The 7 Best Guitar Humidifiers (2024)
Guitar humidifiers allow you to keep your guitar at an optimum humidity level. If the humidity gets too low or too high, it could cause permanent damage to your guitar, so you should invest in one if you are a dedicated hobbyist.
My top recommended pick is the Oasis OH-1 Guitar Humidifier. This is a high-quality soundhole humidifier that is safe and effective.
If you are on a tight budget, you should consider the Herco HE360 Guitar Humidifier. Despite its affordable price, it is simple and very easy to use.
Contents
- The 7 Best Guitar Humidifiers (2024)
- 1. Oasis OH-1 Guitar Humidifier
- 2. Herco HE360 Guitar Humidifier
- 3. Music Nomad MN303 Case Humitar
- 4. D’Addario Humidipak
- 5. D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Humidifier
- 6. Kyser Lifeguard Humidifier
- 7. Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control
- Why do you need a guitar humidifier?
- Do all types of guitars need humidifiers?
- How do you use a guitar humidifier?
- What are the benefits of using a guitar humidifier?
- What is the ideal humidity range for guitars?
- Verdict
The 7 Best Guitar Humidifiers (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Oasis OH-1 Guitar Humidifier
The Oasis OH-1 guitar humidifier is a soundhole humidifier that ensures that the right humidity is maintained inside the body of your guitar.
Pros
- Proven design that is safe for guitars
- Refillable, so it can be used for many years
- Simple to use
Cons
- Syringe must be filled with distilled water
- May be insufficient for very arid climates
This guitar humidifier is made in the USA, using the best materials. It is a great choice for those who are concerned about the safety of their guitar.
| Type | Soundhole humidifier |
| Refillable | Yes |
| Power supply needed | No |
It is designed to be mounted on a guitar with the assistance of a stabilizing bar. In addition, there is a 10 cc refillable syringe.
2. Herco HE360 Guitar Humidifier
The Herco HE360 Guitar Humidifier is unlike any other product on this list. It’s a clay-filled container that goes in your guitar case which holds moisture and releases it over time.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Very easy to use
- Usable for guitars, violins, cellos, and other wooden instruments
Cons
- Low humidity absorption
This is a very small product that goes in your guitar case. Granted it has low humidity absorption but for that price, it’s only reasonable to expect that.
Features
| Type | Case humidifier |
| Refillable | Yes |
| Power supply needed | No |
It’s a very simple and easy-to-use humidifier that applies to lots of different wooden instruments.
The MusicNomad MN303 is a case humidifier that is designed to be easy to use and low maintenance. It comes with an innovative sponge that can hold an amazing amount of water.
Pros
- Innovative anti-drip sponge holds 10x its weight in water
- Case holster with strong adhesive included
- Simple to use and low maintenance
Cons
- Holster adhesive doesn’t always work
- Sponge can be tricky to remove
Also included is an adhesive case holster that allows you to conveniently attach the humidifier to your guitar case.
| Type | Case humidifier |
| Refillable | Yes |
| Power supply needed | No |
The sponge of this humidifier is long-lasting, while its anti-drip properties mean there is no risk of damaging your guitar
4. D’Addario Humidipak
The D’Addario Humidipak has a two-way humidity control that adds or removes moisture, automatically maintaining the humidity level in your guitar case at the right level.
Pros
- Two-way control of humidity
- Maintenance-free
- Takes the guesswork out of humidity control
Cons
- Guitar case must be airtight
- More pricey than others
This humidifier takes the guesswork out of maintaining the proper humidity level for your instrument as no manual adjustments are necessary.
| Type | Case humidifier |
| Refillable | No |
| Power supply needed | No |
It comes with 3 humidifiers and a soft mesh pouch that will not harm the finish of your guitar. Once the humidifier hardens, simply replace it with one of the others.
5. D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Humidifier
The D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Humidifier has an exclusive non-drip design that allows it to distribute moisture slowly and even. It can even be used to ensure that your guitar has the proper humidity when it is outside the case.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Doesn’t touch guitar body
- Can be used even when the guitar is outside the case
Cons
- Basic, so no extra features
- May not be sufficient for very dry climates
This humidifier attaches to the strings of your guitar, so there is no danger of it harming the finish of the body.
Features
| Type | Soundhole humidifier |
| Refillable | Yes |
| Power supply needed | No |
Despite the low price, the product’s simple, no-frills design ensures that it gets the job done.
6. Kyser Lifeguard Humidifier
The Kyser Lifeguard Humidifier is easy-to-use and effective in the driest climates. Simply soak it in water before installing it in the soundhole of your guitar.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Two sizes for different types of guitars
- Maintains proper humidity inside the guitar
Cons
- Difficult to rinse off all the water after soaking
- Removing from the guitar may not be easy
Since it fits snugly in the soundhole, it doesn’t need to be attached to the strings. It also keeps the humidity inside the guitar at the right level.
Features
| Type | Soundhole humidifier |
| Refillable | Yes |
| Power supply needed | No |
It comes in two different sizes, so can fit a variety of different guitars. It can also be used even if the guitar is outside the case and hanging on a wall.
7. Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control
Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control contains a mixture of pure water and natural salts that fills the air with the right humidity. Available in two different strengths, it should be used in an airtight case with your guitar.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Automatically maintains the proper humidity
- Can be reused
Cons
- Guitar must be in an airtight case
Once you notice the packet hardening, it should be replaced with another packet. The dried-out packet should not be put in water but kept close to a container of water so that it can reabsorb the moisture.
