Humidifiers are one of the essential devices you can have in your home. Although it may seem that they only release a little moisture into the air, they offer a long list of health benefits to those who use them. Of course, most people only experience the smaller, more portable humidifiers, which don’t provide enough moisture to be truly effective. To get the best experience, you need to get your hands on the best possible home humidifier.

This can be a tricky prospect, as there are many different models to choose from, from those that connect to your HVAC system to smaller models that can be moved around. Lucky for you, you’ve found us! In our reviews, we made sure to take into account all the key features. This includes the type of humidifier and the coverage area. We also looked at the size of the units and their maximum output for each day.

In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to make an informed decision when buying a home humidifier. We’ve spent dozens of hours reading hundreds of user reviews to compile a comprehensive list of what we consider to be the best home humidifiers available today. If you’re just starting your search, check out our detailed buying guide. Then check out our in-depth reviews to choose the best home humidifier for your needs.

Aprilaire 700

If you are looking for the best whole house oven humidifier, this is a great model to start with. This is by far one of the easiest units to use, as you have the choice of a manual mode or a digital programming mode. Both modes will give you the flexibility to set the right amount of relative humidity in your home.

One of the main difficulties with using a home humidifier is that you have to be careful about the water you put through it. Some models are very specific about the type of water to be used, and if you deviate from this type, you will end up damaging the machine. This model, however, does not have a specific type of water you have to stick to. It doesn’t matter if you use distilled, soft, hard, hot or cold water, it will be able to handle it.

If you decide to buy this humidifier, make sure you have it installed by a professional. The installation can be a little tricky, as it needs to be connected to your boiler. Then, make sure you maintain it properly, especially when it comes to changing the filters. Fortunately, the filters on this humidifier do not need to be changed very often. Even if you run it all day, these high-quality filters will probably last you three or four months without needing to be changed, which is fantastic value.

Emerson HSP2000 Whole House Steam Humidifier

Although they can be a little expensive at first, steam humidifiers are surprisingly effective and cost-efficient once installed. This unit is no different. Although it is quite large for a steam humidifier, it can be used in both small and large homes. Its high level of efficiency makes it a perfect choice, no matter what type of living space you occupy.

The pure filter doesn’t just help you humidify the air. It has what the company calls a pure air filter. This filter is designed to remove toxins, allergens and pollutants from the air in your home. In fact, not only will this device help you maintain the relative humidity of your air at the appropriate level, but it will also rid it of any harmful elements that may be bothering you and your family.

Unlike other humidifiers, this one doesn’t need the boiler fan to work. It has a digital humidistat that constantly monitors the air. It turns on when it detects that the air is not at the correct humidity level according to your settings.

The settings on this humidifier are among the easiest to follow of all the units we reviewed. This makes it easy to set up and use by anyone once it is installed. Of course, the installation process is quite tricky and should only be done by a professional.

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

This is one of the smallest home humidifiers we have reviewed. It weighs only 3.5kg in total, which means that even if you have an older home heating and cooling system with smaller ductwork, this humidifier should be up to the task. Because of its small size, it is also one of the easiest, if not the easiest, humidifiers to install. The instructions are very simple, which means that anyone can install this unit without much difficulty.

Of course, there is a small hitch if you don’t install the unit correctly. If you don’t make sure the humidifier is properly attached to the vent, the unit may leak. You obviously want to avoid this, as it means that the machine may work, but you will not be able to get any humidity in your home.

The humidistat (humidity control sensor) is very easy to read because it is a digital display. The great thing about this display is that it gives you an indication of the humidity level inside and outside your home. This will help you to assess the level of adjustment of your humidifier.

The manufacturer claims that you can use this device with hard water and that it will work as well as with soft water. However, hard water leaves more mineral deposits on the filter, so if you choose this model, be sure to check and change the filter as often as necessary.

