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Cool Mist Humidifiers, Portable Humidifiers

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In this review:
  1. Cheap Humidifiers, Best Cheap Humidifier
  2. Warm Mist Humidifier, Humidifier Filters
  3. Cool Mist Humidifiers, Portable Humidifiers
  4. Humidifier Reviews
  5. Best Humidifiers, Quiet Humidifiers
  6. Discount Humidifiers Features Comparison Table
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Related Guide: Dehumidifiers

Humidifier Features (continued)

Cool Mist Humidifiers.

Cool mist humidifiers disperse cool moist air using one of three technologies: impeller, ultrasonic, or wick/evaporative.
Impeller humidifiers, like several low-cost models sold under the Sunbeam and Vicks brand names, produce a cool fog created by a spinning disk that flings water onto a diffuser, which in turn breaks the water into small drops of mist. Ultrasonic humidifiers, like the Crane EE-5301 Cool Mist Humidifier (starting at $38, Amazon) and Holmes HM495-UC Ultrasonic Medium Room Humidifier (starting at $50, Amazon) use ultrasonic sound waves to create a fine, cool, fog-like mist; this type of humidifier is nearly silent. Wick/evaporative humidifiers, like the Honeywell HCM-630 QuietCare (starting at $43, Amazon), Vornado HU1-0021-28 Whole-Room Evaporative Humidifier (starting at $60, Amazon), and Holmes HM630-U Cool Mist Tower Humidifier (starting at $60, Amazon), use a wick or filter to draw water from the tank and a fan to evaporate the water, which is absorbed into the air.

Cool mist humidifiers have their pros and cons. On the plus side, these humidifiers are cheaper to run than warm mist humidifiers and the impeller and ultrasonic designs are extremely quiet; the fan on wick/evaporative humidifiers irritates some consumers but is considered soothing white noise by others. On the downside, the tank needs regular cleaning and refills because stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria that may wind up as mist in the air. In addition, impeller and ultrasonic humidifiers release minerals from the water into the air, so if your water is "hard" (i.e., it contains lots of minerals), consider using distilled water instead.

Portable Humidifiers vs. Home Humidifiers.

In the humidifier world, size is indicated by the square footage the model can blanket with mist. Experts at Prevention.com note that small, portable humidifiers typically cover just one room (size varies by model) compared to high-priced central home humidifiers that are built into a home heating system and cover the entire house. Another indicator of size is the capacity of the water tank, or reservoir.

The best home humidifiers we found are the Vicks Warm Mist V745A, whose one-gallon tank handles areas of 1,000 to 1,200 square feet, and the cool mist impeller Honeywell HCM-630 QuietCare, which humidifies up to 1,050 square feet with a 1.5-gallon tank. The ultrasonic cool-mist Crane EE-5301 has a 0.9-gallon tank meant for up to 250 square feet, while the Holmes HM630-U Cool Mist Tower Humidifier simply claims to work in medium-sized rooms. How long these cheap humidifiers can run before needing a refill varies from the advertised maximum of 11 hours with the Crane EE-5301 up to 36 hours with the Holmes HM630-U. Note, however, that the duration between fill-ups depends on the temperature in the room, the desired level of humidity, the square footage, and the size of the tank; consumers often report needing to add water before the maximum run times have been reached.

Review continues below

Humidifier Warranties.

It's always a good idea to purchase a product that comes with a warranty, and the cheapest humidifiers are no different. The Vornado HU1-0021-28 offers a whopping five-year warranty, and the Vicks Warm Mist V745A, Honeywell HCM-630 QuietCare, and Holmes HM630-U Cool Mist all feature three-year limited warranties. The Crane EE-5301 Cool Mist has a one-year warranty, as does the Holmes HM495-UC Ultrasonic Medium Room Humidifier.

by Raechel Conover (Google+ Profile)

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Best Cheap Humidifiers

Crane EE-5301 Cool Mist Humidifier

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Where to buy

Good Cheap Humidifiers

Honeywell HCM-630 QuietCare

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Where to buy

Vicks Warm Mist V745A

 Read why »
Where to buy
 
 
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Holmes HM630-U Cool Mist Tower Humidifier

This cool-mist model earns poor user reviews, largely because the design of the water tank makes it very difficult to refill. Other problems include noisy operation and limited information provided in marketing materials about coverage and features. Read more »

 
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