REASONS TO BUY
Baby-centric
Budget-friendly
Quiet
Easy to clean
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as effective
Average ease of use
TaoTronics TT-AH038 Review
Adorable baby-centric humidifier that is quiet and easy to maintain, but it isn't very effective compared to the competition and may not meet your humidity goals
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $50 List
By Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team ⋅ Jul 28, 2021
RELATED: Best Baby Humidifiers
The Skinny
This simple ultrasonic humidifier is a baby-centric option in the shape of a whale. Little ones will be intrigued by the design, and it is sure to complement the look of any nursery. This unit has a lower than average price, is very quiet, and is easy to clean. The lower decibels and fun whale shape make this an ideal choice for younger infants. Unfortunately, it isn't the most effective option in the group, either from the start or over time. However, if the space is small or the unit is placed near a sleeping child's crib, the humidity it does produce will be adequate for most needs. Overall, this option is a potential choice for those who want a humidifier designed with babies in mind.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
TaoTronics TT-AH038 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | ||||
| Price | $50 List | $60 List | $55 List $49.99 at Amazon | $40 List $37.14 at Amazon | $50 List $29.97 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Baby-centric, budget-friendly, quiet, easy to clean | Budget-friendly, effective, easy to use, cleaning brush included | Quiet, filterless, effective, compact, multiple color options | Price, easy to clean, compact, filterless | Effective, quieter than some |
| Cons | Not as effective, average ease of use | Somewhat louder than average, requires long handle bottle brush, filter | Potential issues with motor performance and durability, light always on | Louder, not as effective, small capacity, frequent refills | Challenging to clean, harder to use |
| Bottom Line | Adorable baby-centric humidifier that is quiet and easy to maintain, but it isn't very effective compared to the competition and may not meet your humidity goals | An impressively effective budget-friendly humidifier that makes a little more noise than the average unit | Sleek design, basic features, quiet operation with effective humidity creation | Compact and easy to clean but not as effective and louder than most | An effective smaller unit that is fairly quiet but challenging to clean and harder to use than competitors |
| Rating Categories | TaoTronics TT-AH038 | TaoTronics TT-AH001 | Crane Drop | Honeywell HUL520 | AquaOasis |
| Ease of Cleaning (35%) | |||||
| Effectiveness (35%) | |||||
| Noise (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
| Specs | TaoTronics TT-AH038 | TaoTronics TT-AH001 | Crane Drop | Honeywell HUL520 | AquaOasis |
| Mist Type | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool |
| Technology | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
| Tank Capacity | 0.66 gal | 1.1 gal | 1 gal | 0.5 gal | 0.58 gal |
| Visible Water Reservoir | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Room Humidification Area (Sq Ft) | 269 sq ft | 322 sq ft | 500 sq ft | Small Room | Not Listed |
| Max Run Time | Up to 30 hrs | Up to 30 hrs | Up to 24 hrs | Up to 20 hrs | Over 24 hrs |
| Humidity Output Control | Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control Humidistat |
Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control |
| Demineralization Cartridge/Filter | No | No | Available for Purchase | No | No |
| Night Light | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Empty Tank Auto-Shut Off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (BGL) | 8.3"W x 12.2"H x 5.5"L | 6"W x 9"H x 11.4"L | 8.7"W x 13"H x 8.7"L | 8.1"W x 8.8"H x 8.1"L | 8.5"W x 10"H x 6"L |
| Empty Weight (BGL) | 3.71 lbs | 1.83 lbs | 2.24 lbs | 2.6 lbs | 1.58 lbs |
| Max Operation Noise Level in dB (BGL) | <40 db | 41.7 db | <40 db | 45.2 db | 40.7 db |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
TaoTronics is a distribution company representing various products, from wireless headsets and water floaties to humidifiers and almost anything in between. The company website doesn't provide much information about the company or its history, which is why we are left assuming that it is more of a distribution company than one that designs or creates original products.
Performance Comparison
The opening on the TaoTronics tank is large enough for a hand, but you can use a brush as well.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning the TaoTronics is easier to clean than some of the competition. It has a huge opening on the tank, and it is easy to fit a hand or cloth inside for cleaning.
This humidifier requires a smaller brush to clean the base to ensure that you get the nooks and crannies adequately clean.
The smaller spaces and ultrasonic plate on this TaoTronic can be cleaned with the included small brush.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The manufacturer recommends daily cleaning and also has instructions for descaling and disinfecting. You'll need vinegar for the first and bleach for the latter.
This adorable TaoTronics isn't as effective at creating humidity as the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Effectiveness
This little whale is one of the least effective in our tests for relative humidity produced over time. After 180 minutes, it had one of the lowest results in the group.
With a reading of 69.5% relative humidity at the end of testing, it fell significantly short of the high for the group, which was over 90%. While you may not need this much humidity, it is a shame it can't measure up to the competition. However, if your nursery is small or you place it close to your sleeping child's crib, this cute option likely still creates enough humidity to meet some goals.
This is the amount of white dust created by the TatoTronics during testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This option produces an average amount of white dust during testing, with results that weren't as bad as some of the competition but still more significant than others. You might want to use distilled or bottled water with this unit, depending on your goals.
Noise
This product is the quietest option in our review, making it a natural choice for newborns or those who struggle to fall asleep with ambient noise.
The decibel reading for this unit is lower than 40 dB, with some competition reading over 46. None of the products are loud or make as much noise as evaporative humidifiers, but this is the one for you if you want quiet.
The user interface on the TaoTronics is easy to use and very straightforward but lacks programmability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
This adorable whale shape impacts the ease of use of this humidifier. It comes with a directional spout cover that smoothly rotates. And the shape of the vessel allows it to sit in the sink when you fill it.
The tank on the TaoTronics is easy to open and super large making the tank easier to fill and clean than those with smaller openings.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
It has a very large opening on the bottom for water filling and cleaning that is large enough for an adult male hand.
This unit has a single dial on the front to adjust the humidity level output. It is easy to use, but you can't set any timers or humidity level goals, which means you need to do more monitoring. However, most of the products in this review have a similar dial interface.
The button to the side of the dial turns the nightlight on and off, and if you hold it, the brightness will also adjust. We like that this button is separate from the dial, and you don't have to use the nightlight and the humidifier together, and they can be used separately.
Manufacturer Video
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Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team
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