Traveling can be hard on your family’s health, and dry air is a big part of the problem. A typical airplane cabin is drier than the Sahara Desert and hotel rooms can be just as bad. Some destinations are also worse than others. If you’re taking the family on a winter getaway or a desert vacation, low humidity is something you can count on. Besides issues with static, dry skin and chapped lips, dry air can be especially problematic for children and adults with asthma, lung or sinus issues.
That’s where a portable vaporizer comes in handy. A portable humidifier can help your family sleep better, feel more comfortable and stay healthy. These are the best portable vaporizers to pack for your next trip.
1. Levoit Dual 100 Humidifier and Essential Oil Diffuser
The Levoit Dual 100 is one of the best portable humidifiers for those who want a dual function cool mist humidifier and a diffuser. The diffuser feature allows you to add essential oils to the mist. This humidifier has three mist speed settings and is incredibly quiet. In sleep mode, all lights are turned off and the built-in humidity sensor automatically maintains a comfortable humidity level. The top-fill design makes it easy to fill and clean. It has a 0.48-gallon capacity and is ideal for medium-sized rooms. It automatically shuts off when the water level gets low or if the tank is removed. At 7 inches by 7 inches by 10.6 inches, this humidifier is a little large for a carry-on bag, but it only weighs about 3.35 pounds and could fit in a suitcase.
2. Elechomes Ultrasonic Mini Cool Mist Humidifier
Small enough to fit in your hand and light enough to go in a carry-on bag, the Elechomes Ultrasonic Mini Cool Mist Humidifier is one of the best travel humidifiers. It’s designed to hold a standard 8- or 16-ounce water bottle available at convenience stores and in many hotel rooms. This mini humidifier can provide up to 10 hours of humidity for an office or hotel room. An adjustable knob allows you to control the mist level and there’s a storage bag for easy transport. It’s very quiet and it turns off automatically when the water bottle is empty. A soft blue light displays when the humidifier is running, making it easier to visualize the mist output. A red light displays when the water bottle is empty. Some users will like the light, but some might find it annoying at night.
3. TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier
The space-saving sleek design of the TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier makes it one of the best portable humidifiers for travel. The unit holds 60 ounces of water and is capable of humidifying a medium-sized room. It’s BPA-free and very quiet, so you can safely use it in a baby’s room. A dial knob on the front of the machine lets you control the mist output. It has a 360-degree nozzle to direct the output, a smart LED indicator, and it automatically shuts off when it runs out of water. At 10 inches by 8 inches by 5 inches and 1.8 pounds, it could be placed in a carry-on bag, but it might be better in a suitcase. Though the LED indicator doesn’t turn off at night, it’s possible to turn the unit so you can’t see it.
Related: The Ultimate Carry-On Bag for Moms
4. Mypurmist Ultrapure Handheld Personal Steam Inhaler
The Mypurmist Ultrapure Handheld Personal Steam Inhaler produces warm mist from ultrapure water cartridges. A fully charged battery provides two 15-minute treatments that can be delivered anywhere. The device is self-cleaning, lightweight and small enough to fit in a carry-on bag. It comes with a handy carrying sack and you can purchase a hands-free strap and scent pads to use with it. A button allows you to control the temperature of the steam between 100- to-115 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be noted that this vaporizer is for individual use and won’t improve the humidity of a space for others. It’s not recommended for children under the age of 13 and you must purchase water cartridges to use with it. That said, it’s one of few portable humidifiers that can be used on a plane, and that makes it one of the best humidifiers for travel.
5. Fancii Aquamist II
The miniature size and cordless capabilities of the stylish Fancii Aquamist II lets you take it anywhere you go. It can run for up to 18 hours on battery power or you can plug it into a USB port. Either way, it produces enough mist to humidify a small to medium-sized room and is one of the best portable vaporizers available. It holds a standard-sized water bottle and has a timer feature, so you can set it up to run for two to eight hours. It doesn’t automatically shut off when it runs out of water, but after eight hours of use, it will automatically turn off. It’s very quiet and it’s small enough to fit in a purse or a small carry-on bag. Three included filters last for about nine months and help to ensure the mist produced is ultra-pure, but eventually you’ll have to purchase additional filters.
