Top 5 Best Whole House Humidifiers

Humidifier

Aprilaire Model 700

Honeywell HE360

Essick Air / Aircare 4DTS-300

Skuttle 190

Boneco 7142

Coverage (Sq ft / m²)

4200 / 390

4500 / 418

2700 / 251

4048 / 376

860 / 80

Price

Humidifier Technology

Evaporative

Evaporative

Evaporative

Evaporative

Ultrasonic

Type of humidifier

Cool mist

Cool mist

Cool mist

Cool mist

Cool mist, warm mist

Moisture output per 24h (Gallons/liters)

18 / 68.1

18 / 68.1

13 / 49.2

17 / 64.3

3.5 / 13.2

Tank size (gallons/liters)

direct from water faucet

Direct from the water pipe

5.5 / 20.8

direct from water pipe

2 / 7.6

Run time per tank

–

–

10 hours

–

12hours

Removable tank

–

–

–

Water refill indicator

–

–

Humidistat

Humidity range

15% – 55%

15% – 50%

25% – 65%

15% – 50%

40% – 60%

Humidity display

Automatic –

Manual –

Mist output control

Control type

Manual or electronic

Manual

Electronic

Manual

Electronic

Programmable timer

Automatic safety shutoff

Carrying handle

Casters

Remote control

Filters

Filter price

–

Filter cleaning and (or) replace

Replace annually

Replace annually

Replace seasonally

Replace every 6 months

–

Germ protection

Demineralization cartridge

Noise level

From quite low till quite loud

Noticeable sound

46 – 70dB

Noticeable sound

25dB

Energy usage (max)

N/A

75W

135W

25W

140W

Voltage

120V

120V

120V

120V

120V

Size (inches / centimeters)

Height: 15.9 / 40.5

Width: 15.9 / 40.5

Depth: 10.3 / 26

Height: 15 / 38

Width: 14 / 35.5

Depth: 10.2 / 26

Height: 22 / 56

Width: 28 / 71

Depth: 14 / 35.5

Height: 10.9 / 27.5

Width: 10.7 / 27

Depth: 11.7 / 30

Height: 17.3 / 44

Width: 11 / 28

Depth: 9.8 / 25

Weight (pounds / kg)

9 / 4

18.5 / 8.4

28 / 12.7

8.8 / 4

Warranty

5 years limited

1 year limited

1 year limited

1 year limited

3 yearss limited

Pros

+Covers large area

+Built-in drain to flush mineral build-up from the machine

+Warm air evaporation

+Water panel change indicator

+Digital humidity controller with automatic and manual options

+May reduce energy costs – during the colder months can help you feel warmer, leading to reduced heating costs

+Efficient water usage

+Covers large area

+Warm air evaporation

+Humidistat, mist output control

+The kit inculdes everything needed for installation

+The viewing window on the enclosure

+Multiple finishes

+High humidity output

+Adjustable humidistat

+Humidity display

+9 fan settings

+Dual water bottles

+Check filter alerts, water refill indicator

+2-stage AirCare filter

+Casters

+Easy to set up, doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, easy to clean

+Controlled by an external humidistat

+Auto or manual mode

+Warm air evaporation

+Covers large area

+Reversible side panels

+Uses low energy

+Easy maintenance – requires 1 cleaning per year

+Shutoff damper

+Installation kit included

+Sleek, compact design

+Cool and warm mist

+Pre-heat function

+Mist output regulation

+Sleep mode, timer, LCD display, humidistat, water refill indicator, auto mode

+Carrying handle

+Demineralization cartridge

+Hydro Cell

+Humidifier clean indicator

+Very quiet

Cons

–Should be installed by a qualified HVAC technician

–Have to replace filter regularly

–Have to replace filter annually or more often

–Only 1 year limited warranty

–Have to replace filter regularly

–Higher fan speeds are very loud

–The plastic is flimsy

–The humidistat is not accurate

–Only 1 year limited warranty

–Should be installed by a qualified HVAC technician

–Have to replace filter at least every 6 months

–Have to replace demineralization cartridge and hydro cell ever 2-3 months

–Filling the tank can be cumbersome

Overall Rating (max 5)

(4.4 / 5)

(4.3 / 5)

(4.3 / 5)

(4.4 / 5)

(4.3 / 5)

15% Price/performance

(4.5 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(5 / 5)

(4 / 5)

5% Design

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

35% Performance

(5 / 5)

(5 / 5)

(4.5 / 5)

(5 / 5)

(4.5 / 5)

15% Features

(3.5 / 5)

(3.5 / 5)

(4.5 / 5)

(3.5 / 5)

(4.5 / 5)

10% Noise level

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4.5 / 5)

20% Maintenance & Upkeep

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

(4 / 5)

Conclusions, recommendations