Most of us store a lot in our garages, but the constantly fluctuating temperatures within can make them an environment in which mold and mildew thrive. Humidity levels reaching 50% can impact pretty much everything stored in your garage, from tools to cars to other belongings. A dehumidifier can keep this level lower and help avoid these issues.
We’ve carefully evaluated multiple options of the best dehumidifier for garage. Features such as the area they can cover are essential, and you need to know you have enough power for the whole of the garage. How reliably the models of dehumidifier perform and whether they offer a continuous drain option have been also considered. The capacity of the water tank (which can help you avoid doing excessive maintenance) and the size of the dehumidifiers have all been discussed in the top options we’ve discovered.
Our garage dehumidifier buying guide has been compiled with the help of hands-on experience, manufacturer information, and impartial reviews. The information is laid out in a simple-to-view table of the best models as well as detailed reviews outlining key features and product ratings. We’ve also included a buying guide to help you correctly understand the features and how they can benefit you and your garage.
More features: LCD interface; two fan speeds; washable air filter
For those looking for a high tech device which can deal with large spaces and remove mold and other unpleasantries from your garage, the Ivation 70 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier with Pump could be your answer.
This dehumidifier has a filtration system within, so while removing moisture, it can further filter out any allergens and mildew. The air quality is boosted in the process meaning any time spent in the garage will be easier on the lungs as well as on your belongings.
It can remove an incredible 70 pints of moisture every single day and works for spaces up to 4500 square feet in size. The huge capacity makes this the best dehumidifier for high moisture garages.
The pump, combined with the continuous drainage, means you can easily set this dehumidifier to drain out of a window in your garage or even run it into a sink or other discharge pipe. The 2.25-gallon reservoir means that even if the continuous drainage option is not used, you won’t have to deal with the tank emptying too often.
It copes with all sorts of different weather conditions and even has an auto defrost for days when it gets cold overnight. This dehumidifier combines some very high tech features including an LED display which can help you control the humidity, fan speed and even show you when the filter needs to be changed.
The Energy Star rating also means that this is a dehumidifier which is very practical to use and economical in terms of power. If you are upgrading from an older model, then this is likely to use far less electricity.
More features: LED indicator; optimal operating temperature is 59-86°F
Many people don’t need a huge dehumidifier. If you just have a small garage (or other space), then you can opt for a mini dehumidifier, such as this offering from ProBreeze. One of the best dehumidifiers out there, it has enough capacity for rooms of up to 220 square feet which makes it perfect for RVs, workshops and, of course, garages.
Though it doesn’t work as well for large rooms, this is a trade-off if you want to have a smaller dehumidifier. The capacity of the water tank is 52 ounces, which means over one pint of damp air can be removed each day.
Because it is quite small, this uses thermo-electric cooling rather than a compressor. Compressors make dehumidifiers loud, so this model works very quietly.
There is no option for continuous draining, so you will have to empty the water tank manually. If you are in an area with very high humidity, this can lead to having to do a lot of maintenance. Luckily, an auto shut-off is inbuilt which means the device will stop working once the tank is full, and this avoids overfilling or leaking.
Another benefit is the excellent energy efficiency. This model doesn’t use a lot of power at all, which is partially due to its compact size.
If you live in areas where it gets very cold, this may not be your best option; it is designed to be used at temperatures above 59 °F.
More features: low temperature operation; 3 fan speeds
Frigidaire is a brand that many of us have in our homes. They manufacture a lot of different appliances, including dehumidifiers. This model is the best dehumidifier for cold garage conditions as it has an inbuilt setting for working at low temperatures.
The smallest model of this dehumidifier can remove 35 pints of moisture per day, that is a considerable amount of power and means this can be used in relatively large spaces.
The machine is equipped with a filter, which gets rid of a lot of smells and bacteria which have worked their way into your garage. The filter is washable meaning you don’t have to buy replacements regularly.
