The Best Evaporative Humidifiers for Combating Dry Air

Bloody noses from dry sinuses, annoying shocks from static electricity, worsening dust and allergy symptoms, and even high heating bills can stem from low indoor humidity—all of which an evaporative humidifier can help resolve. These units consist of a simple but effective setup: a water basin, a wick that absorbs the water, and a fan that pushes air across the damp filter. As the water evaporates, it adds moisture back into the room while trapping airborne particles like pollen and dust. 

Since evaporative humidifiers come in a wide range of sizes with different feature sets, we put seven models to the test over 3 months of varying fall and winter weather. The Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier was our favorite, offering a long runtime, ample coverage, convenient smart features, and easy maintenance. But there was a lot to like about the rest of our tested picks as well. Read on for detailed reviews of the best evaporative humidifiers and info on which features matter most when selecting the right one for your space.

1. BEST OVERALL: Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier
   ↓ Jump to Review
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Aircare Mini-Console Evaporative Humidifier
   ↓ Jump to Review
3. BEST QUIET: Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier
   ↓ Jump to Review
4. BEST FOR SMALL ROOMS: Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier
   ↓ Jump to Review
5. BEST FOR LARGE ROOMS: Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier
   ↓ Jump to Review
6. BEST WHOLE-HOUSE: Aircare Alliance Evaporative Humidifier 
   ↓ Jump to Review
7. BEST SMART: BlueAir InvisibleMist Evaporative Humidifier 
   ↓ Jump to Review

Evaporative Humidifiers Comparison

Our Top Picks

Each of the following top-rated evaporative humidifier models earned a place on our list for its effectiveness, ease of use and cleaning, and overall value.

Our Ratings

The Levoit Superior 6000S evaporative humidifier boasts a 6-gallon tank to accommodate large spaces up to 3,000 square feet. Its upward-facing fan helps push humidified air high into rooms, promoting more consistent coverage in wide or open layouts. Because it uses a filter, this model works well with regular tap water, eliminating the need to buy expensive distilled water, which many humidifiers require.

During testing, the Superior 6000S impressed us with its thoughtful engineering and excellent performance. Although the unit isn’t exactly small (it measures 26.8 inches tall by 12.7 inches wide by 12.7 inches deep), its vertical design means it doesn’t take up as much space as you’d think. It’s also very easy to use. When it’s time for a refill, you simply unplug the cord, roll the entire unit to the sink, and use the included faucet-connection hose to get back to full—which is nice since the tank gets heavy. The 6000S also runs quieter than expected (between about 28 and 45 decibels), especially given its capacity, and it had no problem holding our target humidity without leaving the air heavy or overly damp.

What our tester said: “I have this unit set to auto to maintain about 50 percent humidity in my home, and even though it kicks on regularly, I only have to refill it about once a week. Between that convenience and how quiet this model is, I think it’s well worth the investment.”—Amber Guetebier, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Levoit Superior evaporative humidifier at Best Buy or Levoit.

Our Ratings

Aircare’s mini-console evaporative humidifier isn’t the sleekest-looking model we tested, but its thoughtful design offers an excellent combination of effectiveness and ease of use. It has three fan speeds and an auto function that works with the built-in humidistat to keep the room humidity at a set percentage. The 2.5-gallon water reservoir and demineralization cartridge add to its convenience, allowing it to run up to 36 hours between refills.

This was an interesting humidifier to test, since we used it from early fall into early winter. Initially, the compact 16½-by-18-by-12-inch unit had no problem keeping our vaulted-ceiling living room area at a comfortable 45 percent humidity. But as outdoor temperatures and humidity levels fell, it struggled to climb above 30 percent without running on high, which we found unpleasant for talking or watching TV, as it generated about 58 decibels. Still, the wick has held up well, even with two dogs and a long-haired cat in the home, and I don’t think I’ll need to replace it for at least another month. The demineralization cartridge also lets me use tap water without worrying about mineral buildup. I’ve only cleaned the unit once in the past few months, which is about as good as it gets.

What our tester says: “There are less expensive options on this list, but when you consider ease of use, coverage, and price, this Aircare is an excellent value. I’ve been using it for months now and still think it’s a great little humidifier with an impressive coverage area.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Aircare Mini-Console evaporative humidifier at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Walmart.

