Editor's
Note: Hunter has a zero inventory policy, making it difficult to
deliver these humidifiers in a timely manner. So if you want one
be prepared to wait, and if you do not, consider yourself lucky.
For this season's updated Humidifier
Comparison Chart.
Hunter Humidifiers (models 34255, 33257, 34355): from $109.95
Pluses:
- The patented Permawick filter system is still clearly
the feature which makes these Hunter humidifiers shine. This allows
you to only have to clean the filter once per season, a boon in
any busy household. It also ensures that even the laziest of humidifier
owners will not cause bacteria to be discharged into their environment.
- The new built-in digital humidistat allow for
a precise monitoring of humidity levels which prevents over humidification,
all too easy to have happen. In fact, we find that built-in humidistats
reduced the amount of water used by our testers, before needing
to refill the humidifier with water.
- The new Hunter Nite-Lite models have an optional
feature (you can turn them off ) which appeals to parents for
the baby nursery humidifier or for all those who stumble around
in the night and have poor night vision.
- The water level in the Hunter humidifier is always
very easy to visually monitor.
- All these Hunter humidifier models have an auto
shutoff feature, which we like from the safety perspective.
- The 5 year limited warranty on these are unusually
long, probably speaking to the need to build up consumer confidence
after a 2001 recall of a previous Hunter humidifier model. It
is a great deal for the consumer as far as we are concerned. Humidifiers
of this price point are notorious for breaking down.
Minuses:
- A cool Mist humidifier often feels a little "cool"
to people in the North East in winter season and for that reason
might prefer a Warm Mist.
- Cool Mist humidifiers work best if they are run
continuously as they seem to take up 2- 6 hours to reach required
humidity levels (35-45%) even in a fairly confined space.
- Last year, Hunter called these humidifiers "Whisper
Quiet" and have wisely dropped that tag line to "Care
Free". There have been considerable improvements in noise
level in these Hunter models over the past year, but they are
still not noise free. We no longer think of them as "noisy"
but for the really noise sensitive, this would not be the humidifier
of choice. You can still hear them switching themselves off and
on, if you listen very closely.
Summary:
Despite some minor gripes, we think that Hunter has
managed to come out with three new real humidifier winners. We do
think the consumer will get confused with the choice of about 20
different models and will not be able know which model they are
buying unless they are really paying attention. We have chosen only
to feature the top three models, as we think when people examine
the benefits of the new Hunter humidifier models, they would be
disappointed with the others.
Incidentally, I personally recommend setting a humidifier
to 35 to 45%, which is comfortable, without being high enough to
encourage mold or dust mites.
Review by customer
of Hunter humidifier model 34355
Hi Mercia,
Well, here is the report on the first night. I set
the unit up -- took no time. Placed it in the corner nicely hidden.
I ran it early on high setting as the instructions suggested then
turned it down to low fan setting. My partner came to bed at 11pm
and eventually said, "oh, by the way, when are you going to
set up that humidifier I want to see how much noise it makes and
whether I can tolerate it." I guess that tells the story, because
I didn't tell him it was already running until this morning. You
will probably address this in your newsletter, but at what setting
do you suggest one set the humidistat in order to have a comfortable
room and not deal with any of the negatives of setting it too high?
Thanks. TB
See all humidifiers at AllergyBuyersClub.com
First Published: early December 2002
Updated: April 2007
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