Honeywell HWM-450

While most experts agree that cool mist humidifiers are the safer choice because they don't boil water, some prefer warm-mist humidifiers, which can raise the temperature in a room as they humidify the air. Slate.com's reviewer commends the Honeywell HWM-450 warm-mist humidifier on its design and performance. This humidifier outputs up to 4 gallons of water per day and has a 1.5-gallon tank. It's equipped with smart features such as digital controls, three humidification settings, a refill/clean indicator and mineral absorption pads to help cut down on maintenance. Owner-written reviews are mixed, however. Some owners complain that their Honeywell HWM-450 requires very frequent cleaning. Others report that theirs suddenly stopped working altogether. For about $40 more, the Kenmore 15408 cool-mist humidifier (*Est. $110) covers a larger area and avoids any safety risks associated with boiling water.

Owner postings at Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com are the most helpful reviews we found for the Honeywell HWM-450 warm mist humidifier. With more than 300 postings on Amazon.com alone, potential buyers can glean enough information to make an informed purchase. We found only one expert reviewer who tested the Honeywell HWM-450: Slate.com's Laura Moser, who put seven humidifiers to work in her own apartment.