Best Whole House Humidifiers

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 14, 2023
The importance of air humidifiers is hard to be neglected and overestimated. Yet, not all units available on the market are equally ...Read more
PROS

An integral bypass damper with a handle allows easily adjusting humid air flow and setting the unit operation for the entire summer or winter season. 

CONS

Professional installation by an HVAC specialist is required. 

OUR VERDICT

The Aprilair whole house humidifier is by far one of the best solutions for large multi-storeyed houses. Installed directly onto an air duct in your home forced air furnace system and connected to a central water system that will automatically fill in the water tank, this unit requires minimum maintenance and control. Meanwhile, it will perfectly do its job of humidifying the air in your house 24/7 if needed.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Bypass humidifier 

CONTROLS

Automatic digital humidifier control

WATER FILTER

Water panel evaporator 

HUMIDISTAT

Yes

COVERAGE AREA

up to 4000 sq. ft

FULL WATER TANK RUN TIME

Not specified

CAPACITY

0.70 gallons per hour

EXTRAS

Integral bypass damper with small damper handles

WARRANTY

5 years 

PROS

9 fan speed levels will let you maximum accurately adjust and consistently maintain the desired air humidity level changing it in accordance with changing environmental conditions. 

CONS

Pretty noisy operation. 

OUR VERDICT

Designed in the form of an Espresso colored column, the Aircare EP 800 console humidifier will blend with any house interior. Moreover, it might double as a stand for a vase, lamp, or a statuette and become a functional piece of decor. Meanwhile, the unit performance is fully up to the mark. A capacious reservoir ensures long runtime while a wick filter will deliver clean mist.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Cool mist

CONTROLS

Electronic control, 9 fan speeds 

WATER FILTER

1043 Super Wick® filter

HUMIDISTAT

Yes

COVERAGE AREA

up to 2800 sq. ft.

FULL WATER TANK RUN TIME

up to 60 hours

CAPACITY

3.5 gallons 

EXTRAS

Automatic Shut Off, Refill and check filter indicator, Casters for easy mobility

WARRANTY

2-year limited warranty 

PROS

A water filter coming in the package will efficiently remove any excess minerals and additives from the water to prevent any white dust tracks on your furniture and save you the need to use filtered water. 

CONS

Water containers are somewhat awkward to fill. 

OUR VERDICT

The Honeywell whole house humidifier is a smart and practical choice for setting a favorable microclimate in a large multi-room apartment or a small house. At an affordable price-tag, it offers functionality, adjustability, and efficiency of more expensive models taking care of a healthy environment in your dwelling. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Cool mist

CONTROLS

Mechanical controls, 3 moisture output speed settings, Adjustable humidity control  

WATER FILTER

Wick filter

HUMIDISTAT

Yes

COVERAGE AREA

up to 1900 sq. ft.

FULL WATER TANK RUN TIME

up to 24 hours 

CAPACITY

3 gallon (1.5 gallons each tank)

EXTRAS

“Humidity Reached” and “Tank Empty” indicator lights, Caster wheels, Ultra quiet operation

WARRANTY

3-year limited warranty 

PROS

Thanks to a comprehensible LED display and four small caster wheels, the unit is easy to control and move around whenever you need. Meanwhile, indicator lights will let you know when it's time to change the filter or refill the water tank.

CONS

It's a bit difficult to disassemble for maintenance. 

OUR VERDICT

The Aircare MA1201 is one of the best portable air humidifiers suitable for large areas. Featuring relatively compact dimensions and easy to move around, it offers the coverage maximum close to that of professional furnace models. In addition, owing to a low energy consumption, the use of this air humidifier won't add much to your electricity bills. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Cool mist

CONTROLS

Digital controls, 4 fan speeds 

WATER FILTER

Wick filter 

HUMIDISTAT

Yes

COVERAGE AREA

up to 3600 sq. ft.

