When the air gets dry, it can lead to a host of issues like scratchy throats, dry skin, and sinus irritation. A quality humidifier is the solution to maintaining proper moisture levels and improving indoor air quality.
The Homedics TotalComfort Humidifier is designed to make adding soothing humidity to your home environment easy and convenient.
This in-depth review will examine the TotalComfort Humidifier’s features, performance, pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right humidifier for your needs.
What is the Homedics TotalComfort Humidifier?
The TotalComfort is a large room cool mist humidifier from trusted brand Homedics. It utilizes ultrasonic high-frequency technology to convert water into an ultra-fine, evenly dispersed cool mist. With a 0.5 gallon tank capacity, it can humidify areas up to 373 square feet for up to 25 hours on a single refill.
Key Features:
- Ultrasonic Cool Mist Technology: Vibrates water at an ultrasonic frequency to create a micro-fine cool fog
- Large Tank Capacity: 0.5 gallon/1.9 liter tank runs up to 25 hours
- Mist Output Control: Choose between two cool mist settings
- Auto Shut-Off: Unit powers down when water runs out for safety
- Timer Function: Can be programmed for 4, 8 or 12 hours of continuous use
- Demineralization Cartridge: Helps prevent white dust
- Night Light: Built-in 7-color LED night light
- Aroma Functionality: Includes pads to disperse essential oils
Setting Up the TotalComfort Humidifier
Getting started with the TotalComfort is a straightforward process:
- Unpack the humidifier and accessories (tank, demineralization cartridge, aroma pads)
- Remove the tank lid and fill with cool, clean water
- Insert the demineralization cartridge into the tank
- Replace the tank lid and place the tank on the humidifier base
- Plug the humidifier into a power outlet
The water tank has an extra wide opening that makes refilling easy. The tank and base separate for simple cleaning and maintenance as well.
How to Use and Control the TotalComfort
Once set up, operating the TotalComfort humidifier is simple thanks to the intuitive analog controls:
- Power Button: Turns the humidifier on/off
- Mist Control Dial: Adjusts between high and low cool mist output levels
- Timer Dial: Programs the humidifier to run for 4, 8 or 12 continuous hours
- Light Button: Cycles through the 7 soothing night light color options
The TotalComfort also has intelligence features like automatically powering down when the tank is empty to prevent damage. A refill light indicates when it’s time to add more water.
An additional convenience is the ability to release scents like lavender or eucalyptus into the air. Just place the included aroma pad over the mist outlet and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Noise Levels and Night Operation
Humidifiers, especially ultrasonic models, are known for being very quiet when running. The TotalComfort lives up to this with an output of only 30 decibels on the low mist setting – quieter than a whisper.
The built-in night light makes this an ideal humidifier for bedrooms. You can choose between 7 soft, diffused LED colors like blue, green and amber to create a soothing sleep environment.
Coverage Area and Runtime
With a 0.5 gallon/1.9 liter tank, the TotalComfort offers extended runtime between refills. On the low mist output, it can run continuously for up to 25 hours before needing a refill. The high mist setting reduces runtime to around 15 hours.
Homedics rates the coverage area for this humidifier up to 373 square feet, which makes it suitable for large bedrooms, living rooms, nurseries and offices. The mist output control allows you to dial in the perfect amount of humidity for the room size.
Cleaning and Maintenance
To keep your humidifier operating at peak efficiency, regular cleaning is required approximately every 1-2 weeks. The instructions recommend:
- Unplugging the unit and removing the tank
- Using a brush and undiluted white vinegar to scrub away mineral deposits
- Wiping down the base and outer surfaces with a damp cloth
The demineralization cartridge in the tank treats the water to cut down on white dust buildup and mineral scaling. It needs to be replaced every 1-2 months depending on use.
Following the cleaning regimen is simple but does require a bit of hands-on maintenance. However, doing so will help extend the life and performance of your humidifier.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large tank capacity for up to 25 hours runtime | Manual cleaning required every 1-2 weeks |
| Very quiet operation at only 30 decibels | Demineralization cartridge needs frequent replacing |
| Built-in night light with 7 color options | No digital humidity level display or control |
| Automatically powers off when water is empty | No remote control or smart connectivity |
| Ability to use with essential oil scents | Some reports of leaking around the tank area |
Homedics TotalComfort Humidifier Review Summary
Overall Performance: 4/5 stars
Value for Money: 4.5/5 stars
Ease of Use: 4.5/5 stars
The TotalComfort is an excellent all-around cool mist humidifier that delivers on its promises. While not as high-tech or fully-featured as some other models, it offers reliable performance, large capacity and long runtime. This makes it an affordable yet capable option for adding proper humidity levels to medium and large rooms.
The ultrasonic mist dispersal is very fine and even, and the unit is essentially silent on the lower setting. Having the flexibility of controlling mist output as well as using the built-in timer is convenient. The night light is a nice addition for bedroom use as well.
Some downsides are the need for regular manual cleaning and cartridge replacements. There’s also no digital humidity readout or smart connectivity. But the tradeoff is a humidifier that is simple to operate and gets the job done effectively without a lot of bells and whistles.
For the budget-conscious consumer wanting a no-frills humidifier that delivers excellent mist output and coverage, the Homedics TotalComfort should be at the top of your list. With a little routine maintenance, it can make a noticeable difference in the air quality and comfort of your home.
