Lasko? Natural Cascade Humidifier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had several Holmes humidifiers and Lasko humidifiers since getting rid of the last of the old permanent console Sears belt humidifiers that clogged and put mineral dust into the air.

The Laskos just run and run season after season (clean them out at the end of each season) and replace the paper cascade with a metal Honeywell cascade once and forget it.Do not attempt to clean the aluminum cascade (or just replace the polymer cascades every year - they're really not filters, per se).

BTW - You cannot fill these in the sink, they are too tall; you must use the faucet in the bath tub or shower.The flow there is much faster and you can fill it up faster there, anyway!

I used to be able to get both Lasko and Holmes at Wal-Mart, but they seem to only carry the Holmes now.That does increase filter/wick sales since you are supposed to (and HAVE TO because they no longer wick water properly with mineral build up) replace that every month on the Holmes units.

On the other hand I pitched one Holmes whose wick clogged in 1 month and am keeping another in the bedroom as a back-up to the primary living room Lasko when it cannot maintain proper humidity during the coldest weather.The wicks constantly clog with minerals and quit working and the water valves on the containers never seem to open properly. (I have now re-engineered the valve openers so they always work, but why should the customer have to do this?)

I am tired of replacing Holmes filters or having the unit fail to operateand metal Honeywell filters will not "wick" water to keep this type working.I have even added spacers to solve the Holmes valve failure problem, but they have to be centered perfectly or the valves cock to the side and still fail to open!

Winter 2008 ADDENDUM:
After 4 years of operation I finally had to replace the metal cascade.
We also have noticed that these units do a pretty good job of cleaning the dust and cat hair out of the air (we have 3 cats).It does this in two ways, first, the filter catches most of the cat hair and can be backflushed every 2-3 months, secondly, the dust gets knocked down with the waterfall cascade and collected in the bottom of the container where there is a foam filter to prevent these particles from being recycled back to the pump.Wash out the bottom every couple of months and you have a pretty good air filter.
NOTE,: As an engineer, I modified the distribution tray on mine with larger holes so more water goes through the cascade and less is dumped over the overflow dam.Also put an orifice in the visual flow indicator to divert more back to the distribution tray.

ADDENDUM #2:Just had the motor die on another humidifier and just purchased a Lasko 1120.Small, compact, unobtrusive in the living room, lowest initial price and just RUN forever!This may be my last humidifier I'll ever have to purchase!

Winter 2009/10 ADDENDUM: The motor finally died in my last Lasko unit.I removed the dead motor/pump and installed an aquarium pump for the waterfall and a small fan from Rite-Aid Pharmacy, that fits perfectly into the cone and it is running like a champ.
Our humidity is running around 45% at 10 to 20 degrees and we can breathe again without waking up with a sore throat, dry eyes and dried out nose in the AM!!Lasko? Natural Cascade Humidifier

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Product Description:
You won't dry out with the Lasko Natural Cascade Humidifier. SAVE BIG BUCKS! Forced air heating can leave you a little dehydrated. Lasko's Natural Cascade technology produces cool, unseen moisture through a constantly flowing stream of water. Whisper quiet and very clean, without the algae and mold build-up found in standing water systems. Reduce static electricity, keep your pets and plants hydrated and relieve dry and itchy skin, as well as the effects of allergies. Add comfort to your home heating: Constantly moving, high-output water pumping system; Treated, self-cleaning filter lasts the entire season; Adjustable power and humidity settings; Powerful system humidifies up to 1,800 sq. ft.! 120V, UL-listed. Measures 15 3/4 x 11 7/8 x 15" h. Weighs 9 lbs., 10 ozs. Don't wait! Order Today! Lasko Natural Cascade Humidifier

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Evaporative Humidifier Stainless Steel 15 Gallon Review

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(More customer reviews)In my quest to replace the fake woodgrain 1970s-vintage Sears whole house humidifier that we've used for years, I first purchased an EssickAir (Bemis) TD6-710. The unit had all the looks, size, and features we wanted - a really slick machine. The only problem was that it was severely design-flawed.
[...]
There is nothing on the market as sleek-looking as that unit. It's sad that it is so flawed. The hardware store was gracious to take it back used and unboxed, and they decided to return all 3 units they still had back to the manufacturer.

