Hamilton Beach 05521 4.0 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier Wash Safe with Electric Humidifier
by HAMILTON BEACH/PROCTOR SILEX
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List Price: Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Hamilton Beach 05521 4.0 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier Wash Safe with Electric Humidifier
Customer Review: Really Impressed!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have tried many models and I'm satisfied I got the best cool-mist fan unit available. The unit comes in 4 pieces; the large fan unit section that contains the controls, the translucent 3-gallon water container, the bottom tray that both of the previously-mentioned pieces slide upright into and a hidden water reservoir tray inside the bottom tray that's not visible from the product photograph.As for the main unit, the humidistat works very well. Although I can't comment on someone else's concern about the humidistat not being accurate, in my experience it works very well. When I ratchet it up to a high humidity level, I get lots of moist air. After you change the setting by pressing either the UP or DOWN humidity buttons to increment the humidity level in 5% increments, the display flashes for 3 seconds after which the unit responds (either turns on or off) based on the new setting. It's quick and easy.
In addition to the UP humidity button and DOWN humidity buttons, there's a 4-point switch for OFF/QUIET/MEDIUM/HIGH. The HIGH setting is really good for humidifying multiple rooms and blasts quite a strong swirl of moisture into any room in no time at all. The QUIET setting is remarkably quiet. Although no cool mist-based fan can be SILENT, I am impressed with just how quiet this lowest setting is. I was fine with it right away, and although my wife was cautious, she took to it by the morning and has enjoyed it ever since. For hypersensitive people (like my mom) where any noise would be too much noise, I'm afraid NO cool-mist system will be sufficient. I sleep with the unit on the floor in the same room I am in, slightly below the level of our bed, and a mere 10 feet away and am very pleased with the quiet hum of the lowest setting. Underneath the fan unit resides the filter which is easy to replace and sits almost too easily into a small molded, shaped guide in the bottom tray. New filters are flattened for shipping and need to be reshaped into a cylinder before replacing them - and filters seem to last longer than I expected at 1 filter every 5-6 weeks - even after which they do not look gross, moldy or dirty.
The water container is a smart design. The fill hole is at the bottom of the 3-gallon jug, but seals tightly by way of an integrated plunger built into the wide screw-release fill cap. I haven't had ANY problems with spilling, leakage or difficulty opening the fill cap as at least one other reviewer has mentioned. Since the container faces into a humid environment, it's worthwhile to shake the container once or twice before you carry it across the room to shake any droplets of humidity away. Refills are every two days for me - but we only use this in the evening and sleeping hours, so constant usage would likely require daily refills.
Every once in while, you may hear a slight gurgle as air bubbles float up from the bottom of the container while the humidifier is in use, but this also is hardly noticeable - especially since it is usually quieter than the fan itself on the lowest setting - and flat up impossible to hear if the fan is set to medium or high. This occasional gurgling of air bubbles is infrequent and no distraction at all. Finally, the 3-gallon container is very easy to fill, but because of its depth, you will need to have either a reasonably deep basin kitchen or utility sink or fill the jug up in a bathtub. Either way, 3 gallons of water is easy to heft for an adult, but may be difficult for an elderly parent or friend (consider a smaller capacity unit if this is the case). Carrying is an easy one-handed operation thanks to the white handle built into the top of the jug itself.
The 3 non-motorized plastic pieces can be placed in a dishwasher, but you will need a dishwasher with a fairly deep main section in order for the 3-gallon jug to fit. Consider removing the upper rack (if possible) for smaller dishwashers. If all else fails, the mouth of the jug is fairly wide (5" across), so a petite hand, wrist and arm could reach inside to scrub the unit if that was ever needed (it doesn't seem to get dirty, moldy or gross in the time I've used the unit). For the one piece that cannot be put into the dishwasher, the fan unit is remarkably open with a great deal of free space for cleaning. I have never seen a unit as easy and accessible as this one. Usually I simply throw out humidifiers after a season or two since disassembling them enough to clear every nook and cranny proves not worth the effort. This is the first and only unit where that has not been a problem.
