This Smart Humidifier Has A Handy Feature I Keep Coming Back To - And It's Alexa Compatible

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

  • The Dreo Smart 5L Humidifier is disposable for $70.
  • This humidifier is easy to use, includes a demineralization filter, useful pinch Alexa, allows you to adhd basal oils, adds some slumber and car modes, and packs plentifulness of different features to thief it emergence supra nan rest.
  • The only downside of nan Dreo Smart 5L Humidifier is that it doesn't connection a lukewarm mist option.

The Dreo 5L smart humidifier is connected waste for $58 (save $12) astatine Amazon. 


Along pinch being a writer, I've been an character and vocalist for decades. Those 2 different skills require that I return attraction of my body, which includes my voice. To that end, I've depended connected humidifiers for a very agelong time. And because I suffer from year-round allergies, which origin perpetual barren rima and throat, raising nan humidity successful my agency (or immoderate room I'm in) is essential. 

Also: This compact smart heater tin easy lukewarm up your surviving room without breaking nan bank

I've been utilizing an inexpensive (but very effective) humidifier I purchased from Amazon years ago. That humidifier predates nan full smart revolution, which intends it's a set-it-and-forget-it device. The only point I person to do pinch that humidifier is adhd h2o now and then.

Recently, I was sent nan Dreo Smart 5L humidifier for review. I've go alternatively skeptical of devices that declare to beryllium "smart." Not each portion of hardware has to beryllium smart. And, if I'm being 100% honest, a humidifier surely doesn't request nan added boost of intelligence. 

The Dreo 5L Smart Humidifier successful my office.

However, I played along. I group up nan Dreo 5L Smart Humidifier, installed nan app, and connected nan instrumentality to my network. For nan astir part, I've utilized nan Dreo without nan app, but that's not to opportunity nan app doesn't person a place. Actually, I recovered features successful nan app that I for illustration (such arsenic scheduling, cleaning reminders, and select life). That doesn't mean you person to usage nan app.

But, successful nan sanction of nan review, I willingly dove down that rabbit hole.

The specs

What is location to opportunity astir a humidifier? Add water, move on, and mist mildly wafts from nan machine. However, nan Dreo does adhd a fewer bully options. Here are nan specs.

  • Dual-intake and 360° dual mist outlets
  • Intelligent humidity control
  • 5-liter tank
  • Low noise
  • 42-hour continuous operation
  • Modular creation for easy cleaning
  • Desalination cartridge that tin region up to 7 types of minerals
  • Voice (with Alexa) and app control
  • Top capable vessel for easier filling
  • Night light
  • Digital display
  • Aroma diffuser

My experience

You mightiness deliberation that humidifiers are each created equal. Trust maine erstwhile I opportunity they are not. Although they each stock nan aforesaid extremity (raising nan humidity successful a room), they do not each execute nan aforesaid level of success.

For instance, galore cheaper humidifiers do not consciousness ambient humidity. Instead, you move them on, and they conscionable go. Even my aged humidifier (which I still use) tin consciousness nan humidity level successful a room and tin beryllium programmed to extremity erstwhile it reaches a definite level. 

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The Dreo 5L Smart Humidifier pinch nan apical removed.

Simply region nan apical and capable nan tank. It doesn't get immoderate easier.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Without this feature, you tally nan consequence of introducing mold, which you do not want. So, humidity sensing is simply a must. The Dreo 5L does a awesome occupation of sensing humidity and stopping erstwhile it reaches that point. This characteristic has an added bonus: You won't beryllium filling nan h2o vessel arsenic often.

Speaking of which…

My only beef pinch my aged humidifier is that nan vessel had a screw-on headdress astatine nan bottom, which had to beryllium removed for refills. The problem is that nan headdress tin get very tight. Even though I person a reasonably beardown grip, I ever person to spot a towel connected nan headdress to loosen it.

The Dreo 5L has an easy removable top, which greatly simplifies nan tank-filling process. In fact, moving this humidifier is rather simple. Insert nan desalination cartridge, capable nan tank, insert nan tank, spot nan lid connected nan tank, move nan portion on, group nan desired humidity level (either from nan beforehand Auto fastener aliases nan app — nan app being nan easiest method), set nan output vents, and bask nan mist.

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At first, I was making adjustments via nan beforehand show sheet but yet realized it was overmuch easier to do truthful pinch nan app (which tin beryllium recovered connected nan Google Play Store and nan Apple App Store. You tin besides easy move nan Dreo 5L from Manual, Auto, and Sleep modes. Sleep mode is nan aforesaid arsenic Auto but will move disconnected nan display, sounds, and ambient light.

One very bully touch is nan aroma diffuser. On nan correct broadside of nan device, a pop-out drawer pinch a mini felt pad is located. A fewer drops of your favourite basal lipid will create a subtle scent successful nan mist. I've tried it pinch orangish and cinnamon oils,, and it useful beautifully.

The caveat

I tin prime only 1 nit pinch nan Dreo 5L: It doesn't see a lukewarm mist function. My aged humidifier does connection this feature, and I usage it each nan time. To get lukewarm mist from nan Dreo, I person to capable nan vessel pinch lukewarm water, which cools down reasonably quickly. So, if you require/prefer lukewarm mist, you'll person to look elsewhere. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The Dreo 5L is by acold nan champion single-room humidifier I've ever used. It's an elegant solution that should service you good erstwhile nan ambient moisture makes your lips cracked, your pharynx dry, and your tegument itching.

However, conscionable retrieve to portion plentifulness of h2o (so you'll person plentifulness of moisture arsenic well).

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