Honeywell HWM-450

Slate.com's Laura Moser commends the Honeywell HWM-450 warm-mist humidifier on its design and performance. This humidifier releases 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 say their Honeywell HWM-450 requires very frequent cleaning. Others report that theirs suddenly stopped working altogether. Another problem with this humidifier is limited availability. The Vicks Warm Mist V745A (*Est. $40) gets better reviews from users and is less expensive. Experts say warm-mist humidifiers may pose a potential safety hazard for small children, who can accidentally tip them over, spilling hot 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 375 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.