I live in the Pacific Northwest, which has notably hot, balmy summers and substantial rainfall the rest of the year. But on cold, dry days throughout the fall, winter, and even into the spring, low indoor humidity can be an issue. When it comes to baby wellness and soothing solutions, Frida is a household name. Having leaned on the brand’s Baby Nasal Aspirator (or “snot sucker,” as enthusiastic parents like to call it) too many times to count, I was optimistic about the Frida BreatheFrida The 3-in-1 Humidifier, Diffuser + Nightlight. The recommended range for indoor humidity levels depends on who you talk to, but most people agree it’s between 35 to 60 percent. I’ve lived in Oregon my entire life and never gave humidity much thought until a couple of years ago when I got a smart thermostat. One frigid winter day, I noticed it was down to 28 percent. Considering the sore throats and stuffy noses my husband, son, and I were battling at the time, I finally put two and two together and concluded the dry air we were breathing wasn’t doing us any favors. In fact, it might have made our cold-weather woes worse. But the multi-purpose product is more than just a humidifier. It doubles as a nightlight and can even be used as an oil diffuser. I appreciate that the features can be used all at once or switched on individually. Also, it releases enough cool mist to cover 320 square feet of space, so it keeps the humidity levels in my son’s notably large bedroom within the healthy range. This humidifier is about 9 inches wide and 9 inches tall. Since it’s supposed to be placed on a flat surface, I set it on my son’s changing table/dresser. While Frida advises against putting it on wooden furniture to prevent water damage, I didn’t have many options and decided the wood dresser was still my best bet. The BPA-free plastic water tank has a half-gallon capacity. You wouldn’t know it just by looking at it, but it uses ultrasonic vibration technology to generate the hydrating mist. It’s easy to set up, too. “gets turned on easily.” As directed, I removed the water tank from the base, unscrewed the cap, filled it up with water from the bathroom sink (Oregon is known for its excellent tap water), screwed the cap back on, placed the tank back on the base, and plugged in the power cord. The dial turns the humidifier on and off and allows you to adjust the mist level. When the water tank is full, the lowest setting will run for about 12 hours, and the higher setting gives you six or seven hours of cool mist. When we lived in a smaller home, one humidifier (and sometimes a simmering pot of water on the stove) was enough to get our levels up. But now that we’re working with a bit more space, I like to have one in each bedroom, and the BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier seemed like a perfect choice for my 2-year-old’s room. When the water runs out, the 3-in-1 Humidifier automatically shuts off. It also turns off automatically any time the tank is removed from the base. This safety feature ensures it won’t continue running if it’s knocked over. Unlike some humidifiers, it doesn’t have a display showing what the current humidity level is in the room. Generally speaking, it’s easy to tell when a humidifier is working properly because you can see the mist coming out. But there’s no way to know if there’s too much moisture in the air or if you should crank it up to the highest setting to correct for particularly dry air. The thermostat in my home shows the humidity level, but it doesn’t give a very accurate room-to-room reading. The nightlight can be activated with the press of a button (located right next to the dial). Thanks to the tank’s frosted surface, it slowly shifts from muted blue to purple to green. Frida nailed the dreamy ambiance with this unicorn-inspired pastel light feature, and it’s not overpowering at all. Also, you can set it to a specific color by pressing the button again or just leave it off. However, there’s no way to adjust the brightness, and the light can be somewhat finicky, turning off and on randomly at times. At any rate, my son tends to sleep best in near-complete darkness, plus I’m not a big fan of blue (or blue-adjacent) illumination of any kind at night, so I’ve been leaving the nightlight off for the most part. You can also add aromatherapy-grade essential oils or Frida Vapor Drops, which contain an organic blend of eucalyptus and lavender oils. The mixture is supposed to be calming while helping to clear sniffly noses. I added a few drops to the water tank a couple of nights, but I’m not sure if it made a difference in how well he slept. That being said, I’ll definitely try it again next time he gets a cold. For the most part, the BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier operates quietly, and it doesn’t have any built-in white noise options. However, the natural bubbling of the water tank creates a subtle tranquil sound, and it pairs great with my son’s ocean waves white noise machine. Speaking of sounds, one thing I don’t love about this gadget is that it makes a beeping noise every time you plug it in or press the light button. It’s not very loud, but I wish the humidifier wouldn’t beep, as sometimes I need to operate it while my kid is sleeping. Another thing to note is that the water tank is kind of tricky to clean. You need a bristle brush (the manufacturer recommends a bottle brush), and even then, it’s tough to reach every corner. The base and outer surface are easier to clean—wiping them down with a cloth or brush works pretty well. If I could change anything about the BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier, I would make it easier to clean the tank. All humidifiers can develop mildew if they aren’t cleaned regularly, so a low-maintenance design is always a plus. In the end, I was not only satisfied but also impressed with this product. Whether for a baby, toddler, child, teen, or adult, the BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier is an excellent bedroom humidifier. Considering the mid-range price tag and multifaceted design, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to add moisture to the air or diffuse essential oils while they doze.
Is it easy to set up?
The BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier is easy to set up. Take the tank off the base, unscrew the cap, fill it up with water, and add a few drops of aromatherapy oil (optional). Then screw the cap back on, place the tank back in its upright position, connect the power cord to the base, and plug it into an outlet.
Does it need to be placed on a hard surface?
According to the manufacturer, this humidifier should always be placed on a hard, flat surface. In other words, don’t set it on a carpet, bed, or any other soft, fluffy platform. It sucks up air through the bottom and releases cool mist out of the top, so you don’t want to block it on either side.
Does it work in large rooms?
The BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier has a 0.5-gallon water tank and multiple humidity settings. It can generate enough cool hydrating mist to humidify a 320-square-foot space.
How long does it run?
With a full tank of water, this humidifier can run for up to 12 hours on the lowest setting. When set to the highest setting, it runs for about six or seven hours. And when the tank empties, it will automatically shut off.
What does it look like when it’s switched on?
When the humidifier is turned on, you can see cool mist being released from the top. On higher settings, you can see more mist coming out. When you press the nightlight button, it starts continually changing from pastel purple to blue to green. (You can also set it to stay on one color). The light feature is hard to see during the day, but it gives off a nice subtle ambiance at night.
How do you clean this humidifier?
To clean the base of the BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier, start by emptying any excess water. Then wipe it down with a cloth or soft brush. The exterior can be wiped down with a clean cloth or disinfectant wipe. As for the tank, pour out any remaining water and remove the mister. Then use a bottle brush, soft toothbrush, or another soft-bristle brush to scrub down the interior. To clean the transducer (the panel that converts water into mist through ultrasonic vibration), start by removing the tank and emptying all excess water from the base. Then gently wipe down the transducer with a clean cloth or a small soft-bristle brush. If you need to descale the humidifier, you can create a cleaning solution with one part water and one part distilled white vinegar. Pour a teaspoon or two of the mixture into the base, working it around all the nooks and crannies with a soft brush or cloth. Then wipe it down again with clean water.
Is it worth the money?
The BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier retails for around $50 and is worth the money. Many high-quality humidifiers can be purchased for around the same price—and often a lot higher. Since it’s multiple products in one, it’s definitely a good deal. Considering its multiple features, adjustable settings, and ability to cover large spaces, the Frida BreatheFrida The 3-in-1 Humidifier, Diffuser + Nightlight is an excellent product with a reasonable price tag.