AIRCARE MA1201

Buying a large appliance can be quite daunting, especially when you consider the price. If you’re on a budget but still want a high-quality home humidifier, look no further than this model. It is easy to clean and maintain. Even if you have to manually add water to this unit, it is very simple. You can also be assured that it will space out its moisture production very well, as it can run for up to 36 hours without needing to be refilled.

With digital controls and a built-in humidistat, it is very simple to achieve the right level of humidity in your home. It also has an automatic shut-off system that alerts you when the unit has reached the desired humidity level. The humidifier will also inform you when the filter needs to be changed or cleaned, and also whether it is time to refill the unit or not.

The sensor is located a little too close to the fan, so the relative humidity readings may be a little skewed. This can cause the unit to run more than you want it to. This is a problem for two reasons. Firstly, it can increase the humidity beyond what you want. Secondly, this model is quite noisy. If you choose this whole-house humidifier, be sure to place it in a location where you won’t hear it easily.

Aprilaire 600

This bypass humidifier can be used in almost any season. Since it is a bypass humidifier, it is fairly simple to install. However, you may want to hire a professional to install it, as the five-year limited warranty will be voided if you do it yourself. In this case, be very careful to seal it properly. One of the main problems with this humidifier is that it can leak if it is not installed properly.

One of the most useful features of this humidifier is its easy-to-use permanent memory function. Not only does this feature allow you to store your settings in case of a power failure, but it can also be used to program your humidifier’s run times and other settings for all seven days of the week. This makes it quick and convenient to use and will meet all your humidity needs.

Vornado Evap40

If you live in a small house, you certainly don’t want to overdo it when it comes to your home humidifier. Not only would it be a waste of money, but you would also have to worry about mould problems due to excessive moisture in the air. If you live in a small house, this device might be the right option for you. It has a low maximum output and coverage area, making it perfect for small living spaces. This also means that the tank will need to be refilled more often than other models.

As you would expect from a small humidifier, this unit is extremely simple to install. All you have to do is install the filters, fill the tank and plug it in. Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy a much more humid home. This unit has three different speed settings, so you can easily get the relative humidity you want.

Fortunately, because it will be closer to your living spaces than other humidifiers, this unit is safe. The mist that comes out of it is cool, which means you won’t have to worry about burns from spilled tanks. This makes it ideal for families with pets or small children.

Aprilaire 800 Residential Steam Humidifier

If you are the proud owner of a large home, you know how difficult it can be to keep the humidity at the right level. Fortunately, this steam humidifier is at your disposal and should be able to solve this problem quickly. It has the largest coverage area of any humidifier we’ve reviewed, as it can humidify a space of up to 6,200 square feet. It also has a huge maximum output, which is about 35 gallons per day.

Like most steam humidifiers, this unit works independently of your HVAC system, so it can provide the humidity you need without having to wait for your furnace to run. This makes this unit very efficient in its operation. It can also be used with any water. It doesn’t matter if the water is hard or soft, as this model is designed to work with both types of water.

If you decide to buy this humidifier, be sure to have it installed by a qualified professional. Because it needs to be connected to your ductwork, but not to your boiler, it can be a little difficult to install. You will also need to connect it to a water pipe for it to work properly. Finally, this appliance needs access to the electrical system in order to operate independently.

Uses cold water, which can be hard, soft or softened; Automatic digital humidifier control

What types of home humidifiers are there and which one is best for my home?

There are several types of home humidifiers available for purchase. Each of these models offers a different set of advantages and disadvantages depending on a few factors, such as the size of the home and the type of HVAC system you have installed. These different types include:

Bypass humidifiers – A bypass humidifier is a little smaller than some other models. This is because it does not have its own fan. Instead, it relies on your heating and cooling system to blow through its saturated pad to release moisture into the air. This requires additional ductwork that can complicate installation. It will also take longer to humidify your home, as the furnace must be running to remove the moisture. These humidifiers are generally best suited to smaller homes with well established ductwork.

Steam humidifiers – These humidifiers add moisture to the air by electrically heating water to boiling to create moisture in the form of steam, even if the boiler is not turned on. This makes them the fastest and most efficient whole-house humidifiers. They do not need to run the boiler to put moisture back into the air. These humidifiers are generally the best choice for larger homes with well-established ductwork.

