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Whether you’re living in a dry climate or trying to combat dry winter air, a humidifier for large rooms can make a big difference by adding moisture to a home’s interior and improving indoor air quality. Rather than having several small models to monitor and maintain, it’s worth considering a humidifier that can cover large areas, perhaps even the whole home. To help you find the right one, we spent over 40 hours testing five large-room humidifiers with tank capacities between 1.6 gallons and 6 gallons.
After testing, our favorite is the Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier. It humidifies effectively, offers a large tank capacity, and can cover areas as large as 3,000 square feet—more than any other humidifier we tested.
In addition to the Levoit, we recommend several other products that can complement any home’s heating and cooling systems. When comparing humidifiers for home use, we considered factors including price, capacity, room size or coverage area, ultrasonic versus evaporative types, and auto features. After extensive research, we chose five for hands-on testing and an additional five that we recommend based on their exceptional features.
This guide outlines the pros and cons of some of the best humidifiers for large rooms and dives into important features to keep in mind when choosing the right product for your home.
- BEST OVERALL: Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SMART: Dreo HM713S 6L Smart Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST AIR PURIFIER COMBO: Sharp KC850U Air Purifier and Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DESIGN: Aircare EP9800 Whole-House Pedestal-Style Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WHOLE-HOUSE: AprilAire 700 Whole-Home Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL HOMES: Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST TABLETOP: Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Venta LW45 Original Evaporative Humidifier
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
Our top picks include evaporative, ultrasonic, and whole-house humidifiers. The following models emit a soothing mist that can cover large rooms, ranging from 500 to 3,000 square feet.
Best Overall
Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier
What We Like
- Very easy to refill and clean
- Wheels make it easy to move from room to room
- Covers large square footage
- Quiet humidifier compared to similar models
- Voice control and other auto features
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive compared to others we tested
- Tank can be heavy when full
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Portability 4.5/5; Maintenance 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Evaporative
- Warm vs. cool mist: Cool
- Tank capacity: 6 gallon
- Compatible square footage: 3,000
The Levoit Superior 6000S is an evaporative humidifier for large rooms or spaces up to 3,000 square feet. Not only does it have multiple settings, but it also has an internal fan that helps disperse moisture upward, allowing it to spread more evenly throughout a room or across space in open floor plans. Plus, because it is one of the available humidifiers with filters, it can handle tap water for refills rather than expensive bottled distilled water, which many humidifiers require.
In testing, we found that the Levoit Superior 6000S was well-designed and outperformed other models in a few ways. While it is large, its tall profile gives it a small overall footprint of just a little more than one square foot. Its wheeled tank and included faucet-connection hose make it easy to refill—no awkwardly lugging 6 gallons of water around. We also liked that its AC cord unplugs from the back, so when it’s time to refill, it’s easy to roll the unit to the sink without unplugging the cord from the wall. The Levoit Superior 6000S was surprisingly quiet for a large humidifier, and it maintained the desired humidity on all settings without making the air feel saturated.
What our tester said: “I was amazed at how quiet it was, and I’ve been using it for a week post-testing. I’ve got it set to auto to maintain about 50 percent humidity in my home, and it’s been on regularly. I still haven’t had to refill it! After years of refilling tiny humidifiers, I’ve found that this one is well worth the investment.” —Amber Guetebier, Product Reviews tester
Get the Levoit Superior 6000S humidifier for large rooms at Amazon, Best Buy, or Levoit.
Best Bang for the Buck
Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
What We Like
- Effective at increasing humidity quickly
- Portable and easy to move around
- Has an auto-shutoff feature
- Great for apartments
- Built-in filters so tap water won’t leave residue
What We Don’t Like
- No built-in humidistat
- May not have enough capacity for some homes
- No auto controls or smart tech compatibility
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Portability 5/5; Maintenance 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Warm vs. cool mist: Cool
- Tank capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Compatible square footage: 500 square feet
The Everlasting Comfort ultrasonic cool-mist humidifier features a 1.6-gallon tank and a powerful fan to add moisture continuously for up to 50 hours. It’s best used as a single-room humidifier for increasing humidity in rooms measuring up to 500 square feet. However, in our tests it performed remarkably well in a 750-square-foot room. While on low, the Everlasting Comfort humidifier was able to raise the humidity in the room by 6 percent in just 1 hour, and by 11 percent in 8 hours. It’s adjustable via an analog dial that controls the amount of cool mist distributed into the room.
