The LV600HH's tank has a fill hole that you can fully reach your hand inside, so it's easier to clean. But Venta recommends that you rinse this unit every two weeks and thoroughly clean it every six months. The Optimus U-31001 Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier is a well-reviewed, bare-bones ultrasonic model with a simple dial control and a strong, 2-gallons-per-day output. Lastly, confirm that there is enough water in the tank for the humidifier to function properly. Using the pot was marginally better than doing nothing, raising the relative humidity by about 5% when it was on the radiator. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. If you do not think your humidifier is outputting moisture, please make sure that the unit is on a level surface so the float mechanism can function properly. We also considered several models that we dismissed without testing in 2019, including the Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier HUL430W and Top Fill Cool Moisture Tower Humidifier HEV620B, the TaoTronics TT-AH025B, and the Ultrasonic U200 and U300 from Boneco. And it can run for a long time between refills (the company claims a vague 10 to 60 hours; weve gotten about 27 hours with the machine running continuously on medium, which is about what we expected).
So its easier to reach in and clean it than tanks on almost any other model weve tested, except for the Carepod. There are a number of tight nooks and crannies where gunk can accumulate. 
*At the time of publishing, the price was $40. 
The opening on the Classic 300S spans the width of nearly the entire tank, as well, so its easy to fill and even easier to reach inside and scrub away the inevitable limescale buildup. The cap to the tank is also slippery and hard to open when wet (which it always is when you pull the tank off the machine to refill it). You can control the unit only via the remote, and the display is quite small and dimly lit.
Thats in addition to the common ultrasonic tendency to over-humidify. Using the same Lascar data loggers, we tracked the humidity changes over time and compared the fluctuations to the performance of our budget pick and to the alternative option of doing nothing at all. However, there is a faux lid that rests loosely on top of the cap, which is easy to forget about, and accidentally send crashing to the ground when youre trying to transport the tank; its a mistake we continue to make, even after living with this humidifier for a while. We contacted the company, and it provided prompt and helpful customer service and sent us a new modelwhich ended up having the exact same problem. 
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. If you do need a humidifier to fill an extra-large space, though, either one of them would still be a good option. Finally, although we appreciated the simplicity of the single analog dial control on the HUL430, it didnt have any fail-safes (which the Levoit Classic 300S or LV600HH did) that could help prevent it from over-humidifying the room. You can mitigate this risk somewhat by using distilled or demineralized water instead of tap, but either way, youll still have some work to do. For reference, a HEPA-certified air purifier would bring the number down to virtually zero in less than half an hour. The Classic 200 isnt quite as versatile as the Levoit LV600HH: The Classic 200 has just a single button that changes color each time you press it, to indicate the different power levels (on/low, medium, high, and then off again). Our most recent tests were performed in the fall, in a garden-level Boston apartment with electric radiator heat. However, that impressive Vornado fan also means the EVDC300 is louder than our other picks, which are all nearly silent ultrasonic models. Our testing procedures have remained largely the same since 2014, although the locations have changed. Neither one is necessarily better than the other; theyre both simple, effective, and energy-efficient machines that use different methods of humidifying a room. Were going to take his word for it. These included the Bayka Cool Mist Humidifier, Hupro Ultrasonic Cool & Warm Mist, OVPPH Cool Mist Humidifier, Polardo Ultrasonic Cool & Warm Mist, MZTDYTL Ultrasonic Humidifier, Hauea Top-Filling Ultrasonic Humidifier, and various Optimus models. However, it wont cover you if your toddler knocks a full tank off the counter, shattering it into a puddle of sharp plastic edges. Unfortunately, it was a little loud on high, and we found the fill cap really hard to turn. *At the time of publishing, the price was $70. After comparing this to the 4-gallon Vornado Evap40 in 2021, we ultimately decided not to recommend either oversized humidifier, simply because theyre so far beyond the scope of our testing and what we think our readers are looking for. Your humidifier can turn into a cesspool of bacteria and mold without regular maintenance and cleaning. When the time comes to fill or clean the Classic 300S, you can lift the 1-gallon tank directly off the base and carry it with the two built-in handles. And in our tests, the LW25 consistently ranked high in humidification performance. That means you can manually set a target humidity, and the machine will turn itself on and off to keep the air at that level. Over-humidification of a room has been the flaw of nearly every ultrasonic humidifier weve tested in almost a decade of evaluation. The app also lets you create a schedule to run your humidifier, to set a timer, or to customize the auto settings Target Humidity. Its accurate digital humidistat maintains the humidity at your desired level (although we advise that you disregard the auto settingmore on that later). The only plastic part of the Carepod is a wand that houses the ultrasonic diaphragm.
