This isnt unique to Frigidaire machines, but its a real disappointment to those affected. In overnight testing in a 3,100-square-foot-space, it completely filled its 16.9-pint (2.1-gallon) tank in under 12 hours on high.
ft. Would a 35pt work? portable air conditioners, By knowing the dehumidifiers square footage as well as your area, you can quickly find a suitable unit. Dehumidifiers of the type we review here have limits. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times.
Compared with the Frigidaire, the APER50LZs few minor shortcomings include narrow, pocket-style handles that provide a less secure grip, as well as the lack of a place to wrap up the cord when youre moving the machine around or putting it in storage. Unsurprisingly, we consider the 35 pint equivalent the FFAD3533W1 to be the best 35 pint dehumidifier currently on the market. Dehumidifiers are not powerful enough to overcome regular basement flooding or to dry out saturated walls and floors after a flood or other major weather event; those jobs require large blower-type fans and potentially a commercial-grade portable dehumidifier. With the compressor on, it draws 260 wattsless than half of what its 50-pint cousins useso youll save a few bucks on your electrical bill.
However, we still consider it a medium capacity dehumidifier and believe it to be the third best such option on the market tod, Is it better to get a 35 pint or 22 pint dehumidifier for a 3 room 700 sq ft basement. refrigeration accessories, built in dishwashers,
Two hooks on the back of the machine let you wrap its cord into a compact coil; most others leave you to improvise cord storage on your own. Again, the pumplessbut otherwise identicalFFAD50331W is less expensive. The Frigidaire does not have a pump, however; youll need to empty the bucket yourself or use a garden hose to passively direct water into a drain.
By comparing your space to the points above, you can quickly get an idea of the humidity-situation going on in your home.
We prefer the former, but the pocket handles provide enough grip to move the FFAD2233W1 securely (it weighs about 35 pounds). Im comparing the Honeywell TP70WKN and the hOmeLabs HME020006N. A measure of how often you would need to empty the tank in order to reach the claimed pts/day. This means that our 35 pint dehumidifier recommendations almost always mirror our 50 pint recommendations.
Two of our test models were Wi-Fienabled, which allowed them to be controlled and monitored remotely via an app.
We spoke with a Frigidaire representative who shared with us internal help-center logs that showed no uptick in the number of failure complaints. Made for spaces of up to about 1,200 square feet, the Gallerys Wi-Fi connectivity alerts you when the tank is full. Frigidaires FFAD2233W1 dehumidifier is smaller than our other picksthink carry-on bag versus suitcaseand costs far less. Mini dehumidifiers can generally cover between 100 and 300 square feet, depending on the model. Reactivate now
(We tested the pump at a vertical lift of 10 feet, enough to get water out of most basements; it had no problem doing so, and like all our pump-equipped contenders is rated to go farther, to 16 vertical feet.).
Under current DOE standards for dehumidifiers, thats a weighted average of their draw with the energy-intensive compressor on and during idle periods, when only the fan is running.). You can do this by keeping the doors open so the dehumidifier can draw air from all rooms. But in addition to the washable prefilter that the machine comes with, which is there to capture relatively large airborne contaminants such as pet hair, Frigidaire offers two upgraded filters, the RAC-1 and RAC-2, that can capture small airborne particles like pollen and mold spores.
If the relative humidity in your air is consistently running higher than that, a dehumidifier is what you need. We can help.
The FFAD2233W1 is Energy Star rated, meaning it meets federal standards for energy efficiency.
The Frigidaire And if you need to dehumidify only a single bedroom, laundry room, or other small space, check out our smaller, cheaper Frigidaire pick below.
A full list follows below: Note: the Black+Decker is a 30 pint unit compared to the 35 pint Frigidaire and 35 pint hOmeLabs. But it shares several of the design details that give the 50-pint Frigidaire models the edge in their category, like the user-friendly external drain-hose attachment. At the end of each test, we weighed the amount of water the dehumidifier had condensed. So we test them in tough conditions, continuously adding moisture to the air using the powerful Levoit LV600HH, the runner-up pick in our guide to the best humidifiers.
Owner satisfaction is based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their dehumidifier brand to their friends and family. If youve ever used the words musty, muggy, dank, fuggy, wet, mildewy, or the dreaded moist to describe the air in your home, you may need a dehumidifier. vanities & mirrors, However, there are also smaller models at 20 pints or even very large units that can remove more than 100 pints.
dryers,
Noise denotes loudness at the highest setting, measured in decibels. Tank size is our measurement after the tank was full.
Black Friday Deals, Weve also seen a number of reports in recent monthsrepresenting a tiny fraction of the overall reviewsof this model failing completely within a year or so of purchase. This is seen in the fact that the row above it shows that a dehumidifier that size can also handle a room that is a little larger.
In 2020, as in past guides, we focused on the first and last categories: large- and small-space models.
We may or may not be compensated for purchased you make as a result of our recommendation. models like the FFAD3533W1 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those Frigidaire makes it easier than most other manufacturers to connect a passive drain hose, placing the attachment point on the outside of its machines instead of in the confines of the tank compartment.
