3 Best Sunbeam Humidifiers – Guarantee of American Brand’s Rich History and Experience

By
Carolina Evans
Carolina Evans
Research Writer
Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s ho read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Richard Powell
Richard Powell
Expert Consultant
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may read more
Last updated: August 30, 2023
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Do you get tired eyes, irritated skin, or sleep poorly at night? Headaches are no longer an exception for you, but rather an almost daily torment? Then it is very likely that the room air and thus the air you breathe in the room is too dry. Especially in winter, the indoor climate in most rooms is much too dry, as the heating runs continuously and the air dries out. A good room or air humidifier can quickly solve these problems. And if we’re taking a look at the best Sunbeam humidifier models, it’s because of the American brand’s rich history and experience, as well as its consumer-centric products.

When choosing a humidifier, the mist type, coverage area, water tank capacity, and runtime should be your focal point of interest. And these are how we were able to select our three models, from the Sunbeam cool mist humidifier, Sunbeam ultrasonic humidifier, to the Sunbeam warm mist humidifier. Before seeing the Sunbeam humidifier reviews, we’ll start from the comparison table.

Quick Summary

  • Editor’s Choice: Sunbeam SCM1100-NWM-1
    "This model is portable and perfect for medium-size rooms:. Keeps humidity at 50-70%. Cool mist. Low noise level."
  • Budget Pick: Sunbeam 1388-800-001N
    "This unit is extremely affordable:. For sinus relief. Prevents bacteria and mold. Provides warm mist."
  • Best Warm Mist Unit: Sunbeam SWM6000-CN
    "An extremely reliable and powerful product:. No filter design. Produces warm mist. Auto-shutoff feature."

Top 3 Sunbeam Humidifiers Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7538 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.6
1
Editor’s Choice

Sunbeam SCM1100-NWM-1

Features
  • Mist type: cool mist
  • Coverage area: up to 500 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 1 gal
  • Runtime: 24 hours
  • Dimensions: 14.76 x 11.2 x 11.89 inches
  • Weight: 4.95 lbs.

 More features: 2 speeds, mold and bacteria prevention, HWF62 Wick Filter compatible

The Sunbeam SCM1100-NWM-1 is a cool-mist humidifier with a one-gallon water tank. It can last for up to 24 hours on a full tank and the low-speed setting. The humidifier is portable and perfect for medium-size rooms. The one-gallon water tank is quite easy to clean and refill because it is removable.

There is a handle to hold the water tank and take it out on the bottom. There is a cap that you can open to fill water and there is another handle right with which you can hold your tank. The unit has a protective antimicrobial material that prevents bacteria and mold buildup.

The Sunbeam Humidifier SCM1100 has a fan component on the inside. The rotating dial helps in having an easy operation. And right at the top is a filter check meter. This shows how and when to change the filter. If lots of needle of the filter check meters are at the red section, that means you need to change your tank or your filter.  There are three control settings which are off, high, and low.

What we liked: The Sunbeam 1 gal cool mist humidifier is effective for small to medium-size rooms. It will keep your room at a safe 50 to 70% humidity level all winter.

What could be better: On some models, the filter ends up stinking, letting off odd small. This is because it can attract dust.

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4467 people in the past 30 days
9.3
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.2
9.3
2
Budget Pick

Sunbeam 1388-800-001N

Features
  • Mist type: warm mist
  • Coverage area: up to 155 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 1.03 gal
  • Runtime: 28 hours
  • Dimensions: 11 x 7.5 x 11 inches
  • Weight: 1.92 lbs.

 More features: medicine well, filter-free

The Sunbeam warm mist vaporizer impresses us at first glance with its great and compact design. The water container, which is required for the mist production, holds 1.03 gallons, larger than the Sunbeam cool mist humidifier. This allows you to humidify a room for a maximum of 28 hours on a full tank of water.

The vaporizer is built to boil the water you fill in the tank so you can have warm mist. And best of all, it does this quietly.

The Sunbeam vaporizer humidifier is designed in such a way that it is enough to completely humidify rooms up to a size of 155 square feet. In larger rooms, however, the device will reach its performance limit. A great advantage of the humidifier is its low noise level. So, you can use the device at night without being disturbed in your sleep.

