This really whets my...well, everything.

I bought one of these a while back for my daughter's room when she was born. Using a humidifier prevents ear infections. It's very quiet and works great on hot or cold. You can see the steam cone out. I just bought another one.

I bought one back in spring work for a few month then didn't work call the dealer they didn't help so I be careful only because it refurnished.

I recently got the Vicks Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier for my newborn. How does this compare? I can still return it since it has been less than a month. Would it be worth returning to get this one or should I just stick with the one I've got. I live in the desert, by the way.

We've had this model for 4 years... it's on in the baby's room, in fact. LOVE the silver technology because it really does stop any mold growth (the number 1 reason we've gone through 5 humidifiers in 10 years). The warm setting helps so the room doesn't get chilly & wet. But be careful if the kids turn it up all the way after you've tucked them into bed- although the extreme condensation smoke is fun, the carpet will take all day to dry out.

so it seems humidifiers have to be emptied washed/dried daily and then descaled once per week.. for those that own this one, how does this compare in terms of maintenance/cleaning?

also what size room would this be good for?

I bought a refurb last April and it workded well for the first month then quit working. Called the company and they were nice enough to send another refurb, but that one now does not work. Way too expensive for the lack of quality. I would not buy it again nor will i buy a ultrasonic type again.

In the market for a new humidifier so I'm doing some research on this one. Figured I'd share what I found for everyone.

$94.99 Includes standard UPS 3-5 day shipping.

http://www.costco.com//.product.11596478.html?utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=RatingsAndReviews&utm_content=Default

The reviews show people either love the unit or it breaks on them. The Night Light is usually the first thing to go followed by not putting off the correct amount of steam, growing mold, flaking metal, leaking, etc. Making sure the unit is sitting on a level surface seems to help with the leaking issues and my hypothesis would be this would prevent some of the other issues as water is the bane to electronics but I do not have first hand experience.

http://reviews.costco.com/2070/11596478/germ-guardian-pureguardian-120-hour-ultrasonic-humidifier-reviews/reviews.htm

$149.99 with no reviews

http://www.shoppingwarehouse.net/prod-324728.html

$106.01 with free ship to store at your local Wally World.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pure-Guardian-120-Hour-Ultrasonic-Humidifier/19865580

$149.99. I'm posting this one because in the review it says 'Don't use anything but the vinegar and supplied brush to clean mist making area.' I don't see that this 'vinegar' is supplied with this purchase.

http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/pure-guardian-h4500-ultrasonic-warm-cool-mist-humidifiers.html?revitemid=2989&full=Y&page=1#customerreviews

The 120hr is not listed on the PureGuardian website for sale but I was able to find the manual on the website.

http://www.guardiantechnologies.com/prodimages/h4500_manual_042811.pdf

Hope this helps everyone decision making a little easier.

Bought one of these during a Woot sale about a year ago....it worked for a couple months and then died. The ultrasonic humidifiers are VERY particular and I think my water (which we filter through a PUR filter) was too hard for it. It was a great unit while it worked, but I wouldn't expect for it to work very long.

Bought 2 of these a few years ago and they are still working fine. They are QUIET! Never had issues with mold or leaking. I like the warm setting in the winter so the kids' rooms don't get chilly.

I bought a model simular to this one last year and I love it. When it's on low, it will go for three days before i have to refill it. I have had no problem with scale build up or mold and the best thing, NO MORE FILTERS AT $10 A POP.

I bought mine from Costco 2 years ago and love it. No mold growth, no cleaning needed. I left water inside without use for a few months I got some hard water stains that were easily wiped away.

The November 2012 edition of Consumer Reports rates a similar model (the H4600) as a 39 out of 100. It looks like low or inconsistent output is what lowered the score the most. The top picks were a Hunter 31004 and the Crane Penguin EE-865.

I have owned 3 of these (previous generation). They all break within a year. I have had new and refurb. If it is a refub unit the manufacturer will not even talk with you about the unit. If you are set on this particular model, it can be had cheaper from other sites.

I've had ultrasonic humidifiers and have enjoyed their efficiency and quiet operation but I've given up on all of them. I'm sure that this is a good one, but like ALL other ultrasonic humidifiers, it has a fatal flaw---it will deposit white dust (actually the dissolved mineral content of your water) over EVERYTHING in your house and it's especially attracted to your TV screen or any other electrically charged object. Soft water systems won't alleviate the problem either, so unless you are willing to feed this thing distilled water (filters won't help) get ready to be dusting daily.
I first noticed that my TV was getting dimmer after a week of getting my humidifier, then noticed the dust. I switched to an evaporative humidifier and have had no problems since.
We have hard water here in IA, so YMMV, but be aware of this problem before you buy.

philipgroven wrote:I have owned 3 of these (previous generation). They all break within a year. I have had new and refurb. If it is a refub unit the manufacturer will not even talk with you about the unit. If you are set on this particular model, it can be had cheaper from other sites.

