There are several reasons why you might need a hygrometer. Various health issues are linked to poor indoor humidity levels. Exposure to low levels of humidity can also decrease the quality of sleep and your overall comfort.
There are many digital hygrometers out there, but it’s hard to know which ones are worth the price. So come along as we share our top picks for hygrometers used for indoor humidity.
Comparison Table Of The 8 Best Hygrometers For Indoor Humidity
What is a Hygrometer?
A hygrometer is a tool that measures the level of humidity in an area. They are responsible for providing the correct values on the amount of moisture in the air in a particular location.
These devices are also known as humidity meters or humidity gauges, which measure the changes in temperature and pressure.
Indoor hygrometers are small devices that usually have a digital display from 0% to 99%.
Some of them have trend indicators for you to determine whether the humidity is getting high or low. They also show labels, such as dry, ok, and wet, for easier reading.
Most indoor hygrometers also come with temperature sensors to act as a thermometer. That’s because humidity relies on temperature, mass, pressure, and other metrics.
Is a Digital Hygrometer Better than an Analog?
It depends. First, digital hygrometers use new technology. But analog sensors are still used to measure the humidity levels, and then the results are displayed digitally.
This means the design is more appealing for a modern hygrometer and can fit various home décor.
Another reason why a digital hygrometer is better than an analog hygrometer is that it also comes with a built-in thermometer.
Some have Wi-Fi connectivity, which lets you access these readings on your smartphone. It also includes storage for those who want to keep a tab of their records over time.
Digital humidity monitors or humidity gauges are more readable because of the large number of displays and sometimes a backlight function. They may also have indicators that let you know if the values presented are normal or not.
Because they’re more modern, digital hygrometers show more accurate readings of the level of humidity than some analog humidity monitors.
Unlike analog meters, they do not lose accuracy over time, but their batteries need to be replaced. They do not need to be calibrated because they are already set when you take them out of the box.
However, these additional features often mean a higher price. Most high-end models have an unreasonable price, but there are also available products that are just as reliable.
You must be willing to spend a little more because digital hygrometers are more efficient for indoor use than analog.
But the decision on whether to get an analog or digital hygrometer is still up to you. Consider how much you want to spend and the features you need.
Are There Different Types of Hygrometers?
Yes. There are many types of hygrometers, but these are the most common.
Digital Hygrometers
Digital hygrometers are the most common kind of hygrometers used at home and in offices because they allow you to easily monitor humidity levels with their huge screen display. They’re great if you have a wine cellar, cigars, cigar humidors, monitoring basements, preserving the quality of a musical instrument, etc.
They work in two ways. First, some hygrometers use two metal plates that catch moisture between them for the device to calculate. This phenomenon is called capacitance.
The second one works through resistance, where a ceramic substance passes through the unit and exposes itself to the air. Changes in resistance levels are seen when the humidity levels change.
A digital and accurate hygrometer can also be classified into indoor and outdoor. They’re great for measuring relative humidity, temperature levels, and more.
Dew Point Hygrometers
A dew point hygrometer is a handheld unit for checking the dew point of a liquid. This is best used for measuring only small quantities of moisture, so it’s not ideal for checking the humidity of a whole room.
Psychrometers
A psychrometer is a kind of hygrometer that uses a wet bulb and a dry bulb at once. The dry bulb is exposed to the air to measure the temperature, while the wet bulb measures the temperature when the bulb is dipped in liquid.
Calculating the difference between the two will let you identify the relative humidity of the environment.
Chilled Mirror Hygrometers
This type of hygrometer is just like the dew point hygrometer but with enhanced precision. It uses a chilled mirror whose surface is used to calculate the levels of condensation.
Metal Paper Coil Hygrometers
The metal-paper coil hygrometer is an affordable measurement tool for humidity levels that includes a strip attached to a metal coil.
This strip absorbs moisture to check the changes in your environment, and later on, transforms its shape. A needle is used to get the humidity reading for the user.
Optical Hygrometer
An optical hygrometer uses a light detector and a light emitter. This important type of hygrometer measures these values through the water absorption levels in the air between the detector and the emitter.
Hair-Tension Hygrometers
This hygrometer is one of a kind because it uses human or animal hair to determine the changes in relative humidity. The hair is put under pressure, and it becomes longer or shorter depending on the moisture content changes in the surroundings.
Gravimetric Hygrometer
A gravimetric hygrometer is one of the most precise hygrometers out there that utilizes a sample of air’s mass instead of an equal amount of dry air.
Optical Hygrometer
Thermal hygrometers include built-in sensors for determining the humidity. It also uses the air’s thermal conductivity to determine the absolute levels of humidity rather than relative.
What is the Most Comfortable Humidity Indoors?