FULL WATER TANK RUN TIME

up to 36 hours 

CAPACITY

3.6 gallons 

EXTRAS

Automatic Shut Off, Refill and check filter indicator, Casters for easy mobility

WARRANTY

2-year limited warranty 

PROS

The patented Airlock water tanks are fully airtight for leak-proof unit operation and quick and easy to disassemble when you need a refill. A tank filling hole is compatible with the majority of kitchen tap for hassle-free water filling. 

CONS

There are no transportation wheels. 

OUR VERDICT

Despite its compact size, this model can cover up to 1000 sq.ft. representing a good choice for large open areas or a single storey in a multi-storeyed house. Using an exclusive Vornado's Vortex action, the unit will force and circulate large volumes of air around the premises. On top of that, dual filters will efficiently clean the output air from bacteria, dust, and allergens that makes it suitable for allergy sufferers and families with kids.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Cool mist

CONTROLS

Mechanical controls, 3 speed settings 

WATER FILTER

2 wick filters 

HUMIDISTAT

Yes

COVERAGE AREA

up to 1000 sq. ft.

FULL WATER TANK RUN TIME

up to 24 hours 

CAPACITY

4 gallons 

EXTRAS

Operation indicator light 

WARRANTY

5-year limited warranty 

Professional-grade Quality for Home Use

With a variety of all sorts of information available in numerous sources, many people know and recognize the importance of due indoor air humidity and even have a humidifier at home. But in most cases, it’s a small countertop unit they place on the table or windowsill or somewhere near the bed. However, such a unit will work only for a single room of an average size and are useless for open areas and large spaces. Taking this into account, wouldn’t it be nice to have a single solution that will cover the whole house? This is what you will get with the Aprilaire whole house humidifier. In Aprilaire, they know everything about a healthy indoor environment and offer professional-grade humidifier, dehumidifier, air purifier, and ventilation solutions for home use.

The Aprilaire 600M belongs to the category of furnace humidifiers installed directly onto an existing HVAC system. You would claim it is pretty difficult to install and you will need the help of an HVAC specialist not to say about the maintenance. It is really so. Yet, this whole house humidifier benefits outweigh those minor downsides. First of all, its a set-it-and-forget-it type of solution which means once the unit is installed, you simply adjust the humidity settings and let the humidifier do its job that is humidify the air all around the house. Fitted with automatic digital controls and a built-in humidistat, the system will monitor the humidity level and control the unit operation accordingly. Since the Aprilaire is hooked directly to the water system, you won’t have to refill the reservoir as in portable models and the device operation won’t be limited by the water tank capacity. Here, the water will automatically fill in the tray. Using a water panel evaporator, the humidifier delivers about 3 gallons of water per hour maintaining an evaporation capacity of 0.7 gallon per hour to saturate the air in your house with a fine and clean cool mist which is about 50% more as compared with competitors.

One of the biggest benefits of this model no portable you can offer is a really impressive coverage area of 4000 sq.ft. that makes the Aprilaire 600M an ideal air humidifier for large houses with multiple storeys as well as for tightly constructed homes with complex layouts.

Requiring minimum maintenance and ensuring continuous operation 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, the Aprilaire 600M is by far the best whole house humidifier in its class.

Simple yet Effective Seasonal Controls

The need for added humidification is more acute on winter days, however, if you live in a dry region, during the hot summer season, the air in your dwelling might also lack humidity. It’s worth saying that the relative humidity level doesn’t change the same way on different seasons and normally, you will need to adjust your humidifier. With the Aprilaire 600M, everything is much more simple. Using the bypass damper handle, you can choose winter or summer settings and the system will automatically adjust to outdoor conditions to maintain a comfortable environment in your house irrespective of the weather outside.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $126.80
Stock In stock
ASIN B000PY1IQ6

A Functional Piece of Decor

While a built-in HVAC humidifier is usually installed somewhere in the basement and is normally out of sight, a portable unit should be placed somewhere in the living area. Units designed for whole house humidification might appear rather bulky. You won’t hide it in the closet, it should be installed so that to allow for free air circulation, hence, most likely, it will be easily seen. Though there is a whole variety of stand-alone whole-house humidifiers on the market, many of them still look like household appliances and will stick out of the interior design. Yet, it is not the case with the Aircare pedestal humidifier.