I have also had 3 of these units: 2 new and 1 refurb from the last time it was offered on Woot. My first unit was a dud and I replaced it easily at Costco, who often stock this unit. My second was excellent, one of the best humidifiers I've ever owned, which is why I jumped on the refurb. I will NOT be buying another refurb unit. They clearly do not check them very well. Mine arrived partially broken (a piece of exterior trim was detached). Crucially, it also does not behave the way it should in the humidification department.

One other note: these are designed to be cool mist humidifiers that are turned on to hot steam mode for the occasional night. If you use it in steam mode all the time, it will likely break. I make this assertion based on my own experience, and reading between the lines on Amazon.com. If you look at Amazon reviews, it does appear that humidifiers fail 10 - 20% of the time, no matter what the brand. I realize there may be over-reporting of issues on that forum, but it seems to me that water and electronics don't mix well.

My advice: this is a great unit (along with the much smaller but equally good Sunpentown SU 4010), but buy it NEW from a retail store that you can return it to easily if worst comes to worst. Because the odds of that are higher than you'd like. Hence all the refurbs!

janczakdan wrote:

$149.99. I'm posting this one because in the review it says 'Don't use anything but the vinegar and supplied brush to clean mist making area.' I don't see that this 'vinegar' is supplied with this purchase.

The 120hr is not listed on the PureGuardian website for sale but I was able to find the manual on the website.

http://www.guardiantechnologies.com/prodimages/h4500_manual_042811.pdf

Hope this helps everyone decision making a little easier.

Thanks for all the links, etc. Yes, you should only clean any of these type of machines with distilled white vinegar (straight acetic acid - no fancy balsamic with grape extracts!). It is available from most grocery stores and is often used for pickling or putting on your french fries with salt.

Use distilled water for best results.

Riffing off of Cole's comment - I have had the opposite experience with my (NJ) hard water and humidifiers. At my house, the evaporative ones get crazy mineral buildup really quickly - I'm talking 20 minutes of scrubbing with CLR & a toothbrush to take off one tank's worth of mineral deposits. The ultrasonic ones, not so much - and I've never had any issues with mineral dust, only with buildup in the machine itself. I would imagine it depends on which minerals are in your water. Also, FWIW, I've used the Crane ones quite happily... for a year, until the metal/paint (?) on the little round disc started flaking off. That's happened with three of them now. Still looking for the perfect humidifier! Maybe this one will do the trick..?

this is the best humidifier I have ever owned. Use it every day. bought a back up just in case. can't say enough good things

Don't buy. I bought this refurbished pure guardian humidifier last March from woot. The first time I used it, it started making a weird noise and then smelled like something was burning.

Stopped working after warrant expired....... It worked well in the first couple month, then steam doesn't come out any more. It is still sitting in my junk yard now, what a waste of money.......

I bought one the last time around, also a refurb and after a few hiccups, it's been fine. The first few times I ran it it would shut off and kick back on repeatedly at random times. That seems to have resolved (fingers crossed). I use distilled water only and low setting, so a gallon lasts close to a week. At less than $1 a week I don't have to scrub or buy filters. My only complaint is the auto settings - I only run it at night and it turns on as scheduled but doesn't turn off in the morning. Not a big deal since I just shut it off when I get up.

sherman83 wrote:Stopped working after warrant expired....... It worked well in the first couple month, then steam doesn't come out any more. It is still sitting in my junk yard now, what a waste of money.......

I bought 2 new from Costco a few weeks ago for $75. They are working great. Out here in the desert they are a must have during the dry winters.

The container hold a lot of water and you can dial in how much you want to vapor you want it to expel. They are keeping my kid and me dry and bloody noise free this winter.

And since they were bought from Costco if they ever break they will get returned to Costco.

lizzydee wrote:Don't buy. I bought this refurbished pure guardian humidifier last March from woot. The first time I used it, it started making a weird noise and then smelled like something was burning.

I certainly hope you contacted the manufacturer and/or support@woot.com about that - burning isn't one of those smells that seems like it should happen...

haroper wrote:The November 2012 edition of Consumer Reports rates a similar model (the H4600) as a 39 out of 100. It looks like low or inconsistent output is what lowered the score the most. The top picks were a Hunter 31004 and the Crane Penguin EE-865.

