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It's not quite like that, because the "best" brand or model really depends on what you're willing to spend and how humid your room actually is right now. In Lisbon, the problem usually isn't extreme dryness like in other places - especially near the river or the coast, the air is already quite humid. Before you buy anything, it's worth measuring with a cheap hygrometer (you can find them for 10-20 euros in DIY stores) to figure out if you really need to increase humidity or if it's just a feeling.
If you confirm it's actually necessary, a small to medium-sized ultrasonic humidifier is usually the best value for money for a bedroom. They use little energy, they're quiet (which matters if you're going to be sleeping in there), and a capacity of 2-3 litres is more than enough for 15-20m². Brands like Beurer or Ufesa are easy to find here and have good reviews. The important thing is that it has a water filter or that you use distilled water, otherwise you'll get that white dust all over the place.
One thing to note: if the room is small and too humid, a humidifier is counterproductive - you could end up with mold. In that case, what you need is a dehumidifier or just to keep good ventilation. But assuming it really is dry, these simple devices work well in small spaces in Lisbon.
The truth is that in Lisbon the biggest challenge isn't finding a humidifier that works, but deciding whether you actually need one. The city's climate is quite humid, especially near the river or the coast, and many rooms already have too much moisture. Before you buy anything, it's really worth testing with a cheap humidity meter (around 15-20 euros) to see where your room stands. If it's below 40%, then it makes sense to invest.
If you confirm you need one, a small ultrasonic humidifier (cold mist type) is usually the best value for small rooms. They take up little space, use little energy and don't make much noise at night. The problem is that some cheap models from Aliexpress leave everything sticky if you're not careful with the water dosage. It's worth spending a bit more on one that has intensity control and is easy to clean - maintaining these devices is genuinely annoying.
One thing not everyone considers: in Lisbon, often what really gets you is ventilation. If the room is stuffy, a humidifier can make the feeling worse, because the air gets heavy. If you can open a window regularly, especially at night, you'll probably feel much better than with any gadget.
In Lisbon, it's worth first measuring your room's relative humidity with a cheap hygrometer (you can find one for 10-15€ at any electronics store) before spending money on a humidifier. Most rooms in Lisbon tend to be between 50-65% humidity, which is the ideal range - if you're at that level, a humidifier is completely unnecessary and will just add excess moisture to the room.
If you really need one (because the room is very dry due to heating in winter or it's far from the river), a small ultrasonic model with 2-3 liters capacity is more than enough for a small room. The trick nobody mentions: place the humidifier near the window or in a ventilation area - that way the humidity distributes better throughout the space instead of creating stagnant vapor around the device. Models like Beurer or even generic supermarket brands work fine if your budget is tight. Just be careful with maintenance because if you don't clean it regularly it starts growing fungus and bacteria, especially in a humid climate like Lisbon's.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking Lisbon is so humid that you don't need a humidifier - the inside of bedrooms, especially if they're closed for long periods, can definitely get dry! But before you buy anything, you really need a hygrometer to make sure of the actual humidity level, otherwise you're just throwing money away. If you really do need one, small ultrasonic models (like 2-3 liters) work well for a small bedroom because they're quiet and don't heat up the room, just don't leave them running 24/7 because then you'll mess with the whole room's climate and it can create mold!
At home I had that same dilemma and made the mistake of buying a model that was way too big without understanding what I actually needed. The thing is, yes, Lisbon is humid, but rooms shut up all night can definitely get dry - it really depends on how well the room is insulated and whether you have windows open. Before you invest in anything, it makes sense to measure with a hygrometer (those digital wall ones are cheap) because there's no point having a humidifier running if the humidity is already above 50-60%.
If you find you really do need one, for a small room a simple ultrasonic model does the job. They use little energy, they're quiet (important for sleeping) and they don't take up much space - look for something with a capacity between 2 to 4 litres. Avoid the really basic ones because they clog up easily with limescale - Lisbon's water is hard, so invest in one that has a removable filter or works with distilled water. You'll spend at most around 30-50€ on a decent model.
What you shouldn't do is turn on a humidifier just for the sake of it or because you think "it's good for your health". Too much humidity creates mould and dust mites - worse than dryness.
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