Details come from the older review, the maker’s claims and the Amazon listing, checked on October 11, 2026. Coverage numbers are maker claims.
The Vicks V745 is a warm mist humidifier that boils water and sends out steam. It is cheap, simple and quiet. Here is what it does well, what it costs to run and what to know before you buy it.
Table of Contents
What You Get
Price on Amazon: $39.49 | 4.3 stars from 27,376 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
Design and Size
The V745 is a compact, stable unit about 14 inches high, 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep, and about 4.7 pounds, per the older review. The tank is translucent, so you can see the water level. It is light enough to move from room to room.
Looking ahead, simple vaporizer-style humidifiers like the V745 will stay on shelves because they are cheap and they work. The newer trend is cooler-touch designs and hybrid units that let you pick warm or cool mist. The catch is that any unit that boils water carries a burn risk, and that does not change with a new shell.
Features and Performance
- Warm mist. It uses vaporizer technology, so it boils water and releases warm mist. The maker says it covers up to 250 square feet.
- Auto shutoff. It turns off when the tank is empty.
- Medicine cup. You can add inhalants or a few drops of essential oil for a diffuser effect. Follow the maker rules.
- 2 output settings. On high it runs 7 to 8 hours, on low up to 12 hours on a 1 gallon tank.
- Night light. A soft glow that cannot be turned off. Some people turn the unit around or cover the light.
- Power. About 260 watts, much more than a cool mist unit.
The risk to watch is the hot tank and the power bill. At about 260 watts, a warm mist unit costs several times more to run than a cool mist one, and a tipped unit can scald. Expect more cheap warm mist listings with big claims. Keep it out of reach of kids and pets, put it on a stable surface and run it only when you need it.
Noise Level
On low it is quiet, with a low boiling noise. On high the boiling is a bit louder. The older review said a light sleeper should not be woken up, but it can get talkative now and then.
Maintenance
Refill the tank daily if you use it daily. Every week or two, clean it. If the tank smells, the older review suggested a teaspoon of bleach swished and rinsed out, then a vinegar soak. Use the maker manual first. Scale builds up on the heating plate, so descale it often. See the warm mist humidifier buying guide for more, and check humidity with one of the indoor hygrometers.
V745 vs Cool Mist
A cool mist unit uses far less power and is safer around kids, see the cool mist humidifier buying guide. If a child will be in the room, read humidifiers for babies and kids first.
Prices and Alternatives on Amazon
Prices and ratings were checked on Amazon on October 11, 2026.
Price on Amazon: $39.49 | 4.3 stars from 27,376 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The Vicks V745 is the model reviewed on this page.
Price on Amazon: $39.49 | 4.2 stars from 7,813 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The Honeywell HWM705B has a 4.2 rating from nearly 7,800 ratings. See our Honeywell HWM705B review.
Price on Amazon: $99.99 | 4.4 stars from 26,754 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The LEVOIT 6L gives warm or cool mist and has a 4.4 rating from almost 27,000 ratings.
Price on Amazon: $115.48 | 3.4 stars from 258 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The BONECO S450 has a 3.4 rating from 258 ratings, so read recent reviews first.
Pros and Cons
Pros: low price; warms the room nicely; easy to refill and clean; no filters; auto shutoff.
Cons: uses about 260 watts; only 2 settings; night light cannot be turned off; hot tank is a burn risk; needs regular cleaning.
FAQ
Is the Vicks V745 safe for kids?
It has a hot tank and boiling water, so keep it out of reach. Cool mist is the safer choice for kids rooms.
Does it use a lot of power?
Yes, about 260 watts, so it costs more to run than cool mist.
Does it need a filter?
No. It is a filter-free vaporizer.
Final Word
The V745 is a solid low-cost warm mist unit for an adult bedroom. For kids, choose cool mist.
What happens next: expect warm and cool hybrids to take share, and more shoppers to skip warm mist for kids rooms. For an adult bedroom in a cold climate, the V745 is still a simple, low-cost pick.
Related Guides
Keep going with warm mist humidifier buying guide, Honeywell HWM705B review, cool mist humidifier buying guide, humidifiers for babies and kids and indoor hygrometers.
