In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Honeywell HUL520 Review

Budget-friendly compact choice with basic features and super easy to clean parts
Best Value Award
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Price:   $30 List | $30 at Amazon
Pros:  Price, easy to clean
Cons:  Small capacity, limited features, louder
Manufacturer:   Honeywell
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Bob Wofford  ⋅  Sep 16, 2018
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66
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#5 of 12
  • Ease of Cleaning - 40% 8
  • Effectiveness - 30% 6
  • Noise - 20% 5
  • Ease of Use - 10% 6

The Skinny

The Honeywell HUL520 is a compact ultrasonic humidifier with a small footprint and an inexpensive price. This unit has a simple dial with continuous mist output settings. We like that this unit is very easy to clean, has a large tank opening and handle for carrying, and can be cleaned with few if any special tools. This product has a smaller capacity than most of the competition, but it will last overnight on high volume and the frequent refilling will help you keep your eye on potential mold growth or mineral deposits. The HUL is louder than most of the ultrasonic competition but is still relatively silent at high levels. While this unit wouldn't be a good choice for larger spaces and it can't be used for days without refilling, it does get the job done for a very friendly price most families can afford.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Honeywell HUL520
Awards Best Value Award Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award  Top Pick Award 
Price $30.00 List
$29.99 at Amazon		$160.00 List
$159.99 at Amazon		$90.00 List
$96.99 at Amazon		$50.00 List
$44.99 at Amazon - 10% off		$110.00 List
$99.00 at Amazon - 10% off
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros Price, easy to cleanVery effective, high quality, limited parts, fill from the topEasy to use, programmable features, humidistatCute, easy to clean base, filterless, large tankLarge tank capacity, programmable, can set on the floor
Cons Small capacity, limited features, louderExpensive, louder, some parts are hard to cleanSomewhat louder, priceMist output varies, larger footprintLess effective, higher price
Bottom Line Budget-friendly compact choice with basic features and super easy to clean partsHighly effective option that is easy to use but some parts are hard to clean and it is expensiveEasy to use option with a digital interface and humidistat but it costs more than averageCutest package with high mist output and a family-friendly priceLots of programmable bells and whistles with a large tank makes it great for larger rooms
Rating Categories Honeywell HUL520 Boneco U300 PureGuardian H1250 Crane Adorable Air Innovations...
Ease Of Cleaning (40%)
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
5
10
0
7
Effectiveness (30%)
10
0
6
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
5
Noise (20%)
10
0
5
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
9
10
0
7
Ease Of Use (10%)
10
0
6
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
5
10
0
9
Specs Honeywell HUL520 Boneco U300 PureGuardian H1250 Crane Adorable Air Innovations...
Mist Type Cool Cool Cool Cool Cool
Technology Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic
Tank Capacity 0.5 gal 1.3 gal 1.5 gal 1 gal 1.6 gal
Visible Water Reservoir Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Room Humidification Area (Sq Ft) Small Rooms 540 sf Medium Rooms 250 sf 700 sf
Max Run Time Up To 20 hrs Not Specified Up To 100 hrs Up To 24 hrs Up To 100 hrs
Humidity Output Control Variable Mist Control Variable Mist Control Variable Mist Control Humidistat Variable Mist Control Variable Mist Control Humidistat
Demineralization Cartridge/Filter No Yes No No Yes
Night Light No No Yes No No
Empty Tank Auto-Shut Off Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dimensions (BGL) 8.1"W x 9"H x 8.1"L 12.3"W x 12.7"H x 6.6"L 10"W x 12.7"H x 7.5"L 9.5"W x 12"H x 9.5"L 11"W x 18"H x 8"L
Empty Weight (BGL) 2.6 lbs 6.5 lbs 3.7 lbs 4 lbs 4.1 lbs
Max Operation Noise Level in dB (BGL) 46 db 47 db 43 db >40 db 42 db

Our Analysis and Test Results

Honeywell is part of the Helen of Troy group. They are known for personal comfort products like heating pads, fans, heaters, air purifiers, and humidifiers. What you may not know is Honeywell also has connections in aerospace, oil, and gas industries. Honeywell has an annual revenue in excess of $40 billion a year and is a Fortune 500 company.

This Honeywell is a compact ultrasonic humidifier that works well enough for the price and is super easy to clean.
This Honeywell is a compact ultrasonic humidifier that works well enough for the price and is super easy to clean.

Performance Comparison


The compact Honeywell HUL520 is a simple ultrasonic humidifier that works well and gets the job done for a budget-friendly price.


With only two products earning higher scores, and only one competitor with a lower list price, it is easy to see how this Honeywell earned a Best Value award.

The base of the HUL520 has few small spaces making it easier to clean to avoid mold bacteria and mineral buildup.
The base of the HUL520 has few small spaces making it easier to clean to avoid mold, bacteria and mineral buildup.

Ease of Cleaning


The HUL520 is one of the easiest options to clean with an 8 of 10 for ease of cleaning.


This unit has a tank with a very wide opening that most hands will fit in. The tank is small enough to reach all sides to wipe clean without the need for a special tool. You will need a bottle brush or thinner washcloth to clean the mist tube, but the length is short so any brush should be able to do the job. The base is also easy to keep clean with only one spot that requires extra attention.

The top of the HUL520 has a single mist output hole that is not adjustable. The entire unit needs to be moved to redirect the mist away from walls and other undesired locations.
The top of the HUL520 has a single mist output hole that is not adjustable. The entire unit needs to be moved to redirect the mist away from walls and other undesired locations.

Effectiveness


This smaller Honeywell is not the most effective option in the competition earning only a 6 of 10 for mist creations. This may or may not be a concern depending on your goals and the size of the space you want to humidify.


This Honeywell stars out strong with similar output to the competition, but over time the other products increase the ambient humidity more than the HUL. At the one hour mark, only 5 competitors had produced more moisture than the HUL520.

Noise


This Honeywell is the second loudest ultrasonic unit in the review. The Honeywell HCM-350, an evaporative humidifier is the loudest with a decibel reading of 60.


With a decibel reading of 46 dB only the Boneco U300 is louder with 47 dB. While you may be thinking you don't want a noisy unit, it isn't loud and it is unlikely to keep anyone awake.

The Honeywell has a variable mist output dial that is easy to use but lacks programmable features.
The Honeywell has a variable mist output dial that is easy to use but lacks programmable features.

Ease of Use


This Honeywell has a continuous mist dial to control output levels. However, it is not programmable and lacks features that could potentially make life with a humidifier easier which impacted its ease of use score earning only 6 of 10 for this metric.


This unit has continuous settings and a simple "plug and play" design. The tank has a handle for carrying and it can sit in the sink without help for filling.

The tank on the HUL520 has a large opening that is good for cleaning and makes filling it a snap.
The tank on the HUL520 has a large opening that is good for cleaning and makes filling it a snap.

The tank opening is large which makes it easy to fill even in a bathroom sink. The tank is easy to open and fits on the base without a problem. The base is small making this a good option if space is limited. While the tank is small, it will hold enough water to create mist all night even on the highest setting.

Manufacturer Video




— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Bob Wofford