Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Humidifier
As I write this there have been numerous reviews of this product. Some of them very glowing and some of them quite negative. I will try to avoid either extreme and focus on some things I haven't seen reviewed yet.
*SIZE: When I opened the box I was truly surprised. In the photos this looks to be the size of a table radio. Wrong! It is easily twice the size and not easily placed on most night stands.
*SOUNDS: As claimed, the unit is virtually quiet in operation.
*VISUAL: Nice very heavy-grade plastic construction, nice packaging. Most drug-store humidifiers are very thin all plastic, this unit feels well built and solid. Cool retro look to it.
*CONTROLS: Everything you would want or need, EXCEPT for one. Read on for details.
*USER MANUAL: Pretty basic. Misses a lot of important details, like what is that center column and do you remove it to fill the tank, because it seems to want to be removable for some reason. And the chrome thing at the top ... is it supposed to rotate to direct the mist in different directions? Wouldn't it be nice if the manufacturer told us it was okay to do that?
*MISTING: After all, that's what you buy a unit like this for. Well, it's true that some very cheap units can put out a stronger mist, but remember this is an ultrasonic unit, which has numerous benefits (like no wicking filter). The mist can be adjusted from "just barely there" to a heavy mist that honestly scared me every time I entered the room that I was seeing smoke from a fire.
*EFFICIENCY: I filled the tank and had it on the entire first night. In the morning it looked like the tank was empty and I thought that's just about what I would expect. However, looking at the tank again I realized that the water level had only gone down slightly. It turns out the tank is so large that I have only had to fill it a couple of times a week. I consider that excellent.
*GOOD THINGS: I have had several humidifiers and was disgusted by the mold and mildew that grew on the wicking filter. This is healthy? Ultrasonic humidifiers work a different way and tend to be cleaner. This unit takes that one step beyond and I have confidence I am breathing air that is as clean as possible out of a humidifier, especially if I clean it out occasionally.
*BAD THINGS: The evil BEEP sound every time you push a button! If you have a sleeping partner they will NOT sleep for long if you need to make any adjustments. That goes for people trying to sleep anywhere in your house. The beep volume should be 2% of what it is. Since the manufacturer was thoughtful enough to include a mode that turns the disco lights off if you prefer while sleeping, they should have included a switch to turn off the beep. This is not unique to this product, several Chinese-made consumer electronics products ranging from toasters to food steamers to clothes irons have a beeper that all seem to made by one diabolical company who also makes industrial smoke alarm beepers. The volume and tone are unnecessarily loud. This humidifier doesn't even need to beep at you in the privacy of your bedroom, the status lights are enough.
*EASE OF OPERATION: Why does EVERY humidifier have to have a tank that you remove, turn upside down, and try to fill under a faucet? What is wrong with a fixed tank and a cap like the gas cap on your car that you twist off and use a pitcher to fill? There would be far less chance of leakage, and it would be much easier to fill. Kudos to the manufacturer on this one in that the tank is made of heavy-duty plastic with a strong, secure carrying handle. But once you get it to the sink, that carrying handle makes it impossible to hold or lay flat, so you somehow have to try to balance the entire tank while filling it, without dropping it as it gets increasingly heavier. Then there is that flimsy spring valve that every humidifier seems to have. There just has to be a better way. The good news is that mine hasn't dripped more than a few tiny drops and is totally drip-free in operation.
*DOES IT WORK? After a few nights running it at a medium speed with the bedroom door closed, I find I wake up with less of a dry throat and breathing easier. I feel more rested as well. I live in one of the driest places in the country and I think this is a very effective humidifier. I am considering buying another for the office where I spend much of my day.
SUMMARY: WAY larger than it looks. Excellent cold and warm misting. Extensive controls. Premium construction. Large water tank. Cool, retro styling, doesn't look like a medical device. Virtually silent operation. Sketchy instruction manual. Insanely loud function beeps when buttons are pushed. Could be easier to fill.
RATING: Having researched humidifiers extensively I rate this as a solid 4. What kept it from a 5 is primarily price ... this is at the stratosphere of the market and, while you get more value that the cheap drugstore units, no humidifier should cost over a hundred. I also feel it is necessary to deduct a point to give the message to the manufacturer that the loud confirmation beeps are not necessary and they are really annoying.
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Germ Guardian H-3010 Ultra-Sonic HumidifierThe Germ Guardian Humidifier uses nano-silver technology to prevent microbial growth within the unit, stopping mold growth for a healthier breathing enviroment. The ultrasonic technology with option for warm or cold humidification set this humidifier above the rest. Warm humidification maintains an 80 degree temperature to kill low-temperature bacteria. This unit offers you a low water indicator that lets you know when it's time to refill the container, a variable spray function allows you to adjust the volume of spray output. The quiet operation makes this a great humidifier for any room.
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