Let’s face it. The garage is not just a place for parking the car. It has become a space for storing numerous items, working on household or handmade projects, and whatnot. But the excess humidity in the garage can be a huge problem, causing harm to the car, stuff, and even people inside it.
So you decided to create a less humid environment in the carport and are looking for the best dehumidifiers for a garage. Let me help you get the unit that would live up to your expectations. I will share my honest opinion on popular dehumidifiers and give you hints on how not to get wrong with the purchase.
| Name | Working area | Moisture removal | Water tank capacity | Dimensions | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homelabs best overall | 4500 sq. ft. | 50 pints/day | 1.6 gallons | 15.4 x 11 x 24.3 inch/39.1 x 27.9 x 61.7 cm | Review |
| Vremi budget | 1500 sq. ft. | 22 pints/day | 1 gallons | 16.1 x 10.4 x 19.9 inch/40.9 x 26.4 x 19.9 x 50.5 cm | Review |
| Waykar PD1201B for commercial use | 8000 sq. ft. | 296 pints/day | not applicable | 19.3 x 14.6 x 30.7 inch/49 x 37 x 78 cm | Review |
Best dehumidifiers for garage reviews
Homelabs – best overall
Improve the air quality in your garage with the largest Homelabs dehumidifier for large rooms (up to 4,500 square feet) and very wet spaces.
Unlike the Vremi product with 22 pints moisture capacity, the Homelabs entry removes up to 50 pints of water per day, depending on the garage size and the moisture level. With the 1.6-gallon water tank capacity, you can not worry about frequent draining. Besides, a drain hose outlet is compatible with ⅝” garden hoses with internally threaded ends for continuous draining. But the hose is not included, so if you don’t have one in the household, you will have to purchase one.
The dehumidifier is heavy (40 pounds), but there are wheels and an in-built handle for easier transportation. It’s also simple to use. You just set the desired moisture level, let the unit run the full 24-hour cycle, and it will automatically shut off when the tank is full.
Mind that if you do not use the hose outlet and collect water in the tank only, there might be the risk of growing organisms over time. So make sure you clean the tank regularly to avoid the problem. The quality of the build is slightly flimsy, but it doesn’t affect the unit’s performance at all.
The Homelabs is the best dehumidifier for a garage that would help effectively fight the issue of excess humidity in your garage. It copes with extremely humid air even in large spaces and proves to work smoothly.
Key specs
- Working area, sq. ft: 4500
- Moisture removal, pints/day: 50
- Water tank capacity, gallons: 1.6
- Weight, lbs/kg: 40/18.1
- Dimensions, inch/cm: 15.4 x 11 x 24.3/39.1 x 27.9 x 61.7
Pros
- Removes up to 50 pints of water per day even in large and very wet spaces
- Features a 1.6-gallon water tank for collecting water
- Has a hose outlet for continuous draining
- An auto shut-off feature prevents tank overfilling.
Cons
- No hose included
- The plastic is slightly flimsy.
Vremi – budget
The compact yet effective Vremi humidifier is a great choice for an average-sized garage with up to 1,500 square feet of space.
By extracting around 22 pints of water from the air per day, it is primarily suitable for the areas where the humidity deviations are not critical. In contrast to the powerful Homelabs dehumidifier, this one will consume less energy while remaining effective in medium to large garages.
The unit runs on a continuous 24-hour cycle, meaning it will automatically shut off when the 1-gallon tank is full. There is also an outlet for attaching the hose for continuous draining, but the hose doesn’t come with the dehumidifier. You might want to use a turbo mode, which boosts the fan speed to rapidly improve air quality.
The Vremi item is compact and portable. It weighs 33.1 pounds and features wheels and side handles for convenient relocation.
But the noise level the device produces when it runs is disturbing. It gets even louder in the Turbo mode. Mind that you can’t set your own humidity level in the Comfort mode. The device will run according to pre-specified settings, which cuts customization.
The Vremi is the best garage dehumidifier from the budget-friendly segment that maintains great performance. It is suitable for wet medium and large garages and will effortlessly keep the moisture in the air down while saving your costs.
Key specs
- Working area, sq. ft: 1500
- Moisture removal, pints/day: 22
- Water tank capacity, gallons: 1
- Weight, lbs/kg: 33.1/15
- Dimensions, inch/cm: 16.1 x 10.4 x 19.9/40.9 x 26.4 x 19.9 x 50.5
Pros
- Removes 22 pints of water per hour in 1,500 sq ft garages
- 1-gallon tank capacity ensures 24 hours of continuous work
- Hose outlet for continuous draining
- Energy-efficient and compact.