The other humidifier types produce a very slight cooling of the rooms air, which youll need to heat again (via a furnace or other heating system). Despite the machines extreme efficiency and big, 2-gallon tank, Venta still recommends that you top it off every day to maintain maximum humidifying efficiencyit works best when full. This model performed well enough in our tests, but there was just no way to justify the price tag (normally around $150). The general research consensus is that even though a humidifier should never be relied upon to prevent infection, ambient humidity matters (to a degree) in terms of a viral particles ability to survive in the air, as well as in how your immune systems defenses function. The Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier is our pick for large spaces and exceptionally dry, demanding environments because it provides continuous humidification and has a built-in humidistat thats reliable and accurate. That kind of convenience is rare, but its the type of thoughtful detail that makes the Levoit Classic 300S stand out. We found this nerve-racking at first, but it worked well enough. The Levoit Classic 200s 4-liter tank is smaller than the tanks on our other Levoit picks, but the surprisingly large fill hole makes it easy to clean. A Honeywell Humidifier can add moisture to the room air, making the room feel warmer and more comfortable. But we both thought we had caught something pretty serious before she figured it out. But the white noise emitted from its fan is still quieter and more pleasant than that of most other evaporative models weve tested. If thats a concern for you, consider getting an air purifier. Although this might make the machine sound a lot less powerful than our top pick, the ultrasonic Levoit Classic 300S, thats not entirely the case. Its also the only model weve seen thats powered by a USB-C cable, and the company was considerate enough to include a cable with right-angle connections so its easier to keep it out of the way. Dyson definitely makes a statement with its design, but it fails to deliver value. The Honeywell HUL430 Cool Mist Humidifier is a straightforward ultrasonic humidifier with a streamlined, stylish look. The power button turns on the unit and the LCD screen. Even though ultrasonic humidifiers do not have wicks, many of them have some kind of demineralization cartridge, felt pad, or other treatment that you need to replace every so often. This will alleviate the symptoms listed above while discouraging mold and mildew growth (which can happen in excessively humid conditions). Wed offer a specific ratio, but its best to echo the CDC guidelines to follow the products instructions, since different bleach products have different concentrations. After washing the humidifier, rinse all plastic surfaces with a cleaning solution. Learn more. Weve been impressed by the companys commitment to customer service, and look forward to considering any new designs they introduce. Although the DysonPH01 Pure Humidify + Cool is both a humidifier and an air purifier, for this guide we subjected it to our humidifier testing only. Between tests, we reset the conditions by opening the windows, turning on a dehumidifier, and circulating in drier air. A bacteriostatic treatment such as Essick Air or an antimicrobial cleaning cartridge like the fish-shaped Protec can also help to discourage nasty things from growing. A good humidifier creates a comforting indoor condensation level that can soothe your cracked skin and help you breathe more easily. There are also a few plastic pieces that stick out on the bottom of the tank, but the tank should still be able to balance well enough in most sinks. This happens so often that it even has a nickname: humidifier lung. The idea being that the water will heat up as the radiator runs, gently steaming the pot and producing humidity without the need for all the care and maintenance of an actual humidifier. But one dry night in winter, we turned on our adorable penguin-shaped humidifier. But we learned the hard way not to let the machine decide the best humidity levelhaving woken up more than once in a literal fog of more than 90% humidity. The EVDC300s 1-gallon tank is also slightly smaller than the Levoit Classic 300Ss tank, yet its easy to open, carry, and clean. It just felt unnecessary. But we started hearing more and more complaints from readers who had trouble cleaning the non-dishwasher-safe parts or who were otherwise disappointed with this model. But youll still have to clean it either way. The EPA suggests (PDF) cleaning and disinfecting portable humidifiers every third day; most manufacturers recommend about once a week. The instruction manual (PDF) should offer some guidance for any other tricky situations. But its high up-front cost is somewhat mitigated by its extreme energy efficiency in the long run. But if youre accustomed to ultrasonics, or even the more normal sound of other evaporative models, you may be a little startled when you first turn on the EVDC300. The LV600HH also lacks smart-home capabilities, so there are none of the fine-tuned details or app control you get with the 300S. