Humidifiers Reviews

I bought this unit because the humidity in my apartment on extremely dry days and nights was 15-20%. The Air-O-Swiss 7135 was rated top by every web site I visisted and researced before buying this product. It is also rated to work in rooms up to 600 square feet, and the biggest room in my apartment is less than 500. Well to summerize:
- hygrostat consistently says 25% even though my bedside hygo says 15%. The best I can get out of this machine is 30% humidity according to my own hygostat, as the one built into the unit does not move past 25%.
- the above situation is in the smallest room in my home, which is 170 square feet, so the 600 square feet rating is totally not true.

To close, please be ware that this unit does not work for extremely dry apartments and homes like mine. The other reviews must be in homes that are already at 30-40% humidity. This is not worth the money you pay for it. I will try running it non-stop for a few days to see if it helps, but if not then this unti will be going back.

I also purchased the Air-O-Swiss 7135 after first buying the Vent Sonic which appeared to be a knock off of another Air-O-Swiss model 7133 that Bed Bath and Beyond no longer carries. The AOS eloctronic humidifier is more than I needed but the cheaper manual (knobs) wasn't available. I thought the Venta Sonic was in fact the manual model of the AOS and bought it as it looked similar to the pictures of the 7133 model. When i opened the package I realized right away that this was not worth $99 and reading through the one page instructions found that it was not the AOS. It is pretty cheaply made and did not generate much mist and the fan could barely get the mist more than a foot from the nozzle. A big problem was that the Vent Sonic unit splashed so much water under the container that water leaked out between the base and the container leaving a puddle in just 30 minutes. I took the Venta Sonic back and bought the AOS 7135 which has an electronic buttons to regulate the fan and moisture. What is great is that you can set the percentage humidity and the unit will reach that amount and stop sending mist. It also shows the current humidity level. Since the main purpose of a humidifier is to add humidity to the air but not make it like a rain forest the electronic info is very usefull. The AOS 7135 works like a dream even though it is pretty pricey but a full nights sleep every night is worth an awful lot. It is extremely wel made and designed. While it is $149 there are discounts available from BB&B for 20%.

I went to a local Bed Bath and Beyond to find silent or near silent humidifier. Salesman introduced this Air-O-Swiss as the best machine on market. He added Venta-Sonic does the same job but costs $50 less, and all other brands can't compare. I bought both units to compare. Air-O-Swiss is a clear winner, hands down.

The two machines sat side-by-side. It's clear immediately to everyone that Air-O-Swiss is quieter. Even at highest setting, Air-O-Swiss' noise level and frequency are lower than Venta-Sonic's, and they blend nicely into background. They don't give me headaches as Venta-Sonic. At lower settings, Air-O-Swiss can be virtually silent. With Air-O-Swiss on, I slept very well. The next night was Venta night. Unfortunately, the base machine noise was just as bad as the first unit that I returned earlier for noise problems. I tried to go to sleep with it on but after a few hours, headaches and agitation from the noise made me shut it off and switch on Air-O-Swiss and slept through afterwards.

I kept on alternating units days and nights to observe results from continued operation. After three days, Venta-Sonic unit began to add that strange squeeking noise. Air-O-Swiss gave consistent good near silent performance...and going strong still. Just based on noise-level alone, I had to return Venta-Sonic even though Air-O-Swiss costs $50 more. But that extra costs are further justified by the following:

1. Consistent Performance - I can put Air-O-Swiss on automatic mode with preset humidity level before I go to sleep, when I wake up, my bedside humidity reader (far away from the machine) has within 1% margin of error to the preset desired level.
Venta-Sonic however, I can put it to MAX settings, and I get only around 32% sometimes and other times anywhere below 50%.

2. Greater Output Capacity - My bedroom is 300 square feet+, half of 600 both machines claim can cover. Air-O-Swiss comfortably reaches my desired level (b/w 40% and 50%) with lower settings (It can go as high as 75%, I only set it up to 50%). Venta-Sonic labors over 8 hours at MAX settings and gets me LESS humidity! It won't get me above 50%.

3. Ease of Use with Digital Control - I like Air-O-Swiss' Auto Mode with Desired Humidity Setting. The machine adjusts output automatically. Venta-Sonic only has two dials, you'll have to experiment for a while to find the optimal settings. As soon as atmospheric humidity changes, which can be daily or a few hours, you'd have to re-adjust again...that's like shooting darts in the dark all the time, you can get close if lucky but never on target.

4. Better Mist Venting Notch Design - I put both machines on 3-feet-tall dresser. Air-O-Swiss' notch is tilted higher than Venta's. This means when operating cold mist, Air-O-Swiss's disappears into air vs. some Venta's still hit the floor - not enough to form condensation but less efficient in humidifying - perhaps that contributes to Venta's lower output previously mentioned.

5. Better Craftsmanship - Venta-Sonic is a notch below Air-O-Swiss, appears to be made simpler and CHEAPER.

Filter changes and clean up are similar. Venta needs to change filter cup. Air-O-Swiss needs filter cup and once-a-year silver stick change. Both are fool proof. Venta filters are more expensive but Air-O-Swill has extra silver stick. Cost-wise it's similar. I like Air-O-Swiss's option of replacing resins - just dump old resin in filter cup and put new packet in and you get a NEW filter - this cuts cost by almost 65% and less trash for the environment.

Water tank design is similar. Both fills water upside down. I still prefer Air-O-Swiss because the top is more leveled, easier to sit in sink or bath tub than Venta's tilted top. When moving Venta-Sonic, water spilled between base and tank. I had no problem with Air-O-Swiss.

Anything Air-O-Swiss can improve? Sure! The humidity reader on the machine is adjusted about 13% lower than actual average room humidity. They probably did it to ensure average humidity far away from the unit reaches target, but I think they can do so internally without having to show it. It would be a mistake to read the room humidity off that machine.

After I got the machines, I googled on both. There was one review elsewhere saying that Venta-Sonic broke after a month and half, out of store 30-day warranty and owner took a loss. Air-O-Swiss has 3 year warranty, if I remember correctly, Venta 1 year.

The trouble I went through is worth the finding of the right humidifier for me. Hope this helps those with similar concerns!

I bought this for my son for his first winter and it continues to run very well with little maintenance 2 years later. The germ-free and mold-free factors were really important to us and there's even indicator lights to tell you when the UV light needs to be replaced. (We still have never had to do this). Filters rarely need replacement and are easy to replace. With both tanks filled the humidifier will easily run for two days without needing a refill and the heat shuts off when the tanks are empty. The tanks are made so they don't leak and fit in a kitchen sink easily. The only annoying thing about it has been that the tanks are difficult to clean, but I found that using a diluted bleach solution, as opposed to just vinegar and water as the manufacturer suggests, works very well.