Top 5 Best Whole House Humidifiers
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Humidifier |
Aprilaire Model 700 |
Honeywell HE360 |
Essick Air / Aircare 4DTS-300 |
Skuttle 190 |
Boneco 7142 |
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Coverage (Sq ft / m2) |
4200 / 390 |
4500 / 418 |
2700 / 251 |
4048 / 376 |
860 / 80 |
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Price |
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Humidifier Technology |
Evaporative |
Evaporative |
Evaporative |
Evaporative |
Ultrasonic |
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Type of humidifier |
Cool mist |
Cool mist |
Cool mist |
Cool mist |
Cool mist, warm mist |
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Moisture output per 24h (Gallons/liters) |
18 / 68.1 |
18 / 68.1 |
13 / 49.2 |
17 / 64.3 |
3.5 / 13.2 |
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Tank size (gallons/liters) |
direct from water faucet |
Direct from the water pipe |
5.5 / 20.8 |
direct from water pipe |
2 / 7.6 |
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Run time per tank |
– |
– |
10 hours |
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12hours |
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Removable tank |
– |
– |
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– |
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Water refill indicator |
– |
– |
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Humidistat |
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Humidity range |
15% – 55% |
15% – 50% |
25% – 65% |
15% – 50% |
40% – 60% |
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Humidity display |
Automatic – Manual – |
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Mist output control |
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Control type |
Manual or electronic |
Manual |
Electronic |
Manual |
Electronic |
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Programmable timer |
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Automatic safety shutoff |
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Carrying handle |
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Casters |
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Remote control |
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Filters |
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Filter price |
– |
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Filter cleaning and (or) replace |
Replace annually |
Replace annually |
Replace seasonally |
Replace every 6 months |
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Germ protection |
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Demineralization cartridge |
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Noise level |
From quite low till quite loud |
Noticeable sound |
46 – 70dB |
Noticeable sound |
25dB |
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Energy usage (max) |
N/A |
75W |
135W |
25W |
140W |
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Voltage |
120V |
120V |
120V |
120V |
120V |
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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 |
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Weight (pounds / kg) |
9 / 4 |
18.5 / 8.4 |
28 / 12.7 |
8.8 / 4 |
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Warranty |
5 years limited |
1 year limited |
1 year limited |
1 year limited |
3 yearss limited |
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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 |
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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 |
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Overall Rating (max 5) |
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15% Price/performance |
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5% Design |
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35% Performance |
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15% Features |
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10% Noise level |
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20% Maintenance & Upkeep |
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Conclusions, recommendations |
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(4.4 / 5)
Aprilaire Model 700 covers a large area. Built-in drain to flush mineral build-up from the machine. It has a warm air evaporation, water panel changes 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.
Honeywell HE360 covers a large area. It has a warm air evaporation, humidistat, mist output control. The kit includes everything needed for installation. The viewing window on the enclosure.
Essick Air / Aircare 4DTS-300 has 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.
Skuttle 190 is controlled by an external humidistat. It has an auto or manual mode, warm air evaporation. It covers a large area. Reversible side panels. Uses low energy. Easy maintenance – requires 1 cleaning per year. Shutoff damper. Installation kit included.
Boneco 7142 has a 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, a demineralization cartridge, hydro Cell, humidifier clean indicator. Very quiet.
