Why do you need a humidifier for your guitar room?
The purpose of a humidifier is to regulate the level of humidity in a room in order to provide optimum storage conditions for your guitar. While occasional or light humidity issues might not cause too much damage to your instrument, irreversible damage might occur if you don’t address those problems promptly. Damage to the guitar may include warped necks, sharp fret edges, separating glue, loose bridges and more. It thus makes sense to buy a humidifier to control the humidity in the room and protect your instrument.
Features to consider while choosing a humidifier
When selecting a humidifier for a guitar room, first consider whether you want a cool or warm mist model. Then think about the size of the room you intend to use it in, as well as the runtime, water tank capacity, and noise level.
Type
There are multiple types of humidifiers available on the market, but the main choice is between cool and warm mist models. Both types have their advantages, with warm mist models offering the highest level of moisture while also doing a good job at killing bacteria. Cold mist humidifiers, on the other hand, are quieter and remove impurities with the help of filters. You can also choose a model that can transition from cold to warm mist, such as the Proscenic 807C, for example.
Room size
The room size is generally displayed in square footage and you should be sure the room you intend to use the humidifier in is smaller or equal to the size recommended by the manufacturer.
If you use a humidifier in a room that’s too big for it, you may not get the best results in the entire room, and that may affect your guitar.
Water tank capacity
Look for a model with a larger tank capacity, such as our Editor’s Choice, the Air Innovations MH-505, which comes with 1.37-gallon water tank. That way, you won’t have to refill the tank multiple times a day.
Runtime
This feature is related to the water tank capacity. The larger the tank, the more water it is going to be able to disperse into the room. If you want to avoid having to refill it often, look for a model that offers a runtime of up to 70 hours, like the Air Innovations MH-505.
Built-in humidistat
A built-in humidistat comes in handy when you want to know exactly the level of humidity in the room. All the models we reviewed come with this feature.
Noise level
The level of noise a humidifier makes is an essential feature to consider when you place it in a room someone sleeps in. Most manufacturers pay close attention to this aspect, so most of the humidifiers we reviewed are quiet enough not to disturb your sleep.
Dimensions and weight
Look for a small and lightweight humidifier if you don’t have much space in your room or if you want to be able to take them from one room to another with ease.
Warranty
Most humidifiers come with a least one-year of warranty that covers manufacturing defects and parts in case something goes wrong with the machine.
Extra features
While most people looking for a humidifier for guitar room are interested in the humidifying function, many models come with extra features, which are useful if you want the unit to double as a humidifier for a baby’s room or an aromatherapy machine. Some of the extra features you may find on the models we reviewed include the auto shut-off function for safety, night lights, LED displays and oil diffusers.
Tips to clean your humidifier
To clean your humidifier, make sure you follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Models with a filter generally require rinsing with cold water. You should also scrub the tank carefully on a regular basis to remove built-up grime and change the water every day to avoid the formation of mineral deposits.