- More Baby & Kid
- More Cars
- More Electronics
- More Health & Fitness
- More Hobby & Crafts
- More Home & Garden
- More Other
- More Outdoor
- More Pets
SolidGuides.com may get an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our website. Read More.
Humidity is a funny thing. It isn’t something we generally think about when confronted with home care and maintenance. But the truth is, it can be quite damaging. That’s why it’s so important to invest in the best whole house humidifier if you want to protect what’s yours.
In this buyer’s guide, you’ll find helpful information about the benefits of a humidifier and what it can do for you. We’ve also narrowed down and reviewed the 10 best models for your home, and how to find the right one for your needs.
Don’t Have Time to Read the Whole Article?
Thanks to its streamlined design and simplistic controls, AIRCARE’s H12600 takes the top spot as the best overall. It covers a large amount of space while taking up very little room.
Looking for a budget-friendly alternative? Honeywell’s Cool Moisture QuietCare humidifier is affordable and effective. This compact unit is easy to use and a breeze to maintain.
We have 8 more in store, so stick around to see which model will serve you the best. And don’t forget to check out our guide immediately following the reviews. If you’ve been on the fence about getting a humidifier, it will help you with your decision.
AIRCARE is the king of consoles. The H12600 makes another fine addition to their collection, with an attractive design that has great coverage. You’re getting up to 3,700 square feet of humidity control for your entire home.
Humidity is dispersed cleanly, with no pesky white residues left behind. The fan is adjustable with 4 speeds, so you get just the level of humidity you need.
User-friendly controls are a cinch to operate, making this a great choice for first-time buyers. If you’re looking for an easy way to start protecting your home and family, the H12600 won’t disappoint.
AIRCARE’s console-style humidifier is equipped with rolling casters. It’s easy to move around your home for optimal humidity control. Refilling the water tanks is a breeze, as well, making this a great option for those who don’t want to mess with a lot of maintenance.
Honeywell’s Cool Moisture QuietCare humidifier is both effective and easy to use. It takes up very little room and can be placed anywhere you like. This is for those of you who don’t want to wire into your existing central heating and air system.
It’s a very inexpensive and straightforward way to humidify your whole house. We love how user-friendly Honeywell made this unit, too. Anyone can plug it in and put it to use. Our only gripe is that the filter replacements are pricey. It’s a necessary evil, unfortunately.
Operation is easy and the unit is really user-friendly. However, it is very difficult to get the tanks open. It takes a considerable amount of strength, so proceed with caution if you have arthritis or wrist pain of any kind.
Holmes delivers a very modern, sleek, and user-friendly humidifier with the Cool Mist Console. It’s capable of reaching up to 2,000 square feet of space. But the big difference here is that there’s a built-in filtration system.
You’re getting clean, fresh humidity dispersed throughout your home. There are no odors, and no residues are left behind.
With each tank filling, you get 24 solid hours of run-time. The user-interface is all-digital, making it very easy to use.
Simply make a selection on the digital control panel. Every button is clearly marked, with LED lights that correspond to their action.
We had some difficulty changing the wick. But it’s otherwise a very easy humidifier to maintain and operate.
AIRCARE has much of the market cornered with their humidifier line, and for good reason. They know what they’re doing and make quality products that work.
The 696 400HB is no different. This inconspicuous model blends in with furniture while providing excellent coverage. It can easily handle up to 3,600 square feet. It has built-in indicators to alert you when it needs refilled. It also has an automatic shutoff, and a digital thermostat.
We like this style, as it looks great and doesn’t take up a lot of space. The light oak finish is a nice touch and adds character to any room.
This model is very easy to put together and get up and running. We just wish it were made a little better. It simply doesn’t feel very sturdy. Hopefully, it will stand the test of time and last for years to come.
AIRCARE is back with another console-style model, this time built like a pedestal. It’s a good-looking unit that does a fine job of blending in and humidifying your home.
We like the addition of an LCD screen and digital controls. You get 9 fan settings to work with, and there’s even automatic shutoff.
With the EP9 800, you can humidify up to 2,400 square feet. It’s a great way to protect your home, and your health.
We love this model, as it works well and looks nice, too. Sure, it’s a tad loud when you kick it up to higher speeds, but that’s to be expected. It’s made to be user-friendly, with a digital thermostat that’s a breeze to use.
This automatic humidifier covers up to 4,200 square feet of living space. And it has a total of 18 gallons of output per day. The fan-powered system works directly with your furnace to properly humidify your home.
The 700 is equipped with dual sensors that monitor indoor and outdoor humidity levels. This ensures that you are getting the best delivery throughout the house.
It does this 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just set it to its automatic mode and walk away. The Aprilaire 700 takes care of the rest.