On all the other attributes Consumer Reports rates it Good or Excellent, while output gets their lowest rating (Poor). I wish it had more information on how they test. The water has to go somewhere.

I had the costco one and always had it on a level surface, a small cabinet. After maybe 3 months it started leaking.

janczakdan wrote:In the market for a new humidifier so I'm doing some research on this one. Figured I'd share what I found for everyone.

$94.99 Includes standard UPS 3-5 day shipping.

http://www.costco.com//.product.11596478.html?utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=RatingsAndReviews&utm_content=Default

The reviews show people either love the unit or it breaks on them. The Night Light is usually the first thing to go followed by not putting off the correct amount of steam, growing mold, flaking metal, leaking, etc. Making sure the unit is sitting on a level surface seems to help with the leaking issues and my hypothesis would be this would prevent some of the other issues as water is the bane to electronics but I do not have first hand experience.

http://reviews.costco.com/2070/11596478/germ-guardian-pureguardian-120-hour-ultrasonic-humidifier-reviews/reviews.htm

$149.99 with no reviews

http://www.shoppingwarehouse.net/prod-324728.html

$106.01 with free ship to store at your local Wally World.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pure-Guardian-120-Hour-Ultrasonic-Humidifier/19865580

$149.99. I'm posting this one because in the review it says 'Don't use anything but the vinegar and supplied brush to clean mist making area.' I don't see that this 'vinegar' is supplied with this purchase.

http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/pure-guardian-h4500-ultrasonic-warm-cool-mist-humidifiers.html?revitemid=2989&full=Y&page=1#customerreviews

The 120hr is not listed on the PureGuardian website for sale but I was able to find the manual on the website.

http://www.guardiantechnologies.com/prodimages/h4500_manual_042811.pdf

Hope this helps everyone decision making a little easier.

I got one of these last year on woot and loved it....for awhile. It worked great for a couple of months and then one day it started leaking in the base, and was worthless.

Until that point it worked great. Very quite, worked well on all settings, no mineral dust that others mentioned (using tap water). Had to refill it about ever 3 days on a medium-low setting.

While I didn't experience any mold, there was minor scaling which just took a 3 second swipe of the brush each refill. I did also get some mildew buildup where the water from the basin fills up the actual machine and also where the steam/vapor discharges. It wasn't too bad and was pretty easy to clean. No mold or mildew in the actual water basin though.

It was worth a shot at the price, but I wouldn't buy again based on the leaking I experienced. If you get a good solid machine, it is well worth the price.

Be careful with this. I've seen the damage it can do when put on an elevated train line that runs along the water main to Wayne Tower. If there is a weaponized aerosol in the water supply, crazy stuff is going to happen.

Grrr. I so want this company to not suck. BUT... I got a similar deal from Woot in April and kept it boxed up until this fall when my son got a cold and I needed to break it out. I filled it, turned it on and it worked great. For 8 or 9 minutes, after which it kept showing the "refill" light, despite the tank being full. At this point we noticed that a puddle of water was forming around the base of the unit. To be fair, we had a similar unit for 3 years and it was great (which is why we bought the new one.) But I have no real recourse but to throw away the new one, as GermGuardian only offers a one month warranty and I kept it in the box over the summer.

lizzydee wrote:Don't buy. I bought this refurbished pure guardian humidifier last March from woot. The first time I used it, it started making a weird noise and then smelled like something was burning.

I'm certain that's the fan motor burning out. It should be an easy repair. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the part replaced in refurbishment process. You should be able to get the unit replaced.

I have an old GermGuardian unit with a bad fan. It was a disaster because the vapor will settle on the bottom if the fan does not push it out of the opening at top. It will get very damp, and then ruin whatever surface the unit is on, unless it's a completely waterproof one.

I "fixed" it by opening it up, cleaning it out, and then hooking up the fan leads to the inline heater power source, as the fan power seemed dead. Now, the fan doesn't turn on unless I select the heated vapor option. And the fan is slightly sticky so it doesn't always turn on... One of these days, I'll return it back to Costco.

finzup wrote:so it seems humidifiers have to be emptied washed/dried daily and then descaled once per week.. for those that own this one, how does this compare in terms of maintenance/cleaning?

also what size room would this be good for?

This model is awesome for that, that is what I hate about humidifiers too. It is maintenance free. And works really well too! And large bedroom or smaller living area.

I'm in for one, brought it with the squaretrade warranty too!

It broke on about the 92nd day after I bought it. Just days past the Woot warranty. The circuit board had some burnt components. I might try to fix it but the white dust this thing puts out is pretty annoying. I went back to an old heat steam humidifier and don't have the hassle of the white dust.