Whole-House Humidifiers: 13 Reviews

One of the best parts about having your own space is that you can keep it feeling exactly as you like. You can enjoy an electric fireplace and warm your home. When the weather doesn’t seem to want to agree with your needs, though, you’ll need more than just your HVAC system to make the room comfortable and keep your home feeling just as you like it. That’s one of the reasons why so many people invest in products like whole-home humidifiers, products that can be life-changers for those who are sick of dry environments. The only thing you have to worry about, then, is finding the right one for your needs.

We’re here to help you to find the best whole house humidifier by doing the research for you. We’ve not only found a handful of the best products on the market today but we can even point yours towards where they can be bought. If you’re ready to take control of your environment, you’ll want to give these excellent whole-house humidifiers a try. 

Top Whole House Humidifiers In 2021

It’s important to remember that while there are a number of great whole-house humidifiers out there that not every consumer needs the same things from these products. Whether you’re looking for a machine that can help you with a larger space or you need something that’s more eco-friendly, you’ll want to pick the best whole house humidifier for your home’s needs. Below are a handful of great whole-house humidifiers that are perfect fits consumers of all types. 

AIRCARE 831000 Space-Saver

It should come as no surprise that those who are concerned with the air in their homes don’t always want to have to do a lot of work to get a humidifier for whole-house treatment up and running. Even if the air is dry, there’s something about having to constantly change filters or refilling a water tank several times per day that just makes the whole process not seem like it’s worth all the effort. If you are in the market for something that’s actually going to help your home feel more comfortable without taking up all of your time, you’ll definitely want to take a moment to look at this great whole-house humidifier from AIRCARE.

The big feature here is probably that the whole-house humidifier can cover a space of up to 2,700 square feet without taking up much space in your home. Given the huge area that’s covered, this is really one of those products that can help to define the entire range. It’s easy enough to take care of - just plug it in and fill up the 6-gallon water tank - but it largely does all the heavy lifting on its own. This is exactly what most people are looking for when they need a simple, easy-to-operate whole house humidifier. 

In addition to being full of the features that users are sure to love, this whole house humidifer is also quite easy to operate. It can run up to seventy hours without the water tank being refilled, for example, which ensures that you’re not going to have to worry about things drying out immediately. The unit is also designed to shut off when it gets empty or when the air reaches the chosen humidity levels, saving you both energy and time. Overall, this is a really good fit not just for those who want to keep their space’s properly humidified, but also for those who want a humidifier for the whole house that is going to work without requiring much input from them. For these reasons and more, we can confidently conclude that the AIRCARE Space Saver is the best whole house humidifier available today.

Aprilaire 500M Whole Home Humidifier

When many people think about whole-house humidifiers, they think about the units that they have to fill up manually multiple times per day and move around on their own. if you’re looking for the best whole-house humidifier, though, you may want to go with something that actually works as a part of your HVAC system. This whole-house humidifier from Aprilaire is a solution that can be integrated into your existing home systems and will allow you to control the humidity of your house in the same way that you control the temperature level. This is a fantastic solution for those who need a more permanent humidifier in their homes, which is why it has been selected as the runner-up for today’s best whole house humidifier.

This integrated system feels a lot like a thermostat, which should come as no surprise because the control unit is designed to be very similar to those other devices. While that might not seem like it’s a particularly fancy solution, the truth is that the similarities between the two control schemes make this one of the easiest-to-use whole-house humidifiers on the market today. Once the unit has been installed, it is as easy as turning a dial to make sure that you’re able to keep your house exactly as humid as you like. Simplicity is a real virtue when it comes to products like this. 

The simplicity of the control scheme does, however, do a disservice to how well this whole house humidifier works. It’s meant to cover spaces of up to three thousand square feet, so it’s going to do a great job in larger homes. It’s also set up to monitor your humidity levels to determine if your house is within the ‘ideal’ humidity levels - a great feature for those who live in areas with rapidly shifting weather. If you’re in the market for a really

AIRCARE EP9 800 Digital Whole-House Pedestal-Style Evaporative Humidifier

Not everyone wants to deal with hooking a whole-house humidifier into their HVAC system. For these consumers, it becomes a choice of exactly what style of whole-house humidifier makes sense. While some need a whole-house humidifier that saves space, others don’t mind having something a bit larger. Larger machines tend to have more room for the bells and whistles that make for improved user experience, as one can easily see with this whole-house humidifier from AIRCARE. 