6. InnoGear USB Car Humidifier and Diffuser
Going on a family road trip? The InnoGear USB Car Humidifier and Diffuser can humidify and refresh the air inside your vehicle at the same time. It’s one of the best portable vaporizers for road trips. It’s small enough to fit in a standard cup holder and holds 1.7 ounces of water. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to eliminate vehicle odors, increase your energy and remain alert while driving. There are two mist settings: intermittent and continuous. The InnoGear is powered by a USB cable that can be plugged into the vehicle and can run up to four hours on the continuous setting. The device shuts down automatically when the water level gets too low. It also has seven different colorful LED lights and can function just as well as a bedside nightlight as well as a humidifier.
7. FUYLIN Mini Portable Humidifier
Weighing just 2.4 ounces, the FUYLIN Mini Portable Humidifier is so small that it can easily fit in a purse or carry-on bag and go anywhere you do. The stem length is adjustable, so it can fit in a variety of different containers. To use this device, you just soak the cotton core for a few minutes before slipping it into the humidifier tube. Then plug the USB into the head, place it in a container of water or a water bottle and turn it on. It will provide enough output to humidify a small space. The device turns off automatically when the water level gets low. It’s very quiet and the easy portability makes the Figrol one of the best portable vaporizers for travel.
8. JZK Mini Portable Personal Humidifier
About the size of a softball, the JZK Mini Portable Personal Humidifier is lightweight and can go anywhere. It’s BPA-free, quiet, easy to operate and has a lifetime guarantee, making it one of the best travel vaporizers available. It holds about 6 ounces of water and can run up to eight hours (though it turns off automatically after three hours of use). The JZK comes with a USB cable and an AC adapter, so there are plenty of options for powering it. The device also lets you select your choice of mood lighting. This tiny vaporizer is not designed to humidify a large space, but is useful in close range on the nightstand or in a small workspace. It comes with one spare filter, and additional filters can be purchased online.
9. Movtip Portable Mini Humidifier
At 3.75 inches in diameter, the Movtip Portable Mini Humidifier is a little large to fit in a car cupholder, but small enough to fit in a carry-on bag. This vaporizer holds 16 ounces of water and can run for 12 hours on continuous mist or 18 hours on the intermittent mist setting—enough to last through the night. It’s very quiet and the built-in water level sensor will turn the vaporizer off automatically when the water gets too low. The Movtip is powered by a USB cable and it includes a nightlight. It’s easy to use and one button controls all the functions. All these features make this powerful mini humidifier one of the best portable vaporizers for travel.
Related: 7 Sanity-Saving Tactics to Get Your Baby to Sleep on Vacation
10. Hopeme Cool Mist Humidifier
If you’re looking for a cute vaporizer that can also function as a nightlight, the Hopeme Cool Mist Humidifier is one of the best portable vaporizers available. This humidifier has a fun animal design and seven color LED lights that provide ambiance to any room. You can run it with the lights on or off. The Hopeme holds 10 ounces of water and can operate for four to six hours. At just under 3.5 inches in diameter, it’s small enough to fit in a carry-on bag for travel. It’s powered by a micro-USB cable and it turns off automatically when it runs out of water. It is very quiet and has two mist settings: continuous and intermittent. Overall, it’s a nice little vaporizer with a very creative design.
Debbie Olsen is a gutsy granny who has snorkeled with whale sharks, hiked the Camino de Santiago and summited three peaks in the Canadian Rockies. She and her husband Greg live in Alberta, Canada. They have four adult children and 3.5 grandchildren. Debbie is an award-winning writer and photographer and a national bestselling author. She writes for many publications including Westjet Magazine, the Calgary Herald, Canadian Geographic, TravelAge West and more. Follow Debbie’s adventures on Wander Woman Travel Magazine.
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