The best humidifiers?

[Meld256]

I am on quest to find my first humidifier. 

I'm thinking of buying a small one for the bedroom. There's a Hunter brand, 31004 Ultrasonic model I see that has great reviews (and no wick) in my price-range of about $40-50. 

Since I had respiratory, sinus, and dental infections last Sept.- about Jan.  I don't want to go through the "infection of the month" club again.    Our house seems to get very dry in winter with the gas furnace going.

So, anybody have an idea on the best ones out there? What do you use? I appreciate any ideas.
Melinda

[Surroundedbylove]

I love my Air-o-Swiss one.  It is more expensive but it is cleaner and easier to clean.  When I had one that was harder to clean I kept getting sinus infections that they attributed to the humidifier.

[namakb]

I purchased an Idylis at Lowes last winter and I love it. It is digital and has a night mode so you can turn the display light off. It is also very quiet and has 3 speeds.

[Carolina]

Melinda, I don't remember what mine is, sorry.

It's still in storage.

It holds about 10 gallons, which gets us through a 24 hour period.

It has two containers, so you don't have to lug one huge one around.

I use an antibacterial in the water.

It is cold mist.

I got it at Walmart and it cost maybe $70 max.

I ALSO bought a digital humidity gauge that I keep on my bedside table.  It shows the temperature and the % of humidity and has a little house with the words, LOW at the bottom, OK in the middle and HIGH in the attic.

It's cute!

I bought it on line and it's battery operated.

Expensive humidifiers will have them built in.  But I've always had humidifiers, including one on the furnace of our first house, for 25 years!

You feel more comfortable, can keep the heat at a lower setting, and I don't know how anyone gets through hot air heating in the winter without one.  Certainly not those of us with dryness issues.

Let us know what you get.

Features and benefits are more important than brand I think, and price is always key.

They don't last forever, so a big investment isn't necessary.

Hugs

Elaine

[Bucky]

My cool-mist humidifier is by Crane and is a green frog.    

I'm a very light sleeper and this doesn't bother me at all.

Bucky

[Meld256]

Thanks, folks! 
So, maybe a silly question: do I need a cool-mist type? I read that the ultrasonic kinds are quieter; true?

Glad there was mention of a display light.  We'd definitely be turning that down.

I told my dh that this would help me so much and also would help the gas bill for the winter.  He agreed we need one! 
(and p.s. If anyone has ideas how to fix my gas bill-changes to home, etc. that's not an option.  We rent an older mobile home, it has an old gas furnace and we're stuck with it.  We nor the landlord will be putting money into it any replacement.) Just saying...

[irish]

I have been running humidifiers at my house for most of the 47 years we have been married. Actually, I have been rather attached to the Hunter brand as the fans run so smooth and quiet. They can be time consuming to clean though. I hate cleaning them but do it once a week cause we have country water from a well.

I do know that I tried an ultrasonic one several years ago and I just hated it. I like the cool mist cause it sort of makes a person feel better just by breathing the cool air. It is much more soothing on the lung tissue and the nose and sinuses.

I am inclined to try a different brand sometime, but it seems like when they "die" I need another one right away and have not planned ahead enough to have a new one in storage.

Just to note to tell you that I have had 2 Hunters die from stray voltage during electrical storms. Just ticked me off let me tell you. So, I usually unplugged mine this year during the storms. I should get an plug in like I have for the computer and the TV  but that would mean that I would have to write it down on my list and then remember to take my list to Walmart!!!lol Irish

[Meld256]

Thanks, Irish.

I have no idea why we've never used one before.  I have no real preference to brand, just need one that works quietly, simply and is small. 

Thanks for the tips.  I guess you need a volt-protection plug for the storms and such.  You sound like me with the lists.  I have a watch I like and has needed a new battery for about 6 months.  We no longer have a jewelry store in town so Walmart is the option.  I can't for the life of me remember to take the watch with me!  I, too, have put it on a list and forgotten my list.

Guess I need to lay the watch on my counter and put a postie on it: "Take Me to Walmart!" 

[jasonsmith]

I believe the Ultrasonic type humidifiers are supposed to be the quietest.

[engy]

I got my small germguardian at Lowes. Sits right by my bed & no filter to clean. It's a cool air with small nozzle to point the "mist" where you want it. It is quiet but has a blue glow that is kind of bright if you are used to it being totally black.

My daughter had to have one after she saw mine & loves it!

It is small but lasts through the night and was under $40. I hope it lasts, I've only had it a few months & it's my favorite so far.  Every other humidifier I've had has only lasted me 4-6 months.

If this one stops  workingI'll be so sad... and dry!!

Carie

[lighthouse33]

I have a Germ Guardian, the UltraSonic one with a Night Light.  It's the size for a larger bedroom.  This winter will make the third winter I've used it.  It can be used with a cool mist or a warm mist.  Has an adjustable mozzle and a spray control setting.  Also, shows the humidity in the room. 

I couldn't live without it.  It was in one of the episodes of "The Apprentice."  Liza Minelli was giving a performance and it was one of the things that she absolutely insisted on having in her backstage dressing room.  Couldn't believe it when I saw it.

[Gonzo]

A small sideline about humdifiers, om which percentage do you put it? My eyes give me less trouble when I put it om 65%. Is that too high? At work I can't get to 65%, the humdifier keeps working and gets it on 62%. I'm curious on which percentage you put it?
Take care!
Stans

[Carolina]

About the percentage, my gauge shows me both the percentage and then a graphic which shows me if that is OK or high or low.

65% is fine most of the time, with an OK in the graphic.  I don't know how the gauge decides?  Probably a factor of temperature and humidity or something.

Also, the humidifier I use is so large because it is designed to humidify the entire house.  It also turns out we have a  humidifier on our furnace system.  But it isn't enough, for sure.   We found out about the one on the house system just last Spring!  :-)

Anyway, having enough humidity is crucial.

Hugs

Elaine

[Carebear]

Humidity is a real problem for us in the north, especially on the prairies.  Once the outside temperatures drop, we have to lower our humidity as well.  Or we will just have ice building up on our windows.  It's not uncommon to have 10% humidity outside.

The colder the air, the less water it can hold.  So when we have months of -25 to -40 degrees C, it is hopelessly dry. 

We do however have lovely spring and summer here.  So I'm not complaining...I'm just saying. 

[Meld256]

Think I've got some good info.  Thanks, all! 

I'll be shopping over the weekend.  I just never thought about the humidity in the house too much before, and how much it affects us; silly, I know. 

I'm hoping to ward off some of the problems I had last fall-winter.  I was newly diagnosed, just learning a lot from all of you. I had a partoid infection, thrush most of the winter, tooth absesses, sinus infections, etc. Ugh!

Now I'm better prepared~ new meds, teeth extracted, will use a humidifier daily. Oct. is time to start spraying Lysol all over the house.  I feel hopeful!