While it’s not necessarily the easiest unit to hide, this pedestal-style house humidifier is great for those who want to make sure that their whole house stays at the perfect moisture level without worrying about having to hook a unit into their HVAC systems. This machine can handle homes of up to 2,400 square feet with ease, functioning perfectly until the desired humidity is met. One of the best features here is that the humidifier only runs as long as necessary - once your home hits the ideal humidity level, it will turn off until it is needed again. This is easily one of the best whole-house humidifiers on the market today. 

So, what do you get on top of the functionality of this unit? For the most part, what you’re going to get is convenience. This unit has digital displays and controls, which not only make it easier to use overall, but that make the machine easier to control precisely. By the same token, the fan-powered humidifier also has nine different fan speeds - not only great for getting precision control of your environment, but for setting the kind of aural atmosphere that you want in your house. If you’re looking for a good pedestal-style humidifier that will take care of the humidity levels for your whole house, this might be there right fit for you. 

AIRCARE MA1201 Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

If you have a larger house, you already know the issues with keeping your house at an appropriate temperature and humidity levels. You’ll generally have to go big to get what you want, but at the end of the day doing so is often worthwhile. While the go-to choice for most larger houses might be built-in units, you might be able to get away with a console-based unit. If you’re looking for something with a bit less install time that an installed humidifier, you should definitely take a moment to look at this great device from AIRCARE. 

One of the first things that you’ll notice about this unit is that it’s a lot smaller than you might expect for something that can rectify humidity levels in spaces that are so big. The console is small enough to roll around, yet it can handle larger houses without losing a step thanks to the 3.6 gallon water tank. It’s an amazingly efficient little machine, one that not only does a good job of staying inconspicuous but one that isn’t going to require too much out of you as an owner. With digital readouts and controls, it’s as easy to use this whole house humidifier as it is to use the smaller models that you might have had for single rooms. 

There’s a lot of little user-friendly features in this humidifier. The console’s very easy to clean out, for example, so you’re not going to have to deal with moving parts or having to disassemble any pieces when you need to do maintenance. It’s also able to shut itself off when it runs out of the water, allowing you to rest safe knowing that it’s not going to cause itself damage if you forget to fill up the water tank. This is a great, compact choice for anyone with a big house. 

AIRCARE Digital Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

One of the big problems with buying any kind of steam humidifier is the fact that most just don’t look great. They’re incredible tools, of course, but they’re not necessarily going to fit in with your decor in the ways that you might like. There have definitely been some attempts to make the units look a little bit more subtle, but most of those can’t quite be called stylish. Fortunately, this unit from AIRCARE goes a long way towards helping you to make your whole house look great at the same time it feels great. 

While it’s never a good idea to buy something like a whole-house humidifier just based on looks, it’s hard to deny that this one actually looks great. The finish on the outside of the console makes the entire unit much easier to hide among your decor, which does make it easier for the aesthetic-minded homeowner to place in his or her whole house. The great thing, though, is that the excellent exterior hides a fantastic console device underneath. This is one of the few whole-house humidifiers on the market that does a good job of combining looks and utility.

Most will be happy to know that this is a console that’s capable of easily humidifying a large house. At 3,700 square feet, this unit actually goes toe to toe with the units that hook into most HVACs. In addition to being space-friendly, it’s also very user-friendly. The digital controls and readouts make it quite easy to use, while the automated shut-off makes it safe to keep running even if you’re not sure if you’ll be around to refill the unit’s water tank. If you’re looking for a whole house steam humidifier that looks good as it works, this might be the choice for you. 

Aprilaire 800 Whole Home Steam Humidifier

How much effort do you really want to put into humidifying your whole house? If you’re like most, you want to offload as much of the process onto your steam humidifier as possible. The great news is that there are some fantastic units like this product from Aprilaire that not only make it easy to set the desired humidity level but actually do a lot of the work of figuring out the ideal humidity settings on their own. If you want to be able to relax in comfort without worrying about pressing buttons or setting dials, this really is the whole house steam humidifier for you. 

