Aircare Space Saver Humidifier
Type: Evaporative and fan-powered | Dimensions: 17.5 x 12.5 x 22.5 inches | Weight: 14 pounds | Coverage area: 2,700 square feet | Tank capacity: 6 gallons
Pros:
- Easy installation and maintenance
- Multiple fan speeds
- Light indicators for refills and filter replacements
Cons:
- No remote control
- Fan is loud on highest setting
Few humidifiers offer such expansive coverage (2,700 square feet) for an affordable price, making the Aircare Space Saver a great budget option. It saves money in a couple of other ways, too. The added humidity slightly increases room temperature, allowing homeowners to cut back on their primary heat source. Plus, the unit has an automatic shutoff that kicks in once the desired humidity is reached. As the name suggests, the Aircare Space Saver has a compact design, which, coupled with a simple white exterior, fits discreetly in any room of the house.
Best Whole-House Humidifier For Hard Water
A Unit You Can Easily Replace The Filter On
Aircare Pedestal Humidifier
Type: Evaporative | Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 27.3 inches | Weight: 25 pounds | Coverage area: 2,400 square feet | Tank capacity: 3.5 gallons
Pros:
- Nine fan speeds
- Indicator when it’s time to change wick filter
- Functions as a side table
Cons:
- Small tank capacity
- Digital display is too bright in some rooms
In a house with hard water, limescale is more likely to accumulate inside a humidifier, spreading airborne impurities and shortening the appliance’s lifespan. To avoid this, Chad Long, the vice president of sales and marketing at Essick Air Products, recommends purchasing a humidifier with a wick filter that’s easy to change. One of the best options is Aircare’s Pedestal Humidifier. The wick filter catches impurities and, as an evaporative humidifier, Long says it “covers a broader area” than an ultrasonic humidifier.
Best Whole-House Humidifier For Large Homes
A High-End Pick With An Extra Large Coverage Area
AprilAire 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier
Type: Steam | Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 20.9 inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Coverage area: 10,300 square feet | Tank capacity: 34.6 gallons per day
Pros:
- Automatically monitors and adjusts humidity
- Consistent, long-lasting performance
- Water doesn’t need to be refilled
- Won’t be noisy in high-traffic parts of the house
Cons:
- Expensive
- Professional installation may be required
With the strength to humidify areas over 10,000 square feet (given certain construction and ventilation parameters), the AprilAire 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier is the best option for large homes and arid climates. This steam-powered unit pumps up to 34.6 gallons of moisture into a house per day—a remedy for the common side effects of dry air like respiratory issues, eye irritation, chapped lips and more. While the price and installation might be a bit daunting, the unit is straightforward once it’s set up and easy to control via the digital humidistat.
Best Portable Whole-House Humidifier
A Tech-Forward Model You Can Carry To Different Rooms
Levoit Superior 6000s Smart Evaporative Humidifier
Type: Evaporative | Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 26.8 inches | Weight: 13.2 pounds | Coverage area: 3,000 square feet | Tank capacity: 6 gallons
Pros:
- Quiet operation
- Unique voice activation
- Compact and easy to store during wetter months
Cons:
- Typically needs to be refilled every day
- Replacement filters hard to order
Ideally, a whole-house humidifier doesn’t need to be relocated since it should disperse moisture to all parts of the house. However, it’s nice to have the freedom of portability when needed. The Levoit Superior 6000s checks both of those boxes. It’s strong enough to humidify houses measuring up to 3,000 square feet, yet it’s easy to move thanks to its collapsible design and four bottom wheels. Another major perk is smart connectivity, which allows users to adjust the settings on their phones.
Best Smart Whole-House Humidifier
An App-Enabled Device With A Handy Remote Control
Monisen Smart Humidifier
Type: Ultrasonic | Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 31 inches | Weight: 10.5 pounds | Coverage area: 2,000 square feet | Tank capacity: 4.5 galllons
Pros:
- Easy to fill from the top
- Built-in essential oil tray
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Not suitable for large homes
- Awkwardly tall with the extension tube attached
The Monisen Smart Humidifier has a range of customizable settings, all of which can be accessed from your phone or the included remote control. It has three mist modes, an adjustable humidity percentage and a timer that automatically shuts off the device anywhere between one and 24 hours. The main downside is that it’s not as powerful as other humidifiers on our list, partially because it’s an ultrasonic model, not an evaporative one. The 2,000-square-foot coverage is a maximum estimate, meaning the actual coverage is typically less than that. As a result, it’s best for small homes or apartments.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
- The author of this piece, Derek Rose, is a regular Forbes Vetted contributor with extensive experience reporting on home and lifestyle topics. He also writes for the home services website Angi, where he’s covered numerous articles on furnaces and HVAC systems.
