9 Best Humidifiers for Sinus Problems (2023 Reviews)

1. Levoit LV600HH - Editor’s Choice

If you need to pump a lot of humidity into the air to treat medium to severe sinus issues, Levoit LV600HH is one of the best humidifiers you can find. It is definitely my top pick for the best humidifier for sinus problems.

It has a strong humidity output enough for even larger spaces, squarely beating most other units except the AprilAire unit I review below.

This is a hybrid unit, which means it can function as either a warm or cool mist humidifier. Whatever kind of mist helps your sinuses the most, the LV600HH can produce it.

The large display clearly displays the humidity level you've set in the humidistat. The humidistat itself could be a bit more accurate, but it does a satisfactory job.

I like the auto mode, which can automatically adjust the mist level based on the humidistat reading.

The remote controller is also a welcome convenience, especially when you're lying sick in bed.

The large 1.5-gallon water tank features a descaling pad, which prevents the worst mineral buildup (though you should still use purified water). Be prepared to do some work to get into the smallest nooks and crannies during cleaning, though.

As a final cherry on the humidified sundae, the LV600HH has an essential oil pad to add soothing fragrances to the water vapor. How about some eucalyptus to open your congested sinuses?

2. Pure Enrichment MistAire XL - Humidifier for Sinus with Best Value

Do you want a lot of humidity for your buck? Pure Enrichment MistAire XL is frankly a stunningly efficient ultrasonic cool mist humidifier considering its price of around $60.

I can say from experience that MistAire XL produces a lot of humidity. In fact, the advertised 500-square-foot coverage might be a little understated. I’d say it competes with the Levoit unit above in efficiency.

You can control the mist output with a handy twist knob and swappable single- and double-spout nozzles.

Unfortunately, this humidifier doesn't have a humidistat. I strongly recommend getting a hygrometer because the unit is so powerful. That's a good thing as far as I'm concerned, but you don't want to overdo it.

The well-sized tank (one gallon) can last an entire day at a low setting, so you won't necessarily have to fill it all the time.

You can easily disassemble the MistAir, which makes cleaning fairly easy. With regular maintenance, this humidifier can work for years.

A fill-level sensor will automatically shut off the unit if it runs dry. Combined with the optional night light, the MistAire is a great option for even large bedrooms.

If I have to find a complaint, the bottom-filled tank is a bit fiddly to top up because of its shape. Still, it becomes an easier task once you get used to it.

3. AprilAire 400M - Best Whole-House Humidifier for Sinus Problems

People suffering from serious sinus problems can benefit significantly from having steady humidity levels throughout their homes. AprilAire 400M can make your dream of whole-house humidification come true.

Unlike other units on my list, the 400M is a furnace humidifier that’s installed into your existing HVAC system.

Air from your furnace blows over a wet moisture pad, generating water vapor that gets distributed into your home through the air ducts.

This makes the 400M much more powerful than any other humidifier here, even the Levoit. It can raise humidity levels even in large homes to alleviate sinus problems.

One of my favorite things about furnace units is how low maintenance they are.

The 400M taps into your home’s water lines, so there’s no need to fill a water reservoir. Just change the moisture pad and clean the unit every six months.

This unit is also very simple to use. Just set your desired humidity level on the wall-mounted humidistat and forget the humidifier is even there.

However, the AprilAire is the single most expensive humidifier I’ve listed, usually hanging out right under $200.

You may also need to hire an HVAC professional to install it. DIY installation is possible but challenging and can void the unit's warranty.

Related Article: Whole-House Humidifiers Reviewed

4. Pure Guardian H965AR - Best Humidifier for the Budget-Conscious

I firmly believe money shouldn’t stop you from treating your chronic sinus problems. Pure Guardian H965AR is a budget-friendly — yet still effective — tool to relieve sinus congestion.

Although it’s rated for only 320 square feet (less than half of Levoit’s coverage), the H965AR produces more humidity than its humble specifications imply.

This small humidifier can add moisture to big living rooms — although moisturizing a whole house is off the table.

This unit is comparable to the Pure Enrichment humidifier in simple usability. The H965AR has three mist output settings you cycle through with the power button.

I wish it had smooth power adjustment like the MistAire, though. The lowest setting is pretty weak, while going up even to medium blows a lot of moisture into the air.

Also, as with the MistAire, there's no humidistat. Therefore, I strongly recommend getting an external humidistat alongside this model.

As a surprise, the H965AR has an essential oil tray, meaning it can serve double duty as an essential oil diffuser.

The one-gallon water tank has an anti-mold coating, which can help reduce pollutants spewing from the unfiltered machine.

The manufacturer claims it can last for 70 hours runtime, which I would not recommend. Expect to fill the tank daily, and keep it running for a maximum of 24 hours. 

