Guitar humidifiers are low on the list of exciting purchases for guitarists, and that is partly understandable. However, humidification is key to keeping your instrument in good shape and making sure it lasts for a long while.
As a matter of fact, this is one of the most overlooked topics but one that is central to the well-being of your instrument. After all, factors like temperature and humidity can play a massive part in varying your instrument’s tone unfavorably, and when taken to the extreme, produce cracks on the wood of the guitar’s body.
Today we’re going to be looking into these simple yet very necessary items. Guitar humidifiers are an affordable proposition that can make a big difference in the longevity of your instrument, and we’ve got some of the best markets in the model today. Keep reading.
Read more about our review process.
Our Top 3
The MusicNomad Premium Humidity Care System is our Top Choice for this article. It comes with a HumiReader hygrometer that monitors the humidity levels so you can ensure that your instrument is under ideal humidity conditions at all times.
The D’Addario GH Acoustic Guitar Humidifier is our Budget Choice. Made of a resistant plastic that is durable and appropriate for placing in the soundhole of an acoustic guitar, this humidifier offers a simple and convenient solution to keep your instrument properly humidified.
Finally, the D’Addario Humidikit Bundle with Humidipak and Humiditrak is our Editor’s Choice, a complete solution for dedicated professional musicians that seek out the best. The included Humiditrak Bluetooth Hygrometer features a sensor for humidity and temperature that you can pair with your smartphone in order to monitor proper levels inside your guitar case.
Individual Reviews
MusicNomad Premium Humidity Care System
A great choice to keep your acoustic in tip-top shape.
This Humidity Care System is an excellent choice to keep your guitar in ideal condition. With a digital reading of both temperature and humidity, you will know what those two essential conditions are at any given time. Besides being easy to use, this system is also convenient as its components are placed right inside the instrument's soundhole, and held together by the strings.
The MusicNomad Premium Humidity Care System is a terrific choice for keeping your precious acoustic guitar properly humidified. It comes with a HumiReader hygrometer that monitors the humidity levels so you can make the right decisions in order to protect your instrument.
What we liked the most about the MusicNomad Premium is its simplicity and ease of use. This system comes with two small bins. The first one is a bit larger and houses the sponge that will ensure the guitar stays hydrated.
We made the sponge wet and put it inside the bin, and then inside our precious Talor 314 acoustic. We placed it inside the guitar’s soundhole, right between the third and fourth string. Next, we took the other bin and placed it between the fourth and fifth string.
The second bin is similarly shaped but a bit smaller. It contains a monitoring system with a screen at the top where we were able to see the humidity level and temperature of our guitar.
In order to avoid any confusion, Music Nomad placed the “Safe Zone” warning right on the upper side of the bin that monitors temperature and humidity. It states that the humidity should be kept somewhere between 40 and 55 %, while the temperature should be kept between 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (or 21 to 26 degrees Celsius).
This fantastic tool gave us an accurate digital reading of temperature and humidity levels. Whether you keep the guitar in its case, studio, or any room, you will know the temperature and humidity levels right inside the guitar’s soundhole. You can then make any necessary adjustments to keep your guitar happy.
Verdict: The MusicNomad Premium Humidity Care System is an excellent option for maintaining your beloved acoustic guitar correctly humidified. It comes with a HumiReader hygrometer that monitors the humidity levels and temperature so you can make any adjustments necessary in order to protect your instrument.
D'Addario GH Acoustic Guitar Humidifier
An affordable choice to effectively maintain your guitar.
D'Addario is arguably the most renowned guitar accessories manufacturer today. It is only natural that they'd also offer a guitar humidifier in order to protect your instrument. This product is not only straightforward and effective, but it is also one of the most affordable yet functional humidifiers you can get.
The D’Addario GH Acoustic Guitar Humidifier is a simple solution to keep your guitar in good shape. We took one look at this product and knew everything we needed to know about it. It is made of a resistant plastic that feels durable and appropriate for a soundhole acoustic guitar humidifier.
The first thing we liked about this acoustic guitar humidifier, is that it comes with the common yet effective string suspended design. We find this type of design one of the most clever and convenient, as it literally goes wherever the guitar goes, whether it’s on a case or lying on your couch.