Their 1,200 square foot model is a 22-pint, and apt for perhaps 500 square feetand the claims for their 3,000-square-foot 35-pint and 4,500-square-foot 50-pint are even further out of proportion with reality. trash compactors,
Thanks,
This is especially true if you need to empty the tank frequently. I live in a 600sq ft apartment, in a humid climate.
Power consumption: The Honeywell is 6.6 A / 759 W but I cant find it for homelabs. Under the new DOE regulations, what was a 70-pint large space model is now considered about a 50-pint, what was a midsize 50-pint is now about a 35-pint, and what was a 30-pint small space model is now about a 22-pint.
But they dont work well enough, removing only about 25 ouncesless than 2 pintsof moisture from the air per day. Thoughtful design also set the Frigidaire apart: A tuck-away handle and a cord hanger make it easier to move in and out of storage when its not needed. Since we last updated this guide, several readers have reported that their Frigidaire dehumidifier died after only a short time, and reviews on other sites also raise the issue.
(The machines we tested were unchanged for 2021 and 2022, so we have not retested.) faucets,
Theoretically, yes, and heres why: A larger dehumidifier will work faster at drawing moisture out of the air. You can find different models ranging in capacities with the most common being 30, 50 and 70 pints. It can also be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Looks like air flow is from the side, not thru the top.
Skip emptying the water bucket -- this unit continuously drains your dehumidifier so that you don't have to lift a finger.
Finally, we dismissed numerous no-name brands found on Amazon.
Phone alerts from your dehumidifier are more appealing than you might think.
2. almost always have exactly the same control panel and with that exactly the same functionality.
listed below. That meant the manufacturers had to reengineer their dehumidifiers, which in turn resulted in a wholesale revamp of the dehumidifiers available for sale in the United States in 2020.
If you live in a cold environment, youre probably often advised against buying a dehumidifier.
And a just a little damp room might need one that is slightly smaller. The ideal room humidity for comfort and health is between 30% and 50%. And for that reason, most 50-pint dehumidifiers draw about the same amount of power: 545 watts.
Like our top pick, the FFAP5033W1 and FFAD5033W1 have sturdy tuck-away handles on top, making them easier to move around than other similar dehumidifiers, most of which have shallow pocket handles on their sides.
(The filters were not available during our previous tests; well measure how they perform in the next round of testing, scheduled for summer 2022.).
A 50-pint might be bulkier, but its important to get the moisture out to avoid mold or mildew. To answer that question, simply find 1,000 square feet in the left column, and the right column shows that a dehumidifier with a 55 pints per day capacity will effectively dehumidify that area. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Have tried the recommended 50pt Frigidaire but the fins froze up on high or low blower speed so took back the next day. However, the dehumidifier might be needed somewhere else.
(It tucks away when not needed, meaning it wont snag clothes or anything else if you store your dehumidifier in a closet during the off-season.)
Air Conditioners vs. Dehumidifiers. All content found on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Unit has a filter cleaning indicator to remind you when the filter needs to be cleaned. In this case, an LGR dehumidifier is beneficial.
The GE reduced the humidity in our test space just as well as the Frigidaire, it filled its tank in our informal overnight test, and its pump had no trouble raising the water 10 feet above the floor. For those who are unsure, heres how to measure a room: It can be difficult to know exactly where the dehumidifier will be used in the future.
Cyber Monday Deals, Washer & Dryer Sets,
But if you need to dehumidify a very large and/or wet space, you might have to empty the tank several times a day.
Dehumidifiers need to do one thing well: keep the air comfortably dry and, by the same token, at a moisture level that discourages mold and mildew. Your home might be recovering from a flood or significant leak in the pipes. *At the time of publishing, the price was $310.
But none of these differences are dealbreakers.
(The dehumidifier still works if the pump breaks.)
We independently review everything we recommend.
This model is powerful enough for spaces as large as 1,200 square feet, its built-in pump offers lots of drainage options, and design details make it easy to live with.
But if it is in a large room with no floor drains, some models have a pump and long drain line that can be routed to a sink or even out a window to get rid of the water.
Enjoy more cooling flexibility with three different fan speeds. The FGAC5044W1 performed well, outpacing the Levoit LV600HH and dropping the moisture in the air by 12%, from the upper 50s to the mid-40s, over the course of just an hour on both high and low, with the humidifier on matching settings.
Apart from that, using a large capacity unit in a small area will dehumidify the room quicker, so you can save energy. Whats the right dehumidifier for 500 sq ft?
Most models can be set for on and off, some only for off. Whole-house dehumidifiers are designed to cover large areas of up to 3,000 square feet or more. The bottom line is that a 35 pint dehumidifier is all but the equivalent of its 50 pint counterpart. Again, locate the room size, or 500 sq ft, in the left column.
If you live in a very humid climate like the southeast and southern US, add 10 pints to the dehumidifier size. In addition, you must consider how humid your home or space is and then choose accordingly.
Theyre also more energy-efficient and effective at drying already dry air (2). Exact noise output data is given in this guide.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $289.
The temperature down there is currently 62 degrees.
The low setting is quiet enough to sleep near, and you mostly hear the white noise of the fan, not the mechanical chugging of the compressor as you would with some other machines.
This will be able to pull a significant amount of moisture quickly, and it wont get overwhelmed, causing it to use more energy.
