Photo: Honeywell
Dry air is often a big problem certain times of the year, and it will come with several health risks from skin problems to worsened respiratory issues. Luckily, you can easily keep the air in your home moist enough by simply investing in the best evaporative humidifier.
As the name suggests, an evaporative humidifier is one that will rely on evaporation to add moisture to the air. It will consist of a tank that holds water, a wick or filter that absorbs the water and provides a larger surface area for it to evaporate, and a fan for circulating the moisture.
These humidifiers are easy to install and also use up less energy when compared to other types. And in this piece, we look at some top-rated evaporative humidifiers and provide a buying guide to help make buying one easy.
In this post:
- 10 Best Evaporative Humidifiers – Review
- 1. Aircare MA0800 – Best Overall
- 2. Honeywell HEV320B – Best Budget Evaporative Humidifier
- 3. Honeywell HCM350W – Best Evaporative Humidifier for Bedrooms
- 4. Vicks V3700 – Best Evaporative Humidifier for Baby Nursery
- 5. Honeywell HCM-710 – Best Top Fill Evaporative Humidifier
- 6. Aircare EP9 800 – Best Whole House Evaporative Humidifier
- 7. Honeywell HEV620W – Space-Saving Evaporative Humidifier
- 8. Vornado HU1-0045-65 – Large Tank Capacity Evaporative Humidifier
- 9. Venta LW25 – Versatile 2-in-1 Evaporative Humidifier
- 10. Vornado HU1-0048-43 – Innovatively Designed Evaporative Humidifier
- How to Buy Best Evaporative Humidifier
- Conclusion
10 Best Evaporative Humidifiers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Aircare MA0800 (Best Overall) |
| |
 | 2. Honeywell HEV320B (Best Budget) |
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 | 3. Honeywell HCM350W (Best for Bedrooms) |
| |
 | 4. Vicks V3700 (Best for Baby Nursery) |
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 | 5. Honeywell HCM-710 (Best Top-Fill) |
| |
 | 6. Aircare EP9 800 (Best for Whole House) |
| |
 | 7. Honeywell HEV620W (Space-Saving) |
| |
 | 8. Vornado HU1-0045-65 (Large Tank Capacity) |
| |
 | 9. Venta LW25 (Versatile 2-in-1) |
| |
 | 10. Vornado HU1-0048-43 (Innovatively Designed) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Aircare MA0800 (Best Overall)
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2. Honeywell HEV320B (Best Budget)
|
3. Honeywell HCM350W (Best for Bedrooms)
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4. Vicks V3700 (Best for Baby Nursery)
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5. Honeywell HCM-710 (Best Top-Fill)
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6. Aircare EP9 800 (Best for Whole House)
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7. Honeywell HEV620W (Space-Saving)
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8. Vornado HU1-0045-65 (Large Tank Capacity)
|
9. Venta LW25 (Versatile 2-in-1)
|
10. Vornado HU1-0048-43 (Innovatively Designed)
|
1. Aircare MA0800 – Best Overall
Photo: Aircare
- Coverage Area: Up to 2,600 sq. ft.
- Water Tank Capacity: 2.5 gallons
- Runtime: Up to 36 hours
- Fan Speed: 4
The wider coverage makes the Aircare MA0800 our best overall evaporative humidifier. This unit can cover up to 2,600 square feet, which makes it ideal for both medium and large rooms.
The 36-hour runtime is quite good as it means it will be several nights of continuous operation before you have to refill the tank. When it comes to refilling, the wide opening makes the job easier, while ensuring cleaning the tank will be a breeze.
This machine has some simple control for easy operation and an automatic humidistat to automatically shut down once the desired humidity level is attained.
There are some handy indicators for the water level and filter change to make sure you know when to add more water and change the filters.
At level 4, the fan can be quite loud as it will be moving more air, but many people will find that the sound only takes some getting used to as it is not annoying.
Pros:
- Wider coverage
- Longer runtime
- Shuts down automatically
- Includes some handy indicator
- Simple digital controls
Cons:
- Loud fan on level 4
2. Honeywell HEV320B – Best Budget Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: Honeywell
- Coverage Area: Small rooms
- Water Tank Capacity: 0.8 gallon
- Runtime: Up to 18 hours
- Fan Speed: 2
You will not need to spend a lot of money to land the Honeywell HEV320B as it is the cheapest on our evaporative humidifier review. Despite the smaller price tag, this model is still quite efficient and effective at humidifying small rooms.
