Hamilton Beach 05518 TrueAir Cool Mist Humidifier

Customer Reviews

expensive filters with short life

2007-12-21
They say the filter will last 3 months, but it only lasts about 2-3 weeks. I use this humidifier in my dry NYC apartment, and it definitely works well. It's nice and quiet too, but I have spent WAY too much money on these filters!! And I clean the tank MORE often than recommended, and flip the filter every day as recommended! Why should you go broke just to have a bit of humidity!? BUY SOMETHING ELSE!

Good for a basic model. Same brand but upper model is much better

2007-11-23
This is a very basic model. No electronic controls to adjust humidity level or to check current humidity on room. I have both models and the model having this electronic components is much,much better. I totally recommend the next level.

But this basic model is good just to humidify in a "general approach", if you don't need to control the humidity on room, this humidifier is very good to have a complete and general humidification on the room.

Great humidifier but you must treat the water!

2007-07-09
When I first started using the 05518 Hamilton Beach Cool mist humidifier with these filters I went through several a season. They would get moldy and start to smell bad after a few weeks, as several other reviewers mention. It could last a little longer if I ran it all the time. However, last winter I found a site recommending the use of a Bacteriostatic water treatment with any cool mist humidifier. I got some from RPS products and it is amazing! You really must use this stuff in any cool mist humidifier. With it, one filter lasted the whole season without a problem. RPS also make generic filters for this humidifier that seem to work just as well and are slightly cheaper. With the solution, 05518 is a great humidifier. I like it better than many other humidifiers I've tried because it has several modes including a quiet mode that is very quiet. It also has a digital measure of the humidity so you can set it in 1% increments. Many other humidifiers only give you a few levels of humidity to choose from. I also lost a part for the humidifier once; I dropped the cap and I lost the spring that keeps the valve closed. I called Hamilton Beach and they were helped me find the part I needed and helped me order a new one. With whatever humidifier you get, make sure if you get a cool mister, get the bacteriostatic solution!

Worked well for a few years

2006-12-10
I've had this for about 4 years, and recently it started leaking water all over the floor. I had read a review about positioning the tank correctly, but I couldn't see how it was positioned wrong so it would leak. Plus I'd never had this problem in all the prior years of usage. Like other reviewers, I wasn't happy about the cost of the filters or the constant need to replace them. Also not going to risk a third leakage and wet floor by using again. Currently shopping for a new one.

Good humidifier, quiet and easy maintenance

2006-01-31
This is a great humidifier. It works really well. Maintenance is really easy, more easy than I had even previously thought. Cleaning once a week is sufficient. It is very quiet also. I suggest it highly.

Good Job but not Cheap to Use

2006-01-20

Drop-in filter wick and easy-to-fill tank

Domestic humidifier

2-1/2-gallon daily output; 900 square feet of coverage

Sleek oval design

Two-speed fan; dishwasher-safe water tank and tray

This is a GREAT humidifier, too bad not available

2005-09-07
This is a GREAT humidifier, too bad not available; I want to buy a second one for another child's room who is on the way. But it is not available.

Those that complain about it have MOLD in their homes. We change the filters periodically and are fine. If it is in a moldy environment, of course there will be more mold. Look behind your walls people, it is your home.

Good humidifier with expensive filters

2005-01-17
The performance of the humidifier is good. However, it requires regular change of filters and the filters are expensive ($6.99/ piece). They need to be changed atleast once a month. Therefore, the low cost of the humidifier is compensated by a recurring cost of changing filters.

Highly Recommend

2004-07-14
Higly recommend this item. Works well and requires little up-keep.

Cost To Operate Is Outrageous

2004-02-07
If you want a humidifier that will continue to suck money out of your pocket - this is the machine for you. In a three month period it has been necessary for me to purchase 8 replacement filters (for 2 humidifiers) due to them drying out. That cost has now exceeded the initial purchase price for the orginal product. I would not recommend this item to anyone!