"I See Why It's the 'Ultimate Parenting Item'" 🤯 Zojirushi Electric Kettle Humidifier 4L (EE-DVH35K) Honest Review (ft. Pros & Cons, Cleaning Method, Price)
Folks! Folks! 😲 With the chilly winds, 'that season' is finally back!
Waking up with a dry, scratchy throat... skin cracking... 😭 Yes, it's the humidifier season!
Especially for expectant mothers due with 'winter babies', or those with weak respiratory systems like me, you probably agonize every year over "Which humidifier should I buy?"
Among the countless ultrasonic, evaporative, and hybrid humidifiers, there's one product known as the 'final destination for parenting items' and 'the Chanel of humidifiers(?)'. It's the **'Zojirushi Electric Kettle Humidifier'**! 🌪️
"Isn't that just an 'electric kettle'?", "I heard it's expensive and noisy?" 😅
I, too, agonized for a year since last year... but finally, I took the plunge and bought it with my own money (actually, gifts for my team members at work! ❤️)!
Is it as good as rumored? I'll meticulously cover everything, in over 1500 characters: **honest pros and cons** after trying a 'heated' humidifier for the first time, **maintenance (cleaning) pro tips**, and even **where to buy** information! 🚀
Every year around this time, I find myself in 'humidifier nomadic' life... 😭 I especially have a weak respiratory system, so I can't get through winter without a humidifier. Ultrasonic ones make me worry about germs and require daily boiling to sterilize, while evaporative ones have filter replacement costs and I dislike the damp cold air... "What should I buy?!" In the end, what my friend, raising a 'winter baby', valued most were **'safety'** and **'sterilization'**!
The ultimate destination for those two keywords was eventually a **'heated type'**, and among those, I chose **Zojirushi**, known as the 'master of heated humidifiers'. (Exact model name: EE-DVH35K / 4L latest model!) I agonized so much last year but couldn't buy it, but now it's finally in our home!
It arrived a while ago... (Delaying unboxing is a universal rule, right? 😅) But finally today! I meticulously inspected it while doing a 'citric acid cleaning' before its first use! Starting now, I'll share my honest review to see if it truly has advantages that outweigh all its drawbacks, living up to its reputation as 'the Chanel of humidifiers'!
Zojirushi Electric Kettle Humidifier 4L (EE-DVH35K)
1. "So, Why 'Zojirushi'?" (Overwhelming Pros & Reasons for Choice) ✨
Among the many heated humidifiers (like Hanil, Airmade, etc.), my reason for choosing Zojirushi was clear: its unparalleled convenience and hygiene.
- 1️⃣ '100℃ Heating' for Perfect Sterilization! (Most Important for newborns/those with weak respiratory systems!) 👶
- The biggest concern with ultrasonic humidifiers is germ proliferation, right? Daily thorough cleaning is a given, plus the hassle of sometimes boiling them for sterilization... it's a nightmare just thinking about it.
- However, Zojirushi directly **boils water to a roaring 100℃** to completely eliminate harmful bacteria, then disperses the clean steam after **cooling it to around 65℃**. (Even if you touch the emitted steam, it's just 'warm'!)
- I concluded that for newborns or individuals with weak respiratory systems, there is no safer and more hygienic humidification method than this. I can feel at ease placing it in the baby's room.
- 2️⃣ "Is This Cleaning?"... Overwhelmingly Simple (True 'Electric Kettle' Structure)
- The lifeblood of a humidifier is, by far, 'cleaning'! No matter how good a humidifier is, if cleaning is inconvenient, maintenance tends to be neglected, which can lead to germ proliferation.
- The structure of the Zojirushi humidifier is exactly like an **'electric kettle'**! 😅 Filters? Transducers? Complex parts? **Nothing at all!** 🙅♀️ (I'll explain the detailed cleaning method below!)
- Open the lid, add citric acid, press the 'cleaning mode' button for 3 seconds, and it's done in 1.5 hours! This simplicity is something you wouldn't know without experiencing it. It feels like using a new humidifier every day.