Our Ratings

The Levoit Sprout evaporative humidifier is mostly marketed as a bedroom and nursery humidifier—and for good reason. One of the things we liked best about this small evaporative humidifier was its quiet operation. Though noise on high is relatively standard at about 50 decibels, this quiet evaporative humidifier includes a unique sleep mode that continues to deliver gentle moisture while reducing the fan speed, dropping the sound to just 20 decibels. 

We loved having this model in our bedroom during testing. Designed for smaller spaces up to 219 square feet, it was a good fit for the space. Sleep mode is basically silent, and the advanced functionality of the night light was surprisingly neat. Not only can you adjust its color and brightness in the VeSync app, but you can also switch it to a “breathing” mode that slowly brightens and dims in a steady inhale–exhale rhythm. The unit also has an air filter that cleans the air before humidifying it, along with a dry mode that helps extend the wick’s life and limit mold growth. As two adults, we found the top-fill tank incredibly convenient, but I’d be cautious about setting this up within reach of little ones, as the tank lid nests on rather than screwing shut. 

What our tester says: “Levoit’s Sprout humidifier isn’t exactly inexpensive, but it would definitely be my pick for a quiet humidifier for a child’s bedroom (placed out of reach) because its night light and air filter make it feel more like a multi-function appliance than a standard humidifier. As a testament to its appeal, even my 18-year-old daughter thought the breathing-lamp setting was really cool.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Levoit Sprout evaporative humidifier at Amazon or Levoit.

Our Ratings

Those looking to prevent dry eyes or chapped lips in a smaller room will want to consider this Honeywell humidifier. Though the manufacturer doesn’t list the compatible coverage area, comparisons with similarly sized cool evaporative humidifiers and our test results indicate it’s ideal for spaces up to about 250 square feet. After 12 hours on high, it ran through a full 1.1-gallon tank of water and brought the humidity in a home office up from 25 to 35 percent. On low, the runtime is a full 24 hours. 

The water tank on this model is dishwasher-safe and has a wide opening for easy handwashing. It also has a built-in handle for easy carrying to and from the sink, though that does create a tight area in the tank that’s hard to reach with a sponge or direct spray of water, meaning it might need more frequent vinegar rinses. Overall, though, it’s easy to use—provided you’re fine with using a manual dial to switch between low, medium, and high settings (there’s no auto function). You’ll also need your own hygrometer since the unit doesn’t have a humidistat. But if those bells and whistles matter less than price and small-space performance, we think you’ll be pleased with this pick. 

Get the Honeywell evaporative humidifier at Amazon or Walmart.

Our Ratings

With a powerful three-speed fan that moves air at up to 1,600 RPM, the Vornado Evap40 humidifier is designed to deliver comfortable, humidified air in spaces up to 1,000 square feet. Its dual water tanks hold 2 gallons each, and while Vornado doesn’t list the max runtime, it says the unit provides up to 4 gallons of output in 24 hours on high. That didn’t quite align with our tests, as it took us closer to 36 hours to completely empty the unit at maximum humidity and high speed. Still, that output was perfect for keeping the humidity levels in our basement right at about 45 percent.  

Though this pick doesn’t have a true auto function with a digital humidistat, it features a dial setting that allows you to adjust between max and min humidity levels, and it turns on and off as needed to maintain that level. The water tanks are easy to remove and carry for filling, but their unique open spouts are virtually impossible to reach into, meaning the only way to clean them is to swish cycles of soapy and fresh water through. It’s also not the most attractive unit, which is somewhat surprising since Vornado often makes aesthetically pleasing appliances. Also, it’s probably better for common spaces than bedrooms—both because of its size and the fact that every few hours it makes a glugging sound as water drains from the tank into the basin. 

What our tester says: “This is a great option if you need to humidify a larger space without spending a lot. I only refilled it every other day during testing, and once I had the settings dialed in, it had no issue keeping our basement comfortable during a very dry winter.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Vornado evaporative humidifier at Amazon, Best Buy, or Vornado.

Our Ratings

This whole-house evaporative humidifier from Aircare features a wood-panel exterior in three color options, giving it a more furniture-like look than most humidifiers. Its 5.4-gallon basin can hold enough water for up to 54 hours of output on low, but if you need to humidify a space of up to 3,700 square feet quickly, it can put out as much as 11.9 gallons of moisture per day. The unit has four speeds, a built-in humidistat, and easy-to-use analog controls with a digital display. 