Its Wi-Fi connectivity lets you monitor and control it via Frigidaires app (iOS and Android), and it can also be synced with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control. There are a few examples below to show how this chart is used.
We wish it had a pump, which eliminates the need for manual drainage, but if you can place it near a drain, the Gallery (like all dehumidifiers) can be set to drain itself passively via a length of hose. For smaller areas between 500 and 1,000 square feet, we suggest that you choose a 30-pint unit.
Beyond its primary dehumidifying function, the FGAC5044W1 contains an ionizing air purifier. As we do with the ionizers found in some of our air-purifier picks, we recommend leaving it off, as these are of dubious utility and can generate small amounts of ozone.
It appears those rated for 41 degrees wont work, so what would you recommend? coffee systems, For this type of environment, nothing will beat a refrigerant model. Dehumidifiers test program at We also measured ability to run on low voltage and restart after a simulated blackout; models that didn't automatically restart are footnoted. Also notable, and in a rare nice touch, Frigidaire attaches the plug to the machine via a handy plastic leash.
This accounts for a slight reduction in weight.
humidors, a smaller compressor).
We prefer the Frigidaire machines over their GE counterpart for the helpful design elements mentioned above. Would that work better?
The size of the dehumidifier refers to its capacity in pints, which shows how many pints of moisture it can remove.
FAQs or access your disposers,
This can cause the dehumidifier to waste energy and if left, it can damage the unit from the inside, Mold will begin to grow within 24 and 48 hours if the space isnt dried. Otherwise identical, this dehumidifier lacks a pump, limiting you to manually emptying the tank or passively sending the water down a floor drain. The Frigidaires noise output seemed primarily to be the white noise of its fan, which we found easy to ignore.
If you dont mind emptying a tank manually (which may be necessary several times a day), or if you can can send the water down a basement-floor drain via a gravity-fed garden hose, the otherwise identical, pumpless Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is a less expensive option. range hoods,
On the other hand, if you choose one thats too small, it might not be able to handle dehumidifying your home.
The refrigerant liquid is pumped through the system, converting between gas and liquid form as it cools and heats.
To get a sense of their livability in a bedroom or a living room, we also measured the dehumidifiers noise outputs from a distance of 6 feet.
The initial price is generally higher compared to portable units, but theyre cheaper in the long run.
How to Dehumidify a Room: 8 Oh So Spotless-Approved Methods.
That said, pumps add up-front and potentially future costs (such as a repair or return if it breaks down).
Would be draining thru a hose and dont need a pump unit.
In smaller spaces, we recommend a 50-pint.
beer coolers & kegerators, When hes not here, hes on his bike.
on Frigidaire 22 pint, 35 pint and 50 pint de-humifiers are fan noise levels different at hi, med, low speeds??
Instead, we recommend you try out a 30-pint dehumidifier for large spaces of around 2,500 square feet.
If you live in the south where it seems like the humidity just simply wont go lower than 70 percent, you need a strong dehumidifier. If there are more than 5 people living in the house or apartment, add 5 pints to the dehumidifier size. The GE also offers no means of wrapping up the cord when storing or repositioning it. Use less energy, reduce your energy usage and ultimately lower your utility bills. Humidistat accuracy is how closely humidistats came to keeping the humidity levels we set for them in our test chamber.
We live in a temperate climate. During that time weve learned the following: Compared to high capacity (50 pint) units, medium capacity (35 pint) units, 1. are usually the same size often exactly the same length, width, and height.
When you tip the tank to do so, water also leaks out around the lids edges and onto your hands. Note that according to the manufacturers all tested models require a minimum of 12" of air space around the unit for proper performance.
And none of the cheaper small-space models weve seen include pumps. Noise denotes loudness at the highest setting, measured in decibels. And we like the versatility its pump affords: All dehumidifiers have to be regularly drained of the water they remove from the air, and the FFAP5033W1s pump lets you automatically direct the water into a sink or out a window. As with all smart appliances, some owners report trouble with setup and bugginess, but we found the app stable and easy to usein contrast to the LGs, which repeatedly disconnected. We recommend the 50 pint hOmeLabs HME020031N as a more budget friendly alternative to the FFAD5033W1. This simulated, respectively, conditions in a very damp cellar after a rain event and conditions in a moderately humid living space. This chart doesnt show what dehumidifier for 500 sq ft is needed, so choose the next larger room size, which is 576 square feet.
I think the Honeywell is 51 dbA but cant find it for homelabs.
Although the LGs measured similarly (even a bit lower) in terms of decibel output, their compressors were much more audible, emitting a persistent mechanical hum that was easily heard over their fans white noise.
Claimed pints/day are per manufacturers, at 65 F and 60 percent relative humidity. While the pump makes the FFAP5033W1 a particularly versatile dehumidifier, a malfunctioning pump is also a common source of owner complaints, so weigh that risk against the convenience of not having to drain the tank manually. That said, the pump is also an extra part that can fail, and some negative owner reviews mention this happening. To help you out a little more, follow the guide below to see what dehumidifier would suit your space.
First, make sure it is the right size by using the charts above. The auto-defrost feature will enable the unit to temporarily stop dehumidifying while it melts the frost. Refrigerant dehumidifiers cant function in cooler temperatures. I ordered a 22 pint, and they sent me a 35 pint instead.
