Staying on top of the humidity in a home can be important. Humidity—the amount of water vapor in the air—can impact not only the health of the family living in the home, but can also affect some treasured pastimes.
In terms of health, understanding and adjusting a home’s heating and ventilation can do wonders for sinuses, keeping passages clear and allowing residents to breathe easier. In fact, numerous studies have demonstrated that relative humidity can have a profound effect on a variety of health issues. For people whose doctors have recommended a controlled-humidity environment, whether lowering or raising the humidity, measuring humidity can be particularly critical.
And when it comes to nonhealth—but possibly equally meaningful—considerations such as wine and cigars, measuring humidity is also important.
Instead of guessing the home’s moisture level, use a hygrometer to keep the moisture needle in the right spot. Whether analog or digital, the best hygrometers sense and report the amount of humidity in the air. Check out these top products that measure humidity for various needs.
- BEST OVERALL: Govee Wi-Fi Indoor Hygrometer
- RUNNER-UP: ThermoPro TP55 Digital Hygrometer
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Govee Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer
- BEST SMART: SensorPush HT.w Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer
- BEST FOR GREENHOUSES: Govee H5075 Hygrometer/Thermometer
- BEST FOR CIGARS: Cigar Oasis Analog Hygrometer by Western Humidor
- BEST FOR INSTRUMENT CASES: Jedew 2-Pack Mini Hygrometer
- BEST FOR TERRARIUMS: Binfrog 12-Pack Mini Temperature Humidity Meters
- BEST FOR WINE CELLARS: Ideal Sciences Temp Stick Wireless Remote Hygrometer
How We Chose the Best Hygrometers
We researched the best hygrometers in a variety of categories and chose options with high customer satisfaction. The list takes into account digital versus analog devices, humidity accuracy, temperature accuracy, remote monitoring, and special features included by the top brands.
The majority of the top picks are digital devices that provide both humidity and temperature readings, with only one analog tool. We focused on hygrometers with humidity accuracy between 1 and 3 percent and temperature accuracy between 0.5 and 1 degrees Fahrenheit. Select hygrometers can be monitored remotely using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or an app. Additionally, the list prioritizes tools with easy-to-read displays, onboard data storage, app storage, and flexible mounting options.
Our Top Picks
With that brief primer on the science behind hygrometers and the important factors to keep in mind while shopping for these handy devices, it’s time to hit the market. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best hygrometers available. There are old-school devices and high-tech models, so shoppers will be able to find something to fit their needs.
Photo: amazon.com
For folks looking for a well-rounded hygrometer option that they can integrate into a smart home, the Govee Wi-Fi Indoor Hygrometer is worth checking into. This device has a digital readout that displays the temperature and humidity but also reports to the Govee Home app, which is easy to navigate. If the user prefers, the Govee will work with Alexa (only Alexa, though), allowing them to check the temperature and humidity via voice command.
The Govee digital hygrometer has a 20-day onboard data log, and it stores temperature and humidity information in the app for as long as 2 years. It’s accurate within plus or minus 3 percent humidity and 0.3 degrees Celsius. It has a digital face that’s easy to read, and it sends push notifications to a phone if the humidity or temperature exceeds a preset range.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: Digital
- Humidity accuracy: 3 percent
- Temperature accuracy: 0.3 degrees Celsius
Pros
- Remote monitoring via Govee Home app, giving users access from anywhere
- Compatible with Alexa, allowing users to get readings with their voice
- 20-day onboard data log to track conditions and plan accordingly
- Stores information for up to 2 years in the app, allowing users to assess seasonal changes
Cons
- Works with Alexa but no other digital assistants
Get the Govee Wi-Fi Indoor hygrometer at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
If keeping track of humidity levels without a high-tech and connected app or smart-home interface is important, the ThermoPro TP55 Digital Hygrometer could be an option. This hygrometer has a 4-inch touch-screen display with large numerals that make it easy to check the temperature and humidity within the room (though the other readings are smaller and do clutter the display). It’s incredibly accurate, providing readings within 2 to 3 percent in humidity and 1 degree Fahrenheit.
