Vicks Starry Night Filtered Cool Mist Humidifier, Medium to Large Rooms

Why it's worth it

The Vicks Starry Night projects stars on the ceiling and runs a filter that pulls minerals out of the water, so you get no white dust without buying distilled. It holds a gallon and works with VapoPads if your pediatrician is fine with them.

The filter is the underrated feature. Because this unit wicks water through a mineral-trapping filter instead of vibrating it into a fine mist, you don't get the white dust that ultrasonic models leave on the dresser. That means ordinary tap water is fine, which saves you from hauling distilled jugs home every week.

The star projector is a genuine sleep aid, not a gimmick. It throws a soft field of stars on the ceiling, and owners consistently describe it as the thing that turned a humidifier into part of the bedtime routine. The tank glow doubles as a night light bright enough to change a diaper by and dim enough to leave on.

From our review of 7 humidifiers for a baby nursery

What we like

• +The filter is the underrated feature
• +The star projector is a genuine sleep aid, not a gimmick
• +A one-gallon tank gets you through the night with margin, and the tank opening is wide, so cleaning is manageable
• +This is the largest footprint of the picks at over 13 inches wide, and it weighs the most when empty

What to know

• –Owner feedback flags two consistent problems
• –The filter is a recurring purchase, and it's the part that determines whether the unit keeps working well