Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)We wanted to get an ultrasonic to replace/supplement our traditional fan-evaporative unit due to all of the funk that builds up in its wick/filter. After reading the amazon reviews, I went to our local hardware store planning to buy the Air-o-Swiss (same price as amazon, with possibility of easier return if there was a problem). There I found the Venta along-side the Air-o-Swiss. Comparing the two... both are high design and both seem very similar in overall quality: Venta - apparently German company, though unit made in Korea; Air-o-Swiss - seems likely a Swiss company, though unit also is made in Korea. The Venta was cheaper, but knowing nothing about it, I went home to read the reviews.
While there were many positive reviews for the Air-o-Swiss, there weren't any Amazon.com reviews for the Venta. Google revealed that Venta also makes several high capacity humidifiers and that Venta seemed popular among piano owners/enthusiasts, whom are much more concerned about humidification than myself (or likely other typical consumers, though makes me wonder if I need to worry about my wood furniture).
Both the Venta and the Air-o-Swiss have the silver-ion technology to combat unwelcome bacterial growth in the unit. They are different in how this silver-ion technology is implemented. Besides a small canister water filter to catch rust or other impurities, the A-o-S has a separate silver-ion stick in contact with the water. In contrast, the Venta does not have this separate stick, but has the silver ion impregnated in the small canister water-filter (both filters are similar size). Comparing prices, the Venta filter (with silver-ions) is cheaper than the A-o-S filter and you still have to buy a separate ion stick for the A-o-S. So the Venta is less initially for the unit and less for the consumables.
Very pleased with the performance so far (only a week). Comparing it to our tradition fan-wick Holmes, it is much much quieter. Virtually soundless (it makes a very small "glug-glug" sound every few minutes as it uses up water). Also versus the Holmes it puts out much, much more humidity. They are both 2-gallon units, the Holmes with a brand-new wick and Holmes on the medium setting running 24 hours goes through 1.5 gallons; the Venta puts out 2 gallons on a 60% setting (it's got a variable spin dial to choose amount of output - so you're not limited to "high/med/low"); I haven't tried it at the 100% setting for more than a few minutes, but since with these ultra-sonics you can see the "puff" or plume of moisture, the 100% setting would rip through the 2 gallon capacity probably in 12 hours.
While some A-o-S users have mentioned condensation on the floor near their units, we haven't had an issue. Though, I have our Venta near a heat duct, which helps disperse the puff/plume of moisture.
Overall, big thumbs up. Thinking about buying a second to replace the old Holmes.
Two other thoughts. Since fewer retailers carry the Venta versus the A-o-S, I loaded up on a few replacement Venta filters now, versus having to search for them later. Also, I hate carting whichever humidifier's reservoir back and forth to the bathroom/kitchen to fill. They are always odd shapes and awkward once filled to carry back. I'm using two empty 1-gallon PolandSprings/GeyserPeak/whomever containers to cart the water to the humidiers. These containers are much easier to fill (sitting flat under a tap no problem), have easy carry handles, and are designed to pour easily. Makes the daily task of refilling less of a pain.
UPDATE (1-23-06): We own two now. In two months we've found that happiness with the Venta is adversely affected by the amount of impurities in your water. In our kitchen we have one of those under-sink water systems (omni cb20); the rest of our house is city water, which is not great in our area. Our downstairs Venta was getting the clean water, while the upstairs one was not.
Water quality leads to a couple of observations. First, the Venta filters last longer with clean water. We have not replaced either filter yet, but the Venta using city water now drains more slowly; for the last 1.5 inches in the reservoir it stops and starts as the water slowly drains.
Second, is cleaning frequency. We've cleaned the downstairs/clean water Venta only twice. There is a nickel sized metal disk in a black rubber mount that vibrates creating the water mist. This disk and rubber mount accumulate what appear to be mineral nodules (a bit larger than table salt). This stuff needs to be brushed/scraped off and hoovered up (we use a rubber bulb). The upstairs/city water Venta needs cleaning about every two weeks.
Given the differences, we've started using the clean water in both and are still very happy with them. Having read about the other reviewer's experience about the filters clogging and the metal disk getting encrusted, you might want to steer away if your city water has alot of mineral content.
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Product Description:
Venta Sonic, Optional Cool Or Warm Mist, Ultrasonic Humidifier, Ultra Quiet Operation, Easy To Clean & Maintain, Covers 600 SQFT, Effective Demineralization Cartridge With Cutting Edge Nano Silver Technology Provides Microbial Protection, Helps Prevent Bacteria Growth, Calcium & Lime Build Up, Eliminates White Dus
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