- Updated October 3, 2018
- Posted by: June Spencer
Overly dry air, just like overly humid air, comes with a wide range of side effects for the human health and for the structure of a building. Increasing moisture indoors is the only way to get rid of all issues associated with dry air, and you can do so with a warm mist humidity raising device. The efficiency of this machine is heightened by the fact that it also makes the room it is placed in warmer, thus allowing you to bump the thermostat down a notch and save on expenses during winter as a result. Another benefit is that, due to the fact that they work by boiling the water before expelling the mist, any and all bacteria lingering in it is killed, thus air quality improving as a whole, from all points of view.
Top 6 Warm Mist Humidifiers Comparison
| Image | Products | Price |
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1. Levoit LV550HH
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2. Vicks V745A
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3. TaoTronics TT-AH007
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4. Honeywell HWM705B
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5. Elechomes CH601
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6. Vicks V790
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Humidifiers Reviews
Levoit LV550HH
Regardless from what point of view you look at it, whether it is in terms of mist output, capacity, area coverage, energy efficiency, or simplicity in use, the Levoit warm mist machine is the best pick you could make. It is rated to consume only around 110 watts, so you need not worry that its operation might drag you back when it comes to costs. The customizable humidity range it puts at your disposal is between 30 and 80 percent, so you get to fully customize indoor moisture levels. As it can output warm, as well as cool moisture, you can use it all year round. Furthermore, it is easy to take care of, not requiring much in the way of maintenance work.
Output and Capacity
When used in the warm mist mode, the Levoit delivers up to 450-milliliters humidity output per hour, while when it is used in cool mist mode, it outputs approximately 300 milliliters of moisture. Thus, regardless of what mode you opt for, you will witness a rapid growth of indoor humidity. It is effective in areas and rooms ranging in size from 430 to 753 square feet, or 40 to 70 square meters. This is all possible due to the large capacity of its water tank, more precisely 5.5 liters or 1.5 gallons. Best of all, the large tank size also ensures it won’t need refilling all that often, but rather only once every 36 hours.
Auto Mode
A truly convenient operation is what this product offers, and the automatic operating mode is its biggest highlight, by far. When you choose this operational mode, you allow the device to self-manage the manner in which it runs by reading temperatures and moisture levels in the surrounding environment. Obviously, this wouldn’t have been possible without the integrated sensor it features, a sensor that keeps tabs on indoor conditions constantly. Picking the automatic mode saves you a lot of slack as you needn’t monitor the device’s operation anymore, but rather let it run on its own as proper humidity levels indoors will be maintained without your interference being required.
Mention Worthy Details
- With the simple addition of a few essential oil drops into the aroma box, you can transform it into an aroma diffuser.
- Dual output settings offer versatility in use – you can pick between warm and cool mist output.
- Features dual 360-degree nozzles which disperse the mist into any direction you desire evenly.
Ease of Use
On the LCD display of the machine, you can check the current humidity level indoors, in addition to more easily getting to select the desired settings. But while the design of the control panel is indeed modern and helps oversimplify operation, it’s not the biggest convenience perk to come with the Levoit. As a matter of fact, when it comes to ease of use, the one element to top everything else is definitely the included remote control as it allows you to change settings as you please without getting off of the couch. Furthermore, cleaning in only required once every few weeks, and it is a simple procedure that only lasts approximately 30-40 minutes, and that doesn’t involve any complicated actions.
What We Like
- Features an ambient light that you can benefit from if you have trouble sleeping in total darkness
- Provides three diffusion settings that you can select between
- Aromatherapy possibility provided by the aroma box it features
What We Dislike
- Not the cheapest product you will find out there
VERDICT
Sleep better and feel better as a whole by raising indoor humidity to proper levels with this effective and efficient Levoit device. Delivering a high warm mist output that ensures you will enjoy normality in only a couple of days, and able to cover large areas, it is the go-to solution of anyone living in a dry climate area.
Vicks V745A
To effectively maintain indoor humidity between the 40-60% level, you can make good use of this Vicks machine that releases warm moisture in order to aid fix your problems. It features a 1-gallon capacity water tank that can run continuously for up to 12 hours before it needs to be refilled, thus providing with up to 2 gallons per day maximum mist output. In environments where humidity levels are extremely low, it means that all issues are solved in a matter of days. As it boils the water before releasing it, you are ensured that the moisture which returns to the room is completely bacteria-free. There are two output settings it puts at your disposal to ensure ideal comfort. As it boasts a filter-free operation, you needn’t worry about complicated or costly maintenance work. Due to the fact that the water tank it comes with is translucent, you can keep an eye out to see when it needs to be refilled. Furthermore, as it depletes water, the machine will automatically shut off to prevent overheating. It delivers a whisper quiet operation that makes it OK for placement even in the bedroom or nursery. In addition, it is sure to be a long-lasting investment as it is backed by a hearty 3-year warranty.