When set on low, it boasts a 50-hour run period for 500-square-foot rooms before needing a refill. In our tests, it overperformed: Even in our 750-square-foot room, it did not require a refill during the test period. Of course, this is likely due to a variety of environmental factors, but those results speak to the effectiveness of this model.
The Everlasting Comfort humidifier was also very easy to assemble, disassemble, and clean. Plus, it has a small drawer to add essential oils, making the whole house smell pleasant. The unit is virtually silent and has a built-in LED night light, making it a wonderful addition to any bedroom.
The Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic does not have any auto-run features, so it can only be operated with a manual on or off switch. This is typical of any basic humidifier that does not have a built-in humidistat. There is, however, a safety feature built in that shuts the motor off should the reservoir tank run out, which prevents the motor from burning out.
Get the Everlasting Comfort humidifier for large rooms at Amazon or Everlasting Comfort.
Best Smart
Dreo HM713S 6L Smart Humidifier
What We Like
- Offers warm or cool mist options
- Compatible with smart home devices like Alexa
- Built-in humidistat
- Sleek, modern design and light display
What We Don’t Like
- Only covers up to 550 square feet
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Portability 5/5; Maintenance 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Warm vs. cool mist: Both
- Tank capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Compatible square footage: 550 square feet
The Dreo HM713S smart humidifier is packed with features including compatibility with smart home devices like Alexa, an app for monitoring room humidity from afar, a humidistat, and both warm and cool mist options. It features an aroma tray for essential oils and multiple dimmer lights for use in the bedroom at night, which make it a great match for a nursery or child’s room. The precision with which humidity can be controlled combined with the option for a warm mist also makes this an excellent humidifier for plants.
For a smaller humidifier, the Dreo HM713S packed a big punch in our testing. On the lowest setting, it was able to raise the humidity in the room by 4 percent in an hour and 10 percent in 8 hours. Then, when we placed it on the high setting, it raised the room’s humidity by more than 30 percent after 8 hours. The manufacturer claims this unit will run for 60 hours on low without requiring a refill, and our testing verified this. Overall, we appreciated that it was easy to set up, fill, and clean, and that it has a modern appearance that can mix in with any decor.
Get the Dreo HM713S humidifier for large rooms at Amazon or Dreo.
Best Air Purifier Combo
Sharp KC850U Air Purifier and Humidifier
What We Like
- Can add essential oils
- Purifies air and adds humidity at the same time
- Can run air purifier and humidifier independently or together
What We Don’t Like
- Smaller tank capacity
- Noisy compared to others on this list
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Portability 3.5/5; Maintenance 4/5; Value 3.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Unspecified
- Warm vs. cool mist: Cool
- Tank capacity: 0.96 gallon
- Compatible square footage: 1,230 square feet
The KC850U air purifier and humidifier from Sharp uses proprietary technology to attract particles from the air and filter them through a three-stage process. A high-efficiency particulate air filter that removes 99.97 percent of particles down to just 0.3 microns pairs with a carbon filter that removes many common household odors. This means the unit can treat up to 1,230 square feet at a rate of one room air change per hour. Three fan speeds and an auto setting allow the Sharp KC850U to be adjusted to suit the environment. An Energy Star certification ensures electricity consumption is kept to a minimum.
Despite combining the features of an air purifier and a large-room humidifier, it still achieved and maintained optimum humidity in the room we tested it in. We did find it to be a nosier machine than many of the others on this list. Still, for anyone shopping for an air purifier, the humidifier is a great added benefit, and it functions well as a hybrid machine.
Get the Sharp humidifier for large rooms at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Versatility
Aircare EP9800 Whole-House Pedestal-Style Humidifier
What We Like
- Massive coverage area
- Great for homes with high ceilings
- Cover allows for use as a side table
- Easy to refill once initially set up
- Auto-shutoff when tank runs empty
What We Don’t Like
- Fan can be loud
- No wheels make it hard to relocate
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Portability 3/5; Maintenance 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Evaporative
- Warm vs. cool mist: Cool
- Tank capacity: 3.5 gallons
- Compatible square footage: 2,400 square feet
At 27.3 inches tall by 18 inches wide, the Aircare EP9800 whole-house evaporative humidifier is one of the larger models on our list. All that size also means it can humidify a whopping 2,400 square feet. The Aircare’s powerful 9-speed fan propels a cool mist into a room and its built-in humidistat allows users to choose a preferred humidity setting, and then it automatically adjusts to maintain that level. THe unit’s unique design features a rigid cover that slides over the tank and fan, allowing it to function as a side table and blend in with decor; this feature is essential because once the large tank is full, this heavy humidifier can be cumbersome to move.