What we liked: It’s a great humidifier, which, above all, has a simple but breathtaking design. Its functionality is also top-notch as it boils water to produce the warm mist. Thumbs up!

What could be better: Could be better if it had an auto-shutoff. But not to worry, it automatically stops when the water finishes.

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4773 people in the past 30 days
8.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
8.9
3
Best Warm Mist Unit

Sunbeam SWM6000-CN

Features
  • Mist type: warm mist
  • Coverage area: up to 155 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 0.9 gal
  • Runtime: 24 hours
  • Dimensions: 10.9 x 13.4 x 11 inches
  • Weight: 6.05 lbs.

 More features: 2 speeds, filter-free, medicine tray

An extremely reliable and powerful product, the Sunbeam SWM6000-CN humidifier produces the best warm air in this Sunbeam humidifier review. It produces a warm mist that is created by ultrasound technology. The somewhat bulky air humidifier is suitable for the humidification of rooms of 155 square feet in size. It doesn’t work with a filter as with other models and it still offers your home clean and healthy air at a very low noise level.

The Sunbeam filter free humidifier has a water tank with a volume capacity of one gallon approximately. It features the Microban, an antimicrobial protection material that stops the growth of bacteria and mold which generate odor.

The water tank is easily removable and dishwasher safe. And unlike the Sunbeam 1388-800-001, the Sunbeam filter free warm mist humidifier includes an auto-shutoff feature

What we liked: The Sunbeam SWM6000-CN humidifier does not have the cool design of the other models (even if that is a matter of opinion anyway). But it impresses with its inner values ​​and a good price-performance ratio.

What could be better: At 0.9 gallon, the water tank can be bigger, especially for the size of the humidifier and with the presence of no filter.


Things to Consider

Buying a humidifier can therefore relieve you of all dry air problems relating to an imbalance humidity level lower than 50%. In this guide, we’ll tell you why it’s worthwhile buying from Sunbeam, tell you some factors to consider before choosing, show you how to maintain the device, and answer a few of your frequently asked questions.

Why choose Sunbeam humidifiers?

3 Best Sunbeam Humidifiers - Guarantee of American Brand's Rich History and ExperienceSunbeam humidifiers have the general characteristics of gently dispersing moisture throughout your home, eliminating dryness, and enhancing your comfort all year round. In arid places or during the frigid winter months, having dry air indoors can be damaging to the health of your family and even furniture and other home equipment. Sunbeam humidifiers help in the following ways:

  • Good comfort and health: Humidification from Sunbeam humidifiers help relieve your dry skin or eyes. It can help your cough and sore throats. It allows you to sleep well and breathe better.
  • Preserving the interior of your home: A constant level of humidity helps keep your wood floors, furniture, wallpapers, and painted surfaces from cracking or peeling. Humidity also creates a healthier environment for your plants.
  • Reduction of electricity consumption: Sunbeam humidifiers help save you from high energy bills. Moist air is warmer than dry air; you can therefore set the thermostat to a lower level while still enjoying good comfort.

Features to consider when choosing a Sunbeam humidifier

There are some important criteria that you should consider when purchasing a good humidifier. A pleasant color or a stylish design is subjectively important, but there are some objective criteria that a solid room humidifier should meet. As earlier promised, below are some of the things to watch out for when choosing a Sunbeam humidifier.

Mist type

There are two main types of Sunbeam humidifiers – the warm air and cool air humidifiers.

  • Cool mist humidifiers: Cool mist humidifiers (evaporator wick) from Sunbeam gently send cool and invisible vapor in the air. The unhealthy dry air is sucked in by the system and transformed by a saturated wick filter. Then, moisture is evaporated to the air by a fan, while minerals, sediments, as well as other contaminants are trapped by the filter. So, what’s the result? You’ll have a pure, clean, and refreshing mist. A perfect example of this type of humidifier is the Sunbeam SCM1100-NWM-1.
  • Warm mist humidifiers: Warm mist humidifiers from Sunbeam produce visible warm vapor that increases comfort during the long winter months. As the Sunbeam 1388-800-001N does, a built-in circuit gently heats the water and traps impurities before dispersing a warm, soothing, and clean vapor in the air. There are many models (but not all) that have a built-in humidistat and inhalation medication spray system to relieve various symptoms.

