Babies need our special care and attention. Not just when they are infants or toddlers but for a lifetime. All parents take time to start seeing their kids as self dependent. Are you a new parent? Then your kid’s health and wellness would be high on your priority list. You want your child to breathe easy and never suffer from illnesses. This post discusses how a humidifier for babies can ease out their breathing. Nasal congestion and mucus buildup can be kept at bay. All you have to do is maintain optimum humidity in your kids room. Humidifiers do just that. Read along to get thorough guidance on Best Baby Humidifier models. A healthy respiratory tract can add to your child’s defenses against viruses and bacteria.
BEST BABY HUMIDIFIER FOR KIDS ROOM
Kids are prone to catching cold and infections much quickly compared to adults. There’s not much you can do to alleviate their condition. They are in a phase where their immunity is still building up. Apart from visiting a pediatrician, there are some other things which are useful.
A humidifier for baby can make things simpler. Without much fuss bout it, a humidifier creates conditions which naturally help improve their cold and cough. Not just this they help keep the skin moist and supple. There are innumerable humidifiers available on online marketplaces. It could be a daunting task to find the best baby humidifier. This post helps you decide just that.
IS A HUMIDIFIER MUST FOR BABIES?
Dr. Melinda from Texas explains that a humidifier is not a necessity so to speak. She says “Some months of the year are harsher than the rest. Adults can adjust to weather changes but little kids cannot even convey their discomfort. We can create a helping atmosphere in kids room with humidifiers.”
I’ve seen a video where a Japanese mom is using an injection filled with lukewarm water. Don’t worry, the injection was without a syringe, just the plunger and barrel. The kid was 2-3 years old. She was injecting the water into one nostril and a lot of phlegm comes out from the other! It was a yuck sight but this procedure is said to relieve the child’s condition very quickly. This is an age old practice in Japan and without any risks. Please do not try this on infants or children aged 2 years.
OUR CURATED LIST OF BEST BABY HUMIDIFIERS
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A BABY HUMIDIFIER
There are five most important parameters to weigh your choice of humidifier against. Each of them is equally important as ignoring any one of them would make the purchase a burden. I am giving equal weightage (importance) to each one of them. So, their order or precedence does not hold any significance.
EASE OF USE
You would be using your device daily and atleast regularly right? You’d not like to tangle with user manuals or customer care with queries. I understand that even the most sophisticated of technologies seem simple when we get used to them. In a nutshell, a humidifier’s console should be feature rich and responsive. The setup time of the device should be less. Look out whether the available features are all you wanted. Can you do away with flashy consoles or touch panels? Would you be happy even with a rotary dial to modulate humidity?
The Sunluma humidifier for kids topped our list on this parameter. Its details can be read about further down the page.
EASY TO CLEAN OR NOT
The moment you commit yourself to bringing home a humidifier, you in a way become its foster parent. Regular cleaning of its various components and essentially the water tank is a must. Not changing the leftover tank water when the device is not going to help. Shirking the cleaning work for days invites growth of fungi and bacteria. I need not to tell what bacteria and fungi can do to your family’s health.
Cleaning with the help of vinegar eliminates whatever mold or green algae has developed. Use of distilled water (the purest form of water) is yet another way to keep these nasty beings under control. With tap or normal water, minerals may deposit at the base of the water tank or other contact parts. You should descale any deposits to prevent growth of pathogens. MIRO makes a model which is a breeze to clean.
So, what should you look for to ascertain that a humidifier is easy to clean? Check whether a brush or your hands can easily reach the water tank opening. Every surface inundated by water must be easily cleanable. If you see some crevices or edges where its impossible to clean, don’t buy that humidifier again.
STYLE OR EFFECTIVENESS
Design is everything for a product. A flawed design can sink a titanic no matter how much marketing is done. A humidifier for babies, you are purchasing for getting optimum moisture only. The design should be such that it complements the purpose. Your device should increase humidity in a controlled fashion. Neither too much as to form mist on the glasses nor too less to be hardly of any value. Having an auto-stop or humidistat to preset the desired humidity levels is a plus.
The best humidifiers can be rendered useless without proper sizing. Look where you want to place the device and measure the dimensions. With the room size handy, read reviews and the product description, only then take the plunge. A good humidifier should produce ample amount of mist without becoming too noisy. You must get the liberty to direct the mist stream to any particular direction (nozzle). Also, can you easily increase or decrease the moisture output, take a note.
