Vornado - Evap40 Evaporative Humidifier

I’ve been using humidifiers years and the main lesson I learned is to buy an evaporative model. My YoungTech comes with a good filter that has a fabric outer lining and a good plastic frame. The filter is dishwasher safe, the tub is easy to clean. Tbh, there’s really no cleaning involved. Got two of the smallest unit, one in November, and got a second in December after a one month trial of the first unit. I rinse the filter out and flip it once or twice a week, and run the filter through the dishwasher maybe once every two weeks? If that? Tbh, I’m not even using a water treatment since with the small units the run dry often and I fill them once or twice daily. But the dry cycle really helps. I would not recommend any other type except for evaporative quite simply due to cleaning issues I’ve had in the past. Last year I got 3 Jack and Rose ultrasonic models with a stainless steel tub that I could run through the dishwasher. And I still got pink mildew growth in the hood and parts and rubber grommets. Got sick of that after just one season. I had a Vornado EVAP40 that was evaporative and worked good but I got tired of bleaching out the jugs. And I got growth in the tub, not a lot but enough. If I were using the larger model of the YoungTech I would probably use a water treatment since they wouldn’t run dry and are top fill. Hope that helps.

I have this Vornado one. https://a.co/d/4VhiHtu I’ve been happy with it for my 900 sqft apartment. I like that it has simple knobs and switches; no fancy electronics to fail. It replaced an older Vornado model that lasted 7 years before the motor failed.

I considered both brands before settling on the Vornado because I had great experiences with their customer service with my previous humidifier. But functionally, the Aircare seems just as dead-simple in design as the Vornado. And yes, the Vornado is ugly as hell. It also makes sort of loud glug-glug noises as water drains from the tanks into the lower tray, but that’s sort of a universal issue with this style of humidifier.

As others have said, evaporative humidifiers are more effective and last longer. And the wicks can be reused indefinitely if you soak them once a week in a vinegar/water solution. I have two sets of wicks, so the one not in use is always soaking, and I swap them once a week. Look for an evaporative model that has simple controls. They’re basically just a fan and a container. Avoid models that have a lot of complicated sensors and electronics. I have this one from Vornado and it’s been great: https://www.vornado.com/shop/made-in-usa/humidifiers-assembled-in-usa/evap40-evaporative-humidifier

also recommending the Evap40. its not pretty, its not quiet, but it works. in terms of expectations, i have a humidifier on the furnace as well as the in-bedroom humidifier and maintain around 31% humidity. its just hard to maintain high humidity here in the winter

What's the square footage of your music room? I use a Vornado Evap40 for mine, previous humidifier was a Vick's steam humidifier, but it was pretty pricey to run.

You'll find every humidifier recommend you NOT use tap water. They'll all say use distilled/filtered. Your actual usage case and environment will impact it also. If it only runs sometimes (a few times a week/month or whatever) that just means you have standing water the rest of the time. If it runs constantly, then you can get build-up and over-humidify. Recommended is to run as needed, then rinse/dry when done. If sitting for periods of time, a full clean may be needed. I'm guessing very few people properly follow the guidelines. I know I'm not going to go run to buy distilled water for my humidifier. And I'm reluctant to put chemicals in the water. And yes, it's a hassle to clean (easy to wipe the main part, but every model I've had has some sort of nooks/corners that require more than a simple hand wipe). I've got a Varnado Evap humidifier that is about as simple as it comes. https://www.thewarmingstore.com/vornado-evap40-evaporative-humidifier.html - but there's still wick/filter and general cleaning (can't even get inside the water tank to clean, by design) I don't like my dry winter house, but humidifiers are a pain.

I had a couple vornado evap40s in my old house in Vegas. Was the biggest model I could find with easy to fill tanks. They worked just fine until I moved and gave them away.  A whole house aprilaire 600 will be much better if you own a house. An ultrasonic model works well if you have very low TDS water, or RO water to fill it with. 

I'd suggest you read the Amazon reviews on the EV3 before pulling the trigger. I tried an EVAP40 and found it to be poorly made and not very well designed. I'm on my 3rd season with a Levoit 6000s next to my wood stove and couldn't be happier. I know it's pricier than the Vornado but you save on filters since, if cared for properly, they'll last the entire season. The Vornado wicks need to be replaced monthly.

Vornado Evap 40 - no white dust everywhere. One upstairs and one downstairs, easily gets me up to 40 - 45 %. Wicks need changing about every 4-5 weeks with the hard water. Would prob last longer with distilled though.

You want an **evaporative humidifier**. I like the Vornado Evap40.

Vornado Evap40 is safe because it's evaporative instead of ultra sonic and has no auto off function so the unit fully dries and prevents microorganisms from growing.