Venta - LW15 Original Humidifier

I live in a fairly dry climate— my humidity monitor is usually at 12-20% in the winter time. This means I always get a dry cough that lasts. To avoid it, I've been buying some humidifiers, mostly from Honeywell. I currently have the [Honeywell HEV615WC](https://a.co/d/9x4RjTu) and I use the [Honeywell Filter T](https://a.co/d/4Np1oTP) with it. For maintenance, I do: * Daily: change water (tap) and add [scale treatment](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/bestair-c1t-4-humidi-treat-extra-strength-humidifier-water-scale-treatment-946-ml-0641617p.html) \+ [bacteriostatic treatment](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/bestair-c246-pdq-6-golden-solution-combination-humidifier-water-bacteriostatic-treatment-1-9-l-0641618p.html), flip filter (so it doesn't get too dry on one end) * Weekly: clean with bleach, wash it out, and then clean again with a [humidifier cleaner](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/bestair-c1c-6-humidi-clean-extra-strength-humidifier-descaler-cleaner-946-ml-0430725p.html) * Monthly: change filter I'm tired. Mostly because it works for about 2 days— after which I get a phlegm-filled cough that disappears as soon as I turn off my humidifier (only to be replaced eventually with a dry cough). I have a small bedroom that I need this for, so I don't mind sizing down, but I just want something that works and is easy to clean— and hopefully I can keep using tap water instead of having to purchase distilled water. I've been searching throughout old posts and have come across the [Venta LW15](https://a.co/d/5ULCSfW) as an option. I've also read a lot about the Vicks one, because it's cheap and a warm mist one, but the reviews were rather split. Thoughts? If you've gone through something similar, what have you done? Do I need to make the transition to distilled water? Any help is appreciated! Edit: I am entertaining the [Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde](https://www.dysoncanada.ca/en/air-treatment/air-purifier-humidifiers/purifier-humidify-cool/ph04-white-nickel-gold#faq)— thoughts?

I canceled that order actually, read about a ton of issues with it. Got a venta instead and it’s been a DREAM. Worth the investment.

Okay this is actually really cool. I've been meaning to replace my old humidifier and I was dreading wading through all the random "just get a Levoit" comments with no context. The fact that you weighted detailed upvoted comments more heavily than drive-by recommendations makes this way more useful than a typical "most mentioned" list. I will say I'm a little surprised to see the Venta LW15 at the top given the price point. Like yeah it's a solid evaporative unit but almost $280 is steep when something like the Honeywell is sitting right there at under $80 doing basically the same job for most people. I guess the filterless design and lower maintenance is what people are praising? That tracks honestly, filter replacement costs add up fast.

i've had an lw15 for 2 years and it's been great. i recently switched over to using a simple bacteriostat formula (brand is bestair) which is much cheaper than the venta branded fluid. the recommendation came from a friend who has several ventas and has had them for many years, so i trust the advice.

Venta. My daughter is immunocompromised so I did a ton of research to minimize risks with humidifiers. It’s literally a paddle that slowly agitates a bucket of water and a fan on top. Just top it off with tap water each day, then wipe it out and add a sterilizing liquid to some fresh water every 2 weeks. Plus it’s German, so they have instructions in the guide on how to replace all the parts (making it BIFL).

Venta. They are expensive, but they solve all the problems with humidifiers. It’s literally just a wheel that churns a basin of water below a fan, and it actually cleans the air too. Just add tap water daily. Then wash everything out every 2 weeks and add their sterilizing liquid. My daughter is immunocompromised at times and it’s the only brand I will use in her room.

I also read those reviews and was almost scared off initially, but took the chance based on the fact that they can’t easily spread mold like humidifiers with wicks. I have not had any issues with parts failing after 2 years of use now. I think maybe a good portion are from people who did not take care of them—the little metal bars that “corrode” in some of the reviews need to be cleaned once a season along with the rest of the unit… But then they look new. The manual also has a guide to replacing parts in the unit and it disassembles fairly easily, so I’m relatively confident that it would be repairable if something did fail. If it makes you feel any more confident, I just ordered a LW15 and LW45 for not an insignificant amount of money based on my experience with the LW25. There’s a 10% off coupon on their site if you sign up for their mailing list, and shipping is free. I just wouldn’t get one with the humidity sensors or WiFi if you want to stick to BIFL (I use smart plugs and sensors).

I also read those reviews and was almost scared off initially, but took the chance based on the fact that they can’t easily spread mold like humidifiers with wicks. I have not had any issues with parts failing after 2 years of use now. I think maybe a good portion are from people who did not take care of them—the little metal bars that “corrode” in some of the reviews need to be cleaned once a season along with the rest of the unit… But then they look new. The manual also has a guide to replacing parts in the unit and it disassembles fairly easily, so I’m relatively confident that it would be repairable if something did fail. If it makes you feel any more confident, I just ordered a LW15 and LW45 for not an insignificant amount of money based on my experience with the LW25. There’s a 10% off coupon on their site if you sign up for their mailing list, and shipping is free. I just wouldn’t get one with the humidity sensors or WiFi if you want to stick to BIFL (I use smart plugs and sensors).

Venta makes amazing quiet humidifiers. I suggest getting the no-frills version and plugging it into a $25 humidistat. That machine will last forever, no need to get one with digital controls that will eventually break

Yup, plus great customer support, and it's so quiet!

I’ve had the best luck with evaporative humidifiers for big rooms. Ultrasonics are quiet, but most just can’t keep up in a large living room. If you want something that actually moves the needle: AirCare / Essick evaporative models not pretty, but they work. Can handle large spaces, no white dust, and the fan noise is more like steady white noise (no gurgling). Downside: big footprint. Venta LW series (used or on sale) very quiet and dead simple to clean, great overnight. Expensive new, but worth it if noise + maintenance matter more than max output. Levoit LV600S solid if you really want ultrasonic; quiet and convenient, but you’ll refill more often and it may struggle if the room is truly large.

Venta branded humidifiers are great

I went through this exact same obsession last winter when my bedroom was hitting like 18% humidity, felt like I was living in the sahara desert. Ended up going with a Venta after reading through probably 50 forum posts and I'm pretty happy with it - thing's been running daily for about 8 months now with zero issues. The maintainence is actually pretty minimal despite what some people say, just rinse the discs every couple weeks and change the water regularly. Only downside is it's not the fastest at humidifying but for your size room it should handle it fine, plus it's whisper quiet which was huge for me since I'm a light sleeper. The build quality feels solid too, like it could run for years without breaking down

I have one.  Haven’t needed service so no idea about the customer support.  I’m not sure the Venta formula cost is cheap enough to offset the cost for physical wicks, but otherwise it’s fine.

Look up the venta humidifier. It spins a plastic cylinder of disks slowly and blows air over it. I got mine shipped from home depot but Amazon has them too. Get that and a bottle of steramine tablets. Put a half in once a month or two when you clean it. It won't get nasty, you don't need to replace any paper filters, it doesn't get mildew or messy gross like ultrasonic. And seems well built enough to actually be bifl.

This is discussed often on here. Add the Venta to your list. Expensive initially but no paper filters to replace and it's fully cleanable, unlike any of the mist humidifiers that build up gunk where you can't get at it, seals disintegrate etc. protip: look into stearamine tablets for the paper or venta humidifier. WIth a monthly or so cleaning, and a half to full tablet added each cleaning, I don't get Any slime buildup ever. Cheap too.