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 am writing this review after prolonged experience with the Air-O-Swiss 7135. I bought one early last winter because I live in a walk-up in New York City which has ancient central heating that I can't adjust. Consequently, it dries the air like there's no tomorrow.
I chose the Air-O-Swiss because they have a reputation as a company that produces a high quality products however, after my experience I'm left wondering just how this reputation came about.
The 7135 is initially fantastic it looks great, feels sturdy, is virtually silent and does its job well (although for a humidifier this size in a medium sized studio with brutal central heating, the best you're going to achieve is around 35% humidity). The tank is easy to fill, the unit is easy to maintain and all seems well. One thing I will say is to echo the experience of others who have found that the digital readout on the unit is around 10% out I have a good quality hygrometer which is situated nearby and they both give totally different readings. But not to worry, since I need the unit to go full blast all the time, it does not matter to me what the readout is. It's never going to give me my ideal 45% humidity, so I never need it to shut off.
Now, onto the problem. The first unit I bought in 2007 developed a leak after about 3 months of use. The tank, when filled with water, doesn't leak by itself neither does the reservoir in the base. But put the tank on the reservoir and turn it on and after around 20 minutes water begins to gush from the join between the two. Whatever physical mechanism prevents water from coming out of the tank when the reservoir is full, ceases to work and the result is flooding a disaster if you've gone out and left it running.
I was told that perhaps there was a hairline crack somewhere which was letting air in and screwing with the level of the water in the reservoir. I looked everywhere and concluded that if there is a hairline crack, it's going to be impossible to find. So the store I bought it from exchanged it for a new one. I have to point out that I treated the unit with kid gloves, never banged the tank on anything and was always extremely careful to position the tank on the base gently. Whatever caused it to fail, it wasn't maltreatment.
So, I had a new unit. I didn't use it much because it was the end of the winter anyway, so it was stored in the box in the closet over the spring and the summer. At the time of writing, I've used the new one for approximately 2 months and it's developed exactly the same overflow problem. It only overflows when the tank is on the base and it's switched on, after around 20 minutes of use.
Contacting Air-O-Swiss I've been told that the tank probably has a hairline crack somewhere and that I should order a new tank at a price of $29.99. But two factors are telling me "no."
First of all, this is the second unit I've had and it's developed exactly the same problem after a similar duration of time. This alone tells me that the model itself has an issue but that's not all. I spoke to the women in the store that I bought it from and she told me that they have had quite a few units returned with the same problem. I also spoke to a guy at work recently who has had a couple of these and they overflowed too.
From reading some of the rave reviews here, I suspect that people have rated this product based on its initial performance, which admittedly is great. I wonder how many of them have gone on to experience the same problem as me and many others, a few months down the line.
I think basically what's up is that the tank is not made particularly well and I believe that Air-O-Swiss is fully aware of the issue and figures that they'll just sell replacement tanks and that most people will be happy with that scenario. But it is already enough that I have to buy replacement filters and a silver stick once a year. Add to that the cost of a new tank every few months and it's just not worth it. I honestly feel ripped off with this product and would advise others not to buy it. I know what it's like when you see a bum review on Amazon among lots of rave reviews: the tendency is to think "what's his problem? He just got a faulty unit!" but in this case, I think that given the experience that I've had with two units and the experiences I've heard of others who have had the same unit for a while, the review is justified. Don't waste your money on the Air-O-Swiss, there's a very good chance that yours will leak too.
Buy Air-O-Swiss AOS 7135 Ultrasonic Humidifier - Warm and Cool Mist Now
I got this to humidify my kids room. Previously we had been using the old vick vaporizer but it only put out for about 6 hours and had some other issues with getting the mineral content of the water just right.
Anyway this is without a doubt the best humidfier I've ever used. Setup was a little confusing at first (where little parts went. The tube hole through the tank was a little disconcerting but after I understood its function I saw it wasn't going to slosh water everywhere.
For a humidfier it has a amazing number of options.