Besides the convenience factor mentioned, this design also ensures that the bin containing the wet sponge never contacts the body of your guitar. We opened the top lid easily, thanks to its pressure locking system which is also part of the structure of the bin itself. We added a bit of water to the sponge, placed it inside the bin, closed it and it was ready.
We really like the fact that the sponge is made with a leak-resistant open-cell foam to ensure that it will not drip on your acoustic guitar. After inspecting the closed bin and shaking it a bit to make sure it was secure, we then placed the GH Acoustic Guitar Humidifier between the third and fourth strings. Because of its oval shape lid, it was held in place and felt nicely stable.
In short, a very affordable yet effective guitar humidifier that gets the job done, with the quality that we’ve all come to expect from D’Addario.
Verdict: The D’Addario GH Acoustic Guitar Humidifier is an uncomplicated and highly affordable solution to maintain your guitar nicely humidified and good to go. It comes with the D’Addario quality that has made them one of the most respected accessories makers, and string suspended design for convenience and reliability.
D'Addario Humidikit Bundle with Humidipak and Humiditrak
A complete humidity system for professional musicians.
This guitar humidifier is an ideal choice for discerning musicians that are detail oriented and take the utmost care of their instruments. It makes sure that your guitar is properly humidified from the soundhole to the headstock, and allows you to monitor from your smartphone.
The D’Addario Humidikit Bundle with Humidipak and Humiditrak is a comprehensive solution to ensure that your acoustic guitar stays within the ideal limits of humidity at all times. It features a clever design that has a sort of set-and-forget quality to it while providing superior care for your instrument.
We opened the package to find three Boveda humidity packets, a two-sided pouch that goes into the instrument’s soundhole, and a third single-hole pouch that is to be placed on the top part of the guitar case, right below the headstock.
There is also the Humiditrak Bluetooth Hygrometer with a sensor for humidity and temperature. It is used to track the humidity, temperature, and any changes inside the case. It then relays that data directly to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth. You can either check the data from time to time by going into the app or even set alarms or notifications much like you would with any other smartphone app.
D’Addario employs an imaginative system that features Blustream Technology. With this technology, the Humidikit Bundle provides regular data showing variables like temperature, humidity, and impact directly to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
In order to provide greater protection to your instrument, this D’Addario humidity system employs a patented two-way automatic humidity control developed by Boveda. This technology keeps the humidity in your case at appropriate levels.
We placed the Boveda packets inside the three holes in each of the two pouches. We then put the double pouch inside the soundhole between the third and fourth strings. The single pouch went on the case behind the headstock. We then downloaded the Humiditrak app and linked our smartphone with the Humiditrack and were set up. The entire process took less than ten minutes and was very straightforward.
In short, an ingenious way to keep your guitar at ideal humidity and temperature levels, and have it monitored via your smartphone for fantastic convenience.
Verdict: The D’Addario Humidikit Bundle with Humidipak and Humiditrak is a complete solution to guarantee that your acoustic guitar remains within the ideal limits of humidity and temperature. You can link the Humiditrak to your smartphone in order to get constant updates on the humidity and temperature inside the case, so you can always keep your instrument in great shape.
Oasis OH-3 Humidifier and Hygrometer Combo Pack
A combo package that ensures your guitar is well kept.
This is a simple and reliable humidifier that gets the job done, and comes with a hygrometer that monitors temperature and humidity. It features a straightforward system that easily lets you know when more water is needed.
The Oasis OH-3 Humidifier and Hygrometer Combo Pack features a practical and effective way to make sure your instrument stays in good shape. The first thing that we liked about this acoustic guitar humidifier is that it comes with a special fabric that allows water vapor. This is a great feature because vapor will ensure your guitar is properly humidified, but never wet.
The OH-3 also comes with Humigel crystals that release more humidity as it needs it. This process creates a vacuum that shrinks the humidifier so you can see when a refill is in order. Another interesting aspect of this humidifier is that it comes with a 10 ml syringe, so you place the exact amount of water needed in the container.
That is precisely what we did in order to prepare this humidifier for our guitar. We took the syringe and filled it up to the 10 ml mark with distilled water, and then poured its contents into the container. It was at this point that we realized that the syringe is also great to avoid spilling any water, as the container/humidifier is quite small.
