There’s no worse feeling than to open your guitar case and realize your prized instrument has been damaged. Dry conditions can wreak havoc on acoustic guitars, leading to cracks on the soundboard and a number of other serious issues.
The best way to prevent this is with an acoustic guitar humidifier. One of the best products I’ve personally had success with is the D’Addario Accessories Guitar Humidifier System.
This isn’t the only good choice on the market, however. Keep reading for more information about guitar case humidifiers and how to protect your instruments.
Key Takeaways:
- An acoustic guitar humidifier is essential for preventing costly damage from dry conditions like cracks on the soundboard.
- A quality guitar case helps protect against rapid humidity changes, but can’t fully shield your instrument from prolonged dryness or dampness.
- Look for an affordable two-way humidifier system that releases and absorbs moisture as needed to maintain ideal 45-55% relative humidity levels year-round.
What is a Guitar Case Humidifier?
In short, a case humidifier is any device that sits inside of your instrument case in order to maintain optimal humidity levels. Mostly, they exist in order to add moisture when things get too dry, but some products can also absorb moisture if it gets too damp inside of your case.
These devices come in a variety of sizes and types. Some are designed to go over the sound hole and to suspend the product inside of your guitar. Others just sit inside of the case or are mounted to it with adhesives, magnets or some type of hardware.
If you’re wondering whether or not you need one, the answer is yes if you have an acoustic guitar.
Does a Guitar Case Protect from Humidity?
A guitar case is actually one of the best ways to protect your instrument from rapid changes in humidity and temperature. I try to keep most of my instruments in their cases at all times. They do a decent job of keeping excess moisture on the outside of the case.
They also help to keep the moisture that’s already in your guitar’s wood trapped within the case. This is part of the reason that case Humidifiers work so well.
Not all cases are built the same, however. The old adage, “You get what you pay for,” holds true here. It’s worth investing in a well-built hard-shell case to protect your instruments.
A good acoustic guitar can be quite an investment, and you’ll want to keep it in good playing condition for the long haul. It’s important to realize that a case can help with rapidly changing humidity levels, but its effectiveness will wane under prolonged periods in an excessively dry or humid area.
Top Guitar Case Humidifiers on the Market
1. D’Addario Accessories Guitar Humidifier System
- Maintenance-free humidity control system for guitar
- No water, no drips, no mess
- Protects your instrument against warping, cracks and other damage
- Made in the USA
D’Addario is a brand that I’ve been familiar with for a couple of decades now. From strings to clip-on tuners and straps, I’ve made quite a few purchases from the company.
I’ve never really been disappointed with any of their products, so their humidifier system was my personal first choice. I’m happy to report that it’s been the best guitar case humidifier I’ve used or tested.
This is an affordable and straightforward product. You get three disposable packets and two pouches. One pouch holds two of the packets and gets draped over the strings, hanging the packets inside of the sound hole. This helps regulate the humidity inside the guitar. The other is placed under the headstock to protect the neck and fingerboard.
What makes this the best system? It’s a two-way system, meaning the packets release moisture when needed and absorb it when it’s too moist inside of the case. This protects your guitars in every season, whether they’re too dry or too damp.
The packets are filled with a simple water and salt solution, so there are no harmful chemicals involved. A good alternative to these are Boveda 49% Two-Way Humidity Control Packs.
Pros:
- Affordable and easy to use
- Two-way system works all-year long
- No harmful chemicals used
Cons:
- Disposable packets need to be replaced regularly.
- Hanging the packets in the sound hole doesn’t work as well if you store your case standing up, though it’s not absolutely necessary to suspend them in this way. They can be left in the case near the body.
2. Oasis OH-6 Guitar Humidifier for Case
- Designed for guitar cases to maintain humidity
- Wide variety of ways to attach the humidifier to the case
- Safe and effective design
- Made in the USA
This humidity control system does things quite differently from the D’Addario product. Here, you get a tube and a syringe to fill it with distilled water. This tube can then be suspended inside of your case in a couple of ways.
The tube itself has two strong magnets inside of one of its seams. You also get a metal strip with adhesive on one side that can be attached to a flat surface inside of your case.
If you prefer not to glue something inside of your case, there’s an alternative. Oasis also includes a steel clip that can be attached to one side of the case.
You can then simply stick the humidifier on whichever metal part that you’ve installed. You’ll know that the device needs a refill when it shrinks up and appears to have collapsed in on itself.
I appreciated the ability to attach this to the guitar case in multiple ways. I also believe this will last quite a while since you can refill it with regular distilled water. The biggest downside here is that it’s not a two-way system.
Pros:
- Once again, it’s affordable and simple to use.
- They offer two different ways to install.
- Easy to refill with included syringe.
Cons:
- It’s not a two-way system, so it won’t protect your instrument if things get too humid.
- Installation is more complicated than the simple D’Addario packets.