In terms of mist output and style Crane Adorable range is good. MIRO and SUNLUMA (or likes) steal the show here as well.
NOISE
Noise is a big factor to weigh your available choices against. As you are looking to place your selection in a Baby nursery or kids room, it mustn’t disturb their sleep. Ultrasonic humidifiers are inherently silent except at high output settings. However, noise is not compulsorily disturbing. Some humidifiers make a constant humming sound with varying frequencies. Such noises are non-disruptive and are called ‘AWGN noise’ or simply ‘white noise’. You can look at the above chart to decide which one you would prefer if noise is a big criteria for you.
VALUE FOR MONEY
If a baby humidifier is able to serve you for long and fulfills the above four criteria then its a value for money. Cool mist humidifiers from Innogear are really worth it. As you can see we have placed URPOWER in our list but its not the only budget humidifier.
PURE ENRICHMENT COOL MIST BEST HUMIDIFIER FOR BABY
The Pure Enrichment cool mist humidifier must have something to it. What makes it the Bestselling Humidifier for kids? The answer lies in its simple yet effective design and soothing looks. There are no flashy LEDs to distract your baby’s sleep. You can choose to turn on a little bulb which makes transforms this humidifier into a soothing night light. The soft light illuminating the blue body through the water is not invasive at all.
The humidifier is large enough to last through the night in a single fill. As a matter of fact, it can on and on for around 16 hours. Moreover, there’s an auto-shutoff function which activates in the event the humidifier runs out of water. If your need is of a larger water tank then you can consider humidifiers from Levoit or Honeywell with over 4 L water tank. The humidifier adds moisture in the kids room to help them breathe with ease.
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GOOD FEATURES
★ A 1.5 L water tank which is good enough to make the humidifier last for 16 hours.
★ You have the choice to independently operate the night light.
★ The humidifier automatically powers off when the tank water runs dry. If you remove the tank while the device is ON, again it turns off.
★ There’s a 360° mist nozzle for targeted and faster humidification.
★ Very easy to operate. There’s just a single button on the whole device. This button controls the power and the night light.
★ The Pure Enrichment Cool mist humidifier is utterly quiet. There are no filters to be changed.
CRANE ADORABLE BABY HUMIDIFIER
Kids love toys and what could be better if a safe device can double up as their buddy! Only Crane brings out so many cute animal shaped models. This is the Best Humidifier For Nursery room which kids love the most. You can pick up the animal your kid loves the most. Moreover, the price is not too much so you can get your child another one if he gets bored of the old one. Clean your humidifiers weekly with vinegar for best results. Some users find it a bit difficult to clean but still it works fine for years at a stretch. Crane adorable series humidifiers are quiet and work well if distilled water is used. Be mindful not to place these humidifiers on wood or furniture. Use a plastic top or mat to place it over and 2 feet over the ground.
The Penguin and the Elephant baby humidifier models give the most mist output and the Frog the least. The Elephant makes more noise than the Duck. The Penguin model is the quietest.
BOTTOMLINE
Crane cool mist humidifiers for kids are lovable to kids but not necessarily so for the parents. The only reason we have listed it here is for the adoration kids show towards different animal shapes. Unless your child really gets excited to have a Crane animal, avoid these humidifiers. Its better to invest in better quality and durable humidifiers. You may have to shell out more to find a humidifier which is there for keeps.
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GOOD FEATURES
★ From the first look it may not seem so, but the water tank is quite big to hold 1 gallon or approx 4 L.
★ This is a filter-less cool mist humidifier. You should avoid using hard water to prolong the life of the humidifier though. The tank material inhibits growth of bacteria or mold.
★ Crane humidifiers too turn off when the water level in the tank is low.
★ This humidifier has a good humidifying capacity sufficient for 500 sq.ft. area.
★ Crane animal humidifiers are available in 15 different shapes to choose from. The Lady bug model should be avoided because of complaints. Even when it stops working it can still be a toy.
★ You cannot use essential oils in these humidifiers, so select wisely.
DRAWBACKS
- There are a lot of surfaces to clean and many tight spots depending on the animal shape. You must use vinegar to clean the animal properly and positively on a weekly basis. There is a lot of dismembering needed to clean or refill the tank.
