Honeywell HEV685 review

The Honeywell HEV685 is an earlier high-capacity evaporative console with two removable 1.5-gallon tanks, three fan speeds and an adjustable humidistat. It is meant for someone identifying an existing appliance or assessing a specific remaining-stock offer, not a shopper expecting a current default recommendation: Honeywell’s licensed store marks this model discontinued.

Console capacity, not a top-fill tower

The manufacturer describes 3 gallons total capacity split between two 1.5-gallon water tanks. The design is wider and more furniture-like than the HEV615/620 towers; Honeywell lists approximate dimensions of 13.4 inches wide, 13.1 inches high and 21.3 inches long. Check the physical footprint and clearances before choosing it. The product manual gives top-fill and sink-fill paths, but the tanks still have to be removed and positioned correctly for the floats to work. Two tanks reduce the need to carry one unusually large vessel, while their combined full weight and the console’s width remain substantial handling considerations.

Honeywell advertises up to 24 hours on low. This is a manufacturer runtime claim, not a measured result, and higher fan speed or room conditions change water use. The listing describes the model as extra-large or suitable for multiple rooms but does not give a clear square-foot number in the reviewed evidence. Do not treat a broad marketing description as guaranteed coverage through doors or across a whole home.

Manual humidity adjustment and three speeds

The HEV685 is evaporative: its fan draws room air across a wet Filter E wick. The instructions describe three fan speeds and a humidistat that can cycle the appliance in response to its setting. It does not have a numeric humidity display, app connection or timer documented in the exact model manual. This is less explicit than the HEV620’s numeric target from 30 to 69% RH, and it is not the same as an unregulated manual-only unit like the HEV320.

The humidistat can help keep the appliance from simply running continuously at a fixed speed, but it should not be treated as a precision room controller. Use an independent hygrometer if you need to verify the room condition, and leave enough time for humidity to change before adjusting a setting. The maker’s broad multi-room claim does not remove the need for suitable placement and air circulation.

Wick, cleaning and storage

Honeywell identifies the replacement wick as Filter E / HC14-series for the HEV685. The manual recommends regular filter changes, generally around 30–60 days depending on water quality and use; inspect the exact instructions and replacement packaging before ordering. The two tanks, wick and float mechanisms need periodic cleaning and proper alignment. The manual’s care schedule is weekly, and it does not authorize dishwasher use. Keep water away from the electrical components and disconnect power before removing tanks or cleaning.

No essential-oil route is documented for this model, so do not add fragrance oils to the water. The evaporative design does not remove the need to empty stagnant water during storage. Follow the exact manual’s cleaning and drying steps before putting the console away for a season; old water, a neglected wick or a stuck float can undermine what otherwise appears to be a large-capacity advantage. This routine may be more than someone wanting a compact bedroom humidifier is willing to handle.

Earlier-model checks before buying

The HEV685 manual covers the HEV685 series, and Honeywell’s store shows black HEV685B and white HEV685W finish listings, with the model marked discontinued. Verify the lower label, both tank caps, the wick frame, floats, cord, and whether the correct manual and replacement filter are available. Ask a seller about long-term storage and tank condition; a clean-looking exterior does not prove the water path is clean. If an offer is used, condition, return rights and missing pieces can matter more than a nominal tank rating.

This assessment uses the manufacturer’s documentation and product imagery. No noise, moisture output, coverage or durability test was performed. The two-tank system and large marketing language should not be read as measured room performance. If there is uncertainty about recall status, identify the exact model and check a primary safety source before purchasing or using an older appliance.

Who might still prefer it?

The HEV685 could fit someone who already owns one, wants a substantial evaporative reservoir and likes the idea of splitting water capacity between two tanks while retaining a manual humidistat. It is a poor fit if you need a current product, a compact footprint, easy one-handed refill, dishwasher-safe parts, app control or a displayed target. For a current tall top-fill alternative, the HEV620 has one 1.7-gallon reservoir and a numeric target but less total water capacity; the HEV615 shares its tower format with simpler controls. Compare these as separate operating plans rather than assuming the older console is simply the “bigger” version of either tower.