We then inserted the container right between our third and fourth strings, where it sat secured. One filling of 10 ml will likely last you for about 15 days. As more humidity is needed, the Humigel crystals release it, creating a vacuum that shrinks the humidifier and lets you see when it needs to be refilled.
Much like many humidifier models that go into the soundhole of the guitar, this one does not touch the back or sides of the guitar. In order to make sure that both the temperature and humidity on your guitar are at appropriate levels, this humidifier packager comes with an Oasis Digital Hygrometer. It features a straightforward digital screen that lets you know both measurements, as well as an on and off button.
In short, an effective humidifier that gets the job done. Although the syringe may feel like a bit too much for some, we did like it as it allowed us to fill the humidifier with water very carefully, without any risk of spillage.
Verdict: The Oasis OH-3 Humidifier and Hygrometer Combo Pack comes with a container that serves as the humidifier portion and sits between the third and fourth strings. It is easy to use and safe, as it employs vapor while impeding any water to come through the main container.
Martin Guitar Humidifier
A straightforward humidifier that goes deep inside the soundhole.
Martin is one of the most respected names when it comes to acoustic guitars. It comes as no surprise that they know too well how harmful a lack of humidity can be for an acoustic guitar, and therefore offer a humidifier. Their model is quite simple but offers an effective and affordable way to ensure that your precious acoustic has appropriate humidity levels at all times.
The Martin Guitar Humidifier is made from non-vinyl and non-allergic resin and has a peculiar snake-like visual. This humidifier goes right in the soundhole of your guitar and the top part features a plastic surface that helps keep it in place, usually between the third and fourth string.
We liked how simple this humidifier is. We took it out of its package and soaked it in distilled water. Then we shook the excess water and made sure it was not dripping and put it inside the soundhole of our acoustic guitar. Although it was damp, we felt there was no risk of any water getting into the guitar and making it wet.
That said, this humidifier did touch the back of the guitar while placed on the soundhole. Naturally, as the days go by the humidifier starts to get dry, so you can then know it’s time to get it out and make it wet.
You can also choose to pair up this humidifier with a hygrometer. That way, you can just set up the humidifier on the soundhole while the hydrometer monitors the humidity and temperature. Naturally, the best place to keep both of them is inside your guitar case.
In short, this humidifier comes from one of the most respected names in acoustic guitars and offers a very simple and easy to use design. It is a very low-maintenance and inexpensive way to protect your instrument.
Verdict: The Martin Guitar Humidifier is made from non-vinyl and non-allergic resin and offers a straightforward solution for keeping your guitar at proper humidity levels. This humidifier secures safely the soundhole of your guitar and will function best when paired up with a hygrometer, which you must purchase separately.
How To Choose The Right Humidifier For You!
Guitar humidifiers can be the difference between a well-maintained instrument that produces a gorgeous tone, and a dried-out guitar that is about to crack. Their function is to ensure that your instrument is properly humidified.
Guitar humidifiers are a straightforward proposition that offers great benefits for little cost. They are also easy to maintain and easy to use. You won’t even have to think twice about them once they are in place and functioning. Every 15 days or so, you have to re-soak them in water, but other than that they are pretty much set-and-forget tools.
There are a few aspects to consider when buying a guitar humidifier. The first one is to have a basic understanding of how humidity works and how it can affect your guitar.
What is humidity?
Humidity is the amount of water vapor that is present in the environment at any given time. For instance, summer days tend to hold more moisture in the air, because the air is hotter.
On the other hand, the colder winter air cannot hold as much moisture, and this is precisely where a humidifier becomes crucial. In other words, there is a higher degree of humidity during the summer, while the winter has lower humidity, making it drier. Much like skin, guitars also react to this change in humidity.
What is a good humidity level for guitars?
An ideal range of humidity for your guitar is somewhere between 40 and 60 %. Interestingly, humans tend to prefer the same amount of humidity for everyday living, which is a great advantage. Naturally, different people have diverse preferences, and this is where a hygrometer can be very useful.
