Humidifier Review

Evaluating humidifier claims

Few of the reviews we found for humidifiers agree on favorite models, although certain brands receive many good reviews. The best comparative review we found for humidifiers appears at ConsumerReports.org. Fifteen tabletop humidifiers and three larger console models are evaluated based on their moisture output, energy efficiency, noise level, ease of use and ability to handle hard water (which contains a high percentage of dissolved minerals). Results for the tested humidifiers are summed up in chart form.

We also found test results for humidifiers at AllergyBuyersClub.com, a retail site. However, the editors of this site test only the humidifiers that they sell, so they do not cover as wide a range as the tests at ConsumerReports.org. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute also reviews humidifiers; engineers test 21 models and recommend five. Humidifier comparisons are based on four criteria: ease of use, appearance, energy cost and how quickly the units humidify a room. However, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute doesn't say which humidifiers didn't make the cut, and the discussion of each model doesn't include specific ratings or scores. Another comparative review of seven humidifiers appears in Slate.com, but it is several years old. Finally, Wired magazine provides a detailed review of the Air-O-Swiss 7144, but no other humidifiers are tested.

To back up these professional test results, we consulted user reviews at retail websites like Amazon.com and Sears.com, which reveal how satisfied users are with their humidifiers after they have them at home. We also found user reviews at Viewpoints.com and Epinions.com. User reviews can reveal problems with long-term durability and real-world performance that may not show up in professional tests. For instance, the Vicks V4500 Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier (*Est. $60) performs extremely well in one independent test, with very good to excellent scores for its moisture output and ease of use. However, in over 125 user reviews at Target.com and Amazon.com, it earns an overall rating of only 2 stars out of 5. Users agree that the humidifier works well and is easy to use, but they also complain that it is hard (some say impossible) to clean, leading to major problems with mold buildup.

In other cases, problems with humidifiers do show up in the test lab. In its news section (which can be viewed without a subscription to the site), ConsumerReports.org reports on its test of two Venta-Airwasher models, which are humidifiers that are also designed to purify the air.
ConsumerReports.org tests the Venta-Airwasher LW 14 (*Est. $185) and the larger LW 44 (*Est. $400) , using the same procedure it uses to test all air purifiers. Although the manufacturer says these humidifiers can remove particles as small as 10 microns from the air, ConsumerReports.org says most particles of dust and smoke are much smaller than this. The Venta-Airwasher could not remove these smaller particles. The humidifiers did add moisture to the air, but they lack important features such as humidity-level controls and sensors, and they require water additives and cleaning solutions costing approximately $90 per year.