There are many factors to consider when looking for the best dehumidifier for your garage. This includes the size of your garage, the temperature, and the level of humidity. Below I’ll show you the top options I’ve found and guide you in choosing the right dehumidifier for you.
Your car has all kinds of accessories to shield it from any harm outdoors. For this exact reason you store it in a garage along with your tools and other equipment. What you may not realize is that your vehicles can still be in danger due to the excess humidity inside your garage.
High humidity attracts mold and mildew, as well as rust and pests, which can affect the structural integrity of your vehicle in the long run and compromise your safety. To avoid this, you must get a high quality dehumidifier to help remove excess moisture from the air and maintain proper levels of humidity in your garage.
Dehumidifiers for Garage Comparison
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Runner-up  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
 |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
 |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Our Top 6 Garage Dehumidifiers
1. Best Overall: hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
My personal favorite is the 50-pint hOmeLabs dehumidifier (previously 70 pint dehumidifier). It offers all the features you would need in the best garage dehumidifier at a good price. It extracts as much as 50 pints of moisture from the air in 24 hours.
Its powerful compressor also helps eliminate bad odors and bacteria. It is best for medium to large damp rooms between 2500 and 4500 sq. ft. in size. Placing it in a smaller room may cause too much heat. However, there are more compact models available from this brand that offer similar functionality.
This hOmeLabs dehumidifier also has an Energy Star Certification, giving you the most energy efficient and money-saving option you can get. Noise levels shouldn’t be an issue as well.
It has a sleek design complete with wheels and handles that blends perfectly in your modern home. Another feature I like is the Turbo mode which increases fan speed for optimal dehumidification performance. Auto defrost saves the machine from temperatures lower than 41°F.
Operating this unit is made easy with its customizable setting that lets you adjust your desired humidity. Once the 1.8 gallon tank is full, this device automatically shuts off and you will then need to empty it manually. There is a drain hose outlet but you must purchase a standard garden hose separately in order to utilize the continuous drainage. If this isn’t a problem for you, then this hOmeLabs dehumidifier is your best bet.
Pros
- Energy Star certified
- Large coverage area
- Auto shut-off and restart
- Portable
- Customizable settings
- Continuous drain option
Cons
- Has to purchase hose separately
- Not suitable for small spaces
2. Best for a Cold Garage: Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 Dehumidifier
Frigidaire offers a wide range of appliances tried and tested by homeowners for over a century. One of these is the 50-pint Energy Star dehumidifier which works incredibly well even in temperatures as low as 41°F. This model extracts up to 50 pints of excessive moisture in a day. It comes with a washable filter that eliminates unwanted odor, dust, and bacteria in the air.
This dehumidifier is also Energy Star certified so you need not worry about your power consumption and electric bills. You can rest assured it works quietly and efficiently. It has an easy-to-use custom control and timer that allows you to set your preferred humidity level for a specific time and an automatic shut-off feature that automatically turns off your device when the large 2-gallon tank is full.
Frigidaire’s SpaceWise design includes a front loading bucket with handle and splash guard, caster wheels, and side handles, to make dehumidifying your rooms a breeze. I really like that Frigidaire operates efficiently in lower temperatures without the need to shut off periodically to defrost. If you live in a cold place and need a versatile dehumidifier for your garage, this might be the wisest choice for you.
Pros
- Works in low temperatures
- Energy Star certified
- Auto shut-off
- SpaceWise design
- Effortless Humidity Control
- Continuous drain
Cons
- Below average durability
- Too bulky
3. Best Mini Dehumidifier for Garage: ALROCKET Mini Dehumidifier
This portable and compact ALROCKET dehumidifier is perfect for a single garage up to 260 sq ft. It extracts about 16 ounces (450 ml) of moisture a day while the water tank can accommodate up to 35 ounces (1000 ml). This means you will have to empty it at least once every two days. But fret not for this unit has an automatic shutoff function when the tank reaches 24 to 27 ounces (700 to 800 ml). The LED light turns red to indicate when you need to drain the tank. This mini dehumidifier also features six other colors for the LED light.
The Peltier technology or thermoelectric cooling that this dehumidifier employs makes for a nearly soundless operation. It is efficient in collecting moisture and removing common allergens in the air. Paired with its high portability, it is suitable for use in other areas of your house such as the bathroom, kitchen, and even the bedroom.
One disadvantage of this unit is it doesn’t work well in extremely cold spaces. It is designed to operate best at temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. At 46°F and below, it may not work at all. I’d recommend this dehumidifier for a single garage with average conditions. If you get really cold winters in your place, then you might want to look somewhere else.