Taking a somewhat different approach, the manufacturer has designed a whole home humidifier that looks rather like a piece of furniture than a household appliance. At a glance, the unit reminds a kind of stand or rack we would normally put in the hall, somewhere in the corner or near the couch to place a houseplant, decorative vase, or a lamp. The housing in Espresso color does not hit the eye and will blend with any interior design. The tile on the top can be replaced to any other tile that will better fit your home decor.

A stylish design in this model pairs with a high performance that is the most important thing at the end. The unit features a fan powered system and offers an evaporative principle of operation. Dry air enters the unit via back vents and passes through the Super Wick® filter where it gets saturated with moist. Then, humid air will be blown out by the fan through side vents to circulate around your dwelling. Notably, the wick filter will retain all admixtures contained in water to prevent white mineral deposits on your furniture and other household objects. With a coverage area of 2800 sq.ft., this model will efficiently cope with air humidification in a rather large house or office.

When it comes to controls, you can easily adjust the unit operation to achieve the desired humidity effect. 9 fan speeds will let you maximum accurately select and consistently maintain the necessary moist level in the air and change it in accordance with changing environmental conditions. Meanwhile, once you set the humidity level on the control panel, a built-in humidistat will automatically regulate the humidifier operation to meet the settings.

With the Aircare EP9800, you’ll get a high-performance whole-house humidifier and a functional piece of decor cleverly combined in a single unit.

Get the Benefit of a Long-lasting Performance

Most portable whole home humidifiers offer a continuous runtime from 12 to 24 hours and only some models can offer longer operation. The Aircare EP9800 is one of them. Equipped with a 3.5-gallon water tank, this unit boasts a continuous runtime of 60 hours that is a really high rate for this type of air humidifier. It means you will need to refill a water reservoir only once in three days.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $169.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00I9YFXSS

Affrodable Efficiency for All-house Humidification

Many homeowners opt for countertop single-room units since they does not cost a fortune. Larger console whole house humidifiers are more expensive, yet, the benefits you’ll get are also more appreciable. Striving for a perfect balance of an affordable price and whole house performance, Honeywell has designed a cool moisture console humidifier for humidification of large areas. As a result, at the price of a premium spot humidifier, you’ll get the efficiency of a quality whole-house unit. See for yourself.

Like expensive whole home humidifiers, the Honeywell offers adjustable humidity control and speed settings. You can choose between 3 humidity levels depending on the air dryness in your living space and 3 fan speeds depending on how quickly you want to achieve the desired air humidity. Though controls are mechanical, they are very simple and ensure an easy unit operation adjustment.

The model uses an evaporative technology with a wicking filter saturating the air with moisture. The Protec filter will also remove any excess minerals and additives from the water to prevent any white dust tracks on your furniture and save you the need to use filtered water. In addition, it captures dust, dirt, pollen, and other allergens from the incoming air to disperse clean and fresh humid air afterwards.

Brand-specific QuietCare fans ensure silent unit operation and make it almost unnoticeable. Two 1.5-gallon tanks are very easy to fill and maintain. An overall water capacity of 3 gallons allows using the unit continuously within 24 hours while the unit output power is enough to humidify up to 1900 sq.ft. All this makes this model a practical choice for setting a favorable microclimate in a large multi-room apartment or a small house.

At an affordable price-tag, the Honeywell whole house humidifier offers functionality, adjustability, and efficiency of more expensive models taking care of a healthy environment in your dwelling.

