Are You Looking For The Best Dehumidifier For Garage You Own?
Time and time again, the recommendations for the best dehumidifier for garage are met with a frown by homeowners.
The first question is, ‘Why would anyone want to dehumidify the garage of all places’? Well, if you have an empty shed for a garage, then you can just let it be. But if you are using your garage for storage, like most other human beings on this planet, then you need to consider the possibility that lack of insulation can translate into moisture and the abundance of problems that arise with it.
Picture this. You store your priced car in a garage that is damp and has condensation. Before you even know, you will be seeing signs of rusting, mildew and mold in your car. Don’t forget that your mower will not sputter to life when you take it out next season.
And if you have cardboard boxes to store your tools and sundry details, you have just laid out a buffet for silverfish.
The good part is that all these problems can be avoided by buying the best dehumidifier for garage. And contrary to popular notion, that’s not the same as a dehumidifier that you’d normally buy for your home. There’s a huge temperature difference in the two places. Not to mention that the lack of insulation means that the garage dehumidifier has to work harder to ensure that the humidity levels are maintained.
We’ll keep the tech talk for later. For now, here are the best garage dehumidifiers in the market.
#1 – Frigidaire – 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Effortless Humidity Control
[Editor Top Pick]
Let’s start the list with one of the most widely used dehumidifiers for garages and storage sheds. This is the Frigidaire 50-Pint dehumidifier that offers excellent moisture control even in extremely wet and damp conditions. Also, it is easy to use, portable and programmable which makes it the ideal choice for garages.
Extremely portable design
The Frigidaire 50-pint dehumidifier is designed for portability. It is approximately 25 inches tall and 15 inches wide. There are handles on both, the top as well as the sides that allow you to grip it with ease. Four caster wheels on the bottom glide over all kinds of surfaces allowing you to move this to your garage and back home effortlessly. It has a front loading bucket design that gives easy access and removal. The bucket itself features a carry handle with an ergonomic grip and a splash guard which reduces the chance of you leaving a water trail all the way to the drain.
Easy controls
Unlike some dehumidifiers which feature complex control buttons and remotes, the Frigidaire has a bunch of buttons on the external casing which allow you to set the desired humidity levels with ease. Other controls include fan speed, timer and filter reset. The filter which is a fine mesh is removable and just needs a rinse under a faucet to stay clean. It also features an indicator lights for ‘Tank full’ that blinks when it’s time to empty the drainage tank. For a high moisture environment with access to a drain close by, you can link it directly using a simple adapter which will drain your dehumidifier continually.
All weather operation
The Frigidaire 50-pint dehumidifier has excellent weather resistance and works flawlessly in low temperatures up to 41 degree Fahrenheit (5 degree celcius). This means that it is less likely to conk off even if you use it in a winter if an ice dam leaks into your garage. The unit is energy star certified and you are less likely to fuss over energy bills even if you have to run it all day. When the desired humidity levels are achived, it automatically shuts down.
Verdict
The Frigidaire 50-Pint dehumidifier will be the best money that you invest for your garage. If you are facing problems with mild or mold, get this beast of a unit home today. Hey, almost forgot to tell you that it has a flawless customer rating that has remained consistent over the past four to five years.
#2 – Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier, 2200 Cubic Feet
[Best Dehumidifier For Garage For The Price]
If you are looking for something more compact and more inexpensive as compared to the Frigidaire, then check out the Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier. It has a 2200 cubic feet capacity, is extremely compact and more importantly, is priced under $80.
This unit will be perfect for small garages, sheds, RVs, basement rooms and any other place that does not demand continual operation or large water tank capacities.
Compact, barebones model
Pro Breeze advertises this as a mini dehumidifier and for good reason. This is a very small and compact unit. It weighs just 5.6 pounds and that should be an indicator of how tiny this is. It has a reasonable sized water tank though. That’s 52 ounces or 1500 ml capacity. There are no control options that allow you to set the desired humidity or fan speed. Nor is there a display that informs you about the humidity levels in the room. It is ideal for plug and play operation where you plug it into a power source, switch it on and let it do its job.
Super Quiet Operation
One of the most notable features of the Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier is that it does not have a conventional compressor. Instead, it uses thermo-electric cooling to absorb moisture from the air. This cuts down on the horrible ruckus that large dehumidifiers create. It has a very dull whirring sound that’s almost negligible even if you are using this in your living room. It absorbs almost 12 ounces of water every day from the air which more than suffices for a small space.
Auto Shut Off
Despite this being a very barebones model, we were pleasantly surprised to see an auto shutoff feature integrated into the controls. So, when the 1500 ml tank is full, it shuts off automatically conserving power and indicating that it’s time for a drain. The tank is easy to remove and carry. A possible downside is that it can be cumbersome if you try to set up a continual draining system to this. It’s not impossible. But it will be time consuming and there’s a chance that it can spring leaks.