The ThermoPro provides accurate readings every 10 seconds, allowing users to stay on top of environmental changes. It also records the day’s highs and lows, as well as all-time records. It has three different mounting options: a magnet, a wall mount, and a tabletop stand.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: Digital
- Humidity accuracy: 2 to 3 percent
- Temperature accuracy: 1 degree Fahrenheit
Pros
- Touch-screen display features large numbers for the 2 readings that matter most
- Provides readings every 10 seconds, making sure the data displayed is up to date
- 3 mounting options allow users flexibility when installing the display
Cons
- Somewhat cluttered display
Get the ThermoPro hygrometer at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Whether it’s about monitoring a greenhouse, a cellar, or even the garage without breaking the bank on an expensive hygrometer, this hygrometer from Govee can get the job done. This model features a very simple sensor that installs in the monitored area and reports back to an app, allowing users to check their phones for up-to-date humidity readings. And it does it for a very affordable price.
The smart hygrometer features a 262-foot range, making it a suitable choice for folks with larger properties and homes that need temperature and humidity readings. It also uses Bluetooth rather than Wi-Fi, meaning users won’t have to worry about their internet connection to receive important alerts about humidity levels. It’s also accurate to within 3 percent relative humidity and 0.54 degrees Fahrenheit, and it stores data for up to 20 days, allowing users to get as into the weeds on their humidity levels as they need to. But, recognize that without a display, the only way to use this hygrometer is with a phone.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: No onboard display; digital via app
- Humidity accuracy: 3 percent
- Temperature accuracy: 0.54 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Affordable price point allows users to track humidity without a big investment
- Uses Bluetooth rather than Wi-Fi so users don’t have to worry about connection signal
- Has a 262-foot range, making it possible to track outbuilding humidity levels like in a greenhouse or garage
Cons
- No display, so it requires a phone to check levels
Get the Govee wireless hygrometer at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
When it comes to accuracy from a smart device, it’s hard to beat the SensorPush HT.w wireless thermometer and hygrometer. This sensor uses Bluetooth to provide a range of up to 325 feet, and its accuracy is within 2 percent relative humidity and 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing users to measure humidity and temperature readings at any time. And, though it uses Bluetooth, an additional SensorPush Gateway device that connects the hygrometer to Wi-Fi is available as an extra purchase.
The SensorPush’s app is well designed and easy to use. It has simple graphs as well as standard three-digit values, and it offers unlimited data storage of temperature and humidity levels; the device itself offers 45 days of storage. But, beyond those smart features and accuracy ratings, this model is tough. It’s water-resistant, splash-proof, and weatherproof, allowing users to stash this high-end smart device anywhere necessary.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: No onboard display; digital via app
- Humidity accuracy: 2 percent
- Temperature accuracy: 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Has an extra-long range of 325 feet for Bluetooth readings; Wi-Fi gateway is available
- Accurate to within 2 percent relative humidity and 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit for spot-on readings
- Weatherproof and water-resistant for rough conditions
Cons
- Requires a Wi-Fi gateway for checking readings while away from the home
Get the SensorPush hygrometer at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
The Govee H5075 Hygrometer/Thermometer could be an option for shoppers looking for a hygrometer with an easily read display as well as a long range. The Govee reports readings via Bluetooth (there isn’t a Wi-Fi function) to a phone using the Govee Home app. It has a 260-foot range, allowing users to check the conditions in a greenhouse nearly a football field away. It’s also accurate to within 3 percent humidity and 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit, updating every 2 seconds for accurate readings in sensitive environments.
Users will benefit from 20 days of onboard data as well as 2 years of data storage in the app (which they can export as a spreadsheet if desired). The Govee will also send push notifications to a phone if the temperature or humidity exceeds the preset range—helping stay on top of conditions in a greenhouse.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: Digital
- Humidity accuracy: 3 percent
- Temperature accuracy: 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Remote readings via Govee Home app, ensuring users are able to track their spaces
- 260-foot range provides reading up to almost an entire football field away
- 20 days of onboard data; can store data in the app for up to 2 years
Cons
- No Wi-Fi function for those who prefer it
Get the Govee H5075 hygrometer at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
When it comes to monitoring a humidor’s humidity levels, analog hygrometers should be as much about style as they are about function. The mechanical Analog Hygrometer by Western Humidor has a nautical-themed dial that’s easy to read. The case is aluminum with a brass-style finish, and the gauge has a sunburst effect.