- 3️⃣ Triple Safety Design (No Burn Worries! Ultimate Safety!)
- For homes with babies, the biggest concern with 'heated' humidifiers is burns. 😥 This was one of the biggest reasons I hesitated to buy it. However, Zojirushi stands out with its triple safety design that alleviates this concern.
- **① Double-locked lid:** The lid is designed with a double lock so it doesn't open easily. (Even adults need to use both hands with some force to open it, ensuring safety!)
- **② Automatic stop upon tipping:** If the humidifier accidentally tips over or is severely tilted, **power is immediately cut off and operation stops**! (This was a decisive advantage for homes with babies!)
- **③ 65℃ Steam:** The emitted steam is not 100℃ hot vapor, but cooled to around 65℃, significantly reducing the risk of severe burns if touched directly.
- 4️⃣ 'Digital Hygrometer' Included (Smartness of the Latest Model!)
- The latest model I purchased (EE-DVH35K or EE-TAH60K) **displays the current humidity digitally**!
- Excessive humidification (over 60% humidity) can lead to mold, bacterial growth, or wallpaper bubbling. But with Zojirushi, you can set your desired humidity (e.g., 50-55%), and the humidifier automatically adjusts, which is incredibly convenient. I remember hesitating to buy the older model last year because it lacked a digital hygrometer, but with this smart feature added to the latest model, I'm even more satisfied.
2. Q&A: "Honestly... Are There No Downsides?" 🤫 (Clear but Manageable Downsides!)
"So perfect, why did I agonize for a year since last year?" 😅 Of course, after using it myself, the 'downsides' were as clear as the 'upsides'! But for me, they were 'fully acceptable' downsides.
❓ Q. (Biggest Downside!) "I heard it's noisy... How's the sound?"
- 🅰️ (Yes... it's noisy, honestly! 🤣)
As first-time users of a heated humidifier, both my husband and I were surprised. Since it works by 'boiling' water to create steam, there's a constant **"Kuwaaaaaa~"** sound of **boiling water**. - [ 🔊 Imagine the Sound Comparison! ]
- (When humidification starts) A gurgling, boiling water sound, like boiling ramen... 'Kurururururu...' The sound is surprisingly loud.
- (During humidification - low noise mode) After the water boils, it gets a bit quieter, but a 'shiiiiiiik~' white noise-like sound continues.
- (Honest Review): For those sensitive to sound, it can be quite distracting before sleep! Although there is a 'low noise mode', it doesn't eliminate the boiling sound itself, but rather reduces the intensity of the humidifying sound after the water has already boiled.
- (Pro Tip to Overcome Noise!) 🍯 ➡️ **Before going to bed, turn it on 'High' 20-30 minutes beforehand to humidify the room sufficiently and boil the water!** Once the water has fully boiled, switch it to 'Low' mode or 'Low Noise Mode' and lie down; the sound will be much less distracting! (Now, I've completely adapted to it as a comforting 'white noise'! 😊)
❓ Q. Cleaning is easy, but 'refilling water' is bothersome? (Downside of the integrated water tank!)
- 🅰️ (Yes, this is also a downside!)
It has a 4L large-capacity water tank, but... the humidifier's water tank is **'integrated'**! 😭 Unlike common humidifiers with separable water tanks, you can't just take the tank to fill it. - Every time you empty or fill it with water, you have to carry the **entire humidifier unit (approx. 2.9kg + water weight)** to the bathroom or kitchen. (I've been carrying water in a basin or pitcher to avoid this...)
- For those accustomed to separable water tanks, this aspect might feel quite bothersome.
❓ Q. "The design... it looks like an electric kettle?" 😅
- 🅰️ (Yes... it's not pretty...) 🤣 Those who prioritize neat and sophisticated design might hesitate. But I prioritized 'perfect safety', 'excellent sterilization', and 'overwhelming cleaning simplicity' and boldly sacrificed design! After all, performance is what matters most!
