Best Evaporative Humidifiers of 2020: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
The best evaporative humidifier can create a far more comfortable environment in your home.
By adding moisture into the air, you'll be able to avoid skin and respiratory irritation.
As an added benefit, these unique devices don't use heat to turn the water into mist, making them ideal for children.
Best Evaporative Humidifier Reviews
1. Honeywell HCM350W Humidifier
Honeywell is known for their small household appliances, especially fans, humidifiers, and air purifiers.
The HCM350W Humidifier has plenty of exciting features, apart from being a high-quality device.
It can also double as a device to improve air quality in bedrooms and smaller sized spaces.
Product Highlights
The Honeywell HCM350W is a cool-mist humidifier since it doesn't use heat to push moisture into the air.
It is also quiet, making it one of the best options for bedrooms and nurseries.
With its one-gallon tank, you'll be able to run it up to 24 hours without needing to replace the water.
The addition of UV technology is one of the more impressive features of the Honeywell HCM350W Humidifier. It helps purify the water before being pushed into the air.
According to the manufacturer, it can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria in the water you're using.
With the wicking filter's help, the moisture blows off into the air far faster than with regular humidifiers.
This feature means it shouldn't take as long for a room to have the perfect moisture level to prevent irritation.
Also, you won't be able to over-humidify a room thanks to the evaporative technology.
Using the Honeywell HCM350W Humidifier, you can increase the humidity levels in your home by up to 60%.
Aside from preventing skin and respiratory irritation, you can also create a more comfortable sleeping environment.
It also helps reduce static electricity and protects the integrity of wooden furniture in your home.
By far, you'll realize that this evaporative humidifier is one of the easiest to use.
You can quickly fill the tank, carry it with its decently sized recessed handle, and keep it clean with the wide tank opening.
You can also purchase extra accessories, including a humidity monitor and a Protec Cleaning Ball, to keep your humidifier clean for longer.
What to Like About It
The Honeywell HCM350W Humidifier will require less maintenance than some of the other humidifiers you'll find.
It also produces a comfortable and mellow low-frequency white noise sound, which can be soothing.
The unit also has an all-season use and will work well for an extended period, especially with its easy-to-clean design.
What Not to Like About It
The toughest part of the humidifier to clean is the tank lid, which can get moldy without maintenance.
It's a bulky and large appliance that can be difficult to tuck away in small spaces.
It would be far more beneficial if there were a more precise humidity control since the low setting could provide too much moisture.
Pros:
- Requires less maintenance
- Low-frequency white noise sound
- Highly durable for all-season use
- Dishwasher-safe tank
Cons:
- Hard to clean tank lid
- Large and bulky
- Hard to control humidity
- The filter gets dirty quickly
2. Evaporative Humidifier with Wick Filter
With a sleek and stylish appeal, the Evaporative Humidifier with Wick Filter is an excellent home option.
One of the most significant features of this unit is that it doesn't produce mist and avoids water leakage.
When you fill the tank, this unit can humidify up to 400 square feet of space, making it ideal for far more than bedrooms.
Product Highlights
Compared to other humidifiers, this model is unique since it doesn't produce a visible mist.
It will transform water in its tank into nano-water molecules that moisture the air invisible to the eye.
This feature means you won't have to worry about mist ruining wooden surfaces or leaking onto the floor, causing hazards.
The water tank in this unit is just under one gallon and will run for up to 15 hours on the lowest setting.
You'll find that spaces up to 400 square feet get humidified adequately and quickly with the help of its 360-degree air outlet.
The first setting in this unit is "standard", which consumes eight ounces of water per hour.
The second setting is quiet, which could be preferable for bedrooms and nurseries.
On quiet, the humidifier consumes up to seven ounces of water per hour.
Like the Honeywell unit, the Evaporative Humidifier with Wick Filter helps eliminate impurities with the filter.
Designed with a honeycomb appearance, the filter eliminates mineral deposits, dust, and other discharge to ensure the air in your room is healthy.
As an added benefit, you can take advantage of the built-in timer and choose between two, four, and eight-hour settings.
You'll also love the top-fill design, so you won't have to remove and carry a water tank.
Another exciting feature of the Evaporative Humidifier with Wick Filter is its charged plates.
The electrostatically charged plates in the unit help reverse ion charges in the room.
Also, the sensitive touch buttons make it incredibly easy to change the settings silently.
