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High humidity in garages is a common problem, and unfortunately, it can be very damaging. If you have anything valuable or any cars or vehicles stored in the garage, high humidity can lead to problems with mold and rust.
Running a dehumidifier in your garage is a quick and effective way to drastically bring down the humidity level. Although you should be aware that there could be underlying causes to high humidity such as leakages.
In this guide, we will run you through the top 5 dehumidifiers for a garage and then we’ve created a buyer’s guide to help you make a well informed decision. Finally we have a FAQ section where we answer any questions you might have.
Below you can see our top pick for the best dehumidifier for a garage.
hOmeLabs HME020031N
We chose this dehumidifier mainly due to it’s large capacity and effectiveness for dehumidifying garages. We also like the relatively long warranty and the fact that it has all the features you want to see in a dehumidifier for a garage.
On This Page
Top 5 Dehumidifiers for Garage
Below you can find our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers for a garage. You can compare the basic features or click on the dehumidifier model and skip to our full review.
| Editor's Picks | Dehumidifier | Size | Water Tank | Draining | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | hOmeLabs HME020031N | 70 pints | 1.8 gallon | Yes | Amazon |
| Best With Pump | Frigidaire FFAP7033T1 | 70 pints | 13.1 pints | Yes | Amazon |
| Best for Large Garages | Aprilaire 1850 Pro | 95 pints | N/A | Yes | Amazon |
| Best for Small Garages | hOmelabs HME020006N | 50 pints | 1.8 gallon | Yes | Amazon |
| Best Budget | Pro Breeze Mini Dehumidifier | 8 ounces | 16 ounces | No | Amazon |
1. hOmeLabs HME020031N
The hOmelabs dehumidifier checks all the boxes for what you should be looking for in a garage dehumidifier. It has a large capacity at 70 pints, a humidistat to keep a stable humidity level, continuous draining, and an auto-drost feature allowing you to use it in cold temperatures.
There are a few dehumidifiers which meet these criteria, but we chose the hOmelabs for a couple of reasons. First, it has a better warranty than most competitiors at two years, and based on the Amazon reviews, the manufacturer is very good at dealing with any issues you may have. Secondly, the price is reasonable and you get a well built dehumidifier with all the features you could want for a relatively low cost.
Another thing we like is that when you use the continuous draining system, it bypasses the water tank which is good because dehumidifier water tanks can become a hotbed for mold. (Which is ironic since mold is often a problem a dehumidifier is supposed to solve!) We also like the sleek design of the hOmelabs.
The downside of the hOmelabs is that it doesn’t include a hose for the continuous draining or a built-in pump. These are fairly minor issues though. You can pick up a hose for a low cost on Amazon, and if you need to use a pump (you will if you want to drain the dehumidifier out of somewhere higher than the unit itself), you can buy an external pump like the Little Giant. Built-in dehumidifer pumps are often not as good as external pumps anyway, so the lack of pump in the hOmelabs isn’t neccessarily a bad thing.
2. Frigidaire FFAP7033T1
This Frigidair dehumidifier is very similar to the hOmelabs in terms of the features and specifications. It too has a 70 pint capacity, humidistat, auto-shutoff, auto-restart, and auto-defrost.
There are two main reasons we chose the hOmelabs as our top pick over this unit: the price and warranty. Dehumidifiers are notorious for breaking down after a few months to years like many appliances. The hOmelabs has a 2 year warranty (which can be extended by a further 6 months) wheras the Frigidaire has a 1 year warranty. The hOmelabs is also a little bit less expensive. One thing to note is that the build quality of the Frigidaire is better than the hOmelabs and it’s quieter too.
Another difference between these two dehumidifier is the fact that the Frigidaire has a built-in pump so you can drain the tank out of somewhere higher than the dehumidifier itself. If it all works out, this is great because you save on space and don’t need to purchase an external pump. However, it seems to be a relatively common problem for the pump to stop working in this dehumidifier, so you may be better off purchasing one without a pump and buying an external pump. Unlike the hOmelabs, the Frigidaire does come with a drain hose which is nice to see.
3. Aprilaire 1850 Pro
The Aprilaire 1850 Pro is a powerful dehumidifier with a 95 pint capacity and can be ducted to your HVAC system. It has continuous draining, a humidistat, auto-restart, and auto defrost. One thing to note is that unlike the other dehumidifiers on our list, it doesn’t have a water tank which means you have to use the continuous draining.