The reality is that all the dehumidifiers weve tested perform about the same, but the Frigidaire Gallerys especially quiet operation and ability to alert you when it needs to be drained set it apart from the competition.
Our pick: Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 50-pint dehumidifier with Wi-Fi controls, Runner-up picks: Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 and FFAD5033W1 50-pint dehumidifiers, Also great: GE APER50LZ 50-pint dehumidifier, Also great: Frigidaire FFAD2233W1 22-pint dehumidifier, Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier, needlessly tricky removal of the plug that comes installed, How to Clean Stuffed Animals and Dolls (Trust Us, Theyre Gross), How Our Readers Made Wirecutter Better in November and December 2020.
In smaller rooms, it can be difficult to fit a large 70-pint dehumidifier. For an earlier version of this guide, Wirecutter writer Kevin Purdy ran four 70-pint machines for a week at a time in his 850-square-foot cellar in Buffalo, New York, and in Wirecutter writer Nick Guys similar Buffalo basement, both of which experienced naturally high humidity.
In smaller areas between 500 square feet and 1,000, we recommend a 10- or 20-pint dehumidifier. This will NEVER affect our opinion of a product or service! If you want a room to be both drier and cooler, air-conditioning should be your first choice when possible, whether that means installing a window AC or running new central-air ducts.
This GE matches the top-pick Frigidaires power, but its cumbersome drain-hose attachment and lack of cord storage make it less user friendly.
2022 AJ Madison Inc. or its affiliates.
Water damage in the home requires immediate attention.
When shopping for a dehumidifier, there are three main things you need to know to choose the right size and model of dehumidifier: The size of the area to be dehumidified, how humid the area is, and special features you want to have on your unit. Homeowners prefer mini dehumidifiers in the bedroom because theyre very quiet. This humidifier can dehumidify up to 35 pints per day.
Fortunately, 30-pint units are still small enough in dimension that they can fit in compromised spaces. After additional testing, the smart Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 is our new pick.
mini split air conditioners, Connecting a drain hose is easier to do on a Frigidaire, where the drain-hose attachment is on the outside of the machines.
We tested the Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 and the LG UD501KOJ5, both 50-pint machines with Wi-Fi controls, and the Frigidaire was the clear winner. Cleaning a dehumidifier takes just a few minutes per month and can prolong the life of the machine. In an apartment, you might already know the total square feet or the apartment manager should know.
Our measurements include all protrusions and are rounded up to the nearest inch.
On every machine, you can do this manually by removing the tank and dumping the water down a drain. In 2018, he established Wirecutters ongoing collaboration with The New York Timess Smarter Living. For previous versions of this guide, we had difficulty getting customer support from Whynter; again, we think better-known brands will serve you better on warranties and repairs. Its our attempt to replicate the conditions in our original mid-2010s test spaces, a pair of unfinished basements in Buffalo during that citys sodden spring weather.
Their claimed square-footage ratings are wildly overblown. Using our research and our past testing as a guide, we selected eight dehumidifiers, from a list of nearly 20 contenders, to test.
Unlock to see our ratings and compare products side by side. laundry accessories, room air conditioners, This Dehumidifier Sizing Guide includes three separate Tables showing the right size dehumidifier based on.
Not basement or garage.)
(You can buy a separate condensate pump to add this capability to a non-pump model.).
Unfortunately, it shares the larger machines awkward manual draining: The splash-preventing lid on the tank makes pouring the water out a somewhat drippy affair. They may save you a few dollars, but we strongly doubt they have the same quality and customer service as better-known manufacturers.
As the air is drawn in through a fan, it passes the rotor where moisture is adsorbed.
Simply find that number in the left column and you will see that it will dehumidify a room up to 2,000 square feet.
to get the information you were looking for!
Is a 50 pint dehumidifier enough for the basement?
They are highly and heavily reviewed on Amazon, but Fakespot gives them only a C rating, with the quality of reviews low.
Here are a few examples: When deciding on the right size dehumidifier for your basement, there are two factors to consider: square footage and conditions. To help give you a better idea of what type of dehumidifier might suit you, here are a few examples.
Furthermore, a dehumidifiers capacity will give you a rough idea of how much space it can cover.
The pump allows you to place it almost anywhere, too, because it can direct the condensed water up and into a sink or out a window.
If the space has many windows and exterior doors, add 5 pints to the dehumidifier size.
This will be highly effective in any space between 1,000 and 2,500 square feet without being too noisy or large.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions.
Easy Drain Line If you are using it in a basement, you may attach a drain hose to the unit and run it to a floor drain for continual draining. In less-demanding, more typical conditions in a home, we have no doubt it can maintain the ideal humidity of around 50% long termin our earlier testing in those Buffalo basements, similar Frigidaires reduced the humidity from more than 70% to 45% overnight when set on high, and thereafter held the humidity at 50% to 55% on their lowest settings, even during rainy weather. Why Does Dehumidifier Freeze Up and How to Fix It? The models in this guide work by drawing air over chilled metal fins, causing water vapor in the air to condense and drain into a tank, from which it is then drained. Rene has worked 10 years in the HVAC field and now is the Senior Comfort Specialist for PICKHVAC. Consumer Reports.
If you can find the GE machine more easily or at a better price, its a solid choice.
