Humidifier buying guide
Who needs a humidifier? Anyone who has uncomfortably dry or itchy eyes, throat or skin, or whose asthma is a problem indoors
during the heating season. In addition to the health benefits, a humidifier can also reduce static electricity, peeling wallpaper,
and cracks in paint and furniture.
- Getting started
- Types
- Features
- Brands
Features
Choosing a humidifier involves trade-offs among efficiency, cost, noise, and convenience. Our tests also show that you can't tell how well a humidifier will work based on claims. Here are the humidifier features to consider.
Ease of use
A tabletop or console humidifier should be easy to move and clean. The tank should fit easily beneath your faucet. (Some consoles have no tank. You need to fill them directly.) On evaporative models, the wick should be easy to replace. Look for user-friendly digital controls and displays of humidity level and settings.
Humidistat
Most humidifiers have a dial or digital humidistat that shuts off the unit when it reaches a preset humidity level. Models without a humidistat can raise the humidity enough to cause condensation on windows. Also, too much humidification can promote growth of mold, bacteria, and dust mites. Be aware that most humidifiers won't let you set the humidity below 30 percent, a level that can cause window condensation when outside temperatures drop below 20º F. That means you might not want to use the humidifier when the weather turns very cold.
Noise
Some warm-mist tabletop models make little or no noise beyond mild boiling and hissing sounds. But comparably sized evaporative models we tested emitted 45 to 50 decibels on their low setting and even more on their high setting. For large areas, consider buying a console model and placing it away from sleeping areas. You'll spend less than you would on several warm-mist tabletop models, and the water vapor will travel quickly enough to benefit remote bedrooms if doors remain open.
Timer
You can program some tabletop and console models to turn on at a set time so that your room is at the right humidity when you get home. But this convenience might pose a problem: Water that sits in the tank for hours can breed microbes if you don't dry the humidifier thoroughly between uses.
