There’s no better feeling than returning to a nicely humidified home after a long, chilly, skin-drying day outside. However, having a humidifier that is confined to one small room can get frustrating.
You want something that can handle larger spaces for a longer period. But since large humidifiers aren’t very cheap, choosing one can be a daunting task.
Fret not, though. Below, we review the top five humidifiers and discuss how each one could be the best humidifier for 1000 square feet. We’ve also included a buying guide for choosing a humidifier for large spaces, in particular, so keep reading!
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List of the TOP 5 Humidifiers for 1000 Square Feet in 2021
- 1. Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier – Most Capacitive
- 2. Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier – Best for a Powerful Performance
- 3. VENTA LW45 Airwasher 2-in-1 Humidifier and Air Purifier – Best for Multifunctioning
- 4. Aprilaire 500 Whole Home Manual Furnace Humidifier – Best for Whole-House Humidification
- 5. AIRCARE MA1201 Whole-House Humidifier – Most Convenient
- What is the Recommended Level of Humidity Inside Your Home?
- How to Choose the Right Type of Humidifier for 1000 Square Feet
- The Ultimate Humidifier for 1000 Square Feet Buying Guide
List of the TOP 5 Humidifiers for 1000 Square Feet in 2021
1. Vornado Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier – Most Capacitive
Having a portable humidifier is convenient until you have to refill it several times a day. But you won’t have to do that with the Vornado Evap40.
With this device, you’ll only have to refill it once every day, and that too only if you run it on a high setting. The Evap40 has a total capacity of holding four gallons of water in two tanks (two gallons each). This means fewer refills and less hassle for the owners.
Moreover, it gives you a clear view of the tank’s water level, so you know when it’s going to run out.
But the fact that the unit becomes super heavy once you attach both tanks could prove inconvenient and challenging for most people. It doesn’t have castors, so moving it around the house with full tanks won’t be easy.
Other than that, you can run this bad boy non-stop for quick and effective humidification in a large room up to 1000 square feet.
PROS:
- Fewer refills with four-gallon tank
- Comparatively quieter
CON:
- No castors
2. Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier – Best for a Powerful Performance
Tired of the feeble sprays of mist that your humidifier throws? Honeywell’s Cool Moisture Console Humidifier could be the best option for you then.
With its three-gallon tank, this evaporative humidifier can work continuously for 24 hours, humidifying areas up to 1000 square feet and even larger. It’s built to handle small to medium sized rooms, effectively increasing the humidity within a few hours. This humidifier is 30% quieter than other humidifiers.
The humidifier also weighs about 6 pounds with empty tanks, so it’s very lightweight. Overall, it gives superior performance when it comes to effectiveness and durability.
PROS:
- High capacity tank
- Has casters for increased portability
- Effective in small to medium areas
CON:
- Opaque plastic tanks make it difficult to check the water level
3. VENTA LW45 Airwasher 2-in-1 Humidifier and Air Purifier – Best for Multifunctioning
If you want the most out of one device, then the VENTA LW45 Airwasher is for you. It won’t only humidify the air, but also purify it. Genius, isn’t it?
With its simplified evaporative technology, you won’t have to change filters – the machine works without them. It effectively humidifies medium-sized rooms and even large 860 square feet ones.
Meanwhile, it also purifies the air by capturing dust and other airborne particles. And while this is an added benefit, it’s not meant to replace an air purifier entirely – the LW45 can’t clean the air as a HEPA air purifier would.
The device also has an auto-shutoff feature, so as soon as its three-gallon reservoir is empty, it’ll shut off. However, it doesn’t have a humidistat, which can easily lead to over-humidification.
PROS:
- Purifies the air along with humidifying it
- Large tank for fewer refills
- Very quiet operation
CONS:
- Expensive
- No humidistat
4. Aprilaire 500 Whole Home Manual Furnace Humidifier – Best for Whole-House Humidification
How about giving up the hassle of refilling and getting a whole-house humidifier instead, such as the model 500 from Aprilaire? Not only can it efficiently humidify your entire house, but it’s also a pretty economical option.
This powerful humidifier provides a constant supply of moisture-laden air to the whole house. It can cover up to 3000 square feet, and hence, works well for a double story house or apartment.
This particular model features a manual thermostat instead of a digital one, but considering the affordable price, it’s perfectly acceptable.
However, keep in mind that installing this humidifier on your own might not be easy. The instructions aren’t too clear, and you will probably have to call in a professional for this task. You will also have to make a separate purchase to get the parts necessary for installing this device.
PROS:
- Covers up to 3000 square feet
- Has a 12-gallon output/day
- Economical option
CON:
- Installation process isn’t easy
5. AIRCARE MA1201 Whole-House Humidifier – Most Convenient
Even though the Aircare MA1201 isn’t exactly a whole-house humidifier that fits into ductworks, it can cover very large areas of up to 3600 square feet. Hence, this semi-portable humidifier is named as a whole-house humidifier.