... and Energy-saving Solution

The Honeywell QuietCare humidifier stands out not only for its affordable price and efficient performance. What makes it special as well is little energy consumption that won't hit your budget. When operated in a high mode, the unit consumes only 65 watts per hour, which is a very good rate. Translating this into numbers, if you keep using it 24 hours a day for a whole month, the Honeywell QuietCare humidifier will cost you just 5 USD, which isn't a big price to pay. Besides, do not assume that your humidifier will run at its maximum speed all 24 hours. Its power will slightly rise and drop in the process. Which means in reality, the energy cost will be even lower than what we estimated. Less than 5 USD a month for all-around humidification of about 2000 sq.ft. is a good bargain.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B000G0LDRI

VIDEO

A Combo of Portability and the Utmost Performance

The difference between HVAC and console whole house humidifiers lies not only in design and installation. Furnace units also offer much larger coverage areas that makes them by far the most efficient, not to say the only, solution for really big houses and multi-storeyed condos. But what if you don’t want the hassle of HVAC humidifier installation, yet, still need the unit capable to cover large areas and seek the one that can be operated right out of the box? Then, we recommend turning your eyes to the Aircare MA1201 console-style humidifier.

The first thing you will like about this model is its compactness and portability. Though bigger than countertop humidifiers, it is more compact and sleek as compared to other console models in its class. Hence, it won’t take much space and will fit well somewhere in the corner, near the window, or behind the couch. Meanwhile, four small caster wheels will let you move the unit around and easily transport it whenever you need.

Pretty large grill vents on three sides of the unit ensure efficient dry air intake while numerous vents on the top maintain dispersion of large amounts of naturally moisturized clean air into the premises once the air passes through wick filter absorbing and trapping all water impurities and air pollutant to let you enjoy perfectly clean and fresh air.

4 fan speeds with an auto mode allow choosing humid air dispersion intensity while customizable humidity settings and a built-in humidistat will let you set and maintain the desired humidity level to your comfort. Yet, one of the biggest advantages of this model taking into account its size and mobility is the coverage area of 3600 s.ft. that makes the Aircare MA1201 suitable for large living areas, meanwhile, saving you the need to call for professional aid to install the unit.

Featuring relatively compact dimensions and easy to move around, the Aircare MA1201  offers the coverage maximum close to that of professional furnace models. In addition, owing to a low energy consumption, the use of this air humidifier won't add much to your electricity bills.

Smart Convenience

Providing the benefits of all-house humidification and even allowing you to save on your heating bills during cold season, the Aircare MA1201 features a no-frills design and controls. A wick filter is within easy reach and can be quickly replaced whenever it’s time to change it. A water tank is quick and easy to refill and maintain to keep your unit working and prevent molds and fungi growth inside the tank. The humidifier offers smart and comprehensible controls conveniently located on top of the unit and easy to see. 3 control buttons allow turning the device on and off and adjust the operating mode while all settings will be shown on the LED display. In addition, two indicators will let you know when it is time to refill the tank and check the filter.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $124.69
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B004S34ISA

Portable Whole House Humidifier

If you live in a city apartment or studio, no matter how small or large it is, great chances are that to tackle dry air problem, you use a room humidifier that you sporadically move from the living room to the bedroom and back again to create a comfortable naturally humid environment where you are. A furnace humidifier is not the best option for central HVAC systems in multi-storeyed residential buildings that forces you to make your choice in favor of portable units. But have you ever thought about a portable humidifier suitable for all-apartment humidification? If so, the one from Vornado is exactly what you need.

The Vornado Evap40 is a whole-house humidifier offered in a compact design suitable for living spaces of any size. Thanks to its branded Vortex technology, this model boasts a 1000 sq.ft. coverage area which is more than enough for an apartment or a small single-storey house with a plain layout. Unlike most other humidifiers simply dispersing the air in several directions, the Vornado uses exclusive Vortex action that allows moving large amounts of dry air through a special filter and then blow the air out through large top vents. The output airflow reminds a kind of vortex that ensures times better air circulation throughout large areas for complete and uniform humidification. 4-gallon water reservoir capacity ensures continuous runtime of up to 24 hours giving you an opportunity to set the unit and forget about it for the whole day. The patented Airlock water tanks are fully airtight for leak-proof operation and quick and easy to disassemble when you need a refill. A tank filling hole is compatible with the majority of kitchen tap for hassle-free water filling.

