Just hearing the name Vicks reminds me of that minty smell that embeds itself deep inside your nose. I remember whenever I would fall sick, instead of giving me actual medication, my mother would rub the gel on my chest as a magical cure-all. According to her, not only did it combat all disease but also healed your soul.
People in the newer generation do not have to face the same trauma of having that VapoRub smeared all over you. You have the option to get Vicks humidifiers that will slowly provide you with medicated steam. Not only will this prevent your nasal passages from clogging up, but it will also improve sleep quality.
When Vicks mixes in with the steam, it is providing two-fold benefits. Vicks itself has relieving effects, and the steam adds in needed moisture for comfortable breathing. Read on to know our best picks for Vicks humidifiers.
Best Vicks Humidifier
Vicks Ultrasonic CoolRelief Filter-Free Humidifier
I am one of those people lucky enough that does not require external help to fall asleep, I can sit anywhere, and doze off. The trick to achieving this skill is to be so exhausted all the time that you cannot even function properly. I would not recommend this skill. However, I do recommend a cool-mist humidifier.
This particular humidifier helps alleviate the symptoms of a cough by soothing your throat. You can place up to 2 VapoPads inside the humidifier that will be used to generate the mist. There is even a medicine cup that is warmed, and you can put essential oils inside for further relaxation.
The Ultrasonic humidifier has a capacity of 1.2 gallons. If you keep this running continuously, it will last about a day with a full tank. These are ideal if your rooms are small to medium-sized. For larger rooms, you might need to adjust the settings that control mist flow.
Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Visible Cool Mist Humidifier
If you are interested in another one of my sleeping hacks, I suggest exercising before bed. See, this trick is not that bad. Personally, even the thought of exercise makes me want to curl up in my soft and warm bed!
I can bet most of you have eaten a mint containing menthol in form or another. Now, instead of ingesting it, you can inhale it. My kids spit out anything that remotely tastes minty and this is quite a hindrance when they catch a cold and refuse to take medication.
This Vicks humidifier fixes that problem as the steam slowly sneaks into their throat and fixes their congestion problem. Do your kids not sit still? No problem. Move the humidifier wherever they go, may it be a bedroom, lounge, or dining area. Having storage for 1.2 gallons, you will not need to refill till after 30 hours of use.
Vicks Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier
If you would know me as a person, you would know that I personally love bright colors. While colors may not seem like the most crucial feature while deciding on a machine, they hold some sway for me. Most devices have the same blue and white outlook. Adding a touch of pink or green, which might even be someone’s favorite color, really adds an aspect of cheeriness, don’t you think?
Besides a choice in colors, this humidifier is more compact as compared to the previous ones. With a capacity of 0.5 gallons, it will last under 20 hours of constant use in one tank. A point to note is that these humidifiers do not make any sounds, which I think is a huge benefit. You do not need to worry about strange noises that might startle you or the children.
You can adjust the output easily from the dial, increasing or decreasing the steam produced as required. Since these are smaller, you can place them on any steady surface.
Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier
The allergy season is the worst. There is sneezing everywhere, runny noses, and bad coughs. Despite their nose being red from irritation, some people will still not admit they have allergies. Perhaps they have the mindset that the allergy will go away on its own. While that might be true to some extent, you do not need to necessarily feel uncomfortable when you are dealing with an allergy.
An alternative to taking medicines is using a cool moisture humidifier that will provide some relief to congestion. This can easily be used for a whole day on one single tank. You can set it at different speeds such as high, medium, or low. There are also filters present that retain essential minerals in the water.
Vicks Nursery 1 Gallon Vaporizer
When your baby falls ill, it is heartbreaking to hear those cries of discomfort and feeling like you are not capable of making them feel better. It gets worse when they are trying to sleep, as mucus builds when they are lying down. This build-up causes added distress. Then, you need to stay up all night with your child, picking them up and rocking them whenever they start wailing.
It is exhausting, to say the least, only sleeping for a few hours a day when your children are unwell. This humidifier is specifically designed to be put inside nurseries to take some of the burdens off. It has a soft night light and slowly disperses steam throughout the night to help your kid sleep peacefully.
Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
Compared to the previous models, this specific model produces warm steam instead of cold steam. What is the difference, you ask? As suggested by the name, the mist diffused by this humidifier will have a higher temperature. While this may seem unnecessary for warmer climates, when winter comes, this will help retain some of the heat.
Another benefit of this humidifier is that the steam it produces is 95% free of microorganisms. Moisture is an environment where germs do not thrive. The production process itself significantly limits any unwanted germs and is then aided by the steam produced. You can rest assured that your home will be rid of microbes.
Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer
Remember the vaporizer for the nurseries I mentioned above? The difference between the previous one and this one is storage capacity. While the previous could only retain 1 gallon of water, this humidifier can hold 1.5 gallons, that will easily last you for more than a day. This variant also produces warm steam for those cold nights.
There is a nightlight present inside the humidifier which gives off a soothing glow. There are three main slots: two for inserting in VapoPads, and one for pouring in medicine. These will be mixed into the steam, providing calmness from constant irritation.
Vicks EasyFill Cool Mist Humidifier
By now, you might be wondering how to fill a humidifier with water. Most devices, like this one, will have an opening at the top from where you can pour water in. Make sure the water reaches the desired level, which will be marked. It even has an additional reservoir for storing excess water.
The tank is mostly translucent so that you can observe water levels. If the tank is empty, and you do not notice in time, the humidifier will automatically power itself off. Please do keep in mind that you only pour water inside the tank. Adding in essential oils could damage some of the functionality.
Vicks V4500 FilterFree Humidifier
Unless you prefer to hear specific sounds while you are sleeping, this machine is great because it makes no noise. I am a very light sleeper, and if I heard gurgling in the middle of the night, I can assure you I would not be happy. My kids would probably go off on a monster hunt, trying to find the strange sounds, which would also keep me awake. The point I am trying to make is that humidifiers should be quiet.
You also do not need to worry about cleaning out the tank, since it is easily removable and large enough for effective scrubbing. There is even a scent pad heater present, which will aid in aromatherapy, using Vicks vapors.
Best Vicks Humidifier Buying Guide
Vicks itself produces so many humidifiers that looking for another brand seems fruitless. Now that you have gone through the whole collection, you might have already picked one to purchase. However, before you do, there are certain factors you should keep in mind:
Filters – As you might have noticed in the product reviews, most Vicks humidifiers do not contain a filter. The primary function of filters is to remove any impurities present in the steam, may it be dust or bacteria. While filth is removed from the water, filters also tend to remove essential minerals from the water
Vicks humidifiers do not contain a filter as they do not want their consumers to be burdened with replacing it every month. Instead, they have constructed the humidifiers in such a way that they are easy to clean. The tanks can be removed and are large enough for you to wipe them down. You can further disinfect the tank and the evaporator. Their vaporizer technology also fights off the majority of the bacteria present in water. They also manufacture demineralization tablets that will break down white dust.
Type – There are two main types of humidifiers produced by Vicks. The first is a cool-mist one. These are ideal for warm weather, as the vapors provide a cooling effect. They will not be as cold as an air conditioner but at a comfortable temperature.
The second is warm mist humidifiers. These are specifically designed for cooler temperatures for the steam to provide a source of warmth. Again, these vapors will not be boiling but will ensure the house has an adequate level of humidity.
The primary function of both humidifiers is the same, which is to provide medicinal steam to treat allergies and colds.
Size – Vicks Humidifiers come in a range of storage capacities. If you want the device to run all through the day and night, you will be better off buying one which holds more gallons of water.
You should also consider the size of the room you are putting the humidifier in. If the space is compact, a smaller humidifier would be sufficient, and vice versa.
Additional Features – Many vaporizers will come with pad slots where Vicks VaporPads can be placed for therapy. There might also be an extra medicine tray, where you can pour in essential oils.
Please do keep in mind that you do not add essential oils directly into the water tank. Not only will it contaminate the tank, but it may also clog the steam blowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a Humidifier Work?
It does seem like magic that you put in water, and out comes steam. Since Vicks humidifiers are ultrasonic, I will explain what that means. The basic structure of a humidifier is a wick that absorbs water, and dry air is passed over it. There is also a fan present that helps in circulating the air.
Instead of the wick, these humidifiers have an ultrasonic membrane. This membrane vibrates at high speeds to help the water evaporate. Underneath the membrane, a fan is present to blow the mist upwards. The steam may also pass through a nebulizer chamber to remove any toxins.
Are Vaporizers and Humidifiers Different from Each Other?
The terms may be used interchangeably at times. If we speak in technical terms, humidifiers produce mist from cold water, while vaporizers employ some form of heating to generate steam.
What is the Best Alternative to a Vicks Humidifier?
While Vicks itself provides you with a range of options, you might still want to look at other brands. After Vicks, I would suggest looking at the Everlasting Comfort Humidifier.
This humidifier is an ideal option if you want a larger storage capacity. It can hold up to 1.6 gallons of water, and with consistent use, the tank will not have to be refilled for about two days. Rather than pouring essential oils in a medicine tray, there is a separate oil tray present, which will diffuse the oil along with the steam. A blue LED light will also prove to be soothing at nighttime.