The Aprilaire 700 comes equipped with a digital control system that makes operation a breeze. An LCD screen keeps you apprised of the humidifier’s activity. And thanks to its smart automatic mode, there’s less maintenance required.
For smaller homes, Vornado’s Evap40 does a commendable job. It is capable of covering up to 1,000 square feet. It’s reasonably quiet when it runs, it doesn’t leak, and the wicks last a good 2 months before needing replaced.
We’re impressed by how well this unit works, especially considering its compact size. We’re also quite fond of the design. It sports large tanks that total 4 gallons, giving you plenty of humidity throughout the day.
Operating the Evap40 is simple and straightforward. Controls on the face of the unit are user-friendly and easy to understand.
We appreciate how Vornado made this unit a cinch to clean. It can be difficult to refill, however, as the tanks are awfully heavy when full.
If you have a large home and prefer the direct in-line approach, Aprilaire’s 600M is a cheaper alternative to the 700 model.
This unit covers up to 4,000 square feet and delivers 17 gallons per day. After its initial setup phase, we were pleased with what this humidifier accomplished.
Carpets and woodwork were left feeling dry, and our breathing was greatly improved. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, you’ll love the difference the 600M will make in your home. Installation is a pretty in-depth process, but the benefits are well worth it.
You’ll definitely want a professional to do the electrical work required for installation. And if you don’t already have one, you will need a floor drain for this unit, as well.
It’s important to note that the 600M can take a week or so before it starts to run properly, as it needs time to adjust to your home’s moisture level.
The AIRCARE 831000 is a compact unit with robust features. It’s able to adequately humidify up to 2,700 square feet of space, while boasting an impressive 6-gallon tank capacity. And it has a peak running time of 70 hours.
Thanks to onboard sensors, the 831000 shuts itself off when it has reached your desired humidity. It sports indicators that let you know when the filter needs checked or it’s time to refill the tanks.
If you’re looking for simplicity in your humidifier, you’ll love the 831000. It has an LCD screen and digital controls on top of the unit.
They are very user-friendly, with only three buttons for you to learn. One controls the power, while the other two deal with fan speed and humidity level.
The MA1201 is an incredible little unit. It’s a breeze to clean thanks to user-friendly construction. And since there are less moving parts internally, you’re sure to get a humidifier that lasts.
Safety sensors make a return to this model. It shuts off whenever it reaches the right humidity, or when its tanks are empty.
We’re impressed that such a compact unit covers so much space. With the MA1201, you can properly control up to 3,600 square feet. It’s easy to move from room to room if need be, as it is equipped with casters for quick portability.
The onboard digital controls are once again very user-friendly. It’s the same setup found on many other AIRCARE humidifiers.
Three icon buttons are positioned next to an LCD screen. Each one is colored-coded, making it easier to remember their functions.
As you’ve just learned, there are many options available to humidify your home. If you’re still unsure which model is right for you, or why you’d want one in the first place, we have answers that will help you with your decision.
In this section, we want to discuss what whole house humidifiers do and how they can benefit you and your family. You might be surprised to learn just how important they are to the health of your home and everyone in it.
Improper humidity levels in your home can cause all kinds of unwanted problems. It pays to keep it under control, and you need a humidifier to do that.
If your home has too much humidity, you’re exposing yourself to a whole host of troubles. Bugs love moisture and will make your home theirs if the conditions are right. Lowering the humidity will make them want to seek refuge elsewhere.
Another potential problem is moisture damage to your home. Molds and mildews are more apt to grow and spread, putting your health in jeopardy.
Wood and carpeting will develop an odor, as well. It’s important that you combat this as soon as possible to avoid headaches down the road.
On the flip-side, if your home is too dry, you could still be putting your family’s health at risk. The dryness can cause coughing, bloody noses, difficulty sleeping, and more.
It can dry out the wood in your home, causing it to crack or warp. And if you have hardwood flooring, look out. Not having enough humidity is a sure-fire way of splitting open your beautiful floors.
Think of the money you’ll be saving by investing in a whole house humidifier. Being proactive about this can prevent unnecessary issues later.
We’re not just referring to insects here. Properly controlling your home’s humidity levels is a great way to prevent catching bugs like the cold or flu.
If you find that you and your family are often sick, you may want to seriously consider a humidifier. Many who have made the decision to invest in one have noticed major improvements to their health.
Quite simply, they disperse water vapors into the air. The humidifier is generally equipped with water tanks. An electronic system inside works to ensure that water gets properly released.
Some units are simple consoles that plug into an outlet. Others tie in directly with your HVAC system to spread the humidity through your ductwork.
If you have a larger home with bigger rooms, an HVAC, or in-line, humidifier is going to be your best option. A portable, or console, humidifier will likely struggle to provide proper coverage.
There are, however, some pretty robust console models. If your home is moderately-sized, you can save money and still adequately control its moisture levels.