Pros
- Ideal for small garages and other spaces
- Compact and portable dehumidifier
- Quiet operation
- Auto shut-off
- Colorful LED light
Cons
- No continuous drain option
- Temperature restrictions
4. Best Value Dehumidifier: Keystone KSTAD504D Dehumidifier
The Keystone 50-pint dehumidifier filters out up to 50 pints of moisture per day in a space as large as 3000 sq. ft. It has an average sized 1.6 gallon water tank with a transparent water level gauge to let you know when you need to dump the water. When the water tank is full, the dehumidifier will turn off automatically and alert you.
It also comes with a removable dust filter along with a filter indicator light. Being Energy Star certified, this unit helps you save the environment as well as your wallet.
Some of the best features of this dehumidifier are the LED display, automatic shutoff and restart. You may also find the auto defrost setting quite useful during the winter. Continuous draining is possible but you will need a low-level drain in your garage and a separate garden hose as it is not included in the unit.
This full-featured Keystone dehumidifier earned its place as the best value among this list as it offers easy use and easy maintenance at a reasonable price. I particularly like how small and portable this unit is. You can move it from one room to another without any difficulty since it is built with four caster wheels.
Pros
- Energy Star certified
- Large coverage area
- Auto shutoff and restart
- Continuous drainage option
Cons
- Has to purchase hose separately
- Cord could be longer
5. Best Dehumidifier for Large Garages: Vremi 50-pint Energy Star Dehumidifier
The Moisture Maniac dehumidifier by Vremi filters out up to 50 pints from the air in a 3000 to 4500 square feet area. Like most of the models in this list, it is Energy Star certified. It features an easy-use control panel, an adjustable humidistat, and Turbo mode. The standard auto shut-off, auto restart, and auto defrost functions are also present.
This unit is comparatively light for a 50-pint Vremi dehumidifier. With its built-in wheels and handles, you can move it with ease from one large room to another. This includes your living room, basement, or attic. You can even dehumidify your whole house with a single machine.
You will have to manually empty the water tank a couple times a day if you opt to use the 1.5 gallon reservoir. There is a drain hose outlet for continuous drainage but the hose is not included in the unit. Users have also observed a loud buzzing noise coming from the compressor. This could be a deal breaker for you if you want an all-around dehumidifier for your home. But if you have an available hose and drain in the area, then this dehumidifier might be one of the best choices in the market today.
PROS
- Energy Star certified
- Large coverage area
- Auto shutoff and restart
- Easy control
- Continuous drain option
CONS
- Higher noise level than most dehumidifiers of the same size
- Has to purchase hose separately
- Not suitable for small spaces
6. Best Dehumidifier with Pump: TaoTronics 50-pint Dehumidifier
TaoTronics offers this outstanding 50-pint dehumidifier. It is perfect for large rooms between 3000 and 4500 sq. ft. in size. Its Energy Star certification also helps reduce your energy consumption. The built-in humidity and temperature sensor maintains optimal humidity levels between 45 to 55 percent even when you’re away. You can also set your desired level and the unit will operate until it is reached.
At a slightly higher retail price than the rest of our selections, it gives you three choices for water drainage. First is by manually draining the 6-liter water tank. You can check the water level through the gauge or wait for the full tank indicator and auto shut-off feature to operate. The second option is by attaching a hose to the strain outlet for continuous drainage via gravity. Third is by using the auto pump drain hose. Press the “Pump” button to push the water out into the sink or window.
This unit comes with all the features you may be looking for in a dehumidifier, plus the convenience of a built-in pump. It works just as well and covers the same area as our top pick. So, if you’re not too tight on the budget, this model with built-in pump may be your best choice.
Pros
- Energy Star certified
- Large coverage area
- Auto shutoff and restart
- With Built-in pump
Cons
- Has to purchase hose separately
- Higher price
Why You Need the Best Dehumidifier for Garage
Your garage may not be the first thing your guests see but it is just as important as any part of your house. It is also one of the parts that is most vulnerable to moisture and the damages it can cause.
High humidity inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. It is not a pleasant sight nor smell, and it is harmful for your health as well. Humid air also accelerates rusting in metal, and the longer your car is exposed to this environment the faster the material will corrode.
You need to find the best garage dehumidifier in order to keep your space at optimum humidity level. A heater will do a good job of raising the temperature in a cold, damp room but only a dehumidifier will solve your moistness problems and get rid of musty smells.
How to Find the Best Dehumidifier for Garage
Choosing the best garage dehumidifier for your specific needs may not be an easy task. That is why we’ve done the work for you. All you have to do is check this list of essential features you need to look for when buying a garage dehumidifier.
Temperature and Humidity Level
The first thing you need to consider is the temperature in your garage. Some dehumidifiers may work exceptionally well at 60°F but shut off completely at anything near 41°F. If your garage gets really cold all year round, then you may want to invest in a dehumidifier that is specifically designed to operate at low temperatures.