The Frigidaire offers ‘SpaceWise’ design, which means that it is relatively compact, has side handles and even wheels for moving to different areas of the garage.
Though this isn’t capable of pumping water a long distance, if you place it near to a suitable drain, it can continuously drain the water, meaning you don’t have to manually remove the water after it accumulates.
If this model isn’t quite big enough for you, a 50-pint dehumidifier is also available.
More features: user-friendly operation, auto-off, auto-defrost and memory feature
The Inofia PD161C 30-Pint Dehumidifier is a perfect fit for large spaces. Besides the garage, one other example is the basement.
The user-friendly operation of this humidifier is also top-notch. You set the humidity levels you want between 30% and 80%. After that, it will be the machine’s job to maintain the preset humidity. As such, it will use the inbuilt humidistat as a prompt to either start or stop working.
You can also keep tabs on the dehumidifier’s working status via the LCD display. This component will also display the current humidity and temperature of the room.
Also, given its coverage area, you shouldn’t expect this to be a small device. Then again, since this humidity correction machine is for relatively large garages, we are sure you will find some space to set it up if you choose it.
Notably, it can remove 30 pints on the daily, all the while producing very little noise. However, when the bucket built into the machine fills up, it will shut down automatically as overflow can lead to damage. Additionally, in the right setup, this machine is also capable of self-drain.
The Inofia PD161C 30-Pint Dehumidifier also comes with auto-defrost, making it capable of working at the lowest temperature. Furthermore, it has a memory feature to help it pick up where it left off after a power outage. If the collection of this dehumidifier’s features are acceptable, you can reach into your wallet for the funds to buy it.
More features: requires no batteries; contains crystals that indicate when the unit reaches its capacity
The Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier is a good quality model for small spaces as it is immensely compact. Due to its size, and the fact this is small enough to go inside a cabinet or other case, this is the best dehumidifier for gun safe in garages. The humidity of a safe can sometimes cause rust and corrosion and damage a gun, which can even make it stop working effectively. You can also use it in your toolbox, garage cabinet, or a workstation if needed.
It may surprise you that this doesn’t require any sort of battery power. It can last up to ten years, and you only need to renew it every 20-30 days. All the components are renewable, so there is no environmental concern, either. The ten-year lifespan is even backed up with a five-year manufacturer warranty.
In spite of being compact, it is also quite impressive in terms of how much space it can cover. Up to 333 cubic feet is plenty for most of the small spaces you’ll consider using this in. It may not work on your whole garage, but it is perfect for something like a gun safe or putting near a vehicle to keep humidity down.
Not many people are experts on dehumidifiers. It isn’t like you buy one every day. Our buying guide will help you work out exactly what features are the most important and which ones will be most useful for your specific needs.
It can be easy to overlook your garage when you are trying to keep your home in the best possible condition. A healthy environment is essential. Mold, mildew and other air pollutants can cause illnesses. If these are already in place in your home, then you may have to get these issues treated.
In such a case you need a dehumidifier for mold and mildew which are often caused by high humidity levels. You can combine this with an air purifier, but many of the dehumidifiers on our list have inbuilt air filters which is an added bonus.
What features should you be keeping an eye out for? How do you know if a specific device is the best garage dehumidifier for you? Or if it will work well in your garage size? Different models have different strengths and weaknesses. Some suit smaller rooms. The best dehumidifier for a two car garage will probably be different to the best one for a gun safe due to their size and capacity.
The coverage area of the dehumidifier should always be mentioned in the description. It is absolutely vital. Square footage is the measurement for how much space the dehumidifier can cover. Some products, like the Ivation 70 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier with Pump can work in huge areas, but many of the mini models are only able to cover up to 200 square feet only.
Measure your garage beforehand to make sure you purchase a dehumidifier that has the capacity to remove the moisture in your garage. Otherwise you could end up with overfilling or have to empty the tank far too regularly.