To make it easier and convenient to use, it will include an easy to fill and clean water reservoir. This will be an easy model to use as it includes a simple control knob that allows you to choose from two-speed settings.
The stylish design with the tank located at the back helps make this one of the best small evaporative humidifiers as it will ensure it compliments any room and is more space-saving. You can be sure your air will be cleaner as the wicking filter removes minerals from the water and prevents white dust if you use hard water.
The 0.8-gallon tank is the smallest on our list, but for small rooms, it should be adequate. Also, the 18-hour runtime is shorter than what other models on our list have to offer, but it is still enough to ensure the machine can run all night for a comfortable sleep.
Pros:
- Relatively more affordable
- Easy to refill
- Attention-grabbing design
- Filter helps clean the water
- Simple controls
Cons:
- Smaller tank capacity
- Shorter runtime
3. Honeywell HCM350W – Best Evaporative Humidifier for Bedrooms
Photo: Honeywell
- Coverage Area: Medium size rooms
- Water Tank Capacity: 1 gallon
- Runtime: Up to 24 hours
- Fan Speed: 3
The quiet invisible moisture that this humidifier produces, and the up to 24 hours runtime on the low setting make it perfect for use in the bedroom as it will not distract your sleep and will run all night long.
This evaporative humidifier uses UV technology to kill up to 99.9% of the bacteria in the water to ensure that the moisture that is circulated in the room is free of harmful microbes.
The tank on this machine has a wider opening that will ensure it will be easier to fill and that cleaning it takes less effort. It is made from an unbreakable material for long service life, and with a nice carry handle that makes it easy to carry around.
While this humidifier seems to take up more space than expected, at only 11.4 inches wide, it should still fit perfectly into any bedroom.
Pros:
- Low noise and long enough runtime for bedroom use
- Kills most of the bacteria in the water
- Tank is easy to fill and clean
- More durable tank
- Includes a nice carry handle
Cons:
- Takes up more space than expected
4. Vicks V3700 – Best Evaporative Humidifier for Baby Nursery
Photo: Vicks
- Coverage Area: Medium to large rooms
- Water Tank Capacity: 1 gallon
- Runtime: Up to 24 hours
- Fan Speed: 2
Different things will make the Vicks V3700 one of the best evaporative humidifiers for a baby nursery, but the antimicrobial filter is one of the key ones as it keeps the air free of bacteria.
Kids will love the light-up star display as it is very soothing and will help them sleep better. Because this model has a sleep mode, you will never have to worry about noise when the baby is sleeping.
This humidifier can help with cough and congestion relief as it will work with Vicks’ menthol VapoPads. Safety is also ensured as this humidifier will shut down automatically when the water tank is empty of humidity level is achieved. With the wide opening, the tank is easy to refill and cleaning will take less effort.
There are some complaints about leaks from holes in the bottom, but as most users will observe, you will hardly ever have to worry about leaks if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pros:
- Filters out bacteria to ensure kids sleep well
- Star nightlight is very soothing
- Shuts off automatically
- Provides cough and congestion relief
- Easy to fill and clean tank
Cons:
- Prone to leaks from holes in the bottoms
5. Honeywell HCM-710 – Best Top Fill Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: Honeywell
- Coverage Area: Medium size rooms
- Water Tank Capacity: 1 gallon
- Runtime: Up to 36 hours
- Fan Speed: 2
With the top-filling tank, the Honeywell HCM-710 is designed for user convenience as you can easily add more water to your humidifier. And you can easily keep track of the water level with the illuminated water window.
The convenience does not stop at the refill as this unit also has a more straightforward operation with some simple controls.
This machine uses a self-regulating system that will ensure the moisture levels are maintained automatically without having to do anything. When compared to other models on our list, this is a more affordable option.
If you plan to use this machine in the bedroom, the blue light can be annoying when trying to get some sleep, but you can easily fix this issue by covering it. Also, there are only high and low speeds and no medium speed, but for most users, the two are often what they use most.
Pros:
- Quick and easy refill
- More straightforward operation
- Easy water level monitoring
- Regulates moisture levels automatically
- Quite an affordable humidifier
Cons:
- Blue light is annoying
- No medium speed
6. Aircare EP9 800 – Best Whole House Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: Aircare
- Coverage Area: Up to 2,400 sq. ft.