What We Like
- Puts at your disposal 2 output settings to pick between for ideal comfort
- Automatic shut-off when tank gets emptied ensures safety in use
- Backed by a 3-year warranty that exceeds industry standard
What We Dislike
- Does not provide dual output like other more expensive devices do – produces only warm mist, cool mist not existing as an option
VERDICT
With a massive number of satisfied customers backing the fact that this Vicks machine is ideal for indoor humidity level raising, it would have been reckless of us to not include it in our top. It is conveniently priced, so there won’t be a financial effort involved with purchasing it, and as it is backed by a lengthy warranty, you are sure to enjoy it for years on end.
TaoTronics TT-AH007
A perk that not a lot of machines offer is to let you keep track of indoor humidity levels at all times. Luckily, this is a perk you will get to enjoy with the TaoTronics, a machine that continuously displays indoor moisture levels so that you know exactly how you must proceed. It boasts a compact footprint that makes it ideal even for placement on the nightstand, while the low operational noise it produces ensures you won’t hear it running even when you sleep. To make your life easier, it features 6 user-friendly LED icons that enable a more convenient and intuitive operation of the machine, icons which include a timer, sleep mode, and humidity among others. As it features a large-capacity 5.5-liter water tank, you won’t be faced with refilling it all that often, which is a plus. Furthermore, this high capacity of the tank provides with a hefty 16-hour continuous runtime of the machine. It features a 360-degree rotatable nozzle that ensures you can direct the moisture output wherever you want, while the low water protection guarantees overheating won’t occur if you forget to refill the tank on time. another mention worthy aspect is the fact that the product is backed with a 1-year manufacturer warranty against defects, so you will be covered in case anything goes wrong.
What We Like
- Features 6 user-friendly LED icons that allow you to more easily operate the machine
- Features smart overheating protection granted by the automatic shut-off when the tank is emptied
- 360-degree rotatable nozzle allows you to decide in what direction the moisture should go
What We Dislike
- Some customers have had trouble cleaning it
VERDICT
Providing both warm and cool mist output in order to raise indoor humidity levels and normalize them, this machine is definitely worth your money. It is easy to operate, which is a plus nowadays as tech has gotten more and more complicated, and it comes with more than a few features which add to its performance quality.
Honeywell HWM705B
There are quite a few perks to using this machine, and one of the most prominent is definitely the medicine cup it features which allows you to place liquid inhalants inside in order to enjoy cold relief whenever you are down with the flu. As it is quiet when it runs and doesn’t occupy that much space, you can even place it in the nursery or bedroom and operate it overnight. To ensure utter safety, it automatically shuts off when its 1-gallon tank gets emptied. Speaking of which, when the tank is filled with water, it provides with up to 24 hours of continuous operation, providing a mist output of approximately 150-milliliters per hour. Furthermore, as the tank empties, a refill light turns on to announce you of the occurrence. It delivers the best performance when placed in rooms and spaces of up to 250 square feet. Due to the fact that this is a filter-free device, you won’t have to worry about maintenance costs as time passes. The manual knob control it provides is easy to understand, making it an intuitive machine in terms of operation. There are 2 mist output settings put at your disposal so that you may customize the way it runs. Furthermore, it comes with a lengthy 3-year warranty on parts and workmanship, so you are covered when it comes to this investment.
What We Like
- Provides up to 24 hours of runtime between refills
- Features a medicine cup that allows you to place liquid inhalants inside it
- There are 2 output settings that you can select between
What We Dislike
- Requires often cleaning – some customers have found this aspect a hassle
VERDICT
It might require you to do often cleaning, but this machine, through its high moisture output and convenient overall operation, is surely an investment worth making for those who want to enjoy stable humidity levels indoors.
Elechomes CH601
We start off by praising its most impressive feature, more precisely the fact that it is a hybrid model. This implies that it allows you to select between warm and cold mist output, thus enabling all-year use. When you select warm moisture, it outputs up to 550 milliliters per hour, while when you opt for cold mist, it outputs approximately 250 milliliters per hour. The 6-liter tank it features ensures you won’t be refilling it all that often, and it provides a 10-hour continuous runtime. It allows you to adjust the exact humidity level to be reached from a 40 to 80% range. It is suitable for rooms and spaces of up to 60 square meters. As it draws only 280 watts to run, you are ensured that the bills won’t skyrocket as a result of using it. A great aspect with it is the less than 45 decibels noise output it delivers that makes it ideal even for use in the bedroom or office. It comes with a remote control that enhances convenience in use, enabling you to change settings as you please without getting out of the couch. It features a 360-degree rotatable nozzle that is wide and provides a convenient coverage as you get to pick the direction in which the mist flow goes. The LED touch control panel makes it easy to use and displays important info regarding indoor conditions. As the tank starts to empty, it will automatically shut off to ensure safety. The only downside to it is the fact that the power cord measures only 1.1 meters, so you might need an extension cord, depending on where you plan to place it in the room.
