Obsessive research runs in my family. While my “specialties” include domestics, art supplies, fashion, and kid stuff, my two brothers are official gadget hounds. When we needed a humidifier last winter for Laurel, not surprisingly, my brother (who thrives on medically-tested products) had a recommendation right at his fingertips. The Slant Fin Warm Mist Humidifier is decidedly more functional than fashionable (in comparison to cute animal-inspired models on the market), but it is highly effective and will satisfy even them most extreme germophobe.

This dual-tank humidifier uses ultraviolet light to sterilize water (99.999% bacteria free production), and the water is vaporized to eliminate white dust, making it safer for allergy and asthma sufferers. Dimensions are 15 5/8"L x 11 3/8"W x 12"H and suit rooms up to 20 x 20 feet (400 sq. ft.). Tanks are one gallon each (nice, so you don’t have to fill them up as often), and I’m pretty sure the humidifier included starter mineral absorption pads and the UV light bulb (bulbs run at maximum output for about 2000 hours and mineral pad life depends on water content); we never needed to replace either of these items throughout last winter.