Vicks Filter Free V4600 Review
Pros: Quiet, small footprint, stands to fill
Cons: Not very effective, few features
Manufacturer: Vicks
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
![]() This Product
Vicks Filter Free V4600 | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $80.00 List $39.86 at Amazon - 50% off | $160.00 List $159.99 at Amazon | $40.00 List $40.73 at Amazon | $50.00 List $41.25 at Amazon - 18% off | $86.00 List $81.02 at Amazon - 6% off |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Quiet, small footprint, stands to fill | Very effective, high quality, limited parts, fill from the top | Price, easy to clean | Cute, easy to clean base, filterless, large tank | Easy to fill tank, effective |
Cons | Not very effective, few features | Expensive, louder, some parts are hard to clean | Small capacity, limited features, louder | Mist output varies, larger footprint | Wet mist can accumulate on surfaces |
Bottom Line | Below average performance with fewer features but quiet operation | Effective unit you fill from the top but it is louder and costs more | Easy to clean parts and a budget-friendly price make this compact choice a real people pleaser | Budget-friendly and effective make this cute humidifier a no-brainer | Easy fill tank but it is louder and less effective than the competition |
Rating Categories | Vicks Filter Free... | Boneco U300 | Honeywell HUL520 | Crane Adorable | Sunpentown SU-4010 |
Ease Of Cleaning (45%) | |||||
Effectiveness (25%) | |||||
Noise (20%) | |||||
Ease Of Use (10%) | |||||
Specs | Vicks Filter Free... | Boneco U300 | Honeywell HUL520 | Crane Adorable | Sunpentown SU-4010 |
Mist Type | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool Warm (104F) |
Technology | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
Tank Capacity | 1.2 gal | 1.3 gal | 0.5 gal | 1 gal | 1 gal |
Visible Water Reservoir | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Room Humidification Area (Sq Ft) | Not Specified | 540 sf | Small Rooms | 250 sf | 500 sf |
Max Run Time | Up To 33 hrs | Not Specified | Up To 20 hrs | Up To 24 hrs | Up To 10 hrs |
Humidity Output Control | Variable Mist Controll | Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control |
Demineralization Cartridge/Filter | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Night Light | No | No | No | No | No |
Empty Tank Auto-Shut Off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dimensions (BGL) | 9.4"W x 12"H x 8.9"L | 12.3"W x 12.7"H x 6.6"L | 8.1"W x 9"H x 8.1"L | 9.5"W x 12"H x 9.5"L | 12"W x 13.6"H x 5.8"L |
Empty Weight (BGL) | 3.2 lbs | 6.5 lbs | 2.6 lbs | 4 lbs | 6 lbs |
Max Operation Noise Level in dB (BGL) | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Most people are familiar with the traditional Vick's Vapor Rub that came on the scene about 30 years after the company started in 1890. Vick's continued this trend with other health and wellness products, including throat drops, cough medicine, and the ever-popular NyQuil. Vick's also makes thermometers, vaporizers, humidifiers, and steam inhalers. Helen of Troy Limited, a consumer products group that includes OXO®, Hydro Flask®, Vicks®, Braun®, Honeywell®, PUR®, and Hot Tools®, owns Vicks.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Cleaning
The Vick's regular cleaning and maintenance are relatively involved, which earned it a below-average result for this metric. According to manufacturer instructions, you'll need to clean the tank and components with vinegar regularly with routine bleach soaking to remove trace mold or bacteria not removed during the vinegar process. While not difficult, the tank and base do have some small spaces that are challenging to reach and clean thoroughly.
The opening of the tank is more substantial than some of the competition, and smaller hands will fit inside. It is still easiest to clean using a bottle brush, and you'll need the brush to reach the bottom of the mist tube.
Effectiveness
While the Vick's has a slightly higher capacity than some of the competition, it has less ability to provide adequate or prompt humidification for the room. Our tests indicate that from the get-go, it doesn't generate as much humidity as the competition, and this trend only gets worse over time, with the disparity between products growing exponentially over time. At the end of 60 minutes, this unit had created a less humid room than eight other options we tested. This lack of humidity means it is unlikely to meet your needs, whether they are only the crib area or the entire room.
Noise
This unit generates less than 40 decibels of sound when running at the highest level, making it one of the quietest options in the group. The Vick's is a very quiet product compared to much of the competition and had no real noise outside occasional bubbling when water moves from the tank to the base. However, even if silence is your top goal when searching for a humidifier, there are three other top scorers, and 2 of them have higher overall scores, though similar effectiveness.
Ease of Use
The Vick's has a simple single-dial operation, but the lack of adjustable features hurt its ease of use score. The variable output dial is easy to use and can be adjusted to increase or decrease ist output as desired. However, the lack of humidity control or programmability means you'll need to keep a watchful eye on the unit to keep your humidity levels under control.
This unit is easy enough to fill, and the tank stands on its own in the sink. The tank has a carry handle and is relatively lightweight. The opening is large enough for filling, but you can't refill the reservoir without removing it, which isn't as user-friendly as filling it in place while your baby continues to sleep peacefully.
Manufacturer Video
— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Bob Wofford