Humidifiers / Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) vs Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)
Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)
$19.79
VSVicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)
$19.79
Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) vs Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)
Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)
$20 of boiled steam that literally will not run on distilled water.
Wins overall by 0.0 points
Quick Verdict
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) wins by 0.0 points, which is not enough to settle it. $20 of boiled steam that literally will not run on distilled water. Pick on the specs that matter to you, not the overall score.
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are both current-generation humidifier models, and they're priced almost identically ($19.79 vs $19.79). On Freedom From White Dust, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) leads (10.0 vs 10.0/10) — the thing marketing never mentions. Ultrasonic humidifiers aerosolise whatever is dissolved in the water and deposit it as white dust on furniture — the EPA notes they are 'very efficient at dispersing minerals in tap water into the air', along with microorganisms from the tank. Evaporative and boiled-steam units do not do this at all. A high score means the technology cannot produce dust; a low score means you are buying distilled water for the life of the machine.. On Output, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) leads (7.0 vs 7.0/10) — actual moisture put into the room per day in gallons or mL/hr, judged against the coverage the manufacturer claims — not the square-footage number on the box. On Runtime & Refill Interval, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) leads (7.0 vs 7.0/10) — how long a full tank really lasts at a useful output setting, rather than at the lowest setting the runtime is quoted for, and how painful the refill is. Overall, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) scores 6.3/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.3/10 for the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) | Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.79 | $19.79 |
| Release Year | 2015 | 2015 |
| Humidification Technology | Warm steam vaporizer. Current is passed through the water itself to boil it, which is why Vicks' own FAQ states "These units require water with minerals in it in order to function properly" — pure water does not conduct, so the unit will simply not steam | Warm steam vaporizer. Current is passed through the water itself to boil it, which is why Vicks' own FAQ states "These units require water with minerals in it in order to function properly" — pure water does not conduct, so the unit will simply not steam |
| White Dust & Mineral Aerosol | None. Boiling drops the minerals out as scale inside the steam unit rather than aerosolising them. The visible particulate this unit does emit is black, not white: Vicks' cleaning instructions tell you to flush it "until black particles are no longer emitted", and those are carbon from the element | None. Boiling drops the minerals out as scale inside the steam unit rather than aerosolising them. The visible particulate this unit does emit is black, not white: Vicks' cleaning instructions tell you to flush it "until black particles are no longer emitted", and those are carbon from the element |
| Tank Capacity | 1.5 gal / 5.7 L | 1.5 gal / 5.7 L |
| Rated Output per Day | Not published by the manufacturer as a gallons-per-day or mL/hr figure. The only throughput anchor is the tank divided by the quoted runtime | Not published by the manufacturer as a gallons-per-day or mL/hr figure. The only throughput anchor is the tank divided by the quoted runtime |
| Quoted Runtime (and at which setting) | Sources conflict: Vicks' own product page says "up to 24 hours", Target's listing for the same V150SGN says 18 hours. There is no output setting to attribute either figure to — the unit has one speed | Sources conflict: Vicks' own product page says "up to 24 hours", Target's listing for the same V150SGN says 18 hours. There is no output setting to attribute either figure to — the unit has one speed |
| Rated Room Coverage | Sources conflict: Vicks' page and Walmart's listing say 600 ft², Target's listing for the same model says 300-500 ft² | Sources conflict: Vicks' page and Walmart's listing say 600 ft², Target's listing for the same model says 300-500 ft² |
| Humidistat | None, and no output control either. One switch. It boils at full rate until the tank is empty or you unplug it — the single most over-humidification-prone unit in this set | None, and no output control either. One switch. It boils at full rate until the tank is empty or you unplug it — the single most over-humidification-prone unit in this set |
| Noise | Not published. There is no fan, so the noise is the boil; users describe intermittent gurgling and, when scaled or over-salted, spitting | Not published. There is no fan, so the noise is the boil; users describe intermittent gurgling and, when scaled or over-salted, spitting |
| Filters & Cartridges (Annual Cost) | None required — no filter, no wick, no cartridge. VapoPads and VapoSteam are optional add-ons Vicks would like to sell you; the unit runs on plain tap water | None required — no filter, no wick, no cartridge. VapoPads and VapoSteam are optional add-ons Vicks would like to sell you; the unit runs on plain tap water |
| Cleaning Burden & Dishwasher-Safe Parts | Weekly, and the routine is specific: Vicks says soak the steam unit "in 4 inches of white vinegar for 10 minutes", flush until black particles stop, then disinfect the reservoir with "1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon" for 20 minutes. The tank opening is wide. Scale build-up is what causes the spitting complaints | Weekly, and the routine is specific: Vicks says soak the steam unit "in 4 inches of white vinegar for 10 minutes", flush until black particles stop, then disinfect the reservoir with "1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon" for 20 minutes. The tank opening is wide. Scale build-up is what causes the spitting complaints |
| UV / Antimicrobial Claim | Boiling is the entire hygiene mechanism, and Vicks makes no germ-free or sterilisation marketing claim for it anywhere in the FAQ | Boiling is the entire hygiene mechanism, and Vicks makes no germ-free or sterilisation marketing claim for it anywhere in the FAQ |
| Mist Temperature & Burn Risk | Boiling. Vicks' placement guidance is to keep the vaporizer "at least four feet away from bedside" on a heat-resistant, waterproof surface. A 638W element and 1.5 gallons of near-boiling water is a scald hazard a toddler can pull over | Boiling. Vicks' placement guidance is to keep the vaporizer "at least four feet away from bedside" on a heat-resistant, waterproof surface. A 638W element and 1.5 gallons of near-boiling water is a scald hazard a toddler can pull over |
| Warranty | 36 months | 36 months |
| Colors | White | White |
Category Scores
Freedom From White Dust
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are level here, at 10.0/10 each. the thing marketing never mentions. Ultrasonic humidifiers aerosolise whatever is dissolved in the water and deposit it as white dust on furniture — the EPA notes they are 'very efficient at dispersing minerals in tap water into the air', along with microorganisms from the tank. Evaporative and boiled-steam units do not do this at all. A high score means the technology cannot produce dust; a low score means you are buying distilled water for the life of the machine. is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Output
