Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier Review

Written by Amelia Jerden, Senior Staff Writer

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Humidifiers are a great way to add extra moisture into the air in your bedroom to promote better breathing, get relief from respiratory issues, and to prevent dry skin while you sleep. There are tons of options out there, but in this review I’ll be taking a closer look at the Vicks Warm Mist humidifier.

I personally tested this humidifier and I’ll be going over my pros and cons from that experience, as well as some key features of this humidifier and how to use it.

Short on time? Skip ahead to my review summary.

Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier Video Review

The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is filter-free and uses boiling water to create steam to humidify your room.

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Is the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier Right For You?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go over my recommendations for the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier.

Who Should Try the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

If you want a filter-free, easy maintenance humidifier, this is a good option for you. There are no filters to replace and the recommended cleaning process is fairly simple. Plus this humidifier uses boiling water for warm mist, ensuring pure water going into the air.
If you are a cold sleeper, a warm mist humidifier can actually warm up the air in your room, in addition to humidifying the dry air.
If you want to add liquid inhalants or scent pads to soothe an irritated throat or nasal passage, you’ll likely appreciate that this humidifier allows you to add Vicks VapoSteam in a medicine cup and/or Vicks VapoPads in the scent pad door. I’ll get into more specifics of how these work later in this review.

Who Shouldn’t Try the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

If you have small children, pets, or are clumsy, a warm mist humidifier may not be the best choice for you, as it uses boiling water. While it’s completely safe when used properly, there is a risk of spilling boiling water if the humidifier is knocked over.
If you want a humidifier that doubles as a diffuser, this humidifier won’t be your best choice as Vicks does not recommend adding essential oils.
If you are easily disturbed by ambient light at night, you might be annoyed with the night light feature on this humidifier, which turns on automatically and can’t be turned off.

Key Features of the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

The Vicks Warm Mist humidifier has a few key components that help you understand how it works: the water tank, the base, the mist chimney, and the medicine cup.

The water tank is what you fill up to run your humidifier. It has a one-gallon capacity. On the top of the tank is a carrying handle and on the bottom is the tank cap, which you unscrew to fill up the tank.

The base of the humidifier is the bottom piece, which the rest of the parts stack on top of. This base features a scent pad door, where you can add Vicks VapoPads for soothing menthol vapors. Menthol is used in a variety of products for relieving sore throats and congestion, so this is a helpful option for folks dealing with a sinus infection, a sore throat, or other respiratory issues.

The control knob is also on the base and features a night light, which automatically turns on when the humidifier is running. The knob allows you to choose between a range of settings.

On top of the base and next to the tank is the mist chimney. There is a heating element underneath which boils the water to turn it into warm mist, which rises up through the mist chamber and out into your bedroom.

The medicine cup sits on top of the mist chimney and allows you to add liquid inhalants, such as Vicks VapoSteam, which helps to relieve coughs and throat irritation.

The Vicks Warm Mist humidifier has a 24-hour run time when the tank is full and on the low setting. The humidifier is designed for use in medium to large rooms. The full unit size is 10.63 inches by 11.85 inches. This humidifier also has an auto-shut off feature, which will turn the humidifier off when the tank is empty.

How To Use The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

Now that you know the key features of this humidifier, let’s go over how to use it.

Setting up the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

When you first take the humidifier out of the box to set it up, be sure to read through the instructions and safety information provided by Vicks. That way you’ll ensure you are properly prepared.

Set the humidifier in your desired location. Make sure the humidifier is on a level and firm location at least 12 inches away from the wall. It’s also a good idea to choose a water-resistant surface.
Remove the tank from the base and remove the tank cap on the bottom of the tank.
Fill the tank with cool water and replace the tank cap.
Replace the tank onto the base. If you are going to utilize the medicine cup or scent pad door, you’ll want to do so before turning on the humidifier. For the medicine cup, you can add one tablespoon of inhalant to the medicine cup. For the scent pad door, simply open and place a Vicks VapoPad in the slot and shut the door.
Finally, plug the humidifier in and turn the control knob to turn it on.

Cleaning the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

It’s important to keep your humidifier clean, as it is a contained, moist environment — the type of environment bacteria and mold thrive in. You definitely don’t want any gunk mixed in the mist that you’ll be breathing in.

One positive thing about a warm mist humidifier is that the water is boiled — and thus purified — before it goes into the air, but it’s still important to regularly clean your humidifier.

The medicine cup, removable tray in the base, and mist chimney are all dishwasher safe. To wash in the dishwasher, place on the top rack and run the dishwasher on a light or normal cycle without detergent.

