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Dry indoor air can make a bedroom or living area feel uncomfortable, but a humidifier that is hard to fill or clean often creates a new chore. The Clorox Ultra Clean Cool Mist Humidifier, model 11080, pairs a 4-liter top-fill tank with UV-C LED technology, automatic humidity control, and a quiet sleep mode. This review explains how those features work, what daily maintenance still involves, and who will get the most value from it. Its strongest advantages are convenient controls and a long low-speed runtime, while its main tradeoff is that the UV feature does not remove the need for fresh water and regular cleaning.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.5/10, recommended with caveats
Best For: Bedrooms, nurseries, home offices, and living spaces where you want quiet cool mist with automatic humidity control.
Bottom Line: The 4-liter tank, three mist levels, top-fill design, and UV-C LED system make model 11080 practical for routine home use. You still need to replace the water often, descale the base, and keep essential oils out of the tank.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Clorox |
| Model | 11080 |
| Product type | Filter-free ultrasonic cool mist humidifier |
| Tank capacity | 4 liters, about 1 gallon |
| Mist levels | Low, medium, and high |
| Maximum output | 300 mL per hour |
| Approximate runtime | 40 hours on low, 20 hours on medium, 13 hours on high |
| Suggested coverage | Rooms up to 475 square feet |
| Humidity setting | 40% to 75%, plus continuous mode |
| Timer | 1 to 12 hours or continuous operation |
| Noise | Under 30 dB in sleep mode |
| Dimensions | 7.3 inches wide × 7.3 inches deep × 13.2 inches high |
| Weight | 2.89 pounds |
| Power | 120 V, 25 W |
| Extra features | UV-C LED, 360-degree mist outlet, low-water shutoff, aromatherapy tray, multicolor nightlight |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
What Is the Clorox Ultra Clean Cool Mist Humidifier?
The Clorox Ultra Clean Cool Mist Humidifier is a filter-free ultrasonic unit made for household rooms rather than whole-home humidification. Its model number is 11080, and Hamilton Beach Brands manufactures the appliance under license from The Clorox Company.
The main selling point is the combination of a large top-fill tank and a UV-C LED in the water tray. The light is designed to reduce the growth of tested bacteria and mold in the water and on surfaces inside the base. It is not an air purifier, and it does not replace routine cleaning.
Key Takeaways
- The 4-liter tank can run for about 40 hours on low, 20 hours on medium, or 13 hours on high.
- Three mist levels provide up to 300 mL per hour for rooms listed up to 475 square feet.
- Auto mode uses an internal humidistat to cycle mist on and off around your selected target.
- Sleep mode runs under 30 dB and dims the display for bedroom use.
- The UV-C LED helps reduce microbial growth inside the water system, but fresh water and cleaning are still required.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- You want a quiet humidifier for a bedroom, nursery, office, or medium-to-large room.
- You prefer a wide top opening instead of an upside-down tank with a narrow cap.
- You want automatic humidity control without paying for replacement wick filters.
Skip If
- You need app control, voice control, or remote monitoring.
- You want dishwasher-safe parts or a maintenance-free appliance.
- You need whole-house coverage or warm mist.
Design and Ease of Use
At 7.3 inches square and 13.2 inches high, the humidifier has a compact footprint for its 1-gallon capacity. The tank lifts off the base for sink filling, but you can also remove the lid and fill it from a pitcher while it remains in place. The large opening gives you better access for hand washing than a narrow-neck tank.
Touch controls let you select one of three mist levels, a target humidity, a timer, sleep mode, and the nightlight. The 360-degree outlet helps aim mist away from walls, furniture, or electronics. When the water gets low, the unit stops misting and shows “LO” on the control panel.
Mist Output and Humidity Control
The low setting produces up to 100 mL per hour and offers the longest runtime. Medium increases output to 200 mL per hour, while high reaches 300 mL per hour. That range lets you use a gentle output overnight or a stronger setting when a larger room feels dry.
Auto mode is more useful than leaving an ultrasonic humidifier on continuously. You can select a target from 40% to 75%, and the internal humidistat cycles the mist to maintain the chosen level within about 5%. For most homes, avoid pushing humidity so high that you see condensation on windows or dampness near the unit.
Before You Buy: The UV-C LED reduces growth inside the water system, but it does not sterilize the room or eliminate maintenance. You still need fresh water, hand washing, and periodic descaling.
UV-C LED and Cleaner Operation
The UV-C LED runs during operation and targets the water tray area. Manufacturer testing refers to reduced growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and Aspergillus mold in the water and on tested surfaces. This is a narrower and more accurate claim than saying the humidifier “purifies the air.”
A safety interlock turns the UV-C LED off when the tank is removed. The light is not user-replaceable and cannot be switched off separately. Do not defeat the interlock or look directly at the UV-C source.
Sleep Mode, Nightlight, and Aromatherapy
Sleep mode keeps operation below 30 dB and turns off most display lighting, leaving only a dim indicator. This makes the unit a sensible choice near a bed when bright controls or fan noise would be distracting.
The nightlight offers an automatic color cycle plus six fixed colors and an off setting. For fragrance, the base includes an aromatherapy tray with an oil pad. Essential oil belongs on that pad only, never in the water tank or water tray, where it can damage the unit.
How It Performs in Real Use
For Overnight Bedroom Use
Low output is the best starting point for a bedroom because it stretches the tank to about 40 hours and reduces the chance of damp surfaces. Sleep mode dims the controls, while the timer gives you the option to stop operation after 1 to 12 hours.
