“You May Need a More Powerful Machine”: Canopy Humidifier

We purchased the Canopy Humidifier so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

Living in an old house comes with an array of challenges, but one thing I’m more aware of than ever in my home's dry heat in the winter. Dry heat leads to annoying side effects like dry skin and sad plants. I’ve been hesitant about investing in humidifiers, given the mess of cleaning and bacteria growth potential. Canopy is a small, clean humidifier with unique anti-mold technology designed to stop mold growth. Its parts are even safe to go in the dishwasher.

This appliance sounds like one of the best humidifiers on the market. The features had me hooked: filtered, clean moisture (not messy mist), and a built-in diffusion system. It sounded too good to be true. In some cases, it was. But it met some of my expectations. So, where did the Canopy Humidifier succeed and fail during my one-month run?

The most important element is humidity. I set the humidifier to auto mode, meaning it would preserve energy during the day when I wasn’t in my bedroom and automatically turned on when it got darker to prepare for a more humidified, clean sleep time. It looked like the humidifier was working because my windows fogged up like they never had before. My plants looked a tad healthier. It felt like my skin was more nourished. But, since I’m a big sucker for the placebo effect, I grabbed a digital hygrometer (a humidity gauge) to see if the humidifier was living up to expectations. The results were lackluster.

Without the humidifier on, our bedroom’s humidity level was around 30% at night. With it on for about five hours, our humidity level reached 32%. It didn’t make a huge dent. I tried it in another room and had the same results. I think the humidifier works, but it’s not a cure-all. If your space needs a big bump in humidity—or your space is larger than 500 square feet—you may need a more powerful (and likely more cumbersome) machine.

The results were not all dismal. This humidifier's ease of use is a huge bonus. Cleaning it is simple. I washed the basin in my dishwasher since it is dishwasher safe. I have rarely cleaned it—just every few weeks—because of the built-in anti-mold technology. This feature is incredible, given dirty humidifiers tend to harbor mold and bacteria and often provide the opposite of a clean sleep space and home.

A perk of this machine is its white noise. I was hooked to the soothing white noise emitted by this machine—to the point that even though it didn’t humidify too powerfully, I didn’t care. I still use it every night for its soothing sound and a subtle burst of humidity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean the Canopy Humidifier?

One of the best things about the Canopy Humidifier is how easy it is to clean. With dishwasher-safe parts, you can throw them in the dishwasher instead of constantly hand-washing the device and frequent, burdensome sanitization routines.

How often do you have to refill it?

Given how small the humidifier is, it requires regular refilling. We set it on auto mode, so it runs at night. I had to refill it before bed each night. We also use this machine most during the winter—the darkest hours of the year—so it’s running more than usual. The manufacturer says it can run up to 36 hours, which I anticipate we’ll experience come summer.)

How does the aroma diffuser work?

The aroma diffuser doesn't seem to work very well. I was excited by the idea of scent diffusion since I love candles. I thought this was a safe alternative for nighttime aromas, but I couldn’t smell the fragrances, even from a few steps away.

How often do you have to clean it?

Most humidifiers require regular cleaning, basically after every use, to avoid bacteria growth. One of the highlights of the Canopy is that it zaps mold and bacteria with built-in technology. I only needed to clean it every two weeks to be safe—and my dishwasher did all the work.

Is there a filter?

Yes, there is a filter. Canopy recommends replacing the filter every 45 days and offers a humidifier-replacement service, so you don’t have to remember to purchase it.

How big is it?

This humidifier is surprisingly compact and portable. It only takes up a small corner of my dresser and measures 10 inches wide and just over 8 inches tall. It's about 7 inches deep; it's like a slightly oversized tissue box.

Canopy Humidifier vs. NOMA Ultrasonic Humidifier

Canopy isn’t the only compact humidifier on the market these days. NOMA’s Ultrasonic Humidifier costs roughly half the Canopy price ($80 versus $150 for the Canopy). It is built for medium-size 400-square-foot rooms while Canopy states it's suitable for rooms up to 500 square feet. It has an Ion Exchange Filter built to reduce calcium and dust build-up to keep cleaning simple.

The NOMA’s auto shut-off feature offers a set-it and forget-it comfort level, while its whisper-quiet sound is ideal for those who do not like white-noise. The NOMA does not offer diffuser technology, but since the Canopy wasn't effective at scent diffusing, it wasn't much of a mark in favor of the Canopy anyway.