Puts water into the air, but has some flaws.
January 4, 2009
Pros:
Large capacity, so doesn't need to be refilled that often
Good range of settings
Very quiet
No filter to replace
Can put a LOT of moisture in the air
Not too expensive
Cons:
Mist is not dispersed very well, so area around it tends to get WET except on the lowest setting - putting a fan behind it would help, but that's more noise and electricity use
Can't be refilled unless you remove the tank from the base, and the full tank is rather heavy - not a problem for me, but I wouldn't buy one for my grandmother
The top of the tank is very rounded, so there's no easy way to balance it while it's being refilled
In our situation - young, strong people who keep the humidifier near a sink on some old built-in shelving made nearly waterproof by decades of coats of paint, and who REALLY don't want extra noise in that area - this seems like a pretty decent humidifier. But I can see how some of its design flaws would really be a problem for other people.
I really like it...
January 3, 2009
I am quite satisfied with this humdifier...we have two now and they are working fine. No leaks. Very quiet. Love that I can see the fog coming from the machine...a good visual. :) Anyway, I also love the no filter factor. The tank of water lasts a long time running at half speed.
Bad product
January 1, 2009
I bought two different ultrasonic humidifiers at the same time ten months ago. For this one, recently, some surface materials of the ultrasonic head (piezo ceramics) started to flake off and this humidifier cannot deliver enough moisture into the air. The other one I bought was a "green frog" and works great so far. So I concluded this product has a poor designed ultrasonic head.
works but LOTS of white dust
December 31, 2008
I was attracted to this product because it doesn't need a filter. I have other humidifiers - all with filters - and it's getting harder and harder to find the replacement filters.
I have had the Holmes HM495 for about a month. I have a great increase in humidity, but it's produced a white dust that is on everything. It's attached itself to every TV, computer, clock, etc. I even had to take my computer in to have the inside screen professionally cleaned.
I would return this product if I had kept the box. I would NOT recommend this product.
Not real impressed
December 28, 2008
I bought this humidifier about 6 weeks ago when I couldn't find replacement filters for my HM1280 at the store. I was attracted to the filterless design. After 6 weeks, I have ordered the other filters online and am ready to get rid of this model. First, you have to clean it weekly, not a big deal to some, but I have to carry everything downstairs to deal with it. Mine gets a rusty scum around the water line and the minerals build up where it blows. I also learned to take it apart before I moved it or else I ended up with water everywhere. Second, I run it on medium and it leaves white dust everywhere! I have asthma and allergies... can this possibly be healthy? We have soft water and I can't afford distilled as someone suggested. I know it's the minerals out of the water since they aren't being trapped by a filter, but it's making my air cleaner work harder, too. I carry gallon jugs upstairs for filling the humidifiers. That works well for me. I have had no problems with leaking like some, thank goodness. And I'm glad I haven't had it long enough for it to start breaking down the seals yet. Yes, it's quiet, but I didn't mind the "white noise" of the other machine. It seems to be keeping our room moist on medium... no dry sinuses since we started using it. I'm willing to replace a filter twice a year instead of cleaning this one constantly and having the white dust everywhere.