While this might not be the most expensive humidifier out there, this unit incorporates the kind of technology that you want to see from the higher-end models. The whole house steam humidifier makes use of two sensors to keep track of what the humidity is like both outside and inside, helping you to find a perfect balance in your whole house. Being able to automatically set the humidity like this is a huge plus, especially if you’ve typically found yourself struggling with finding settings as the weather starts to change or even as the day goes by. 

If you do want to control the unit, you’ll be happy to see that it’s quite user-friendly. Not only are the controls easy to read, but they’re also easy to set as you like. You’ll also like to see that the unit itself doesn’t require you to go out and buy purified water - in fact, the manufacturers don’t even recommend using filtered water at all. This is absolutely the kind of whole-house humidifier at which you want to look if your goal is to find something that does most of the heavy lifting while you enjoy the benefits of the product’s work. 

Honeywell Home HE280A2001 HE280A Whole House Humidifier

When most people think about whole-house humidifiers, they tend to think about personal comfort. After all, having the right kind of humidity in your house is great if you’re looking to avoid feeling dried out. What some forget, though, is that whole-house humidifiers also have other purposes. If you have wood floors, for example, you’ll want to pay attention to the overall humidity level in your whole house to ensure that they don’t crack or warp. If your primary choice for getting a humidifier is to protect your whole house, you may want to take a moment to look at this great whole-home humidifier from Honeywell. 

Fairly simple to install in the ducts of any system that has a forced-air furnace, this little humidifier can actually do an awful lot of work with very little. It not only uses less water than the average humidifier, but it does a great job of keeping itself clean while it works. That means that you’re not only going to have to deal with less maintenance but that your air is going to be cleaner. As a humidifying product, this unit does its job exceedingly well. It’s even better, though, as a product that can help you to keep your house investment safe. 

Many people forget exactly how easily wooden floors can react to the moisture in the air - especially humid, warm air. While most are careful to avoid getting them wet, it’s a very good idea to also make sure that they don’t get too dry. This unit can keep your whole house at a proper moisture level, ensuring that your floors aren’t going to get damaged just because of shifts in the weather. If you care about keeping your floors safe and you still want to experience a pleasant indoor atmosphere, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this humidifier - it’s no coincidence that it’s made it to our list of today’s best whole house humidifiers.

AIRCARE EA1208 Digital Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

It’s amazing to think that digital control isn’t necessarily a given when it comes to products like whole-house humidifiers. They’re so common among other major appliances that they’re taken for granted but you’ll certainly notice how nice they are when they’re missing. While there are definitely some fantastic whole-house humidifiers out there that don’t feature these types of controls, those who want a more user-friendly experience are always encouraged to seek out models with more modern control schemes. If your goal is to have an easy-to-use humidifier, you’ll want to take a look at this model from AIRCARE.

AIRCARE is a well-known name in the world of whole-house humidifiers and it’s a product that we generally trust as both reviewers and consumers. As you can see from the list, the company’s various products all tend to rank high - and this unit is really no different from the rest. While it does have a handful of unique features that separate it out from the rest of the pack, the truth is that customers who are already familiar with AIRCARE’s other products will know exactly what they’re getting here. Those who are less familiar, however, might be surprised by just how good this unit really is. 

It’s very easy to check off feature boxes with this product. It’s designed to provide humidity to a fairly large amount of space - about 2,400 square feet - without using an absurd amount of water per day. It has electronic controls that allow you to dictate both the speed of the fan and the relative humidity levels, making it easy to change up your environment as you see first. This fan-powered unit also has the ability to trap impurities in water, allowing users to feel safe knowing they’re not trading out dry air for air that’s laden with microbes. This really is among the best whole house humidifiers choice for the vast majority of consumers. 

Honeywell HE120A Whole House Humidifier

No matter how fancy humidifiers get, there are still some who won’t be tempted by anything that goes beyond the old-school basics. For many, this makes sense - after all, older styles of products are still beloved because they work so well. If you are looking for a humidifier that you can hook into your existing air system and that will function without any problems, you’ll want to take a moment to consider this product from Honeywell. It’s a really great example of how old-school humidifiers still have quite a bit to offer a market that tends to be distracted by bells and whistles. 

