The report card
- Hygiene & nursery safety25% of score7.0
Cool mist with a low-water cut-off and child lock; Maxi-Cosi recommends cleaning every three days.
- Humidity & air-quality control20% of score8.5
Humidity sensor with auto mode, plus app monitoring of humidity and temperature.
- Output for a nursery15% of score7.5
A 3.8-litre tank, up to 24 hours per fill, and rated for rooms up to 20m².
- Night-time noise & light20% of score6.0
Has a night mode, but no published noise figure.
- Price & running costs20% of score4.5
Expensive at full price, with owner ratings of around 3 out of 5.
The full review
On paper, the Breathe is a well-specified smart humidifier. It's an ultrasonic cold-mist unit with a 3.8-litre tank, three mist levels and up to 24 hours of running, and Maxi-Cosi rates it for rooms up to 20m². It switches on when humidity drops below a level you set, there's an auto mode, and the Connected Home app lets you check humidity and temperature, set timers and get low-water alerts. It also works with Alexa and Google Home and has a child lock.
The problem is the reception. It averages 3 stars from 29 reviews at John Lewis and 3.4 stars from 23 reviews at Boots, which is weak for a £120 product. I couldn't see detailed complaints in the reviews I could access, so I can't tell you exactly what goes wrong, but it's not a pattern I'd ignore.
Two things Maxi-Cosi gets right: it's clear that the built-in diffuser isn't for infants under 3 months, and it recommends cleaning every three days. That's the right kind of honesty for a nursery product.
Pros and cons
What I like
- Humidity sensor with auto mode
- App monitoring, timers and low-water alerts
- Large 3.8-litre tank
- Clear age warning on essential oils
What I don't
- Mixed owner ratings
- Expensive at full price
- No published noise level
Key specs
- Type
- Ultrasonic cold mist, 3 levels
- Tank
- 3.8 litres
- Run time
- Up to 24 hours
- Room size
- Up to 20m²
- Smart features
- Connected Home app, Alexa, Google Home
- Cleaning
- Every 3 days (Maxi-Cosi guidance)
- Warranty
- 2 years
What I read
This is a research-led review. These are the main sources behind the scores, alongside patterns in verified owner reviews. How I review.