The ideal relative humidity that is both safe and comfortable is approximately 30%-50%. These percentage values refer to the amount of moisture that the areas contain.
Too much humidity won’t let you and other people and pets in the house properly regulate your internal temperatures. A humid room may feel warmer to you even if it’s the same temperature as another room that is less humid.
It can also cause sickness since humid areas promote mold growth, dust mites, and fungus, which can worsen asthma and allergic reactions.
Over time, the wooden parts of your home, like hardwood floors, may break down, swell, and warp. This is also why guitarists have hygrometers attached to their guitar cases.
On the other hand, if there is little humidity in the room, your skin may feel colder and itchier. You are more likely to experience chapped lips and sore throat since your mucous membrane is drying. You’re also prone to wheezing, coughing, and breathing difficulties.
Its effects on your possessions can also be adverse. Parts of your home may crack, shrink, and develop molding.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Digital Hygrometer
Finding the best humidity monitors for indoor use can be an arduous activity. To help you choose which one suits your needs, consider the following factors.
Accuracy
Accuracy is the first thing to look for when you’re buying a digital hygrometer. Accurate humidity sensors are key to successful results and readings.
If you’re monitoring an extremely sensitive place or items, like wines and musical instruments, you need one with a margin of ±1-2% RH. But if you’re using it to monitor comfort levels only, around ±2-3% RH is enough.
These ±% RH ratings determine the margin of error. Ask yourself if you need a precise device or if a standard, affordable one is enough.
Application Area
Where do you plan to place your digital wireless hygrometer? Some prefer using it indoors to monitor greenhouses, living rooms, baby rooms, and wine cellars. But others need to gather data about the weather, so they place it outdoors.
If you are not certain about the place of application, then it will be hard for you to choose the right wireless hygrometer. Some hygrometers have a humidity range of 16% to 99%, so you won’t be able to monitor sensitive places or items.
Display and Ease of Use
If you are shopping for a digital wireless hygrometer for home use, choose one that’s easy to assemble. Most of these devices already come pre-calibrated out of the box.
Does the hygrometer have an LCD display with large digits? This is also important so that you can monitor the levels even from afar. It’s even better if it has a backlight function for maximum readability in low-light situations.
The digital hygrometer may also display trend indicators to let you know if the room is getting moist or dry. It should also have labels like dry, ok, and wet for your convenience.
The display and ease of use are necessary, especially for older people and those who have vision problems. Check for customer reviews about its user interface to get an idea of the quality of the product.
Power Source
Is the hygrometer battery operated or wired? This is another essential thing that many people tend to overlook. If you’re going for wired mechanical hygrometers, remember that you need to place them near a plug. It can also increase your electric bills.
But if you choose wireless connectivity, then check what type of battery it supports. A battery-operated hygrometer is also more common in the market. It lets you place it anywhere, whether it’s on top of a surface, hung on the wall, or stuck through a magnet.
We recommend using a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion AA battery.
Battery Life
Once you know the type of battery it supports, make sure it has a long battery life. You don’t want your electrical hygrometer to stop working when you need it the most.
One way to save battery life is by making sure the backlight function can be turned off. Some digital humidity monitors automatically turn off their lights after ten seconds.
Additional Sensor Support
Are you going to monitor ideal conditions in several locations at once? If so, you will need a digital hygrometer to connect to various sensors in one system. The main hub has to be reliable, and the range of distance has to be wide.
Remote Alerts
Not everyone needs a digital hygrometer that lets you monitor the levels remotely through your smartphone. But if you do, make sure that the app is user-friendly and does not require additional costs for a subscription.
These devices are more expensive, but they can be worth the cost if it means you’ll be able to get alerts when the temperature and humidity go beyond normal. You can also customize the intervals for notifications and where you will get updates. Some offer email and SMS options too.
Some digital hygrometers let you store data for up to two years. You can even download and export them into a CSV or PDF file.
Take the time to discern whether you need all these additional features or not.
Cost
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a high-quality indoor humidity monitor. Some models are cheaper than well-known brands but still offer accurate temperature and absolute humidity levels, a wide range, trend indicators, and multiple mounting options.
Top 8 Hygrometer for Indoor Humidity Reviews
Our 8 recommendations are guaranteed cost-friendly. With this wide variety of options, you’re sure to find the perfect hygrometer to keep your cigars fresh or your house humidity ideal.
1. ThermoPro TP50 Digital Hygrometer and Thermometer
ThermoPro TP50 is the leading digital hygrometer out there because the user-friendly device offers highly accurate humidity readings. Not only that, but it also comes with a thermometer to provide information on how hot or cold it is.