Wal-Mart had the Boston Innovative Products EH-01-342 for $109, so we picked one up. This unit doesn't have the electronic humidity meters, out-of-water indicator, or super-easy refill of the EssickAir, but it is solidly built and so far does not overflow the water basin like the EssickAir. There are 2 two-gallon containers in it for water. Each has a handle for ease of carrying. Getting them out involves removal of a pop-out screen in the back of the unit, so you don't have the convenience of frontfill. The 3-speed evaporator fan in typically noisy, even on the lowest setting. Cold air blows out the front of the unit, making placement of it in the room a concern of comfort. The unit is taller but narrower that those boxy larger units, making it a little less invasive. Time will tell how it fits into our home. I may update this in a few weeks with further experience.

2-1-07 Update
After using this machine for a little while, one thing I cannot understand. Why doesn't it have an out-of-water indicator? It seems crazy that you have to attune your ear to the mild grating noise that indicates a water refill is necessary. Why put the water pump through all that excessive wear? Another thing that can be annoying is the short cycle time. I don't know how the humidity sensor is set up, but the unit turns on for a few minutes, turns off for a few minutes, turns on for a few minutes... why not design a delay in the timing so that it wouldn't be so jarring with all this cycling? I'm thinking now that a 3-star rating is more appropriate, although it still beats most of the competition that I have tried.

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Product Description:
When you think of dryness, do you picture the arid, wind-whipped sands of the Sahara? Or the cracked, sun-baked earth of Death Valley? it might surprise you to know that there are places in this world that are twice as dry as those. One of the driest places on earth could be your home.The relative humidity of the Sahara Desert is 25%; Death Valley is 23%. In the winter months, the average heated home can have a relative humidity as low as 13% to 16%.This Boston Innovative Stainless Steel 15 Gallon Evaporative Humidifier generates moisture for added comfort, better health, preservation of home & home furnishings, and savings on your monthly energy bills. This unit features a highly efficient electrical rating of 0.48A, and runs on normal 120V, 60Hz AC (household current).

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Holmes HM4600-U 11-Gallon Humidifier Review

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(More customer reviews)We've had this humidifier since the middle of November. It is now the middle of April. We bought it after my daughter was born and had to spend 10 days in the special care nusery. Part of the time she spent in there was because of her tiny nasal passages. What helped get her though was the doctor putting her on a cool mist humidifier dome. The doctor said if we didn't already have one, to ge a COOL MIST humidifer. Cool mist will help open up the nasal passage where as the warm mist will generally help initially feel better, in the long run will close the nasal passages.

We have a very large room and needed a humidifier that would cover our area (the baby is in our room). This humidifer certainly fits that bill.

As for the loud noise it produces. We like having that noise. It is a steady sound at the same level. In fact the other night I had the humidifier turned off and woke up 4 or 5 times during the night because I was able to hear every little tiny sound that would normally have been drowned out by the humidifier.

As for filling it. You can do it in the sink or in the tub. The top for each tank has an attachment for it that screws into it so that you can lay the tank sideways in the sink. Our sink is deep enought that I was able to take the attachment off and fill it normally.

Having the humidifier room gage is great. Typically you want your humity level in a room to be between 40 and 60. During the night I run the humidifier on level 1 and it keeps the humity level around 50-55. During the day I change the setting to keep the humidity level no lower than 40. Every time the level goes below 40, the fan automatically turns on to keep up the humitity level.

The only real complaint I have with this unit is that it goes through filters quickly and they are on the expensive side. I have to change the filters once a month (there are 6 of them), but it has made a huge difference in the baby's breathing at night during the winter months. I have also noticed that I no longer wake up with a dry yukky mouth and my lips do not get dryed out and chapped at all.

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Product Description:
11 Gallon Console Humidifier with Ionizer from Holmes for a 1700 Sq. Ft. area

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Honeywell HCM6013 Cool Mist Air Humidifier Review

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(More customer reviews)We bought the Honeywell HCM-6013i cool mist humidifier to replace a GermGuardin humidifier that stopped working after 90 days of use. So far, this unit is performing quite well.