- We interviewed three field experts to gain greater insight on humidifiers: Chad Fulton, an indoor air quality expert and co-owner of Glendale Heating and Air Conditioning; Tom Maskel, the senior vice president of AprilAire product management; and Chad Long, vice president of sales and marketing at Essick Air Products.
How We Chose The Best Whole-House Humidifiers
To find the best whole-house humidifiers, we researched best-selling models, compared features and asked industry experts—as well as our team of experienced staffers—for product recommendations and insights on what to look for.
- Our home and kitchen editorial team focused on top-rated models from trusted brands and retailers such as AprilAire, Aircare and Levoit.
- We compared key features like coverage area, ease of installation, adjustability and portability to narrow down the top options.
- We took customer reviews and average star ratings into careful account, sticking to models that have garnered at least an average rating of 4 stars and only a negligible amount of concerning reviews, if any.
- The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
What To Look For In The Best Whole-House Humidifiers
There are several factors to consider when shopping for a whole-house humidifier. Here are the key details to look for.
Out of many ways to categorize whole-house humidifiers, the easiest starting point is to check whether the humidifier connects to a furnace or not. Humidifiers connected to a furnace or HVAC system tend to provide greater coverage since the moisture is distributed through the ductwork. The downsides are that they’re more expensive and harder to install. Freestanding humidifiers, also called portable or console humidifiers, are cheaper and easier to install, but Maskel tells us they “require daily maintenance to remain operational.” Another way to classify humidifiers is by the method used to disperse humidity, which includes evaporative, steam and ultrasonic humidifiers.
You’ll often see the square footage a humidifier covers within the product description. For a whole-house humidifier, finding a unit that covers at least 2,000 square feet is best. Keep in mind that this figure estimates maximum coverage instead of the average. As Long tells us, “There are so many variables.” Those variables include how well your house is insulated, the humidity in the house, the climate in which you live and more. Long adds that some manufacturers, including Aircare, hire independent testers to calculate a humidifier’s coverage.
Some humidifiers have a simple setup, while others, particularly ones connected to the furnace, require more rigorous installation. “If you’re a handy person, you can probably handle installing your own humidifier,” says Chad Fulton, co-owner of Glendale Heating and Air Conditioning. He compares the complexity to installing a new light switch. Of course, you want installation to be done correctly, so it’s worth contacting a professional if you have any hesitation. Some areas even require a plumbing permit to install bypass humidifiers.
It’s worth looking into a whole-house humidifier equipped with smart features. While it’s not necessary, certain features make a humidifier more versatile, accurate and easier to operate. One of the most popular smart features, especially for freestanding humidifiers, is phone connectivity, which allows users to adjust settings quickly and remotely. It’s also common for humidifiers to automatically shut off when they run out of water or when the targeted humidity level is reached.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Type Of Whole-Home Humidifier Is Best?
While there are many outstanding whole-house humidifiers, we recommend units that connect to a furnace. They yield the most consistent and thorough air coverage and don’t require daily refilling. Our top pick, the AprilAire 700 Whole-House Humidifier, spreads moisture through a house’s ductwork, ensuring optimal moisture in every room of the house. It’s also reasonably priced considering its performance and how long it lasts.
Do Whole-Home Humidifiers Make A Difference?
Yes, whole-house humidifiers affect multiple aspects of your daily life. Maskel and Long both mention various health benefits associated with balanced humidity, including relief from allergies, dry sinuses, asthma, sore throats and respiratory illnesses. Proper humidity also makes people more comfortable by reducing cracked lips, itchy skin and dry scalp. The added comfort often improves sleep quality, too. In harsh, arid climates, Maskel adds that a whole-house humidifier prevents wood furnishings from “warping, cracking or other permanent damage due to low humidity levels.” Finally, a whole-house humidifier increases room temperature, which reduces the heating bill.
Where Is The Best Place To Put A Whole-House Humidifier In A House?
The best spot for a whole-house humidifier depends on the humidifier itself. Some models connect to a furnace, which means a basement, garage or utility closet in most homes. On the other hand, freestanding humidifiers offer more versatility since they plug into an electric outlet. Manufacturers typically recommend placing the units in a centrally located room to disperse humidity evenly throughout the house. However, you’re free to put the humidifier wherever you please, whether in a high-traffic area like the living room or where you spend long stretches of time like the bedroom.