It’s hard to see anything special in this unit at first glance, but that’s the point. You aren’t going to see any extra features here - just a humidifier that can take care of the air in your house, even if it’s warm air. The most extravagant feature is probably the humidistat, which allows you to adjust the relative humidity in your house - a feature that’s exceptionally common, of course, but that does come in handy more often than you might imagine. Beyond that, this is really among the simplest drum-style humidifiers that you are going to be able to find on the modern market. 

The good news is that a simple design is usually accompanied by a simple operation. You don’t really need much to get this unit installed - you don’t even technically need a drain for it, though you will see a bit of seepage as the years go by. Once you have everything installed, it’s pretty much a set and forgets type of device. While it might be short on some of the more modern extras that have become important to consumers in recent years, you’ll never find yourself complaining about how well this humidifier works. This is among the best whole house humidifiers for anyone who needs a simple design. 

LEVOIT Humidifiers for Large Room Bedroom

It’s never a bad idea to remember that while many different devices are marketed as whole-house humidifiers, not every house is the same size. If you’re living in an apartment, for example, choosing something that can cover thousands of square feet might be overkill. If you’re more worried about covering a smaller space or even one room, you might want to go after a unit that exchanges coverage area for extra features. Among the best units for spaces that are less than one thousand square feet is this product from LEVOIT, a company that’s already well represented on this list. 

LEVOIT has a reputation for marrying solid engineering with great design, something that’s incredibly clear with this unit. Easy enough to pick up and go or leave in a single form, it’s a smaller humidifier that nonetheless does the same kind of job as its bigger cousins. Designed to provide humidity for spaces of up to 750 square feet, this is the ideal unit for either working in a living space or taking up the humidity chores in an office setting. No matter where you put it, though, you’ll notice that the humidifier does an excellent job of increasing the moisture in the air - even in warm air. 

The great news about this smaller unit is that it feels a lot more versatile than some of its bigger competitors. It provides both cool and warm mist options, for example, which can be fantastic if you’re feeling ill or you need a change to go along with the shifting seasons. The fan-powered unit also automatically adjusts those mist levels to make sure that you maintain a perfect level of humidity as the day goes by. You’ll even get access to an excellent ‘Quiet Mode’ that shuts off the lights and dampens the fans, allowing you to get a great night’s rest without giving up your humidifier. 

AILINKE KEECOON Large Humidifier

Smaller homes really don’t need the same kind of humidifier coverage as larger homes, so going for something that’s smaller makes sense. If you are going to choose a smaller unit, though, why not choose something that makes your life a little easier? There is a host of great humidifiers that can handle spaces below one thousand square feet, giving you perfect coverage for a single story, an apartment, or even an office. If you feel like you need a humidifier for such a space, you’ll want to take a look at this humidifier from AILINKE. 

Ease of use is the key phrase with this unit. While it’s great for dealing with spaces of up to one thousand square feet, some of the better features really revolve around the device’s ability to take care of smaller spaces. This is a great unit to have on-hand if you are constantly on the move, for example, as it can be moved from your office back to your house without any major extra steps. It can even be activated and adjusted via remote, something that’s not nearly as common in the world of humidifiers as you might hope. 

Even maintenance on this unit is easy, as there’s no filter about which you have to worry and a 4.2 gallon tank that you’ll only have to fill it up once every two days (humidifying at a max rate of about 9.5 gallons per day) - rather than multiple times per day. It’s a great example of the utility that you can get from a smaller unit that’s just not possible in something that’s meant for larger homes. If you find yourself in the market for a humidifier for an apartment or an office and you don’t want to go too big, this is among the best machines on the market for your needs. 

Miroco Cool Mist Humidifier

While this unit isn’t quite big enough to qualify on the whole-home front, it’s still worth a look. Miroco’s Cool Mist Humidifier is among those products that really stand out in the market even if it’s not going to be right for spaces above the four hundred square foot mark. Ideal for those who live in studio apartments or who have large personal office spaces with dry air, this product is an incredibly user-friendly device that can change the way that you feel about the spaces in which you live and work. 