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. The results were mixed. At the end of the testing period, the Venta lowered the particle concentration from a starting concentration of 180 particles per cubic centimeter to a final concentration of 9. Over the years, weve considered more than 100 different humidifiers and tested more than two-dozen of them. We both had incredibly tight chests, where we couldnt get in enough air to breathe properly, accompanied by constant coughing fits and tunnel vision. The VeSync app (named for the parent company of Levoit) is designed to work with several other brands, such as Etekcity and Cosori, and it also serves as an online store and a customer service hub. However, it can be hard to find the tiny button that controls the fan, especially in the dark. The tanks fill hole is quite small, about the size of a quarter, making the tank more difficult to fill and the knob harder to turn to seal it. Damp air can feel bad in the winter, and we understand the appeal of warm-mist humidifiers. But that humidification rate was easily eclipsed by our budget pick on its lowest setting, which increased the humidification by double digits. Its limited by a tiny, 0.8-gallon reservoir that will need frequent refilling. The mist level button toggles the humidification output between low, medium, and high, or it lets you set the unit to auto-regulate itself. When hes not here, hes on his bike. eAccess Solutions, Inc. Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Accessibility Statement. The pot also had the downside of working only at the whims of the radiators heating cycle (which, in our testers case, didnt really kick on until 9 or 10 p.m. each night). And the high-pitched fan can be a little grating when it gets going. Its 1-gallon tank lasts all day, and its fill hole is wide enough that you wont have to scrub around any awkward corners. You do have to hold it while youre filling the water or, worse, awkwardly balance it against something and hope it doesnt spill. If you consider it a must-have feature, though, the LV600HH is probably your best choice. These replacement bottles will run you about $35.). The Classic 300S also does something no other ultrasonic humidifier can claim to do: Thanks to a built-in humidistat and functional smart features, this model can achieve a target humidity level and maintain it on an auto setting that actually works. In most of the US, this is primarily a winter problem, especially in homes with forced-air heating systems, which can drive indoor humidity down to desert-like conditions. Overall, its a nice, simple humidifier. The UV100 also comes with a replaceable mineral cartridge thats supposed to help reduce the fine white powder that some ultrasonics leave behind when using hard water. We also appreciate the fact that the tank can lie flat while youre filling it (which, because its 6 liters, can take a while) and that the tanks fill hole is easy to hit from the faucet. This sounds impressive until you consider that our former top pick, the Honeywell HCM-350 (which made no claims of air purification) got the number down to 14 in a similar test. Over the course of four hours, this model brought the relative humidity in the room from 52% to about 55%. But even the best ones still require more maintenance and attention than youd expect from such a seemingly simple device. It still costs about the same as our discontinued budget pick, the Levoit LV450CH. Proper humidification can also help slow the spread of airborne viruses, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, aka the coronavirus. However, we still think the whole thing is overkill. The Honeywell Trademark is used under license from Honeywell International Inc. If you want an extremely effective evaporative humidifier that requires less-frequent cleaning and refilling than our other recommendations, consider the Venta LW25 Airwasher. Weve been recommending the Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier since 2018, and we still think its a great choice, especially for large spaces like a living roomdining room and exceptionally dry homes. Sorry, no products were found matching your search criteria. The Carepod One is a sleek, simple, and effective ultrasonic thats also easier to clean than any other humidifier weve ever tested. It aced our humidity-hold test, reaching the steadiest value among evaporative models, 3.6% over