U.S. Humidifiers Market Size, Share, & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Heated Humidifiers, Passover Humidifiers), By End-use (Hospitals, Outpatient Facilities), And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

U.S. Humidifiers Market Size & Trends

The U.S. humidifiers market size was estimated at USD 1.21 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.73% from 2024 to 2030. The rising prevalence of respiratory diseases and the growing geriatric population, along with supportive regulatory updates and new product launches, are major factors driving market growth.

For instance, Levoit has transformed indoor humidification with the advanced 6000s smart evaporative humidifier. In October 2023, the brand introduced the Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier, which is a high-end whole-home evaporative humidifier that is compact, stylish, and portable & can be seamlessly integrated into any home to establish a healthier and ideally humidified indoor environment just in time for the cold & flu season.

“As the leader in the home humidification market, we are always looking for ways to solve even more issues consumers are facing. In the case of our Levoit Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Humidifier, we've packed in leading engineering, materials, and overall innovation to bring to market an extra-large coverage humidifier that is healthy, efficient, affordable, and in a compact, sleek design to not overwhelm a living space. We're incredibly proud to bring these first-of-its-kind evaporative humidifiers to market."
- Eric Bone, General Manager

Two significant restraints on the market growth are the high cost of humidifiers and health issues from poor maintenance or technical problems. Inadequate maintenance can lead to dirt accumulation in filters and water, fostering bacteria and mold, which poses risks for individuals with asthma and allergies. Even healthy individuals can experience health issues, including flu-like symptoms or lung illnesses from dirty humidifiers. Technical issues can also cause severe health problems. For instance, in February 2020, Teleflex Incorporated recalled its COMFORT FLO Humidification System due to water flooding the column and entering the circuit, risking fluid aspiration into the nose and lungs during high-flow oxygen therapy, potentially leading to oxygen desaturation.

During 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic led hospitals to prioritize infection control and equipment protection for emergency and COVID-19-related cases, including semi-elective urgent surgeries. This positively impacted the U.S. humidifiers market, as optimal humidity levels became crucial for patient well-being and comfort in hospitals, driving increased adoption of humidifiers in the healthcare industry. For example, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare saw a significant revenue boost in its hospitals division due to increased demand for respiratory humidifiers. Similarly, Inspired Medical responded to the global spike in demand by boosting the production of humidifiers and consumables in April 2020.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The U.S. humidifiers market is experiencing medium growth, driven by accelerating market demand. Key factors include increasing product innovation by market players, a growing geriatric population, and a rising prevalence of respiratory diseases.

The U.S. humidifiers market is characterized by high innovation, with companies developing advanced products to expand their offerings and stay competitive. For example, in March 2021, Condair Group launched the Condair MC, an in-duct evaporative cooler and humidifier. This unit provides approximately 245kW of adiabatic cooling and up to 360kg/h of humidity to an AHU, requiring less than 0.15 kW of electrical energy.

The market players are using various strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, new software developments, and geographical expansion, which has significantly contributed to the level of M&A activities in the market. For instance, in June 2021, Teleflex Incorporated completed the divestiture of its respiratory business to Medline Industries, Inc. The transaction, valued at USD 286 million in cash, took into account a reduction of USD 12 million related to working capital that would not be transferred to Medline. Teleflex's divested respiratory product lines encompass Hudson RCI offerings for oxygen & active humidification, noninvasive ventilation, aerosol therapy, and incentive spirometers.

The U.S. FDA regulates therapeutic humidifiers intended for respiratory therapy or other medical purposes. These devices add water vapor to breathing gases, which the patient breathes during normal respiration. According to the CFR-Code of Federal Regulation, therapeutic humidifiers for home use are classified as Class I (general controls) and are exempt from premarket notification procedures subject to the limitations in § 868.9. Maintaining indoor relative humidity within the range of 30% to 60% is suggested by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to promote health and ensure comfort. In 2017, a new regulation on hospital humidification allowed the use of adiabatic humidifiers, which has significantly impacted energy consumption. These regulations are expected to impact the market growth positively over a forecast period.

Humidifiers are important respiratory devices used in healthcare settings, such as clinics and hospitals, and at homes to maintain patients' and medical professionals’ health. Even though medicines used for diseases like COPD can serve as external substitutes for therapeutic respiratory devices such as humidifiers, substitutes are limited. Hence, the threat of substitutes is expected to be low over the forecast period.

