7 Of The Best Guitar Humidifiers [2022 Guide]

Here Are Some Of The Best Guitar Humidifiers For Your Guitar!

Have a dry guitar that needs some moisture? It sounds like you need a guitar humidifier! A dried-out guitar can not only sound off but cracking due to dryness can lead to permanent damage over time.

That’s why it can be important to find the best guitar humidifier for you and your guitar. This small piece of guitar gear plays a vital role in keeping your guitar in tip-top shape. But which one do you buy… and how do guitar humidifiers work?

In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the best guitar humidifiers on the market. We’ll discuss how guitar humidifiers work, why you need one, different types from sound hole humidifiers to guitar case humidifiers, and things to consider when buying one for your guitar!

The Top 7 Best Guitar Humidifiers

If you know you need a guitar humidifier and just want to get started looking, you can find three of the top humidifiers in this article below.

These three humidifiers were chosen based on a number of factors like personal experience, as well as reviews, and overall performance.

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 17:44

Below are the top picks as well as the other good guitar humidifiers in more detail with pros and cons to each.

Keep in mind, these are all guitar humidifiers and not guitar room humidifiers. A room humidifier is a larger piece of equipment that we’ll touch on later but won’t talk about in-depth in this article!

D’Addario Humidipak Guitar Humidifier Kit

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 17:44

• Features: A popular “two-way” humidifier system
• Pros: Ability to self-regulate moisture, comes with cloth pouch
• Cons: Have to buy replacement packets since you can’t reuse the packs

For a top acoustic guitar humidifier, check out this D’Addario humidifier kit. The Humidipak is a unique “two-way” system that helps to give off moisture but also draw it in when needed.

This makes the Humidipak better as a hands-off humidifier system. You do, however, have to buy the replacement packets – but this might be worth it for you!

To be as accurate as possible when you humidify your guitar, you’ll need a hygrometer (measures humidity in the air). One of the best hygrometers for guitar is the Goabroa Mini Hygrometer.

D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Humidifier

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 17:44

• Features: A classic “case and sponge” humidification system
• Pros: Re-useable inner sponge, no clips to scratch the guitar
• Cons: Loosely hangs inside by the strings which may limit how you can store the guitar

For more of a classic style sound hole humidifier, check out the D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Humidifier. This simple design features a simple casing and sponge for soaking.

The casing with lid sits without clips to avoid any potential scratches on the guitar. The vent holes allow the moisture to move freely!

MusicNomad Humitar Acoustic Guitar Humidifier

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 17:44

• Features: Another classic “sponge and case” guitar humidifier
• Pros: Easy to use and refill when needed, has a flip-up lid to test the moisture of the sponge
• Cons: Can sit wide in the strings and keep them stretched

Again, some of the best acoustic guitar humidifiers are the ones that sit effortlessly in the sound hole.

The MusicNomad Humitar is no different. With a flip lid to be able to see how the inner sponge is doing and a vented casing that doesn’t clip to the guitar, this is another easy-to-use guitar humidifier!

Oasis OH-1 Guitar Humidifier

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 17:44

• Features: A uniquely designed humidifier that fits between the strings
• Pros: Stabilizing bar holds it in place (even when the guitar is standing), a syringe to refill the water
• Cons: Should only use distilled water due to the design of the inner liner

This Oasis guitar humidifier is a simple but reliable one. With a slim design and a way to affix it to the strings without overstretching, this humidifier stays put whether the guitar is laying flat, standing up, or in a case.

If you like the Oasis brand, they also have the OH-30 Humidifier which is similar except the top cap features a small digital hygrometer to accurately keep an eye on humidity levels!

Dampit Guitar Humidifier

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 17:44

• Features: Another classic humidifier that goes inside the guitar!
• Pros: Simple design, reusable, comes with sound hole cover to keep moisture in
• Cons: Large size might be harder to get inside the guitar.

The Dampit does the job it’s supposed to do! This long hose with holes has a sponge inside and rests inside the guitar through the sound hole.

With a sound hole cover to keep moisture inside, you’ll not lose the humidifier inside the body since it has a string to tie it to the cap!

Guitto GHD-01 Guitar Humidifier w/ Hygrometer

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 17:44

• Features: A fashionable humidifier with a hygrometer
• Pros: Comes with hygrometer, no battery needed, refillable with a small syringe
• Cons: Has clips that affix to the side of sound hole (potential for scratching)

If you want accuracy with your humidifier, the Guitto GHD-01 is for you. This stylish humidifier stays in place by clipping to the edge of the sound hole and is reusable since you can add more water.

