill Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier as today’s winner. It has just about everything you’d need in a humidifier; it’s quiet, durable, and comes with a decent tank capacity.
It also features an automatic shut-off function and can operate as a diffuser for essential oils. All in all, it offers reliable humidification and convenient use.