Warm Mist vs Cool
I had always used "warm mist" but my wife wanted "cool mist", this was the only one that had both. Warm and cool are relative terms however. When I think of warm mist I think of the Vicks which can scald you if you get to close. It heats the room up in operation. This device the warm mist is sort of warm. It takes a few minutes to warm up and if you put your hand over the output you can feel its warm but not hot. It goes to warm by pre-heating the water before it hits the vaporizer. In cool mist it just vaporizes.
Output-
You have two output controls, relative humidity and mist volume for lack of a better term. Think of it as fan speed (but no fan)You set the humidity and it spits out water as needed. I don't know where the sensor is but the position of the output nozzel can really affect its reading.
The tank seems to hold enough water for 24 hours of output or 2-3 nights of use. The output is plenty adequate for a bedroom.
Controls-
Lots of controls on/off, heat/no heat, humidity, output, timer, auto mode and more. This is the big difference betwen this and the lower end model. Someone finally figured out how to put a timer on a humidifier (imagine that). So it runs as many hours as you set it. The sleep mode sets all settings automatically and runs 8 hours. I love it.
Noise-
What noise, this thing is silent. No bubbling or hissing or fan noises.
Filling the tank-
Take it out, flip it, unscrew the deminerlization cartridage and fill er up. Not the most stable but it works. Carry handle makes it easy to take back.
Its everything you could possibaly want in a humidifier. Low maintence, easy enough to fill, quite, lots of settings for any need.
Beats the heck out of the old vicks and some fan based whicking mold catching filter units I've used. The closet thing I ever had was a drugstore one that spit out the good stuff for 15 minutes and then broke. This is a quality product (and price) and should last (I've had it 2 weeks at the time of writing). It may be expensive but it does what you want and will outlast many of the others. If you've got the money its worth it.
Read Best Reviews of Air-O-Swiss AOS 7135 Ultrasonic Humidifier - Warm and Cool Mist Here
I've had my Air-O-Swiss 7135 for a little over a year now and I think it's absolutely wonderful. It shoots a very fine mist through the tube on top, which you can turn to face whichever direction you like, in a 360-degree plane. (The instructions do tell you that the humidifier should be put on a table, not on the floor.) It also operates very quietly. You don't hear any fan and you only occasionally hear the sound of trickling water. I leave mine set on automatic. Simply select the humidity level you want in your house and this little appliance will turn itself on and off seamlessly to keep the humidity level near what you've selected. I consider the other features secondary to the ease of operation.
My only complaint so far with this item is with filling the reservoir. You have to turn the reservoir upside down to fill it, and it's large enough that holding it under a faucet can be a chore. (I find myself filling the reservoir every 24 to 36 hours.) The only fix I can suggest to the manufacturer is to allow you to pour water into an opening in the top of the reservoir so that you wouldn't have to remove the reservoir to fill it. Still, I love this humidifier.
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I'd love to give this unit more than three stars because I like almost everything about it. It humidifies really well. I can really tell the difference in humidity level after even 1 hour in my bedroom. Much better than the evaporative humidifier I used to have. I think the humidistat works well, it's very easy to use and I like how it can have a sleep mode, it has variable "humidifying levels" that allow the user to adjust how much humidity is coming out, better than just a fan speed adjustment.
The thing is practically invisible to the ear. The occasional trickle of water but otherwise silent as the tomb. The tank, while not complicated to fill, is not the best design I've seen. Yes, you have to flip it upside down, but that's fairly typical of tabletop humidifiers I believe; at least it is of the ones I have owned.
However, my biggest problem with this humidifier is the white dust it spews EVERYWHERE! I don't know if it's because I have softened water at my house, but my whole bedroom is coated in this white dust. It gets everywhere! And I am using there demineralization cartridge and still have the problem. I called their tech support, which was very difficult to do, and they were of no help. Just "that's why ultrasonic humidifiers are unpopular" was their response!! What sort of response is that??
So, unless I buy distilled water to use in this thing, which would be a rather ridiculous expense, I have to deal with the dust. So, it looks like I'll have to sacrifice the quiet operation of a warm mist humidifier for a noisy evaporative cooler.
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The product smells like an old antique book made from old tires which got grinded up in a blender with 20 molded lemons into a watery lotion. But I have seen improvement in my skin so whatever works.