the set point and 1.0% standard deviation. We measured 38 decibels at 3 feet on low, medium, and high settings. Thats more than twice as much as most of our other picks cost, for something thats louder and holds half as much water. But it was too loud (59 decibels), and inserting the reservoir was too awkward. Our main caveats are the same ones we have with most ultrasonic humidifiers: They can over-humidify your room or leave a misting of minerals on the furniture (a common issue with well water, and especially in the mountain states). Instead of a screw top, however, it uses a rubber gasket that locks into place with one twist. But these can sometimes be difficult to open, especially for people with hand-mobility issues, or even simply if they get too wet to grip right. By figuring out the energy needed to heat the water from room temperature to near boiling (334 joules) and adding the extra energy needed to vaporize it (2,260 joules), we know the total energy (2,594 joules) needed per gram of water. We limited our search to models that needed to be filled only once a day, which meant a minimum tank size of 1 gallon (although we have made occasional exceptions). It also has a dedicated Energy Smart mode, which uses as little as 1 watt of energy, instead of the 8 to 9 watts it normally pulls. To test this, one of our writerswho typically dreads turning on the annoying and capricious radiator in his Brooklyn apartment in the wintertried out the method for a few weeks in February and March of 2021. And instead of holding steady there, it pumped up the humidity to a muggy 77% and soaked the floor. This actually makes your life easier because you dont have to worry about any mold or mildew starting to fester in the dankest corners of the room. Its availability has also become increasingly scarce. It works at least as well as our other ultrasonic picks, too. But dry air can also be an issue if you have radiators or other types of heating, since the relative humidity of cold winter air is generally lower than that of summertime air. Its even happened to a few Wirecutter staffers, so we can attest that its not pleasant. The controls are simple to use, though quite small. This Levoit model also includes a tray for essential oils. Otherwise, the EVDC300 is nearly identical to one of our previous Vornado picks, the EV100. If you want to measure the humidity in your space before you buy a humidifier, or you want to monitor the performance of a humidifier you already have, you can get a basic hygrometer on Amazon for about $10. But the tank and lid inside of it are both made entirely from stainless steel, and the fact that you can sanitize it with nothing but boiling water already sets it above the rest of the pack. By contrast, the lid on the tank of the Classic 300S lifts directly off without any twisting or latching. Spoiler alert: You cannot. The tank is also cylindrical, with an opening that spans the whole circumference. Heres how to get a good nights rest if the whine causes you to lose sleep. This straightforward humidifier lacks most features and can over-humidify a space. To avoid mold growth on the filter when you turn off your humidifier for more than a day, pull out the filter and let it dry, or leave it in and allow the fan to run with no water until the filter is dry. Its 4-liter tank is big enough to last most of the day, with a large opening and simple rectangular shape that make it easy to clean. Unlike with a lot of other models, however, with the LV600HH you can shut off the bright display at night by holding down the (otherwise useless) auto button for a few seconds. We found the output rate high but extremely variable, at 1.0 to 2.1 gallons per day (both on the high setting). Where most of the other models we tested have a screw cap to close the tank, the Levoit Classic 200 has a one-twist cap lined with a rubber gasket. It also performed well on our humidity-hold test, coming in second among evaporative models. Our former budget pick, the Levoit LV450CH, has been discontinued, too; it was nearly identical to our current budget pick, also from Levoit. Symptoms of dry air include curled leaves and dry leaf tips. This machine also has a built-in night-light, if you need a little extra illumination in a room (and if you dont, its easy to turn off the display screen). These tend to be quieter than their evaporative counterparts, and they dont need any wicks or filters that require regular maintenance.
The EVDC300 breaks down into four separate pieces, so it's easier to clean. This was precisely what we wanted the Classic 300S to do. Try to position your humidifier in a central location of the room, away from windows and vents. Functionally, the HCM-710 comprises little more than a plastic casserole dish with a fan on top.
