Best Dehumidifiers for 500 sq ft in 2023

---

In this piece, I’m going to share the fruits of my exhaustive testing in pursuit of the best dehumidifier for a 500-square-foot space.

The effectiveness of a dehumidifier depends largely on the area it’s tasked to cover – and for this piece, that’s spaces of 500 square feet or larger.

For this test, I challenged several dehumidifiers designed for 500 square feet, testing them in areas that ranged from a snug 50 square feet to a sprawling 780 square feet. Among the competitors, the Frigidaire FAD5033W1 emerged as the undisputed champ.

I loved the fact that its water bucket is located conveniently in the front of the unit, allowing for easy access. Plus, the carry handle and splash guard make the usually messy process of emptying the bucket a breeze.

One thing I was thrilled to note was how quickly it got to work. The Frigidaire dehumidifier runs quietly and excels at moisture extraction from spaces well beyond 500 square feet. It’s particularly impressive at sustaining optimal humidity levels.

But enough from me, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details – the highs and the lows – of the top performers in each category that I explored.

---

Frigidaire Dehumidifier

BEST OVERALL

Here’s the lowdown

I confidently declare the Frigidaire as the unparalleled best dehumidifier in its category for 2022, and all my meticulous testing corroborates this.

First off, it’s a speed demon. Effortlessly, it pulls moisture out of the air in a 500-square-foot area. It’s crafted to function in temperatures as low as 41 degrees F and thoughtfully includes an auto shutoff when the water bucket reaches capacity.

Design

I’ve spent countless hours getting up close and personal with a vast array of dehumidifiers. But the Frigidaire’s material quality and durability scream class. Its construction and design stand head and shoulders above its rivals.

A standout feature is the continuous drain option, saving you from the chore of emptying the water bucket. It diligently keeps your space dehumidified, requiring no intervention from you.

Cleaning and maintaining the Frigidaire is a breeze, it has a fantastic runtime, and its water reservoir’s capacity is unparalleled when you’re not using the continuous drain option.

Water Tank Capacity

The Frigidaire houses a substantial 50-pint water reservoir. This gives it a more extended runtime compared to other units, which generally possess average tank sizes of around 20 pints.

Runtime

The dehumidifier keeps chugging along for about 3-4 days if you employ the continuous drain option. If you opt for collecting water in the reservoir, it will give you a solid 36 hours before needing a refill.

Coverage

This Frigidaire dehumidifier is a perfect fit for spaces of 500 square feet and beyond. However, it didn’t skip a beat when put to test in smaller areas like bathrooms. In a broader test zone of 780 square feet, it hit our ideal humidity level of around 43% in less than ten minutes, and it held steady there with barely a quiver.

Noise

The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 proved to be whisper-quiet, clocking in at a mere 43dB in three separate tests.

According to the manufacturer, this hush level is due to its upward exhaust direction. The other dehumidifiers we ran in this test all employed downward exhaust technology and, without fail, were more disruptive.

Special Features

It’s clear to see that the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 outperforms all the other units we tested in this round. It excels in speed of dehumidifying, boasts a larger water reservoir, offers a continual drainage option, maintains impressively low noise levels, and its build quality is simply top-notch.

Without a shred of doubt, it’s my pick for the best dehumidifier for a 500-square-foot space.

---