You’ll also want to disinfect and descale your humidifier on a weekly basis. Here’s the recommended process for descaling:

Unplug and turn off your humidifier. If the humidifier was just running, allow 20 minutes or so to cool off.
Remove the water tank and empty all water out of the tank and base.
Take apart the mist chimney by gently pressing the blue latch and pulling upwards.
Take the removable tray out of the base by pressing on the blue lift tab and gently pulling upwards on the tab.
Fill the tank and base with one cup of white vinegar and wipe down the mist chimney, medicine cup, and removable tray with vinegar.
Soak the heating element with the vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes and then gently scrub with a soft brush to remove any mineral deposit buildup.
Then rinse the base, tank, removable tray, and medicine cup until the smell of the vinegar is gone. Be sure not to immerse the base in water.
Gently wipe the scent pad area with a damp cloth — do not use vinegar or bleach on this part of the humidifier.

After you finish descaling, you’ll want to disinfect the humidifier by doing the following:

Add one teaspoon of bleach to one gallon of water.
Pour half to three-quarters of the solution into the water tank and base.
Then wipe down the mist chimney, medicine cup, and removable tray with the solution.
Soak the heating element in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes and gently scrub with a soft brush.
Rinse the base, tank, removable tray, and medicine cup until the smell of bleach is gone. Take care not to immerse the base in water.

The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is filter-free and uses boiling water to create steam to humidify your room.

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Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier Price

Price is an important factor when shopping for any new device, including a humidifier. The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is currently available on Amazon for $39.99. With humidifiers priced in a fairly wide range — from as low as $20 to over $200 — I would say this is a good price.

The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is filter-free and uses boiling water to create steam to humidify your room.

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My Final Thoughts About the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

All in all, I think this a great, easy-to-use humidifier. I like that this humidifier uses warm moisture, which can achieve higher levels of saturation than cool moisture can. It also can help to warm air, which is nice for those whose bedrooms are prone to being chilly. Plus, boiling the water ensures there are fewer germs and bacteria in the mist without the use of a filter. Not having to worry about repurchasing and replacing a filter is a big pro to me.

Warm mist is also great for relieving congestion or a stuffy nose. I often use the old trick I learned from my mom of breathing in steam from boiled water when I’m sick, so I like the idea of having a humidifier that can do that for me. I also like having the option to add the liquid inhalants and scent pads for extra relief.

There is a small amount of gurgling as the water boils, which takes a few minutes, but overall I found this humidifier to run very quietly, which is a nice plus for light sleepers easily disturbed by noise.

Additionally, having dishwasher-safe components is helpful for keeping your humidifier clean.

However, while there are many positives to a warm mist humidifier, it can present some safety concerns because of the boiling water. If you have kids, pets, or you are prone to knocking things over, I would recommend against this humidifier (unless you’re able to keep it in a very secure place), as you don’t want boiling water to spill on yourself, your child, or your pet.

I also didn’t love the night light feature on this humidifier, which immediately turns on when the humidifier is on. Sleepers who are easily disturbed by ambient light might find this feature frustrating.

Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier Policies and FAQs

How does the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier ship?

This humidifier is eligible for free shipping on Amazon.

Can I return the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier?

If you buy through Amazon, you cannot return this humidifier. It can only be returned and refunded if the product is found to be defective.

Does the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier have a warranty?

Yes, Vicks’ parent company Kaz offers a 3-year limited warranty on this humidifier.

Can a humidifier prevent nose bleeding?

Yes, humidifiers can help with some nose bleeds. Some people’s noses bleed at night because the mucous membranes in their nose dry out, so increasing the humidity level in your bedroom can help keep those nasal passages moist and prevent nose bleeds.

Can I use the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier in a small room?

Vicks recommends this humidifier for use in a medium to large room, so if you intend to use it in a small room, I would recommend running it for shorter periods of time or investing in a humidity monitoring device to ensure you aren’t over-humidifying your room. Too much humidity can promote mold and bacteria growth in your room, make the air feel stuffy, and lead to moisture dripping on the walls.

Do I need to use distilled water with the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier?

No, you do not need to use distilled water with this humidifier, although you certainly can to prevent mineral buildup. You can use tap water with this humidifier and because the water boils before being released into the air, it should be purified when you breathe it in. However, if you live in an area with hard water, you may end up with some white dust from mineral deposits near the humidifier and buildup inside the humidifier itself. Just be sure to properly clean these deposits off to keep your humidifier functioning properly.

Can a humidifier prevent a dry throat?

Yes, humidifiers are great for preventing a dry throat. If you often wake up with a dry or scratchy throat when you aren’t sick, your bedroom may have low humidity levels.

The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is filter-free and uses boiling water to create steam to humidify your room.

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Amelia Jerden

Senior Staff Writer

About Author

Amelia is a Senior Staff Writer for Sleepopolis. She primarily covers bedding and sleep accessory products in reviews, how-to guides, and more. You can also find her over on the Sleepopolis YouTube channel. Amelia is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with double majors in media and journalism and in dramatic art. Outside of work, Amelia can usually be found on a hike, traveling to a new city, or at her local thrift store.

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