In our tests, the unit and cover were easy to set up and maintain. Although the initial setup requires the Aircare EP9800 tank to be filled with the cover off, the tank features a handy side spout, so there is no need to remove the cover for refills. After initially testing it at both low and high levels, we set the humidity to 51 percent and left it for three days. The Aircare not only maintained the humidity level, but required zero attention during the testing period.
While we liked the fairly low maintenance of this humidifier and its overall performance, we found it a bit loud at high fan settings and its size makes it less portable than other models.That said, this multifunctional model could be a good option for large homes with limited space for extra appliances.
Get the Aircare EP9800 humidifier for large rooms at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Aircare.
More Great Options
The following humidifiers are great options for a variety of needs. We’ve based the ratings below on past reviews, online ratings, and features offered.
Best Whole-House
AprilAire 700 Whole-Home Humidifier
What We Like
- Powerful humidifier with dual sensors for optimal performance
- Water panels last an entire year
- Can work continuously or only when furnace runs
What We Don’t Like
- House must have ducting system
- Complex installation
Product Specs
- Type: Whole-house
- Warm vs. cool mist: Unlisted
- Capacity: Up to 18 gallons per day
- Compatible square footage: 5,300 square feet
The AprilAire 700 is a high-output steam humidifier that works in conjunction with a furnace and can provide precise humidity levels for tightly constructed homes of up to 5,300 square feet. Whole-house humidifiers can maintain optimal air quality levels inside the home, which can help tackle dry skin and static shock.
Once the digital humidistat is set, onboard sensors ensure automatic maintenance of the desired humidity, so this is a set-and-forget device. Alarm lights on the main unit warn users when the water panel needs to be replaced or when the humidifier needs to be serviced.
Professional installation is strongly recommended for this large-house humidifier since it needs to pull hot air directly from the HVAC system and requires complex connections. Once installation is complete, the user can change the water panel annually without professional assistance.
Get the AprilAire humidifier for large rooms at Amazon.
Best for Small Homes
Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier
What We Like
- Vortex action provides rapid circulation of humidity
- Affordable option compared to whole-house humidifiers
- 3 fan speeds
- 4-gallon capacity reduces constant refills
What We Don’t Like
- No auto-shutoff or programming
Product Specs
- Type: Evaporative
- Warm vs. cool mist: Unspecified
- Tank capacity: 4 gallon
- Compatible square footage: 1,000
For those who live in smaller homes and seek a home humidifier system that still boasts high capacity, the Vornado Evap40 offers up to 1,000 square feet of coverage at a reasonable price. The 4-gallon capacity reduces the need to constantly refill the system, and Vornado splits the water between two tanks, making this large humidifier easier to refill. The Vornado essentially pulls in the dry air and runs it through the fan system across the water, redistributing it as humidified air throughout the space.
This no-frills humidifier is controlled with sturdy dials, so there’s no need to worry about losing connectivity or smudging a sleek LCD screen. One dial sets humidity levels and the other controls the fan speed. This simple design does not include auto-shutoff or programming, but for the price and coverage, it’s a great option.
Get the Vornado Evap40 large-room humidifier at Amazon, Walmart, or Vornado.
Best Portable
Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
What We Like
- Compact size makes it easy to move
- Tank lasts for up to 24 hours
- Quiet operation makes it great for nurseries
What We Don’t Like
- 1-gallon capacity may require frequent refills
Product Specs
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Warm vs. cool mist: Cool mist
- Tank capacity: 1 gallon
- Compatible square footage: 500 square feet
The Crane Drop ultrasonic humidifier is compact and lightweight, so toting this cool-mist portable humidifier from room to room is easy. It measures a little over a foot tall, about 9 inches in diameter, and weighs just 5 pounds when empty. Despite its small size, it can still humidify rooms up to 500 square feet, and the Crane Drop’s 1-gallon tank will work for up to 24 hours before requiring a refill. Like other cool-mist humidifiers, this model’s quiet operation makes it ideal for bedrooms.
