The best location for storing wine is in the basement or the coolest and most humid area in the house. However, in highly humid regions, the humidity levels in the basement wine cellar can reach past the ideal range of 50% to 70% RH. When this happens, the excess water creates an environment vulnerable to mold growth. Changes in moisture levels can also cause the bottle’s cork to shrink or expand over time, allowing air to seep into the bottle.
While wine cellars are typically kept at a higher humidity than living spaces, extreme humidity cannot be good for wine storage. Sudden changes in temperature and humidity levels can damage the cork, the bottle’s labels, and even the contents. If you have humidity issues in your home, a good dehumidifier can be beneficial to maintain the ideal conditions in your wine cellar.
To find the best dehumidifying unit for wine storage, some factors you need to understand are the dehumidifier capacity, the size of your space, and the ambient temperature and humidity levels. There are many other features you can choose from based on your preference. To learn more about dehumidifiers, we have reviewed five of the best units today and listed below the important features you need to consider before making a purchase.
Top 5 Dehumidifiers for Wine Cellar
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Editor's Choice  |
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Runner-up  |
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Best Dehumidifiers for Wine Cellar
Frigidaire FFAD3533W1
The best dehumidifier for a wine cellar, basement, and most other home applications is from the popular brand Frigidaire. For small to medium-sized rooms with moderate to severe humidity, we recommend this 35-pint dehumidifier. A top pick for many homeowners and experts, Frigidaire dehumidifiers offer powerful and reliable performance with excellent build quality and design. To top it off, all Frigidaire units are Energy Star rated to ensure more savings on your bills.
This unit features custom humidity control so you can select a target humidity level from 35% to 85% and a 24-hour timer to delay start or stop operation after 0.5 to 24 hours. Unlike most other brands, Frigidaire includes three fan speeds. The exhaust is on the top along with the control panel and extendable handle.
This 35-pint unit has a 16-pint (2-gallon) water tank to collect the moisture. Since it is the same size as that of the 50-pint model, the tank is probably one of the largest for a 35-pint. The unit comes with the standard auto shut-off feature to automatically stop dehumidifying when the water inside reaches a certain level, as well as a bucket full alert to notify you. To make it even more convenient, Frigidaire offers a continuous draining option. Just attach a standard garden hose to the drain outlet to allow the water to flow directly into a low-level drain or sink.
Frigidaire’s SpaceWise design includes rolling casters for added portability. The unit also comes with a washable filter and a filter indicator light. Frigidaire dehumidifiers particularly excel in low temperatures, operating at as low as 41°F. They do this continuously without an auto defrost mode that turns off the unit to melt the frost. This is certainly beneficial in wine cellars that are kept cooler than most rooms in the house. Only, one downside is that Frigidaire comes at a higher price than the average dehumidifier. It also comes with the usual one-year warranty, but with its high-end quality, it’s guaranteed you can get the most out of your investment.
Pros
• Energy Star certified
• Custom humidity control
• Quick and efficient moisture removal
• SpaceWise portable design
• Works well in low temperatures
• High tank capacity
• Continuous drainage option
Cons
• Higher price
• 1-year warranty
hOmeLabs HME020030N
Another one of the best-selling residential dehumidifiers is hOmeLabs and unlike our top pick it is as affordable as it is efficient and powerful. For smaller spaces, this hOmeLabs dehumidifier can remove 22 pints of moisture in up to 1,500 square feet. It is also Energy Star rated to ensure high performance and greater savings.
As with any standard dehumidifier, hOmeLabs features a built-in humidistat where you can set your target humidity level between 35% and 90% RH. You can also set a timer to program the unit to start or stop after 0.5 to 24 hours. On the panel, you’ll find the Comfort, Turbo, and Continuous buttons. Turbo mode sets the fan speed to high, Comfort mode automatically sets the humidity level based on the ambient temperature, while Continuous mode enables non-stop operation.
This 22-pint unit comes with an average-sized 0.8-gallon (6.4-pint) water tank complete with a transparent water level window and the standard auto-shutoff function and full tank alert. If you dont want to have to empty the tank, attach a standard garden hose (not included) to the drain outlet to allow continuous drainage.
The unit is built with four wheels and a handle on each side for easy movement and portability. You can take the unit up or down anywhere in your home if necessary. One disadvantage of hOmeLabs compared to Frigidaire is the build quality. The former features a plastic housing and water tank that is light and flimsy. The water tank, in particular, can break if used repeatedly. However, this may not be that big a deal if you use the drain hose option. In any case, the overall performance of hOmeLabs gives you the best deal for its price. The unit also comes with a longer two-year warranty.