Something that you’ll notice about this smaller humidifier that’s uncommon is that it actually looks quite nice. Most humidifiers are fairly utilitarian, but it’s nice to see that some extra design work went into this model. This unit isn’t all about looks, though; in fact, it’s designed to be as easy to operate as possible. That not only means that the controls are intuitive, but that you’re going to have to interact with the unit less often than with some others. You won’t even have to worry about it running out of water - the unit will shut off as soon as it detects low water levels.

There are also some other nice little features that help this unit stand out. It’s got a great night light, which helps those who are concerned about home safety or bumping into furniture at night. It’s also got a handle that makes it easier to carry around from room to room. It often feels like this product was designed to be as friendly as possible so that it could more easily slot into the lives of people on the go. If that sounds appealing to you, you owe it to yourself to try out this great humidifier. 

Hupro Premium Ultrasonic Cool & Warm Mist Humidifier

A bit bigger than some of the large room units previously discussed, this excellent humidifier from Hupro stands out as a great fit for those who are easily bothered by odors but who still want a great experience with their humidifiers. Rated for spaces of up to five hundred square feet, this ultrasonic model ensures that its users will get a fantastic experience from the moment that the humidifier is plugged in. 

Among the best things about this humidifier is that it immediately addresses one of the oldest problems with humidifiers - the smell. The product uses a combination of a lamp and filter to eliminate the microbes that tend to cause that typical humidifier smell, allowing users to enjoy a pleasant level of moisture in the air without offending their noses. Even those who aren’t quite as concerned with how their air smells will still enjoy knowing that they’re breathing an atmosphere that’s a little bit cleaner than average.

The other selling points of this humidifier are a little closer to what you find in the other units we’ve discussed. As with any product that would want the title of the best whole-home humidifier, this device has a fairly deep 4L (1 gallon) tank that can keep it running for thirty hours without user intervention (about 0.8 gallons per day), an ultra-quiet mode that is great for night-time, and even a detachable tank that is both easy to fill and easy to clean. While it’s not going to work well in a giant home, this is a perfect humidifier for those who are looking to take care of a single, larger space. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are whole-house humidifiers worth the money?

Among the great things about whole-house humidifiers is that most of them cost an awful lot less than you might think. Even the more expensive units, though, really are worth the investment if you find yourself getting sick when there’s not enough humidity in the dry air. These are fantastic tools for those who are looking to have better control over the environments of their homes or who need to keep specialized tools or furniture in good condition. The only way that these units wouldn’t be worth the price is if you don’t care about the level of moisture in your home.

Where is the best place to put a whole-house humidifier?

The answer to this question largely depends on the type of whole-house humidifier that you choose to buy. After all, the different models have some fairly different requirements, so placing a console model is going to be quite a bit different than placing a model that goes in your ductwork. As such, you’ll want to stop and look at where and how your whole-home humidifier is meant to work.

If you’re using a standalone model, the best location for your humidifier is going to be in a central location that doesn’t have much in place to block the humidity - think a large, open room that connects to as much of the rest of your house as possible. Other units need to be located near the furnace or water hook-ups so that they can actually function. It’s smart to see if your humidifier (whole house) needs drainage access as well, as this will almost certainly make the decision of where to place the device for you. 

Is the whole-house humidifier a bad idea?

No, a whole-house humidifier is not a bad idea. While there’s definitely no product out there that will be perfect for everyone, this product is great for those who have problems with dry air or who are looking to make sure that their wooden floors are kept in the best possible condition. Though there are certainly those who wouldn’t benefit, having a whole-home humidifier running during the drier months of the year certainly won’t hurt the average person. As always, choosing one of these devices is really more of a matter of personal preference than adhering to any type of objective facts. 

Buying Guide

Deciding that you want a whole-home humidifier is fairly easy. Figuring out exactly which is going to fit your needs can be tough, so we figured we’d put together a buying guide. While you might know that you want one of these products, the truth is that you might not know exactly which is better than the rest if you’re not sure exactly what you can get from these devices. Below is our brief buying guide that will help you to figure out which features you should prioritize in a top-tier humidifier.