The control knob on the front allows the user to adjust the amount of mist the unit releases, and the lid rotates 360 degrees to direct the mist where it is needed most. The tank is removable for easy cleaning and compatible with a demineralization filter, which can be added to prevent deposits from hard water. The Crane Drop comes in nine different colors to complement any decor.
Get the Crane humidifier for large rooms at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.
Best Tabletop
Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier
What We Like
- Remote and voice activation control with smart devices
- 4 mist levels and a night light with 2 brightness settings
- Runs incredibly quietly
What We Don’t Like
- Requires frequent cleaning
- Some functions are only available through the app
Product Specs
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Warm vs. cool mist: Cool
- Tank capacity: 1.58 gallons
- Compatible square footage: 505 square feet
Those who prefer tech-compatible climate control may find the Classic 300S from Levoit to be the optimal choice. With a 1.58-gallon tank capacity, this pick is suitable for 215- to 505-square-foot rooms. Smart connectivity through the VeSync app also allows users to control the humidity setting with a smartphone, though it also connects to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Users can control moisture levels through the smart humidity sensor’s auto mode, which adjusts moisture levels based on the room’s condition, or through the voice-command option.
The Levoit Classic’s small BPA-free construction is compact and easy to place anywhere, even on a table or dresser, and comes with an adjustable night light and an LED control panel. It operates at under 30 decibels of sound, making it perfect for bedrooms and nurseries. Need more? It can also act as an essential oil diffuser. This model’s only downsides are that it needs frequent cleaning to maintain proper functionality, and some functions are only accessible through the app.
Get the Levoit Classic 300S humidifier for large rooms at Amazon or Target.
Also Consider
Venta LW45 Original Evaporative Humidifier
What We Like
- Low-maintenance disk mechanism
- Mist-free model does not need filters
- Uses ordinary tap water
What We Don’t Like
- Price is significantly higher than most others
- Some users say gears deteriorate after 1 year
Product Specs
- Type: Evaporative
- Warm vs. cool mist: Cool
- Tank capacity: 3 gallons
- Compatible square footage: 600 square feet
Venta’s LW45 original evaporative humidifier has an unusual disk-stack mechanism that uses plain cold tap water to humidify up to 600 square feet. With no need for filters, both maintenance requirements and running costs are reduced. Venta claims that humidifying in this way is more hygienic than mists and naturally reduces air pollutants and static. Aromatherapy oils can be added to the device to create a more relaxing environment.
The unit’s appearance is best described as utilitarian. There are simple, easy-to-use controls for power and three intensity levels. An auto-shutoff function prevents damage should the device run dry. At around 13 pounds, the Venta LW45 is relatively portable, though a trolley with locking wheels is available as an accessory.
Get the Venta humidifier for large rooms at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Venta.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Humidifiers for Large Rooms
To determine the best humidifiers for large rooms, we weighed a number of factors. First, we looked at promising reviews from top-rated companies or companies whose products we had tested before. After narrowing down brands, we focused on finding large-room humidifiers that would cover a minimum of 500 feet. We looked at tank size, portability, type of humidifier (whole house, ultrasonic, or evaporative) with water tank capacities ranging from 1 to 18 gallons.
Some select picks include dual-sensor technology, filterless operation, rotating disks, remote controls, smart features, and digital control panels. We chose five for our extensive hand-on testing, but also included five additional units to recommend because we liked their features and wanted to provide an array of sizes and features to choose from.
When testing, we noted how easy or difficult the setup was, including any special features like app compatibility, remote controls, or auto settings, and assessed how well the humidifiers maintained optimal humidity, and also took note of the ease of filling and refilling the reservoir. We ran each tested humidifier for 1 hour followed by 8 hours on the lowest setting, recording the room’s humidity before and after, then repeated the test with the humidifier on the highest setting. We measured the humidifier’s effectiveness with an external humidistat, regardless of whether they had a built-in humidistat, and placed each humidifier in the same location in the testing area for consistency.
| Testing Stats | |
|---|---|
| Products tested | 5 |
| Time spent testing | 40 hours |
| Tests performed | 5 |
| Price range | $60 to $459 |
What to Consider When Choosing a Humidifier for Large Rooms
To help you choose the best humidifier for your home, this section takes a closer look at types of humidifiers, key features, and the health benefits of having a humidifier, along with how to use humidifiers to achieve those benefits.
