I've used room humidifiers for 50+ years. This one is extremely quiet (a huge plus) and effective, and a good price, about $30 at Walmart. I'm betting it will last longer than the ones I usually buy. But the filter price of $7.99 for one little square is insane, especially when they say to change monthly. That's $100 a year for filters... Maybe it's like printers... they don't cost much, but the ink does! I will see if I can come up with something to stand in it's place. Otherwise, it's back to a cheaper brand that I replace yearly, because the filters get dirty quickly and could harbor mold if they stay damp.

The unit itself is compact and runs like a charm.  However I have noticed that even when the filter is installed properly into the tray base and there is water in the reservior the upper half of the filter dries out and doesn't wick the water (while the bottom is wet).  It worked fine for the first week then I noticed it drying out.   I have only had the unit for 3 weeks and the water isn't hard here so I don't know what is causing this.  It is a pain to have to flip the filter every 10 hours!  I do agree that for the size the price of the filter is unreasonably high - 4.99 would be more closer to the mark since larger filters I have purchased have been less than the cost of 7.99.

The water does leak out if you are not careful.  If you wet the filter first (I think the instructions say to do this), put the tank on carefully, and don''t move the humidfier after the tank is on, you have a much better chance.