Graco 4 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier

Graco 4 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier

Don't Let the Capacity and Features Tempt you.
I purchased this product from Babies RUS on promotion with a 20% discount and gift cards. However, to date, I've spent the purchase price on this unit on filters (albeit cheaper at amazon with amex wishlist discount).

PROS:
This unit is quiet (on quietmist setting), does humidify a large space, and has a convenient humidity setting/readout, not to mention a large 4gallon tank. So yes, it does its job as it's supposed to.

CONS:
and this is a big CON job. Have you ever wondered why this 4-gallon humidifier is ~$70 when 1-2 gallon quiet mist tanks are going for around the same price? THIS IS WHY: The filters cost about $10 and you'll know it's time to change it when you smell a dead rat every two weeks - you can't cop out and pretend it's not there b/c whatever that filter does soaking in water, it really puts out some foul smell when it's "time to change". Say you'll need a humidifier to operate for 4 months in the winter (most likely way longer),...

WORKS WELL WHEN YOU KNOW THE TRICK
I bought this as a replacement for the Hamilton Beach model which I have had for years. I learned the trick to keeping it from getting smelly....let the tank run out of water but keep the machine running. It dries out the filter. The filter gets smelly when it remains constantly wet. Since we work during the day, this isn't a problem. I fill the tank half-full at bedtime and then ignore it. By 10AM the next morning, the tank will be empty and the fan will blow dry the filter until I fill the tank again, the next evening. Seems to work.

extremely annoying and poor durability
Piece of trash! If you're reading reviews written just after someone bought this thing, ignore them. Sure it's all fine and dandy in the beginning...I have used this humidifier for 2 seasons (total of about 7 months, and have had to replace the cap and gasket 3 times. The new cap they just sent me STILL LEAKS all over the floor, rendering the entire thing useless. I give up! And on top of that, when it DID work, I had to replace the filter every 10 days or so (not every 3 months as they advertise). My friend down the street with the same humidifier has the same problem. After a week or so, it starts turning brown and smelly. And this is despite cleaning the tank and tray nearly every time, and turning the filter each time as recommended.

Graco Programmable Cool Mist Humidifier

Graco Programmable Cool Mist Humidifier can be used in any room in the house. It automatically pre-sets the humidity level of the room so that babies can breathe easily. It has been designed keeping in mind parents' convenience with a dishwasher-safe tank and tray for easy cleaning. It also has an EasyFill tank that makes the filling process fast. This humidifier runs on three settings for versatile use.

Why You'll Love It: Provide soothing air to help baby sleep peacefully.

Features

• Operates for up to 24 hours
• Covers 1,200 sq feet
• Humidifier runs on three settings: quiet, medium and high
• EasyFill tank for fast easy refills
• Tank and tray are dishwasher safe
• Replaceable drop-in filter for convenience
• Exclusive QuietMist setting that lets baby sleep peacefully
• Designed for reliable performance
• 4 gallon daily output
• Ideal for the nursery, bedroom or larger rooms

• Tank and tray are dishwasher safe
• EasyFill tank for fast easy refills
• Humidifier runs on three settings
• Up to 24 hours of operation and covers 1200 square feet
• Approximately 2.5 gallon tank with 4 gallon output per day