Verdict
It goes without saying that not everybody needs a full-fledged dehumidifier for their garages. The Pro Breeze Electric dehumidifier is quite popular among users for this very reason. It is inexpensive and for a small space, works much better than an overpriced unit.
#3 – Friedrich D70BP 70 Pint Dehumidifier with BUILT-IN DRAIN PUMP
From the Pro Breeze, we go straight to a commercial-grade unit that is perfect for large sized garages and homes. This is the Friedrich D70BP, an advanced dehumidifier that has a 70 pint capacity and a built-in drain pump among a laundry list of features.
This is a unit that you can lug into your garage, plug in and forget about. It will ensure that your desired humidity level is maintained without the need for babysitting it.
Stylish looking durable unit
We have seen a variety of dehumidifiers and most of them, including the #1 pick in this list look like obsolete. Not the Friedrich D70BP. This looks sleek and stylish. There are no louvers on the front panel. The casing is all-metal in a glossy white finish and the controls are mounted on top for easy-access. The design has clean lines and it is not oversized either despite the large capacity. You can easily push this to your garage and you’d be proud to give it a space where it catches attention. One of the advantages of the clean design, is that you’d spend less time cleaning it. No louvers which act like magnets for dirt.
Elaborate and easy controls
The control buttons, positioned on top of the casing allow you to set the humidity from as low as 30% to as high as 90%. Other than this, there’s a timer that can be programmable for up to 24 hours. A possible quibble is that it does not have a memory function. So, you’d have to set the timer every time you switch on or off the unit. The fan speed can be chosen from two different settings. Neither are very quiet. So, that depends on the amount of moisture in the room. The D70BP can remove up to 70 pints of water per day and is recommended for extremely wet conditions.
Auto-Draining Unit
One of the best features of the Friedrich D70BP is the auto-draining. The unit has an automatic sensor that starts to drain as and when needed. An integrated condensation bucket will collect the water which can be removed manually if need be. But that’s not required if you have a drainage close by. The D70BP, ‘BP’ stands for built-in drain pump has an integrated draining hose that connects to the rear of the unit and can be connected directly to the drain at least 15 feet away. It can pump the condensation both horizontally as well as vertically making it effortless to drain the unit.
Verdict
Friedrich may not be a brand name that you’d frequently hear while shopping for dehumidifiers. But the D70BP happens to be one of the best ones that we have seen. If you are looking for the best dehumidifier for your garage which is extremely wet, look no further.
#4 – Finether 500ml Mini Energy Saving Air Dehumidifier
In many parts of the world, humidity may mean a layer of condensation on the window or just the hint of dampness in the air. That’s the maximum that it ever gets to. If you live in a similar area and are looking for that little extra help that will keep your garage dry and clean, then check out the Finether 500ml Mini Dehumidifier.
This is a pocket-sized unit for small rooms, garages, wardrobes, toilets and RVs. It removes up to 250 ml of moisture from the air per day and has a 500 ml capacity.
Cutely designed unit
It’s not every day that you hear the word ‘cute’ being used to describe a dehumidifier. But that’s precisely the adjective that’s being used by customers around the world to describe the Finether Mini. It has a dual tone casing in white and blue and has neat contours that add to the aesthetics. The casing is ABS plastic and is durable enough for long term use. There are rubber feet on the base which keep it steady and wobble-free. Unlike conventional units which have louvers on the front, the Finether has a mesh like filter which absorbs the moisture. The controls are positioned on the front of the unit and are extremely easy to access.
Easy Operation
The Finether Mini Dehumidifier is designed for use in a room that is 10-20 meters in size. So, given the small reach of the room, it does not come with a long power cord. If you intend to place this near the window or crawl space which is the source of the humidity, you may need an extension. On the upside, it is extremely easy to use. You can just plug it in, switch it on and forget about it. When the condensation tank is full, it automatically goes into standby mode and an LED light on the control panel starts to blink indicating that it is time to drain the container. Draining the unit is reasonably easy.
Zero Noise
One of the benefits of using dehumidifiers this size is that there is no noise. The Finether Mini, like the #2 pick in this list, does not use a condenser. For this reason, it can easily be used inside the house. Most people would not even notice that a dehumidifier is switched on. Also, it is an energy saving unit that can be continually used without worrying about the energy bills escalating. Once again, an ideal choice for homes and small sized garages!
Verdict
Unless you are dealing with a lot of moisture that is leading to mold growth, a mini dehumidifier might be perfect for you. All that you need to do is ensure that you get the dimensions right.