Installation Style

The best place to start with your search for a good humidifier system is with the way that your model is going to interact with your home. You’re generally going to have two major choices - a product that you’re going to have to install (or opt for professional installation) or a product that can be moved around. When most people think about whole-home products, they generally think of the former but our list of the best humidifiers (whole house) does include quite a few that are in the latter category. 

The typical humidifier is going to either work with your HVAC system or be placed in some type of ductwork. The other types, however, are freestanding and can be moved around as needed. The two types of products do serve two fairly different purposes and those who tend to need something that is always available throughout the house are going to have more success with the former. If you want a humidifier that can be moved from room to room and that doesn’t require any laborious installation work or professional installation, however, the latter is probably going to be the best fit for your home. 

Coverage

Coverage is the other big factor that most consumers look at with this type of product. The amount of coverage differs by model, but the goal of most buyers is going to be to find something that covers at least the size of the area that they’re looking to keep humidified. If you have a twenty-four hundred square foot house, for example, you’ll want to find a humidifier that can work in a space that’s at least that large. Given that some of the best humidifiers on our list cover over three thousand square feet, there shouldn’t be too much trouble finding a humidifier that can meet your size needs.

Why then should you not always go with the biggest possible size of a humidifier? The truth is that bigger might be more powerful, but that power can be wasted on smaller spaces. The more powerful machines might use up more resources, take up more space, or be lacking in some of the features that you desire as a consumer. The space that the model can cover should be a major selling point, but don’t use it as the only factor you consider when looking at humidifiers. 

Water and Energy Usage

For some, it’s not the cost of a whole-home system that seems particularly frightening but the amount of energy that the system is going to use. While having a perfectly humid home is nice, it’s natural to be afraid of how using the system is going to impact your utility bill. The good news, though, is that most systems aren’t actually going to spike your bills by that much - most only use about the same amount of electricity as a lightbulb. Likewise, most don’t use much water - but even then, those who are worried about water usage can look for units that are specifically rated for lower water flow.

If you’re looking at a standalone model, this is also going to speak towards the convenience of the device. Units with larger tanks have to be filled up less often, as do those that are more efficient with their water. The vast majority of standalone filters are going to work for at least twenty-four hours without your invention and some can actually last as long as three days. If filling up a reservoir is a deal-breaker for you, you’ll definitely want to look for something with more capacity. 

Usability

Usability can be defined in many ways, but most revolve around how easy it is to actually get the product up and running. While installation style definitely comes into play here, you will also want to take a look at how you actually interact with the device. Some steam humidifiers are surprisingly old-school, so they won’t have much in the way of displays or options. The good thing here is that they are likely low-maintenance. Others, however, might have a little too much information available for your needs. Finding the right balance will help you to figure out which type of humidifier is right for you.

Another major issue when it comes to usability is the device’s ability to regulate itself. Some humidifiers actually have sensors that will regulate the humidity in the home on their own, allowing you to set a single level and then forget about the device - and you’ll likey grow to appreciate this low-maintenance operation. Others might not go quite so far, but they’re able to turn themselves off when your house reaches the specified humidity level. If you get a standalone model, it’s also a good idea to look for something that will automatically cut off as soon as its reservoir runs dry, both for your safety and for the safety of the machine. 

Extra Features

The final category in this buying guide is all about the little extras. Like other similar machines, humidifiers tend to gain a lot of little quality-of-life features as the prices go up. Some might work with your smartphone, for example, while others might have their own remotes. Some steam humidifiers have a night mode as a selling feature, which cuts off the noise and light from the machine when you go to bed. Still, others boast easy-to-read dials that allow you to make a better sense of how these units actually impact the atmosphere in your home. There are as many extra features as there are humidifiers, so you’ll never hurt for choice on that account. 

The truth, though, is that most of these features shouldn’t be enough to sell you on a unit alone. Instead, they’re the kind of extras that should help you to make the difference between two very similar humidifiers. A night mode might be great, for example, but it’s not going to be quite as nice if you’re not getting the coverage you need. On the other hand, knowing that one machine is quieter than another might be enough to help you justify buying either of two equally-priced humidifiers. Use these extra features as a way to make your final decision.

If your problem is the opposite and your home is full of humidity, try a dehumidifier as a solution. We also present on our site products that filter out pet hair and dander for the pet lovers amongst our readers - particularly those with allergies.