According to the specification in the owner's manual, this unit is capable of outputting 11 gallons per day (I'm assuming per 24 hours). Do not confuse this with the unit's water holding capacity. In two separate tanks, the humidifier holds about a total of 3.5 gallons of water. And you will not notice any humidifying mist as you might with other types of humidifier. This humidifier works by the same principle as a swamp cooler.

I usually have the fan speed on low and the humidity level set on auto at 35%. At these settings, I have to fill the water tanks every one and a half day or so. The HCM-6013i built-in hygrometer (humidity sensor) is no where near accurate. Although I have the unit set on 35%, actual humidity measured by a separate and more accurate hygrometer, measures 45%. I recommend buying a separate hygrometer so that you can find the right humidity level. If you're not as picky as I am, you can always go by feel and adjust the humidity control up or down until you find your comfort level, to where the unit turn on or off based on the setting.

This unit fits together from essentially four pieces; the base, the motor housing, and the two water tanks. The pieces do not exactly fit together that well. The design of this unit reminds me of something that was made from the former USSR. It's clunky...but it works. It has no problem keeping up the desired humidity level when the AC is on and the outside relative humidity is 10% - 15%. It draws water from one of the two tanks at a time. When either one of the water tank is drained the unit makes a buzzing noise from the empty lighter tank. It's a little annoying, but a little tab or jolt usually resolves this buzzing noise.

I recommend buying a spare HC-14 replacement filter for this unit. I already notice that within a day if not hours of use the water-wicking filter mentioned was turning a little brown on the top. I don't know if the browning of the filter is due to using tap water for the humidifier or the air in my condo is that dirty. I hope it's the former rather than the latter.

The manual states that using tap water is OK because the water-wicking filter will absorb and retain the minerals in tap water, while the Protec water cleaning cartridge will help fight bacteria and other microbes in the water.

As mentioned above. This humidifier works about the same way as a swamp cooler. In a dry and warm environment, this humidifier does put out a noticeably cool breeze.

This product also boasts of having an "Air Washing Technology", and an independently controlled air ionizer. I can't comment too much about these features because I can't attest to how well they work. Again some swamp coolers can also claim of being able to wash the air as they cool...right? My gut feeling tells me that these features are a bit gimmicky. Does it really "clean" the air in my condo? Maybe. Does the air in my condo really need cleaning? Sometimes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Honeywell HCM6013 Cool Mist Air Humidifier

Product Description:
Up to 30% quieter Exclusive Air Washing technology: Air filter system washes the air as it humidifies. Helps capture dust, dirt, and pollen. Protec Continuous Cleaning helps provide fresher, cleaner m

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Dr. Fresh Ultra Sonic Humidifier Winnie The Pooh Review

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(More customer reviews)I like that I can adjust the amount of humidity that comes out of the humidifier. The mist comes out of both Pooh's ears. It is easy to fill and the kids love it. Great buy. Oh yeah and it is very very quiet. I barely even know it is on. Would buy again.

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Product Description:
Create a healthy environment with Disney's Winnie the Pooh Humidifier with Night Light. It features with auto shut off when tank is empty and the water tank holds 1 gallon.

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Whynter Eco-Friendly 5 in 1 Evaporative Air Cooler (HAC-100S) Review

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(More customer reviews)Whatever your weather situation, this does the trick. I've used almost all the functions and my favorite is the humidification function. Being extremely dry in the dessert, this has the ability to maintain a very very precise level of moisture in your immediate surrounding.I'm very impressed. Just make sure the units has an sufficient fill of water to draw on and you're set. The cooling function is great and so is the heating. Great price and fast shipping.

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Product Description:
Unlike a fan that blows hot air, the HAC-100S air cooler cools personal air space significantly more than a regular fan, using about the same amount of power as a light bulb. An air cooler is a cost effective alternative to more expensive portable air conditioners. Great for the home or office, these air coolers are environmentally friendly because they do not use utilize freon and CFC refrigerants. This Whynter air cooler also incorporates a sophisticated humidifier system that provides a controlled cool mist of healthy, natural humidification. The internal air purifying system activates the carbon filter to capture particulates and then use water to filter dust, pollen and pollutants, trap them in the honeycomb filter and then wash them away.

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Homedics BRT-150 Brethe Air Revitalizer Review

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(More customer reviews)If the price of the unit and scent accessories was lower I would have given five stars.

