Humidifiers are notoriously difficult to clean. Their perpetually damp state and many crevices make them a breeding ground for mold and other nasty buildup. This inherent filthiness is not only gross but distressing since humidifiers are a staple in nurseries and also used to relieve congestion, dryness, and other symptoms of mild illness.
Like many new parents, I bought the now-infamous Honeywell Cool Mist Humidifier when my first son was born and used it on and off for a couple of years. Unfortunately, it got really disgusting really fast — even when I changed the filter on a regular basis. It had what felt like a million parts, including a reservoir with so many slimy nooks and crannies that were basically impossible to clean. I still used it when my second son was born, but sparingly, until I got so fed up maintaining it that I stuffed it away in the junk closet.
(According to Dr. David Hill, M.D., a spokesperson for the American Lung Association and a pulmonary and critical-care physician in Connecticut, you’re supposed to clean your humidifier once a week with soap and water to prevent it from becoming contaminated with pathogens. I’m sorry, but no one has time for that.)
Then a mom friend told me about Carepod, a newish humidifier she kept seeing touted on Instagram for how easy it was to clean. “Touted by whom, momfluencers?” I asked. “They have babies and are influencers,” she emoji-shrugged. I was intrigued. A couple of Strategist moms were already in the know when I dropped the link in the parent Slack. Senior editors Jen Trolio and Simone Kitchens both owned one. Another senior editor, Winnie Yang, had just ordered three of her own based on their recommendations. So what was the big deal about Carepod? “The ease of cleaning is absolutely the primary appeal,” Trolio told us. I called one in to test.
The company was founded by a doctor in South Korea who was looking for a better, cleaner humidifier for his young children and decided to create one himself. Carepods come in three sizes and are ultrasonic cool-mist humidifiers that don’t require filters. They also have a unique design that makes them incredibly easy to clean — and sterilize. There are only three pieces to take apart and wash: the basin, oscillator, and lid cover (plus a rubber gasket). The two larger models, Carepod One (shaped like a giant Rolo, according to Trolio) and Carepod Cube X50, have removable stainless-steel water reservoirs and lid covers, both of which you can throw in the dishwasher or sterilize with boiling water. The Carepod Mini is made of plastic and is just as easy to clean, though you can’t boil the parts in water or run them through the dishwasher. The plastic oscillator snaps in and out and can be hand-washed with soap and water or dipped (just the bottom half) in boiling water for a couple of seconds. The only part that is more difficult to access is the nook where the oscillator arm snaps in.
I got the largest model, the Cube X50, and was struck by how sleek it looks for a humidifier of its size — less like a medical device and more like something you’d find in a tastefully appointed home, with a streamlined and minimal design. The Cube and the original Carepod both remind me of my Cuckoo rice cooker, especially the inner stainless-steel basin that’s a dead ringer for the rice pot. (Perhaps Dr. Kim was nodding to his Korean heritage?)
All I had to do to get the Cube going was snap in the oscillator, fill the basin with water, plug in the humidifier, and hit the power button. A robust and steady stream of mist emanated from the side lip, like a kettle, while the water inside gurgled like the proverbial babbling brook. (I find the sound to be extremely soothing, but could imagine it being too loud for some.) Removing the lid cover and rubber gasket for cleaning was a cinch, as was popping them back in.
As superior as it is to other humidifiers on the market, the Carepod is not perfect. For one thing, it’s not cheap. The mini-model, which has a capacity of 2.8 liters, costs $150, compared to other ultrasonic models in our guide to the best humidifiers that are available for under $100, like the Pure Enrichment MistAire and Levoit 4L. If you want the original stainless-steel model, that will set you back $275 for a four-liter tank. The largest Carepod, the Cube X50, goes for $350 for a 4.2-liter tank and comes with a heat-mist option. But if you factor in not having to spend money on replacement filters plus the time you’ll save on cleaning, perhaps it’s a wash.
Trolio finds removing the tank a little finicky, as the handles are quite narrow. The basin can be annoying to fill, too, depending on the size of your sink. But it’s by no means a dealbreaker. “I think it’s nitpicky to say it’s annoying to fill compared to other humidifiers,” says Trolio, “but I still wish it was easier to lift out the steel bucket inside.” I personally fill the tank in the bathtub, while Trolio uses a pitcher as a more convenient workaround.
Because of where the spout is oriented on the Carepod, Kitchens, Trolio, and I all had to play around with the best placement of the humidifier so that it doesn’t get the surrounding area damp. “It’s not something I experience with other humidifiers, where the mist mostly goes up first,” says Kitchens. “It’s a drawback but not enough to go back to those moldy plastic ones.” After some trial and error, I removed the optional feet from the Cube and placed it on a stool, and now I don’t have a problem with the rug or the side of my bed getting wet. (Turns out Carepod also sells modern-looking steel and wood stands for the Cube, but they each cost more than $100.) Despite these admittedly minor complaints, all three of us agree that it’s the best humidifier we’ve tried so far.
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