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Humidifier buying guide: How to choose the best humidifier for you

Everything you need to know about buying a humidifier.

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Sarah Brandon
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Key facts about humidifier:

  • A humidifier can help you maintain a healthy level of humidity, improve your health and extend the life of your home and furniture.
  • Humidifiers come in a variety of styles and sizes and cost anywhere from $50 to $500 depending on the size and layout of the space you want to humidify.

What's in this guide?

Compare some of the best humidifiers

Data obtained September 2018. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
Name Product Average Price (AUD) Tank Size (gallons) Water Output (gallons/day) Type Purchase Today
TaoTronics TT-AH009
TaoTronics TT-AH009
$68
0.5
0.51
Ultrasonic
Buy at Ebay
The TaoTronics TT-AH009 has a sleeping mode and can last an entire day without needing to be refilled.
Vicks V3700
Vicks V3700
$80
1
1
Evaporative
Buy at Ebay
The Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier was designed to help your child sleep.
Beurer LB 37
Beurer LB 37
$129
0.53
1.23
Ultrasonic
Buy at Kogan
Use aromatic oils to diffuse your favorite scents while humidifying.
Holmes HM2610-TUM
Holmes HM2610-TUM
$269
1.2
2
Ultrasonic
Buy at Amazon
Escape the effects of a dry winter with this affordable humidifier.
Honeywell HCM-350
Honeywell HCM-350
$525.59
1.1
2.3
Evaporative
Buy at Amazon
The Honeywell HCM-350 helps eliminates bacteria and mold.
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What does a humidifier do?

The ideal level of humidity inside a home is considered to be between 30% and 50%. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can work to help your home achieve this level. While dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air, humidifiers add moisture to the air in dry environments.

Generally, air is drier during winter months and indoor heaters further strip the air of moisture. This can cause timber homes and furniture to warp and even crack. Dry air can also be damaging to your health.

What types are available?

There are two main types of humidifiers: evaporative and ultrasonic. Both styles can effectively add moisture to your home or office but they use different methods to do so.

How to compare humidifiers?

The first step in choosing a humidifier is determining what size you need. Common sizes include tabletop or individual room models, console units and central air humidifiers.

Maximum room capacityProsCons
Tabletop or room humidifierSmall to large-sized rooms such as bedrooms or living rooms.
  • Least expensive type of humidifier.
  • Very portable and can be moved easily.
  • Smaller tanks need to be refilled more often.
  • A single unit cannot humidify an entire home.
Console humidifierLarge open spaces up to 300 square metres including entire houses, units and offices.
  • Can effectively humidify your entire home.
  • More powerful than tabletop models.
  • More affordable than a central air humidifier.
  • Will only be effective in homes with open layouts.
  • Larger and less portable than a tabletop humidifier.
  • More expensive than a tabletop model.
Central air humidifierEntire homes, offices and buildings.
  • Connects directly to a home’s central heating and cooling ducts.
  • Very efficient at humidifying large spaces.
  • Requires a central air system to run.
  • Most expensive type of humidifier.
  • Additional costs may apply for installation.

Cost

The price of a humidifier depends on size, type and features. Tabletop humidifiers typically cost between $30 to $200, whereas console humidifiers run from $100 to $300. Central air or whole house models start at around $150 and require an additional installation cost. Keep in mind, larger units also use more electricity and will increase your monthly electric bill.

How to clean a humidifier

The main thing you can do to extend the life of your humidifier is to keep it clean. Regular cleaning also prevents mould and helps keep your air safe to breathe. Look for a model with an easy to remove water container. Generally, a humidifier that is used daily should be cleaned at least weekly. When cleaning, it’s important to drain, rinse and fully dry the dehumidifier to prevent mould and other undesirable build-up. The specific instructions to clean each model depends on the manufacturer.

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