Honeywell HEV320B

Recommended humidifiers, by Consumer Reports

“A humidifier can relieve itchy eyes, sore throat, and cracked skin by adding moisture to dried-out air,” says Consumer Reports. “In addition to these health benefits, a humidifier can also reduce static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and cracks in paint and furniture. […] Ideally, indoor humidity should be 30 to 50 percent. But without humidification, that level can drop to 10 percent in winter, because cold air holds less moisture and dries even more as it’s heated.”

Here is the Consumer Reports’ selection of recommended humidifiers. The maximum overall score is 100, and “Best Buy” models offer more value.


Small room (26 to 299 sq ft)

CVS GUL540V1

Overall score: 91
“Best Buy”

Honeywell HUL520

Overall score: 88
“Best Buy”

Crane Owl

Overall score: 87
“Best Buy”

HoMedics UHE-CM25

Overall score: 87

HoMedics UHE-CM45

Overall score: 86

Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360

Overall score: 82
“Best Buy”

Safety 1st IH166

Overall score: 82
“Best Buy”

Crane Drop

Overall score: 81

Vornado Huey

Overall score: 80

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Medium room (300 to 499 sq ft)

Vicks V5100NS

Overall score: 86
“Best Buy”

Vicks VUL520

Overall score: 81
“Best Buy”

Hunter 33520

Overall score: 80

SPT SU-9210

Overall score: 80

Well at Walgreens LEV320

Overall score: 80
“Best Buy”

Honeywell HEV320

Overall score: 77
“Best Buy”

Honeywell HUT-300

Overall score: 75

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Large room (500 to 999 sq ft)

SPT SU-4010

Overall score: 86
“Best Buy”

Air-O-Swiss 7135

Overall score: 82

Honeywell HWM-340

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

Holmes HM495

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

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Console (1000 sq ft and more)

Essick MA1201

Overall score: 64
“Best Buy”

Kenmore 15412 (Sears)

Overall score: 62

Vornado EVAP40

Overall score: 62
“Best Buy”

Holmes HCM3888C

Overall score: 60

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Travel/personal (up to 25 sq ft)

Hunter QLS-03

Overall score: 87

Crane EE-5950

Overall score: 82

Boneco 7146

Overall score: 78

SPT SU-1053

Overall score: 76

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Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly since 1936. It features reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research centre. The magazine accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests, and, as a not-for-profit organisation, has no shareholders. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides. (Wikipedia.)

Source: Consumer Reports
Last checked on: 7 October 2016
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