Holmes Products Cool Mist HM1746 Review

Winter is my least favorite season and among my many complaints about this time of year is the effect that cold, dry air has on my sinuses. It is common for me to wake up in winter and barely be able to breathe out of either side of my nose. If I am outside, the effects are even worse. If I am outdoors for very long and the temperature drops below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, I will completely lose the ability to breathe through my nose and hence will lose most of my senses of smell and taste.

Living in a warm climate is the best way to combat this type of problem but if a move to southern Florida isn't feasible, there is one way to lessen the negative effects of cold air: Purchasing a humidifier to deal with the dry winter air and make life a little easier. I have owned a few humidifiers over the years and the one I purchased recently is the Holmes Cool Mist Humidifier HM1746, a medium size humidifying device that holds about 1.3 gallons of water.  

Humidifier Commentary:

I have owned many different table top style humidifiers and the Holmes Cool Mist HM1746 is my latest household addition. I have used Holmes humidifiers in the past and I felt it was time to update and buy something with more modern technology and up to date features. This humidifier seemed to have what I needed so I made the decision to buy.

The moisture released from this humidifier is cool and there is no visible mist. Placing your hand above the top of the unit (where the air flows out), right above the fan you can tell the air is moisturized. But since the temperature is cool and the moisture output is moderate, you will not be able to see the mist. Warm mist humidifiers have their place (like when someone is very sick or stuffed up), but I prefer the cool mist method for general use. The reason I like cool mist better is because the mist is released at a very gradual rate (it takes about eight to ten hours to release an entire tank of water into the air), helping to get the humidity level just right. With a visible warm mist, the moisture is dispensed too rapidly, often leading to a damp room that has visible moisture showing on furniture and that radiates a nasty smell.

One other nice quality of this humidifier is the filters themselves. Holmes replacement filters HWF64 and HF213 are both compatible with this Holmes humidifier and while it is a hassle to have to replace them, Holmes has greatly improved these filters compared to the ones of yesteryear. They seem more resistant to corrosion and less likely to emit a bad smell. Of course, the filters will still go bad in due time and as a rule, one should never store the unit for an extended period with the filter still in place because it will develop mildew. But they are still better than the filters on the older models. And the addition of a handle on the water tank (both the top and bottom have a handle)is also a nice feature. It makes it much easier to carry the full tank of water from the sink to the base of the humidifier.

Holmes sells this humidifier with a limited three- year warranty. If the unit proves defective within the first thirty days, the retail store where it was purchased will replace it. If it goes bad between thirty days and three years after purchase, Holmes will replace or repair the product for a small charge, to cover return shipping. As long as the unit is in the possession of the original purchaser when it breaks down, the warranty coverage is in effect.

Bottom Line:

Overall, this is a good humidifier from the people at Holmes and I am satisfied with the purchase. It makes more noise (when set in the high position anyway) than my old humidifier and it still requires replacing filters (they retail for about $20 for a pack of two). But the added features like the Filter Check, the handle on the water tank, and the less smelly filters make this a good choice for your home. It can help increase the level of moisture in your house, helping to eliminate some of the seasonal sinus problems that some people experience and improve overall health.