This Is My Secret Weapon for a Comfortable Winter

I love skiing, snowmobiling, and (friendly) snowball fights, but there’s one part of winter I’d gladly skip—the intensely dry indoor air that comes from constantly running the furnace. After a few weeks of winter, my lips were dry, my throat was itchy, and I got a painful shock every time I touched something in my home, so I was eager to see if a humidifier could offer some relief.

The HM306S 3L Dreo Smart Humidifier is the first one I’ve tested in years—for good reason. The older models I’d tried (years ago) were clunky, smelled like menthol and camphor, and spewed water droplets everywhere. Dreo’s compact humidifier exceeded my expectations. Not only did it moisturize my home’s dry winter air, it added a touch of ambiance to the room. Keep reading to find out what happened when I put this smart home humidifier to the test. 

Dreo Smart Humidifier: At a Glance

Our rating: 4.9/5

Testing the Dreo Smart Humidifier

I tested the Dreo HM306S in my home in the same manner I thought others would use it. It arrived securely packed and came with a Quick Start card, a small manual, two aroma pads, and a small brush. I’m a sucker for easy setup, so I scanned the QR code on the card to download the Dreo app. As it turned out, it was the same app I’d previously installed on my smartphone when I tested the Dreo Wall Heater, so I didn’t have to go through the syncing process with my home’s wireless network.

As soon as I plugged in the smart humidifier, the app recognized it immediately and asked me to name it. I named it Abigail, and for the next two weeks, Abigail and I spent a lot of time together, and we got to know each other pretty well. There’s only one tiny thing about Abigail that I would change. 

Mist, Moisture, and a Modern Look

The last humidifier I owned was made of white molded plastic that quickly turned an ugly yellow, making it an eyesore no matter where I put it. It sputtered, hissed, and spit more water on my slick kitchen linoleum than it infused into the air. 

The Dreo smart humidifier is better in every way. It emits an incredibly fine mist that humidifies the air in the room with soothing moisture, and even when I ran it for 8 hours straight in the same spot, it didn’t leave any droplets anywhere. It has a nice contemporary design—the bottom housing is opaque, and the top is clear plastic, so I could see the water level at a glance. 

This Dreo has an easy-to-read display showing the room’s relative humidity level, and a customizable inner light glows from the unit’s center. One of my favorite features is a removable tray in the back of the unit that holds a little essential oil pad. I added a couple of drops of lavender oil and soon the air in the room was infused with a wonderful aroma.

Smart Controls for Effortless Adjustments

Being able to control everything from the Dreo app elevates this humidifier above its competitors. Using the app, I turned the unit on and selected the amount of mist from three settings: low, medium, and high. There’s also a sleep mode that dims the light at night; in that mode, it’s virtually silent, making it an excellent quiet humidifier for bedroom use. 

There was one slight downside, however. The humidifier doesn’t have Wi-Fi memory, so when I moved the unit from room to room during the testing phase, it would have to re-sync with the app each time I plugged it back in. That’s a minor issue, though, and one that can easily be dismissed in comparison to all its beneficial features. 

Premium Performance at a Practical Price

I’m sold on the Dreo HM306S Smart Humidifier, and a big selling point is its price. It retails for just $49.99. Non-smart humidifiers are available for a bit less, but I really like the smart features of this Dreo model and feel they’re a good value for the minimal additional cost. On the other hand, several other smart humidifiers sell for more but don’t offer as many features as the HM306S. 

I’ll be honest: I’m a big Dreo fan. I’ve tested several of their recent releases, including a pedestal fan that can be controlled via the same app, a wall-mounted bathroom heater, and a really nice portable air conditioner with more features than its competitors. 

When I decided to test the HM306S, I wasn’t expecting anything more than relief from the overheated air in my home, but I was impressed. This budget-friendly smart humidifier has earned a permanent spot in my home. I can brush my hair again without it standing up on end, my lips are healing, and I don’t get shocked when I touch metal objects anymore. And, one other neat bonus—my house plants are starting to perk up, too! 

Buy the Dreo Smart Humidifier at:

• Amazon for $51.34
• Dreo for $49.99

Product Comparisons

So, is the Dreo smart humidifier right for you?

The Dreo HM306S smart humidifier is one of the best winter dry air solutions I’ve found to date. It’s a compact and quiet humidifier for bedroom, living room, or kitchen use, and it’s affordable. I would recommend it for families or individuals who appreciate the convenience of smart features, like customizable mist levels and remote humidity monitoring. 

It’s not as large as some humidifiers—it holds 3 liters—so it may need refilling sooner than some, but it will run up to 30 hours on a single fill. At this price, I can afford to buy a second or even a third unit for other rooms and control all of them from the same app. Those with an ample, open space may want to consider a humidifier with a higher capacity, but for small to average-sized rooms, the Dreo HM306S smart humidifier is my top pick.

Meet the Tester

Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.

 

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