Pros
• Energy Star certified
• Powerful moisture removal
• Continuous draining option
• Budget price
• 2-year warranty
Cons
• Small tank
• Low quality build
Colzer HD08C
Colzer is popular for budget-friendly appliances including portable dehumidifiers. This model in particular, removes a maximum of 50 pints of moisture a day in spaces up to 3,500 square feet. Although built smaller than the standard “50-pint” dehumidifier, this Colzer unit features a similar structure, with the air inlet at the back, the exhaust on top, and the control panel on the top left.
It operates in three modes: Dehumidify/Smart, Dry, and Continuous. In Smart mode, you can adjust the humidity level from 30% to 80% in 5% increments and the unit will automatically cycle on and off to maintain your set humidity. Dry mode sets the fan speed to high while Continuous mode sets the unit to run nonstop. The humidity display on the front shows the current humidity in the room for easy monitoring. The unit has two fan speeds as well as a 24-hour on and off timer. You can also lock the settings to prevent accidentally changing them.
This Colzer dehumidifier has a small 0.66 gallon or about 5.28 pint water tank with a water level window at the back of the unit. It has the auto shut-off feature and full tank when the tank is full. A smaller tank like Colzer’s may be easier to empty but it will fill up more quickly and need emptying more frequently. If you want it to run continuously without needing to empty the tank every few hours, attach the included 6.56-feet drain hose to the outlet on the back of the unit to allow automatic drainage via gravity.
Like most compressor dehumidifiers, Colzer operates in temperatures down to 41°F and automatically activates auto defrost mode to prevent frost that may damage the coils. However, there is no defrost light to indicate when the unit is currently defrosting. Additionally, it comes with a removable and washable air filter. It has a recessed handle on each side and four wheels for easy movement. It’s portable and light enough for a small basement, laundry room, living room, and even a bedroom due to its low noise levels. On the downside, this unit, like other Colzer dehumidifiers, isn’t rated by Energy Star.
Pros
• Light and portable
• Quiet operation
• Continuous drainage with hose included
Cons
• Small tank
• Not Energy Star rated
Waykar PD09B
Waykar is also a brand known for cheap but functional dehumidifiers. This compact and portable unit removes up to 34 pints of moisture per day at 95°F and 90% relative humidity. It is recommended for small spaces up to 1,750 square feet. Waykar features a tall cube-like design different from our picks above. It has the control panel on top and the air outlet below it, exhausting dehumidified air in four directions for efficient coverage.
There is a huge humidity display where you can set the humidity level from 30% to 80% in 5% increments. After setting, the digital display will show the current humidity. The unit will automatically stop when it senses humidity lower than your setting, and start again when humidity rises. The top display also includes a 24-hour on/off timer and the fan speed button to choose between fast and slow speed. The indicator lights will determine whether the timer is set and what operation mode you have selected. You can also lock the control panel to avoid children from accidentally changing the settings.
While this unit is incredibly light and compact, the small 0.6-gallon or 5.2-pint water tank will need to be emptied once or twice a day. You have the usual automatic shut-off and indicator light when the tank is full so you need not worry about water overflow. But if you don’t have time for manual draining, connect the included 6.56-ft drain hose to the outlet to enable continuous drainage via gravity.
Like other compressor dehumidifiers, Waykar should not be operated below 41°F or freezing temperatures. When frost starts to form on the coils, the unit will go on Auto Defrost mode and the indicator light will illuminate. This unit also comes with a washable filter on the back to catch dust as the air enters. Since this unit, like other Waykar dehumidifiers, is not rated by Energy Star, it will remove a much lesser amount of moisture than 34 pints in actual use. In any case, its best-selling features are the compact structure and affordable price.
Pros
• High moisture removal rate
• Compact and portable design
• Easy-to-use control panel
• Continuous draining option with hose included
Cons
• Small tank capacity for its size
• Not Energy Star rated
Ivation 14.7-Pint Compressor Dehumidifier
The last on our list is by Ivation, a brand that offers a wide selection of dehumidifiers of different types and sizes. Its smallest compressor dehumidifier is this 14.7-pint unit. It appears almost similar to a large Peltier unit but operates just like any compressor-based model. It’s ideal for tiny rooms up to 320 square feet at temperatures down to 41°F, perfect for a small wine room in a corner of your basement.
This small Ivation dehumidifier is packed with useful features within its compact size. You can set the humidity level from 40% to 65% RH in 5% increments, or choose Continuous mode to set the unit to run continuously. After it has reached your set humidity, the unit will stop running for 60 minutes then run the fan for five minutes to monitor the relative humidity. It will resume operation if the room humidity is higher than your setting.