Although we didn’t move this 23.5-by-21.8-by-13.8-inch console humidifier once we got it set up, the Aircare Alliance sits on four caster wheels for easier repositioning. It uses a demineralization cartridge to limit mineral buildup and has both a refill indicator and a wick-change indicator. The pattern options—copper night, light oak, and oak burl—look nice enough from a distance, though up close the finish reads more plastic than faux wood. Performance-wise, however, it was definitely the most powerful unit we tested, and though it’s quite loud on high (about 60 decibels), it’s unlikely you’ll ever hear that volume. When set to 45 percent humidity in our open-floor-plan main living space with vaulted ceilings, it almost never moved beyond its second setting unless we left the back door open. 

Get the Aircare Alliance evaporative humidifier at Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Aircare.

Our Ratings

Smart products aren’t always a pleasure to test. They take longer to set up, eat up space on our phones, and often don’t add functionality we find particularly useful. However, this BlueAir smart humidifier was an exception. The companion app made it easy to see when the unit in our downstairs guest room needed refilling and whether we should adjust its settings based on recent humidity patterns. When guests were staying over, we created a schedule that activated night mode in the evenings (which quiets the fan and turns off the touchscreen) and knew when to slip in to add water without disrupting. 

Beyond the app, this BlueAir model has an intuitive touchscreen interface that controls its four fan speeds, auto and night modes, and display lock. It also displays the current humidity, indicates when to add water, and alerts you when the filter needs to be replaced. Like the Levoit Sprout, it even includes an auto-dry button that dries the wick to reduce mold growth. But what we liked best was how easy it was to refill. You can either fill the tank in the sink as with any model, or you can simply pour a pitcher of water directly through the top grate. 

Just one note of caution: BlueAir bases the 48-hour runtime estimate off night mode in a 77-degree Fahrenheit space, and we found we needed to refill the tank at least once a day in a 68-degree Fahrenheit space about half that size to maintain humidity at around 45 percent. 

Get the BlueAir evaporative humidifier at Amazon, Best Buy, or BlueAir. 

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Evaporative Humidifiers

To create our list of the best evaporative humidifiers, we started by researching a wide range of popular models and comparing their tank capacity, coverage area, fan settings, and special features. To accommodate different needs, we were careful to include both room and whole-house humidifiers. 

We then tested each humidifier for at least 5 days—some for several weeks or even months—to see how well they really worked. During testing, we evaluated setup; output and efficacy on low, high, and auto modes; ease of cleaning; and the usefulness of any additional features. We scored each model using a rubric and assigned them awards based on their characteristics and overall performance. 

What to Consider When Choosing an Evaporative Humidifier

The first consideration when choosing from among the best evaporative humidifiers is whether they can produce enough moisture for the intended space. You’ll also want to look at operating time, maintenance requirements, and other key features.

Coverage 

Evaporative humidifiers generally deliver higher output than their cool-misting counterparts. Most manufacturers list coverage in square feet, which can range anywhere from 200 to 4,000 square feet. Keep in mind that factors such as open doors, windows, and ceiling height can affect real-world performance. For this reason, many shoppers choose room humidifiers with a larger advertised capacity than their room size to ensure it can keep up.

Operating Time

Humidifiers rely on an internal water basin to generate vapor, making tank size a major factor—especially if you plan to run the unit overnight. Most humidifiers can run for at least 8 hours on a full tank, while larger units can operate for 48 hours or more. Runtime also depends on the output setting, as running a humidifier on low extends operating time compared to running it on high. 

Energy Efficiency

Room-size evaporative humidifiers use between 5 and 40 watts of energy, while large whole-home models might use as much as 60 watts. Although this is relatively insignificant compared to other appliances in the home (refrigerators use around 100 to 200 watts, for example), it’s still worth considering because humidifiers often run for several hours each day. Models with auto sensors or humidistats can help conserve energy by shutting off once the desired humidity level is reached.

Filter

Evaporative humidifiers use wick filters that absorb water from the basin. A fan pushes air across the moistened filter, creating vapor that’s released back into the room. Filter size influences how much humidity the unit can produce. Most filters have an antimicrobial coating to slow mold growth, but they won’t prevent it entirely. Replacing the filter every few months—depending on usage—helps ensure the humidifier doesn’t circulate harmful mold spores.

Noise Level

Noise levels can vary significantly from model to model; however, all evaporative humidifiers produce a noticeable amount of noise due to their fans. The average humidifier creates around 40 to 45 decibels, similar to the sound level of a refrigerator. Some ultraquiet models run between 28 and 35 decibels, about the same as a whisper. 

