tldr; Reddit recommends the Honeywell HCM350B Germ-Free as a reliable evaporative humidifier with UV technology to kill bacteria and easy-to-clean design.
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Best praise vs top criticism for Honeywell HCM350B Cool Moisture Humidifier
“This is a great question, and I'd like to know more about it myself. I use Protec balls - [https://amzn.to/41hsNEU](https://amzn.to/41hsNEU) \- that are almost identical to the fish "objects you drop into the tank" option you listed. In the past, I tried the fish but they are a lot smaller than the balls and I only change them once per year at the beginning of the winter season and then throw them away when I put the humidifiers away after winter. The reason I bought this product is that it was recommended in the packaging for a Honeywell humidifier and that is a brand that I trust. The main ingredient in those products is Silver (metallic). That is the same ingredient in the PureGuardian Aquastick. The Livatro balls don't list the ingredients but says there are three color balls within each unit that do different things. Personally I don't buy anything unless I know what it is. Especially stuff that relates to my health and the air I'm breathing. Silver seems to be a high quality and natural ingredient, so I have continued to use this product for several years and have no complaints but it's also difficult to know how effective they truly are. I haven't seen any mold or bacteria in my humidifiers, so that is a good sign. The Dry Element drops contain "copper sulfate, silver nitrate, and food-grade additives approved by the FDA and NSF" and the Berkland drops contain "distilled water, cupric sulfate, and silver nitrate" according to those descriptions. Seems similar to the balls, but there are more ingredients. I'd be careful about copper, because that can be toxic. The drops never appealed to me because you have to keep putting them in throughout the season, whereas I take the balls out when I clean the humidifier (about once per month) and then I drop them back in. I like easy and simple solutions. Personally I'm not a fan of Bacteriostatic solutions because there are a lot of chemicals in them and they have a smell that I don't like. The BestAir 3BT, Original BT Humidifier Water Treatment ingredients are listed as "octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, and other ingredients" and the Essick Air is "n-Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides and n-Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides" according to those descriptions on Amazon. Some of the comments say that these things are toxic and can cause cancer. I have seen some commenters say that they add citric acid to their humidifiers, but I have never done that. That does make sense though, as it is a natural chemical that is found in citrus and fruits like lemons and oranges are well known to be beneficial for cleaning.”
3 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 2/24/2026