- The ease of use or clean even the mist output varies from animal to animal. This is frustrating for some who unluckily land up with the wrong animal.
- The plastic material is not very high grade so never to be used for diffusing essential oils.
- Complaints of leakages are common and the durability is a question mark.
LEVOIT LV600HH ULTRASONIC BEST HUMIDIFIER FOR NURSERY
If you read our bottomline for Crane humidifiers, the Levoit LV600HH cool mist humidifier is what we meant. The Levoit ultrasonic baby humidifier produces true cool mist which is very fine and propagates far and wide. As you can see from the image, it is a sophisticated device with a remote. The best part to it is that the price is still not exorbitant. Just look at this beauty! There are so many features to it and a clear water tank makes it even better. You do not have to depend or wait for the device to shut down automatically for want of water. You can see the water go down in front of your eyes! Needless to mention, it still does have auto shutdown function.
You May Also Like: HOW TO CLEAN A HUMIDIFIER
The Levoit cool mist ultrasonic humidifier has a 1.5 gallon water tank. In about $85 you are getting a remote, humidity control, and essential oil diffuser capability! You can set the mist level as well. Top this up with the choice of using it as a warm mist humidifier. Warm mist mode renders an enhanced sense of care and assurance against bacteria. If you use it in Warm mist mode, don’t think that it doesn’t need to be cleaned anymore.
The humidifier with an empty tank weighs just 2.2 Kgs. You should use a baking sheet under it. All in all, the Levoit humidifier is ideal for large bedrooms.
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GOOD FEATURES
★ The Levoit ultrasonic humidifier boasts of high-tech features and a huge 6 L transparent water tank. There is no filter so that offsets the extra cost to some extent.
★ A convenience remote lets you power ON/OFF, set timer, control mist and humidity etc. You can even set timers from 1 – 12 hours.
★ A catchy look and design which in itself looks regal and rich. The display LEDs can be turned off if you wish to.
★ Ideal for humidifying 753 sq.ft rooms or smaller. It produces mist at the rate of 500 ml/h. So, ideally it should last for a full 12 hours in one tank full of water. At lower mist outputs, the water may even last for 36 hours continuous use.
★ Separate essential oil pads and absorption pads come along to diffuse aroma oils. The medicinal properties of select essential oils could soothe the baby’s cold and cough better.
★ If you set the Levoit humidifier in AUTO mode, then it takes care of automatically adjusting the humidity. In short, the baby humidifier modulates its mist production likewise.
CONS
- The hygrometer which measures and displays the humidity level is not very reliable.
- As with any sophisticated device, it is prone to malfunctions. Its best to buy simple humidifiers which do not create any fuss.
- Water leakages can be a worry, but it all depends on your luck.
TAOTRONICS COOL MIST BEST HUMIDIFIER FOR KIDS
The TaoTronics TTAH-001 cool mist humidifier is very similar to the Levoit humidifier if you notice the display. The difference in the lower tank capacity (3.78 L) and absence of the remote. The distinctive feature about this baby humidifier is its Sleep Mode and Quiet operation. The TaoTronics humidifier is way cheaper than Levoit. Its noise level is just 38 dB as compared to 46 dB of Levoit. A single water fill can make it last a 12 hour run-time. The blue light just underneath its filter glows soothingly.
The TaoTronics humidifier is way more reliable and dependable than the Levoit LV600HH one. The Levoit one if it continues to run fine then you are all set. TaoTronics TTAH-001 is more sturdy and users have fewer complaints or issues with it. The micro-porous filter removes microbes and foul odor from the water. A 360 degree nozzle can direct more mist to a specific area.
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GOOD FEATURES
★ The TaoTronics ultrasonic humidifier has a 4 L transparent water tank. There is a filter visible in the tank to remove impurities and mineral salts from the water. Filters prevent formation of white dust which otherwise settles on all surfaces in the room.
★ You can set the desired room humidity level which is 50% mostly but can vary between 40% – 60%. The display also features the current humidity levels. There are 3 mist output settings.
★ The Sleep mode shuts down the blue night light and those on the display. The operation is remarkably quiet. A Timer lets you schedule its working.
