Monitor Humidity With The Best Hygrometers

Why Trust Us

As someone with lots of outdoor gear to store, frizzy hair, and loves a sport where humidity matters, I take measuring humidity with some seriousness. While high humidity is far from the end of the world, it does play a factor in my decisions on when to rock climb outside, how I wear my hair, care for my skin, and store my gear. I grew up in the south, where 99% humidity was shockingly normal, and now that I've transitioned away from the swamp and to the pacific northwest, where the humidity varies quite a bit more. Whether you're storing wine, precious cigars, or outdoor gear, I want to ensure you have a product that meets your needs and provides exceptional accuracy. 

Who This Is For

In short, this guide is for everyone. If you want to monitor your air quality or humidity or ensure your precious cigar investments are cared for, this guide is for you. We have hygrometers with data logging and extra features for the curious types and straightforward screens that are easy to use for the casual user. When selecting products, I took great care to supply options that met various needs and budgets. 

How We Picked

When curating a selection of hygrometers, I wanted to ensure we met the widest array of requirements. I considered both indoor and outdoor hygrometers, as well as specialty options. Ensuring there was something for every price point was another critical element when selecting products. I catered to folks who had ten dollars to spend and someone with $100 to spend. Pricing someone out of monitoring their home air quality is not what we want. 

How We Tested

Testing hygrometers ended up being a more eye-opening experience than expected. I used hygrometers to check the humidity outside and make decisions for my hair and skin and see why my kombucha brew wasn't producing new SCOBYs. The most telling element of hygrometer testing was in storage spaces. My roommates and I have made use of every nook and cranny of our home for outdoor gear. We're a collection of mountaineers, skiers, bikers, snowshoers, rock climbers, campers, backpackers, runners, and paddlers. Between the five of us who reside on the property, there's a lot of gear to be stored. We've modified several indoor and outdoor spaces into creative gear storage and found a tent beginning to mildew one day. We placed hygrometers in our storage areas to ensure conditions were adequate to keep our gear safe and ended up saving thousands of dollars in equipment during this test from mildew. 

Features To Look For In Hygrometers

Application – Depending on your intended use for your hygrometer, you may select a different product. If you want to precisely monitor cigar or wine storage, selecting a product specifically for that purpose is in your best interest. Consider all the potential applications for your hygrometer before purchase so that you have a product that meets all of your needs from the beginning. Some hygrometers are built for indoors, others are best for outdoors, and some move easily between both environments. 

Accuracy – Ensuring accurate readings is a critical element of choosing a hygrometer. Most digital hygrometers have a +/- 2 % margin of error, which means the reading may be off by two percent in either direction. To ensure accurate readings, you can perform the salt test and calibrate your hygrometer, as discussed above. 

Power Source and Battery Life – Most Hygrometers are powered by batteries, which will require replacing. Some hygrometers feature a cord and plug into an outlet for their power source, but these options are less common. Analog hygrometers don't require a power source but do not provide the same features and readability as digital products. 

Remote Monitoring and Alerts – A hygrometer can be a valuable tool to save precious items and collections. While hygrometers with remote monitoring and alerts may be pricier, they could save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by providing quick alerts when humidity levels rise or drop too high for your cigars, collectibles, or other items. Additionally, these devices could also potentially help detect leaks and water damage in your home before it gets too far. 

User Interface – The user interface on a hygrometer is predominantly for viewing only. Your hygrometer must have an easy-to-read screen. Otherwise, you are less likely to spend the time to check it regularly. If you have vision issues, look for a product with a clear screen and large numbers for easy reading.

Data Logging – For some users, just knowing the current humidity levels is adequate, but if you want to track the humidity over time in a room or space to assess trends and make adjustments—a device with data logging capabilities will be worth it for you. Data logging will allow you to see trends and better understand what affects temperature and humidity changes in a particular space. 

Types Of Hygrometers

Electrical - Electrical hygrometers contain a semi-conductor that measures changes in electrical resistance in the air. The electrical resistance is dependent on water vapor in the air, and thus the relative humidity. Electrical hygrometers usually have vents that allow them to monitor changes in the air. Electrical hygrometers are common in cigar humidors. 

Mechanical - Mechanical hygrometers come in many forms. Because of the low margin of error in mechanical hygrometers, they are often used in indoor and outdoor uses and controlled environments. Mechanical hygrometers use organic fibers and their reactions to moisture to measure humidity. 

Dew point - Dew point is a common weather term to note at what temperature condensation forms. Dew point hygrometers measure the condensation on a polished metal mirror. Because dew point hygrometers look at condensation, they tend to measure humidity closer to absolute humidity rather than relative humidity. 

Psychrometers - A psychrometer is an analog hygrometer that uses two thermometers, one dry bulb, and one wet bulb, to measure relative humidity. A damp cloth goes on the wet-bulb, and the device is whirled around to evaporate the water. After referring to a chart and looking at the difference between the two thermometers, you can calculate relative humidity. 

Q: What is a hygrometer?

A: A hygrometer is a device used to measure humidity. Hygrometers come in all sorts of forms and can be an excellent tool for monitoring and adjusting your home environment. Additionally, some items such as cigars require specific humidity levels for appropriate storage and longevity. A hygrometer can help preserve precious items. 

Q: How do you calibrate a hygrometer?

A: Most digital hygrometers come calibrated from the factory. However, to ensure your hygrometer is calibrated correctly, you can perform the salt test. The salt test involves adding salt and a small amount of water to a bottle cap or tiny cup and placing it inside a secure zip lock bag with your hygrometer. Seal the bag and let it sit for six to eight hours. Your hygrometer should read 75%. If your hygrometer does not read 75%, it means the hygrometer needs to be calibrated. However many points above or below 75% are how much you need to adjust your device. Most digital hygrometers have buttons for adjusting the margin of error. 

Q: How do you adjust the humidity level in your home?

A: Changing the humidity in your home requires adding or removing water from the air. You can alter the moisture in your home in several ways, including opening windows, adding fans, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, or other devices that alter the airflow of your home.

Q: What is the difference between a hydrometer and a hygrometer?

A: A hydrometer measures a liquid's specific gravity, and a hygrometer measures relative humidity in the air. While the names of these devices sound similar, they serve two very different purposes. 

Q: Where should a hygrometer be placed?

A: When choosing where to place a hygrometer, consider what exactly you are trying to measure. If you want to know the room's general humidity, the room's center or a table is a great option. If your hygrometer is too close to a window or water source, it may read the humidity as higher or lower than it is in the rest of the room. The good news is, most hygrometers are mobile, and you can experiment with placement until you find the perfect location. 

Q: How do I know if my hygrometer is accurate?

A: As mentioned above, when we discussed calibrating a hygrometer, the salt test is the best method for testing your device's accuracy. 

Q: How long does it take for a digital hygrometer to read?

A: Most digital hygrometers are reading within a few moments after connecting to a power source. How often a hygrometer tests the air varies, but most hygrometers retest every few seconds for consistently accurate readings. 

Q: Do hygrometers measure relative humidity?

A: Yes, all of the hygrometers on this list measure relative humidity. How much moisture the air can hold is called absolute humidity. Relative humidity helps us understand how comfortable a room or environment is. Generally, lower relative humidity is more comfortable. 

Sources:

1. What Does A Hygrometer Measure? – Sciencing
2. Understanding Relative Humidity And The Hygrometer – Science Company
3. Hydrometer Versus Hygrometer – Difference Between
4. Types Of Hygrometers – Sciencing
5. Types Of Hygrometers For Multiple Uses – Hygrometer
6. Hygrometers – Explain That Stuff