The performance of a dehumidifier is basically how adequately it is able to remove moisture from the air. The moisture is measured as a percentage, and a good quality dehumidifier can cause a significant drop in this if needed. This means that regulating the percentage of humidity in the air should be within your control.
Some dehumidifiers, such as the Inofia PD161C 30-Pint Dehumidifier even have multiple settings for power or fan speed, the higher level you go to, the more effectively they will remove the moisture.
Continuous drainage mainly relates to whether or not you need to empty the tank manually, or whether there is an option to connect the tank to another outlet to let it drain itself. This means you will not be burdened by regularly having to carry out maintenance.
Continuous drain will rely on being hooked up to an outlet or drainage system so that the water can be carried away. It is a big bonus if you can find a dehumidifier in your price range with this feature, especially if you use yours a lot.
The pump will be attached to the drainage system, and means that the water that has been collected can be moved further in any direction, even vertically. This may sound like a useless feature, but it actually means that you can direct the water to a suitable outlet. It can be directed to a sink or out of a window into a backyard somewhere, meaning the water can drain automatically somewhere that emptying the water tank regularly will never be an issue for you.
If you do opt for the continuous draining option, then the water tank capacity won’t matter quite as much. It will be effectively emptying itself. If, however, you are going to have to do this manually, you will probably want a relatively large water tank capacity, like the 2-gallon reservoir of the Frigidaire model. How much water you end up with depends on the humidity and the effectiveness of the dehumidifier, but if your tank isn’t very big, then you might end up having to empty it very regularly.
The trade-off here is that a larger tank means the dehumidifier will take up more space.
Some dehumidifiers have multiple settings such as the amount of power you are using. Some will allow you to set a timer; some will even let you set the level of humidity that is acceptable and then kick in when it gets too high. Most dehumidifiers have very few settings, and some are as simple as turning them on and off. You probably won’t need to be a tech-savvy to get the most out of yours.
As is natural for an appliance like this, it can make some noise. The fan and motor components within probably won’t be silent, and some products can actually generate high levels of sound. Some alternatives don’t do this. For instance, the Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier uses a different system that doesn’t need a motor and is therefore extremely quiet. If keeping the noise down is crucial to you then you can opt for one of the best quiet dehumidifiers.
Garages are often used for both storage and activities. This means space might be at a premium. Checking the dimensions is always sensible to make sure that you have room for the dehumidifier. You might want to consider getting a powerful crawl space dehumidifier that is usually designed to fit into cramped spaces. If you have a big garage, this might be less of an issue for you.
The weight is also listed on the product descriptions and within our dehumidifier reviews. This means that you can choose a lightweight product if you think it is likely you will have to move it around and use it in different parts of the garage, or other rooms in your home.
Naturally, with any electronic product, you will want to get a warranty included if you possibly can. The warranties offered with dehumidifiers can significantly vary. For instance, the Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier is offered with a five-year guarantee. Others may have no warranty at all. At least a year is around the industry standard.
Many manufacturers include as much technology as they possibly can, and these features can add to your experience and ease of use. For instance, some have LED or LCD indicators to show the humidity level. Some of the best cold weather dehumidifiers have defrost options, meaning they automatically defrost themselves at low temperatures.
Other significant characteristics include auto shut-off, which can kick in when the tank gets full and avoid any leakage. Auto start-up can also apply, meaning that after a power outage the dehumidifier will restart itself.
The Ivation 70 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier with Pump is very hard to look beyond when trying to evaluate which dehumidifier is the very top model on the market. We’ve rated it 9.8/10 due to its incredible coverage area and capacity to pump a lot of water as well as continuously drain.
If a large humidifier is an overkill, you can go for a mini option such as the Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier. This is rated 9.6/10 and has plenty of great features including an LED indicator and auto shut-off. If you have a relatively small garage, this is worth considering.
The Frigidaire 35-Pint Dehumidifier is another of the best dehumidifier for garage models. It can draw 35 pints a day from the air, if needed, and has a defrost option making it perfect for those having an unheated garage.