Cons
- Gets noisy, especially in the Turbo mode
- No customization of the humidity level in the Comfort mode.
Waykar PD1201B – for commercial use
Bring the humidity down to the comfort level in the extremely large space with the Waykar PD1201B.
This dehumidifier provides an insane level of power and performance as it removes 296 pints of water, even in space up to 8,000 square feet. Similar to Homelabs dehumidifier, this item works in the continuous mode monitoring the air quality. But the Waykar PD1201B comes with a long hose for continuous draining.
The energy-efficient compressor and turbine wind guide system ensures low energy consumption as well as quick condensation and dehumidification. The automatic shut on/off feature will stop the unit when the humidity level reaches its norm, while the power outage auto-restart function will restart the item automatically when power becomes available.
The Waykar PD1201B works pretty well as far as draining and dehumidifying. However, it is not as effective as it normally is at cold temperatures. I also noticed minor design flaws. Don’t keep the device near a wall because of the backside air intake if you want it to work effectively. You won’t find a water tank in this model as well, so the only way to drain the water is to use a hose.
No doubt that this heavy-duty dehumidifier for a garage will make a huge difference in the air quality in your garage or other construction. It has advanced features like a 24-hour sensor as well as shut on/off, power outage auto-restart, and defrost features for ease of use.
Key specs
- Working area, sq. ft: 8000
- Moisture removal, pints/day: 296
- Weight, lbs/kg: 112.4/51
- Dimensions, inch/cm: 19.3 x 14.6 x 30.7/49 x 37 x 78
Pros
- Suitable for extremely wet garages with up to 8,000 sq ft
- Consumes 296 pints of water per day
- Precise sensor for tracking the humidity level in real-time
- Included hose for continuous draining.
Cons
- Works at 60% capacity in cold weather
- It can’t be placed at the wall due to the backside air intake
- No water tank for collecting water.
Waykar PD253B
The Waykar PD253B dehumidifier is a functional unit that allows reducing the excess air humidity in the garage around 4,500 square feet by reducing 70 pints of water per day.
Similar to Kesnos PD253D, the Waykar PD253B has a ring-shaped air supply design, meaning that the dehumidified air is delivered in all directions for faster results.
The reviewed model is 30 pounds and has ergonomic wheels and handles for moving it around easier. The 1.18-gallon water tank collects water, while the included drain hose allows continuous drainage. There is an in-built 24-hour timer to shut off the device when the tank is full, and the smart sensors will adjust the operational mode based on the air quality. The LED display allows quick and easy configuration. The auto defrost function won’t let the unit freeze, even when the temperature goes down.
This dehumidifier easily restores the air quality from 71% to 40% in one night. It also operates quietly, even in the fast-speed mode. However, the whisper-quiet operation comes at a cost – the fans seem to be insufficiently powerful to move enough air. It also freezes up from time to time over several months of use, which is not what you expect for the money you pay.
Generally, that’s a good garage dehumidifier with a drain hose. It helps maintain the healthy humidity level in the garage and prevents mold.
Key specs
- Working area, sq. ft: 4500
- Moisture removal, pints/day: 70
- Water tank capacity, gallons: 1.1
- Weight, lbs/kg: 27.5/12.5
- Dimensions, inch/cm: 11.4 x 10.2 x 24.4/29 x 25.9 x 62
Pros
- A ring-shaped air supply structure ensures better airflow
- Removes 70 pints of water per day in 4,500 sq ft garages
- Includes a 1.18-gallon tank and comes with a hose for various drainage modes
- Quiet operation and neat design.
Cons
- The fans are not powerful enough to ensure sufficient air flow
- Freezes up after several months of use from time to time.
Kesnos PD253D
Get peace of mind knowing that the healthy humidity level is maintained in your garage with the Kesnos PD253D.
By covering 4,500 square feet of garages and extracting 70 pints of water per day, you will be sure that your car is protected from rust. Similar to Waykar PD253B, there are two fan speed options to regulate how slow or fast you want the dehumidified air to be spread across the garage. The 1,18-gallon tank is sufficient to collect water from the moderately wet air, but you will need to empty it several times a day if the air is too wet.
Thanks to robust wheels and ergonomic handles, it’s easy to move this 30-pounds dehumidifier from one spot to another. You can easily switch between the modes or set the desired parameters using a user-friendly LCD screen. The dry mode allows you to dry the clothes faster, while the auto humidity sensor will work non-stop to monitor the air quality.