The best 50 pint dehumidifier weve tested is the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1. Each test ran for an hour, during which we monitored the change in humidity using a digital hygrometer.
Our measurements include all protrusions and are rounded up to the nearest inch.
ft. Would a 35pt work? portable air conditioners, By knowing the dehumidifiers square footage as well as your area, you can quickly find a suitable unit. Dehumidifiers of the type we review here have limits. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times.
Compared with the Frigidaire, the APER50LZs few minor shortcomings include narrow, pocket-style handles that provide a less secure grip, as well as the lack of a place to wrap up the cord when youre moving the machine around or putting it in storage. Unsurprisingly, we consider the 35 pint equivalent the FFAD3533W1 to be the best 35 pint dehumidifier currently on the market. Dehumidifiers are not powerful enough to overcome regular basement flooding or to dry out saturated walls and floors after a flood or other major weather event; those jobs require large blower-type fans and potentially a commercial-grade portable dehumidifier. With the compressor on, it draws 260 wattsless than half of what its 50-pint cousins useso youll save a few bucks on your electrical bill.
However, we still consider it a medium capacity dehumidifier and believe it to be the third best such option on the market tod, Is it better to get a 35 pint or 22 pint dehumidifier for a 3 room 700 sq ft basement. refrigeration accessories, built in dishwashers,
Two hooks on the back of the machine let you wrap its cord into a compact coil; most others leave you to improvise cord storage on your own. Again, the pumplessbut otherwise identicalFFAD50331W is less expensive. The Frigidaire does not have a pump, however; youll need to empty the bucket yourself or use a garden hose to passively direct water into a drain.
By comparing your space to the points above, you can quickly get an idea of the humidity-situation going on in your home.
We prefer the former, but the pocket handles provide enough grip to move the FFAD2233W1 securely (it weighs about 35 pounds). Im comparing the Honeywell TP70WKN and the hOmeLabs HME020006N. A measure of how often you would need to empty the tank in order to reach the claimed pts/day. This means that our 35 pint dehumidifier recommendations almost always mirror our 50 pint recommendations.
Two of our test models were Wi-Fienabled, which allowed them to be controlled and monitored remotely via an app.
We spoke with a Frigidaire representative who shared with us internal help-center logs that showed no uptick in the number of failure complaints. Made for spaces of up to about 1,200 square feet, the Gallerys Wi-Fi connectivity alerts you when the tank is full. Frigidaires FFAD2233W1 dehumidifier is smaller than our other picksthink carry-on bag versus suitcaseand costs far less. Mini dehumidifiers can generally cover between 100 and 300 square feet, depending on the model. Reactivate now
(We tested the pump at a vertical lift of 10 feet, enough to get water out of most basements; it had no problem doing so, and like all our pump-equipped contenders is rated to go farther, to 16 vertical feet.).
Under current DOE standards for dehumidifiers, thats a weighted average of their draw with the energy-intensive compressor on and during idle periods, when only the fan is running.). You can do this by keeping the doors open so the dehumidifier can draw air from all rooms. But in addition to the washable prefilter that the machine comes with, which is there to capture relatively large airborne contaminants such as pet hair, Frigidaire offers two upgraded filters, the RAC-1 and RAC-2, that can capture small airborne particles like pollen and mold spores.
If the relative humidity in your air is consistently running higher than that, a dehumidifier is what you need. We can help.
The FFAD2233W1 is Energy Star rated, meaning it meets federal standards for energy efficiency.
The Frigidaire And if you need to dehumidify only a single bedroom, laundry room, or other small space, check out our smaller, cheaper Frigidaire pick below.
A full list follows below: Note: the Black+Decker is a 30 pint unit compared to the 35 pint Frigidaire and 35 pint hOmeLabs. But it shares several of the design details that give the 50-pint Frigidaire models the edge in their category, like the user-friendly external drain-hose attachment. At the end of each test, we weighed the amount of water the dehumidifier had condensed. So we test them in tough conditions, continuously adding moisture to the air using the powerful Levoit LV600HH, the runner-up pick in our guide to the best humidifiers.
Owner satisfaction is based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their dehumidifier brand to their friends and family. If youve ever used the words musty, muggy, dank, fuggy, wet, mildewy, or the dreaded moist to describe the air in your home, you may need a dehumidifier. vanities & mirrors, However, there are also smaller models at 20 pints or even very large units that can remove more than 100 pints.
dryers,
Noise denotes loudness at the highest setting, measured in decibels. Tank size is our measurement after the tank was full.
Black Friday Deals, Weve also seen a number of reports in recent monthsrepresenting a tiny fraction of the overall reviewsof this model failing completely within a year or so of purchase. This is seen in the fact that the row above it shows that a dehumidifier that size can also handle a room that is a little larger.
In 2020, as in past guides, we focused on the first and last categories: large- and small-space models.
We may or may not be compensated for purchased you make as a result of our recommendation. models like the FFAD3533W1 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those Frigidaire makes it easier than most other manufacturers to connect a passive drain hose, placing the attachment point on the outside of its machines instead of in the confines of the tank compartment.
Their 1,200 square foot model is a 22-pint, and apt for perhaps 500 square feetand the claims for their 3,000-square-foot 35-pint and 4,500-square-foot 50-pint are even further out of proportion with reality. trash compactors,
Thanks,
This is especially true if you need to empty the tank frequently. I live in a 600sq ft apartment, in a humid climate.