- Water Tank Capacity: 3.5 gallons
- Runtime: Up to 60 hours
- Fan Speed: 9
Aircare EP9 800 is an efficient whole-house humidifier that will provide enough moisture to cover up to 2,400 square feet, which makes it ideal for use in almost any house. It provides a long runtime of up to 60 hours, which is the longest on our list.
The pedestal-style also gives this humidifier a more pleasant look that complements any space, and there is a digital readout that enhances the look and makes monitoring easier.
The digital humidistat helps maintain the desired humidity levels automatically to keep your rooms more comfortable. With 9-speed settings, this will be a more customizable evaporative humidifier.
Being the second priciest item on our list, some users might find this model a little expensive, but for a whole-house unit, it is still quite affordable.
Pros:
- Produces enough moisture for the entire house
- Maintains desired humidity automatically
- Clear and easy read display
- More speed settings
- Super-long runtime
Cons:
- A little expensive
7. Honeywell HEV620W – Space-Saving Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: Honeywell
- Coverage Area: Medium size rooms
- Water Tank Capacity: 1.25 gallons
- Runtime: Up to 36 hours
- Fan Speed: 3
The space-saving slim tower design of the Honeywell HEV620W ensures it will take up less space in your living room or bedroom and also allows you to fit it into tighter areas.
This humidifier has a digital humidistat that will automatically monitor and maintain the desired humidity levels. Also, a timer will allow you to set it to switch off automatically for up to 12 hours.
The water reservoir on this machine is easy to remove and has a wide opening to ensure you can fill it up quickly. This tank has an easy-grip handle for easy handling and a removable cover to help keep the water clean.
You can easily tell when it is time to add more water as there is a handy refill indicator, and with the filter change indicator, you can tell when to change the filter.
The filters on this machine are relatively expensive when compared to other brands, but you can easily prolong filter life by not using hard water.
Pros:
- Takes up less space
- Monitors and maintains humidity level automatically
- Removable and easy-fill tank
- Handy built-in timer
- Check filter and refill indicators
Cons:
- Expensive replacement filters
8. Vornado HU1-0045-65 – Large Tank Capacity Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: Vornado
- Coverage Area: Up to 1,000 sq. ft.
- Water Tank Capacity: 4 gallons
- Runtime: Up to 24 hours
- Fan Speed: 3
Vornado HU1-0045-65 has the largest water tank capacity on our evaporative humidifier review. Besides eliminating the need to keep refilling the tank often, the larger tank also increases the moisture output as this unit can put out up to 4 gallons of moisture every 24 hours.
The simple control panel on this humidifier ensures you will have an easier time selecting your preferred speed and humidity level.
Because this is an intelligent humidifier, it will sense automatically the amount of humidity required and make adjustments to maintain ideal levels throughout. Optimal performance is further ensured by the deep-pitched blades that will pull in larger volumes of air.
For this Vornado humidifier, the two main concerns are the filters not being very long-lasting and the noise at high settings. However, there are different tricks you can use to prolong filters such as using soft water, and for the noise, you can minimize it by using low fan speed settings.
Pros:
- Larger water reservoir
- Easy to use controls
- Highly efficient and optimum humidification
- Smart performance
Cons:
- Can be quite loud
- Filters font seem very long-lasting
9. Venta LW25 – Versatile 2-in-1 Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: Venta
- Coverage Area: Up to 400 sq. ft.
- Water Tank Capacity: 2 gallons
- Runtime: Up to 48 hours
- Fan Speed: 3
An appliance with multiple functionalities like the 2-in-1 Venta LW25 will be very useful to have around, and it also saves you money. The versatile functionality of this machine ensures that besides adding moisture to the air, it will clean it.
This humidifier will not use any filters, which makes it more cost-effective as you will not need to buy replacement filters. Better yet, this is a more energy-efficient model that will not increase your energy bills significantly.
Once the desired humidity levels are achieved, this machine will shut down automatically to conserve energy. And it includes a water level indicator to alert you when you need to add more water.
While this is the priciest item on our list, the few extra bucks will be worth paying for such a fantastic and versatile machine.
Pros:
- Humidifies and filters air
- Shuts off automatically
- Does not require any filter
- More energy efficient
- Includes a handy water level indicator
Cons:
- A little pricier
10. Vornado HU1-0048-43 – Innovatively Designed Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: Vornado
- Coverage Area: Up to 300 sq. ft.
- Water Tank Capacity: 1 gallon
- Runtime: Up to 24 hours
- Fan Speed: 3
The best evaporative humidifiers for home is one that gives users an easy time. With the SimpleTank system on the Vornado HU1-0048-43, that is just what you get as it will ensure you will have an easy time refilling and cleaning your humidifier.