The Cigar Oasis Analog Hygrometer by Western Humidor is accurate to within 1 percent, but users can calibrate it with the adjustment screw in the back should they find it needs adjustment. It has a magnetic mount that allows the user to remove the hygrometer for testing or adjusting. The scratch- and fog-resistant glass face will stay clear and easy to read as well.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: Analog
- Humidity accuracy: 1 percent
- Temperature accuracy: N/A
Pros
- Easy-to-read dial with scratch- and fog-resistant face makes quickly checking a humidor a breeze
- Attractive brass-style finish looks great next to a large variety of humidor finishes
- Magnetic mount ensures it stays put wherever the user attaches it
Cons
- Does not provide temperature readings
Get the Cigar Oasis hygrometer at Amazon or Cigar Oasis.
Photo: amazon.com
Depending on the instrument, it can seem like adding so much as an extra reed to the case could overload it. When it comes to these cases, users will want a small hygrometer like the Mini Hygrometer from Jedew. These small hygrometers will fit in most tight cases and provide easily read humidity and temperature values at a glance.
The Jedew hygrometers’ faces are simple and uncluttered. They display the humidity readings in larger print than the temperature reading, allowing users to see the crucial value first. They are accurate within 5 percent humidity and 2 degrees Fahrenheit. They provide new readings every 10 seconds. Each hygrometer uses one 1.5-volt LR44 battery that is easy to replace. Just keep in mind that these are not smart sensors, so users will have to open their instrument cases to check them.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: Digital
- Humidity accuracy: 5 percent
- Temperature accuracy: 2 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- 2-pack of mini hygrometers allows users to track 2 instruments
- Simple, easy-to-read face ensures the user understands the conditions in their instrument case
- Provides readings every 10 seconds to ensure that the latest data is on display
Cons
- No connectivity function, so users will have to open their cases to check levels
Get the Jedew hygrometers at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
For folks that are into terrascaping, they probably realize how quickly their interest can grow into several separate, tiny environments. Instead of swapping a hygrometer from jar to jar, they can purchase a 12-pack of easy-to-read hygrometers from Binfrog. These tiny hygrometers are small and unobtrusive, allowing users to hide them in the back of a terrarium.
The Binfrog Mini Temperature Humidity Meters are accurate within 2 degrees Fahrenheit and 5 percent humidity. They take measurements every 10 seconds, updating data about the conditions inside the terrarium often. They use two LR44 batteries each, providing longer runtime than other models—vital for trying to avoid digging into a terrarium too often, though smart connectivity would work just as well.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: Digital
- Humidity accuracy: 5 percent
- Temperature accuracy: 2 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- 12-pack of hygrometers allows users to place them in multiple terrariums
- Easy-to-read face means the user can tuck them in corners or under plants and still be able to read them
- Provides measurements every 10 seconds for latest data
Cons
Get the Binfrog hygrometers at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Big investments like wine collections and the wine cellars that hold them can’t rely on stand-alone displays or Bluetooth. They need Wi-Fi to keep their owners up to date to ensure that everything is safe, always. The Ideal Sciences Temp Stick Wireless Remote Hygrometer has that ability, providing users with data on the conditions in their wine cellars from anywhere in the world. It also will send push notifications, should those conditions fall out of the user’s preferred range.
This sensor reports back to a smart device and doesn’t have a display. It does provide readings accurate to within 4 percent relative humidity and 0.4 degrees Celsius. Users can place this device in their wine cellar and know they’re getting a humidity reading that they can trust, and it will store those readings on the app indefinitely, with unlimited data logging. All of this does come at a cost, however, as this model is fairly expensive.
Product Specs
- Digital/analog: No onboard display; digital via app
- Humidity accuracy: 4 percent relative humidity
- Temperature accuracy: 0.4 degrees Celsius
Pros
- Uses the home’s Wi-Fi to ensure the user is aware of the wine cellar’s conditions regardless of whether or not they’re home
- Sends push notifications and alerts to the user’s phone if there are any issues
- Accurate readings ensure that the wine collection’s conditions are right where they need to be
Cons
- Expensive compared to other hygrometers
Get the Ideal Sciences hygrometer at Amazon.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Hygrometer
Choosing the best hygrometer depends on many factors. Where and how the user will employ their new hygrometer, as well as ease of use and battery life, are worth keeping in mind. Before choosing the best model for a particular use or set of needs, read through this section for top considerations.