For a Larger Room
In a room approaching the listed 475-square-foot limit, medium or high output will raise humidity faster than low. The tradeoff is shorter runtime, about 20 hours on medium and 13 hours on high. Open doors, high ceilings, drafts, and open windows can reduce real-world effectiveness.
For a Nursery or Child’s Room
Cool mist avoids the hot-water hazard associated with warm-mist vaporizers, and sleep mode keeps noise low. Place the appliance where children cannot reach it, route the cord safely, and follow your pediatrician’s guidance when humidification is being used for a child’s symptoms.
For Seasonal Daily Use
The filter-free design avoids recurring wick costs, and the top opening makes repeated filling less awkward. Daily users should expect to empty old water, rinse or wash the tank, and watch for mineral buildup around the mist outlet and base.
Setup Tips Before First Use
- Remove all packaging, then lift off the tank and remove the shipping tape over the float inside the base.
- Set the unit on a flat, level, water-resistant surface with good airflow.
- Leave at least 6 inches between the humidifier and walls or furniture.
- Fill only to the maximum line, seat the tank correctly, and point the mist away from nearby surfaces.
- Start on a lower output, then increase it only if the room remains dry and no condensation appears.
Pro Tip: Use filtered or distilled water when your tap water leaves white dust or heavy scale. It can reduce mineral deposits and make routine cleaning easier.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Replace the water with fresh water every 24 hours. If the unit has been off for 8 hours or longer with water inside, empty the old water and clean the humidifier before using it again. Check cleanliness at least monthly, and inspect more often when the unit runs every day or your water is mineral-heavy.
Unplug the humidifier before cleaning. Empty the base, wipe it with a dry cloth, and hand-wash the tank in warm soapy water. No parts are dishwasher-safe. When scale appears in the water tray, let white vinegar sit in the tray for 10 minutes, loosen deposits with the included brush, rinse several times, and dry thoroughly.
Compatibility and Safety
This is a 120-volt household appliance intended for indoor use. Keep the base, plug, and fan enclosure out of water, and unplug the unit before refilling, cleaning, moving, or servicing it. Do not place it near heat sources, in direct sunlight, or where its cord creates a trip hazard.
Do not use the humidifier in a small enclosed area or where relative humidity already exceeds 60%. If walls, windows, or nearby surfaces become damp, lower the target humidity or mist level and move the appliance farther from those surfaces.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 4-liter top-fill tank with a wide opening for easier access.
- Three mist levels with up to 40 hours of low-setting runtime.
- Automatic humidity control and a 1-to-12-hour timer.
- Sleep mode stays under 30 dB and dims the display.
- Filter-free operation, UV-C LED, aromatherapy tray, and 360-degree outlet.
Cons
- The UV-C LED does not remove the need for daily fresh water and regular cleaning.
- No parts are dishwasher-safe.
- Essential oils can damage the unit if added directly to the tank or tray water.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Clorox model sits in the mid-range humidifier category. It offers strong value when you care about a large top-fill tank, automatic humidity control, quiet operation, and a filter-free design. The 3-year limited warranty also gives it an advantage over models with shorter coverage.
It is less compelling when app control or dishwasher-safe components matter more than UV-C treatment and a built-in humidistat. Your value calculation should also include the time required for fresh water, hand washing, and descaling.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Levoit Classic 300S is worth comparing when you want app and voice control, a larger 6-liter tank, and longer listed runtime. The Vicks EasyCare+ TopFill is a simpler option for a small room, with a smaller 0.6-gallon tank and fewer automatic controls.
The Clorox 11080 makes the most sense when you want a middle ground: more automation and capacity than a basic small-room humidifier, but without relying on an app. Its UV-C LED and 3-year limited warranty are the clearest points of difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you refill the water tank?
Runtime depends on the mist level. The tank lasts about 40 hours on low, 20 hours on medium, or 13 hours on high, but the manufacturer still recommends replacing the water with fresh water every 24 hours.
Can you use essential oils with this humidifier?
Yes, but only with the aromatherapy tray and oil pad on the back of the base. Do not put essential oil, fragrance spray, or cleaner in the water tank or water tray.
Does the UV-C LED clean the room air?
No. The UV-C LED is positioned in the water tray and is designed to reduce bacterial and mold growth in the water and on tested internal surfaces. The humidifier should not be treated as an air purifier.
Is it suitable for a large room?
The listing rates it for rooms up to 475 square feet, with a maximum output of 300 mL per hour. Actual performance can vary with ceiling height, drafts, open doors, and the starting humidity level.
How do you clean the Clorox Ultra Clean Humidifier?
Unplug it, empty the tank and base, wipe the base, and hand-wash the tank in warm soapy water. For visible scale, use white vinegar in the water tray for 10 minutes, brush the deposits, rinse well, and dry before reassembly.
What does the “LO” message mean?
“LO” means the water level is too low. The unit stops misting until you refill the tank and restart operation.
What warranty comes with model 11080?
The humidifier carries a 3-year limited warranty for defects in materials and workmanship for products purchased and used in the United States or Canada. Keep your receipt and review the warranty terms for exclusions and claim instructions.
The Bottom Line
The Clorox Ultra Clean Cool Mist Humidifier is a strong choice for you when you want quiet operation, a 4-liter top-fill tank, automatic humidity control, and filter-free upkeep. Skip it when you need smart-home control, warm mist, or dishwasher-safe parts, and remember that its UV-C LED supports cleaner operation rather than replacing maintenance.
