Best Humidifier for High Altitude | Review and Buying Guide
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
High altitude brings a whole new set of health challenges that only become apparent once we try tackling them. If you’re not aware of the effects altitude has on the body, you might experience a significant shock.
In particular, dry and cold air found in the mountains tends to irritate the airways, leading to cough, sneezing and nosebleeds (epistaxis).
Thankfully, a humidifier can help you acclimate and reduce dryness in the air, easing your symptoms and making the environment more comfortable!
More...
At a Glance: Our Top Picks of Humidifiers for High Altitude
To arrive at the products in this list, we thoroughly sieved through the available humidifiers in the market, conducting extensive research, and considering firsthand user experiences and product reviews to arrive at the best humidifier for high altitude.
- Releases moisture up to 300 ml/hr, lasting up to 60 hours
- Designed to humidify rooms up to 430 ft²
- Our choice for High Altitude
- Mist output of up to 500 ml/hr, up to 50 hrs
- Coverage: Up to 753 ft²
- Ideal for those who want an option of warm or cool mist
- Coverage: Up to 322 ft²
- Built-in ceramic filter purifies tape water and reduces bad odor
- Perfect for those with itchy cracked skin and dry sinuses symptoms
- Releases moisture up to 320 ml/hr
- 1 gal tank lasts up to 28 hrs non-stop
- Easy maintenance option
- Maximum mist output: 180 ml/h
- Whisper Quiet Operation (28 dB)
- Amazon's choice
Do Humidifiers Really Help in High Altitudes?
Spending any amount of time at high altitudes can produce health problems, usually in the form of high-altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) to name a few.
Because the air is thinner and the temperature drops as we ascend, our body has to adapt to the altitude change, which we feel as a runny nose, cough, sneezing, or other symptoms.
These symptoms include:
In more severe cases, you may experience the following as well:
No matter how well you cope, the onset of high altitude illness is sure to lower your productivity and leave you feeling uncomfortable (although a slower ascent helps reduce risk of AMS).
But what role does humidity have to play in this?
Relationship between humidity and high altitude
We use the term “head in the clouds” to describe an impractical and aloof person. What we don’t realize is that we’re living on such high altitudes that we literally have our head in the clouds without even noticing.
In high altitudes, low clouds can form anywhere between the surface and 6,500 ft (2,000 m); In comparison, clouds typically form around 60,000 ft (18,288 m).
Low clouds tending to clump up and escape, which we often perceive as clouds billowing out of mountain forests. This is because, without moisture, the air can hardly keep any warmth and it becomes cold - which indicates that humidity behaves differently at higher altitudes.
One study indicated that our airways have cough-provoking receptors that are much more trigger-happy at high altitude.
And another showed that while temperature acts as an instant stressor for symptoms such as sneezing, cough, headache and others, humidity has a bigger role than temperature to play in our comfort.
In short, running a humidifier can help assuage the symptoms of extreme dryness in higher altitudes.
Things to Look for When Buying a Humidifier for High Altitude
Run-time
Using the water stored in its tank, each humidifier is able to dispense moisture for a specific amount of time before the water runs out. This also give you a gauge of how often you need to refill the tank.
This usually depends on factors such as tank capacity, efficiency of the unit, and mist setting. In general, the more water being stored, the greater the run-time.
If a humidifier has just one setting, then the mist output will be constant, meaning it will run for a specific amount of time.
However, models that offers more than one mist outputs, such as Miroco's MI-AH001 humidifier, have varying run-times depending on the selected mist level.
In this instance, for your use in higher altitudes, you'd probably want to go for a unit that can last through the day or the night.
Moisture Output
How quickly do you need moisture to be delivered into the air? In other words, the time taken for it to be effective. A higher output would mean faster relief, especially in at elevated levels, although too much moisture at a go may be too overwhelming.
Ease of Cleaning
Stagnant water can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Having a unit that is easy to clean will make cleaning it less of a chore.
Look out for units that have nooks or crannies that may foster mold build-up, although some humidifiers also come with cleaning brushes specific to the model for those hard to reach places.
Some units are also made of materials resistant mold and mildew formation. A rule of thumb is to go for a model that you'd be willing to clean - typically one that is more accessible will encourage this.
Never let your water sit, and always empty and clean the tank when not in use.
Warm or Cool Mist?
Both warm and cool mist humidifiers have their pros and cons. Hot mist can be more comfortable and warm the room up slightly especially in colder elevated locations. Water is heated up which also kills bacteria, making the mist cleaner to inhale.
However, warm mist is not recommended for homes with kids and pets as the boiling water inside could be a danger to them, especially for babies if you intend to place the unit in a nursery.
Cool mist humidifiers are ideal for homes with kids or pets and typically consume less electricity than its warm mist counterparts.
Ultimately, there are no significant differences between a warm or cool mist humidifier. By the time the mist reaches your respiratory tract, the effects are equally effective.
Other Factors
THE BEST HUMIDIFIER FOR HIGH ALTITUDE:
#1 MIROCO Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Miroco | Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier (MI-AH001)
Customizable light modes allow soft illumination at night. Turn the nightlight/tank light on or off for undisturbed sleep or for soft lighting.