We spoke with Dr. David Li, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Boston Derm Advocate, who explains that humidifiers offer relief for those who suffer from skin conditions. “[Humidifiers] can be helpful for patients with underlying sensitive skin, dry skin, and eczematous skin, as the skin barrier may be compromised resulting in increased water loss,” he says. “Increasing the moisture content in the air can help combat this.”
Types of Humidifiers
Three types of humidifiers are typically designed to serve larger spaces: Ultrasonic, evaporative, and whole house. Whole-house humidifiers are generally larger and best suited to supplying consistent humidity for the entire home, while ultrasonic and evaporative models are smaller room humidifiers that deliver mist to individual spaces. Here’s what buyers need to know about these three major types of humidifiers.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
Ultrasonic humidifiers use a vibrating diaphragm to emit tiny water particles and a blower to distribute them, filling the air with moisture in the form of a fine mist. This type of humidifier distributes its mist upward to give the particles enough time to vaporize before they come into contact with a hard surface.
Because ultrasonic humidifiers don’t rely on evaporation to create mist, they can typically send more moisture into the air than other humidifiers, making them ideal for large rooms and living areas. But if the water evaporated using an ultrasonic humidifier contains minerals, the mist may leave residual white dust deposits on hard surfaces.
Evaporative Humidifiers
Evaporative humidifiers have a wick inside the basin that absorbs water. A blower collects dry air from the room and blows it across the wick to collect moisture before circulating it back into the room. Many evaporative humidifiers include a built-in humidistat that shuts the unit off automatically whenever the room’s air reaches a specific humidity level.
Generally speaking, evaporative humidifiers do not leave behind the white residue that ultrasonic humidifiers can create. However, evaporative models do require regular cleaning to prevent the growth of bacteria inside the reservoir.
Whole-House Humidifiers
Whole-house humidifiers are connected to the ductwork of a house. Unlike ultrasonic and evaporative humidifiers that distribute mist from a single vent mounted on the humidifier, whole-house humidifiers work as part of the HVAC system, adding moisture to an entire home. Many of these humidifiers can also be connected to a house’s plumbing system, providing a limitless water supply.
Some brands offer models that use a wall-mounted fan for houses without a ducted HVAC system. Whether the humidifier works with the HVAC system or as a wall-mounted fan, whole house humidifier cost tends to be more than other model types as professional installation is strongly recommended to avoid damage to the existing system.
Warm Mist vs. Cool Mist
A warm-mist humidifier adds moisture to the air by boiling the water poured into its reservoir. The unit heats that water, causing it to vaporize as steam. This humidifier is ideal during the cold winter months when colds and flu are rampant, causing all kinds of respiratory conditions. At these times, a warm-mist humidifier emits a soothing mist that makes breathing much easier.
By contrast, cool-mist humidifiers add water to the air by blowing dry air over a saturated wick. Unlike warm-mist humidifiers, the cool-mist variety does not use heat, making them safer for children’s rooms.
The temperature of the mist is likely only noticeable if you’re close to the humidifier. Li notes that using a cool-mist humidifier in the winter or a warm-mist model in the summer is certainly fine as neither should make much of a difference in room temperature. “The particles are so tiny once aerosolized that they will very quickly adopt the temperature of the room,” he says.
Room Size and Tank Capacity
To serve a large room, a humidifier must be capable of producing a significant quantity of mist. Most large-room models can emit enough water vapor to fill a space of at least 500 square feet, with whole-home models capable of producing enough mist to treat more than 4,000 square feet of space. A smaller unit can be used in a larger space, but “if the room is too big, then you may need to place the humidifier closer to where you are staying most of the time,” Li says.
Large humidifiers can hold several gallons of water to handle this coverage, which gives them enough capacity to run for a day or more before requiring a refill. Some whole-home units attach directly to the home’s water lines, eliminating the need for refills.
Ease of Cleaning
Most humidifiers are easy to operate—simply fill the tank and turn on the unit—but are a bit trickier to maintain. It’s typically recommended to clean humidifiers once a week. Li reminds users that “you want to ensure that it’s easy to clean; otherwise, there can be mold, mildew, and bacteria colonization, which can actually worsen someone’s underlying skin conditions or allergies.”
