As the cold winter months set in, you may notice that it’s a little harder to breathe and your skin starts to crack. The unpleasant side effects of dry air are an unfortunate part of winter, but it doesn’t have to be. Investing in the best steam humidifier can add much needed moisture to your home and make you feel much more comfortable.

There are two types of steam humidifiers: room models and whole-house models. While room models can produce enough vaporized air to cover a bedroom or living room, whole-house humidifiers use your existing heating system to direct humid air throughout your home. We’ve rounded up the five best steam humidifiers, including different models of each type. Our reviews cover important features such as tank capacity and coverage area. This will help you find the best hot steam humidifier that will sufficiently meet your needs.

To find the five best steam humidifiers, we’ve scoured manufacturer information, online reviews and our own observations. This article begins with a handy comparison table that highlights the five products. These are then examined in more detail, including all their features, benefits and drawbacks. Finally, a buying guide provides specific information on steam humidifiers and answers any questions you may have. With all of these elements, we want to make your steam humidifier purchase as easy as possible.

BONECO S450 steam humidifier

The best BONECO digital steam humidifier not only works well, it also looks very sophisticated. It is housed in a stylish rectangular design and can fit both on shelves and on the floor, making it very versatile.

The BONECO S450 steam humidifier has a large 13.25 litre water tank, which allows for 24 hours of continuous misting. This means you only have to remember to fill the water tank once a day, which can quickly become part of your daily routine. The coverage area is 860 square feet, which is perfect for a small flat or open plan living room.

When it comes to cleanliness, an additional feature is the production of bacteria-free steam. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, you’ll want your air to be as clean as possible, and the BONECO S450 Steam Humidifier is the perfect choice in this case. For maintenance, there is an easy-to-use cleaning function and you won’t have to remember when the machine was last cleaned.

A final advantage of the BONECO S450 steam humidifier is that it can also work with essential oils. This means you don’t need to buy a separate unit, saving space and money.

Emerson HSP2000 Whole House Steam Humidifier

If you live in a dry climate all year round or can’t stand the intense dryness of winter, installing a whole house steam humidifier is a great idea. Not only is the Emerson HSP2000 steam humidifier convenient and easy to use, but after its initial installation, you don’t even have to remember it, just let it do its job for you.

The purchase includes the humidifier itself as well as an installation kit, mounting frame and control dial. This means you can easily control your humidity settings knowing that everything will be taken care of.

The unit is recommended for spaces up to 1,400 square feet, making it an ideal all-round humidifier for small to medium sized homes.

Online reviews of the Emerson HSP2000 Whole House Steam Humidifier are nothing short of universal praise. Although installation is best left in the hands of professionals, once installed, the unit works perfectly and very few problems have been reported.

Includes stainless steel humidifier assembly, automatic rinse timer, automatic humidistat, water filter, saddle valve, fan control relay, fan safety switch and mounting frame.

Aprilaire 800 Residential Steam Humidifier

People who have a large home but still want the convenience of a steam humidifier should seriously consider the Aprilaire 800 Residential steam humidifier. With an impressive 6,200 square feet of coverage area, this product ensures that humid air makes its way into every room in the house.

Simply install the Aprilaire 800 Residential Steam Humidifier and it connects to your HVAC system and circulates humid air through your existing ductwork. A digital control panel allows you to set your optimal humidity levels and not have to constantly adjust them based on weather variations.

As for water capacity, depending on the electrical power you choose, it can use up to 34.6 gallons of water per day. You only need to use cold water, and don’t worry about whether it’s hard or soft; either will work well with the Aprilaire 800 Residential steam humidifier. This is truly one of the best steam humidifiers for ovens.

Vornado Element A2 Humidifier + Steam

The best steam humidifier that seems to come from the future is the Vornado Element A2 Air + Steam Humidifier. However, its design has a purpose, and that is to make the humidity output as customisable as possible. The two tanks make it easy to fill and together they can cover an area of up to 1000 square feet. If you live in a flat or have an open plan living space, then this is the product for you.

The simple control panel allows you to choose between cool, warm or hot air. In addition, the digital controls can be locked, in case little fingers want to start playing with them. Another interesting bonus is that you can use essential oils with the Vornado Element A2 air and steam humidifier, which adds to its versatility and makes it ideal for relieving cough and allergy symptoms. The Vernado is equipped with humidity control sensors that can not only measure the level of humidity in your home, but also maintain the level you want. You can set the humidity level you want and be assured that this machine will shut off once it reaches that level. Many users have been really impressed with the responsiveness of the machine.

Vicks V745A Hot Steam Humidifier

For anyone who has suffered from a dry cough in the middle of winter, the Vicks Warm Mist V745A humidifier is a must-have product. It’s harder to breathe dry air, and when your nasal passage is irritated, it can make you feel considerably uncomfortable. Also, if your nose is blocked, you’ll breathe through your mouth, which can leave you with a painfully dry mouth and lips.

