วันเสาร์ที่ 6 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Come back for Review Air-O-Swiss AOS Ultrasonic Humidifier - 7135 (again)

Air-O-Swiss AOS Ultrasonic Humidifier - 7135I went to a local Bed Bath and Beyond to find silent or near silent humidifier. Salesman introduced this Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Humidifier 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 Ultrasonic Humidifier ' 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 Ultrasonic Humidifier can be virtually silent. With Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Humidifier 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 Ultrasonic Humidifier costs $50 more. But that extra costs are further justified by the following:

1. Consistent Performance - I can put Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Humidifier 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 Ultrasonic Humidifier ' 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 Ultrasonic Humidifier notch is tilted higher than Venta's. This means when operating cold mist, Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Humidifier '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 Ultrasonic Humidifier , appears to be made simpler and CHEAPER.

Filter changes and clean up are similar. Venta needs to change filter cup. Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Humidifier 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 Ultrasonic Humidifier '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 Ultrasonic Humidifier 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!

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