You can duct the Aprilaire to a HVAC system or you can run it as a standalone unit. The build quality is excellent, it operates quietly, it comes with a 5 year warranty, and a unit this powerful really pulls a lot of moisture out of the air.
The main downside is the cost. The Aprilaire is considerably more expensive than smaller portable units like the Frigidaire or hOmelabs. But if you’re not on a tight budget, or you are having humidity problems in a large garage, it’s definitely worth considering. The Aprilaire doesn’t have a built-in pump so you will need an external pump if you plan on draining it out of somewhere higher than the dehumidifier unit. Another thing to note, although not hugely important, is that it isn’t exactly the most aesthetically pleasing dehumidifier.
4. hOmelabs HME020006N
The hOmelabs HME020006N is the little brother of our top pick. It has all of the same features including continuous draining, humidistat, auto-shutoff, auto-restart, and auto-defrost. The only difference is that it is not quite as powerful so only suitable for smaller garages. Because it isn’t as powerful, it is slightly lower in cost.
Whilst it is a good choice for small garages, we would still recommend our top pick over this one, even for smaller garages. This is for a couple of reasons. First, the dimensions are the same. Don’t purchase this one hoping it will be more compact that the 70 pint version because unfortunately this isn’t the case. Secondly, at the time of writing at least, the 50 pint model doesn’t cost much less than the 70 pint model. Even in smaller rooms, a dehumidifier with a larger capacity is usually a better option because it will remove moisture more quickly and not need to run as often.
Like it’s big brother, this dehumidifier doesn’t come with a drain hose or pump so you will need to purchase them separately if needed.
5. Pro Breeze Mini Dehumidifier
If you’re looking for a dehumidifier for a small garage and you don’t want to break the bank, the Pro Breeze mini dehumidifier is worth checking out. It only has an 8 ounce capacity (how much water it can extract per day) and 16 ounce water tank, but it’s the least expensive option on our list by quite a way (at the time of writing).
It’s super simple to use. You just plug it in, turn it on, and you’re good to go. The downside is, the reason it’s so simple to use is because it doesn’t have many features. It does have an auto-shutoff so it will turn itself off when the tank is full. But other than that it doesn’t really have any additional features.
The Pro Breeze is a peltier (or thermo-electric) dehumidifier. These types of dehumidifier are usually not as effective as compressor dehumidifier, but they are quieter. The Pro Breeze doesn’t have a continuous draining option, but reading through the Amazon reviews it seems like some people have modified the dehumidifier to allow for continuous draining.
What to Look for in a Dehumidifier for Garage
There are a few things that are particularly important when choosing a dehumidifier for your garage.
Humidistat
In order to preserve the contents of your garage, it’s important to maintain a stable humiditiy level. This is especially true when you are using the garage to store classic cars which you really don’t want to get damaged.
A humidistat allows you to set a specific humidity level on the dehumidifier, and the dehumidifier will turn itself on and off to maintain this level. It’s also a good idea to look for a dehumidifier with an automatic restart function which will automatically turn the dehumidifier back on after a power outage. Both of these features will help to maintain a stable humiditiy level in your garage.
Continuous Draining
You don’t want to have to keep emptying the water tank in your garage dehumidifier, especially if you’re not spending all of your time in there.
A dehumidifier with continuous draining will allow the dehumidifier to continuously run and drain itself meaning you never have to empty the water tank.
Dehumidifiers with continuous draining usually rely on gravity. This means you can only drain it into something lower than the position of the dehumidifier. If you need to drain the dehumidifier into something higher than the dehumidifier, like out of a window, some dehumidifier have a built-in pump, or you can purchase an external pump like the Little Giant.
High Capacity Compressor Dehumidifier
Ideally, you want to purchase a high capacity, compressor dehumidifier. Some smaller and cheaper units use Peltier technology. Whilst this technology is quieter and cheaper, they aren’t as effective at actually removing moisture from the air. They are a better option for small rooms and things like RVs and Boats, but for a garage, a compressor dehumidifier is the better option.
Low Temperature
Many dehumidifiers are not designed to be used in cold temperatures which may be a problem since you don’t usually keep a garage as warm as a house.
If you plan on using the dehumidifier in a cold garage, look for a model with the auto-defrost feature.
