Holmes HM5700 warm mist humidifier: Quiet solution for your bedroom
Written: Dec 27 '03 (Updated Jan 26 '04)
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Pros: QUIET, cheap operating cost, excellent control menu with nice LCD display
Cons: Water opening to far from the edge of the unit, makes it difficult to fill
The Bottom Line: If you want a quiet sleep,this is the unit for you. Most comfortable humidity dial user interface I could find in the market
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| leisure_larry's Full Review: Holmes Products HM5700 3.3 Gallon Humidifier |
This review covers the Holmes HM5700 warm mist humidifier, which seems to be exclusively sold by Walmart.
This is the second humidifier I bought this winter, after I couldn't stand the noise of our Robitussin Cool Mist humidifier any longer and also the unit started clogging up the filter with calcium based on the hard water we have.
So I went out to find a humidifier, that would service one and only one purpose. Give me a decent humidity in the bed room while being completely inaudible.
Which type of humidifiers are out there ?
Cool mist: Basically fan operated humidifiers that will blow air over a wet filter and thereby humidify. The sound level is entirely dependent on the rotor, it's design, the bearings and the fan speed. Larger fans with lower rotational speed tend to give lower noise.
Piezo vibration humidifiers: Essentially a little vibrating element at ultra high speed, which disperses the water into fine mist through vibration. They give off a humming sound, which is audible, but constant and not really disturbing. We had one of those before. It died when we couldn't get a replacement filter.
Warm mist humidifiers: They evaporate the water by boiling it up. The design is such, that they are virtually inaudible.
This Holmes unit is one of the latter kind.
What is in the box ?
The humidifier, which is rated at 3.3 gallon output per day, qualifying for medium to large rooms up to 750 sq ft.
A separate humidity monitor that otherwise sells for 2.99 USD. Instruction leaflet.
Unit comes with a 5 year limited warranty.
What is to like about this unit ?
Everything !
It is QUIET !
It has a build in humidity thermostat, which will measure the humidity of the room and switch the unit on and off. The thermostat features an easy to read display, where you can set humidity level from 30 to 80 % in 5 increment steps. It will also display the current room humidity level. It has a high and low switch. The unit will run through the tank of water on the low switch in about 24hrs, if the humidity is low.
Also there is a separate humidity measurement device included, that you can place anywhere in the room. (Otherwise sold independently for around 2.99 USD).
What else ?
This unit has NO filter of any kind. So you could expect some build up around the heater head, which is specially coated. I expect to be able to clean it with vinegar just like you do with coffee machines.
With the other units you will have to buy air filters at typically 10 USD each. So operating cost will be definitely higher for the alternatives. The Holmes will draw more energy as it heats up the water instead of relying on natural absorption, but at 2 filters per season in 'hard ' water environment, it should come in way cheaper then the other units.
-No moving parts means no noise and no ability for the machine to break down. That is why you get a 5 year warranty on it, instead of the regular 1 year.
- Unit has ability to add eucalyptus and other inhalants, which I haven't used yet, but should come in handy during a cold.
- Walmart reduced price to 39 USD.
What I don't like:
The opening to fill the water in is to far in the middle of the unit, so it does not fit well under a normal spout, thereby not completely filling the unit, as it has to be kept at an angle.
So what are the benefits of warm mist vs. cool mist and vice versa ? None, mist is mist and once in the air it is still water at the surrounding air temperature.
You won't be sitting close enough to the unit to tell the difference. If you are in a hot climate with an air condition drying you out, you might want to go with the cool mist units, if you can stand the noise. The difference is emotional though.
If you are looking for more general help, have a look at this guide on 'how to buy a humidifier':
http://www.epinions.com/content_3672416388
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 39
Battery Life: N/A
Noise Level: Almost noiseless
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Epinions.com ID:
leisure_larry
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Member: Leisure Larry
Location: US
Reviews written: 57
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Electrical Engineer. Engaged Computer User. Hobby photographer.
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