Fortunately, with the Vicks V745A Warm Steam Humidifier, you can combine the benefits of warm, moist air with the soothing medicine of Vicks. This powerful combination will clear your sinuses and make it much easier to breathe. You’ll wake up well-rested and much happier.

This best steam humidifier for sinus problems is a small machine, which means it is compact and fits well in even a tiny room. Because of its size, coverage area, filterless design and compatibility with VapoSteam inhalers, this model could also be named the best filterless humidifier for the bedroom.

The 3.8 litre water tank has a 12 hour run time, which means you can turn it on before bed and rest easy knowing it will run all night.

What are the benefits of steam humidifiers?

Steam humidifiers are energy efficient, which not only saves the environment, but also reduces your electricity bills. While traditional humidifiers need a lot of water to produce heated steam, steam humidifiers require much less. While some steam humidifiers are stand-alone products, many can be connected to your home’s heating system. They then work in tangent with the naturally heated air to add moisture that is diffused throughout the house. If the air in your home is extremely dry and you want to benefit from constant humidity, investing in a steam humidifier is a good idea.

Features to consider when choosing a steam humidifier

Water tank capacity

Our list includes two types of steam humidifiers: stand-alone products with a water tank and system products that connect to your HVAC system. Full system steam humidifiers offer the advantage of not having to worry about refilling the water tanks, as the water supply is continuous.

For stand-alone products, the water tank will need to be filled continuously to operate your steam humidifier. The Vicks V745A hot steam humidifier has the smallest water tank, with a capacity of 3.8 litres. It can only run for about 12 hours before needing to be refilled. The BONECO S450 steam humidifier has a much larger water tank, with a capacity of 13.25 litres, and can run for 24 hours on a single fill.

Fogging time / maximum output

For self-contained steam humidifiers, the capacity of the water tank determines the duration of the misting. In principle, the smaller the water tank, the less time steam is produced. For whole-house steam humidifiers, the maximum flow rate varies according to construction and power. The Aprilaire 800 Residential steam humidifier is by far the most powerful system on our list and has a maximum flow rate of 34.6 gallons per day, which means it is suitable for very large homes.

Coverage area

Some steam humidifiers, such as the Vicks Warm Mist V745A humidifier, are stand-alone units designed for a single room, such as a bedroom or living room. Other steam humidifiers, such as the Aprilaire 800 Residential steam humidifier, can cover an entire house. There’s no need to buy a humidifier that won’t fit the space you need.

Noise level

The incessant hum of a steam heating and humidifier system, 24 hours a day, can drive anyone a little crazy. So noise level is a major concern. Fortunately, the products on our list all have minimal noise levels, which means that even if it’s running at night, your sweet dreams won’t be disturbed.

Essential oil diffuser

While some steam humidifiers are designed for the whole house, those for individual rooms can be fitted with an essential oil diffuser. This feature allows you to add a few drops of an essential oil to the machine, which is then dispersed into the air. The result is a subtle fragrance that can improve your mood. The BONECO S450 steam humidifier is one of the products on our list that can be used as an essential oil diffuser.

Dimensions

If you are planning to use a steam humidifier in a room, make sure you know in advance where you want to place it so that it fits. Some steam humidifiers are very attractive, so they fit in perfectly with your home décor. Others can be a bit bulky and you’ll want to hide them.

Additional features

In addition to these standard features, your steam humidifier may have an extra feature that will really set it apart from the rest. Automatic shut-off is important for stand-alone steam humidifiers as it is a crucial safety feature. Timers are also very useful, as you can set your humidifier for a few hours at night and not have to worry about turning it off while you sleep. Some humidifiers require filters. If this is the case, it is worthwhile for additional filters to be included in the purchase.

Tips for maintaining your humidifier

For room models, make sure you clean them regularly. Bacteria thrive in dark, warm places, and humidifiers have all these elements. Make it a habit to clean your steam humidifier weekly so that no bacteria or moulds have a chance to grow and enter your air.

For a whole-house model, schedule maintenance at least twice a year. Turn the machine off and give everything a thorough cleaning. You don’t need fancy cleaners. Hot water and vinegar will be enough to disinfect everything.

Our verdict

We hope that the products chosen for our review will help you choose the right steam humidifier for you.

If you want a smaller model for a single room, look no further than the BONECO S450 steam humidifier. Its sleek black design fits any room, and the control panel lets you easily adjust your humidity level.

When it comes to whole-house steam humidifiers, the Emerson HSP2000 whole-house steam humidifier is ideal for larger homes. It works in conjunction with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and is extremely easy to control.

If you still want a whole house unit, but on an even larger scale, another best steam humidifier is the Aprilaire 800 Residential Steam Humidifier. It offers easy-to-use settings and allows you to breathe a little easier knowing you no longer have to deal with dry air.