Power consumption: The Honeywell is 6.6 A / 759 W but I cant find it for homelabs. Under the new DOE regulations, what was a 70-pint large space model is now considered about a 50-pint, what was a midsize 50-pint is now about a 35-pint, and what was a 30-pint small space model is now about a 22-pint.
But they dont work well enough, removing only about 25 ouncesless than 2 pintsof moisture from the air per day. Thoughtful design also set the Frigidaire apart: A tuck-away handle and a cord hanger make it easier to move in and out of storage when its not needed. Since we last updated this guide, several readers have reported that their Frigidaire dehumidifier died after only a short time, and reviews on other sites also raise the issue.
(The machines we tested were unchanged for 2021 and 2022, so we have not retested.) faucets,
Theoretically, yes, and heres why: A larger dehumidifier will work faster at drawing moisture out of the air. You can find different models ranging in capacities with the most common being 30, 50 and 70 pints. It can also be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Looks like air flow is from the side, not thru the top.
Skip emptying the water bucket -- this unit continuously drains your dehumidifier so that you don't have to lift a finger.
Finally, we dismissed numerous no-name brands found on Amazon.
Phone alerts from your dehumidifier are more appealing than you might think.
2. almost always have exactly the same control panel and with that exactly the same functionality.
listed below. That meant the manufacturers had to reengineer their dehumidifiers, which in turn resulted in a wholesale revamp of the dehumidifiers available for sale in the United States in 2020.
If you live in a cold environment, youre probably often advised against buying a dehumidifier.
And a just a little damp room might need one that is slightly smaller. The ideal room humidity for comfort and health is between 30% and 50%. And for that reason, most 50-pint dehumidifiers draw about the same amount of power: 545 watts.
Like our top pick, the FFAP5033W1 and FFAD5033W1 have sturdy tuck-away handles on top, making them easier to move around than other similar dehumidifiers, most of which have shallow pocket handles on their sides.
(The filters were not available during our previous tests; well measure how they perform in the next round of testing, scheduled for summer 2022.).
A 50-pint might be bulkier, but its important to get the moisture out to avoid mold or mildew. To answer that question, simply find 1,000 square feet in the left column, and the right column shows that a dehumidifier with a 55 pints per day capacity will effectively dehumidify that area. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Have tried the recommended 50pt Frigidaire but the fins froze up on high or low blower speed so took back the next day. However, the dehumidifier might be needed somewhere else.
(It tucks away when not needed, meaning it wont snag clothes or anything else if you store your dehumidifier in a closet during the off-season.)
Air Conditioners vs. Dehumidifiers. All content found on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Unit has a filter cleaning indicator to remind you when the filter needs to be cleaned. In this case, an LGR dehumidifier is beneficial.
The GE reduced the humidity in our test space just as well as the Frigidaire, it filled its tank in our informal overnight test, and its pump had no trouble raising the water 10 feet above the floor. For those who are unsure, heres how to measure a room: It can be difficult to know exactly where the dehumidifier will be used in the future.
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But if you need to dehumidify a very large and/or wet space, you might have to empty the tank several times a day.
Dehumidifiers need to do one thing well: keep the air comfortably dry and, by the same token, at a moisture level that discourages mold and mildew. Your home might be recovering from a flood or significant leak in the pipes. *At the time of publishing, the price was $310.
But none of these differences are dealbreakers.
(The dehumidifier still works if the pump breaks.)
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This model is powerful enough for spaces as large as 1,200 square feet, its built-in pump offers lots of drainage options, and design details make it easy to live with.
But if it is in a large room with no floor drains, some models have a pump and long drain line that can be routed to a sink or even out a window to get rid of the water.
Enjoy more cooling flexibility with three different fan speeds. The FGAC5044W1 performed well, outpacing the Levoit LV600HH and dropping the moisture in the air by 12%, from the upper 50s to the mid-40s, over the course of just an hour on both high and low, with the humidifier on matching settings.
Apart from that, using a large capacity unit in a small area will dehumidify the room quicker, so you can save energy. Whats the right dehumidifier for 500 sq ft?
Most models can be set for on and off, some only for off. Whole-house dehumidifiers are designed to cover large areas of up to 3,000 square feet or more. The bottom line is that a 35 pint dehumidifier is all but the equivalent of its 50 pint counterpart. Again, locate the room size, or 500 sq ft, in the left column.
If you live in a very humid climate like the southeast and southern US, add 10 pints to the dehumidifier size. In addition, you must consider how humid your home or space is and then choose accordingly.
Theyre also more energy-efficient and effective at drying already dry air (2). Exact noise output data is given in this guide.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $289.
The temperature down there is currently 62 degrees.
The low setting is quiet enough to sleep near, and you mostly hear the white noise of the fan, not the mechanical chugging of the compressor as you would with some other machines.
This will be able to pull a significant amount of moisture quickly, and it wont get overwhelmed, causing it to use more energy.
Its Wi-Fi connectivity lets you monitor and control it via Frigidaires app (iOS and Android), and it can also be synced with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control. There are a few examples below to show how this chart is used.
