Humidifiers: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentThis entry in the Press Room section of ConsumerReports.org, which can be viewed without a subscription to the site, sums up the findings of the organization's latest report on humidifiers. The editors recommend the Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 (*Est. $30) as a Best Buy, but they also note that this model can only cover a small area and does not include a humidistat. The article also compares different types of cool-mist humidifier -- evaporative, ultrasonic and impeller -- and notes that "performance varied widely for all types."

Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org tests the Venta-Airwasher LW 14 and LW 44 to check the manufacturer's claims that these humidifiers can filter and add moisture to the air. The results are reported in the blog section of the website, meaning that unlike much of the site's online content, they're available to anyone without a subscription.

Our AssessmentSlate.com's Laura Moser tests seven humidifiers in her own apartment, each for five 24-hour periods, and ranks the results with a numerical score based on performance, maintenance requirements and overall attractiveness. The Kenmore 15408, an evaporative humidifier, is the best performer of the lot, and Moser praises its double-fill water tank, which "cuts in half the number of times you have to stop life to schlep back and forth from the bathtub." She also gives high marks to the Honeywell HWM-450 warm-mist humidifier (discontinued), although she notes some personal reservations about this type in general. Though the write-ups on the individual humidifiers are not especially long, Moser does a good job describing the pros and cons of each humidifier, and the testing methodology and criteria are well explained.

Our AssessmentOwners rate their humidifiers with the usual mix of positive and negative comments. Among humidifiers with numerous postings, no models earn more than 4 stars on average. The Crane EE-5301 teardrop humidifier gets the largest number of positive reviews overall, followed by the Sunpentown SU-4010 and the Vicks 1200-6 Electric Steam Inhaler.

Our AssessmentWalmart.com sells about 80 humidifier models, and most of them have at least a few reviews. Crane tabletop humidifiers receive the highest ratings from owners here; some Vicks and Sunpentown models also receive strong reviews.

Our AssessmentMost of the 50 or so humidifiers sold at Target.com have only a handful of reviews, but a few have many more, including several Crane tabletop models that get fairly strong average reviews. The Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 is also popular with users. One humidifier, the Vicks V4500, gets especially poor overall ratings, with many complaints about mold buildup, white dust and noise.

Our AssessmentEpinions.com lists more than 500 humidifiers, but few models have more than one or two user reviews. The few humidifiers that receive more than a dozen reviews have poor overall ratings.

Our AssessmentPediatrician Vincent Iannelli, About.com's guide to pediatrics, recommends five humidifiers for children, though he doesn't refer to any testing in the brief write-ups. Three models from Vicks, one from Honeywell and one from Windchaser are recommended; however, only two of these five humidifiers are still on the market. Iannelli also warns parents to avoid warm-mist humidifiers to eliminate the possibility of a child being accidentally burned. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Our AssessmentPurityPlanet.com is a consumer information website for homeowners that has a section about humidifiers. In addition to advice on purchasing and upkeep, it provides information on several leading humidifiers. No specific models are rated, but opinions about each brand in general -- garnered from reading reviews elsewhere -- are shared.