PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier review

PureGuardian is a sister brand of GermGuardian — the creator of one of our favorite air purifiers for allergies — but unlike its sibling, PureGuardian is focused entirely on humidifiers. The H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is one of the smallest appliances in the company’s range, and at only $44.99, it is also one of the most affordable. But can this compact humidifier perform well, too?

Based on specifications alone, it has the potential to land in our roundup of the best humidifiers on the market. The PureGuardian H950AR is equipped with ultrasonic technology, meaning that it increases relative humidity by blowing out fine mist into the air without generating much noise. Despite its small size, this humidifier can run for up to 30 hours on its lowest setting. Moreover, its water tank is laced with silver ions, and according to a 2021 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, this can help stop bacteria and other harmful microbes from spreading in the water. Lastly, the PureGuardian H950AR features an aromatherapy tray so a few drops of essential oil can be added to create a pleasant smell in your home.

PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier review

PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: Design

• Exceptionally light, compact and portable
• Easy to use, refill and clean
• Non-transparent water tank makes it difficult to monitor water levels

The PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a refreshingly simple appliance. It may not boast the futuristic looks of the Dyson AM10 or the quirky design of the Homedics TotalComfort Deluxe, but it is unobtrusive and easy to use.

Weighing only three pounds (1.37 kg), it is one of the lightest and smallest humidifiers we have tested. The PureGuardian H950AR is also exceptionally compact and portable, even when it is filled up with water. We liked its minimalistic design, too. Unlike many humidifiers on the market, it features a sleek, non-transparent water tank that helps it blend in with the surroundings. However, this also makes it more difficult to monitor water levels.

The PureGuardian H950ARs features a misting nozzle at the top of the tank, a set of controls at the bottom of the unit, a refill indicator and power button at the front and an essential oil tray at the back. The water tank is refilled through a removable lid at the top, and this can be done by either pouring water in straight from the pitcher or unscrewing the base and filling the humidifier under the faucet. The refilling process takes seconds, and thanks to a relatively big lid, it does not tend to cause spillages.

We found the PureGuardian H950AR easy to clean, too. The water tank does not have many hard-to-reach crevices, and the ultrasonic disc can be quickly descaled using the small cleaning brush provided.

PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: Features

• Two mist speeds
• No remote control or smart features
• No built-in humidistat

The PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier offers fairly basic features. For example, it can’t be controlled remotely, and it does not have a built-in humidistat — a device that continuously monitors moisture level in the air and adjusts the mist output to maintain a specific humidity level.

Moreover, the PureGuardian H950AR can only produce cool mist, so it may not be suitable for use in cold spaces or during wintertime. However, this no-frills approach to humidification results in an appliance that does not require long hours studying the manual.

The PureGuardian H950AR features only two mist speeds, which can be controlled using the power button — with one press for minimum mist and a double press for maximum output. Its low water indicator light will flash when it is time to refill the tank, and an auto shut-off feature will turn off the humidifier when the water runs out. For added scent, you can also add a few drops of essential oil to the pad in the tray.

PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: Performance

• Ultra-quiet and effective at increasing relative humidity
• No spillages or dampness around the unit
• Essential oil tray adds a pleasant smell

The PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier impressed us with its efficiency. This humble-looking humidifier releases a powerful stream of refreshing cool mist without causing excessive dampness, and a full tank can last it all day. The PureGuardian H950AR was also ultra-quiet. We measured its noise levels with a decibel-counting app, and got no readings higher than 15 decibels — that’s equivalent to a whisper or leaves rustling in the wind.

We also tested the PureGuardian H950AR using an industry-grade Perfect Prime particle counter. We placed the humidifier in a closed, medium-sized room and then ran it for two hours in its highest mist output mode. After an hour, the relative humidity increased from 55% to 63%, and after two hours it rose by another eight percent. For an appliance this size, this is a significant increase.

Lastly, we tested its aromatherapy feature by adding several drops of essential oil to the tray. We could feel a tangible difference in the air — the room was engulfed in a pleasant, yet not overpowering smell.

PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: User reviews

The PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is rated a hefty 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on 35 global ratings. Users praised this humidifier for its ease of use, straightforward maintenance and great humidifying performance at near-silent noise levels.

However, some reviews complained that it does not run for long enough. As one buyer said, “[It is] extremely easy to fill and operate — no challenging lids or seals to unscrew. Lasts for ~12 hours on a single fill at the "high" setting. My only complaint is that the LED indicator on the front is extremely bright, so much so that I have to put something over or in front of it to avoid lighting up my room.”

Should you buy the PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier?

✅ Buy it if: You are looking for a great budget alternative to more premium appliances. The PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is exceptionally light, compact and easy to use, and more importantly, it does a great job at increasing humidity levels without causing spillages or making excessive noise.

❌ Don't buy it if: You need a humidifier with multiple mist output levels and a humidistat. The PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier may not meet your expectations, because it is devoid of any advanced features. It looks somewhat basic, too.

If this product isn't for you

If the PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is not for you, check the much larger Levoit LV600HH. It covers up to 753 square feet, and it comes with options for both cool and warm mist, a remote control, a humidistat and an essential oil diffuser.

The Dyson AM10 is another great alternative to the PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. This top-performing humidifier is compact and stylish and also doubles as a fan. Moreover, it is equipped with a microbe-destroying UV light and humidistat. There is only one caveat — the Dyson AM10 costs up to a whopping $600.

If you are looking for something with a more unique design, the Homedics TotalComfort Deluxe may be more up your street. This quirky humidifier not only looks good but also performs exceptionally well, and it can run up to 70 hours on a full tank.

PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: How we tested

We tested the PureGuardian H950AR Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier for a week, looking at its design, features, performance, and ease of use and maintenance. We also tested its humidifying capabilities using an industry-grade Perfect Prime particle counter. We placed the H950AR in a closed room and ran it on the highest mist output for two hours, making note of changes to relative humidity. We also measured how loud it was with a decibel-counting app.