Also take note of the typical humidity levels and excess moisture in your garage before you make a purchase. Most of our top 5 garage dehumidifier picks feature humidity control settings that allow you to adjust your preferred level. You only need to put in your desired value (somewhere between 30 and 50 percent) and let the machine do its work.
Coverage Area
It’s pretty obvious that a double garage will need a bigger dehumidifier than a single garage. Meanwhile, a large garage dehumidifier may heat up a small room too much and occupy way more space than you can afford. Consider the dimensions of your garage or any other rooms you may want to dehumidify.
A standard 35 pint dehumidifier (previously 50 pint) can cover around 1000 to 3000 square feet. A 50 pint or 70 pint dehumidifier can reach up to 4500 square feet. Mini models can cover anywhere from 150 to 500 square feet. Depending on the size and orientation of your garage, there is a dehumidifier that’s just right for you.
Extraction Rate
We are talking about the maximum amount of moisture that your dehumidifier can remove from the air in a 24-hour period. This is measured in pints per day or PPD. If your garage is excessively moist (relative humidity 80% or above), even though small in size, you may need a device with a more powerful dehumidification performance. This means it filters out a greater amount of moisture from the air per square area. For a highly humid standard single to double garage, a 50- to 70-pint model may be enough.
Water Tank Capacity
If you do not have the time to check the water tank and manually drain it, you may choose a dehumidifier with a bigger capacity. For example, a device that extracts 50 pints (more than 6 gallons) a day will easily fill a 1.5 gallon reservoir within a few hours. If you don’t want your dehumidifier to stop its operation – or worse, spill water all over your house – you need to empty the tank two or three times a day. Unless you plan to sit around in your garage all day, this can be troublesome.
Don’t worry, though. If you get a unit with a continuous draining option and/or a built-in pump, then you can just leave it in your garage to do its business.
Drainage Options
You have three options for drainage – a reservoir for manual emptying or continuous draining via gravity or a pump. Some models come with a huge water tank capacity of up to 2 gallons. This means you will have to empty the tank maybe once or twice a day, depending on the extraction rate of your dehumidifier. When using a dehumidifier, I’d usually prefer to use the water tank, but if you live in a highly humid region, you may want to consider other drainage options.
Most of the units listed above give you an option to continuously drain the moisture collected so you won’t need to check the water level every few hours. Just attach an appropriate hose onto the outlet, place the device above a low-level drain in your garage, and let gravity do the work for you.
The third option is continuous draining through a built-in pump. With this type of drainage, there is no need to rely on gravity. The pump will draw the water out instead. The drain hose may be positioned vertically up to a certain height and into a sink or any other location you want.
Portability
This is especially important if you have minimal space in your garage or if you want your dehumidifier to serve its purpose in multiple areas of your home. Most mid-size 50-pint size dehumidifiers are portable enough to be moved across the house. Some come with wheels and handles for ease of movement.
Noise Level
This won’t be much of an issue for a detached garage but in some cases dehumidifiers may produce unpleasant noises. This can be inconvenient if your garage is close to your living space. Noise levels usually depend on the type of dehumidifier. Compressor models in general are louder than desiccant and electrothermic ones. You can also expect larger units to be noisier.
Extra Features
Top brands offer essentially the same features across multiple models. These include the following:
The LED display shows the current humidity and the set humidity. It also comes with electronic controls for easy humidity setting and monitoring.
The humidistat automatically adjusts the room humidity to your preferred setting. When the set humidity is achieved, the dehumidifier will shut off automatically. When the unit senses a higher humidity, it will start dehumidifying again.
Most modern dehumidifiers also have standard features such as the Auto Shutoff, Auto Restart, and Auto Defrost.
Garage Dehumidifier FAQs
How do dehumidifiers work?
A dehumidifier sucks in moist air and passes it over refrigerant coils to cool it or through an absorbent material to draw the moisture from it. Once the water is removed, warm, dry air is blown out.
Where should you put your garage dehumidifier?
Anywhere near a power supply and a drainage, as long as your dehumidifier can cover the whole area of your garage.
Can you leave your garage dehumidifier running?
If necessary, yes. Once your desired humidity level is reached, you can turn off the device. In any case, every dehumidifier we featured here has the ability to shut off automatically.
Conclusion
Saving your garage from excessive moisture and its harmful effects is a must. Not only will it protect your vehicles and other belongings from mold and mildew but also ensure that you are breathing clean and healthy air.
As we have shown in this article, there is a perfect dehumidifier for every type of garage space. To find the best garage dehumidifier for you, consider each feature when you purchase and choose the one that meets all of your needs.
