REASONS TO BUY
Simple controls
REASONS TO AVOID
High up front and long term costs
Not an outstanding performer in any capacity
Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 Review
A decent model, but not decent enough to justify the high costs
Credit: Sunpentown
RELATED: The Best Humidifiers of 2024
Our Verdict
The Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 offers mediocre overall humidifying performance compared to the other models in our test lineup of the top-rated humidifiers. It also requires very expensive replacement filters to continue operating this appliance safely and efficiently. Many other models provide the same or better performance but are much less expensive both in the short and long term. For that reason, we don't recommend this model.
Editor's Note: We updated this humidifier review for the Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 on April 21, 2022, to propose other models that may better suit your needs and wallet.
Our Analysis and Test Results
In our testing, the Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 earned one of the lowest overall scores. It requires you to buy expensive replacement filters to maintain optimal performance but does not deliver above-average performance compared to the other models that we tested. We don't feel that this model has any specific advantages that outweigh the long-term costs of owning an appliance like this.
Performance Comparison
Humidifying Performance
The Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 earned an average score in our humidifying performance testing. It took an hour for this model to hit 45% humidity in our testing room, and it maxed out at 51.2%. These stats make this model ideal for most average-sized bedrooms (~150 square feet). This is reasonable humidifying performance, but other models achieved the same or better scores at similar or lower price points.
Ease of Cleaning
The Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 was again around average in our ease of cleaning testing. The biggest negative aspect is its water tank. Though it has a fairly large 3.25-inch opening, there are lots of little nooks and crannies that are hard to reach and where mold could take hold. The manual also gives only vague cleaning instructions, so you're on your own to determine the best way to keep mold at bay. It took us about the same length of time to scrub this machine down and get it feeling adequately clean as it did for most of the other models we tested.
The Sunpentown isn't the hardest model to clean, but it does have some hard to reach areas.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
User Friendliness
Continuing its streak of average scores, the Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 again falls in the middle of the pack in this metric. It has two knobs, one to turn it on and off and select warm or cool mist, and one to select the mist setting. It doesn't offer any sort of off-timer . These controls are quite simple and easy to operate. It lost points because the tank is quite large and can be difficult to fill from a sink. The opening is also large at 3.25 inches, so you don't need perfect aim when refilling.
The Sunpentown has simple, easy to understand controls.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Operating Cost
This is the biggest drawback of the Sunpentown SPT SU-4010, earning it a low score in this metric. Its upfront cost is a bit more than most other models, especially considering its average performance. The kicker is the $30 replacement filter that it requires every six months. When combined with its average electricity usage, that results in an estimated lifetime cost of $447, one of the highest in our test lineup.
Should You Buy the Sunpentown SPT SU-4010?
The Sunpentown SPT SU-4010's list price is already appreciably higher than other models in the same league of performance. It becomes one of the least economical models we tested when you factor in its replacement filter costs. Considering the cost, we cannot recommend this humidifier over other, better-performing models.
What Other Humidifiers Should You Consider?
The Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 offers good performance, but high costs in both the long and short term make it a poor value overall. As a point of comparison, this poorly performing humidifier costs nearly as much as the top-performing Levoit LV600HH. And if you aren't willing to spend this kind of money on a humidifier, the Levoit Classic 200 is our choice for overall value.
—
Max Mutter and Steven Tata
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