- I worry about the cap’s potential to leak on this device.
3. MusicNomad Humitar Instrument Case Humidifier (MN303)
- Case holster comes with a strong adhesive to stick in the case
- Features anti-drip, no-mess material
- Re-usable sponge
- Easy-to-use, long-lasting, low-maintenance humidifier
Our third system from MusicNomad uses a plastic case and a sponge. The company says that the sponge holds ten times its weight in water, and I believe them.
I was concerned that the sponge might leak water directly on my guitar, but after testing it, this doesn’t seem like something that’s likely to happen. The sponge sits inside of a plastic holder that releases moisture evenly throughout the case.
The company gives you a kind of holster that sticks to the inside of the case with a strong 3M adhesive. You soak the sponge in distilled water, wring it out, put it into the plastic holder and then place this into the holster.
The top can quickly and easily be flipped open to see if the sponge is still moist. If it’s dry, simply remove it and add more water.
I suspect, if you’re like me, you may not want to glue something inside of your case. This is my biggest complaint here, as it can leave a residue that’s hard to clean off if I want to switch products later. I do like how easy it is to check if it’s time for a refill.
Pros:
- It’s cheap yet seems well made.
- Flip-open top makes it easy to check the moisture level.
- This should be one of the longest-lasting humidifiers of the bunch.
Cons:
- You have to use adhesive on your guitar case to attach the unit.
- It’s not a two-way system like D’Addario offers.
- From filling the sponge to installing the holster and messing with the sponge holder, there’s a lot of steps to use this product.
How to Choose the Right Guitar Case Humidifier
Normally, when you select a new guitar accessory, the price would be the first thing to consider. Here, it’s not much of an issue since most case humidifiers are relatively affordable.
One price consideration, however, is how long the device will last before needing to be replaced. Some are cheap but disposable. Others will last for months or even years but will also need to be replaced eventually.
Another consideration is how the device is meant to be stored in your case. I don’t like to permanently attach anything to my cases, and I generally steer away from gluing things to them, though glue can often be removed with some work and the right products.
This is my own personal pet peeve, and you may not mind this at all, but it’s something to think about.
The most important thing to consider is whether or not you need a two-way system. If you live in a climate where it’s near-perfect for most of the year, you may only need something to add moisture during the dry months of winter.
If it gets extremely humid where you live, you’ll want something that can protect your guitar from too much humidity as well as the dry conditions.
How to Use and Maintain Guitar Case Humidifiers
Most of these guitar humidifiers are simple to use and maintain. You simply stash them in your case and forget about it. You may have to change the disposable D’Addario packets every 2-6 months.
The Oasis model will let you know when it needs more water when it appears all crumpled up. In my testing of the MusicNomad device, the sponge needed more distilled water about every two weeks. It was easy enough to check it each time I opened my case.
One thing that’s helped me to keep my guitars maintained is a digital hygrometer. I highly recommend picking one up. This device lets you know the humidity level inside of your guitar case.
The ideal level is between 45-55% relative humidity. You can even get a combination hygrometer/thermometer to keep tabs on the temperature inside of your case as well. I always keep one in the accessories compartment of my most expensive acoustic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you humidify a guitar in a soft case?
Yes, you can humidify a guitar in a soft case, but it may not provide the same peace of mind as a hard case.
Look for a humidifier with a secure way to attach it to the case or guitar itself, and monitor humidity levels regularly to avoid over-humidification.
Soft cases offer less protection against humidity changes, so diligent use of a quality humidifier is crucial for maintaining your instrument’s optimal condition.
Is a guitar safe from humidity in a case?
While cases provide some protection, a guitar isn’t fully safe from humidity when stored in one. Most quality cases do a decent job of slowing moisture transfer, but they can’t completely shield your instrument from prolonged exposure to dry or damp conditions.
Using a reliable guitar humidifier system inside the case ensures you maintain an ideal humidity level for preserving your guitar’s integrity.
How do you get humidity out of a guitar case?
To remove excess humidity from a guitar case, invest in a dehumidifier pack designed specifically for instruments. These affordable packs absorb moisture, ensuring an ideal humidity level for peace of mind.
Simply place one near the guitar’s soundhole or headstock, monitor with a hygrometer, and replace the pack regularly per manufacturer guidelines to protect your prized guitar.
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About the Author
Thomas M., the founder of Guitar Top Review, boasts 15+ years of guitar experience and was a church band member in L.A. Transitioning from piano to acoustic guitar, his first love remains his Taylor GS Mini. Alongside like-minded hobbyist friends, he launched the site, driven by a deep love for music that transcends professional boundaries.
Thank you for addressing such an important topic in this post. Been using the ‘Boveda 2-way Humidity packs’ for a few years now and has always worked in keeping my acoustic properly humidified. Have not even need to buy new packs as I have just restored the moisture when the packs get dried out and reuse over and over. cheers