★ Ideal for humidifying 100-320 ft² rooms. The maximum rate at which it produces mist is 330 ml/h. At this rate it can continue to ‘Mistify’ your room for 15 hours. At lowest output it can go on for 30 hours.
★ Its very easy to fill, empty and carry the humidifier. The handles on the top and next to the place where you fill the water makes it easy to fill up. You cannot use essential oils with this device.
★ The good thing to note is the positive customer feedback on the company’s response and help. A very good baby humidifier really!
SUNLUMA BEST BABY HUMIDIFIER
When you bring home a humidifier, be ready to add an extra chore to your daily routine. This additional work is to fill, clean and maintain the humidifier. A humidifier for kids room requires no less care and attention than your baby himself. You can heave a great sigh of relief if you choose the Sunluma humidifier. There are numerous models and companies, so giving ‘Best’ awards to any one model would be unfair. Still, Sunluma cool mist humidifier does rank high in the ease of use and maintenance.
A very comfortable design lets you fill the water with super ease. This one is even quieter than the TaoTronics one discussed above. A 360 degree nozzle can be rotated in the desired direction. A blue night light can be operated independently.
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BOTTOMLINE
Telling you straight, this humidifier is worth every penny you invest in it. Unless you are delivered a defective product (which you can anyhow exchange or return); you won’t regret buying the Sunluma humidifier. Its very sturdy and easy to handle.
GOOD FEATURES
★ This Sunluma baby humidifier can be regarded as the Best kids room humidifier when it comes to ease of use and cleaning.
★ The water tank is of good capacity holding 4 Litres. The quintessential auto shutdown feature is present. A turn knob lets you set the mist output.
★ No part of the humidifier is difficult to clean which is a big big plus. Wide openings can be cleaned with hands and brushes. Sunluma Cool Mist humidifier weighs just 1.2 Kg so it can be moved around or handled with ease.
★ Room size between 215-430 ft² can be humidified. The mist rate can be adjusted between 60 – 300 ml/h. Depending on the mist rate, a single water tank filling can last between 16 to 50 hours.
★ Essential oils cannot be poured or used in this humidifier.
★ Always place this humidifier on a flat surface preferably non-fabric or non-wooden surface.
URPOWER COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER WITH COLOR CHANGING LEDs
There are many small humidifiers with only a few hundred milliliters water tanks. This model from URPOWER is quite popular and you are seeing at the 2nd version of it. This version produces more mist than its previous one. Good thing about it is its utility for small spaces. The color changing LEDs impart freshness to the room interiors. There is an auto shutdown capability which is so important in this case as its water tank is just 100 ml. You can use pure essential oils without any fear and in the recommended way.
Even the InnoGear humidifier and essential oil diffuser is a great choice. It has 8 color LEDs and is the #1 Bestseller in Aromatherapy diffusers. Using essential oils can change the complete indoor environment. Each essential oil brings forth its own health benefits. The advantage of these type of humidifiers is that they can be used as a night light after they stop working.
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BOTTOMLINE
Buy this humidifier or others of its type with a mindset that it would work fine for whatever time it would. You’ll be happy for the duration it works. Some months down the line, it may become difficult to open it and it may stop working. Given its low cost, it never a complete waste of money as it can always be a good night light. To expect such humidifiers to be a one time investment is like keeping yourself in the dark.
GOOD FEATURES
★ There are 7 color changing LEDs which is the highlight of this humidifier. You can set it to a constant color or a changing setting. You can even switch off the lights altogether if you find them bright or distracting.
★ It being a small humidifier, a single water fill can make it go for 6 hours running. Its size is ideal for small rooms, office rooms, counter or table tops and other smaller areas.
★ Its Mist output can be set to continuous or intermittent. The burst mode spews freshness in a gap of 30 seconds. The Mist that it produces is noticeable and appreciable.
★ Room size between 215-430 ft² can be humidified. The mist rate can be adjusted between 60 – 300 ml/h. Depending on the mist rate, a single water tank filling can last between 16 to 50 hours.
★ Essential oils can be conveniently used in this humidifier. The good thing is that the scent is mild and not over the top.
★ This humidifier is safe around kids and operates without noise. Leakages are not a concern with this model.
DOWNSIDE
- People find it hard to twist the upper part to get it apart for refilling or cleaning. They complain the lack of grip as the sides are very smooth.
