What’s the best affordable humidifier under $20? First and foremost, there are a plethora of reasons to use a humidifier for your home, office, or car. We all know some of the more obvious reasons, such as helping to prevent dry skin or moisturize dry air. However, most people, including myself, are shocked by hearing some of the hidden benefits a humidifier provides.
Here are a few mild benefits; A humidifier can help prevent snoring, aids in making your home feel warmer, prevent wood damage, and prevent static. However, some of the more prominent benefits a humidifier offers are its ability to relieve allergy symptoms and help prevent the spread of most airborne viruses.
One study found that 85% of airborne viruses became infective if a room’s humidity level was raised to at least 43%.
Luckily, we are born in an age of high demand and with an innovative society. Thus, it’s more than possible to find an effective but cheap humidifier in today’s marketplace.
After extensive research and testing; we formulated a list of the 7 very best humidifiers under $20. Some of them enable you to use essential oils with them, while others don’t. However, all of them help boost the moisture and humidity in a bedroom, car, baby room, or a smaller office.
In Short, Here Are The Best Cheap Humidifiers Under $20
- Movtip
- SmartDevil
- URPOWER 2nd
- LoiStu USB
- FoPcc 500ml
- MADETEC Ultrasonic
- IKER USB
1. Movtip
First up, the Movtip is an affordable but reliable humidifier under $20. It comes in four different colors; white, pink, gray, or blue. With its compact design, it’s very portable and can fit basically anywhere. Many people love it for traveling since it effortlessly fits in a bag.
Since it’s a USB humidifier, you’ll enjoy how easy it is to use. This mini humidifier is highly rated and reviewed among customers, as well. A unique feature it offers is its built-in night light, which is much more useful than you’ll initially realize.
The Movtip has two separate modes; (1) Continuous mode, (2) Intermittent mode. After pressing the button once, continuous spray mode doesn’t stop humidifying for 12 hours straight. When you press the button for a second time, it will intermittently spray for 18 hours with two-second pauses. At the end of the modes cycle, it automatically shuts off.
Another thing you’ll appreciate is its 500ml capacity. In other words, it provides an extended amount of mist for its compact size. Overall, the Movtip is an excellent value mini humidifier. It’s great for smaller rooms, offices, or traveling. Be sure to check out the reviews below.
Users Say: “I keep this tiny humidifier on the windowsill at the head of our bed. We stopped waking up to sore throats from the dry heat of our bedroom in winter. So simple to fill and operate. We even use the long-press night light feature for romantic mood lighting! Seriously. This was worth the cheap price. You need to position it near an outlet because the USB cord is short—and this is NOT a rechargeable battery-operated item. Great purchase. Cool mist lasts all night and then some.”
Details & Tech Specs
- Comes in four colors
- Built-in nightlight
- 500ml capacity
- USB humidifier
- Two modes: Continuous mode, Intermittent mode
- Auto shutoff
- Do not use essential oils, perfume, distilled water, which will cause the cotton swab to clog and the Humidifier to be unusable.
2. SmartDevil
Running just below 20$, the SmartDevil is an affordable and portable humidifier. It’s very quiet with a 30dB operation level. You’ll appreciate the two separate nightlight modes, as well. With 500ml capacity, it stores a large amount of volume for its small size. The auto-shutoff feature helps avoid any issue when the unit is low on water.
There are a few downsides I noticed with it. For one, the build quality is rather poor. In some cases, it leaks a fair amount, and it breaks within a few months. On top of that, it doesn’t produce the most potent mist. Besides all of that, the SmartDevil is a cheap humidifier that’s pretty good for the price.
Users Say: “Absolutely loved the mini humidifier. I use this every night and ever since I started using it I haven’t been waking up with dry lips or a dry nose lol I definitely would recommend it to others.”
Details & Tech Specs
- 30dB noise level
- 500ml capacity
- Two spray modes; Continuous mode, Intermittent mode
- Auto shutoff
3. URPOWER 2nd
For a good reason, the URPOWER 2nd is one of the highest-rated and most popular humidifiers on the market. You can also use it to diffuse essential oils with it, as well. All four colors this 100ml humidifier comes in runs under $20. It uses two mist modes; Continuous mode and intermittent mode. Both modes run for 6 hours straight. You’ll also enjoy the quiet noise level.
A unique feature this humidifier offers is its seven different LED light colors. It automatically shuts off the moment the water runs out. One of the more surprising attributes is its high-quality materials used to make it.
The build quality and design dramatically surpass its low price. Overall, the URPOWER 2nd is an excellent humidifier under $20. We highly recommend it for travel, offices, bedrooms, smaller rooms, or anyone who wishes to use essential oils.
Users Say: “I ordered this humidifier after I came down with a horrible case of bronchitis and was desperate for help in relieving the chest congestion and coughing. I received it in two days and it is just the right size to sit on the end table next to me so I can get all the steam. It has really helped my coughing fits be less frequent and severe.”
Details & Tech Specs
- 7 LED light colors
- 100ml capacity
- Essential oil diffuser
- Runs for 6 hours
4. LoiStu USB
Next up, the LoiStu USB is another low-budget USB humidifier running under $20. This small unit is easily portable and great for your car, travel, or small room near your bed. Not only is it a mini humidifier, but it’s a nightlight, as well. The LED lights can change to seven different colors by pressing the button for two seconds to change.