But you cant clean the same wick forever. But the LW25s high price is worth it only if youre willing to pay a lot more up-front for lower power consumption and less-frequent refills and cleanings. When youre assembling the machine, your hand gets pinched while installing the reservoir, and the lid is slightly difficult to align. Among the user reviews, you also see people referring to leaks from the tank. Thats not nearly as good as the results from the air purifiers we tested for our best air purifier guide, but its still an order-of-magnitude reduction. With a large, 6-liter, 1-gallon tank, the LV600HH should last you more than 24 hours between refills. SPTs SU-4010 Dual Mist Humidifier used to be our pick for large-space ultrasonic humidifiers. Like a lot of ultrasonic humidifiers, the Levoit Classic 300S has a complex water channel in the base unit, and this can be a little tricky to clean. But this machine is not quite as easy to clean as the Classic 300S, and the tank cap can be a little difficult to get off sometimes. It sounds slightly different than other evaporative humidifiers weve tested, too, emitting a slightly more high-pitched sound with a slight hissing, gurgling, or bubbling underneath the whir of blades. The Vornado Evap3 Evaporative Humidifier is a very attractive model. Typically, water and elbow grease will do the job, but you may need to use distilled white vinegar every so often to remove mineral deposits (limescale). But its powerful, quiet, and easy to cleana good option for anyone willing to compromise. This ensures that the moisture evaporates into the air at a rapid pace. At its current price, its very expensive. The Venta LW25 is basically a compact cube, about 8 pounds and a little more than a foot in each direction. However, that fan sound we didnt mind on the EVDC300 makes the UH100 stick out among the other ultrasonic models we tested, all of which are essentially silent.
As far as we could tell, these drips were only on the surfacenot from an actual slow leak, but from lifting it out of a basin of water. (These wicks require some additional cleaning maintenance between replacements, as well.). There are many different kinds of humidifiers, but we narrowed our search to the most common types: evaporative and ultrasonic. Instead, soak the wick in cold water for 20 minutes and gently swish it back and forth to release (often brown, slimy) minerals that have built up. By comparison, the Honeywellwhich isnt marketed as an air washer but still pushes air through a wet filtersaw the particle concentration change, from 65 to 14 particles per cubic centimeter. We measured the EVDC300 at about 51 decibels on its lowest fan setting; this is 9 decibels quieter than whats considered average conversation tone.
Even the PH01s elaborate built-in UV cleaning systemthough impressive!is utterly excessive, with some annoying automation that saps the value of its own convenience. Not only does the app actually tell you what kind of voice commands you can use, it will also automatically search your phone (with your permission) to sync up and connect with Alexa or Google Home (assuming you have the apps installed on your phone). But the cleaning process was a little more frustrating. Its just as good at keeping the humidity level consistent, toowhich is even more impressive, given the tendency of ultrasonic models to transform a room into a dank wall of fog. Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier - White, HCM-350, Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier - Black, HCM-350B, Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier - Black, HUL430B, Honeywell Top Fill Cool Moisture Tower Humidifier with Digital Humidistat - Black, HEV620B, Honeywell Top Fill Cool Moisture Tower Humidifier - Black, HEV615B, Honeywell Humidity Monitor With Digital Display, HHM10B, Honeywell Mist Mate Cool Mist Humidifier - White, HUL520W, Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier - Black, HEV320B, Honeywell Filter Free Warm Mist Humidifier with Essential Oil Cup - Black, HWM845B, Honeywell Top Fill Cool Moisture Tower Humidifier - White, HEV615W, Honeywell Mist Mate Cool Mist Humidifier - Black, HUL520B, Honeywell Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier - Black, HUL570B, Honeywell Filter Free 1 Gallon Warm Mist Humidifier with Essential Oil Cup - White, HWM845W, Honeywell Home Whole House Fan-Powered Humidifier w/ Installation Kit - HE360A1075, Honeywell Home Whole House Humidistat - H8908B1002, Honeywell Top Fill Cool Moisture Tower Humidifier with Digital Humidistat, HEV620W, Honeywell Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier - White, HUL535W, Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier - White, HUL430W, Honeywell Mist Mate Cool Mist Humidifier - Blue, HUL520L, Honeywell Mist Mate Cool Mist Humidifier - Red, HUL520R. Although this is smaller than our top picks tank, which has a 1.5-gallon capacity, we think it should still be enough to get you through most of a day before you have to refill. Its still a great option, if you can find it anywhere. Thats all it is, and thats all you really need. This particular humidifier also has a DC motor, which makes it more energy-efficient in general. Honeywell was thoughtful enough to add a little drainage hole in the middle of the side to solve this problem. The Vornado EVDC300 is the most energy-efficient humidifier weve ever tested, thanks to its unusual DC motor.