- Works better as an essential oil diffuser than for humidifying the room. As you can guess, its really small to humidify the whole room for you.
- The company is in China so getting replies or assistance from them could be a pain.
VICKS WARM MIST HUMIDIFIER
Parents are always concerned of the well-being of their children. This is the reason why the majority of models that you see in this countdown are cool mist humidifiers. Warm mist humidifiers can get hot on some parts which pose a rick to kids and pets. There’s a trade-off actually. While the mist temperature is the same in both types, warm mist humidifiers are considered more safe from bacteria standpoint. The water is brought to boiling and then dispelled into the room air in mist form. Naturally, the heating kills the bacteria and microbes.
It has auto turn off so when the water runs out, it automatically stops. The water tank capacity is good at 1 gallon.
NOTE – Keep warm mist humidifiers out of reach of kids.
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GOOD FEATURES
★ You can add drops of Vicks Vaposteam in the medicine cup to relieve congestion and cough. Using this medicated additive containing camphor, the person suffering from scratchy throat or cough can sleep without disturbance.
★ There is no requirement of any filter. Use distilled water if you want to avoid any mineral buildup. Or you can defer the cleaning to once a week.
★ It has 2 mist output settings – High and Low. In the high setting the water lasts for around 8-9 hours. If you choose to run it on Low mode, then a good 20 hours time.
★ Its easy to clean and has even won an award for it! A translucent water tank has a night light visible through it.
★ No clear indication is present on the product description about the recommended room size. However, you can safely assume that it works for around 500 sq.ft. area.
★ Worthy to mention is that this humidifier does not warm the room. Water vapor is a green house gas which retains heat for long due to water’s inherent latent heat property. So, its the increase in room’s moisture level which could make you feel warmer.
MIRO NR08M ULTRASONIC HUMIDIFIER
There’s always a class of people among us who like to splurge on devices. It may be the result of being rich or just a bad habit! If you fall in either of the two categories, then this humidifier from Miro is just for you. I mean its just a beauty to behold. Seeing it work is just a wonderful sight! The top portion comes off and you can see the mist being generated from the water in plain sight. The bottom portion glows in multiple LED colors which you can set.
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You can even control the humidifier through Alexa, Google Home and Bluetooth! But, you have to upgrade with a separate buy to use this feature.
The Miro baby humidifier is 100% safe and reliable product. One noteworthy thing is that the tank and parts are 100% BPA-free. This means the material is free from a harmful ingredient – Bis Phenol A. Its super easy to clean and all the good things one can expect from a humidifier are present.
DESIGN AND LOOKS
Miro humidifier is a premium one which will induce curiosity and appreciation alike. The design is so unique in that the mist-maker floats atop the water bowl. The bowl is in turn connected to a smart touch panel from where you can control its functioning. The bottom part can be illuminated with LED lights. The good part is that you can set the lights to transition and change from one color to another. Should you want, you can even turn the lights off or let them be on a particular color.
Each MIRO humidifier comes with a set of two Vapor Caps. These vapor caps are like chimneys to catapult mist out of the machine. The taller one should be used in conjunction with the noise muffler. Noise is just not a factor as this device is completely silent.
WHAT’S ON THE CONSOLE
The control panel has back-lit touch buttons which respond even with wet hands. The convenience features like Timer, and controlling the LED lights are available on the console.
REFILLING & CLEANING
You can refill water from the top easily. It can hold 1 Gallon of water by the way. The complete body with parts like fan, mist maker and water tank are water proof. This makes the complete humidifier safe to wash in hot soapy water. The components come apart easily without any tussle. Overall, this humidifier is a breeze to clean.
EVERLASTING COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER WITH ESSENTIAL OIL TRAY
We found one such humidifier which specializes in being a humidifier cum aroma diffuser. The budget models from URPOWER, or InnoGear give out aroma too. But, their effect is restricted to a very small zone around the humidifier. This particular model from EVERLASTING generates good amount of mist too. The scent of the essential oils can be felt throughout the room.
A separate chamber to pour aroma oil drops is the highlight of this model. This offsets the risks of corrosion or humidifier malfunction which direct pouring into the water entails. Essential oils can relieve chest congestion and stuffy nose.
