Honeywell HCM-350 Review: The Classic Evaporative Bedroom Humidifier
Honeywell HCM-350 review: a 1.1-gallon evaporative humidifier with UV and a wick filter, up to 24 hours per fill, a dishwasher-safe tank and a 3-year warranty.
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Specs at a glance
- Type
- Evaporative (wick) with UV
- Tank
- 1.1 gallons; dishwasher safe (Honeywell store)
- Run time
- Up to 24 hours per fill on low (Honeywell store)
- Speeds
- 3
- Power
- 60 W (Honeywell store)
- Filter
- Honeywell Filter A (HAC-504 series); replace every 30 to 60 days
- Room size
- Medium rooms (Honeywell)
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Status
- Black HCM350B sold by Amazon; Honeywell store lists the white HCM-350 as discontinued
The Honeywell HCM-350 is a well-proven evaporative humidifier for a medium bedroom. It holds 1.1 gallons, runs up to 24 hours per fill on low, has three speeds and a tank that is dishwasher safe, and draws 60 watts, according to Honeywell's licensed store. Honeywell describes UV technology and a wicking filter that help treat the water and capture minerals, and because it is evaporative it puts out invisible moisture rather than a mist that can leave white dust.
Two cautions before you buy. Its Filter A wick needs replacing every 30 to 60 days, and Honeywell's store lists the white HCM-350 as discontinued, pointing to the HEV320W; the black HCM350B was still sold by Amazon when we checked, though stock was scarce. For more output in a larger room, see the Vornado EVDC500.
How it works
A fan pulls room air through a wick that sits in water. EPA describes evaporative units this way and says they are not expected to disperse substantial amounts of minerals, unlike ultrasonic and impeller types. The minerals collect in the wick instead, which is why it needs replacing. The HCM-350 adds an ultraviolet light; Honeywell's listing says the UV technology and wick help treat the water. We would not rely on UV in place of cleaning: EPA's advice to empty, dry and refill portable units daily and clean them every third day still applies.
Size and run time
Honeywell describes the HCM-350 as a fit for medium-sized rooms and says it can run up to 24 hours per filling on the low setting. That is long enough to run overnight and through the next day in a typical bedroom. It is about 17.9 by 9.37 by 11.4 inches and weighs 8.36 pounds, per Honeywell's store, so it suits a dresser or the floor rather than a small nightstand.
Noise
Evaporative humidifiers use a fan, and the HCM-350's three speeds trade output for sound. Honeywell's listing describes a soft, fan-like sound, which some people like as background noise and others find intrusive. Honeywell does not publish decibel figures on the pages we read. If you need near silence, an ultrasonic unit is quieter, but it needs distilled water to avoid white dust; see ultrasonic vs evaporative.
Running cost
At 60 watts, running 10 hours a night for a 150-day heating season uses 60 x 10 x 150 / 1,000 = 90 kWh, about $15.48 at the EIA's 2025 US average of 17.2 cents per kWh, and less on lower speeds. Filters are the larger ongoing cost: Honeywell says to replace the wicking filter every 30 to 60 days, so expect three to five per winter. Honeywell's Amazon listing says only genuine Honeywell Filter A wicks are guaranteed to perform as designed; cheaper compatible filters are widely sold.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Rated power | 60 W |
| Season energy (10 h/night, 150 nights) | 90 kWh |
| Season electricity cost | About $15.48 |
| Filter interval | Every 30 to 60 days (Honeywell) |
Cleaning
The dishwasher-safe tank is the HCM-350's biggest practical advantage: Honeywell's Amazon listing says all parts that touch water can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Rinse the wick under cool water as Honeywell's store describes, replace it on schedule, and follow the manual for the base. Where a manual is silent, EPA suggests a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution on surfaces that touch water, rinsed with several changes of tap water.
For children's rooms
CHOP cites the American Academy of Pediatrics in recommending cool mist humidifiers for children and says vaporizers can burn a child who gets too close or knocks one over. The HCM-350 has no heating element, so it avoids that burn risk. CHOP also suggests keeping the unit about 3 feet from the child and the bed or crib. See baby humidifier safety.
Honeywell HCM-350 vs the alternatives
| Humidifier | Type | Tank | Run time or output | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeywell HCM-350 | Evaporative with UV | 1.1 gal | Up to 24 h per fill (low) | 3 years |
| Vornado EVDC500 | Evaporative | 2 gal | 3.5 gal/24 h | 5-year satisfaction guarantee |
| Pure Enrichment MistAire | Ultrasonic | 1.7 L | Up to 25 h | 5 years |
| Levoit Classic 200 | Ultrasonic | 4 L | Up to 40 h | See Levoit |
Who should buy the Honeywell HCM-350
- Buy it for a medium bedroom or child's room if you have hard water and want no white dust.
- Buy it if a dishwasher-safe tank will keep you cleaning it.
- Skip it if you want silence; it has a fan.
- Skip it if you do not want to buy wicks; an ultrasonic unit with distilled water avoids them. See the best humidifiers.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Honeywell HCM-350 discontinued?
Honeywell's licensed store lists the white HCM-350 as discontinued and points to the HEV320W. The black HCM350B was still sold by Amazon on November 4, 2026, though stock was listed as scarce.
How long does the Honeywell HCM-350 run?
Up to 24 hours per filling on the low setting, according to Honeywell. Higher speeds use water faster.
What filter does the HCM-350 use?
Honeywell Filter A, the HAC-504 series wicking filter. Honeywell says to replace it every 30 to 60 days.
Does the HCM-350 make white dust?
It is evaporative, and EPA says evaporative units are not expected to disperse substantial amounts of minerals. The minerals collect in the wick.
Is the Honeywell HCM-350 dishwasher safe?
Honeywell says the tank is dishwasher safe and its Amazon listing says all parts that touch water can go in the dishwasher. Check the manual for the base and UV parts.
Is the HCM-350 good for a baby's room?
It is a cool, evaporative unit with no heating element, which the AAP prefers for children according to CHOP. Keep it about 3 feet from the crib and clean it regularly.
Sources
- Honeywell UV Cool Moisture Germ Free Humidifier, HCM-350, HoneywellStore.com (eAccess Solutions, under license from Honeywell)
- Use and Care of Home Humidifiers, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Vaporizer or Humidifier: Which Is Best?, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.3: Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers, US Energy Information Administration
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