ThermoPro has a high accuracy of ±2~3%RH for the humidity that updates every 10 seconds. The humidity range is between 10% and 99%, which is just right for you to keep the moisture in your wine cellar, greenhouse, sensitive materials, or baby room at an adequate level.
Because it’s easy to use, the product is excellent for those who are new to indoor hygrometers and thermometers but don’t want to miss out on special features.
The data are easy to read as they include face icons that indicate comfort levels. For instance, a smiley face is displayed if the humidity is between 30% and 60%. For the temperature, you can choose between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
But we suggest getting a different hygrometer if you’ll be placing it in an area with high humidity percentages.
PROS
- Includes a magnet at the back
- Easy to read the humidity levels
- Has daily high and low records3-year warranty
- A durable magnet at the back
CONS
- Not suitable for areas with high humidity
- Difficult to mount on the wall
2. ANTONKI Humidity Gauge 1-Paco Hygrometer and Thermometer
The Antonki 2-Pack Humidity Gauge is an amazing deal for those who need 2 hygrometers in their home or office. Each device comes with dual-probe sensors that separately read the temperature and current humidity levels.
The humidity gauge has a large screen for bigger digits. Even if you’re a few meters away, you can see the values because the display size is 2.85 inches.
Its humidity range is 10%-99%, and a smiley face will show if the levels are at an adequate level, specifically if it’s 50%-70%.
What we love the most about ANTONKI is how they’re easy to install. It’s the perfect hygrometer for beginners. You have the option to let it stand on a surface or stick it somewhere using the magnet. It also boasts 18 vents at the back so to promote airflow and work more sensitively.
We don’t recommend using it for highly sensitive rooms and items because it has a slightly bigger margin of error. But it’s not a dealbreaker for those who plan to use it in their living room or bedroom to track humidity trends.
PROS
- Comes in a pack of two for different parts of the house
- The screen takes up most of the device for readability
- Also includes temperature readings
- Dual magnet irons
CONS
- Not for sensitive items or places where correct humidity is needed
- Not ideal level of accuracy
3. AcuRite Digital Hygrometer 01083M
If you want a simple, budget-friendly, and accurate digital hygrometer for your wine cellar, AcuRote 01083 is a nice option for you. It’s accurate to ±2% RH with a range of 1% to 99%, making it “professional-level”.
Like other indoor hygrometers, it refreshes every 10 seconds for instant updates so you can maintain an ideal humidity level.
It’s not just for the wine cellar. Because AcuRite lets you calibrate the sensor, you can monitor any specific area of your choosing. If you don’t know how to do this, the package includes a manual that will guide you through the step-by-step process of calibrating.
Some may not like the comfort level meter that determines whether the humidity is okay, low, or high because it’s too small. But it’s colored, so you can still read it from afar. What makes it better than other hygrometers in this list is that it’s not bulky. It only measures 3 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide, so you can place it on your desk or hang it on the wall.
PROS
- Professional-level accuracy for humidity and temperature readings
- Affordable
- Multiple placement options
CONS
- Doesn’t come with batteries
- Too small
- No battery included
- The comfort level meter is not readable
4. GOVEE wifi Temperature Humidity Monitor H5051
This is an ideal hygrometer. Govee is well-known for its advanced indoor hygrometers and thermometers.
Its H5051 model lets you monitor the humidity levels of your space wherever you are. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection. It’s an expensive hygrometer, but also a high-quality hygrometer.
This device can accurately sense the humidity with an impressive range of 0%-99% at an accuracy of ±3%. It can also precisely measure the temperature at home with a range of -4°F – 140°F.
One lavish feature of Govee is the cloud storage of records. It can keep two years of your home’s humidity and temperature reports, and you can download them in CSV format.
It also comes with a Smartphone app for you to set the alarm levels. It will notify you when the humidity drops or spikes beyond the normal values.
Overall, it’s a great temperature and humidity monitor for those who are willing to splurge more. And those who are always out and about but still cautious about their comfort levels at home.
PROS
- Has wifi feature for remote monitoring
- Precise temperature readings
- Measures humidity well
- Batteries included
- Data storage and export
- Modern attractive design
- LCD screen display
- Professional accuracy
CONS
- Wi-Fi settings can be too complex for some
- Expensive
5. Govee Bluetooth Digital Hygrometer Thermometer H5075
Another Govee indoor and outdoor hygrometer and thermometer have made it to our list. This time, it has a slightly bigger square display with the same temperature and humidity range and accuracy. The humidity is accurate to ±3% RH, then a ±0.54°F temperature accuracy
This device also sends you notifications on the Smartphone app, especially when the range goes out of the preset range. This will enable you to take action as soon as possible to bring the humidity levels back to normal.
It’s great for people who want to try Smartphone-enabled digital hygrometers and thermometers but do not need them for remote monitoring. This device features Bluetooth connectivity of up to 60 meters or 196 feet.
