This is our buying guide on the best humidifiers for 1000 square feet in 2023. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read our in depth, hands on reviews, for each humidifier.
AIRCARE MA1201 Whole-House
- Really large coverage
- Digital humidistat
- Automatic shut-off
- Easy to clean
- Traps mineral deposits from hard water
- Simple to operate
- Four speed cycling fan to maintain acceptable noise levels
- Easy-to-understand controls
- Huge water tank capacity
- Can handle hard water
Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier
- Quieter than the competition
- Invisible mist
- Works for small- and medium-sized rooms too
- 2-speed settings to control speed and noise
- Wicking filter to remove minerals from hard water
- Keeps humidity levels steady at 40-60%
- Great for breathing comfort
- Improves quality of sleep, nasal congestion, and allergy symptoms
- Drastically reduces static electricity
- Break-resistant water tank
Stadler Form’s Oskar
- Mistless evaporator
- Blissfully quiet
- Easy placement – floor, desk, shelf
- Fragrance dispenser
- Emits up to 2.4 gallons per day
- Better than Ultrasonic
- Leaves no white dust
- Beautiful design
- Easier to fill than any other humidifier
- Super easy to use
In this piece, I’m diving deep into the quest for the best humidifier for spaces up to 1000 square feet.
Choosing a humidifier for such a large area brings with it a slew of considerations. Do I pick an evaporative model, or should I lean towards ultrasonic? Should I settle for a cool mist or warm mist humidifier, or maybe one that offers both? Not to mention, how easy is it to clean? And what about the noise levels?
In my pursuit of the perfect humidifier for 1000 square feet spaces, I’ve tested a variety of products and found that the Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier truly stands out.
This Honeywell unit effortlessly manages spaces of 1000 square feet and beyond, running a full 24 hours between refills. But what’s most impressive is its ability to maintain a steady humidity level between 40% and 60%, depending on your preference.
Stick with me as I provide an in-depth review of the Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier and also compare it against its fiercest competitors.
Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier
BEST OVERALL
If you’re hunting for a humidifier that can cover a large area, or potentially your entire home, this 3-gallon, easy-to-fill console with a humidistat & auto shut-off should top your list.
Unlike many other humidifiers that rely on a nozzle to release a visible mist, this Honeywell gem employs a fan that circulates cool air, thereby boosting the moisture in the atmosphere by around 40 to 60 percent.
Unboxing the Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier, its simplicity strikes you first.
After placing it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, I used the built-in, easy-access handle to remove the water tank and filter from the hard shell of the humidifier. The manual gives clear instructions on how to fill the tank and soak the filter. Once that’s sorted and everything is reassembled, just plug it in, and it starts working its magic instantly – absolutely no mess or fuss!
With a one-gallon water tank, this humidifier’s reach far surpasses other units. It handles 1000 square feet with ease. I even pushed its limit in an area of around 1500 square feet. Sure, it took a bit longer to raise the humidity to my preferred 48%, but once it got there, it held the level effortlessly.
This Honeywell humidifier feels more at home on the floor than on a bookshelf or table. I found no guesswork involved in selecting my preferred settings. The dial positions are clearly marked – low, medium, and high. Plus, you get an aesthetic choice with the humidifier being available in both black and white.
Unlike some humidifiers with exposed water tanks, this Honeywell model cleverly conceals its tank. There might be a few droplets on the surface if you stand right over it, but the overall appearance remains clean and neat.
One thing to note: when moving the humidifier, be cautious. It lacks snap-connects, making it easy to spill water if you’re not careful. The easiest solution is to empty the water tank before relocating it.
The Honeywell humidifier boasts a technology to sanitize tap water, promising to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria. Its wicking filter allows for quick evaporation once the mist is released into the air. Instead of a sudden mist gush, it leverages its fan technology to distribute the moisture evenly.
It can adapt to small or medium-sized spaces too, even bathrooms. This Honeywell device prevents over-humidifying by adding only as much moisture as the atmosphere can absorb. So, once a 1000-square-feet-or-larger space reaches your chosen humidity level, the unit will self-regulate to maintain it.
