Solenco's Ultrasonic humidifier solves many of the issues caused by cold, dry South African winters. It's not perfect, but no humidifiers are. There is a slight dip in temperature when operating it even with a warm setting, but waking up with a functioning nose is worth the R2,000 price tag.
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Design
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Features
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Performance
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Value
The average South African winter often feels like an ongoing conspiracy to strip the human body of every drop of moisture. Between the cold, dry winds of the Highveld and the relentless use of different heaters to survive chilly Randburg evenings, the indoor air becomes incredibly dry.
The human body is roughly 60% water. Even so, it’s easy to realise that this environment leaves skin feeling dry and flaky. That’s to say nothing of throbbing sinuses and waking up with such a thick tongue you could be forgiven for thinking you had spent the night hitting the bottle or in a smoky environment. Nobody likes that. So when the Solenco Ultrasonic humidifier arrived at Stuff HQ, it was quickly snatched up for review.
The Highveld dilemma
Living in Johannesburg means contending with harsh, dry winters. Yes, there are cheap, flimsy humidifying options available from online stores, or as occasional gifts from well-meaning friends. These often take the form of an attractive small unit bought on a whim for aromatherapy benefits. These devices lack humidity control. Solenco’s Ultrasonic may be compact, but it is designed to raise the humidity levels in a room up to 60m², making it more than capable of handling a standard open-plan living room or a largish bedroom.
Top-Filling
Solenco’s unit comes with a top-filling design, making it very convenient to refill the tank. We have to say we did this every day. You can fill it with a jug; just pour the water directly into the top of the machine. There is no lifting, no turning upside down, and absolutely no wrestling with awkward tank caps. For elderly users or those who have just done a gruelling workout, this feature makes the unit a lot more user-friendly than previous ones we have tried.
The humidifier is equipped with an auto-restart function. So if you have a power cut or turn it off, the device automatically resumes its previous settings. It remembers the humidity preferences without having to manually change the controls all the time. You are able to adjust the settings for humidity from 40 – 80%.
Good night
It also has a Night Mode. This dims the display lights and operates at a whisper-quiet level, ensuring that even the lightest of sleepers or those who rely on white noise for rest aren’t disturbed.
Warm and cool mist functionalities are available for use in winter or summer, and the Ultrasonic has a multi-directional mist dispenser. One tip for the peak of a Highveld winter: even with the warm mist function activated, the vapour does tend to cool the room as it exits the machine. It’s worth keeping in mind if you’re keen on heating the room rather than simply moistening it.
The Solenco Ultrasonic has a silver ion sterilisation system that claims to eliminate 99.99% of bacteria. It also apparently prevents mould growth inside the 4.5-litre water reservoir, making the vapour clean and safe for children and those with respiratory issues. In the five weeks we tested it, the device experienced no mould growth. Anything longer term is something you’ll have to discover yourself.
Solenco Ultrasonic Humidifier verdict
Solenco’s Ultrasonic humidifier is a user-friendly option that proves effective even in a large room. However, its high-capacity misting requires frequent refilling for heavy users. The mist can chill the air even when using the warm setting. Whilst a little pricier than some entry-level humidifiers, with a retail price of R2,000, it offers a great piece of tech for surviving the dry winters and certainly vastly improves the negative impact of the Highveld air.