The supplied scents do a good job of 'freshening' (actually scenting) the air throughout most of my 1500 square foot house.

The fan noise is noticeable, I usually run it five or ten minutes at a time to achieve the same effect as spraying an aerosol air freshener. The blue lights in the tank are good for a 'mood' effect and can be switched off if desired. If you just want to 'tune out' for a few, this thing is excellent. My spouse smokes cigarettes several times a day and the BRT-150 does a good job of covering up the odor from a cigarette.

I would not say that this unit is a humidifier. It will run for three or four hours continuously and maybe only use a cup of water. I would also not call this unit an air cleaner as such. It is an effective air freshener. The air coming out just smells and feels good.

I, honestly, purchased the BRT-150 so that I could disburse essential oils without having to use heat, nebulizers just seem way too strange and complicated to me.

My wife thought the citrus scent was a little overpowering so I experimented a little and came up with a fairly good recipe for using essential (fragrance) oils. My recipe will only freshen up the air in the room it is in, not the whole house (I don't know how they get that strong of a scent from the supplied material).

I borrowed/modified this from a perfumers recipe for making a spray-able air freshener with essential oils.

1/4 teaspoon Polysorbate 80 (an emulsifier derived from natural oils). You can get this from a soap maker's supply store.

30-60 drops essential oils, some oils are stronger, experiment for the best amount for your choice. I used 30 drops of pine needle oil and that worked fine for me.

1 tablespoon of cheap vodka (for low smell alcohol). This is optional but I found the oil's scent was more intense with it.

Mix the ingredients with a few ounces of water and add to the water to the freshener's filled tank. You will see the familiar white bloom in the water as you add this mixture.

Have fun!

Ken

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Product Description:
This air revitalizer neutralizes up to 99% of odor causing bacteria and removes odors caused by pets, smoke and other odor causing bacteria. The unique vortex cleaning action uses an intense "rainforest" mist to wash incoming air with an emulsified botanical solution. This 100% natural botanical solution comes with a choice of 3- 2.03 fluid ounce scents. Refreshing citrus, energizing lime and soothing vanilla. No bacteria filled wicks or filters are required and the air revitalizer also helps to maintain optimum humidity levels while the soothing blue light adds ambiance to anyenvironment.

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Hamilton Beach 05510 1.5 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I don't know why they call the low fan setting a quiet/bedroom setting.That thing is loud!My much larger 5 gallon hunter humidifier is much quieter than this thing.It also does not shut off when the water runs out.It happily keeps on blowing.It would be nice to have a smaller humidifier that still has the nice features.I didn't want to buy a huge humnidifier for the small room that I need it for, so I got this one.Aside from the noise and really having to keep an eye on the water, it works fairly well.The pieces are dishwasher safe, which is nice if you use your dishwasher a lot (I don't).

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Product Description:
Hamilton Beach 05510 TrueAir Cool Mist Humidifier with 1.5 gallon capacity features 2 speeds and easy to fill water tank.Features:1.5 gallon capacity.360 square feet coverage area.2 speeds: QuietMist and High.Easy to fill water tank.Dishwasher safe.

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Essick Air H12-300 3-Speed Evaporative Console Humidifier, Light Oak Review

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(More customer reviews)The only negative is that the installation instructions are a little cryptic and the fan makes some noise at highest speed.
At low speed, it's silent. Appearance is great and performance is great too (so far!).

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Product Description:
Console style whole house evaporative humidifier, contemporary style, full-size performance in a midsize humidifier.Midsize makes this humidifier popular, automatic humidistate maintains optimun humidity level, refill light, automatic shutoff, 12 gallons of output per day, humidifies 2500 sq ft.3-speed fan, 5.0 gal water-holding capacity, easy-fill water bottle with refill hose, Bemis patented super wick, removebale power pack for easy cleaning, ez-roll casters, 24x131/2x22, 22.5lbs. Color-Light Oak

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Kaz ReliOn Cool Mist Humidifier Help reduce that dry feeling when you work. Keep that moisture in the air. Review

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(More customer reviews)I have owned this humidifier for a little less than a month and have yet to encounter any of the problems of my fellow reviewers.My unit does not leak unless I place it on an uneven surface (which I do not) and it is very quiet.I feel much more comfortable during the day and sleep very well at night.I am extremely satisfied with this unit.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kaz ReliOn Cool Mist Humidifier Help reduce that dry feeling when you work. Keep that moisture in the air.