In my initial test, the Honeywell Cool Moisture Console Humidifier ran for just over 24 hours without needing a refill. Although quieter than its competitors, there is a low-level hum from the fan, something to bear in mind for nighttime use.
Cleaning is a breeze. Wipe down the exterior, and the inside is accessible even for larger hands. The water tank has a generous opening, and both the tray and the tank are dishwasher-safe. Just remember the manufacturer’s advice about using detergent.
Maintenance essentially boils down to filter replacement. While a filter can cost around $10, it can last up to 12 months depending on use.
This Honeywell model is a bit on the larger side, so storage might be a challenge without sufficient closet space. However, it can neatly fit under a high bedside table or a small linen cupboard.
Just remember to clean and disinfect it before storing it away for the season!
Pros
- Quieter than the competition
- Invisible mist
- Works for small- and medium-sized rooms too
- 2-speed settings to control speed and noise
- Wicking filter to remove minerals from hard water
- Keeps humidity levels steady at 40-60%
- Great for breathing comfort
- Improves quality of sleep, nasal congestion, and allergy symptoms
- Drastically reduces static electricity
- Break-resistant water tank
Cons
- Opaque water tank makes seeing water level difficult
AIRCARE MA1201 Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier
BEST BUDGET
In my quest to find the best humidifier for a 1000 Square Feet space, I was particularly keen on testing the Console MA1201 Humidifier. I was curious if its spacious capacity and sleek design could win against the intensely dry mountain air of my area.
Designed for spaces up to 3200 square feet, the MA1201 not only met that promise but surpassed it!
This AIRCARE humidifier came fully assembled with the filter already installed. Straight out of the box, all I needed to do was fill the reservoir, plug it in, and it was ready to go.
Filling the reservoir was a breeze. It’s sizable but fits easily into a medium-sized sink. There’s a bit of a spill risk when you put the reservoir back, so I found it useful to keep it on an absorbent mat. Once the reservoir is safely back in the unit, the water drains into the console’s base.
In my experiments with the unit, I discovered a neat trick: if I drain the water into the base, remove the reservoir and fill it again, I could almost double the capacity and runtime of the humidifier. This made it an incredible device for areas of 1000 square feet and beyond.
Operating the unit post filling is super straightforward. Humidity levels are controlled with a simple, clearly labeled button. Once set, the humidifier self-regulates, turning on and off to maintain your desired atmospheric moisture levels.
For my tests, I cranked it up to the highest setting, transforming it into an always-on humidifier. A small downside is it doesn’t have the Honeywell feature that prevents over-humidification of the atmosphere.
The cycling fan has four speeds, and due to the high operating noise, I kept it on the lowest setting throughout my tests. This also helped to extend the unit’s runtime on a single tank of water.
Aircare claims their humidifiers are aesthetically pleasing enough to avoid the closet. I beg to differ. While the unit isn’t unsightly, it’s far from being a showpiece. Its industrial design is functional at best.
This could be a drawback for some, as humidifiers often find a place in living areas or guest spaces. Unfortunately, this one seems more suited for a bathroom than a living room.
The layout of this Aircare humidifier feels a tad bulky. It seems as though it could’ve been a sleeker package with a little more design effort. But keep in mind, it’s built to humidify spaces over 1000 square feet, which demands a humidifier with some serious power.
However, what it lacks in looks, the AIRCARE MA1201 Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier compensates for in performance – it’s here it truly stands out!
It’s indiscriminate about the size of the space, performing equally well beyond 1000 square feet. It seems to be bound only by the laws of airflow.
In the distant guest bedroom, I didn’t notice much of a difference. But in the living room, where I conducted most of the tests, the combination of the large wick and fan worked relentlessly, producing so much moisture that it caused condensation on the windows on a cold night!