What to Like About It
This unit's stylish and modern design makes it easy to store in any room in your home.
You'll also find it's hushed while operating, making it ideal for peaceful bedrooms.
Users also won't have to worry about buying distilled water since it works well with regular tap water and doesn't leave a residue behind.
What Not to Like About It
Although the Evaporative Humidifier with Wick Filter doesn't consume a lot of water, it also doesn't produce enough humidity.
There is very little control over how much mist is produced with its two speeds, so it's not ideal for large spaces.
Pros:
- Stylish and modern design
- Very quiet on sleep mode
- Works well with regular water
- Doesn't leave a white residue
- Slowly consumes water
Cons:
- Only has two speeds
- Produces limited vapor
3. Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier
The Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier has a design that is unlike other humidifiers.
With three adjustable speeds, you can have plenty of control over the humidity of your room.
It also has some of the most exciting features that you're bound to find.
Product Highlights
The build quality of the Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier is its most impressive feature.
There are deep-set blades that help pull higher volumes of dry air into the unit, allowing more humidification in less time.
Within the humidifier, the air is circulated and pushed out at incredible speeds to humidify up to 1000 square feet.
With an incredibly large tank, you can hold up to four gallons of water before refilling the unit.
However, since it pushes out a lot of humidified air, the unit will last up to 24 hours on high before needing to be refilled.
Fortunately, all of the features are very user-friendly since there is a control panel.
There are also three speeds to choose from, low (750 RPM), medium (1150 RPM), and high (1600 RPM).
You'll also love the built-in humidistat dial that allows you to customize the amount of humidity the unit produces.
Overall, the Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier is very low-maintenance since it has two removable tanks that are leak-proof.
If you are looking for an intelligent humidifier, this is one of the better models to consider.
With Evap40 technology, the unit detects humidity and determines how much circulation is needed.
It will make adjustments to ensure your room is at the ideal levels based on your chosen settings.
As an added benefit, the entire device's design meets USA voltage requirements and safety testing.
What to Like About It
The Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier is a highly reliable option for humidifying your home since it reaches up to 48% humidity.
When you turn the unit on to its highest setting, you'll immediately notice a change in your environment.
Also, for a powerful unit, it's relatively quiet and provides a gentle ambient sound.
Lastly, cleaning the giant jugs and filters is relatively simple, considering how large they are.
What Not to Like About It
Finding replacement wicks can be difficult if you don't know where to look and can be costly.
That said, opting for third-party wicks and filters can help you to save time and money.
Also, since the unit is quite large, it's not the most appealing humidifier, plus some of the parts are made of plastic.
Pros:
- Relatively quiet fans
- Easy to clean and fill
- Increases humidity quickly
- Reaches up to 48% humidity
Cons:
- Hard to find replacement wicks
- Very large and bulky
- Filters don't last
- Some parts made from plastic
4. Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier
As another option from Honeywell, the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier is a console-designed unit that is more appealing.
It can humidify multiple rooms, making it an ideal option for larger spaces outside of bedrooms.
With many of the same features of high-end models, it could be what you've been searching for.
Product Highlights
The Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier has three-gallon tanks that are incredibly easy to refill.
It also features a humidistat for better control over humidity levels and an auto shut-off feature for safety.
If you opt to run the unit on low, it can run up to 24 hours until the tank is empty.
The evaporative technology offers filtered cool moisture to your environment for quick humidifying.
On average, you will maintain humidity levels between 40% and 60% in your home, allowing you to improve your overall comfort.
Also, since it doesn't use heating technology, you'll love using it in nurseries without worrying about children or pets.
Along with the humidistat, the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier features three-speed settings with moderate sound output.
The specialized QuietCare fan helps to make sure the unit doesn't make too much sound while operating.
There are also indicator lights that tell you when the room's humidity has been reached and when the tank is empty.
With the addition of the wicking filter, impurities are removed from your water, eliminating white residue from the moisture output.
Fortunately, you won't have to use distilled water to prevent buildup and residue.
What to Like About It
For its size, the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier isn't louder than a standard bedroom fan.
Also, once you select your desired settings, the device begins to humidify almost immediately.
With the auto shut-off's help, you won't have to worry about the unit running on empty.
What Not to Like About It
This humidifier's most considerable disadvantage is its build quality since the water tanks rattle when operating.
