Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

Come flu season or dry weather, a quality humidifier can bring much-needed comfort and relief to you and your family. After testing out the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier in our lab, our editors were impressed with its large tank capacity, warm- and cool-mist features and moisture output. Our editors and the parents who tested the Levoit in their homes also liked its sensitive-touch display and LED screen that made reading and setting the timer and adjusting the humidity levels super easy, and they loved the remote that allowed them to control the humidifier from across the room.

Unlike most humidifiers, the Levoit’s nozzle has two rotating openings to disperse mist in opposite directions. This feature also works in tandem with its aroma box: with just a few drops of essential oils, you can freshen your space for that extra bit of spa-like relaxation. The Levoit also offers a memory feature that saves previously used settings (the humidifier must remain plugged in for this to work) and comes with two extra absorption pads, two aroma pads and one cleaning brush.

In our lab, the Levoit was also one of the top performers when it came to overall output, converting 0.5 litres of water to mist over the course of an hour. With its six-litre tank (one of the highest-capacity humidifiers we tested), the Levoit is recommended for use in rooms up to 285 square feet, and can run for around 12 hours on full blast, or up to 36 on the lowest setting. 

Our parent testers were also impressed with the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier, with the majority reporting the humidifier was able to quickly and effectively increase the humidity level in their homes when programmed on the highest setting. They also noticed an improvement to their dry skin and sore throats—and even noticed fewer instances of static electricity.

When using a humidifier at night, you’re going to want a machine that’s effective, yet quiet enough to let you catch some zzz’s. Our editors tested the volume of the Levoit running on low, medium and high settings, finding its noise level was consistent on all three. Parents found this machine to be quiet on every setting, and loved that they were able to program the humidifier so that its lights wouldn’t disturb their sleep. Quick tip: If the LED display is too bright, simply press and hold the auto button for three seconds to turn it off.

With so much going on in a busy parent’s schedule, having a humidifier that’s easy to use is crucial. Our editors found setup straightforward, but noted that distilled water is recommended, which may or may not be a consideration in your household. Thanks to the wide mouth on the water tank, refilling the humidifier was a breeze for parents and editors. The Levoit comes with several adjustable functions: mist level (three options), humidity level (eight levels), timer (one to 12 hours) and warm mist (three levels). There's also an auto button that allows you to set your desired humidity level and walk away, but in our lab tests, the built-in humidistat that controls this wasn't always super accurate. Our editors found the control panel intuitive and well-organized,  but we recommend reading the manual first for a quick review on how to use each feature properly. We did like the handy low-water level indicator. Parents, too, found the instructions, assembly and adjusting the settings easy peasy.

In order to keep this humidifier clean, Levoit recommends disinfecting once a week with a teaspoon of bleach and a gallon of water. After pouring one cup of the mixture into the inner chamber and the remainder into the tank, it needs to soak for 30 minutes. You also need to remove the air flume, mist tube and the green absorption pad from inside the heating element and rinse with water. To give this humidifier a more rigorous clean, you'll need to pour one cup of vinegar into the inner chamber and let it soak for 30 minutes, then scrub away the mineral buildup with the cleaning brush. Levoit also recommends changing the water after each use to prevent bacteria growth. It's a bit of work, but pretty typical for humidifiers in order to prevent growth of bacteria and mould.

FINAL WORD

The Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier's versatile cold and warm mist settings makes it suitable for all types of conditions. Our editors were big fans of this humidifier’s aesthetic, finding it could easily fit in with any decor. Overall, parents found this humidifier fared much better than other humidifiers used in the past, and all gave it the highest rating for to quality. They also gave Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier a positive rating when it came to ease of use and value. All parent testers were satisfied with the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier, would recommend it to other families and would purchase it again for themselves—a sound endorsement.