While manufacturers generally recommend using distilled water in their humidifiers to prevent scale build-up, especially in areas with hard water, I found the AIRCARE MA1201 held up pretty well after three weeks of testing with plain tap water. The evaporative technology it uses likely plays a role in this.
Cleaning the unit was simple. A quick wipe down and a rinse during the wick change were all it needed. The wick, a paper filter used for both air and water, should be replaced every 30 to 60 days according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This means after about 720 hours of operation in areas of 1000 square feet or more.
The unit displays a CF alert after 20 days of continuous use, but this isn’t based on filter performance. It’s purely a measure of how long the unit has been in continuous operation.
The wick costs around $20, being the only recurring operational expense.
In conclusion, the AIRCARE MA1201 definitely makes a strong contender for the best humidifier for 1000 Square Feet.
Pros
- Really large coverage
- Digital humidistat
- Automatic shut-off
- Easy to clean
- Traps mineral deposits from hard water
- Simple to operate
- Four speed cycling fan to maintain acceptable noise levels
- Easy-to-understand controls
- Huge water tank capacity
- Can handle hard water
Cons
- Aesthetic design is sorely lacking
Stadler Form’s Oskar
BEST PREMIUM
Many humidifiers have this unique ‘lug’ sound that can get under your skin after a while. But then, I came across the Oskar from Stadler Form, which is possibly the quietest humidifier I’ve tested so far, unless you have superhuman hearing!
Unlike regular humidifiers that churn out mist, the Oskar from Adler Form is an evaporation type. It won’t turn your space into a foggy terrarium or fog up your windows, which is a major relief!
I was particularly impressed with its performance in spaces over 1000 square feet.
This brilliant piece of tech from Adler Form sucks in the dry air from your room, whisks it through the water tank, over two filters, and back out again as clean, breathable air.
It’s a breeze to clean and it’s stunning to look at. It’s unlike any other humidifier I’ve seen before. Standing under 12 inches tall and available in black or white, it doesn’t have a handle, since you don’t have to lug it to the sink to refill it.
The water tank can be filled through a side panel, maintaining its sleek, uninterrupted design.
Even the control panel is tucked away out of sight to preserve the sleek exterior look.
The Oskar from Adler Form also scores high on energy efficiency and has an automatic shutdown feature that kicks in when the water runs low. It’ll patiently wait in standby until you refill the tank.
Although it has a built-in hydrostat, I’d recommend getting a separate humidity monitor for accuracy – a suggestion applicable to most humidifiers out there, not just the Oskar. Most humidifiers’ measurements can be wildly off.
The lights on this unit are adjustable and can be dimmed or turned off entirely. There’s a tiny bulb inside the casing that lets you check the water level without disturbing anyone if you need to use the humidifier in the dark, say when you’re sleeping.
One of the Oskar’s highlights is the fragrance dispenser. A few drops of your favorite essential oil and the aroma spreads throughout your living space. It’s not the Oskar’s main job, but it does it remarkably well. You can use your own fragrances or try out those designed by Stadler Form.
Cleaning this unit is as simple as it gets. Thanks to the ergonomic design, you can clean it more thoroughly than most tank-based humidifiers.
The filters are quite durable, and you could easily go an entire dry season without needing to change them. This makes the Stadler Form’s upkeep costs pretty affordable.
Stadler Form, being an environmentally conscious brand, crafts their filters from plant and textile fibers, making them completely compostable!
While I didn’t encounter any issues, some users reported fan problems, but only after three continuous, heavy-duty seasons.
The blissful silence of this humidifier is an absolute gift, especially considering it’s designed to work in spaces over 1000 square feet.
Testing the Oskar was a pleasure and it certainly stands tall as a premium choice in my journey to find the best humidifier for 1000 Square Feet.
Pros
- Mistless evaporator
- Blissfully quiet
- Easy placement – floor, desk, shelf
- Fragrance dispenser
- Emits up to 2.4 gallons per day
- Better than Ultrasonic
- Leaves no white dust
- Beautiful design
- Easier to fill than any other humidifier
- Super easy to use
Cons
- Filters are on the expensive side