Also, the filters are very low-quality and challenging to replace.
If you're okay with putting a lot of effort into maintaining your humidifier, there aren't many disadvantages to note.
Pros:
- Humidifies quickly
- Convenient auto-off
- Low noise operation
Cons:
- Rattles slightly
- Water tanks are clumsy
- Poorly made filters
- Requires a lot of maintenance
5. Everlasting Comfort Humidifier
The Everlasting Comfort Humidifier is one of the most stylish humidifiers we've seen and has a moderately sized tank.
With a very modern aesthetic, you won't mind displaying it in your home.
It packs a powerful punch and has some unique features that you'll love getting your hands on.
Product Highlights
The Everlasting Comfort Humidifier's tank is just under two gallons, which should be more than enough for up to 500 square feet.
If you opt to use the unit on its lowest setting, the water should last up to 50 hours before refilling.
An added benefit is that it doesn't only work like a humidifier but also an essential oil diffuser.
You'll find a built-in tray to put some of your favorite oils. As the humidifier works, it brings the essential oil scent into the cool mist and circulates it through your room.
You'll also love the LED nightlight built into the front, making it fantastic for nurseries and nighttime feeding.
The addition of the auto shut-off allows you to have peace of mind while running the device.
It will automatically turn off once it runs out of water, so you'll also know when to refill the tanks.
With its unique design, you also won't have to worry about purchasing filters since it's ultrasonic.
What to Like About It
The Everlasting Comfort Humidifier holds the perfect amount of water for regular use, and adjusting the humidity is simple.
The essential oil tray is an innovative feature, as is the adjustable misting nozzle, allowing you to change the mist's direction.
With the built-in nightlight, you'll find it's excellent for nurseries without being distracting, and it's rather quiet.
What Not to Like About It
Cleaning the Everlasting Comfort Humidifier is its most challenging feature since there are many hard-to-reach crevices.
Also, the water tank is huge and challenging to fill, especially for elderly users.
You have to take special care where you place the humidifier since the mist is likely to wet everything.
Pros:
- Easily adjust humidity
- Convenient essential oil tray
- Holds plenty of water
- Adjustable misting
- Built-in nightlight
- Minimal noise
Cons:
- Challenging to clean
- Hard to fill for elderly users
- Wets surrounding area
Buyer's Guide
Evaporative humidifiers are in abundance, but some have better features than others.
Since they can be quite costly, you'll want to make sure you have a unit with everything you dream of.
In this buyer's guide, we'll help you learn what to look for when you start searching for a humidifier.
1. Filter Technology
Filter technology is crucial since it prevents additional contaminants from being pushed into your air.
Even if you think your water is clean, trace particles circulate into the mist, causing you to breathe them in.
The filters in your chosen humidifier should help kill up to 99% of potential bacteria in the water.
You might also want to consider a unit that filters the air as it is pulled into the device.
This process can help purify your air while humidifying the area, creating an even healthier environment.
Another essential factor to consider with this feature is the availability of wicks and filters.
Most manufacturers will sell replacement wicks and filters, which need to be changed regularly.
Otherwise, your unit will operate at less sufficient standards and have an excessive buildup of mold.
Ideally, you'll want a unit with affordable replacement wicks and filters that are easy to source.
2. Humidity
One of the essential features to consider is the humidity level a particular unit will provide.
Depending on where you live, you'll typically want a unit that increases humidity between 40% and 60%.
If you don't need a lot of moisture in the air, you can opt for units with a lower humidity output.
Most humidifiers will advertise how much moisture they put into the air, allowing you to choose the ideal one.
You'll also want to take seasonal changes into account since some environments might not need moisture like others.
For example, if you experience all four seasons, you'll want high and low humidity levels.
On the contrary, if you live in a humid environment, you might not need a powerful unit.
3. Adjustable Features
The adjustable features on your chosen humidifier can make or break its convenience.
Most of the less expensive models will have a simple on and off switch, while the expensive ones offer more.
Ideally, you should at least be able to control the humidity and fan speed of your unit.
Some of the higher-end models will have a humidistat for you to know the room's precise humidity.
You can use this feature to adjust the humidity settings, and the unit will automatically change its settings based on your needs.
All models will have different fan speeds with low, medium, and high settings.
Depending on the fan speed you choose, the mist's output may vary, with high producing the most.