Evaporative humidifiers – This type of whole-house humidifier is the smallest and comes in both portable and HVAC models. This makes them ideal for small spaces where you want total control over the water flow. Humidity is produced by a small fan that draws air from the room and blows it over a humidified filter. This type of humidity is nice and cool, making it safer to use if you have young children in the house.

Features to consider when choosing a whole-house humidifier

In this section, we’ll go over all the key details you need to think about when looking for the best whole-house humidifier.

Type

There are several types of humidifiers you can choose from to ensure you have the right level of humidity in your home. As you read above, you can choose between evaporative (fan powered and portable), steam (more effective for larger homes) and bypass (smaller homes). Depending on the size of your home and whether or not you have an HVAC system, you need to make sure you choose the type that will work best for you.

Coverage area

The coverage area tells you the size of the area you can humidify with a particular model. You need to pay special attention to the coverage area in relation to the size of your home. If you choose a model whose coverage area does not match the size of your home, you will not get the right level of humidity.

While it may seem like a good idea to choose the largest coverage area possible, this is not always the case. In fact, if you buy too large a coverage area, you may run into two big problems. The first is that you may end up spending more money than you need to on humidifying your home. Secondly, if your home is much smaller than the coverage area, you risk having too much moisture in your home, which can lead to mould problems. Check out our selection of the best large room humidifiers in case your home isn’t big enough to install a whole house unit.

Maximum daily output

The maximum daily output describes the amount of moisture your humidifier can release into the environment over a 24-hour period. You certainly don’t want to buy a model that doesn’t have the output you need. You would then have a dry environment in your home, which is obviously less than ideal. Secondly, if you buy too much, you may run into problems with mould. Make sure the output matches your humidity requirements to avoid these problems.

Weight and dimensions

Depending on the size of the furnace in your home and the amount of space you have to work with in your basement, you will need to carefully coordinate the size and weight of your new humidifier. Since most humidifiers need to be connected to your HVAC system, you’ll need to make sure your boiler can support its new weight.

System compatibility

If you live in an older home with an old boiler, you may not be able to easily connect your new home humidifier. This is also the case for any system that does not use forced air to heat your home. Most types of home humidifiers cannot be installed if your home has radiators rather than air ducts.

Be sure to examine your heating and cooling systems before purchasing a home humidifier. Nothing would be more frustrating than arriving home and installing it, only to find that it is not compatible with your heating system.

Warranty

As with most appliances, you need to make sure that you have a good warranty when looking for a home humidifier. These machines have many moving parts. They also run on water, which can lead to a range of problems, even if you follow all the correct maintenance procedures.

When looking at the various warranties available on the market, be sure to read them very carefully. Many warranties are limited in scope and only apply if you take care of the appliance.

Additional features

One of the best features to look for to make your life easier is a programmable model with an easy-to-read display. This way, you can make sure your humidifier works exactly the way you want it to, quickly and easily. The Aprilaire 700 has an easy-to-read display and can be operated manually or through a program.

Another great feature that will make your life a little easier is a permanent memory like the Aprilaire 600, so your programming won’t be lost if the power goes out in your home.

Our verdict

Of all the devices we reviewed, the Aprilaire 700 is by far the best whole-house humidifier. It is simple to install and suitable for a wide range of homes. It can also be used with any type of water, making it perfect for almost anyone. Add to that a very user-friendly interface and you can see why we think this is a great humidifier.

Of course, you might be more interested in a steam humidifier. After all, this is the most effective type of humidifier. If that’s the case, take a look at the Emerson HSP2000. Once installed, it offers a high level of control and can be used for both small and large spaces.

If you just want to get your new humidifier up and running as quickly as possible, you should choose the Aprilaire 500 humidifier. It’s very easy to install, can be used with hard water, and has a user-friendly display and control system that make it an excellent choice.