Kyser Lifeguard Humidifier

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 17:44

• Features: An easy-to-use sound hole cover humidifier
• Pros: Covers the sound hole to keep moisture inside, stays fastened, easy to soak and use
• Cons: No hygrometer so hard to tell how the humidification process is going, might not fit your guitar’s sound hole opening

Lastly, for a differently designed sound hole humidifier, check out the Kyser Lifeguard.

This known name in the guitar world has a design that keep the moisture where it needs to be without the chunkiness of a “case and sponge”. It sits firm in the sound hole opening so you can store the guitar in any position.

What Is A Guitar Humidifier And Why You Need One

If you’re asking do I need a humidifier for my guitar – the answer is (most likely) yes if you have an acoustic guitar. All hollow body wooden guitars with natural finishes (mainly talking acoustic) will dry out over time. They may not dry at the same rate – but they will lose moisture over time.

A guitar humidifier is a small piece of equipment that specializes in helping to moderate and restore the moisture levels in the air around the guitar – and thus in the wood.

Acoustic guitars are usually more susceptible to changes in moisture because they have a hollow body and a sound hole which increases air movement around the wood.

That said, hollow body electric guitars (and the fretboard/necks of solid body electric guitars) can also require some humidity regulation. You just have ro be a little more cautious around high humidity levels and electronic components.

In short, humidifiers expel moisture in the air surrounding/inside the wooden body of the guitar. As the wood breathes, the moisture penetrates the wood to replace any that has been lost. Usually, guitars should be kept between 40-50% humidity but this can differ by guitar and where you live.

Guitar humidifiers are pretty important. This is because wood needs to stay at the correct moisture levels or else it will dry out. In the short term, a dry body or fretboard might cause no issues. It could cause some sound issues like fret buzzing and an inability to hold its tuning.

At worst, dry wood can crack, warp, or shrink and cause permanent damage to the guitar over the long run. This could lead to costly repairs.

So, having a guitar humidifier is a part of good guitar maintenance right along with regular cleanings, tune-ups, or even polishes. This is especially true if you live in a very dry climate.

We’d argue that a humidifier is the easiest thing an amateur guitarist can buy to help keep their guitar in top condition!

The Different Types of Guitar Humidifiers

We’ve established that guitar humidifiers are important. There are a few different types of guitar humidifiers you can choose from.

Many instrument humidifiers work in similar ways, but there are some slight differences. Which one you should buy will depend on your guitar, your guitar set-up, your budget, and how dry your area is.

Sound Hole Humidifiers

One of the most popular types of humidifiers for guitars is the sound hole humidifier. Unsurprisingly, these humidifiers sit in the sound hole of the acoustic guitar. Often, a small sponge/moisture-releasing material is placed in a casing and this is placed in/around the sound hole.

How they affix to the sound hole may differ: some clamp, some sit on/under the strings, while others fit snuggly into the opening of the hole.

Pros of the sound hole humidifier are that they are generally easy to use and can help keep the humidity inside the hollow body (where it is often most needed).

A con is that they have to be affixed into a sound hole so they’re not great for electric guitars. That’s why sound hole humidifiers are often referred to as “acoustic guitar humidifiers”.

An example of a good sound hole humidifier would be the D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Humidifier.

Guitar Case Humidifiers

Lots of people get caught up on the idea of a guitar case humidifier. Oftentimes, there’s confusion around a few different, yet similar, concepts.

There are some guitar case humidifiers that you can just place inside a guitar case to help manage humidity. The D’Addario Two-Way Humidipak is a good example of this. The Humidipak will maintain levels by giving moisture when needed but also absorbing some back when there is an excess inside the case.

You can also buy a guitar case that has a built-in humidifier. To be honest, they can be more expensive and aren’t that popular (unless you have a really expensive guitar you’re worried about). Also, you can achieve the same results in a much easier way.

Finally, when some people refer to the best guitar case humidifier, they are asking about which sound hole humidifier is best to leave in the guitar when you put it in a closed hard case. The quick answer is: basically most of them.

Most sound hole humidifiers are okay to leave in/on the sound hole before closing up a hard case. That said, you can (and should) monitor moisture levels using a small hygrometer.

Guitar Room Humidifier

Lastly, the third “type” of guitar humidifier is one that humidifies the whole room. If you have a large guitar collection that is put on display in a single room, you could definitely just get a larger guitar room humidifier to handle the whole space.

The best room humidifiers for guitars are just regular humidifiers but they’d need to have specific humidity control settings.

These larger units are often programable for the humidity you want to maintain and can self-regulate the humidity in the room on their own. You just have to fill them with water when instructed.

