The 7 Best Whole House Humidifiers of 2021

Best Overall: AIRCARE 5 Gal. Evaporative Humidifier

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AIRCARE is one of the top brands that sells whole-house humidifiers, and their 5-Gallon Evaporative Humidifier is a solid investment in terms of performance and value. The sleek modern unit is designed for homes up to 4,000 square feet, and it can deliver up to 12.8 gallons of daily output. 

This whole-house humidifier has a three-speed motor, adjustable humidistat, and automatic shut-off. You can control the unit via its easy-to-use digital display, and it includes both water refill and check filter indicator lights, letting you know when the appliance needs attention. The humidifier is a bit bulky, so it’s mounted on casters for easy movement, and it has two water bottles that you fill up, saving you the hassle of carrying an oversized water tank back and forth to the sink. 

Best Budget: AIRCARE Space-Saver Whole House Evaporative Humidifier

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The majority of whole-house humidifiers cost several hundred dollars, but one of the best budget options is this space-saving evaporative humidifier from AIRCARE. Designed for homes up to 2,700 square feet, this unit has a 6-gallon water tank and is a great value at a fraction of the price of some competitors. The AIRCARE Space-Saver Whole House Evaporative Humidifier has a maximum runtime of 70 hours, and its compact form isn’t nearly as cumbersome as other models. 

This humidifier offers several speed settings and an automatic shut-off when your home is at the desired humidity level or when the unit runs out of water. It has an easy-to-fill water tank that you simply pour liquid into, and there are indicator lights for the filter and water level. The unit is compact and easy to move around thanks to its wheels, meaning you can easily wheel it out of the way when you don't need it.

Best Design: Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

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Many humidifiers have an extremely utilitarian design, both in terms of their controls and overall appearance, and if you’re looking for a unit that offers a sleek aesthetic and more comprehensive functionality, the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier is the way to go. This humidifier can be used in spaces up to 750 square feet, so it’s not as powerful as other options, but it does offer three levels of either warm or cool mist. 

This humidifier from Levoit displays the exact humidity level in your home, and you can control it via its digital control panel or its convenient remote control. It has a 6-liter tank that delivers up to 36 hours of continuous use, and its smart auto mode adjusts the humidity in your home to the most suitable level. It includes an optional timer, and you can also turn the display off if it bothers you during the night. 

While it may not be the best option for large homes, the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier is an unbeatable option for small homes and apartments.

Best for Large Homes: Aprilaire 800 Whole Home Steam Humidifier

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Aprilaire is another brand that’s known for its quality whole-house humidifiers, and if you’re looking for a unit that can handle a lot of square footage, the company’s Whole-Home Steam Humidifier is one of your best options. This high-output unit is designed to be mounted to your furnace, and it can regulate humidity in homes up to 6,200 square feet. (For this particular model, air ducts are required.)

The Aprilaire 800 has dual sensors to monitor both indoor and outdoor humidity and temperature levels, automatically adjusting its settings to deliver an optimal humidity level. Another benefit of this unit is that purified water isn’t required, which helps to minimize installation complexity and operating costs.

Best Pedestal: AIRCARE EP9 800 Digital Whole-House Evaporative Humidifier

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As its name suggests, the AIRCARE Pedestal-Style Evaporative Humidifier is designed to resemble a pedestal, making it less of an eyesore in your home. This unit can be used in homes up to 2,400 square feet, and it’s available in two finishes to match your decor. You can even swap out the tile on top for one of your choosing.

The pedestal-style humidifier offers an impressive nine fan speeds, and its digital display allows you to keep tabs on the current humidity level, desired level, and current settings. It automatically shuts off when the desired humidity level is reached or when the unit runs out of water, and there’s a convenient pull-out where you can quickly add more water.

Best Console-Style: AIRCARE H12600 Copper Night Digital Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

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For a console-style humidifier that you can tuck into a corner of your home, this AIRCARE Evaporative Humidifier is one of your best options. It’s available in three different finishes, and it can be used in homes up to 3,700 square feet thanks to its nearly 12 gallon-per-day output. This unit has an evaporative system that uses natural humidity to add moisture to the air, and it has four speed settings and a comfort-sensing humidistat. 

The controls on this unit are tucked away behind a panel for a more streamlined appearance, and it includes an easy-fill water bottle with a refill hose. It can be noisy during operation, but most agree that the product is an effective option for a reasonable price.