What We Like
- You can select between cool or warm moisture output – hybrid model
- Produces less than 45 decibels when it runs
- Features a timer function that you can set from 1 to 12 hours
What We Dislike
- Short power cable – only measures 1.1 meters
VERDICT
Seeing how the only downside to it is the fact that the power cord isn’t all that long, it’s safe to say that if you acquire the Elechomes, you will be more than pleased with it. In addition to thoroughly enhancing dampness levels, it is a hybrid model, meaning that you can select between warm and cool mist for all year use.
Vicks V790
You are sure to breathe in clean air that isn’t dry and won’t irritate your sinuses with the V790, a device we found to be extremely impressive despite its small size. It features a 2-gallon water tank that can provide up to 24 hours of continuous operation before it needs to be refilled, which is a definite plus when it comes to operational convenience. The mist output it provides is approximately 300 milliliters per hour, so you can expect to normalize humidity levels in no time as a result of using it. It features a UV germ chamber which ensures all bacteria lingering in the water will be destroyed so that the moisture outputted by it is safe for your health. Another great feature it comes with is the medicine cup where you can place inhalant liquids to soothe your symptoms when you are down with a cold. The dual tank profile and the soft grip handles it features make maintenance work a cinch. In order to let you customize its operation fully, it features adjustable humidity controls. Additionally, the manufacturing company backs it with a lengthy 3-year warranty on parts and defects.
What We Like
- 2-gallon water tank provides up to 24 hours of operation between refilling
- Adjustable humidity control allows full customization over its operation
- Features a useful medicine cup that enables you to use it for curative purposes
What We Dislike
- If distilled water isn’t used for filling the tank, it will require often cleaning
VERDICT
One of the larger capacity products out there, this Vicks entry impressed us as it not only ensures proper humidity indoors and raises the temperature, but it also helps you alleviate cold symptoms due to the medicine cup it features.
Rating Our Selections
As we had to pick the best machines to produce warm mist and rank them according to their proficiency, there were certain specs and features that we took into consideration in order to grade the products according to their actual performance. Here are our rating criteria that helped us determine which devices are better and why:
| Rating Criteria | Importance | Product to Receive the Best Score |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | The area that the device can cover is one of the most important rating elements to take into consideration as it shows what are its limitations. Obviously, the bigger the better when it comes to this rating criteria as it shows that the humidifier can be used in rooms regardless if they are small or large sized. Furthermore, if the provided area coverage is large, it helps make the device more versatile as you are likely to be able to use it in all rooms of the house. | Levoit LV550HH |
| Mist output | The efficiency of the machine is best described by the mist output it delivers as this is the spec which shows how long it takes for the air indoors to return to normal humidity levels. It is ideal for the mist output per day or per hour to be as big as possible for results to be visible in a matter of days since you start utilizing it for the first time. | Elechomes CH601 |
| Runtime | Convenience is an important element to take into consideration, and the best way to figure out if the machine is convenient to use or not is by checking the continuous runtime it provides between fillings. This is a good indicator as it shows how often you will be required to refill the device. Evidently, it’s best for the runtime provided to be as big as possible. | Levoit LV550HH |
| Medicine cup | This is a useful feature for the machine to come with as it enables you to place liquid inhalants inside in order for them to be released into the air you breathe. Thus, in addition to helping normalize humidity levels, the device also helps alleviate cold symptoms in order to keep you healthy during the cold season of the year when you are more susceptible to contracting the flu or a nasty cold. | Honeywell HWM705B, Vicks V790 |
| Warranty | A good indicator of the build quality of any product is the length of the accompanying warranty. If the manufacturing company trusts to back the machine against defective parts and faulty workmanship for a long period of time, it means that it is unlikely for it to be poorly constructed or made with materials that aren’t of a good quality. | Vicks V745A, Honeywell HWM705B, Vicks V790 |
Pros and Cons
Considered one of the healthiest types of moisture increasing devices at the moment, the warm mist outputting machine heats the water and uses the steam or evaporation process to resolve your dry air issues. However, this system is not flawless as it does have its fair share of downsides in regards to operational quality.
