Vicks V5100N 1.7 Gallon Ultrasonic Humidifier

Breathe and sleep easy with this super-quiet humidifier. This model purifies water and converts it into a soothing plume of vapor. The unit is shaped like a coffee maker, has a 10-by-6-inch footprint, and stands 1 foot tall. Clear blue plastic allows you to see how much water remains in the 1.5-gallon, 20-hour tank. A variable control provides fine-tuning of mist output, and the dial on the lid allows you to direct the mist (away from curtains or bedding, for example). Even at a blast the sound is still barely audible. This tank lies flat for easy filling, but might be a bit hard to reach into for cleaning. Still, the replaceable filter strains impurities out of the water, leaving the air clean. Pop open the lid--on this cartridge you'll find a phone number for ordering replacements. --Trilby Cohen

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
We've been very happy with this humidifier. The cool mist is very fine, so it feels more "misty" and less "damp" or "rainy" than some other humidifiers we've tried. The controls over how much or little mist it produces are effective, and it's very quiet. Although this product is a little more expensive than some other types of humidifiers, it's worth it. I know several people whose babies have been burned by warm mist humdifiers, and they also tend to breed bacteria, neither of which is a concern with this product. Also although we originally bought a cheaper humidifier, it turned out not to be as inexpensive as we first thought because we kept having to replace the wick and it quickly broke. This humidifier doesn't have "hidden costs" and is sturdy and well made. Also if you take off the lid and watch what it does to produce the mist, it's really cool (not a reason to buy the product in itself, but interesting ....)