5. Elechomes SH8820 - Best Humidifier for Large Rooms

The Elechomes SH8820 is perfect for people who want to humidify a large space to ease their sinusitis symptoms but need a portable humidifier.

This unit wrestles in the same league as the Levoit when it comes to efficiency.

It has a maximum coverage area of 755 square feet, but I have used it in even larger spaces, up to 1000 sq. ft. Safe to say, this unit functions well in large rooms and even small homes.

Feature-wise, the SH8820 is almost identical to the Levoit. It can work in warm and cool mist modes to provide the necessary humidity and temperature.

It has a big 1.5-gallon water tank with a very handy top-fill slot. So say goodbye to having to drag the tank to the sink with every fill!

The unit is easy to use, thanks to a clear and bright digital display and remote control.

It also features a humidistat and shuts off when it reaches the desired level of moisture.

There are some design flaws with the SH8820. I’ve found the essential oil pad useless because the water vapor can’t actually pass through it. The (admittedly stylish) blacked-out design makes checking the water level difficult.

Finally, the loud beeping of the empty tank alert is very annoying — though you can avoid hearing it by regularly topping the unit up.

6. Vicks Sweet Dreams - Humidifier for Children

Vicks Sweet Dreams is a cool mist humidifier built specifically for kids.

If your child suffers from sinus pain, this unit is tailor-made to help your little one breathe easier.

The Sweet Dreams device resembles the Pure Enrichment humidifier in appearance and functionality, with a twist knob for controlling mist output. Sadly, like its doppelganger, it’s missing a humidistat.

Vicks doesn’t specify the intended coverage area for this unit, which is a bit irritating. I’d say it’s somewhere between Pure Enrichment and Pure Guardian — sufficient for medium-sized rooms.

The Sweet Dreams humidifier features a projector that displays images from three themes (stars, sea, and safari) on the ceiling.

 Sure, this feature doesn't do anything for humidity, but it can comfort an ailing child and is a beloved addition for many.

As a Vicks humidifier, this unit is compatible with the company’s VapoPads. They can supply soothing and calming vapors to the air that may relieve sinus discomfort and clear the airway.

Children are more susceptible to mildew and other impurities, so I appreciate that Vicks has made the water reservoir orifices a bit larger than usual. They make Sweet Dream easier to clean than the Pure brand devices.

Although this is an ultrasonic device, it is weirdly noisy. The unit gurgles and hums faintly, so take that into account if your child is sensitive to noise.

7. Geniani Huron 4L - Best Small Humidifier for Sinus Problems

If Vicks Sweet Dreams is for children’s bedrooms, Geniani Huron 4L cool mist humidifier is its grown-up equivalent. It’s among the best devices to relieve sinus pressure and other sinus health issues overnight.

The unit is very compact and runs quietly, so it's easy to position it ideally without disrupting your sleep. The mist output is good for medium and smaller spaces, on par with the Pure Guardian humidifier.

Unlike that unit, Geniani has a “smart” humidistat. The device automatically maintains proper humidity levels between 40-60%.

You’d better trust the device’s smarts, though, since you can’t set the target manually — you can only choose low, medium, or high.

Huron is a top-fill unit like the Elechomes device, so filling it is straightforward. The entire top comes off, so it’s easy to reach into the tank for cleaning.

That’s a good thing, too, because there are many little gaps that can grow moldy.

One bizarre quirk that other reviewers have noted is that the unit struggles to function at full efficiency immediately after cleaning.

I have never encountered this issue myself, but figured it was worth noting.

Finally, like Levoit and Pure Guardian, Geniani features a pad for essential oils — in case you want to fall asleep with some lavender in your clear nasal passages.

8. Vicks VIH200 - Best Personal Humidifier

You can't always be around your sinus-relieving humidifier when you need it. Vicks Personal Sinus Steam Inhaler is a handy portable humidifier for sinus problems, allergies, and asthma relief on the go.

This compact warm mist humidifier produces a small amount of steam you inhale through the flexible mouthpiece. 

The warm mist is quite effective at clearing nasal congestion stemming from a sinus infection.

Understandably, the humidity output isn't massive, but it's enough to provide reasonably quick relief. This isn't an instant machine, though. 

The humidifier takes a while to heat the water, and you may have to inhale for up to 15 minutes to clear your airway.

Like Vicks Sweet Dreams, this humidifier is compatible with VapoPads. The right pad may boost its effectiveness and relieve sinus problems faster.

I want to give a couple of warnings about this unit. First, although it's portable, this is a tabletop humidifier.

Don't tilt or pick it up when using it, or you might splash your face with hot water.

Second, Vicks says this unit can work with tap water — but I recommend using only distilled water.

Tap water may carry minerals that can cake the heating element. That could result in overheating and you inhaling mineral particles.

9. Honeywell HCM-350B - Best Evaporative Humidifier