Besides technology and capacity, the difference between a cheap humidifier and a more expensive model is often how the water tank is designed. The tanks on more affordable models are sometimes impossible to access directly with a cleaning brush, which means it’s necessary to soak them regularly to prevent mold growth. Even some touted as self-cleaning humidifiers still require regular manual cleaning.
Humidistat
A humidistat is a device that measures the humidity in the room, much in the same way a thermostat measures temperature. Some humidifiers for large rooms have built-in humidistats. When a humidity level is selected, the device will run on auto to maintain that humidity. When the desired humidity in the room is reached, the device turns off and continues to monitor the humidity until it needs to turn back on.
However, many humidifiers, especially inexpensive humidifiers with relatively simple displays, don’t have a humidistat built in. In those cases, it can be advantageous to use an external humidistat purchased separately. These relatively inexpensive devices can monitor the humidity in the room and let users know when to turn the humidifier on or off.
Additional Features
Some humidifiers have additional features that enhance functionality. These features include controls that allow the user to adjust the humidifier’s fan speed or change the direction of the mist output. Higher-end models typically include a remote control.
Most humidifiers for large rooms include integrated timers that enable the user to set a shut-off time. They also feature an automatic shutoff that stops the unit from running when the reservoir is dry—this helps prevent motor burnout. Ultraviolet filtration can kill bacteria that build up in the reservoir over time. Some humidifiers include oil diffusers that can be used to release essential oils into the air.
Tips for Using a Humidifier for Large Rooms
Anyone looking to regulate humidity inside a home by using a humidifier will need to take time to learn how to work with the settings of their selected unit. The most important setting to learn is the humidity setting, if the unit includes a humidistat. It is recommended that this setting be kept under 50 percent to avoid the growth of mold and mildew.
Using purified or distilled water instead of tap water prevents unsavory particles from filtering through the humidifier and circulating in the air and leaving dust on furniture. Also, cleaning the humidifier at least once a week can keep it functioning properly.
A few more tips to consider:
- Before refilling the humidifier’s tank, be sure the tank is completely dry and empty to avoid standing water and mold.
- If the humidifier requires a filter, monitor when it needs to be replaced.
- The door to the room where the humidifier will be used should be left open to avoid over-humidifying the space.
- Warm-mist humidifiers that boil water can become hot to the touch. Those who live in a home with pets or animals will want to exercise caution and be certain the unit is shut off before leaving the home.
FAQs
This guide aims to address everything you need to know ahead of buying a humidifier, particularly the best ones for large rooms. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about these appliances.
Humidifiers with a 500- to 6,000-square-foot coverage range emit enough mist to cover a large room. These devices typically vary in size, but many are compact.
The ideal indoor humidity level for health and comfort is between 40 and 50 percent to help ease cold and allergy symptoms and make breathing easier. This level won’t make the air so humid that it promotes mold growth, which is key to maintaining good air quality and avoiding the need for a dehumidifier.
In bedrooms, the best place to position a humidifier is a few feet from the bed. This position allows the moist air to circulate enough to ease cold and allergy symptoms while not being so close that the user can breathe into it and distribute germs around the room.
It’s safe to leave a humidifier on all night if the unit has an automatic shutoff feature that turns off the unit when the reservoir is dry. An evaporative humidifier should also have a humidistat that turns off the unit after it reaches a certain humidity level to prevent the unit from over-humidifying the room.
While it’s fine to use tap water in a humidifier, distilled water is a better option. Tap water often has minerals in it that can leave deposits inside the humidifier or get released with the water vapor, leaving white dust on furniture around the room.
If you have sensitive sinuses or are suffering from a cold or flu, using a cold- or warm-mist humidifier can help to ease sinus congestion. By the time the mist reaches your sinuses, it is likely already the same temperature as the room.
You should not put essential oils into the water reservoir or tank of a humidifier, as it can cause corrosion and damage. However, many humidifiers have a designated area like a small drawer where essential oil drops can be added to be diffused.
Meet the Tester
Amber Guetebier is a self-proclaimed plant nerd and garden writer. While she currently lives in an area with humid summers, the dry winter months wreak havoc on the plants’ leaves as well as her own skin so life without a humidifier is not an option. After testing all of the large-capacity humidifiers, she realized how much time she’s wasted refilling small humidifiers.
Additional research provided by Tony Carrick.