With its little to no noise performance, you’ll have no issues sleeping with it near your bed. One of the reasons we like it for cars is its perfect fit for most cup holders.
Like a few others on the list, it provides two modes of operation. Continuous spray mode offers 6 hours of use, while Intermittent spray mode provides 12 hours of use. There’s no need to add water during that entire time. Another thing you’ll like is its easy setup. (1) unscrew the top, (2) add water, (3) power on with USB, (4) press the button. Overall the LoiStu USB is an excellent bang for the buck humidifier. Be sure to check out the reviews below!
Users Say: “I live in California. This product is cool with the build quality. No leaks I found it after doing research on other products in the same price range, This is one of the best. It’s powered by USB and can even work with a power bank. It’s a lot good if u use facial serum when you are in a dry place. Makes air fresh to breathe and even the room stays cool. It also has different dim color modes so it works as dim light too and is pleasant. So it was all I expected and it’s a great deal for the price.”
Details & Tech Specs
- USB humidifier
- Two modes: Continuous mode, Intermittent mode
- Auto shutoff
- 7 LED color nightlight
5. FoPcc 500ml
The FoPcc 500ml is another highly rated portable USB humidifier. With its very quiet operation, you’ll have no issues putting it right next to your bed. It offers a longer working time than the average humidifier on this list. The Intermittent spray mode works 18 hours straight while the Continuous spray mode goes for 12 hours straight.
One of the reasons it offers a longer spray time is due to its 500ml capacity. After the time is up, the unit automatically shuts off to prevent any issues.
You don’t have to worry if desk space is limited. The miniature size of 5 inches tall and 3.75 inches wide makes it easy to travel with and/or fit anywhere. Like many others on this list, it too has a built-in nightlight. You can get this humidifier in either gray or white. Overall, the FoPcc 500ml is another excellent bargain for its quality value. We highly recommend it.
Users Say: “After 5 years of service, my old ultrasonic humidifier quit working. As I always do, I researched a replacement. After receiving my first unit, I was so satisfied I ordered a second unit two days after receiving the first, one for my bedroom and the other for my office. What I like most is the reasonable price, manageable size of the water container, and no needleless fancy options that I never used on my older model”
Details & Tech Specs
- Unable to use essential oils
- 500ml capacity
- USB humidifier
- Two modes: Continuous mode (12 hours), Intermittent mode (18 hours)
- Auto shutoff
6. MADETEC Ultrasonic
Here is yet another cheap USB humidifier that’s primarily made for your car or baby bedroom. The MADETEC Ultrasonic is a great choice running below $20. Like the others, it too provides two modes of misting. For continuous mode, you must press the button once for 6 hours of constant spray.
Once you press the button again, intermittent mode alternates between spraying and pausing for 10 hours straight. What I like about it is its ease of use since only one button is needed to acquire all functions. This unit automatically shuts off once finished, as well.
The built-in night light provides seven different colors to choose from. Being 5.5 inches tall and 2.7 inches wide, you’ll also appreciate its tube-like design quality, as well. In terms of its downside, a large number of users claimed it stopped working within a month. Aside from that, the MADETEC Ultrasonic is definitely one of the 7 best humidifiers below $20.
Users Say: “Happy with this mini size humidifier, I leave it right by my bed at night. Even though it’s smaller than most of my humidifiers, it lets out a nice constant stream of fresh steam. It’s actually very powerful and is just what I need at night for my breathing.”
Details & Tech Specs
- Capacity: 230ml
- USB humidifier
- 7 different colors
- Do not use essential oils, perfume, distilled water, which will cause the cotton swab to clog
7. IKER USB
Last up; the IKER USB is possibly the cheapest humidifier on the entire market. But don’t let the low price fool you! It’s also a fantastic bang for the buck.
First off, it’s tranquil and will not disturb your sleep or concentration on work. It automatically shuts off when it’s low on water, as well. The interval spray lasts about 8 hours, while the continuous spray lasts 4 hours.
Overall, the IKER USB is a decent humidifier running at an affordable price.
Users Say: “I bought this when I knew I’d be spending aweek in a dry climate because I tend to have a lot of sinus problems when I’m in that type of climate. I put this on the table right next to me at night and I didn’t have any of my usual dry sinus issues, which made me very happy. However, I definitely think it should only be used in a small space. I was in a small room with the door closed and am not sure that it would have been much help if it wasn’t right next to me. It was a nice touch that you can choose the color of the light if you want it lit up.”
Details & Tech Specs
- Interval spray mode: 8 hours
- Continuous spray mode: 4 hours
Our Winner
Keep in mind that our opinion is not the end all be all. Like mentioned earlier, everyone has different needs, requirements, and budgets for their humidifier. However, our winner is the URPOWER 2nd since it’s the most reliable, has the best build quality, has the most extended longevity, and allows you the option to use essential oils. We believe it’s the overall best bang for the buck and we highly recommend it!
Quick Recap
Here Are The Best Portable Humidifiers Under $20 For Your Office, Bedroom, Car, Or Traveling
- Movtip
- SmartDevil
- URPOWER 2nd
- LoiStu USB
- FoPcc 500ml
- MADETEC Ultrasonic
- IKER USB
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