A hygrometer is a tool that measures humidity and is a common one to pair up with more sophisticated guitar humidifiers. With a hygrometer, you can ensure that your guitar is kept at an ideal temperature and humidity level.
Below average humidity
What happens when the humidity drops below the 40 % mark? This inevitably happens during the winter months, and we sense the dryer air. The wood in your guitars is also sensitive to drier air and it may start to warp or even crack in a worst-case scenario.
For instance, flat top guitars may become concave if exposed to intense dryness for extended periods. And as terrible as that sounds, it does not stop there. In some cases, the bridge can even separate from the body of the guitar due to the dryness.
Extreme dryness can also cause a bunch of buzzing problems, all across the fretboard. And speaking of the fretboard, they also tend to suffer from severe dryness. This is particularly prevalent on fretboards made with darker wood. These may lose their rich dark color and the wood is prone to shrinking.
The top of a guitar can also dry out and even crack in extreme cases. Needless to say, these are all preventable problems, so please keep that in mind.
Above average humidity
They say that extremes are never good, and that certainly is the case when it comes to humidity and its effects on guitars. When it goes beyond the 60 % mark, you run the risk of having a bloated guitar.
Bloating may cause an excessive arch on your instrument, which can also lead to a raised bridge. This can severely disrupt the playability of your instrument by causing higher action. Additionally, bloating can also cause your guitar to sound muffled or muddier across the entire frequency range too. As if that was not enough, excessive humidity can lead to mold growing on the inside of your case.
Types of Humidifier
The most common type of guitar humidifier involves a sponge that is soaked in water and then placed inside a plastic container that goes inside the guitar’s soundhole. The sponge on this type of humidifier needs to be soaked every fifteen days or so, as it dries out with time.
Other humidifiers are variations of this principle, but also go inside the soundhole, with then absorbs humidity in the form of vapor. All of these humidifier models are usually on the market for very affordable prices. Most of them are very simple and offer great value for money.
Others use a simple principle but add extras that allow you to keep closer tabs on the humidity and temperature levels of your instrument. The best humidifier systems come with a hygrometer so you can monitor the humidity levels.
Guitar cases
Your guitar is safer inside a hard guitar case. That is true not only when it comes to accidental bumps, but also for humidity and temperature. A hard case can help you get the most from the humidifier and the hygrometers, in case you’ve invested in one.
This has to do with simple physics. If you keep your guitar in a wide-open room while using a humidifier, only a small portion of the water vapor will be transferred directly into your guitar. Most of it will end up somewhere around the surrounding space, greatly diminishing the effectiveness of your humidifier. On the other hand, a guitar case provides a confined area where humidity can better reach your guitar.
Final Thoughts
A humidifier can have a tremendous impact on the longevity of your instrument and its proper functioning. Because they are made of wood, guitars can become bloated with high humidity levels and dried up with low humidity levels.
Both extreme humidity scenarios can lead to a series of serious problems, from intonation issues and convexed tops, all the way to cracked wood and fallen bridges.
To prevent these, all you need to do is invent a humidifier that will ensure that your guitar stays within appropriate humidity levels. This is particularly true when you pair it with a hygrometer, as these tools accurately monitor humidity and temperature levels. Some humidifiers already come with a hygrometer, while others require making a separate purchase, But trust us, it is worth it!
To recap our choices, the MusicNomad Premium Humidity Care System is our Top Choice for this list. It comes with a HumiReader hygrometer that monitors the humidity levels and allows you to make sure that your instrument is under ideal humidity conditions at all times so you can keep it in tip top shape.
The D’Addario GH Acoustic Guitar Humidifier is our Budget Choice. Made by the accessories giant, this very affordable humidifier is made of a resistant plastic that is durable and appropriate for placing in the soundhole of an acoustic guitar. In typical D’Addario fashion, this humidifier offers a simple and convenient solution to keep your instrument properly humidified.
Finally, the D’Addario Humidikit Bundle with Humidipak and Humiditrak is our Editor’s Choice, a complete solution for discerning and detail oriented musicians that desire the best. It comes with a Humiditrak Bluetooth Hygrometer which measures humidity and temperature and you can link to your smartphone via Bluetooth in order to monitor proper levels inside your guitar case.