#5 – LUOYIMAN Dehumidifier Portable Air Dehumidifier
Last but not the least; we have one for the budget-minded shopper. This is a portable mini-dehumidifier from Luoyiman. It is a new entrant into the market but has managed to garner some excellent customer reviews in very little time. The most important reason is that it priced under $40. For use in a compact living space or a garage, that’s perfect. It also has a bunch of other features which make operation easy.
Durable ABS construction
The Luoyiman dehumidifier looks identical to the Finether mini. It has a dual-tone ABS plastic casing in blue and white that is durable and can sustain a lot of wear and tear. It does tend to get scratched though. But that’s only a minor niggle and not really a deal breaker. There are louvers on the front which may require cleaning as it can easily trap dirt, pet hair and dust. But they are spaced apart and it is easy to clean it. All that it takes is a simple wipe with a cloth.
Super compact dimensions
The Luoyiman dehumidifier is only about 8 inches by 6 inches in size. This means that you can easily install it even in a tiny corner of your wardrobe. In a garage, this guy will almost be invisible. If you are travelling in your RV or out camping in humid or wet terrain, you can pack this and toss it into the boot. It has non-slip rubber mats on the base which prevents it from wobbling or moving during operation. The condensation tank has a 500 ml capacity and it removes approximately 300 ml of water per day from the air. There is an LED light indicator for ‘Full tank’ and the unit shuts off when the tank is full.
Plug and Play operation
Like most compact dehumidifiers, the Luoyiman is designed for easy plug and play operation. There is only one main large power switch which is flanked by two LED lights. One indicates power on and the other for full tank. If you want a slightly bigger unit, then Luoyiman also sells one with a 1500 ml capacity which is only slightly bigger than this unit in size.
Verdict
For its cheap price, the Luoyiman dehumidifier offers great value when used for the right application. If you have a thumbnail sized garage or a very tiny room, this will work fine. If you expect this to remove moisture from a large two to three car garage, then you’d be disappointed.
How To Select The Best Dehumidifier For Garage
With an abundance of models to choose from and a bunch of technical jargon accompanying each one, anybody who’s new to dehumidifiers has their task cut out while shopping for it.
We thought that this would be a great time to lay out a bunch of features to watch out for, especially if this is the first time you are venturing into this neck of the woods.
The size of the garage
This is where most people get it wrong and then they rant about how ineffective the dehumidifier is. Let’s face it. If you buy a puny sized device for a large garage that stores two to three cars, then you are bound to find it ineffective. The size or the capacity of the dehumidifier you buy should always be proportional to the size of the room where it will be used. The next most important factor is the conditions in which it will operate.
The conditions
What is the relative humidity in the room in which the dehumidifier will be used? If the relative humidity is above 70, then you need a professional-grade unit with a capacity of at least 50 pints. The temperature of the room is also an equally important aspect. Most budget priced dehumidifiers will not work if the temperatures fall below 12 degrees as the entire machinery freezes up. However, there are a couple of models in this list that work in temperatures as low as 5 degree Celsius.
The Humidistat
A humidistat allows you to adjust the humidity levels much like a thermostat allows you to set the desired temperature. Choosing the best dehumidifier for garage with a thermostat will let you choose the optimum humidity, which in this case will be between 40-50%. If you choose any lesser, it can start to dry out any leather components in the garage.
Mini dehumidifiers
If the conditions do not demand a powerful dehumidifier, then you can also consider a mini dehumidifier which is a compact sized unit typically with a capacity of 300-500 ml per day. That’s the amount of water that it will absorb from the air. So, before you pick one of these units, ensure that it will work for your application.
Drainage
There are two types of drainage options in dehumidifiers. One is a manual unit in which you will have to eject the condensation tank and manually empty it into a sink or a drain. The other is an automated one in which you can attach a drainage hose and link it to a drain close by. If the dehumidifier is going to be operational all day and the conditions are extremely wet, then you will mostly need an automated unit because it can be extremely cumbersome to periodically check if the tank is full and then manually empty it.
Portability
If you are choosing a large dehumidifier for garage that has a capacity of 50-70 pints, then you will need to ensure that it is a portable unit. Most units that size have caster wheels on the bottom. But that’s not enough. Check if they have handles which allow you to move the unit easily. If you will only be using the dehumidifier during selected months of the year, then you will need to consider the storage for the unit when it’s not in use.
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Resources
- http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?108422-Dehumidifying-a-2-car-garage
- http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17229&showall=1
- http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/288323-dehumidification-system-garages.html
- http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c1-and-c2-corvettes/2873454-bought-a-dehumidifier-for-the-garage.html