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are level here, at 7.0/10 each. actual moisture put into the room per day in gallons or mL/hr, judged against the coverage the manufacturer claims — not the square-footage number on the box is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Runtime & Refill Interval
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are level here, at 7.0/10 each. how long a full tank really lasts at a useful output setting, rather than at the lowest setting the runtime is quoted for, and how painful the refill is is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Cleaning & Access
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are level here, at 6.5/10 each. whether the tank opening takes an adult hand, whether any part is dishwasher-safe or boilable, and how realistic the manufacturer's stated cleaning interval is to actually keep to is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Running Cost
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. wicks, demineralisation cartridges, antimicrobial additives, distilled water and electricity — everything you keep paying after the purchase is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Quietness
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are level here, at 8.0/10 each. noise at the setting people actually run it overnight, weighted toward independently measured figures over manufacturer claims is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Humidity Control
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are level here, at 1.0/10 each. whether there is a genuine closed-loop humidistat holding a setpoint, or just fixed output steps and a timer with a humidity label on it is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Safety Around Children
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) and Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) are level here, at 2.0/10 each. burn and scald risk from boiled or heated water, tipping hazard, and whether the hygiene story holds up in a nursery is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) if…
- • You prefer the Vicks ecosystem, app, and design language.
Choose the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) if…
- • You prefer the Vicks ecosystem, app, and design language.
Pros & Cons
Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)
Pros
- +Under $20 for 1.5 gallons of genuinely sterile, dust-free steam — nothing else here is close on price per gallon
- +Zero consumables: no wick, no cartridge, no distilled water, nothing to buy again
- +No fan, so there is no fan noise, and a three-year Vicks warranty at this price
- +Wide tank opening and a published, specific weekly vinegar-and-bleach cleaning routine
Cons
- −It cannot run on distilled or heavily filtered water. Vicks' own FAQ tells you to add "one or two pinches (1/8 tsp) of salt" — up to half a teaspoon — and warns that "too much salt can cause excessive boiling or blow a fuse"
- −638W of boiling water with no output control and no humidistat: one switch, full rate, until the tank runs dry
- −Real scald risk — Vicks says keep it four feet from the bed on a heat-resistant surface, which makes it a poor choice for a toddler's room despite the branding
- −Vicks and its own retailers disagree on both runtime (24h vs 18h) and coverage (600 ft² vs 300-500 ft²) for the same SKU
- −Emits black carbon flakes as the element wears, and the weekly vinegar flush is mandatory rather than advisory
Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)
Pros
- +Under $20 for 1.5 gallons of genuinely sterile, dust-free steam — nothing else here is close on price per gallon
- +Zero consumables: no wick, no cartridge, no distilled water, nothing to buy again
- +No fan, so there is no fan noise, and a three-year Vicks warranty at this price
- +Wide tank opening and a published, specific weekly vinegar-and-bleach cleaning routine
Cons
- −It cannot run on distilled or heavily filtered water. Vicks' own FAQ tells you to add "one or two pinches (1/8 tsp) of salt" — up to half a teaspoon — and warns that "too much salt can cause excessive boiling or blow a fuse"
- −638W of boiling water with no output control and no humidistat: one switch, full rate, until the tank runs dry
- −Real scald risk — Vicks says keep it four feet from the bed on a heat-resistant surface, which makes it a poor choice for a toddler's room despite the branding
- −Vicks and its own retailers disagree on both runtime (24h vs 18h) and coverage (600 ft² vs 300-500 ft²) for the same SKU
- −Emits black carbon flakes as the element wears, and the weekly vinegar flush is mandatory rather than advisory
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) or Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Freedom From White Dust, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) or the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)?+
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) scores higher on Freedom From White Dust (10.0/10 vs 10.0/10) — the thing marketing never mentions. Ultrasonic humidifiers aerosolise whatever is dissolved in the water and deposit it as white dust on furniture — the EPA notes they are 'very efficient at dispersing minerals in tap water into the air', along with microorganisms from the tank. Evaporative and boiled-steam units do not do this at all. A high score means the technology cannot produce dust; a low score means you are buying distilled water for the life of the machine..
Which is better for Output, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) or the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)?+
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) scores higher on Output (7.0/10 vs 7.0/10) — actual moisture put into the room per day in gallons or mL/hr, judged against the coverage the manufacturer claims — not the square-footage number on the box.
Which is better for Runtime & Refill Interval, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) or the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)?+
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) scores higher on Runtime & Refill Interval (7.0/10 vs 7.0/10) — how long a full tank really lasts at a useful output setting, rather than at the lowest setting the runtime is quoted for, and how painful the refill is.
Which is better for Cleaning & Access, the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) or the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)?+
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) scores higher on Cleaning & Access (6.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — whether the tank opening takes an adult hand, whether any part is dishwasher-safe or boilable, and how realistic the manufacturer's stated cleaning interval is to actually keep to.
Is the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) worth the price difference over the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)?+
They're priced the same ($19.79), so the decision comes down to which specific features and scores matter more to you rather than budget.
What's the warranty on the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) vs the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series)?+
The Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) ships with a 36-month warranty; the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer V150 (V150SGN / V150RY series) ships with a 36-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Premium Option
Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier (PEHUMIDIF) — $39.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.