Product Description:
HOW DOES IT WORK? Dry air is pulled through the system and a quiet fan blows out invisible, moisture-balanced air. Unwanted minerals and bacteria from the water are trapped inside the filter. When the unit is running you will not see or feel a mist. You will know your humidifier is putting moisture into the air as you watch the water level in your tank decrease throughout the day.

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Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360 Degree Humidifier Review

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(More customer reviews)THE QUICK TAKE:The Safety 1st Ultrasonic 360

Bionaire BU4000-UC Ultrasonic Humidifier Review

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(More customer reviews)Been using this humidifier for about 2 weeks now, and while it is stylish, and very very quiet, and keeps my one bedroom condo at a comfortable humidity level.

The amount of white dust it produces is rather irksome, even with the filters it produces alot of white dust, fortunatley most of it seems to collect on my TV so I just wipe that down a couple times a day..You could use distilled water to eliminate it, but I go through about 4 gallons of water a day, so thats alot of distilled water.

I also do not like how there is no humidity gauge, so you can't set it to shut off when it gets to a certain level of humidity.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bionaire BU4000-UC Ultrasonic Humidifier

Product Description:
Improve your health with the Bionaire BU4000-UC Small Room Ultrasonic Humidifier. Bionaire humidifiers help keep the air in your room from being too dry. Avoid the unpleasantness of chapped lips, cracked skin and static electricity by making sure your room has enough moisture in its atmosphere. Excellent for small rooms, the Bionaire ultrasonic humidifier runs up to 24 hours on one filling. The touch screen control, view mist window, and visible mist are also featured on this model. Mist view window allows you to see if the mist is produced. Includes two removable water tanks with carry handle. Also features automatic shut-off when water level is low or mist channel is positioned incorrectly. The elegant original design fits perfectly in any decor. Dimensions: 13.6" x 12.7" x 15.3" (L x W x H). Includes Manufacturer's Warranty.

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Homedics Brethe Air Revitalizer Solution Review

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(More customer reviews)I liked my Homedics Breathe, but I was turned off by the fragrances that came with the unit. Having spent a lot of $$$ in humidifiers/ozone/air purifiers & co., I decided to test the use of this relatively inexpensive machine, using a different fragrance (even if the instructions specifically forbid this). Worst case scenario, I figured, I've thrown $50 down the drain (surely not for the last time!)
I found that you can pour in just a teaspoon or so of Mrs. Meyer's Ironing spray (love their smells), fill the tank up with water as usual and...

BOOM! Just kidding...

My Homedics has worked just fine for a month, now. A full size bottle of Mrs. Meyer's ironing spray is way cheaper than the Homedics refill... and you can't beat the smells of geranium, basil, lavender or lemon verbena. Try it yourself, but I warn you... I said to use the ironing spray which is a liquid, non-foaming solution. Other products, especially essential oils won't work or may clog your machine.
Once you try this, you'll be excited at the prospect of using the Homedics without being hooked to the purchase of so-so fragrances that are way too expensive, and not that enjoyable (according to my husband's nose!)

There, problem solved, my husband's nose is now finally satisfied!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Homedics Brethe Air Revitalizer Solution

Product Description:
The soothing vanilla air revitalizer solution neutralizes up to 99% of odor causing bacteria and removes odors caused by pets, smoke and other odor causing bacteria. This 100% natural botanical solution comes in one 8 ounce bottle. Use this solution only with the Homedics Brethe Air Revitalizer.

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Crane Nursery Ultrasonic Humidifier - Blue Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this for my baby's room and because winters are extremely dry in Colorado. It is a lot bigger than I thought - that's not a bad thing. It is extremely easy to use... just fill up and push the on button. The instructions are very simple. One thing I like about it is that it is ultrasonic (it uses a metal diaphragm vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency to create water droplets. It is not loud, and also produces a cool fog.). No extensive cleaning needed, no adding bleach to the water, etc. It does the job great. There is one little thing that bothers me... the on light is green (it turns red if it runs out of water) and it is very bright at night. I like my room to be dark and this tiny light really lights up a room. I did cover it up with some electrical tape and now it doesn't bother me. Other than the light (which was an easy fix), I love this humidifier.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Crane Nursery Ultrasonic Humidifier - Blue

Product Description:
Crane Nursery Ultrasonic Humidifier - Blue is adorable child-friendly design with a blue nursery theme makes this ultrasonic cool mist humidifier a standout. Its whisper-quiet operation gives refreshing relief from year-round heating and cooling. Variable humidity output regulator and low power consumption provide economical comfort. Its easy-to-carry removable water tank supplies up to 11 hrs. of running perfill and is suitable for rooms about 500 sq. ft. in size.