Humidifier type

3 Best Sunbeam Humidifiers - Guarantee of American Brand's Rich History and ExperienceThere are three variants that differ in terms of their technology – atomizing, evaporating, or vaporizing. We will introduce you to all the types of room humidifiers below:

  1. The evaporator

As their name suggests, these allow water to evaporate and not actively spray liquid into the environment. These types of humidifiers are very energy-saving and efficient, but can normally also humidify less air than evaporators. In an evaporator, air and water are constantly mixed with rotating discs. The ambient air is quasi washed, which is why you will often find such products under the name “air washer.”  Overhumidification of the room is generally excluded in the event of evaporation.

Pros:

  • Low power consumption
  • No risk of over-humidification
  • Without aerosols
  • Works efficiently

Cons:

  • Low strength
  • The temperature is lowered
  • Water stays for a long time
  1. The vaporizer

A vaporizer works like this: A radiator heats small amounts of water over a long period, causing the vaporizer to regularly give off warm water vapor. The advantage is that the heating kills germs in the water and the steam is therefore much more hygienic and healthier. Vaporizers are generally very powerful. But they consume more electricity than other atomizers or evaporators and are also quite expensive. Also, the water vapor is relatively warm, which warms up in winter, but doesn’t exactly cool you down in summer. A typical example is the Sunbeam 1388-800-001N.

Pros:

  • High performance
  • Kills germs

Cons:

  • Temperature does not drop
  • High power consumption
  • Relatively expensive
  • Intensive cleaning necessary
  1. The atomizer

However, today’s models mostly use ultrasonic technology as an atomizer, where the water is so finely atomized that it comes out as a mist. For this reason, they are often also referred to as “nebulizers”. With almost all atomizer models, you can determine the strength of the mist yourself. The only, but relevant, problem: Ultrasonic atomizers do not heat the water, which does not kill germs. So you have to clean the device regularly to avoid throwing countless viruses and bacteria into the air.

Pros:

  • Low power consumption
  • Very inexpensive
  • Controllable fog as a method

Cons:

  • Moistens quickly and extensively
  • Can over-wet
  • The temperature is lowered

Coverage area

Before buying a room humidifier, you should ask yourself the following question: How big is the room, or are the rooms that I want to humidify with the device? Some humidifiers like the Sunbeam SWM6000-CN and the Sunbeam 1388-800-001N can only work for rooms up to 155 square feet with a water mist, while others, such as the Sunbeam whole house humidifier, the SCM1100-NWM-1, can even supply large halls of up to 500 square feet. The 150 to 200 square feet capacity will only be able to humidify small to medium rooms. While the ones up to 500 square feet can handle large rooms such as the sitting room or even the entire house.

So, when buying, you should pay attention to the specified number of square meters or feet so that you get a suitable device.

Water tank capacity

3 Best Sunbeam Humidifiers - Guarantee of American Brand's Rich History and ExperienceEach of the room humidifiers in our review has a water tank to humidify the room air – regardless of which technology is used. The larger the tank, the longer you can normally supply the room with mist. But you will also need a longer time to refill the water tank. Cleaning a larger tank is also sometimes more difficult than cleaning a small one.

Runtime

This is to some extent related to the water tank capacity of the humidifier and the mist dispersal technology used. The larger the tank, the longer the runtime. While the Sunbeam SCM1100-NWM-1 has a 24-hour runtime with its one-gallon tank, the  Sunbeam 1388-800-001N lasts for 28 hours on a 1.03-gallon full tank. The Sunbeam SWM6000-CN has the best tank to runtime ratio. With a small 0.9 gallon tank, it can produce warm mist for 24 hours. There is a little bit of an insignificant difference. So, if you want a longer runtime, choose a big tank if you can deal with the bulky dimension.

