I've Had the Viral Canopy Humidifier For 6 Months — Here's an Honest Review

Humidifiers are often promoted as a solve for dry winter air, which brings with it issues like nosebleeds, dull skin, and scratchy throats. But I'm a big fan of humidifiers year-round. They can help ease symptoms caused by spring or fall allergies or dry air-conditioned air. One thing I'm not a fan of, though, is cleaning humidifiers. I never feel confident that I'm getting all the mold out of a humidifier's nooks and crannies, and the last thing I want to be doing is breathing in humidified but moldy air. That's why I was so interested in the Canopy Humidifier Plus, which bills itself as the only mold-inhibiting humidifier on the market — a claim that sounded almost too good to be true.

Canopy Humidifier

From

$150

$150 at Hyku Home/Canopy

Canopy Humidifier Plus

From

$255

$255 at Hyku Home/Canopy

Canopy calls its mold-inhibiting system Smart Persistent Airflow (SPA). Basically, the Canopy Humidifier ($150), which hydrates air in rooms up to 500 square feet, and Canopy Humidifier Plus ($225), which hydrates air in rooms up to 1,000 square feet, have smart sensors built-in that allow the machines to keep running until the unit is 100 percent dry inside. Since lingering water and dampness are what allow mold to grow, this system is meant to eliminate that risk. It also contains parts that are dishwasher safe, for easier cleaning.

Luckily, I didn't just have to take Canopy's word for it; they send me a Humidifier Plus unit to try out myself. And after using it for the past six months, I can confidently say that its mold-blocking claims are legit. But there are plenty of other reasons to love the Canopy Humidifier besides that alone.

In six months, no visible mold has built up inside my Canopy Humidifier Plus. That alone is a perk that I could shout from the rooftops. I feel safe refilling the tank and running the machine without worrying that I'm sending mold spores flying around my room. For extra reassurance, the water is "treated" by a UV light before passing through the humidifier's paper filter, which captures dust, metals, and other particles that might be in the water.

But the most important part of a humidifier is how well it works — and the Canopy Humidifier Plus doesn't disappoint. On nights I use it, I wake up feeling less dry in my problem areas — my throat, nose, and skin. But the area around the humidifier never feels wet or damp, which has been a huge issue I've faced with humidifiers in the past. The humidifier also has sensors to tell it when it needs to pump out a little more moisture during the night — like when your heating or cooling system kicks on.

Other perks of the Canopy Humidifier Plus include the long run time — it can go for 36 hours without needing a refill. It's quiet enough not to disrupt my sleep. And you can use essential oils to add an aromatherapy element to the humidifier. Either douse a diffuser puck in essential oil and set it in a groove on the top of the machine, or place a bottle of essential oil in a diffuser well inside the humidifier's paper filter for a longer-lasting scent. Personally, I prefer un-aromaed air while I sleep. But during sick season, I can get down with some peppermint essential oil to help ease a sore throat or congestion.

The SPA tech Canopy Humidifiers use mean you can't turn the humidifier off if there's still moisture inside the machine (although you can unplug it entirely — which might encourage mold growth). The humidifier can also get a little noisy as it gets close to being totally dry inside; it's nothing that's woken me up from a sleep before, but it did surprise me the first few times I noticed it happening.

The other thing worth noting about the Canopy Humidifier and Canopy Humidifier Plus is that the paper filters need changing every five to seven weeks. One filter for the standard humidifier costs $15, and $20 for the Plus version, but you can save $5 off each by purchasing a subscription, which means you'll get a replacement sent to you every 45 days.

Anyone who suffers from indoor dryness could benefit from a humidifier, and Canopy is a great option. In addition to the regular and Plus models for different-size spaces, there's also the Canopy Nursery Humidifier ($150), which has the same smaller footprint as the regular humidifier — to avoid cluttering up your little one's room — and comes with an aromatherapy kit designed for little ones. The Plus version specifically is better for those looking to humidify larger spaces or who really want the ability to use the Diffuser Well for a strong aromatherapy experience; the regular version is fine for smaller rooms.

To me, not having to wrestle with tiny parts and scary-smelling chemical cleaners to fight mold growth is definitely worth the price tag of the Canopy Humidifier Plus.

The Canopy Humidifier Plus Starter Kit, which comes with a humidifier, filter, and essential oil, is available at GetCanopy.co ($255) and Nordstrom ($255).

Rating:★★★★★