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A good night’s sleep is essential for overall well-being, and the environment you sleep in plays a crucial role in how restful that sleep is. If you’ve ever woken up feeling groggy, with dry skin or a sore throat, the air quality in your bedroom might be to blame. Using a humidifier can make a world of difference in creating the perfect sleep environment. Related video above: Take steps to stay safe, warm during extreme coldHumidifiers can offer various benefits for sleep quality by adding moisture to the air, especially in dry environments. According to an article from the Sleep Foundation by Jay Vera Summer and Dr. Abhinav Singh, dry air can irritate the respiratory system, leading to discomfort such as a dry throat, nasal congestion or irritated skin. Using a humidifier can help alleviate these symptoms, improving overall comfort during sleep. It also helps maintain optimal humidity levels that can prevent issues like dry skin and chapped lips, which are more common in colder months or homes with artificial heating.Singh, a sleep medicine physician, says for individuals with allergies or asthma, a humidifier can reduce symptoms by keeping the airways moist. This may result in easier breathing, reduced snoring and less congestion. A well-maintained humidifier can also reduce the spread of airborne viruses and bacteria, as some pathogens thrive in dry environments. This makes a humidifier a helpful tool in promoting better sleep, especially for those with respiratory conditions or sensitivities.However, it’s essential to clean and maintain the humidifier regularly to avoid mold and bacteria buildup, which could exacerbate respiratory issues. Additionally, excessive humidity can create an environment conducive to dust mites and mold growth, so balancing humidity levels is important. By monitoring the room's humidity, a humidifier can effectively enhance sleep quality without negative side effects.You can monitor the humidity with a device called a humidity gauge, also known as a hygrometer or a humidistat. We like this one from ThermoPro on Amazon.There are also different types of humidifiers you can use for different needs in the home. A portable humidifier can be plugged in and moved around the home easily. These are best for smaller rooms like a small bedroom or an office. Our favorite is from the brand Canopy.A cool mist humidifier releases a fine, refreshing mist into the air, with a slight cooling effect. The Dreo Ultrasonic Humidifier on Amazon provides efficient, quiet cool mist for enhanced comfort. With a large 6L tank, it offers up to 50 hours of continuous misting, which makes it great for bigger bedrooms and living spaces. It even has a built-in humidistat and a remote control for easy operation.Another type of humidifier is an evaporative device. An evaporative humidifier adds moisture to the air by using a wick filter to absorb water, which is then evaporated by a fan. As air passes through the moistened filter, it picks up water vapor and releases it into the room. This type of humidifier is self-regulating, meaning it won't over-humidify since it only releases moisture as the air can absorb it. It's often quieter and more energy-efficient compared to other types.The Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier is a well-reviewed option.If you're still not sure which humidifier is right for you, you can't go wrong with recommendations from our friends at Good Housekeeping. The LEVOIT Classic 300S Smart Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is their top recommendation!GH's Dan DiClerico and Olivia Lipski say Levoit humidifiers have historically been top performers in their lab tests for ease of use. "This model is no exception, featuring a transparent tank with a large opening on the top that makes it easy to add water when needed. Our engineers called out the auto-mode setting that automatically adjusts mist levels to maintain your desired humidity levels," the authors say in the article.For more coverage of our favorite household products, click here.