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Crane Cow Cool Mist Humidifier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although this humidifier looks like a toy, it works perfect fine.It is not the most high performance humidifier and it does not have any additional feature, like UV lamp or water filter, but it performs extremely well for its price.I bought it at around $30, before the price increased.Like all ultrasonic humidifier, it produces small water droplets using high energy acoustic action.The droplets are then delivered out using a small fan.It is extremely quiet that you will barely notice the sound even when you are going to sleep.The specification sheet states the power consumption is 32 W maximum, but it consumes less power in practice.Humidification is not necessary higher by operating the humidifier at higher power.At maximum power, the water droplets generated are very large and they will fall to the floor without increasing humidity.Thus, the humidifier should be operated at optimum power to generate finer water mist.Therefore, the operation power is lower than 32 W.For the same reason, the humidifer delivers 15-24 hours of performance with a galleon of water, instead of the 11 hour stated on the specification sheet.
It is important to point out, there is no extra replacement cost because this unit has no extra features.For this reason, it cannot eliminate mineral or bacteria in the water.So if there are minerals or bacterias, they will also be dispersed in the air.Filtered or distilled water should be used if tap water has minerals.Water should also be changed everyday and the unit should be clean every week to avoid bacteria buildup.I have noticed that you can put in trace amount of hydrogen peroxide to prevent bacterial growth.I suggest using about 1 teaspoon of home use (3%) hydrogen peroxide in a galleon of water.Doing so, I noticed that I do not have to change water everyday.Make sure you do not put too much peroxide, and do not put the humidifier next to your head during sleep after you added peroxide.

*Update*
Although the instruction manual suggests cleaning the water tank (top unit) with mild clorox blench solution, it does not mean you can clean the bottom unit with blench.I made the mistake and the paint/coating on the ultrasonic part is falling apart.At least this is why I think the coating is coming off.Now it cannot be used.Also my water has too much minerals in it, even with the PUR faucet filter, the humidifier still produces white dust.A reverse osmosis water purifier might do the job, but I do not have one.Good while it last, but I will have to get a different kind of humidifier for my next winter.I also like to down rate this humidifier to a 4 star, but Amazon does not allow me to change my star rating.It is still a pretty good for its low price ($30).*

*Super Update*Crane has now offer a mineral filter to minimize white dust.I have not use one, but I thought readers should be made aware of it.It is about $10-11 and it lasts ~2 months.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Crane Cow Cool Mist Humidifier

Product Description:
Crane Cow Cool Mist HumidifierThe Crane Cow Cool Mist Humidifier is a unique product designed to improve your child's health by improving air quality, increasing moisture in the air and reducing the levels of dust and bacteria in the air. This Crane humidifier features a child friendly design, variable humidity control, and whisper quiet operation thanks to its rapid vibration humidifier construction. The unit features an easily removable 1 gallon tank for up to 11 hours running time with a tota

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Vicks Vaporizer with Night-Light Review

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(More customer reviews)I have this exact unit. It works constantly, with no problems at all.
A pinch of salt, and it steams away and shuts off automatically when low.
I love the simplicity of this unit.
After years of using all the different fancy new kinds of humidifiers that need constant cleaning and special filters and antibacterial crap, this is very nice. No muss, no fuss, just moisture in the air.
The black stuff in the water is normal and is not gross, as someone said in another review.

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Product Description:
Vicks Vaporizer with Night-Light and pure steam action for relief of cold and flu symptoms.Vaporizer boils water producing a pure warm steam vapor, which is released into the air.The vapor is bacteria free and leaves no white dust. 1.9 gallon output per day.At least 10 hours operation per filling. Triple wall insulation keeps reservoir water at a safe temperature. Large night light provides added safety and convenience, particularly in children's rooms.