Additional Features

Many models include auto-shutoff to prevent damage if the tank runs dry, and others offer timers or built-in humidistats that stop the unit once the room reaches your target humidity. While most evaporative humidifiers are too large to be truly portable, some have casters to make them easier to reposition. Some have water-level and filter-change indicators, and combination humidifier with air purifier units have an extra filter to purify air before moistening it. As smart appliances become increasingly popular, you’ll also come across units with apps that enable scheduling, remote monitoring, and operation. 

Maintenance

Evaporative humidifiers require periodic cleaning to operate properly and prevent mold growth. Basic upkeep includes replacing the water every day or two, cleaning the basin weekly, and soaking the wick filter to remove mineral buildup. Regular maintenance helps extend the unit’s lifespan and keeps the moisture it releases healthy and safe.

The Advantages of Owning an Evaporative Humidifier

When used correctly, an evaporative humidifier has a wide range of benefits, from easing cold and allergy symptoms to extending the life of your home’s furnishings. Evaporative humidifiers:

• Provide comfort in dry weather. Low humidity can lead to a variety of ailments, from dry sinuses to dry skin. Low humidity can also exacerbate allergy and cold symptoms. A humidifier alleviates those problems by adding soothing moisture to the air. 
• Decrease static electricity in the home. Static electricity that causes clingy clothing and uncomfortable shocks when touching metal doorknobs thrives in a dry environment. By adding moisture to the air, evaporative humidifiers help eliminate static electricity. 
• Extend the life of furnishings. Wood, paint, leather, and other materials benefit from humidity levels that range between 40 percent and 60 percent. Dry conditions can shorten the lives of furnishings and wall coverings, causing paint to peel, wood to dry out, and leather to crack. 
• Filter out dust and pollen. An evaporative humidifier helps filter dust and pollen from the air, which can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
• Promote plant growth. Plants love a humid environment. By adding humidity to the air, an evaporative humidifier can help improve the health of a home’s flora as well as its fauna. 

FAQs 

If you’re still wondering what size humidifier is right for your home or how long a humidifier should run, keep reading to find answers to these and other commonly asked questions about these appliances. 

Q. What size humidifier do I need?

Size depends on the space you plan to humidify. Humidifying a room or two may require a humidifier with an output of 500 to 700 square feet. Humidifying an entire home requires a model with a capacity of 3,000 square feet or more, depending on the size of the house. 

Q. Where should I put my evaporative humidifier?

Place the humidifier in a place in the room that’s out of the way of traffic but far enough from furniture and walls to promote optimal airflow. Doing so allows the humidifier to circulate air throughout the room to treat the entire space. 

Q. When should I run a humidifier?

The best time of year to run a humidifier is during drier months, which typically occur in the winter when the outside humidity is generally low and heaters are on that dry the air. 
Humidifiers with auto sensors that monitor the humidity in the room and turn the unit on and off are safe to run both day and night. Models without these features should be run only during daytime hours when the user can monitor them. 

Q. How often should I change the water in my humidifier?

Change the water in a humidifier every day or two to prevent mold from growing in the basin. If possible, use distilled water, which helps prevent mineral buildup in the humidifier. 

Q. Do evaporative humidifiers use a lot of electricity?

No, evaporative humidifiers generally don’t use a lot of electricity compared to other appliances. However, since these units are often on for several hours each day or even all day, electrical use can add up over time. 

Q. Can you use tap water in an evaporative humidifier?

Yes, you can use tap water with most evaporative humidifiers because the wicks in these units trap most of the minerals that would otherwise cause scale buildup and reduce efficiency. However, using mainly tap water does mean you’ll likely need to replace or clean the wick more often than if you used distilled water.

Q. Are evaporative humidifiers better than ultrasonic?

Yes, when comparing an ultrasonic vs. evaporative humidifier, evaporative units are better in a few ways. These humidifiers avoid dispersing mineral dust into the air because they trap it in their wicks, and many self-regulate to prevent over-humidification. However, their fans make noise, and their wicks require replacing. Ultrasonic models are generally quieter and more energy efficient, but they may need more frequent cleaning and can create white dust unless you use distilled water.

Meet the Tester

Michelle Larson has been a writer and editor for more than 10 years in the fields of health, business, and the home. Because she’d rather spend a little more up front than buy a tool or appliance twice, she strongly believes in the power of testing for finding quality items that are meant to last.

Additional research provided by Tony Carrick. 

 

All of the Latest Deals

What’s better than when you find a great price on what you need? We’re sharing our favorite deals on power tools, portable generators, gifts, and more.

SEE THE DEALS