But here’s the best part: the MA1201 is one of the easiest to use and most convenient humidifiers. It features a digital thermostat and an automatic shut-off feature for care-free operation on your part.
Moreover, the tank is easy to fill and hold, with a capacity of 3.6 gallons. You may find it heavy to carry, though, but that’s one trade-off for having a capacitive humidifier.
While the device offers many convenient features, it is pretty noisy when you compare it to other models on this list. But one thing’s for sure: it gets the job done quickly and efficiently.
PROS:
- Has casters for portability
- Refill and change filter indicator
- Great value for the price
CON:
- Comparatively noisy
What is the Recommended Level of Humidity Inside Your Home?
Dry air can cause a lot of discomfort in humans. Itchy eyes, sore throats, dry skin – nobody enjoys those things. This is why it’s important to maintain the ideal level of humidity in our living environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends maintaining a humidity level between 30% – 50%. Anything lower, and you’ll start giving viruses the chance to thrive, along with having dry skin and irritated nasal passages.
If it goes above 50%, you might face allergies, and things around your house will start developing mold.
If you’re unsure about your house’s humidity level, you should check it by purchasing a simple hygrometer.
Related: What is Good Basement Humidity Level to Prevent Mold
How to Choose the Right Type of Humidifier for 1000 Square Feet
Here comes the tricky part: choosing a large humidifier. To make an informed decision, consider the following things when you’re purchasing one.
Type of Humidifier
Not every humidifier is meant for large spaces. This is why it’s important to know which type is the best for your room:
- Portable: These humidifiers are suitable for use within a single room, such as a small bedroom. They have a small tank and are also very lightweight for this reason.
- Semi-portable: This kind also goes by the name of console humidifiers. They’re usually heavy but come with wheels for portability, and can handle multiple rooms or medium to large spaces.
- Whole-House Humidifiers: These humidifiers fit into the ductwork of your house. They add humidity to the air your HVAC system pulls in and releases it through your house vents. This is the best option for those who have large, multi-story houses.
Read Also: The Pros and Cons to Having an HVAC Humidifier
Size of Room
Consider how large your room is and measure its approximate size. Next, compare your calculations to the coverage your humidifier offers. Ideally, you should choose a humidifier that covers a larger area than your room, so it won’t have to work too hard to humidify it.
Read Also: Where to Place a Humidifier
Volume of Room
Newer homes have very high ceilings, which can impact how quickly and efficiently your humidifier works. If that’s the case with you, consider buying a humidifier that handles 2000-3000 square feet instead of 1000.
But you don’t have to worry about this if your room has standard ceilings that are eight to nine feet tall.
Tank Capacity
Do pay attention to the tank capacity of your humidifier – large spaces require large water tanks. The more water your device holds, the fewer refills it will need, and the larger space it can humidify.
Read Also: Tips for Avoiding Bacteria and Mold Growth in a Humidifier
The Ultimate Humidifier for 1000 Square Feet Buying Guide
It comes down to the small things that make all the difference between a worthy purchase and a waste of money. The following guide covers the technologies behind a humidifier and the features you should look for when buying one.
Technology
How a humidifier works greatly impacts whether you’ll be satisfied with it. These are the three main types of technologies that a humidifier utilizes:
- Evaporative: This type of humidifier uses a wick that absorbs water from a tray. With the help of a fan, it blows air over this wick, which forces moisture out of it into the air. Evaporative humidifiers work pretty well if you can ignore the noisy fans within it. This is especially bothersome when you put it on high speed to spread the humidity over large areas.
- Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic humidifiers use ceramic plates that vibrate in the water, creating water droplets at the surface, which humidify your place. These are generally quieter than evaporative humidifiers.
- Cool/warm Mist: As the name suggests, cool mist humidifiers produce cold water droplets to lower the surrounding temperature. They either use evaporative wicks or ultrasonic vibrations to produce the mist. Warm-mist humidifiers heat water to make steam, which is blown out into your house. However, this option isn’t the best for large spaces, since it uses a lot of energy and doesn’t involve a fan to spread the mist.
Humidistat
This is one of the first features to look for in a humidifier. It automatically brings the room to your desired humidity and shuts the device when it reaches that level.
Castors
If you’re buying a portable or semi-portable humidifier, castors are a must-have feature. Otherwise, you won’t be able to move around heavier devices without pulling a muscle.
Filter Cost
When choosing a device, check the price of its replacement filters, as they’re usually pretty costly. Also, make sure they’re readily available – you’ll need to replace them every two to four weeks.
Automatic Shut-off
Running a waterless humidifier can damage the device, so having the automatic shut-off feature is a big plus. It ensures that the device shuts off as soon as the water tank runs out.
Quiet Operation
You may have to run your humidifier overnight. In that case, having a machine that operates quietly or has a quiet mode can help you sleep peacefully.
Warranty and Certifications
Always check if your device is approved by a recognized organization and has ETL or UL certifications. And as far as the warranty is concerned, look for at least two years worth of limited warranty and support.
Read Next: The Best Way to Heat 1000 Sq Ft
