This is our buying guide on the best dehumidifiers for 500 sq feet in 2023. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read our in depth, hands on reviews, for each humidifier.
HomeLabs Dehumidifier
- 1.6-gallon water tank capacity
- Removes up to 50 pints humidity per day
- Up to 4500 square feet
- Sleek and clean look
- Ideal for large rooms
- Easy to use
- Adjustable moisture settings
- Built-in pump compressor
- Auto shutoff
- Turbo mode
Frigidaire
- It works fast
- Quiet
- Happy with spaces from 500 square feet upwards
- Build quality is magnificent
- Design is ultimately user friendly
- Easy to clean
- Easy to maintain
- Exceptional runtime
- Superior water reservoir capacity
- Continual drainage option
- Consistent humidity levels, even under extreme conditions
Black + Decker Dehumidifier
- Covers up to 4500 square feet
- Removes up to 50 pints of moisture per day
- 14.3-pint tank
- Washable mesh filter
- Environmentally friendly with an Energy Star rating
- Water level indicator
- 3.28-foot drain hose
- Audible alert when the water reservoir is full
- Top mounted control panel
- Adjustable humidistat
- 4 casters for easy moving
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.
Pros
- It works fast
- Quiet
- Happy with spaces from 500 square feet upwards
- Build quality is magnificent
- Design is ultimately user friendly
- Easy to clean
- Easy to maintain
- Exceptional runtime
- Superior water reservoir capacity
- Continual drainage option
- Consistent humidity levels, even under extreme conditions
Cons
- The unit is big and somewhat bulky
hOmeLabs HME020031N
BEST BUDGET
Here’s a quick look
Though the hOmeLabs dehumidifier can’t match the speed of the Frigidaire, it overtakes many other competitors in the 50-pint class. Its nimbleness and wallet-friendly price tag secured its place as our top budget pick when hunting for the best dehumidifier for 500 square feet.
This model promises to extract up to 50 pints of moisture daily from spaces as large as 4500 square feet, and does so in style with a sleek, polished design.
Design
The hOmeLabs unit lets you easily dial in your preferred humidity level, anywhere from 35% to 85%.
An auto-defrost mode is built into the dehumidifier. The moment the temperature plunges below freezing, it leaps into action, defrosting its coils to ensure seamless operation. A handy indicator light lets you know when this feature is at work.
The control panel on the hOmeLabs model feels like an old friend. There’s no puzzle-solving needed to get your unit up and running. The controls are straightforward and well-labelled.
The design sports a sleek silhouette and high-quality LED displays. Some units can be a headache to read, especially for those of us with glasses. But I found the display was crisp enough to read without needing to don my specs.
Water Tank Capacity
With a tank capacity of 1.6 gallons, this dehumidifier can keep going for a full day and night without needing a refill.
Runtime
The manufacturer states that it has a 24-hour runtime between refills. However, once I’d reached my target humidity level in my test areas, I found it could continue for as much as 36 hours without needing a break for a refill.
Coverage
hOmeLabs suggests a maximum coverage area of 4,500 square feet. I put the unit to work in smaller spaces, and it delivered consistent performance across the board.
Humidity extraction capacity
The hOmeLabs unit excelled in my moisture removal tests. I gauged its capacity to dehumidify a 50-square-foot area, reducing humidity levels from a whopping 90% to a more comfortable 40%. The hOmeLabs dehumidifier pulled this off in just 10 minutes.
Once it reached the target humidity level, it held steady there with less than a 2% variation in either direction.
Noise levels
This model is one of the more whisper-quiet dehumidifiers in its class. During tests in larger areas, I sometimes found myself walking over to check if the dehumidifier was still running.
Special Features
The hOmeLabs unit comes with a 2-year, no-questions-asked warranty.
It includes a defrost function that automatically kicks into gear when the temperature falls below certain levels.
This versatile dehumidifier is adept at handling both large and small spaces and stands out as the best unit in its price range that I’ve seen in a while. I confidently dub it the best budget dehumidifier in my search for the top dehumidifiers for 500 square feet.
Pros
- 1.6-gallon water tank capacity
- Removes up to 50 pints humidity per day
- Up to 4500 square feet
- Sleek and clean look
- Ideal for large rooms
- Easy to use
- Adjustable moisture settings
- Built-in pump compressor
- Auto shutoff
- Turbo mode
Cons
- Dehumidifying slower than other units
Black + Decker BDT50WTB
BEST PREMIUM
Quick overview
The Black + Decker takes the cake as the top premium dehumidifier in my lineup of best dehumidifiers for 500 square feet.
It boasts a coverage area of up to 4500 square feet, promises to wring out up to 50 pints of moisture per day, and offers an extended runtime thanks to the 14.3-pint tank.
Design
The Black + Decker BDT50WTB comes with a timer that you can adjust in 30-minute increments for the first ten hours. After that, you can tweak it in one-hour increments all the way up to 24 hours. This feature gives you the reins without needing to constantly monitor the dehumidifier.
The humidity levels can be dialed up in 5% increments.
Water Tank Capacity
The BDT50WTB’s water tank can hold 14.3 pints. The sizeable reservoir provides long runtimes without requiring frequent emptying.
Runtime
Depending on the humidity levels in your space and your chosen settings, the Black + Decker BDT50WTB can chug along for 36 hours or more.
Coverage
The manufacturer claims this unit can efficiently cover areas up to 4500 square feet, effectively making it a full-house dehumidifier.
Moisture extraction capacity
In my tests, the Black + Decker managed to slash the humidity in a 500-square-foot area from 90% to optimal levels in less than eleven minutes.
Noise levels
The noise levels are a tad higher than some of the other units I’ve tested. However, keep in mind, this is a more potent dehumidifier. The fan can become a bit irritating at higher speeds.
Special Features
The auto-defrost mode is a real standout. When the temperature dips too low, the dehumidifier will automatically defrost the coils, keeping the unit up and running.
There’s also a check-filter indicator, which eliminates much of the guesswork when operating this unit. The mesh filter can be washed, and the Energy Star rating makes it an eco-friendly option.
Pros
- Covers up to 4500 square feet
- Removes up to 50 pints of moisture per day
- 14.3-pint tank
- Washable mesh filter
- Environmentally friendly with an Energy Star rating
- Water level indicator
- 3.28-foot drain hose
- Audible alert when the water reservoir is full
- Top mounted control panel
- Adjustable humidistat
- 4 casters for easy moving
Cons
- Noisier than other units