Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've used a few different types of humidifiers over the past couple years, and my favorite so far has been a warm mist/vapor humidifier, like the simple boiling water kind you get from Vicks. Those humidifiers put out a lot of humidity, they're easy to refill, and they don't make everything in a room get a white powdery coating. Ultrasonic/cool mist humidifiers often make a white powder coating appear on some surfaces if you have hard water (like I do), but they are quieter (no boiling or fans), they don't raise the ambient temperature, and the mist can be directed via the vent at the top. They also don't use filters, so there is no maintenance or extras you have to purchase other than a simple weekly (at least) cleaning. This humidifier has simple controls (on/off switch on the back, mist level knob on the front), and a neat little port on the top that you can direct in two different spots. I usually just keep both vents pointed in the same direction. Refilling is easy; just grab the translucent top part, turn it upside-down, unscrew the drain plug, and fill in a standard-size sink. If I set the level to low/medium, I can use the humidifier up to a full day or so before a refill. If set on high, it only seems to last about 8-10 hours. Also, the humidifier shuts itself off if it senses no more water. RECOMMENDATION: If you need a simple cool mist humidifier, like one for a baby's room, this is a great option--especially if you only need to have it on for a small part of the day (otherwise you'll be refilling it a lot). TIP FOR LONGEVITY: Make sure you follow the included cleaning instructions, especially with regard to cleaning mineral buildup every week. If you don't this humidifier will probably only last a year or less (especially if you have hard water at your home, and don't use distilled water to humidify the air). If you clean it weekly, expect years of use.