3. "Done in 1 Minute!" Zojirushi 'Citric Acid Cleaning' Method (Super Simple!) 🍋
This is the core advantage of Zojirushi, its 'alpha and omega'! (Recommended regularly: once every 1-2 weeks)
- Open the lid and put **30g of citric acid (about 2-3 spoonfuls of rice spoon)** into the water tank. (You can buy a container for about 1,000 KRW at Daiso or online!)
- Pour tap water up to the **maximum fill line**. (🚨 Purified water NO! Tap water YES! The disinfectant in tap water is more effective for cleaning.)
- Close the lid and press the **'cleaning mode'** button on the unit for 3 seconds.
- The device will automatically work for **about 1.5 hours**, boiling and cooling water repeatedly to 'fizzle fizzle' and clean.
- Once cleaning is done, an alert sound will play. Now, lift the entire unit, carry it to the sink, discard the cleaning solution, and rinse it 2-3 times with clean water... **DONE!** (The inside will be sparkling like new! ✨)
(🚨 Important! Consumable Pro Tip!)
* The **'inner lid gasket' (rubber)** inside the lid is a consumable item! Check it annually, and if it hardens or tears, it **must be replaced for a fee**! (Inquire at the A/S center)
4. Where to Buy & Price: "380,000 Won... Any Way to Buy Cheaper?" 💸
Honestly, many might hesitate to purchase due to the considerable price. However, considering the respiratory health of a child during winter, it's an investment well worth it.
- Price: EE-DVH35K (4L, latest digital hygrometer model) For the EE-DVH35K (4L, latest digital hygrometer model), the official domestic retail price is around 389,000 KRW. (Yes... it's expensive... 😭) However, I believe it offers enough value to justify the price.
- Where to Buy: As it's a Japanese product, the concept of an 'official Zojirushi mall' isn't clear in Korea.
- I purchased mine from **official online retailers** such as 'Smile All Care Certified', 'Winny Big', 'Qoo10', etc. Since there are so many purchase channels, price comparison is essential.
- Sometimes it appears as a 'hot deal' at **Costco**, so if you visit Costco, keep an eye out!
- Tips for Buying Cheaper:
- 1️⃣ Pre-order Hot Deals & Immediate Purchase After Release!
Zojirushi humidifiers are so popular that they conduct 2-3 rounds of pre-order sales every humidifier season (autumn). Buying during the 'pre-order' period (usually in September-October) or 'immediately after a new product release' is generally the cheapest way to buy! - 2️⃣ Utilize Mom Cafe / Community Hot Deals!
Mom cafes and homemaker communities often share Zojirushi humidifier discount information, such as 'Costco hot deals' or 'group purchases', so check them regularly! (Previously, even whisky communities used to share hot deal information, along with Hakushu! 😅) - 3️⃣ Used/Carrot Market? (🚨 Not Recommended!)
Since it's a baby item, and due to A/S (warranty period typically 1 year) concerns, I don't recommend buying used unless it's a 'new, unopened item'. Since it's a high-priced item, instructions on how to store the box carefully are even provided, making it good for reselling later! 😅
- 1️⃣ Pre-order Hot Deals & Immediate Purchase After Release!
"Expensive price, crude design, boiling water noise, integrated water tank..."
Despite such clear downsides, why is Zojirushi called the 'ultimate parenting item' and 'the Chanel of humidifiers'?
It's because of **"the two core advantages of 'perfect sterilization' and 'overwhelmingly simple cleaning' that outweigh all these disadvantages"**! I believe it's a product that is most faithful to the essential functions of a humidifier: hygiene, safety, and convenience.
Although I initially worried about the noise, now that I wake up without a dry throat and the sound feels like 'white noise'... I would give it not 78 points, but **over 90 points** out of 100! 😉
What do you prioritize most when choosing a humidifier, folks? 🤔 Can you tolerate the 'boiling water sound' of Zojirushi? 🤣 Share your humidifier buying experiences or pro tips in the comments! 👇
Zojirushi Electric Kettle Humidifier 4L (EE-DVH35K)
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