It’s easy to connect it to the application. Just download the Govee Home app, turn on your Bluetooth, and select the H5705 model. Even those who are not inclined to technology will find it easy to navigate because of the clean UI design and graphs over time.
PROS
- Bluetooth connectivity with wide coverage
- Alerts your smartphone when the readings go beyond normal
- Precise Swiss-made sensor
- Data storage and export
- Monitors air temperatures in real-time
- Easy-to-read digital display
CONS
- No Wifi connectivity
- Expensive
- Not backlit
6. Onvis Smart Homekit Motion Sensor Humidity Gauge
Onvis is another indoor hygrometer and thermometer with a motion sensor to notify you if a motion is detected in the room you want to safeguard. It can also be operated on a smartphone through the ONVIS app. You can count on it with its quick and sensitive responses.
This small unit detects real-time temperature and humidity. You can also set automation for the AC to turn on when the temperature reaches a certain number. When motion triggers the sensor, it can also enable other Smart home devices like the lights to turn on.
How convenient is this tiny device? The three-in-one, Bluetooth-enabled unit already comes with batteries that can be used for up to 15000 hours. Unfortunately, Onvis does not state its temperature and humidity range, along with the accuracy. It also only updates every 5 minutes.
PROS
- Multipurpose for both comfort and security
- No hub is required to connect with other accessories
- Get quick notifications from the Smartphone application
- Long battery life
- Measures indoor and outdoor temperatures
- Compact display
CONS
- Does not mention the temperature and humidity range
- No screen display of readings
7. ThermoPro TP55 Digital Hygrometer and Thermometer
ThermoPro TP55 is complete with 24/7 temperature and humidity readings, along with trend indicators and a switcher between Fahrenheit and Celsius. It’s also highly recommended for those whose concern about their indoor hygrometer is readability.
The huge LCD screen measures 4 inches with big numbers. What’s best about this device is the backlight function in the color blue so you can read it in low light.
The only downside is that it automatically turns off after 15 seconds. But it isn’t a dealbreaker, especially for those who are looking to save battery life.
It’s also quicker than other hygrometers as it measures the humidity and temperature every 10 seconds. It’s highly accurate and reliable at 2%RH and ±1°F too. You can place it anywhere with multiple mounting options. Let it stand on a table, mount it to the wall, or stick it to the refrigerator with the magnet.
PROS
- Includes batteries
- Backlit display
- Touchscreen operation
- Comfort level indicator
- Effective monitoring
- Great for the preservation of cigars
- Remote monitoring and alerts
CONS
- The backlight doesn’t stay on 24/7
- Short humidity range
8. AcuRite 00613 Digital Hygrometer and Thermometer
AcuRite 00613 is the most budget-friendly option for a indoor cheap hygrometer and thermometer. But it doesn’t compromise its features because it has a similar temperature and humidity range to provide reliable readings.
AcuRite has a humidity range of 16% to 98%, slightly shorter than others but still ideal for non-sensitive items and spaces. It measures temperature, with the range of 32 °F to 122 °F at an accuracy of 2 degrees.
It has a large display with huge digits. Even though it doesn’t feature a backlight, it still has an amazing contrast that doesn’t fade over time. You can view it from afar and from different angles without difficulty.
This device has an ergonomic design that lets you mount it in different places by letting it stand on the table, hang on the wall, or be magnetized.
Overall, anyone who doesn’t want to spend lots of money on a high-priced indoor hygrometer can choose AcuRite 00613. At a reasonable price, it does its very basic job of maintaining proper humidity conditions and air quality. And, since it’s also a portable hygrometer, that puts it above the rest.
PROS
- Large display makes it easy to read
- Multiple mounting options
- Temperature control
- Has high and low values
- Great affordable price
- Compact design
- Precise readings
CONS
- Accuracy reduces over time
In Conclusion
You need an indoor hygrometer to increase your home comfort and keep everyone healthy. We think the ThermoPro TP50 Digital Hygrometer and Thermometer is the best device to use, followed by ANTONKI Humidity Gauge and AcuRite Digital Hygrometer.
ThermoPro has 10% to 99% humidity coverage, which is much bigger than AcuRite 00613’s 16% to 98% limited range. This makes ThermoPro perfect for sensitive areas and items, especially because it only has a 2% margin of error.
It has a huge screen display which Govee H5051 and AcuRite don’t. Its face icon comfort display quickly tells whether the humidity level is safe or not.
ThermoPro has all the features you need to look for in a digital hygrometer. It’s accurate, applicable to any area, easy to use, and inexpensive. And for more awesome guides like this one, check out our best Wi-Fi temperature monitors and sensors.
Last update on 2024-04-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