There are also simple push-button controls on this machine that will make operation easy. Because this is an intelligent humidifier, it will sense the air quality and make adjustments to the fan speed to maintain optimal humidity levels throughout.
The 360-degrees air intake helps to speed up things as it will allow the machine to pull in air from all directions, and the humidified air will be circulated efficiently using the vortex action. You can easily carry around this machine as it has a nice integrated handle.
For the drawbacks, the humidistat seems to be a little off, and will hence not provide the most precise humidity level readings. However, the readings you get are still good enough to maintain the desired moisture levels.
Pros:
- Innovative tank design ensures easy refilling and cleaning
- Senses air quality and adjusted fans speed automatically
- Easy-to-use controls
- Pulls in more air from all directions
- Easy to carry with integrated handle
Cons:
- Humidistat is a little off
How to Buy Best Evaporative Humidifier
Photo: Honeywell
1. Coverage Area
Coverage area is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best evaporative humidifiers for home use. And here you need something that can provide enough moisture to cover the whole house or room that you want to humidify.
A model that is too large for your space can put in too much moisture, which is also not good while a small one will be practically useless.
The good news is that there are all kinds of evaporative humidifiers out there that are designed to provide different coverage from 100 square feet to over 2,500 square feet. And so you only need to choose what works for your specific space size.
2. Water Tank Capacity
Water tank capacity matters a lot as it will not only determine the amount of moisture the unit can put out but also the frequency of having to refill the tank.
That said, a larger tank is more preferable as it allows the humidifier to add more moisture to your air and ensures you can go longer between refills.
You can get evaporative humidifiers with tanks capacities of between 1 and 5 gallons. But some small models like the Honeywell HEV320B will have a smaller 0.8-gallon tank, which can still be good enough for small rooms.
3. Mist Type
Like other humidifier types, the evaporative ones will produce either a warm or cool mist. Hence, you will also need to decide whether you want a cool or warm mist model.
Warm mist models have the benefit of killing bacteria and other harmful substances in the water as they will boil it first. However, these models will use relatively more energy and can be dangerous to use around kids.
Cool mist humidifiers will not boil the water as they are designed to release as cool mist. This means that, while these machines are safer for use around kids and pets, the mist is full of harmful microbes from the water.
4. Runtime
A long runtime humidifier will allow you to enjoy many hours of uninterrupted use without having to worry about running out of water or having to reset the machine.
The long runtime machines are also more preferable for those that want to use the machine when sleeping or are frequently out of their homes.
Some models like the Aircare EP9 800 will provide an impressive 60 hours runtime, which will allow you to use the machine for several days without refilling. But, for many people, a runtime of just 12 hours is often more than enough.
5. Speed Settings
Speed settings will allow you to customize the machine to suit your preferences or the prevailing climate. Hence, the more the speed settings, the more customizable the machine will be.
While you can get as many as 9-speed settings like what the Aircare EP9 800 provides, sometimes all you need are two settings, which are high and low.
Hence, when it comes to speed settings, it will often be a matter of personal preferences, but you should not settle for something that does not have at least 2 or 3 options.
6. Noise Level
Since these machines will use a fan to circulate the moisture, it will be a far-fetched idea to expect them to be super quiet. The best you can do is to go for something as quiet as possible.
Where you will be using the humidifier matters when considering the noise level. For example, for nursery and bedroom use, you will need the humidifier to be as quiet as possible.
With most of these machines, the noise level will also depend on the speed setting because high-speed settings are louder than lower ones. All in all, to make sure the humidifier is silent enough, you need to make sure that it has a noise rating of under 60 dB at the highest setting.
Read More: The Best Quiet Humidifiers
7. Extra Features
Some features will not be necessary for the evaporative humidifier to function well, but they can make it easier to use and more convenient.
Some of these extra features to look out for include an auto shut-off timer, built-in nightlight, and filter change indicator.
Conclusion
Keeping the air in your home or room moisturized will be easy with the best evaporative humidifier, and choosing a good model is now a breeze as we provide adequate recommendations.
That said, with up to 2,600 square feet coverage, digital controls, and many other amazing features, the Aircare MA0800 is our best overall model and top recommendation.
But, for users shopping for something more affordable, the Honeywell HEV320B is an unbeatable choice as besides affordability, it is also a highly portable model.