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WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
Worth mentioning is the fact that this device runs for a 50 hour duration in a single fill! Isn’t it tremendous? Overall it is very well designed for providing good humidification and essential oil aroma therapy. The good thing is that it does both these tasks equally well.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Refilling is greatly reduced owing to its large 5 Litre water tank. Still, when its time to top-up the water, you need to roll up your sleeves. It needs to flip over the humidifier to get to the tank.
TDI PRO BEST BABY HUMIDIFIER FOR LARGE ROOMS
Your requirements and expectations from a room humidifier are best known to you. If you are looking for a humidifier with very good capacity then you must go for larger models. There is no magic wand which can compress a humidifier with large water tank. Here I have chosen this model from TBI PRO as the Best rated humidifier for large rooms. Feature rich and coupled with a remote, TBI PRO humidifier will prove to be a great buy, I am sure. It ranks high in its ease of use and cleaning, noise level, infrared remote control and sleep mode.
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A ‘medical stone filter’ comes with the humidifier which removes bacteria and other impurities. There are 3 Mist Levels for varying output to suit your requirements. The temperature is displayed in Celsius, if you are more accustomed to Fahrenheit then you need to know that it is not changeable.
Overall, a very good humidifier for the whole house! Users have observed relief in cough, allergies, dry skin, wrinkles, insomnia, and nosebleeds.
GOOD FEATURES
An ideal humidifier for large rooms of around 750 sq.ft. Its tank is sufficiently large for it work 2 days on a trot! A water level indicator still not lets you forget refilling the water. This cool mist humidifier comes with a remote control. the remote allows controlling the mist level, power and timer.
★ TBI PRO humidifier has a big water tank of 6 L capacity. A bigger room will require more water in the tank so it has it.
★ The LED display is really conspicuous and informative. Indicators of temperature in Celsius, water level in the tank, room humidity level and others dot the touch panel.
★ The water tank is top filling. You just have to remove the cover and bring the humidifier below a tap or through a jug.
★ You can adjust the direction of mist output as the nozzle is 360 degree rotatable.
★ Worthy to mention is the ultra quiet operation. It just makes noise comparable to a whisper. 30 dB is the noise whatever it makes.
★ The sponge filter is to be placed near the top of the base and is used to add oil drops.
CRANE COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER FOR KIDS ROOM
Apart from the cute animal shapes models from CRANE, this particular model is a loved one among users. The animal shaped humidifiers have their own string of problems in cleaning or refilling. Not so in this CRANE cool mist humidifier which is easy to clean with a transparent water reservoir.
If we talk in overall terms, then it is one of the most bought Filter-less cool mist humidifier. However, I do not recommend it for kids aged 1-6 years. The power cord is very short, approx. 2.5 feet. You cannot place this thing on a wooden table top or fabric, so use a plastic tray or something. The snout is easily dislodged if any kid tries to as it is just sitting there and not fixed.
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The looks are pleasing to the eye. The plastic is somewhat delicate though. Hence its durability and thus value for money is a concern. As time passes users complain of it getting noisy.
HONEYWELL HCM350W EVAPORATIVE BABY HUMIDIFIER
The Honeywell HCM350W and some other models cannot be ignored. Honeywell is such a trusted name in the industry to leave its one of the choicest humidifiers. This particular humidifier features simple and elegant looks. Nothing flashy or gaudy, it just minds its own job of providing natural humidification. This is an evaporative humidifier and not an ultrasonic type. The difference is that here the evaporation happens through a wicking filter. So, we have a filter material which is typically a cotton wick which is immersed in the water tank. The part which is left exposed to the air is where the evaporation takes place.
The USP is its very easy maintenance and cleaning. Another thing to note is the presence of Ultraviolet technology which helps kill the germs in water. There is a fan on the inside which draws the outside dry air and passes it to the filter where it collects moisture.
A downside to it is that it isn’t compact and occupies good amount of space. From Best Baby humidifier perspective, it cannot be considered ever-hygienic.
BOTTOMLINE
Users get attracted to the reviews and the brand weight that Honeywell wields. In my opinion you should give this humidifier a miss. The recurring filter costs pinch one and all. The Germ-free claim is also not very reliable. The water in the tank may very well be germ free courtesy the UV light. However, there are other parts like beneath the fan and motor where mold growth can occur. You can use tap water.