You may find it a little tricky to connect the included hose to the Kesnos PD253D. I removed the white plastic screw-on plug at first, but it didn’t work, and the water kept on filling the tank. Then I noticed a tiny black rubber plug attaching the hose. After I removed it, water poured out through the drain hole. Mind that the hose comes out occasionally, so give it a check from time to time.
Regardless of minor flaws, the Kesnos PD253D dehumidifier is a great device for restoring the optimal humidity level in your garage.
Key specs
- Working area, sq. ft: 4500
- Moisture removal, pints/day: 70
- Water tank capacity, gallons: 1.1
- Weight, lbs/kg: 30.2/13.7
- Dimensions, inch/cm: 11.4 x 11.4 x 23.8/29 x 29 x 60
Pros
- Suitable for garages of 4,500 sq ft by collecting 70 pints of water per day
- Two fan speed options for regulating the airflow speed
- Informative and convenient LCD screen
- Included hose for continuous drainage.
Cons
- Small water tank, which prompts frequent drainage
- The intricate process of connecting the hose
- The hose comes out occasionally.
Garage dehumidifier buying guide
How to know the humidity level in the garage?
Before you purchase a dehumidifier, it’s essential to know the humidity level in the garage. The extremely high humidity will make the item work harder, so you’ve got to be certain the device will stand the load.
The easiest and the most accurate way to measure the garage humidity level is to use a humidity meter, also known as a hygrometer.
If you do not have a hygrometer and would be satisfied with a rough estimation of the garage humidity level, you can also try an ice cube method. Fill the glass with water and put three cubes of ice in it. Wait for around four minutes, and then check the glass. If you see dripping on the outside of the glass, the humidity can be too high. If there are no signs of condensation, there could be insufficient moisture in the air.
Speed of moisture removal
The effectiveness of the garage dehumidifier is defined by how many pints of water it can remove from the air. It characterizes how effectively the device prevents rusting and corrosion, destroys mold and pests, eliminates the spread of allergens in the air, and maintains the air quality. Based on the pint capacity, there are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and more pints dehumidifiers.
What size dehumidifier do I need for a garage?
When picking the optimal size of the dehumidifier, it’s essential to consider the size of the garage and the humidity level in it.
Make sure you pick the dehumidifier for a garage that offers sufficient coverage for the whole area. Getting the unit that exceeds the garage space is ok, but an underpowered model might turn out to be completely ineffective. The manufacturers usually provide this feature in the product descriptions.
The garage humidity level also matters. The more moisture in the air is, the more powerful the dehumidifier should be.
So, a damp garage of 500-1,500 square feet will benefit from a 30-pint dehumidifier. If the air contains more moisture or is characterized as extremely wet, you should consider the 50-pint device for the same garage size.
For larger garages (let’s say 2,000-2,500 square feet), you’ve got to get the dehumidifier that is not lower than 50 pints.
Additional factors that influence the choice of garage dehumidifier size
Aside from the garage size and the humidity level, other additional factors can make a difference.
If you live in a hot and humid climate (like Florida), it is better to add 10 pints to the required tool capacity.
Since garages are frequently uninsulated and there could be a drop in the temperature during the winter season, I recommend purchasing the device that supports the low-temperature operation.
I suggest you get a dehumidifier that is slightly larger than you need. This will ensure the unit will remove humidity from a garage in all situations. You can always run it on lower settings to reduce electricity usage.
Drainage types
Garage dehumidifiers might feature an automatic drainage system or allow manual draining.
Manual drainage is the least convenient way of removing water as it involves manually removing the water tank, pouring out water, and putting it back. Most devices have an automatic shut-off feature that would prevent leaks and puddles when the tank is full.
There are three methods to drain water automatically. Gravity draining involves attaching a hose that would drain the collected water. Many dehumidifiers come with an internal condensate pump, which would push out water when the pump is full. There is also an option of adding an external condensate pump to the humidifier if you do not want to bother yourself with manual draining.
Additional features
You may want to pay attention to the following features when selecting a dehumidifier for your garage for added convenience.
Many devices come with an auto shut-off feature, which would track the water level in the tank and shut the unit off when it is full to prevent overflowing.
The fan speed allows you to customize the pace of air circulation, which can be convenient in some situations.
You’ll enjoy the defrost feature that would keep the coils free of ice during cold winter days and prolong the lifespan of the dehumidifier.
