AIRCARE EP9800 (EP9 800) vs Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65)
Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65)
The short answer
AIRCARE EP9800 (EP9 800) comes out ahead overall with 6.9/10 against 6.2/10 for the Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65). AIRCARE EP9800 (EP9 800) is stronger on hygiene & ease of cleaning, humidifying performance, ease of use and value. Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65) is stronger on quiet & sleep-friendly. At current verified prices, the Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65) costs about $50.00 less.
- Choose the AIRCARE EP9800 (EP9 800) if: Living rooms where a humidifier has to look like furniture and run for days on its own using tap water.
- Choose the Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65) if: Basements and big common rooms up to 1,000 sq ft where you want a simple tap-water evaporative unit with dial controls and a long guarantee.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | AIRCARE EP9800 (EP9 800) | Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65) |
|---|---|---|
| Hygiene & Ease of Cleaning | 7.0Evaporative with an antimicrobial-treated wick, but tap water crusts it and it needs frequent replacement. | 6.0Evaporative with low dispersal, but the narrow spouts make the tanks hard to scrub (Bob Vila). |
| Humidifying Performance | 8.2Held 51% RH for 3 days in Bob Vila's test; rated 2,400 sq ft. | 7.5About 36 h per fill on max and held a basement near 45% (Bob Vila); rated 1,000 sq ft. |
| Quiet & Sleep-Friendly | 5.3Bob Vila found the fan loud on high; lower speeds are available. | 6.048 dB on high (Bob Vila), but glugs every few hours. |
| Health, Safety & Materials | 8.0Evaporative, so no white dust or burn risk. | 8.0Evaporative, so no white dust or steam; 5-year guarantee. |
| Ease of Use | 6.5Remote, digital humidistat and casters, but Bob Vila found it hard to move. | 5.5Dual tanks are easy to refill; manual dial with no digital readout. |
| Value | 6.0$199.99 from a third-party seller, plus frequent wick purchases. | 3.5$302.99 (editor-confirmed) is steep for 1,000 sq ft coverage. |
Specifications
| Spec | AIRCARE EP9800 (EP9 800) | Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65) |
|---|---|---|
| Humidifier type | Evaporative (wick) pedestal | Evaporative (wick) |
| Tank capacity | 13.2 L | 15.1 L |
| Max runtime per tank (manufacturer) | — | 36 hours |
| Rated room coverage | 2,400 sq ft | 1,000 sq ft |
| Noise (manufacturer-rated or lab-measured) | — | 48 dB |
| Top-fill tank | No | No |
| Requires replaceable filter/cartridge | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in humidistat / auto mode | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in night light | No | — |
| Built-in white-noise / sound machine | No | No |
| Mist temperature | Cool (evaporative) | Cool (evaporative) |
| Wi-Fi app / voice control | No | No |
| White dust / mineral dispersal risk (per EPA type guidance) | Low (evaporative) | Low (evaporative) |
AIRCARE EP9800 (EP9 800)
Pros
- Held 51% RH for three days unattended
- Furniture-style cabinet
- Digital humidistat, remote and nine fan speeds
- Evaporative, so tap water works and little white dust
- Rated for 2,400 sq ft
Cons
- Loud fan on high
- Hard to move despite casters
- Wick crusts with tap water and needs frequent replacement
- Tank is not top-fill
A good fit for living rooms where looks matter and noise is tolerable. It is cheaper than the Superior 6000S but less quiet and less convenient.
Full AIRCARE EP9800 (EP9 800) review →Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65)
Pros
- About 36 hours per fill in Bob Vila's test
- Held a basement near 45% RH
- 48 dB on high
- Common replacement wicks
- 5-year guarantee
Cons
- Premium price for 1,000 sq ft of coverage
- Narrow tank spouts are hard to clean
- Periodic glugging
- Dial humidistat with no digital readout
A dependable choice for basements and big common rooms. The price keeps it at the bottom of the list.
Full Vornado Evap40 (HU1-0045-65) review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Humidifiers for Large Rooms of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.