If you are looking for a humidifier which would really last long, then go for it. You may not like its looks as it grows old with you. The humidity it creates is enough to cater to a medium sized area of approx. 400 sq.ft.
CLEANING
Ease of cleaning is what has brought this humidifier in this countdown. If your dishwasher allows then the bottom tray and tank can be cleaned in it. The tank opening is wide making it easy to clean and dry it later. You should try and allow the wick to dry everyday as it can become a hot-spot for mold growth. However, it can be difficult to clean the fan as it collects dust over a period.
NOISE
This humidifier does not make much noise, but yes it makes some noise even at low fan speed. The noise however is a non-intrusive white noise.
GOOD FEATURES
★ Ultraviolet light kills germs in an instant. Its good to have this feature for the satisfaction one gets. So, you are getting the Germ-free assurance in a cool mist humidifier.
★ Evaporative Cool moisture humidifiers maintain a balance of humidity by default. Since evaporation ceases on its own when the air collects enough moisture. Such humidifiers are safe, do not cause white dust and have little scope for malfunction.
★ The Honeywell HCM350W can hold 1 gallon of water which can last a 24 hour window. Use distilled water if possible to prolong the life of the humidifier.
★ The wicking filter helps demineralize and impurities from the water if any. The filters have a Protec antimicrobial coating which resists bacterial and mold growth. The wick becomes hardened or discolored usually in 1-2 months. You would need to replace it with a fresh one else the humidification will be affected.
★ Filling water, rinsing and cleaning the water tank is super easy. There is no hard to reach area where you cannot clean the tank properly.Essential oils can be conveniently used in this humidifier. The good thing is that the scent is mild and not over the top.
★ No essential oils should ever be used in the water else the company warranty will be null and void.
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Which Type Of Humidifier To Use?
Broadly speaking there are 4 types of humidifiers.
- Cool Moisture type
- Cool Mist or Ultrasonic type
- Warm Mist type
- Air Purifier cum Humidifiers
Cool Moisture Humidifier
Do not confuse between cool-mist and cool-moisture humidifiers. If you see the words ‘Evaporative’ or ‘Wicking filter’ in the product description, it means its a Cool Moisture humidifier. These devices essentially come with a filter which has a wick in direct contact with the air. These devices depend on the natural evaporation process. To speed up evaporation, a fan pulls in dry air which moistens after passing through the filter.
There are both good and bad things about evaporative devices. A good thing about them is that they are self-adjusting. When the air in the room obtains sufficient moisture, the evaporation rate decreases and vice versa. So there is no risk of over-humidification.
The downside is the recurring filter costs that you have to bear. The wicking filter can become a playing ground for mold if it is not replaced in time.
Cool Mist Baby Humidifier
Instead of a moving fan, these devices employ ultrasonic sound to generate mist. High pitch sound breaks the water droplets into very fine mist. Being tinier than normal water droplets, the moisture is transported far and wide and quickly. Generally you get options to regulate the mist output. Most Hi-Tech models you see online belong to this category.
The good thing about these is their versatility. They are completely noiseless and produce huge amount of visible mist. The sight of dense mist in itself is assuring and relaxing. Plus these are available in a variety of shapes and colors with beautiful LED lights. Most of the models discussed above are Cool Mist humidifiers.
Warm Mist Humidifier
Warm mist humidifiers are not recommended for Babies rooms or nurseries for the risk of burns. These devices have some hot parts which may cause burn injuries to kids. Their name may suggest to you as if they produce warm mist? It is not so, the mist temperature till the time it is expelled out comes at room temperature only. These are best for adults who are suffering from medical conditions and recuperating. For patients whose immunity is lowered and risk infections, warm mist humidifiers are preferable. The model from Vicks is one such type.
Air Purifier Cum Humidifiers
Then there are combo devices which work as both air purifiers and humidifiers. Needless to tell you that their cost would be higher than all standalone humidifiers. The good thing about them is that a single device is doing the job of two. You have one less thing to care and maintain. However, if air pollution is not your concern area, then no need to buy an air purifier.
Sharp KC860U is one such combo Air purifier. We’ve even reviewed it separately.
