The 9 Best Whole-House Humidifiers of 2023

Best Overall

AIRCARE EP 9 800 Digital Whole-House Pedestal-Style Evaporative Humidifier

4.8

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This whole-house humidifier is effective, easy to install, and stylish. It is a pedestal-style unit, so it’s freestanding in your space. That makes it ideal for installation, because you can put it out of sight or in a room you use without worrying about it being an eyesore.

The digital controls allow you to adjust the humidity level, speed, and power, and you can choose from nine fan speeds. The display also reports the current humidity level in your home. When it reaches the target humidity level you set, it automatically shuts off. There is also an automatic shutoff when the unit is empty, so you needn’t worry about it burning out or becoming a fire hazard.

This unit is good for homes up to 2,400 square feet but can work for most one- or two-bedroom houses, as well as larger apartments. If you have a larger space or multiple floors you need to monitor, it may not be powerful enough. It does not need to be connected to the ductwork, which makes setup easy.

Price at time of publish: $165

_{Type: Freestanding | Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 27.25 inches | Square Footage: 2,400 square feet | Water Capacity: 3.5 gallons}

Best Budget

AIRCARE MA0800 Mini-Console Digital Whole-House Evaporative Humidifier

4.4

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Even though this humidifier is a mini-unit and only holds 2.5 gallons, it still works for spaces up to 2,600 square feet. It is also one of the most affordable recommendations on our list, costing less than half of some larger units. It has a digital display that you can use to adjust the humidity level, and it also indicates when it is time to refill the reservoir or check the filter.

Cleaning this unit is also very easy. “Although moisture is an important element to a healthy home or building, too much moisture can create the perfect breeding ground for mold,” says Lobdell. “Ensuring the relative humidity is set accurately and that your machine is cleaned frequently will help limit any chance of mold forming and growing inside the humidifier or in the home." If you have hard water, this is an especially important step to maintaining your whole-house humidifier.

The Aircare Mini-Console also has built-in evaporative wicks that trap mineral deposits. You need to replace these periodically, depending on your water, which adds to the overall cost.

Price at time of publish: $125

_{Type: Freestanding | Dimensions: 12 x 18 x 16.5 inches | Square Footage: 2,600 square feet | Water Capacity: 2.5 gallons}

Best Freestanding

Aircare 696 400HB Whole House Credenza Evaporative Humidifier

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If you want the benefits of a whole-house humidifier without the industrial look that comes with most installed systems, the Aircare Credenza Evaporative Humidifier is the best choice. Resembling a piece of furniture rather than a humidifier, it works best in homes up to 3,600 square feet. To adjust the humidifier, just lift the top of the credenza-style plastic covering to get to the unit inside. It also has two water tanks, easier to fill than one large tank.

You might be tempted to use this humidifier as a real credenza, but we strongly recommend not to, since the top must be clear for the moisturized air to circulate into your home. It is also made of plastic, which makes it better for long-term use but may clash with your idea of a sturdy, wooden credenza. It weighs 23 pounds before being filled with 5.6 gallons of water, making it pretty heavy to move. Fortunately, it comes with four casters that help you slide it in place easily. The water tanks also come out when they need to be filled.

Price at time of publish: $195

_{Type: Freestanding | Dimensions: 15.5 x 28.25 x 23.75 inches | Square Footage: 3,600 square feet | Water Capacity: 5.6 gallons}

Best With Existing System

Aprilaire 500 Whole Home Humidifier

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This installed whole-house humidifier is one of our top picks because it is a great value for its performance and features. It is ideal for homes up to 3,000 square feet but measures less than 16 x 13 inches. It extends less than 12 inches from the mounting, making it perfect for small spaces next to your furnace. While you can install it yourself, it is a bit more complex than freestanding units. The installation kit is also sold separately.

The system has a digital display that shows the humidity level, an indicator light that shows it is running properly, a notification to change the water panel and for required maintenance, and whether the unit is set to continuous monitoring. You can also adjust the humidifier so it will only kick on when the furnace runs. This is great for homes that tend to become dry in the winter or when the heat is on.

Price at time of publish: $195

_{Type: Existing system | Dimensions: 15.63 x 10.25 x 13 inches | Square Footage: 3,000 square feet | Water Capacity: Not applicable}

Best Bypass

Aprilaire 500M Whole Home Humidifier with Manual Control + Bypass Humidifier Installation Kit

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The same humidifier from Aprilaire also comes with a bypass installation kit, which adds all of the wiring and ductwork you need to get your whole house humidifier set up quickly and efficiently. As its cousin, the unit performs reliably for homes up to 3,000 feet and has a small footprint.

The unit comes with 3 feet of ductwork that is compatible with most furnaces, as well as the collars needed to install it. The thermostat wiring is also included, as well as a sensing relay. Also included are supply and drain tubes, although you may need to figure out how to connect them, depending on your system. If this all sounds confusing, it’s best to opt for professional installation.

Price at time of publish: $210

_{Type: Existing system | Dimensions: 15.63 x 10.25 x 13 inches | Square Footage: 3,000 square feet | Water Capacity: Not applicable}

Best Fan

Aprilaire 700 Whole Home Humidifier

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The larger Aprilaire 700 system has a built-in fan that pulls air directly from the adjoining furnace and moves it up to 5,300 square feet in your home. Its two sensors monitor the humidity, and automatically adjusts it to get the best results without constant adjustment on your part. It also responds to indoor and outdoor temperatures.

The larger size means the unit takes up more space than its cousins, measuring 18 inches tall, almost 16 inches wide, and almost 11 inches deep. It can be mounted, but make sure you have enough space for the unit and the required ductwork, tubes, and wiring. It is also a bit more expensive, although still a great value for the performance.

Price at time of publish: $325

_{Type: Existing system | Dimensions: 15.91 x 10.34 x 18 inches | Square Footage: 5,300 square feet | Water Capacity: Not applicable}

Best for Dry Climates

Aprilaire 800 Whole Home Steam Humidifier

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Lobdell recommends steam humidifiers to prevent mold growth. If you have such a problem, or if you live in an area with dry air, such as an arid or desert climate, a steam humidifier may be desirable to reach optimum humidity levels.

This unit’s digital control displays the current humidity level, and a manual dial lets you adjust among seven fan speeds. The steam canister also is included in this expensive kit, as are all the tubing and wiring.

You can purchase this product in one of two models: needing air ducts (lower price) and not. We've noted that the air ducts can be complicated to install. And even with a detailed diagram, the electrics alone are difficult for the average homeowner to tackle. You may want to get the help of a professional for installation.

Price at time of publish: $810

_{Type: Steam | Dimensions: ‎7.13 x 10.13 x 20.88 inches | Square Footage: 6,200 square feet | Water Capacity: Not applicable}

Best Manual

Aprilaire 700M Whole Home Humidifier with Manual Control

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A large-capacity whole-house humidifier can set you back significantly. One way to maximize your money is to purchase a model with a manual controller. The Aprilaire 700 unit with a manual controller costs less than its same-size digital counterpart without sacrificing performance. Like the digital option, it has a built-in fan and works in homes up to 5,300 square feet.

You need to manually adjust the target humidity via a dial on the control panel, which has an “off” setting in addition to 15 percent, 25 percent, 35 percent, and 45 percent humidity levels. There are recommended settings based on the outside temperature for optimum use and comfort.

Price at time of publish: $285

_{Type: Existing system | Dimensions: 15.91 x 10.34 x 18 inches | Square Footage: 5,300 square feet | Water Capacity: Not applicable}