REASONS TO BUY
Budget-friendly
Effective
Easy to use
Cleaning brush included
REASONS TO AVOID
Somewhat louder than average
Requires long handle bottle brush
Filter
TaoTronics TT-AH001 Review
An impressively effective budget-friendly humidifier that makes a little more noise than the average unit
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $60 List
By Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team ⋅ Jul 28, 2021
RELATED: Best Baby Humidifiers
The Skinny
The TaoTronics TT-AH001 is a programable ultrasonic humidifier that is easy on the pocketbook and highly effective. This somewhat drab-looking humidifier created more humidity in our tests than most of the competition and is easy to use, sporting more features for humidity output than any other we tested. We like that this unit allows for humidity limits, auto-stop, and timers to help keep your baby's room at just the right moisture level. Unfortunately, this machine is louder than much of the competition. However, if this kind of noise won't bother you or keep a little one up at night, we think it is hard to find a better humidifier in this price range if efficiency, effectiveness, and control are what you crave.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
TaoTronics TT-AH001 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $60 List | $100 List $99.99 at Amazon | $55 List $49.99 at Amazon | $40 List $37.14 at Amazon | $55 List $55.26 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Budget-friendly, effective, easy to use, cleaning brush included | Easier to use, effective, quiet | Quiet, filterless, effective, compact, multiple color options | Price, easy to clean, compact, filterless | Quieter, cute, engaging, multiple animal choices, filterless |
| Cons | Somewhat louder than average, requires long handle bottle brush, filter | Little spendy, somewhat harder to clean | Potential issues with motor performance and durability, light always on | Louder, not as effective, small capacity, frequent refills | Mist output varies by animal, larger footprint, harder to clean |
| Bottom Line | An impressively effective budget-friendly humidifier that makes a little more noise than the average unit | An easy to use, effective, and quiet ultrasonic unit that is somewhat harder to clean than competitors | Sleek design, basic features, quiet operation with effective humidity creation | Compact and easy to clean but not as effective and louder than most | Cutest package with quiet operation and enough mist output for nurseries but harder to clean |
| Rating Categories | TaoTronics TT-AH001 | Levoit LV600HH | Crane Drop | Honeywell HUL520 | Crane Adorable |
| Ease of Cleaning (35%) | |||||
| Effectiveness (35%) | |||||
| Noise (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
| Specs | TaoTronics TT-AH001 | Levoit LV600HH | Crane Drop | Honeywell HUL520 | Crane Adorable |
| Mist Type | Cool | Cool and Warm | Cool | Cool | Cool |
| Technology | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
| Tank Capacity | 1.1 gal | 1.5 gal | 1 gal | 0.5 gal | 1 gal |
| Visible Water Reservoir | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Room Humidification Area (Sq Ft) | 322 sq ft | 753 sq ft | 500 sq ft | Small Room | 500 sq ft |
| Max Run Time | Up to 30 hrs | Up to 36 hrs | Up to 24 hrs | Up to 20 hrs | Up to 24 hrs |
| Humidity Output Control | Variable Mist Control Humidistat |
Variable Mist Control Humidistat |
Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control |
| Demineralization Cartridge/Filter | No | No | Available for Purchase | No | Available for Purchase |
| Night Light | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Empty Tank Auto-Shut Off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (BGL) | 6"W x 9"H x 11.4"L | 7.5"W x 11"H x 11.3"L | 8.7"W x 13"H x 8.7"L | 8.1"W x 8.8"H x 8.1"L | 9.3"W x 11"H x 9.8"L |
| Empty Weight (BGL) | 1.83 lbs | 5.09 lbs | 2.24 lbs | 2.6 lbs | 4 lbs |
| Max Operation Noise Level in dB (BGL) | 41.7 db | <40 db | <40 db | 45.2 db | 40.2 db |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
TaoTronics appears to largely be a distribution company representing various products from pool floaties to humidifiers and everything in between. The website for the company doesn't provide much information about the company, but it doesn't appear to design or create products of its own.
Performance Comparison
This TaoTronics requires the use of a bottle brush to reach all corners of the inside of the water tank.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
The tank on this TaoTronics is taller than some, and it might require an extra-long brush to reach all the corners when cleaning. The opening to the tank is also on the smaller side, but it isn't the smallest in the group. You cannot fit your hand into the tank to clean.
This humidifier comes with a smaller brush to keep the sonic plate clean, and it provides a little spot to store the brush so you don't misplace it. The regular cleaning instructions include daily water removal, scale removal with a vinegar solution, and disinfecting with bleach. It offers details on how to do this process that are more complete than some of the competition, but it doesn't really specify how often these processes should be completed.
The TaoTronics includes a brush for keeping the sonic plate and smaller spaces clean.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The manufacturer recommends changing the filter every 4-6 months. It is designed to decrease odor and filter microorganisms from the mist. The cartridge is easy to remove and replace. This does mean an ongoing cost of operation for this unit.
This TaoTronics is one of the most effective options in our tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Effectiveness
This product is one of the most effective in our tests for creating relative humidity in the test room. Not only does this humidifier start ahead of the pack with a quick uptick in humidity levels, but it stayed ahead of the group throughout testing.
At the 180 minute mark during testing, this unit had a relative humidity of over 90%, making it one of the best in the group, with the lower performing options coming in closer to 69%. While both and those values in between will raise humidity levels, depending on your needs having a unit that creates mist fast and consistently could be ideal.
There was very little white dust output on this TaoTronic, which is impressive given the higher level of mist output we experienced during testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This product produces very little white dust, likely helped by the internal filter. If white dust is a concern for you, this is a good option to choose.
Noise
The TaoTronics TT-AH001 isn't the loudest in the group, with a maximum decibel level of 42 dB, but it isn't the quietest either. While the truly silent options registered below 40 dB, the loudest were over 46.
Despite the louder max volume, we don't think any of the ultrasonic humidifiers are that loud, and most people find the noise soothing or akin to non-disturbing white noise. If finding the absolute quietest machine is your goal, this may not be the one for you, but it will be quiet enough for most folks.
This is one of the only humidifiers we tested that includes the ability to program humidity levels and timers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
We consider this option to be one of the easiest to use. Not only is the user interface fairly intuitive, but it has features that allow more control over the humidity levels and how it functions. This translates to more control without being in the baby's room.
The buttons on the front of the machines are sort of difficult to press and are easier to manage when the unit is full of water. The symbols on the screen are easy to understand, and we were able to sort out the interface without the manual. It has a sleep mode button that turns on the display and minimizes light in the room, which can be nice at night with a sleeping baby. The timer allows for a 24 hour run time for constant humidity, or it can shut off at a designated time. The humidistat keeps you informed on the level of humidity in the room.
This unit has both a nightlight (above left) and a handle that makes carrying it much easier, especially when full (above right).
The opening on this tank is smaller, though not the smallest one we've seen. However, it is flat on the top, which allows you to set the tank in the sink while filling. It is one of the few you can fill on its own without holding the tank in place. While not as simple as filling it in place, we do like that it doesn't require holding.
—
Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team
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