On the front panel, you will find a power button and two control knobs for fan speed and humidity level accordingly. You can choose between a high fan speed for quick and efficient whole-home humidification, medium speed for regular operation, and a low speed for moderate night time operation or when using the unit for a single room humidification. Humidity levels are adjustable from maximum to minimum, with the humidistat automatically adjusting the device operation in compliance with the selected settings.

Compact, easy-to-maintain, high-performance, and budget-friendly, the Vornado humidifier will come in handy not only for apartments but also for large open areas and room humidification.

Designed With Allergic Individuals in Mind

Individuals prone to allergies are more sensitive to dry air and usually are the first who suffer from low indoor humidity since allergens, germs, and bacteria are more mobile in dry air. The Vornado Evap40 uses evaporative technology dispersing fine cool mist to humidify the air. Unlike many other models, the Vornado uses dual filters to efficiently clean the output air from bacteria, dust, and allergens that makes it suitable for allergy sufferers and families with kids. With Vornao, you can be sure you breathe clean and fresh air free from pollutants.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $109.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00O0WOO74

What Is a Whole House Humidifier?

It’s common knowledge that dry air in premises is not good for our health. A humidity level below 30 percent might cause a whole range or respiratory problems and aggravate allergy or asthma symptoms. Apart from health issues, severely dry air will eventually cause damages to wooden floors, furniture, and musical instruments by drawing moisture out of wood. Unfortunately, due to a high level of industrialization, the natural air humidity is below a safe rate in most regions. Hence, to maintain a healthy environment in our living and working spaces, it is necessary to increase the indoor air humidity up to the mark. This is what humidifier units are meant for. For most of us, humidifiers are compact, portable units we can move from one room to another and turn on when necessary. However, if you seek consistent humidity treatment of air all around your dwelling, a whole house humidifier will be a much better option.

Unlike compact spot humidifiers normally suitable for only a single room application, whole house humidifiers are specifically designed to cover considerably larger areas (above 1000 sq.ft) and, as the name suggests, will come in handy for maintaining due air humidity in a whole house. Using a single unit will save your budget on buying several portable units to put in different rooms and save you the need to drag the units around the house. Meanwhile, it offers much more efficient operation and more accurate humidity level control.

To make the environment in your house not only healthy but also cozy and welcoming, complete your humidifier with one of the oil diffusers that will fill your living space with lingering and delicate fragrances and aromas of essential oils.

What Features to Compare

Type

Whole house humidifiers can be classified by several different criteria. The type you need for your residence largely depends on the area you need to cover and whether you prefer a stationary or portable solution.

  • By design, whole house humidifiers fall into furnace or HVAC models and console units. Furnace humidifiers cannot operate as a separate unit. They are to be embedded into your central heating and cooling system. These models belong to professional-grade equipment and are needed to be installed by an HVAC specialist. However, they make one of the most efficient air humidifying solutions for large houses since they cover impressively large areas, require less maintenance, and ensure more efficient humidification, thanks to distributing the air via furnace ducts which means duly humidified air will be evenly circulating all around the house. As for the console models, these are standalone units that can be operated right out of the package. A console unit is an independent system powered by electricity and requiring water tanks refill from time to time. Console units also boast pretty large coverage and are suitable for all-around humidification of small and medium-sized houses.
  • By moisture distribution principle, the units are divided into bypass and fan-powered models. All console units are fan-powered which means they have a built-in fan that blows humid air into the room. Meanwhile, furnace humidifiers are divided into bypass units activated by the furnace blower and fan-powered units that can work independently from the furnace.
  • By moisture generation system, you can distinguish between steam and evaporative units. Steam systems use steam produced by a water heating unit and introduce it into the room while evaporative systems blow out and distribute water vapors. Though steam systems are considered more energy-saving and cost-effective than evaporative ones, they are less safe at the same time since they use hot water.

Controls

Furnace humidifiers feature fully automated digital controls allowing the user to adjust the desired humidity level and forget about it letting the electronic system control the unit operation. When it comes to stand-alone console units, here you’ll come across both models with digital controls and those with mechanical controls. The majority of units offer several fan speeds and several humidity levels to achieve the necessary indoor air humidity depending on the season and climate conditions. Predominantly all whole house humidifiers come fitted with a humidistat that will shut the unit off once the set humidity level is achieved and turn the blower back again when the humidity level reduces. By regulating the humidifier operation, this handy control device will also help you save on your electricity bills. 

