AquaOasis Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
AquaOasis | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | Budget-friendly Humidity | ||||
Price | $50 List $29.97 at Amazon | $60 List | $55 List $39.98 at Amazon | $50 List | $40 List $33.94 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | This effective compact unit is relatively quiet but it is harder to clean and use than much of the competition | Effective humidifier with a wallet-friendly price that is somewhat loud but very effective | Simple, quiet ultrasonic humidification, but best for smaller spaces | Cute, baby-centric option that is super quiet and easy to clean but it is less effective than most of the competition | A louder ultrasonic option that is small and less effective than most but easy to clean and lower in price |
Rating Categories | AquaOasis | TaoTronics TT-AH001 | Crane Drop | TaoTronics TT-AH038 | Honeywell HUL520 |
Ease of Cleaning (35%) | |||||
Effectiveness (35%) | |||||
Noise (20%) | |||||
Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
Specs | AquaOasis | TaoTronics TT-AH001 | Crane Drop | TaoTronics TT-AH038 | Honeywell HUL520 |
Mist Type | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool |
Technology | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
Tank Capacity | 0.58 gal | 1.1 gal | 1 gal | 0.66 gal | 0.5 gal |
Visible Water Reservoir | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Room Humidification Area (Sq Ft) | Not Listed | 322 sq ft | 500 sq ft | 269 sq ft | Small Room |
Max Run Time | Over 24 hrs | Up to 30 hrs | Up to 24 hrs | Up to 30 hrs | Up to 20 hrs |
Humidity Output Control | Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control Humidistat |
Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control | Variable Mist Control |
Demineralization Cartridge/Filter | No | No | Available for Purchase | No | No |
Night Light | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Empty Tank Auto-Shut Off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dimensions (BGL) | 8.5"W x 10"H x 6"L | 6"W x 9"H x 11.4"L | 8.7"W x 13"H x 8.7"L | 8.3"W x 12.2"H x 5.5"L | 8.1"W x 8.8"H x 8.1"L |
Empty Weight (BGL) | 1.58 lbs | 1.83 lbs | 2.24 lbs | 3.71 lbs | 2.6 lbs |
Max Operation Noise Level in dB (BGL) | 40.7 db | 41.7 db | <40 db | <40 db | 45.2 db |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The AquaOasis website is limited and doesn't offer any information beyond an explanation of a single humidifier. There is no information on the company or whether it is a manufacturer or distributor.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Cleaning
The AquaOasis is one of the hardest to clean in this group. During testing, it was more challenging than most of the competition. It does come with a smaller brush to clean the ultrasonic plate and smaller spaces in the base, but the odd shape and tiny opening on the tank make it harder to clean well and ensure you must have a dedicated bottle brush to reach the bottom of the vessel. It is also impossible to dry the tank unless you let it air dry for several days as there are areas where water can collect and won't drain.
The instructions for this product include cleaning the tank every 2-3 weeks and the base every week with a cleaning agent and water. The instructions are not very detailed and leave much up to interpretation, including what kind of “cleaning agent” is safe.
Effectiveness
This product is more effective than much of the competition. During testing, it proved it could meet or outpace the competition. This unit starts about average, but over time it proved it had the ability to increase the test room's relative humidity higher than the other products we tested. At the 180 minute mark, it reached a relative humidity of over 90%. If your only goal is high long-term relative humidity, you might be drawn to this option. However, there are options with similar output results that scored better in other metrics.
This product produces less white dust than much of the competition during testing with tap water. It doesn't have a filter, which makes this impressive, but not enough to make this your product of choice.
Noise
The AquaOasis is one of the quieter options we tested, with a maximum decibel level of 41 dB. While not the quietest option we tested, it is better than those that reached a high of 46. None of the competition is truly loud or disruptive, but even if your goal is to find the most silent product available, this is not it.
Ease of Use
This ultrasonic humidifier has an auto shut off when the tank is empty and a directional disk on the top to help position mist where you want it most. The front of the unit has a single dial for mist level adjustment, and you can't set timers or humidity level limits. While easy to use, it lacks some useful features and baby-centric additions like a nightlight.
In addition, the opening on this unit is tiny; this coupled with the vessel shape means it is harder to fill and requires constant supervision and hands-on involvement. While it has a handle on the top for carrying, it doesn't help while filling and makes the top curved so it can't sit flat. We do like the idea of a handle, but this design isn't the most useful.