Noise level

The noise level of a humidifier is important to consider because you’re likely to have it working while you sleep at night. And you don’t want something that whines in your ears, giving you insomnia. Note that the noise of the humidifier is always quiet when it is first used. But that says little or nothing about how loud or quiet it is when it is fully operational. Even small, monotonous noises can ruin your nerves, especially at night. Also always note: If you want to use the room humidifier in the bedroom, it should always be quieter than 40 dB. That’s almost the same noise level as a quiet street or library.

The performance

If the size and the water tank volume of the selected device are suitable, you should now think about the performance of the device. Manufacturers give a value for this in milliliters/hour. The higher the value, the more air you can humidify during this period. Here, too, it depends on the situation in which you want to use the humidifier or how dry the air is that you want to change

Tip: To be able to measure the humidity in a room, you can get a hygrometer. This always shows you how dry or humid it is in the room.

Extra features

If you have checked the above central points on the device of your choice, now is the time to look out for additional features and functions. Many humidifiers, such as the Sunbeam SWM6000-CN, have automatic shutdown functions. This one of the most important features. If the room reaches the desired room humidity or if the water level is low, the device switches off automatically.

Many people also use room humidifiers as aroma diffusers to distribute essential oils or scented oils in the room. So you can either remove more germs from the air or simply enjoy pleasant and refreshing room air. A remote control can also be useful if you want to control the device manually and remotely.

What is the ideal indoor climate?

Frequent consequences of high humidity are tension due to dry skin, dry and often irritated mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, and not infrequently flying dust that carries germs with it.

All of these problems are annoying, but they can be tackled with a handy humidifier. But what exactly is an optimal indoor climate? Shouldn’t this look different in different rooms? You would certainly be right with this statement, but an “optimal” indoor climate is assessed differently by each person. One likes it a little more humid, the other prefers drier air. The following table gives you a very good idea of ​​what a good room climate should look like with a room humidifier:

Room type     Temperature Humidity
Living room approx. 20 ° C approx. 40-60%

 

Bedroom approx. 18 ° C approx. 40-60%

 

Bathroom approx. 20-25 ° approx. 50-65%

 

Maintenance tips

Humidifiers enhance your comfort by humidifying indoor air, whether dry or heated. To get maximum benefits from your unit, you should carefully follow the instructions as described in the user manual, especially those relating to operation and maintenance.

You should clean your humidifier weekly or fortnightly, depending on the quality of your water, so you can have efficient, healthy, and odorless operations. The quality of the water, which varies greatly from region to region, and mineral scale buildup inside your humidifier can promote or inhibit microorganisms’ growth inside the devices’ water tank.

To remove tartar, perform daily maintenance by following the steps in your manual. Thankfully, the Sunbeam humidifier cleaning is relatively easy as most of their devices are dishwasher safe.

FAQ

What is the Sunbeam warranty?

Sunbeam is known for their reliable and durable humidifiers. Providing 5 years of limited warranty is a testament to these.

How loud are Sunbeam humidifiers?

Sunbeam generally doesn’t specify the decibel ratings of its humidifiers. However, from our little research, they are not the quietest on the market. Their fans make some levels of noise which some may consider too loud. But the fan is one of the components which make these devices functional and effective.

Our verdict

Our overall best and the Editor’s Choice is the Sunbeam SCM1100-NWM-1. We like it because it is suitable for the entire house. It is a cool-mist humidifier with a one-gallon water tank. It can last for up to 24 hours on a full tank and the low-speed setting. The humidifier still manages to be portable and is perfect for medium to large size rooms.

Choose our Budget Pick, the Sunbeam 1388-800-001N, if you want the best Sunbeam humidifier but have a low budget. This even has a much bigger water container that holds 1.2 gallons, larger than the Sunbeam cool mist humidifier. It allows you to humidify a room for a maximum of 28 hours on a full tank of water.

If you want the humidifier with the best warm mist, choose the Sunbeam SWM6000-CN. It’s an extremely reliable and powerful filter-free product.

9,6
Total Score
Sunbeam SCM1100-NWM-1 - Editor’s Choice
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