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Essick Air 697-500 Variable Speed Humidifier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received this item just before Christmas 2009.Our house was so dry I was slowly pruning. At 1500 sq.ft. on the main floor with 9 foot ceilings it keeps us quite comfortable and does the job. Have been running it straight since early December and no mechanical problems.Be aware of the following:

LOOKS:This cabinet model looks better on the website than in person. It is a darker brown than shown (not as orange) but still a pleasing colour. It is made of plastic and has a woodgrain pattern, but doesn't quite live up to getting away with it, mostly because of the slightly warped top vent (yes, vents from top, cannot put stuff on top of here without blocking the ventilation). Ours comes out of the plastic hinge at the back and does not seat well in all grooves, but probably not noticeable to guests.It needs to sit with it's back against a wall, as the back of the unit is not covered by a nice woodgrain cover, although it is brown plastic.You also notice the black filter hooked on the outside back sucking "filtered" air into the unit. My favourite part is it's on four wheels, so it is very easy to move and vacuum around on my wood floors.Unless you have shag rug, it should also be fairly easy to move on a short pile rug.

CONTROLS: It has two dials "humidity control" and "variable airflow".The humidity control does not go by numbers (i.e. 50% - 75%) so you don't really know the current level of your home; however it does allow you to set low / comfort zone / high arond the dial, and will toggle off when it reaches the desired humidity level set.We set ours 1/4 turn above the comfort zone and that works well.Note that setting it on high still doesn't peel your wallpaper, you can't even see the humidity coming out like you can on an ultrasonic BUT it does do the trick, as confirmed by the empty bottles I'm constantly refilling. The variable airflow dial goes from OFF/COMFORT ZONE (which starts immediately from off) to HIGH.This unit is LOUD!! When they say comfort zone they mean for your EARS.I only put it up to 12o'clock position (medium, I guess) when I'm out of the room, and any higher is just noisy with HIGH being like a battering ram.The comfort zone is best and since we situate it right by our kitchen/nook and living room we keep it low. (I know what you're thinking - we have taken it apart and rechecked our setup, it is correct with nothing unusual accidentally left inside, no real reason it should be this loud.Only thing I can think of is plastic rumbling on four wheels with the echo of our hardwood floors - maybe it won't be as much of an issue for you).

BOTTLES:There are two large 2.5 gallon bottles that rest on the left and right of inside cabinet.They are easy to fill and the unit comes with a tube to help you fill from your tap.Also comes with one small bottle of bacteriostatic additive to get you going.We use distilled water so we don't have the hard water build up in the bottom reservoir, you may want to use soft/distilled if you can get it or put an additive in to dissolve minerals.The bottles have handles on both top and bottom so when you turn them over to place them in it is easy to handle the weight.We don't spill any water when doing this and it's a great design.Also good are two "refill" lights that light up orange when each bottle is empty.They are easy to see through the grill on top as you're walking by, but not obtrusive.Very easy to refill while the other still is going, no need to turn unit off.

NOISE and PRICE: It's the only big drawback, and the price at $200 USD is steep for what it is.Would love to see real wood for that price, as there really isn't much to the unit but a small fan, filter, and plastic.

All in all, there aren't alot of different makes on the market to choose from, especially ones that don't look utilitarian.This will do what you're looking for but be aware if you have unusual dryness in your area and need to pump humidity with the control on HIGH, the noise from this baby will stop you from hearing your baby monitor and could keep you and baby up at night; otherwise, sleep soundly in the "Comfort Zone".Good luck with your purchase!

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Product Description:
Credenza style whole house Humidifier,clean, healthy evaporative humidification in a classic design. Automatic humidistat maintains humidity level, variable speed control, quiet nighttime setting, refill lights, automatic shutoff, 11 gallons of output per day, 5.2 gal.water-holding capacity,humidifies 2300 sg.ft. 2-stage air-care filter, bemis-patented super wick, replaceable 2-stage air-care filter which traps airborne particles and eliminates odors, easy-fill dual water bottles with refill hose, removeable power pack for easy cleaning, ez-roller casters, 29 5/8x14 7/8x25 3/8, 29lbs, Color-Cherry

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