| Pros | Cons |
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| Comes in various sizes, generally portable – one of the most appealing traits for a moisture-enhancing device to have is for it to be portable so that you may easily take it from room to room, thus maintaining a healthy humidity level throughout the entire house. | No matter if the water you pour inside the tank is filtered or not, you still have to change it regularly, preferably on a daily basis. Otherwise, sediment and contaminants will invade the tank and cause a drop of the device’s operational quality, and they can even be released into the air where you will breathe them in your lungs and risk health issues. Thus, the regular upkeep needed can become tedious quite fast. |
| It helps save on expenses when winter comes as it slightly increases room temperature through the nature of its operation. This means that you won’t have to crank up your heating devices all that much anymore, saving money when the bills come as a result. Furthermore, the warm moisture it releases feels comforting on your skin as well, warming you up while keeping you cozy when you are at home. | In order to produce the steam or vapors that it releases into the air, the device has to use electricity at higher rates during the process. This means that it consumes power more than other moisture enhancing systems do, which translates into a higher probability for your bills to notice a value increase as a result of using it. |
| Due to the process that it utilizes in order to transform the water inside the tank into humidity level enhancing mist, the warm mist machine is quieter as opposed to cool mist devices, for example. Thus, it is more likely for you to opt for one when it comes to enhancing humidity levels in the bedroom, office, or nursery, spaces where you need quiet devices that won’t distract your attention or bother you in any way. | The water inside the device can reach boiling hot temperatures, which makes it a less friendly option for those who have small children or pets. No matter how high you place it or how well you hide it, the child or the animal might still get to it and risk a serious injury. |
Customer Feedback
We consider that our selections are indeed qualitative and worth your money, but do customers who have already bought the products have the same opinion we do? We gathered some good and bad reviews from people who already tested the humidifiers themselves so that you get a better clue on how well each of them actually performs before you take a decision.
Levoit LV550HH
| Positive reviews: | Negative reviews: |
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✔”Easy to fill, easy to clean, easy to run, and no filters to replace.” ✔”I’m a big fan of the remote, don’t have to get out of bed to turn it on and off.” ✔”Virtually noiseless operation.” ✔”Control panel is easy to understand, it’s not complicated like other humidifiers are.” ✔”I love that I can see the water level in the reservoir, makes it easy to track when it needs refilling.” |
✘”The hygrometer isn’t reliable at all, I purchased one separately to keep track of moisture levels.” |
Vicks V745A
| Positive reviews: | Negative reviews: |
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✔”Works just fine after 6 months, and I found the asking price to be great.” ✔”I had tough sinus problems, but they cleared since I started using it.” ✔”I use it daily for almost half an year, and haven’t had dry skin issues since.” ✔”A real bang for your buck, and keeps quiet when it runs too.” ✔”Filter-free and easy to maintain, way better than my old humidifier.” |
✘”Mine started leaking a couple of days ago, waiting for their technicians to come and fix it.” ✘”I found mold in the tank after I forgot to clean it for an entire months. My bad, I guess.” |
TaoTronics TT-AH007
| Positive reviews: | Negative reviews: |
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✔”Efficient and quiet operation, perfect for the bedroom.” ✔”Easy to use, the controls are pretty straightforward.” ✔”I love the hygrometer, it makes it stop when the right humidity level is reached, so my presence isn’t needed all that much.” ✔”Holds a lot of water, doesn’t need me to refill it too often.” ✔”I love the fact that it allows me to pick between cold and warm mist.” |
✘”There are too many areas I can’t reach when I clean it, I’m afraid it might harbor bacteria and mold by this point.” ✘”The touch controls stopped responding properly.” |
Honeywell HWM705B
| Positive reviews: | Negative reviews: |
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✔”I was constantly waking up with a sore and dry throat, but since I have been using it, this issue went away completely.” ✔”I tested to find out how much it consumes to run, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how efficient it actually is.” ✔”I like the straightforward instructions for disinfecting and descaling it, they came in handy.” ✔”Love how easy it is to fill, you don’t get this perk with many machines.” ✔”I really like the heating feature and its overall simplistic design, it’s definbitely worth the money.” |
✘”It started leaking from the fill port a few days ago.” |
Elechomes CH601
| Positive reviews: | Negative reviews: |
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✔”Makes no sound at all when it runs, I’m obsessed over how great it is.” ✔”I’ve had it for a few weeks now, and I can say that I’m happy with my purchase as my nasal congestion disappeared completely.” ✔”Since I moved it into the nursery, the baby stopped coughing at night.” ✔”My husband used to snore extremely loud, but since we have it, I can finally sleep without loud interruptions coming from him.” ✔”Keeps my skin silky smooth and hydrated throughout winter.” |
✘”Leaves a little white dust behind, don’t really like this.” |
Vicks V790
| Positive reviews: | Negative reviews: |
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✔”Works great in large rooms and is easy to refill.” ✔”I recently had nasal surgery, and needed it to keep the moisture levels proper while I get back on my feet. Did I great job, I strongly recommend it!” ✔”Produces a high volume of humidified air quickly.” ✔”On a typical setting, I refill it only once every 2-3 days or so.” ✔”It’s easy to carry and fits in the sink, so refilling it is quite convenient.” |
✘”The LED light is too bright, it’s really annoying.” ✘”Started leaking water from the base, there’s a small crack in it.” |