Application
The application for a hygrometer makes a significant difference when choosing the best model. For instance, for monitoring the humidity level of a greenhouse, users may want a different product than if they’re checking on the conditions inside a reptile tank.
For most situations, a digital hygrometer that users can place on a bookshelf or table will serve just fine. However, they might prefer a minuscule hygrometer or one that operates without a battery for niche needs and applications. Whatever the needs may be, consider them before buying a hygrometer.
Accuracy
On the whole, hygrometers are relatively reliable and consistent instruments. Most are accurate within 5 percent. To ensure that a model is a quality hygrometer, ensure it’s advertised to work within this percentage. Beyond that, accuracy comes down to calibration.
Folks who suspect their hygrometer’s accuracy might be off a bit need to calibrate it. They can purchase a hygrometer calibration kit (available on Amazon), which requires them to place the hygrometer in a sealed bag for a prescribed length of time. The hygrometer reading relative to the kit’s percentage will determine if it needs calibration. Digital hygrometers have calibration knobs and reset buttons. Most analog hygrometers have adjustment screws in the back.
Digital vs. Analog
How easy a hygrometer is to read has a lot to do with its usefulness and how much the user enjoys using it. Enter the great debate: digital versus analog.
When it comes to reading a hygrometer quickly from a distance, it’s hard to beat an analog hygrometer. These mechanical hygrometers have needles that point to the general range on the dial, which is all folks need in most scenarios. The drawback of an analog dial is that it’s hard to tell the exact reading. Also, tiny changes in tenths of degrees are impossible to detect.
Digital displays are the choice to go with when it’s important to know the exact value of the humidity. With an electric hygrometer’s digital display, if the moisture begins to change, users will likely notice it sooner and more easily. The numbers will change as opposed to tiny movements from a needle. The downside is that low-quality or small digital displays can be challenging to read, as some digits can be hard to decipher from one another from a distance.
Power Source and Battery Life
For folks using an electrical hygrometer, they need to choose the correct power source for their needs.
Many countertop-style hygrometers come with 110V electrical adapters that plug into an outlet. They may also have the choice of running these models on battery power, which can last more than 6 months at a time.
For a remote Bluetooth-enabled device, battery life may be more important. For instance, when monitoring plant humidity in a terrarium that needs to be kept closed as much as possible, it’s important to get a sensor that’s thrifty with battery life. Some models use rechargeable batteries, which can be particularly handy as long as the battery lasts for a significant period of time.
Remote Monitoring and Alerts
Monitoring humidity levels isn’t always about personal comfort or convenience. Sometimes, it’s required by a favorite hobby or pursuit. For instance, monitoring a wine cellar or cigar humidor’s humidity level can be the difference between maintaining a wonderful selection or spoiling an expensive collection.
For help keeping these areas within a crucial humidity range, it’s worth purchasing a hygrometer that relays data to a smartphone or a remote display. Most importantly, perhaps, is that several of these devices will allow users to set a particular range and send alerts when the humidity is outside of that range. Thanks to that alert, users may be able to take action and save their cache before it spoils or molds.
Interconnectivity and User Interface
Thanks to advances in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and smart-home technology, there are plenty of options when it comes to connecting a hygrometer with personal technology.
Many of these devices use their own apps, allowing users to monitor the humidity levels via Bluetooth from a smartphone. This can be a great help when trying to avoid opening a sensitive environment like a greenhouse or terrarium. However, beware that not all apps are equal in usability and function, so check into this before deciding on a hygrometer.
From a smartphone, hygrometer users can access temperature and humidity readings in their homes when they’re not even there by using a WiFi-enabled app. Some of the best hygrometers can interact with smart-home devices, too. They provide access to their readings with Alexa, Google Assistant, or other digital assistants. If the user has access to a home thermostat from their smartphone, they can then adjust the home’s temperature settings based on information from the hygrometer’s app.
