We're approaching peak humidifier season. Some people use them year-round, but I usually only break mine out during the winter. After all, in addition to helping prevent bloody noses, cracked lips, and dry sinuses, humidifiers have been found to reduce the survival of flu viruses on surfaces and in the air. The only problem is that, once exhumed from the storage closet, I often forget to actually turn it on. In theory, the $199.99 WeMo Enabled Smart Humidifier from Holmes solves this problem, thanks to a connected scheduling feature. It can also send you useful notifications that let you know when it's time to add water or change out the filter. Unfortunately, these connected features are rather buggy, making the Smart Humidifier too unreliable to recommend for now.

Design and Functionality

The Smart Humidifier looks like it came straight out of a 1970s rec room. Faux wood paneling on either side of the large machine gives it a retro vibe that I liked, but many other analysts in the PC Labs scoffed at. You should make sure you like the look of it before buying, because it takes up a lot of space. The unit measures nearly two feet tall, two feet wide, and just over a foot deep.