We wish it had a pump, which eliminates the need for manual drainage, but if you can place it near a drain, the Gallery (like all dehumidifiers) can be set to drain itself passively via a length of hose. For smaller areas between 500 and 1,000 square feet, we suggest that you choose a 30-pint unit.
Beyond its primary dehumidifying function, the FGAC5044W1 contains an ionizing air purifier. As we do with the ionizers found in some of our air-purifier picks, we recommend leaving it off, as these are of dubious utility and can generate small amounts of ozone.
It appears those rated for 41 degrees wont work, so what would you recommend? coffee systems, For this type of environment, nothing will beat a refrigerant model. Dehumidifiers test program at We also measured ability to run on low voltage and restart after a simulated blackout; models that didn't automatically restart are footnoted. Also notable, and in a rare nice touch, Frigidaire attaches the plug to the machine via a handy plastic leash.
This accounts for a slight reduction in weight.
humidors, a smaller compressor).
We prefer the Frigidaire machines over their GE counterpart for the helpful design elements mentioned above. Would that work better?
The size of the dehumidifier refers to its capacity in pints, which shows how many pints of moisture it can remove.
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This can cause the dehumidifier to waste energy and if left, it can damage the unit from the inside, Mold will begin to grow within 24 and 48 hours if the space isnt dried. Otherwise identical, this dehumidifier lacks a pump, limiting you to manually emptying the tank or passively sending the water down a floor drain. The Frigidaires noise output seemed primarily to be the white noise of its fan, which we found easy to ignore.
If you dont mind emptying a tank manually (which may be necessary several times a day), or if you can can send the water down a basement-floor drain via a gravity-fed garden hose, the otherwise identical, pumpless Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is a less expensive option. range hoods,
On the other hand, if you choose one thats too small, it might not be able to handle dehumidifying your home.
The refrigerant liquid is pumped through the system, converting between gas and liquid form as it cools and heats.
To get a sense of their livability in a bedroom or a living room, we also measured the dehumidifiers noise outputs from a distance of 6 feet.
The initial price is generally higher compared to portable units, but theyre cheaper in the long run.
How to Dehumidify a Room: 8 Oh So Spotless-Approved Methods.
That said, pumps add up-front and potentially future costs (such as a repair or return if it breaks down).
Would be draining thru a hose and dont need a pump unit.
In smaller spaces, we recommend a 50-pint.
beer coolers & kegerators, When hes not here, hes on his bike.
on Frigidaire 22 pint, 35 pint and 50 pint de-humifiers are fan noise levels different at hi, med, low speeds??
Instead, we recommend you try out a 30-pint dehumidifier for large spaces of around 2,500 square feet.
If you live in the south where it seems like the humidity just simply wont go lower than 70 percent, you need a strong dehumidifier. If there are more than 5 people living in the house or apartment, add 5 pints to the dehumidifier size. The GE also offers no means of wrapping up the cord when storing or repositioning it. Use less energy, reduce your energy usage and ultimately lower your utility bills. Humidistat accuracy is how closely humidistats came to keeping the humidity levels we set for them in our test chamber.
We live in a temperate climate. During that time weve learned the following: Compared to high capacity (50 pint) units, medium capacity (35 pint) units, 1. are usually the same size often exactly the same length, width, and height.
When you tip the tank to do so, water also leaks out around the lids edges and onto your hands. Note that according to the manufacturers all tested models require a minimum of 12" of air space around the unit for proper performance.
And none of the cheaper small-space models weve seen include pumps. Noise denotes loudness at the highest setting, measured in decibels. And we like the versatility its pump affords: All dehumidifiers have to be regularly drained of the water they remove from the air, and the FFAP5033W1s pump lets you automatically direct the water into a sink or out a window. As with all smart appliances, some owners report trouble with setup and bugginess, but we found the app stable and easy to usein contrast to the LGs, which repeatedly disconnected. We recommend the 50 pint hOmeLabs HME020031N as a more budget friendly alternative to the FFAD5033W1. This simulated, respectively, conditions in a very damp cellar after a rain event and conditions in a moderately humid living space. This chart doesnt show what dehumidifier for 500 sq ft is needed, so choose the next larger room size, which is 576 square feet.
I think the Honeywell is 51 dbA but cant find it for homelabs.
Although the LGs measured similarly (even a bit lower) in terms of decibel output, their compressors were much more audible, emitting a persistent mechanical hum that was easily heard over their fans white noise.
Claimed pints/day are per manufacturers, at 65 F and 60 percent relative humidity. While the pump makes the FFAP5033W1 a particularly versatile dehumidifier, a malfunctioning pump is also a common source of owner complaints, so weigh that risk against the convenience of not having to drain the tank manually. That said, the pump is also an extra part that can fail, and some negative owner reviews mention this happening. To help you out a little more, follow the guide below to see what dehumidifier would suit your space.
First, make sure it is the right size by using the charts above. The auto-defrost feature will enable the unit to temporarily stop dehumidifying while it melts the frost. Refrigerant dehumidifiers cant function in cooler temperatures. I ordered a 22 pint, and they sent me a 35 pint instead.
The reality is that all the dehumidifiers weve tested perform about the same, but the Frigidaire Gallerys especially quiet operation and ability to alert you when it needs to be drained set it apart from the competition.