With as many great things I have to say about this unit, I have one exceptionally minor complaint: the two largest units (the water jug and the fan unit) slide too easily away from the base. This is due to the shallow crevice they sit in and the lack of a clip, latch or groove that would otherwise `lock' the two units into place. This requires the user to slide the jug straight up when removing it for refills - otherwise, you run the risk of knocking the fan unit over and onto the floor. The up-side is that - without a lock or latch to secure these two pieces more tightly, lifting the jug for refills is a one-handed operation.
I hope this detailed description helps you decide to buy this unit. After examining and using many units, I honestly feel this is the best cool-mist, fan-based unit available - and hope these insights help you make a wise choice.
Customer Review: Pleased with it so far
Summary: 4 Stars
I like this humidifier. We've had it for about about two months now. It appears to work pretty well. I can't comment on the accuracy of the humidity gauge because I don't have another to check it with. But, I will say that I can feel the difference in the room when it's on. Some days we leave it on with the door closed while we're at work or whatever. (This isn't that bad since the humidifier shuts off when it reaches your desired humidity level.) When you open the door, you can feel the humidity in the air. Also, I haven't woken up with a dry throat since I bought it.Now, isn't that why you buy a humidifier? To put water in the air, right? Well, it does that.
I have had zero problems with any leakage. I don't have any cracks in it. I don't know about that other reviewer, what they might have been doing to get cracks, but my fill tank is fine.
I think it's plenty quiet on the quiet mist setting. There's three of us sleeping in the room, myself, my wife, and our 7 mo. old baby. Not one of us is ever bothered by the unit switching on and off.
Now, for some complaints. I think the fill tank is hard to open. You have to put some pretty good torque on it to get it to open. But, I suppose that's also a good thing if you don't want it to leak. But, if you have weak hand strength, this unit might be hard to work with. My other complaint is that I'm having to buy a new filter. I turned it over every single time I refilled the tank (that'd be daily for those keeping track at home) as the instructions recommend and yet it's already getting stiff. In fact, I've noticed that the unit is having a tougher time putting water in the air as a result of this. I don't know if this is a knock against the product as much as it might be a problem related to our water hardness (which is notorious) in our area.
Other than that, I've felt that this is a very fine product. My wife originally scoffed at the purchase. She doesn't have a sensitive throat and sinuses like I do. She also claimed that she couldn't tell any difference by having it on, at first anyway. But, after a couple weeks, she thanked me for buying it and said she could feel a difference.
My initial thinking is that this is a good humidifier. It's expensive. But, remember, you get what you pay for.
Customer Review: Nice construction but faulty humidity gauge
Summary: 4 Stars
The humidifier is easily assembled and seems to be constructed of a quality material. Upon setup, the machine ran quite smoothly and quietly...certainly quieter than virtually every other manufacturer. However, after it operated for about 2 minutes, the humidity gauge pegged at >60%, shutting down the machine. Using another humidity gauge, I verified that humidity in the room was less than 30%. As such, I have arranged for a replacement humidifier. I'll give Hamilton Beach one more shot to see what happens. Else, it's back to the drawing board.ADDENDUM: The replacement humidifer works fine. It seems that the humidity gauge is still not the most accurate, but it works nonetheless once it starts going. Recently, I found that I if vary the place of the humidifier to be more central to the room, it works much more efficiently.
Customer Review: quiet
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this humidifier 2 weeks ago and am very happy that it is quieter then my old Holmes humidifier. I use it on the quiet setting all day, and I only have to fill it once a day.I would suggest buying extra filters when you order.
Customer Review: This humidifier is awesome!
Summary: 5 Stars
This humidifier saved me from having a sinus infection last year. Years prior, before I purchased this, I had sinus problems every year. It's WELL worth it to avoid doctor visits, and antibiotics. You need to know this is designed, probably, for one room. Don't think you can buy this and it'll work throughout your entire house. I suggest keeping it in your bedroom and crank it up while you're asleep. That's when you need it most anyway. I love this product, I've had other humidifiers that don't work nearly as well. Also, order the filters designed for it, not the cheap imitation ones at Walmart; they do not filter.