Data Logging
Folks who are serious about controlling the humidity in their homes for health reasons, hobbies, or any other reason, need to collect data. They might want to consider a hygrometer that keeps a log of humidity values and temperatures. They can track that data and stay ahead of seasonal or environmental trends, maintaining a more consistent environment.
Some devices keep data logs in their apps, so users will have up to 2 years’ worth of information at their fingertips. Possibly more important, they can export a spreadsheet of this critical data, which they can then store on a computer or print out.
Types of Hygrometers
Hygrometers come in several variations, but each is effective at sensing and displaying the humidity in a given environment. While the most popular hygrometers today are electrical or mechanical, dew point hygrometers and psychrometers are worth learning about to appreciate the science behind these instruments.
Keep in mind that many hygrometers also display the temperature to serve as a thermometer as well. This can be particularly helpful in food storage spaces or wine cellars.
Electrical
Electrical hygrometers are the most widely used hygrometers available today, and the most high-tech. These devices measure the changes in electrical resistance—across a semiconductor or sensor—caused by the air’s moisture content. As the moisture content changes, it causes the resistance to increase or decrease, which the hygrometer displays digitally.
Today, most electrical hygrometers use batteries for power. Several models have Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to check the hygrometer’s readings from the convenience of their smartphone. Others may operate on the home’s Wi-Fi, alerting the user to the conditions in the home and allowing them to run a humidifier or dehumidifier to adjust the levels.
Mechanical Hygrometers
Anyone who’s perused the tables at a child’s science fair has probably seen a mechanical hygrometer. This popular science project uses the changes in organic materials caused by moisture content to display humidity levels.
In their simplest form, mechanical hygrometers use organic materials like oxgut or human hair to control a needle that points to a humidity scale. When the moisture content in the air rises, the organic material absorbs the moisture, contracting and becoming heavier, which in turn raises the needle. As the air dries, the material becomes lighter and stretches a bit, allowing the needle to fall.
Dew-Point Hygrometers
Moisture condenses on the polished-metal mirrors of dew-point hygrometers. By noting the air temperature at which water begins to condense on the mirror, experimenters can determine the dew point. These devices require extremely consistent conditions, including constant atmospheric pressure and constant vapor content, to provide accurate readings.
Dew-point hygrometers are very old-school technology, with the first invented in 1751. They aren’t used much, if at all, anymore, but modern hygrometers owe a bit of credit to this early device.
Psychrometers
While psychrometers don’t adorn the windows of many kitchens or greenhouses, they are still in use today in meteorology. They’re also popular for use in wildland firefighting for detecting the danger and potential for a fire.
Psychrometers use two types of thermometers to measure the air’s moisture content. It’s a rather complicated process that involves wrapping one of the thermometers in a wet cloth and spinning both thermometers. The experimenter then enters the readings from the thermometers into an equation to determine the humidity level.
FAQs
If you still have some questions about your hygrometer, don’t sweat it. This section is a compilation of the most frequently asked questions about hygrometers and their corresponding answers. If you still have questions after reading this section, you can reach out to your hygrometer manufacturer’s customer service department.
Q. Where should a home hygrometer be placed?
A main living area is usually the best place for a hygrometer. Moisture created by a kitchen or bathroom can throw off the readings, so it’s best to keep your hygrometer in a dryer space like a living room or office.
Q. How do you calibrate a hygrometer?
Using a calibration kit, you can determine how far off your hygrometer is before calibrating it. Analog hygrometers have adjustment screws in the back of the gauge that you can manipulate to adjust the reading. Digital thermometers have adjustment knobs that you can dial in to the proper humidity level.
Q. How do you adjust the humidity level in your home?
If you need to add some moisture to the air, you can use a humidifier, which emits water vapor into the air. If you need to decrease your humidity levels, a dehumidifier will help. These machines pull air in, remove the moisture, and release the dryer air into the environment.
Q. How do you know if your hygrometer is working?
Outside of calibration, there are easy ways to check if your hygrometer is working. You can place it in an airtight container along with a bottle cap full of salt with a splash of water. After several hours, you should notice a difference in the hygrometer’s readings.
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