The reason we chose the hOmelabs HME020031N as our top pick is due to the fact that it meets these criteria.
Other Considerations When Choosing a Dehumidifier
Along with the factors to consider that for a dehumidifier specifically for a garage, there are some more general considerations to consider too.
Size
The biggest defference between dehumidifiers is the size of the unit. The size is based on the amount of water the dehumidifier can absorb from the air per day under ideal conditions.
The most common sizes are 70 pints, 50 pints, and 30 pints. Manufactures usually include a guide for the size of room the dehumidifier is suitable for. However, you’re better off choosing the largest dehumidifier you can afford and doesn’t take up too much space in the room.
Manufacturers usually overeztimate the room size the dehumidifier is suitable for and a larger dehhumidifier has the advantage of dehumidifing the room more quickly than a smaller model.
And since a larger dehumidifier works more quickly, you don’t have to leave it on for as long which means they aren’t necessarily any less energy efficient.
Warranty
Dehumidifiers, like many appliances, are notorious for breaking down. Unfortunately, it seems to be the case that a small percentage of all dehumidifiers will develop problems at some point.
This is why it’s a good idea to factor in a good warranty that lasts for multiple years when choosing a dehumidifier.
Noise
Dehumidifiers can make quite a lot of noise. If it will be running in basement where the won’t be people around most of the time, this isn’t much of an issue. But if it will be used in a bedroom or anywhere else where you won’t want a lot of noise, look for a model with quieter operation.
It’s a good idea to check through user reviews to find out how people found the noise levels to be on a particular dehumidifier you are interested in.
Tank Size
We recommend using continuous draining if you’re looking for a dehumidifier for mold, but if you do need to use the tank, you need to consider the tank size.
Ideally you want a tank with a larger capacity so you don’t have to empty it as regualrly, but do take into consideration that a larger tank will mean the dehumidifier won’t be as portable and the tank will be heavier when it comes to emptying it.
FAQs
What’s the Ideal Humidity Level for a Garage?
You should aim to keep humidity levels below 60% in your garage and ideally between 30% and 50%. If humidity levels rise above 60%, you will start to have problems with mold, rust, and other damages to the contents of your garage.
You can find out the relative humidity level in your garage using a hygrometer.
Do I Need a Dehumidifier in My Garage?
If you know your humidity levels are above 60% or you are experiencing problems with mold or rust in your garage, then using a dehumidifier is a good idea.
There are other things you can do to reduce humidity levels in your garage, such as controlling temperature and checking for leaks, but a dehumidifier is an effective and easy method to quickly reduce humiditiy levels.
Should I Use a Garage Dehumidifier in Winter?
Humidity levels are usually lower in colder temperatures so you might not need a garage dehumidifier in the winter. If you do happen to experience high humidity in the winter, make sure you purchase a low temperature dehumidifier as many are not designed to be used in cold weather.
Should I Use a Garage Dehumidifier in Summer?
Absolutely. Humiditiy levels are usually higher in warmer weather, so if you’re having high humiditiy problems, the summer is when you want to be using a dehumidifier.
What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need for a Garage?
Ideally, you should purchase the largest dehumidifier you can afford. Although many manufactures specify a room size, they often overestimate this size.
The advantage of using a larger dehumidifier is that they will reduce humidity more quickly, and they won’t need to run as often since they are more effective when they are running.
How Do I Know If Humidity Levels Are Too High?
If you experience problems with mold or rust in your garage, your humidity levels are probably too high. Another sign of high humidity is condensation on windows or other glass surfaces.
However, the best way to check humiditiy levels in your garage is with a hygrometer. Ideally, humidity levels should be between 30% and 50%, and certainly no higher than 60%.
Wrapping it Up
Hopefully, this guide has helped you decide on the best dehumidifier for your garage and answered any questions you may have.
To sum it up:
A dehumidifier in your garage is a very good idea if you’re experiencing problems with rust, mold, condensation, etc. However, you should also check for underlying causes to the high humidity levels.
We advise looking for a high capacity dehumidifier with continuous draining, a humidistat, and auto-defrost (if your garage is likely to get cold).
Aim to keep the humidity levels in your garage stable and between 30% and 70% for the best way to prevent problems with mold and rust.
Resources
- Storing Your Collector Cars -Road Scholars
- How to Reduce Condensation In Your Garage – Garage Living
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