Another adjustable feature to consider is a timer, which allows you to set specific periods for the unit to be on.
4. Square Footage
Most of the larger sized evaporative humidifiers will change the air quality of mid to large-size rooms.
Deciding on a particular model will depend significantly on the square footage you want to cover.
For example, if you want to humidify a living room, you'll want a unit covering more than 200 square feet.
Also, choosing a too-large unit for a room can cause excessive condensation on furniture and windows.
Our recommendation is to consider what spaces need extra moisture and choose a unit based on square footage.
5. Tank Capacity
Tank capacity affects how long the humidifier can run before needing to be refilled and how easily it's cleaned.
The larger your tanks are, the heavier the unit will be to carry, and the more time you'll have to spend cleaning.
You might also find the filters could be more expensive; however, the device will run for extended periods.
On average, your humidifier should run at low for up to 24 hours before needing to be refilled.
Most tanks fall between two and four gallons, depending on the square footage they cover.
You'll also want to consider tanks with top-fill design, so it's easier to hold under your tap.
Evaporative Humidifier FAQs
1. Are evaporative humidifiers safe?
Evaporative humidifiers are safer than other humidifiers because they don't use heat to produce mist.
Fortunately, these devices use cooling technology, which makes them ideal for households with pets and children.
Many manufacturers also take special care to ensure their units have leak-proof designs to protect your furniture and flooring.
There is an assortment of health benefits associated with evaporative humidifiers, especially for people with respiratory discomfort.
With proper humidity levels, you can prevent nose bleeds, skin dryness, and general respiratory irritation.
2. Which is better? Evaporative or ultrasonic humidifier?
Both evaporative and ultrasonic humidifiers can be beneficial depending on your needs and the amount of maintenance you want to do.
Evaporative models require wicks and filters that need to be regularly replaced and help to purify water before it's turned into mist.
On the contrary, ultrasonic models don't require any filters, helping to make maintenance far less time-consuming.
You'll find that evaporative humidifiers produce a gentle mist without leaving behind gray and white discharge that settles on surfaces.
Ultrasonic models are known to produce unappealing residue that could stain the surface of the wood.
However, ultrasonic humidifiers are quieter while operating, making them a better option for bedrooms.
Overall, evaporative humidifiers are less expensive but require far more maintenance than evaporative humidifiers.
3. Do humidifiers cause mold?
It's highly unlikely your humidifier will cause mold in your home, especially if you choose a model with adjustable settings.
Even the most potent unit won't produce more humidity than the air particles can hold.
Some humidifiers can cause excessive condensation on windows, depending on the temperature in your home.
Inside of the humidifier, though, you have to pay close attention to mold buildup.
You'll have to regularly clean the water tanks and interior components and replace the filters to prevent mildew.
4. Should you sleep with a humidifier?
Sleeping with a humidifier can be quite beneficial, especially if you find it's too dry in your room.
Many parents use them in nurseries to create a more comfortable environment for their babies.
You'll also appreciate having one if you are prone to nose bleeds and skin irritation at night.
Babies can be prone to poor sleeping habits, which is where a humidifier comes into play.
By adjusting a room's humidity, babies will have a far more comfortable environment to lull them to sleep.
Also, when you use the Baby Sleep Miracle tips to establish a healthier sleep regimen, your baby could finally sleep through the night.
Baby Sleep Miracle is a unique eBook that teaches new and experienced parents useful tips for improving their baby's sleeping habits.
With a ton of tips and scientific evidence backing the book's advice, it's what you've been looking for.
Every parent will learn about good and bad behaviors that can improve or impede their baby's nightly rest.
It's highly recommended for parents ready to establish healthy sleep schedules for their babies at all development stages.
5. Can you use tap water in humidifiers?
Some manufacturers say it's best to use distilled water in humidifiers since it prolongs the filters' life.
Since tap water has calcium and minerals, these particles can buildup within the unit and cause blockages.
Distilled water is cleaner, but it is also an extra expense that some households don't want.
Ideally, it's best to find a humidifier that purifies tap water, allowing you to use your kitchen sink for refills.
Our Final Recommendation
Our choice for the best evaporative humidifier is the Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier.
With its impressive performance, multiple adjustable features, and the ability to humidify up to 1000 square feet, it's excellent for large spaces.
As long as you can find the replacement filters and wicks, it will last a very long time with daily use.
