UPDATE—————————————————I am lowering the stars from 5 to 3Here are the 2 major reasons why:1. I need a HANDLE or something to grab on the lower reservoir!!! -0.5Sometime I want to fill the tank fast. I just use my bathtub to fill it. However, it is really really really hard for me to lift it up and put it on the floor as the water tank’s plastic material has nothing for me to grab onto.I know we have the easier way filling the tank using the tube but I have overfilled and flooded my bedroom twice using the tube as I was not paying attention. It is painful to clean the water in your carpet, so please ALWAYS pay attention when you are filling using the tube provided.Flooding my bedroom is my mistake so I am not blaming the humidifier for that, but I do hope they can add some mechanism reminding you that the tank is full when filling.This is a minor issue. Lower the stars by -0.52. LOUD Water Dripping Sound at Night!!! -1.5The fan is quiet at night and won’t disturb you from sleeping which is good. However, even when I put the humidifier in night mode or automatic mode, I can hear LOUD water dripping sound from the top compartment to the lower water tank, and that noise is HUGE. I personally can’t sleep with water dripping sound, especially when the water level is low, the water dripping sound is extremely loud.I did some investigation in this, and found there are huge water beads on the plastic panel attached to the upper compartment which drip down to the tank.If you mind water dripping sound or can’t go to sleep with any noise, please DO NOT BUY.THIS ISSUE IS HUGE TO ME AND LOWERS THE STARS BY -1.5HOWEVER, The humidifier still performs well, and is efficient. Functionally it is worth a FIVE stars, but with the two issues I mentioned, I think it still requires some improvements.It’s always risky to buy the first generation of anything.Initial Review———————————————Living in the dry Midwest, I decided it was time to replace my old Levoit ultrasonic humidifier after discovering mold and learning about potential lung hazards from water particles. This led me to explore safer options. I was only considering Levoit or a German brand, as other brands are ugly-looking, in my opinion. I settled on the Levoit Superior 6000S, their first evaporative humidifier. Not only was it more affordable than its German counterpart (priced at $249 versus $500+), but my positive experience with Levoit's air purifier also played a role in my decision.***First Impressions: Stylish Exterior, Underwhelming InteriorThe humidifier boasts a sleek, modern design, fitting well in any room. However, the internal components, particularly the fan, feel cheap. It reminds me of something you'd find at a budget store.***Setup and Operation: Simple Yet EffectiveThe setup is straightforward. The system pumps water from a reservoir to the top, where it trickles down through filters. As air passes through these moist filters, it picks up moisture and is then expelled, humidifying the room. The process is essentially middle school physics, but it's impressively efficient.***Performance: Exceeds ExpectationsI heard that evaporative humidifiers require a longer time to improve humidity compared with ultrasonic ones. I tested it in my 500 sqft apartment (though it's rated for 3000 sqft) and was amazed. The humidifier increased humidity from 27% to 50% in under two hours, even with a window open. At its lowest setting, it's quite enough. Even if I put it 5 feet from my bed, I can still go to sleep, and it maintains the humidity at 50% at its lowest fan speed easily. (Note: with my bedroom door closed. My bedroom is probably around 300 sqft.)***Areas for Improvement*Water Refilling:The included plastic tube works well with tall faucets but struggles with standard bathroom sinks, leading to bending and restricted water flow.*Maintenance and Cleaning:The long, curved water tube connecting the reservoir and the top part could pose cleaning challenges similar to what one might encounter with a fish tank. However, the unit's design minimizes hard-to-clean corners and edges, making it generally easier to maintain than traditional humidifiers. I plan to use a bleach-infused cleaner for effective cleaning and disinfection.***Final Thoughts on the Levoit Superior S6000So, after giving this humidifier a whirl for a day, I've got to say, I'm pretty happy with it. It does what it's supposed to do without any fuss, and for that, it gets my thumbs up. But I won't lie – the build and the basic mechanism kind of make me question the price tag. Is it really worth what I paid? I'm on the fence about that. Stay tuned, though. If anything big pops up, either good or bad, in how this thing works or what it's like keeping it clean, I'll be sure to drop an update. For now, if you're in the market for a no-nonsense humidifier, the Levoit S6000 is a decent pick.