Carry handle for one-handed transport. No more lugging the humidifier to the sink and back.
Dust-proof filter sponge for extra clean mist. Clean the sponge just like you would a scrubby sponge.
Sleek design fits into the room even when not in use. It does not to take up valuable storage space when not in use.
Extremely quiet. At 26 dB, the MI-AH001 is perfect for a good nights sleep.
Manufacturer recommends distilled water. Rainwater is a no-no too.
No essential oils. Adding essential oils to the water tank will corrode the insides of the unit.
#2 LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier
Levoit | Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier (LV600HH)
Warm and cool mist modes allow you to adapt to seasons. Especially in the mountains, the weather can change on a dime but two modes allow a lot of flexibility.
Schedule humidifying while you’re unavailable by programming the unit using the controls and the remote. Come back from work to a perfectly refreshed home, just the way you like it.
Aroma box for infusing the home with fragrances. Combine the aromatherapy with warm & cool mist modes, and set the humidifying on a schedule for the best effect.
Extended 2-year warranty eliminates buyer’s remorse. The default warranty is 1 year but can be doubled by registering online.
Won’t function if water level is lower than 480 ml (2 cups). It's unique design prevents the unit from working when water level falls below 8% of total capacity.
Requires a lot of cleaning. The manufacturer recommends cleaning once a week but Amazon user comments note that it can take a lot more than that.
#3 TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier
TaoTronics | Cool Mist Humidifier (TT-AH002)
Changeable ceramic filter minimizes cleaning. The manufacturer recommends changing the filter every 5 months on average.
Non-slip handle minimizes refill mishaps. Forget about mopping up after this unit after it has slipped out of your grasp for the Nth time.
Ultrasonic water dispersal guarantees silent nighttime operation. Let the humidifier run throughout the night for an undisturbed rest.
Smart LED display shows information at a glance. The LED display provides an effortless readout of the unit's status.
Doesn’t allow essential oils. It’s water only for this unit.
Cool mist only. Not as suitable for those who prefer warm mist.
#4 BAYKA Cool Mist Humidifier
BAYKA | Cool Mist Humidifier
360° rotatable nozzle allows mist direction. Any elevated hard surface will do for this unit.
Nightlight can be turned off for undisturbed sleep. Long press on the button for 3 seconds to turn off the nightlight.
Invisible drainage gaps ease emptying the tank. The unit's design features gaps that let the water out only when you want it to.
Straight edges make cleaning and drying a breeze. This humidifier is basically one big cube, letting you empty, clean and dry it with ease.
No built-in humidity sensor. You need to have some other way of measuring humidity to know if the unit is working properly.
No filter. Mold and grime buildup depends largely on whether you’re using distilled water and/or have air conditioning in your house. This also means more cleaning on your part.
#5 VicTsing Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
VicTsing | Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Rotating nozzle for even mist distribution. With the nozzle at a 45° angle to the surface, this humidifier is optimized to shoot out jets of mist as far as possible.
Filter-free design for minimum hassle. No need to stock up on costly filters and replace them all the time.
Super easy to set up. Single knob design make it ready-for-use right out of the box.
Easy to refill. The tiny water tank does have its advantages, namely that it’s a breeze to refill and handle.
Tiny water tank. However, this also means that the humidifier will run out of water if left to work when you’re away.
Not mold resistant. This humidifier has no built-in mold protection; Hence, we highly recommend regular cleaning with vinegar.
Bottom Line - Best Humidifier for High Altitude
Best Overall | Best for Warm & Cool Mist | Best for Dry Skin and Sinuses | Easy Maintenance Option | Amazon's Choice | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cell |   |   |   |   |   |
Cell | Miroco Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier (MI-AH001) | LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier (LV600HH) | TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier (TT-AH002) | BAYKA Cool Mist Humidifier | VicTsing Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier |
Price | |||||
Tank Capacity | 1.6 gal (6 L) | 1.6 gal | 0.92 gal (3.5 L) | 1.05 gal | 0.53 gal |
Auto Shut-off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Runtime | 60 hrs | 36 hrs | 10 hrs | 28 hrs | 24 hrs |
In today’s day and age, humans are able to live in higher altitudes than ever before, even for just a short while. This is a tremendous benefit but is also what causes a whole host of problems.
For some, this means headaches, nosebleeds or just a feeling of stuffed nose; for others, weather doesn’t seem to affect them at all. However, high altitude can still affect everyone in a negative way.
What a humidifier can do for you is provide you with much needed comfort to the dryer air or as your body acclimatizes to the change in altitude.
In this case, we’ve showcased 5 humidifiers of the best quality, with Miroco's MI-AH001 being the overall best humidifier for high altitude.
Incredibly silent when running, stylish, and easy to use. The Miroco Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier does the job to keep humidity under control and provide relief for dry skin, stuffiness, and coughs.
Even if you do not live in high altitudes, give this machine a try and you may find yourself sleeping more soundly and feeling more alert during the day!