This might be a good fit for some. However, if you only have one guitar, buying a larger humidifier for a guitar room isn’t that practical. You can see this LEVOIT Humidifier as an example of the best humidifier for a guitar room.

Keep in mind that too much humidity can cause your guitar strings to rust – and then you’ve got other issues to deal with!

3 Benefits Of Using A Guitar Humidifier

There are a number of benefits to using a guitar humidifier. We’ve touched on some of them above but here they are again in case you weren’t convinced.

Guitar Longevity

As we mentioned, a guitar humidifier is a critical piece of guitar gear – right up there with a guitar strap – that is a part of good overall guitar maintenance.

To keep your guitar in great condition, saving the guitar from drying out and cracking is a must. No one wants a permanently damaged guitar when you only need to spend a few bucks to prevent it.

Sound Quality

Along with keeping the guitar in great physical condition, a properly hydrated guitar will also sound great.

Of course, you still need to properly tune the guitar, change the strings, polish and oil the fretboard, etc – but at the very least the bones of the guitar are in good condition to give you the best sound quality possible.

Best for Drier Climates

This isn’t so much a benefit of having a humidifier but more of a statement for guitar owners in drier climates. If you live in a drier climate (looking at you, southwest US) then it’s really important for the health of your guitar to have a humidifier.

Basically, if you ever said “I shouldn’t own a guitar because it’ll get ruined because of where I live” that’s not as big of a worry if you utilize a humidifier correctly.

How to Use a Guitar Humidifier

If you’re wondering how to use a guitar humidifier: they all work in a very similar fashion. What exactly to do will depend on the guitar humidifier you buy, your guitar, and how you plan to store the guitar.

The process of guitar humidification isn’t too difficult – here’s generally how it works:

• First, soak the absorbent (often a sponge-like) material in water and place this (or a pre-made moisture packet) in its holder – often a plastic casing or cloth pouch.
• Set the humidifier in/on the sound hole or clip it onto the sound hole.
• At this point, you can let the guitar rest (on an open-air stand or hanging on a wall hanger) or place the guitar and humidifier in the hard case. This depends on whether the humidifier is clipped on firmly or just sitting under the strings with the sound hole facing up the ceiling.

That’s basically it! Most products – when used correctly – will moderate humidity properly. However, as mentioned above, if you want to know the exact humidity levels with accuracy, you can buy a reliable hygrometer or a humidifier with a hygrometer built-in.

The correct way how to humidify a guitar will depend on a number of factors but having the right humidifier and gear can go a long way to getting it right for your guitar and your climate.

We don’t recommend a diy guitar humidifier because you may get it wrong and release too much moisture – or worse – damage your guitar!

4 Things To Look For In A Good Guitar Humidifier

Before you buy a humidifier for guitar, have a think about these factors so that you get the right humidifier for you!

Easy to Refill

This might not be a huge deal for some but having a humidifier that is easy to refill is likely going to be important for others. Depending on the humidifier, a “refill” might mean soaking the sponge in water or just throwing out one package/pouch and replacing it with another.

If you plan to leave the guitar in the case and don’t play it as often, then this might not be as important to you as long as it works to keep the guitar at the right humidity level.

Hygrometer

If you want to be very accurate with your moisture levels, then getting a humidifier with a hygrometer (measures moisture content in air) might be important for you.

Many humidifiers don’t have a hygrometer but – as we have mentioned above – you can always buy a small hygrometer along with your humidifier.

Storage Positioning

How you store your guitar (and the positioning of the humidifier) are both things to consider.

A humidifier that sits on/through the strings needs to be on a flat laying guitar with the sound hole upward. Others that fasten to the sound hole (or even go inside the guitar) can be used on a guitar that stores upright.

If you tend to keep you guitar in a hard case, it may require a different humidifier than if you leave it out on a guitar stand or even hanging on a guitar wall hanger.

Price/Quality

Finally, the price and quality of the humidifier are important to think about. You can buy expensive humidifiers that have lots of refills or you can buy less expensive ones that you can use again and again with a bit of effort.

Some expensive humidifiers might have hygrometers to help you manage moisture or even have two-way breathability to help achieve a balance.

Cheaper humidifiers aren’t necessarily bad – but you might have to be more cautious about the humidity levels and tweak accordingly (as opposed to one with a hygrometer which helps guide you).

And there you have it – a rundown of the best guitar humidifiers. They might seem small and insignificant, but a good guitar humidifier goes a long way to keeping your guitar happy and healthy for a long time!

As always, Happy Strumming,

-E