Benefits Of A Humidifier On Baby’s Health
If you are already a user of any humidifier you’d probably very well know the benefits that ensue. For new parents who are aware, I am mentioning the benefits below-
Eases Breathing
Our respiratory system works best when there is optimum humidity in the air. Sufficiently moist air is what our body loves. The kid’s tiny nostrils and delicate nasal passages will remain in their healthiest shape. Itchy throat and coughing are also relieved. You cannot give conventional medicines for cold and cough to an infant. With a well humidified air indoors, babies can sleep peacefully.
Helps Ease Congestion
You know how troublesome thick cough could be. One feels stuffy and even after blowing the nose multiple times, the passage still seems blocked. Poor little souls cannot even blow their nose or convey their misery! A well-moisturized indoor environment, doesn’t let cough dry out inside. Rather, it is expelled out easily from the body. So, try out a humidifier the next time when your baby suffers a bout of cough, cold or congestion.
You May Also Like: HOW TO CLEAN A BABY HUMIDIFIER
Keeps Skin Supple
We apply so many things on our skin to keep it healthy and radiant. Did you notice that in rainy season you do not suffer from skin dryness? Its because of the already moist air in those days. Similarly, the extra delicate skin of your kid and yours too would remain soft, healthy and supple.
Prevents Infections
Human body actively fights against infections day in and day out. You don’t even know when your body’s defense mechanism thwarted an attempt by rogue microbes. Our sinuses and mucus function up to the mark if humidity is at 40 – 60%.
Nosebleeds
Dry nose and nosebleeds are a reality for some kids. Nosebleeds are a common sight in hot and dry weather conditions. Frequent occurring may be indicative of some disease or medical condition. But in plain sight, these happen due to lack of humidity in the air and/or heat-stroke. A humidifier can help prevent that graphic sight.
How To Maintain A Humidifier
1. Adding Essential Oils
Doctors recommend to use just plain mist for kids or infants. The impact of aroma oils on their delicate systems is always doubtful.
Add essential oils or additives to the water only if your device allows you to. There are clear cut instructions on user manuals or packaging about it. Adding essential oils to non-BPA free water tanks is not recommended. Moreover, not following the recommended way could corrode the parts and your device can malfunction.
2. Be Mindful Of The Water
Water is what a humidifier is all about. Using pure water devoid of visible or dissolved impurities is the key. Always use distilled water if possible. I know it means extra monthly spending, but can’t think of a better advice. Look to buy affordable distilled water and if you can get a discount on long term subscription.
Using distilled water obliterates the white dust problem. If your tap water is high in minerals, then you can use a demineralizer. An ultrasonic humidifier can cover the entire surfaces in a white mineral dust, if pure water isn’t used.
3. Proper Cleaning Regimen
A humidifier can become a bustling hub for bacteria and mold if you fail to maintain it properly. I need not to explain how harmful it can be for your family’s health. A dirty humidifier throws out bacteria and fungi along with the mist! I am sure you won’t want it happen lest you should fall seriously ill. So, avoid being lazy. Your device needs regular care and exhaustive cleaning once a week atleast. I have compiled an article on How To Clean A Humidifier.
You should try to let the water tank and other wet surfaces dry out daily. Try to show the parts some Sun and air. Accommodating this habit in your daily chores will prevent that musty odor. You can use Bacteriostatic products which inhibit bacterial and algae growth.
PRICE CONSIDERATIONS
A humidifier’s cost varies with its features, tank size and coverage area. The average cost of a humidifier is between $30 – $70. Some models for bigger rooms and sophistication can cost over $150 or more. While you make a choice, do not forget to include the running cost if you have to buy filters or replacements.
WINDING UP- BEST BABY HUMIDIFIER
I hope I was able to deliver my message on the utility of humidifiers effectively. However, I have a word of caution. You strive to provide all possible comfort and care to your kids. In this pursuit are we making our kids extra ‘soft’ and ‘fragile’? I mean who provides a humidifier to kids in war torn African countries where even the nature is too harsh in summers. Or, to millions of kids in poor countries. Yet, the kids grow and some grow very well physically like the Usain Bolts, Peles or Novak Djokovics. Somewhere you should draw a line to let kids develop immunity and grow up into stronger individuals.
As I hope is fairly apparent, I’ve put in a lot of effort and research into the post. Your comments or feedback for any of the humidifiers you have personally used, would be much appreciated!
