For those of us whose skin in the winter gets as scaly as a lizard’s, home humidifiers might sound essential. But humidifiers are more complicated to use and care for than some other household ...

However, not all humidifiers are the same. Keep reading to learn about the different types of humidifiers, and how to safely use them, including around children.

To use them, place the meter away from the humidifier, crank up the unit to full, and wait until the room humidity reaches 40%. When it does, dial back the humidistat dial until the unit clicks off.

Measuring as small as 3.1 inches, the best mini humidifiers have features like adjustable misting modes, night lights, and tanks that are easy to clean.

Using a humidifier may help alleviate respiratory problems and improve dry skin. Read about the benefits of a humidifier and how to use one safely.