Our pick: Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 50-pint dehumidifier with Wi-Fi controls, Runner-up picks: Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 and FFAD5033W1 50-pint dehumidifiers, Also great: GE APER50LZ 50-pint dehumidifier, Also great: Frigidaire FFAD2233W1 22-pint dehumidifier, Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier, needlessly tricky removal of the plug that comes installed, How to Clean Stuffed Animals and Dolls (Trust Us, Theyre Gross), How Our Readers Made Wirecutter Better in November and December 2020.
In smaller rooms, it can be difficult to fit a large 70-pint dehumidifier. For an earlier version of this guide, Wirecutter writer Kevin Purdy ran four 70-pint machines for a week at a time in his 850-square-foot cellar in Buffalo, New York, and in Wirecutter writer Nick Guys similar Buffalo basement, both of which experienced naturally high humidity.
In smaller areas between 500 square feet and 1,000, we recommend a 10- or 20-pint dehumidifier. This will NEVER affect our opinion of a product or service! If you want a room to be both drier and cooler, air-conditioning should be your first choice when possible, whether that means installing a window AC or running new central-air ducts.
This GE matches the top-pick Frigidaires power, but its cumbersome drain-hose attachment and lack of cord storage make it less user friendly.
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Water damage in the home requires immediate attention.
When shopping for a dehumidifier, there are three main things you need to know to choose the right size and model of dehumidifier: The size of the area to be dehumidified, how humid the area is, and special features you want to have on your unit. Homeowners prefer mini dehumidifiers in the bedroom because theyre very quiet. This humidifier can dehumidify up to 35 pints per day.
Fortunately, 30-pint units are still small enough in dimension that they can fit in compromised spaces. After additional testing, the smart Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 is our new pick.
mini split air conditioners, Connecting a drain hose is easier to do on a Frigidaire, where the drain-hose attachment is on the outside of the machines.
We tested the Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 and the LG UD501KOJ5, both 50-pint machines with Wi-Fi controls, and the Frigidaire was the clear winner. Cleaning a dehumidifier takes just a few minutes per month and can prolong the life of the machine. In an apartment, you might already know the total square feet or the apartment manager should know.
Our measurements include all protrusions and are rounded up to the nearest inch.
On every machine, you can do this manually by removing the tank and dumping the water down a drain. In 2018, he established Wirecutters ongoing collaboration with The New York Timess Smarter Living. For previous versions of this guide, we had difficulty getting customer support from Whynter; again, we think better-known brands will serve you better on warranties and repairs. Its our attempt to replicate the conditions in our original mid-2010s test spaces, a pair of unfinished basements in Buffalo during that citys sodden spring weather.
Their claimed square-footage ratings are wildly overblown. Using our research and our past testing as a guide, we selected eight dehumidifiers, from a list of nearly 20 contenders, to test.
Unlock to see our ratings and compare products side by side. laundry accessories, room air conditioners, This Dehumidifier Sizing Guide includes three separate Tables showing the right size dehumidifier based on.
Not basement or garage.)
(You can buy a separate condensate pump to add this capability to a non-pump model.).
Unfortunately, it shares the larger machines awkward manual draining: The splash-preventing lid on the tank makes pouring the water out a somewhat drippy affair. They may save you a few dollars, but we strongly doubt they have the same quality and customer service as better-known manufacturers.
As the air is drawn in through a fan, it passes the rotor where moisture is adsorbed.
Simply find that number in the left column and you will see that it will dehumidify a room up to 2,000 square feet.
to get the information you were looking for!
Is a 50 pint dehumidifier enough for the basement?
They are highly and heavily reviewed on Amazon, but Fakespot gives them only a C rating, with the quality of reviews low.
Here are a few examples: When deciding on the right size dehumidifier for your basement, there are two factors to consider: square footage and conditions. To help give you a better idea of what type of dehumidifier might suit you, here are a few examples.
Furthermore, a dehumidifiers capacity will give you a rough idea of how much space it can cover.
The pump allows you to place it almost anywhere, too, because it can direct the condensed water up and into a sink or out a window.
If the space has many windows and exterior doors, add 5 pints to the dehumidifier size.
This will be highly effective in any space between 1,000 and 2,500 square feet without being too noisy or large.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions.
Easy Drain Line If you are using it in a basement, you may attach a drain hose to the unit and run it to a floor drain for continual draining. In less-demanding, more typical conditions in a home, we have no doubt it can maintain the ideal humidity of around 50% long termin our earlier testing in those Buffalo basements, similar Frigidaires reduced the humidity from more than 70% to 45% overnight when set on high, and thereafter held the humidity at 50% to 55% on their lowest settings, even during rainy weather. Why Does Dehumidifier Freeze Up and How to Fix It? The models in this guide work by drawing air over chilled metal fins, causing water vapor in the air to condense and drain into a tank, from which it is then drained. Rene has worked 10 years in the HVAC field and now is the Senior Comfort Specialist for PICKHVAC. Consumer Reports.
If you can find the GE machine more easily or at a better price, its a solid choice.
The best 50 pint dehumidifier weve tested is the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1. Each test ran for an hour, during which we monitored the change in humidity using a digital hygrometer.
Our measurements include all protrusions and are rounded up to the nearest inch.