MA0800 Mini-Console

+1 for Airfare. I have the AIRCARE MA0800CN, it's loud on max fan setting but works great!   I usually run it to the max while I'm at work then on low when I'm home. There's au auto features to, it's gets my 700ft appartement from around 20 to above 35% humidity without issues. 

Get the most basic humidifier with a Wick. No ultrasonic whatever garbage, they will spray germs, bacterias and Mold all over your place like there's no tomorrow. And they have the lifespan of a mosquito. Nothing with an App or wi-fi connection, if the company decide to stop supporting your device Or goes bakrupt, you end up with a big waterfilled door stopper. Also, this is against what you ask, but I don't recommend getting a Humidifier under 200$ish. Pick a model that has been made forever and that will still sell wicks in 10 years like the Aircare Ma0800. You can set humidity level on it. Nothing more, nothing less. There are TONs of them on marketplace, pick one for 20/40$, get a new Wick, profit.

My apartment, which was around 1000 sq ft, was so dry that none of my plants were happy. I bought a portable 'whole home' one. It wasn't cool mist or warm. It was a wicking one with a little fan in the middle. It was cleaner and easier to use. Used less power, that's for sure because it was just a fan. It has a large capacity, I think 9 liters. To keep our apartment at 35%humidity, we'd fill morning and night. It also stops when it gets to the set humidity. Unlike all the others that just run full time. Not usefully in a space with open windows and doors. It was a game changer with my plants. I saw you're in the states so, this won't be helpful from a buy this one perspective, but it's what I own. Maybe it can be helpful to find something similar there. https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/aircare-ma0800cn-digital-whole-house-portable-console-style-evaporative-air-humidifier-white-9-46-l-0436199p.html

I have the smaller version, the Aircare MA0800. I've often gone through 3+ gallons per day. That's a *lot* of water it's dumping into the air. I only replace the wicking filter once a season. The Essick Air 1970 bacteriostatic treatment (recommended amount, every fill) seems to keep growth down. OP, you're going to need to do some level of maintenance with any humidifier. That said, I've found the maintenance requirement to be pretty minimal so far.

I just researched the heck out of this. My place was at 10%! I bought the Aircare MA0800 and it's the perfect size for my 1000sqft space but it says its good up to 2700sqft. It's easy to refill, holds a lot (fill once a day) and affordable. A lot smaller than some of the options if only for a med/lg room. No regrets, strongly recommend.

Look into an evaporative humidifier. The Aircare Mini Console works great for me in the winter.

Aircare Mini evaporative humidifier. It is perfect and easy to use.

I have the AirCare mini console and it is struggling to get our small living room up to 30%.