Filtration

A water filter in an air humidifier is necessary to filter out minerals and admixtures contained in water that might cause white dust and deposits on objects and furniture. Furnace humidifiers normally feature water panels which is a kind of cartridge filter that needs to be cleaned about twice a year while wick filters the console units are usually equipped with need cleaning and replacement much more often.

Coverage Area and Run Time

The coverage area and runtime offered by various whole house humidifiers might differ a lot. Most stand-alone units offer a run time from 24 up to 60 hours subject to a full water tank. It should be noted that HVAC models connected directly to a central water supply system can run continuously without the need to refill a water reservoir. The coverage area of different units also ranges from 1000 sq. ft. up to over 4000 sq. ft.

Did you know?

The Signs Your Home Needs a Humidifier

Some people regard air humidifiers rather as a kind of marketing trick inducing customers to buy an appliance they don’t really need and think that the importance of home humidifiers is overrated. However, when your child catches a cold several times a year or constantly suffers from a clogged nose and you say your little one has a poor immunity and is prone to respiratory diseases, haven’t you ever thought that it might be due to too low air humidity in your home? The problem of dry indoor air can’t be neglected, especially by those who live in dry and cold or in regions located far from any water basins and those with dry and harsh winds prevailing during the year. So, how to tell that your house needs an air humidifier? Here are several signs signaling that the air in your living space is too dry.

  • If you or somebody in your family gets more susceptible to colds or flu or suffer from regular nose bleeds, dry skin problems, itchy eyes, irritated throat and nasal passages or running nose.
  • If you have an allergy sufferer or somebody with asthma, chronic respiratory ailments or some abnormal skin conditions and you notice the aggravation of symptoms.
  • Increased static electricity level that you feel when changing clothes, brushing your hair, cleaning furniture or carpets.
  • Your houseplants need watering too often and have a lot of yellow or dry leaves.
  • If you notice some cracks in wooden floors, furniture, moldings, or window sills indicating the excessive moist loss.
  • The air in your dwelling is too warm and hard to breathe during a heating season.

If the air in your living space lacks humidity, most likely you’ll notice several of the above-mentioned signs. The best recommendation will be to measure the humidity level (that normally should be between 30% and 50%) using a hygrometer and if the level of air moisture is below 30%, consider a whole house humidifier installation.

Humidifier Benefits

While we've already answered the question of "how does a whole house humidifier work", we haven't made much focus on the humidifier benefits which are aplenty when it comes both to our health and overall comfort. Let's bring up the key benefits.

Significantly reduced risk of infections, allergy aggravations, and respiratory diseasesAirborne viruses and bacteria are much less agile in the moist air, hence, this will greatly reduce the likelihood to catch a cold or flu. The same relates to dust particles and allergens.

Faster healing time. Even if you catch a cold you will recover quicker and will suffer less from such irritating symptoms as sneezing and coughing since your nose and your throat will be duly moisturized.

Better skin condition. Dry air is very harmful to the skin sapping the moisture out of it and causing dryness. Dry skin looks faded, irritated, and dull. In this case, only special skincare products might be not enough. Meanwhile, humid air will maintain a healthy moisture level in your skin and enhance the effect of your skincare regimen.

Much more comfortable and sound sleep. Dry air causes dry sinuses. How often do you wake up in the morning with a tight feeling in your nose and throat? Moist air will help you solve that problem and improve the quality of your sleep. Keeping your respiratory systems moisturized, it will add comfort to your night sleep and even help relieve snoring.

Added Household Benefits

Moisturized air reduces static electricity and the risk of electric shock. Besides, it prevents moisture loss by objects made of natural wood, be it furniture, floors, or some musical instruments. If you have rarities like paintings, old photos or stamps collections, humid air will protect them from brittleness and discoloration.




How to:

Other reviews