Evaluating humidifiers is always a welcome task at GearLab, as our testing facility is in the arid high sierra, where the added moisture is always appreciated. To fully evaluate which humidifiers are the best, we tested them in five different key metrics that we believe matter most to the prospective buyer.
Humidification Effectiveness
We used a 120-square-foot sealed temperature-controlled room for our humidity testing. We set the temperature in the room to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and we ensured it stayed there consistently. Also, we brought the ambient relative humidity in the room to 40% before each test began to ensure consistent testing conditions between products. To test the humidifiers we turned them on the highest setting and ran them for one hour while monitoring the humidity increase with a Extech RHT20 Humidity and Temperature Data Logger. Additionally, before and after each test, we weighed each unit to calculate the water consumption rate.
The humidification score for each product is based on the final humidity of the room after the one-hour test and the amount of water the unit dispersed into the air based on its water consumption.
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning humidifiers is important not only for their continual function, but also for your health. To evaluate how easy it is, we cleaned each humidifier after being used in the humidification test. We paid close attention to the nooks and crannies that are submerged while in use because those are prime spots for algae and mold to grow. Also, the water tanks should be cleaned regularly, so if there was a small opening only accessible to a specialized tool like a bottle brush, we took special notice.
Scoring is based on the difficulty and the time it took to clean the entire unit effectively.
Noise
To test the level of noise and distraction caused by the humidifiers, we used our soundproofed audio testing room. We used a decibel meter to measure the sound level at a distance of half a foot from the base of each unit. We also noted the quality of the noise produced to determine how disruptive it would be to sleep with while running.
Scoring is based on both the objective data of the loudness of each humidifier and the subjective quality of the sounds made.
Ease of Use
The difficulty in operating a humidifier can range from quite urksome to effortlessly watching it keep your plants happy without lifting a finger. To rate how easy it is to use each unit, we evaluated how much effort it takes to refill the water tank, how feature-rich the user interface is, and how long the machine will run before completely emptying the tank. For water refilling, we examined the tank, noted if it has handles to carry it, if the opening is small enough that you'll have to aim the faucet, and if the tank can be placed on a counter without tipping over. Also, tanks that allow themselves to be refilled while still on the unit got bonus points for being extra convenient. User interfaces include apps and smart features like humidity control for house plants, along with the mundane on-off switch. The inclusion of humidistats to display and monitor the humidity of the room is also a crucial feature. Run times are calculated from the size of the tank and the water consumption rate.
Scores are based on the above subjective categories and the definitive estimated run times.
Operation Cost
To determine electricity usage, we used a Kill-A-Watt meter to measure the electrical consumption of each humidifier on maximum and low settings. To calculate the estimated cost, we used the most up-to-date national average for electricity prices from here along with an assumption that the average humidifier owner uses their machine for 90 days a year. Additional costs like purchasing new filter wicks and demineralization tablets are also taken into account to provide the most accurate estimate of the total yearly cost.
Scoring is based entirely on the estimated yearly cost for each humidifier.