Product Insights

The heated humidifier segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 35.64 % in  2023. The demand for heated humidifiers, specifically in children with tracheostomies who receive continuous mechanical ventilation, is driven by the need to prevent the drying of secretions. This is particularly crucial for infants who are more susceptible to respiratory complications. Heated humidifiers are sophisticated humidification systems widely employed in respiratory therapy to provide warm and moist air to patients. These humidifiers incorporate a heating element that warms the water before it is delivered as humidity. The demand for heated humidifiers stems from their ability to deliver optimal humidity levels and enhanced comfort during respiratory therapy.

The adiabatic segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The adiabatic humidification have various types such as high-pressure atomizing, air/water atomizing, ultrasonic, and wetted media evaporative. Ultrasonic humidifiers, with their ability to add moisture efficiently, have gained popularity among consumers seeking home wellness solutions. In addition, technological advancements have led to the development of ultrasonic humidifiers with improved features. Key advancements include smart home integration, mobile app control, and sensors that monitor & adjust humidity levels automatically. In addition, features such as the incorporation of antimicrobial technology to prevent bacterial growth and the production of finer water particles for improved respiratory health have become prominent. This is expected to drive the segment over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

The hospitals segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 55.6% in 2023. Hospitals and medical clinics are advised to maintain a relative humidity level between 40% and 60% to inhibit the growth of bacteria & other biological contaminants. This has raised the demand for humidifiers in hospitals. Furthermore, the rising number of patients with respiratory disorders, such as COPD and bronchitis, has raised the demand for humidifiers. As per the American Lung Association, in 2022, around 11.7 million people were diagnosed with COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. This number is expected to rise in the near future, propelling the market.

The outpatient facilities segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Humidifiers serve several purposes in outpatient facilities by contributing to the wellbeing of patients and creating a more conducive environment for healthcare delivery. Outpatient clinics often cater to individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or allergies. As per Definitive Healthcare, the U.S. has more than 48,000 active outpatient clinics, and the increased number of outpatient facilities has raised the need for humidifiers as they help control humidity & ensure patient comfort, which is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.

Key U.S. Humidifiers Company Insights

Market players such as Levoit, Condair Group, Teleflex Incorporated, Medtronic, CAREL and TruSens are utilizing various strategies such as product launches, expansions, and acquisitions to enhance their market presence and remain competitive.

For instance, in August 2022, TruSens launched a new series of high-performance humidifiers, which includes two models - N-300 and N-200. These models feature an improved and long-lasting water softening & demineralizing filter, resulting in reduced mineral accumulation and white dust formation. Both models come equipped with TruSens' exclusive SensorPod technology, which acts as a remote control & humidity monitor

“Since launching in 2019, TruSens has rapidly attracted a loyal following based on our award-winning design, performance and simplicity. The new line of TruSens Humidifiers continues our pursuit of better air and is ideal for those seeking an exceptional humidifier with advanced features, long-lasting performance and a cleaner mist.”

- Amy Dixon, Senior Director, Marketing

Recent Developments

• In October 2022, Medtronic announced separating its Patient Monitoring and Respiratory Interventions businesses into a new entity, NewCo. This strategic move aimed to enhance value for Medtronic and its shareholders by allowing the company to concentrate on long-term strategies for innovation-driven growth. The separation was expected to optimize focus and capital allocation, positioning NewCo to unlock its value.

• In March 2022, Hamilton Medical announced the production of a HAMILTON-H900 humidifier at its facility in Reno, Nevada, catering to the U.S. market. The facility would expand its manufacturing capabilities to include heated breathing circuit sets and chambers. This strategic initiative was expected to enhance efficiency in delivering products to customers in the U.S.

• In June 2021, Teleflex Incorporated completed the divestiture of its respiratory business to Medline Industries, Inc. The transaction, valued at USD 286 million in cash, took into account a reduction of USD 12 million related to working capital that would not be transferred to Medline. Teleflex's divested respiratory product lines encompass Hudson RCI offerings for oxygen & active humidification, noninvasive ventilation, aerosol therapy, and incentive spirometers.

U.S. Humidifiers Market Report Scope

U.S. Humidifiers Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. humidifiers market report based on product and end-use.

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Heated Humidifiers

    • Integrated or Built in

    • Standalone

  • Adiabatic (High-pressure & Ultrasonic)

  • Bubble Humidifiers

  • Passover Humidifiers

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospitals

  • Outpatient Facilities

  • Home Care