In this Danby Dehumidifier Review I will cover the current dehumidifier lineup from Danby: the 22-pint, 30-pint, and 50-pint dehumidifiers.
Danby is a Canada-based manufacturer of small home appliances such as dehumidifiers and air conditioners. Their dehumidifier line ranges from 22 to 50 pints for different room sizes and conditions. Danby isn’t the most popular dehumidifier brand, but the number of verified Danby dehumidifier reviews for newer models has been climbing across multiple retail sites, and they’ve received mostly positive feedback from customers.
From what I’ve seen, Danby performs well overall, but it doesn’t excel in any particular aspect other than the tidy size and shape. They feature almost anything you typically need in a portable home dehumidifier and it’s typically more affordable than a lot of other top dehumidifiers today.
If you’re not sure if this is the right dehumidifier for you, I’ve put together a guide to help you decide. We’ll look at four models currently available and discuss the important features as well as the feedback from consumers.
Danby Dehumidifiers Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Runner-up  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
PROS
- Energy Star certified
- Smart humidity control
- Quick and efficient moisture removal
- Continuous draining options
- 2-year warranty
CONS
- Difficult to understand control panel buttons
- Not a lot of reviews
Danby Dehumidifier Reviews
Danby 22-pint and 30-pint
First in Danby’s offering is this small 22-pint and mid-sized 30-pint. These two models come with the same compact structure. Both are Energy Star Certified Most Efficient in 2021. The 22-pint is ideal for small spaces up to 1,500 square feet, while the 30-pint can cover up to 2,000 square feet. There’s currently no available information on the exact tank capacity of these dehumidifiers.
Danby’s highest capacity dehumidifiers currently are these 50-pint units. These Energy Star rated dehumidifiers can cover small to medium sized areas up to 3,000 square feet. Both white and black models have a non-pump and with built-in pump versions.
Danby Dehumidifier Sizes
The Department of Energy determines dehumidifier performance and the testing standards for dehumidifier pint ratings and energy efficiency. From 2012, dehumidifiers were tested at 80°F and 60% humidity. Starting June 2019, the DOE changed the testing conditions to 65°F and 60% humidity, 15° lower than the 2012 standard. This new condition is meant to be a more accurate representation of the dehumidifier’s actual performance in a basement setting.
All Danby dehumidifiers have a similar design and controls. From here on, the following features refer to all Danby models, except for the drainage options. Like other compressor-based dehumidifiers, Danby operates from 41°F to 90°F with an auto defrost feature that stops operation to melt ice buildup. Danby is of around average quality guaranteed with a longer warranty period of two years.
Danby Dehumidifier Control Panel
Danby features almost anything you’ll find in modern dehumidifiers. On the top control panel you’ll see the digital humidity display, soft-touch control buttons, and indicator lights. In case of a power outage, the dehumidifier will automatically resume operation in your last selected settings when the power comes back. One problem I have with Danby is the lack of text labels for the control buttons and indicator lights. It can take a while to get used to especially if this is your first time using a dehumidifier.
Digital Humidistat
The small digital display shows the actual room humidity (from 30% to 90% RH) or the selected humidity setting while programming. Press the arrow buttons to choose your desired humidity level from 35% to 85% in 5% increments. With an onboard humidistat, the dehumidifier will automatically shut off when humidity is lower than your set humidity level and starts dehumidifying again when the room humidity rises. Note that you must select a humidity level at least 10% below the current humidity.
Timer
Like a lot of other dehumidifier models, you can set your Danby dehumidifier to automatically turn on or turn off in 0.5 hour increments up to 10 hours, then 1 hour increments up to 24 hours. To program the unit to automatically turn on, press the Timer button when the unit is off. Select the number of hours using the arrow buttons and the Timer On indicator will light up. To program the unit to automatically turn off, press the button when the unit is on. The Timer Off indicator will light up when you finish setting the timer.
Fan Speed
Danby has two fan speeds like most other brands. A few others offer up to three options. Press the Fan button to select from the two fan speeds. For maximum moisture removal, set the fan to High speed. The Fan indicator light will illuminate when High speed is selected. For quiet operation, press the button once to go on Low fan speed.
Smart Dehumidify
If you choose this function, it will automatically set the humidity level and fan speed depending on the ambient temperature. The humidity will be set between 45% to 55% and you cannot adjust it. Press the arrow buttons to cancel Smart mode.
Continuous Mode
Turn on Continuous mode to let the dehumidifier run its 24-hour cycle regardless of the current humidity level. Press the Continuous button and the indicator light will illuminate when operating in this mode.
Filter
Danby comes with a washable and reusable mesh filter to catch dust and other impurities before the air enters the unit. After 250 hours of use, the Filter light will illuminate to remind you to clean the filter. Remove the filter behind the air intake on the back of the unit and clean it with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely before reinstalling. Press the Filter button to turn off the warning light and reset the filter hours.
Drainage
Just like any household dehumidifier, Danby collects moisture in a water bucket. When the bucket is full, the compressor and fan will stop running and the full bucket indicator will light up. Remove the bucket by sliding it out from the bottom of the dehumidifier. Hold it with both hands and pour the collected water into the sink or drain. Empty the bucket as soon as you can and wash it at least every two weeks to prevent mold growth inside the machine.
Drain Hose
If you don’t want to empty the water manually, you can use the continuous drain function. You’ll need a standard garden hose and a female threaded end (not included with the purchase). Attach both to the drain outlet on the back of the unit and direct the other end of the hose to a low-level drain. Don’t forget to detach the hose if you want to use the tank instead.
Built-in Pump
Most high capacity units (40-pint or 50-pint and above) also come with a built-in condensate pump, like this 50-pint from Danby. The pump allows automatic draining vertically up to 15 feet. This is a very convenient feature for basements or other large spaces without a floor drain. You can direct the water into the sink or out of a window as needed. If your dehumidifier doesn’t come with this functionality, you can purchase a separate external condensate pump.
Customer Feedback on Danby Dehumidifiers
Despite the few reviews on its current dehumidifier models, Danby is a well-trusted brand that’s been around for decades. A lot of users can attest to the quality and reliability of Danby products. You can find customer reviews here and here.
Most customers note that Danby is very effective in removing moisture and making a significant change in humidity levels in their basements or whole house. On the aspect of noise output, Danby is on the quieter side. The product description claims noise levels of 50 to 56 decibels on operation. However, there are still a few complaints about noise that any dehumidifier is bound to get as more customers purchase the product.
One interesting call out is that, as of this writing, Danby makes one of the only readily available inverter dehumidifiers on the market. Inverter dehumidifiers have a higher capacity and efficiency due to their variable motor capacity. For more information check out the linked article about inverter dehumidifiers here.
Although the unit is easy to set up and use for almost any homeowner, one thing I didn’t like is the fact there are no labels on the control panel. It’s not really a deal-breaker, but maybe in the future Danby can make a little change to make the unit more user-friendly. Overall, Danby is a great investment for your health and comfort at home. With proper care and maintenance, your Danby dehumidifier can last upward of five years.
