Where to place a humidifier in your bedroom depends upon several factors.
The first and most important consideration is the type of humidifier.
If you purchased a cool-mist humidifier to allow you to sleep more comfortably, then it’s fine to place it near your bed.
Placing a humidifier beside your bed is also a great idea if your humidifier includes an integrated filter to alleviate allergies. If you are using the device to clean the bedroom air, then your humidifier should be as close to your bed as you can with the exhaust vents pointed towards your bed, so you get the full benefit of clean air.
A warm mist system, on the other hand, should not be placed close to your bed or near any other potentially flammable materials while you’re asleep, because warm mist humidifiers use heating elements to boil water. This presents a potential fire and electrical hazard.
The second major factor to consider is whether the humidity can be auto-controlled by the unit through the night. If your room becomes too humid, your sheets and comforter can become moist which can promote growth of bacteria and mold. And it feels awful. Look for units with humidistats and auto-control features to prevent this from happening.
The third major consideration is the type of water used in the humidifier.
If you’re using tap water to fill your tank, you may notice a fine white dust accumulating on your bedroom furniture. These are mineral deposits from hard tap water that are discharged along with the moisture into the air. Using demineralizing pills can help, but the best way to reduce the white dust is to use filtered and distilled water in the humidifier.
A fourth factor to consider: how clean is your humidifier?.
A humidifier that’s not adequately cleaned regularly shouldn’t be placed close to your bed. Some humidifiers include air filters that must be checked and cleaned regularly. If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s regular cleaning instructions, then your bedroom humidifier can become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria, and other allergens.
The final consideration is the noise level of your humidifier. All humidifiers create noise. Some are quieter than others, but even the best ultrasonic cool mist units emit noise. Having your humidifier too close to your bed can ruin your sleep if your it generates the wrong kind of sound. To be safe, look for humidifiers that emit less than 55dB.