Features
| Type | Case humidifier |
| Refillable | Yes |
| Power supply needed | No |
The humidifier works both ways, so the proper humidity is automatically maintained. If the weather is extremely dry, you can use more than one to maintain the humidity in your case.
Why do you need a guitar humidifier?
A guitar humidifier is often essential for keeping your guitar sounding beautiful unless you are lucky enough to live in an area that has the right level of humidity.
This is because guitars are made of wood that reacts to changes in humidity and temperature. As these levels rise and fall, the guitar’s neck and body can expand or contract. This could lead to warping, cracking, top sinking, fret sprout, loose bridge, bad action, and myriad other problems.
Apart from living in an arid climate, low humidity can occur for several reasons. Using the air conditions during summer or the heater in winter can cause a drop in humidity that can affect your guitar.
While excess humidity is bad, extreme dryness is deadly for your guitar. Once the wood is completely dried out, it is impossible to revive.
Damage caused by a lack of humidity is often not covered by a warranty, so if you have a good guitar, you should make sure it is kept at the right humidity.
Do all types of guitars need humidifiers?
All types of guitars don’t necessarily need humidifiers. While humidifiers may be essential for acoustic guitars, depending on where you live, they may not be necessary for electric guitars.
This is because more electric guitars are built around a solid body. This body consists of a solid chunk of wood that is too thick to be susceptible to changes in humidity. Consequently, it doesn’t shrink or expand to the extent that it changes the shape of the instrument.
In contrast, acoustic guitars have hollow bodies that can shrink or expand as a result of ambient humidity levels. This can damage the guitar, sometimes permanently. If you care about the sound of your guitar, you should monitor the humidity level and buy a humidifier if it is outside the ideal range.
In the case of semi-hollow electric guitars, only some parts of the guitar are hollowed out. This is insufficient to cause significant changes to the body due to variations in humidity. However, if it becomes very dry, you may want to buy a humidifier.
Electric guitars are susceptible to too much humidity which can cause the metal parts to rust. The electric parts may also not work so well and the guitar’s tone may be affected.
How do you use a guitar humidifier?
There are three types of guitar humidifiers: soundhole humidifier, guitar case humidifier, and room humidifier.
Soundhole humidifiers typically cover the soundhole or can be placed on the strings of the guitar. Depending on the design, it may be possible to hang the guitar on a wall when using one of these humidifiers. They also work when the guitar is lying in a case.
As the name suggests, guitar case humidifiers are placed in the guitar case rather than on the soundhole or strings. Typically, the humidifier will be made of a material through which the water vapor can pass through. In order for it to work, it is usually necessary for the case to be airtight.
Room humidifiers are used to maintain the humidity of the entire room at a constant level and are usually used if you have a collection of guitars or have a store. This type of humidifier is typically advanced and more expensive than soundhole and guitar case humidifiers. They can often regulate the temperature as well. You must ensure that the door to the room is kept closed for this humidifier to operate effectively.
What are the benefits of using a guitar humidifier?
Guitar humidifiers offer a number of benefits. The main reason to have a guitar humidifier is to maintain the shape of your guitar. Since the body of an acoustic guitar is made of wood, it is prone to the effects of humidity.
If the air in your guitar case or the room you have stored your guitar in is dry, the body will shrink, causing the top and back of the guitar to compress. This can lead to all kinds of issues, such as the deformation of the bridge.
On the other hand, too much humidity can cause the guitar to expand. This can result in a slight deformation or you might end up completely ruining your instrument.
Humidity issues will not only change the shape of your guitar but also change the sound. A guitar’s tone is influenced by the dimensions, materials, and construction of the soundbox. Dryness or excess humidity will cause the tone to change.
Apart from changes to the body, other elements of the guitar may also degrade, contributing to poor sound. For example, the neck is prone to humidity-related deformation. Like the rest of the guitar, long-time exposure to bad humidity levels can lead to permanent damage.
Humidifiers also allow you to protect your investment. You may have spent thousands of dollars on a guitar if you happen to be a dedicated hobbyist or professional musician. Humidifiers are a cost-effective way of ensuring that you protect the money that you have spent and derive maximum enjoyment from your investment.
Many guitar manufacturers don’t cover humidity-related damage in their warranty, so the damage to your guitar could end up costing you a great deal of money.
If you have invested a lot of money in a guitar, you probably take pride in its appearance. High-end guitars have a flawless finish and may include intricate detail. One of the first signs of damage due to dryness is cracks appearing on the finishing. If the look of your guitar matters to you, you should store it at optimum humidity.
What is the ideal humidity range for guitars?
Guitars should be kept at a consistent humidity level of 40-50 percent. If you are concerned about fluctuating humidity, you may want to buy a hygrometer that will allow you to monitor the humidity level in your guitar case.
Verdict
The Guitar humidifier serves the purpose of keeping the humidity level at the desired state in order to protect your guitar. In any case, they are very affordable additions that can only benefit you and your instrument.
If you are looking to give your guitar the best possible care, I suggest you go for the top pick, the Oasis OH-1 Guitar Humidifier.
If you are on a budget, then consider the Herco HE360 Guitar Humidifier. It’s a small and very easy-to-use humidifier.