You can also set a timer to turn off the unit after one to 24 hours, and adjust the screen brightness to make viewing more comfortable for your eyes. The unit will stop automatically when the 3.8-pint tank is and the indicator light will let you know when you need to empty the tank. Alternatively, you can attach the included drain hose for continuous drainage to a nearby drain.
It also comes with a washable air filter easily accessible by pulling out from the top of the unit. It has an extendable handle on top and four wheels for easy movement. In lower temperatures, the unit will go on Auto Defrost mode to prevent frost buildup. One disadvantage of a cheap and small dehumidifier like this Ivation unit is the low-quality LCD interface. While not Energy Star certified like most other Ivation products, this unit consumes very low power at a maximum of 200 Watts. It’s not especially effective against excess moisture but for a small cellar, it can do pretty well in keeping humidity below 70% RH, which is really all you need for your wine storage.
Pros
• Cheap and portable
• Low power consumption
• Easy to use controls
• Continuous draining with hose included
Cons
• Small capacity only for tiny spaces
• Low quality display
Best Humidity Level for Cellar
Again, the ideal range of humidity for wine storage is between 50% and 70% RH, while the ideal temperature is around 55°F or within 52°F to 58°F. You may notice that this is colder than the recommended 65°F temperature for homes but more humid than the optimal humidity range of 40% to 60% RH. This is because organic materials like the corks in wine bottles absorb a lot of moisture. When humidity is too low, the cork may dry out and shrink, allowing cool air into the wine bottle.
On the other hand, extremely high humidity levels can cause mold growth inside wine coolers or even on the corks when they absorb too much moisture from the air. Mold can also damage other materials like bottle labels and wooden racks. Additionally, excess moisture and mold cause musty odors, which can impact the wine quality.
While humidity levels are important, the temperature is also a critical component in preserving your wine collection. This is the main reason a cellar is kept underground and away from sunlight. Even fluctuations of 3°F can cause the cork and the bottle’s contents to expand, unsealing the cork. When the temperature drops, the wine contracts, allowing humid air to sneak in along with odors and even harmful VOCs.
To keep both temperature and humidity within the proper range, you need the right cooling system.
Features to Consider
The best dehumidifier for your wine cellar depends mostly on the size and humidity of the space. Because you need precise control of temperature and humidity inside the cellar, you must be very careful in choosing a unit with a digital humidistat and other necessary features.
Dehumidifier Capacity
The first thing you should know about a dehumidifier is its dehumidification capacity. This is the maximum amount of moisture it can remove from the air in 24 hours, usually measured in pints per day or PPD. Extremely damp spaces require a more powerful dehumidifier. Standard sizes today range from 20 to 70 pints but for small spaces, it is often enough to go with a 20- to the 35-pint unit. The capacity also directly relates to the total coverage that the unit can handle, so a larger capacity is recommended for larger spaces, and so on.
Drainage Options
The default option is to manually empty the water collected in the dehumidifier’s tank. When the tank fills up, you need to empty it immediately to resume operation. For high-capacity dehumidifiers, this could mean you need to empty the water tank multiple times a day. To avoid this, you can simply choose a model with a higher tank capacity so it fills up slower.
If you don’t want to empty the tank at all, you may also opt for continuous drainage via gravity. Luckily, most dehumidifiers offer this option now. All units listed above allow you to direct the moisture collected into a nearby sink or floor drain so you won’t need to check the water level and empty the tank every few hours. Attach the hose (may be bought separately) to the outlet, place the unit above the drain, and let gravity do the work for you. High-capacity models may also come with a built-in pump for automatic draining.
Low-Temperature Operation
Portable residential dehumidifiers use compressor-based dehumidification. Due to its process that involves condensation of moisture, there are higher risks of freezing inside the machine. To prevent any damage, modern dehumidifiers have the auto defrost function to melt the ice when it starts to form. The standard residential unit can continue to operate at temperatures as low as 41°F. this is an important consideration to make since wine cellars are typically kept cooler than any other part of the house.
Other Features
One particularly important feature in your wine cellar dehumidifier is the digital humidistat. Maintaining proper conditions without sudden changes needs strict control of humidity. All dehumidifiers we featured come with an adjustable humidistat, allowing you to manually set your target humidity level. The unit will work to keep the humidity down to your set level, automatically turning on or off when needed. It’s recommended to set the humidity in your cellar at around 60% RH.
Final Words
Temperature and humidity levels change by a few degrees throughout the day, potentially damaging your wine. To make sure the wine cellar air is maintained, monitor the humidity with an accurate hygrometer, and install wine cellar humidifiers or dehumidifiers. This way, you will know what you need to do before causing serious damage to your cellar. It will also help to add insulation with a vapor barrier installed around the cellar.
