I tested the Frigidaire Dehumidifier and kept it to use in my own basement to help control humidity for woodworking projects.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Review: I Tried the Frigidaire Dehumidifier to Control Humidity in My Basement
Updated on Nov. 25, 2024
I live in a house that’s well over 100 years old. It has a stone foundation that lets in plenty of moisture. My challenge is that I have a wood shop in the basement, and I struggle to maintain a low humidity level during Minnesota’s wet springs and humid summers, so I was on the hunt for a good dehumidifier.
Luckily, I was tasked with testing the Frigidaire High Humidity 60-Pint Dehumidifier for our best basement dehumidifier piece. And boy did I test it.
Dehumidifiers, such as the Frigidaire High Humidity model, are designed to remove moisture from the surrounding air—no more, no less. While their job is simple, some perform better than others in various situations. Months later, I’m still using the Frigidaire—and it may be an excellent choice for your home and humidity-control needs.
What is the Frigidaire Dehumidifier?
You may or may not be familiar with precisely what a dehumidifier does. In general, a dehumidifier operates similarly to the principles of an air conditioner. However, where an air conditioner operates specifically to cool indoor air, a dehumidifier works to remove moisture from the air. While removing the moisture from humid air can have a cooling effect, a dehumidifier isn’t a cooling device like an air conditioner.
Why is it important to control humidity?
A document from the Minnesota Commerce Department answers a similar question this way, “High humidity in a home will cause the occupants to feel much warmer due to simple laws of physics. The higher the humidity in the air, the harder it is for sweat on our bodies to evaporate, which is how we cool ourselves in warm conditions. Even a cooler environment, with high humidity, will feel clammy and uncomfortable—think of a cool, damp basement. Additionally, high humidity coupled with warm temperatures contributes to the growth of mold and mildew, especially on cooler surfaces such as tile or foundation walls. Controlling humidity through proper sizing and use of air conditioning equipment, along with use of dehumidifiers, can reduce the impact of humidity on occupants and their homes.”
In essence, lowering indoor humidity helps our homes feel more comfortable and reduces the risk of moisture problems and damage. That’s where the Frigidaire High Humidity Dehumidifier comes into play.
Out of the Box
The Frigidaire machine earns high marks across multiple review platforms for doing just what it’s supposed to do—remove water from humid indoor air. Upon receiving the test unit, I noted its durable-feeling construction and heft. In fact, the machine’s weight leads us to recommend maneuvering it up and down stairs only with a helper.
During and after testing, the machine continued to impress. Right out of the box, I took advantage of the unit’s six-and-a-half-foot electrical cord to reach one of just a few available basement outlets. The Frigidaire remains a fixture in my basement.
The Frigidaire High Humidity Dehumidifier features a 60-pint-per-day humidity control, customizable and easy-to-adjust moisture controls, the ability to easily add a continuous drain hose, and automatic shut-off and timing features designed to make the unit compatible with the moisture-control needs of almost any home.
However, the Frigidaire isn’t designed as a crawl space dehumidifier, as it doesn’t come equipped with an internal or external condensate pump to drain water without the assistance of gravity.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Frigidaire 60-Pint 2-Speed Dehumidifier
Capture dust from the air effortlessly with a washable filter, custom humidity control and continuous drain
Frigidaire Dehumidifier Features
The Frigidaire High Humidity Dehumidifier has several convenience features that allow the user to operate the machine as necessary to control moisture almost anywhere in their homes. We particularly appreciate the long, 78-inch power cord that makes placing the unit easy in basements where electrical outlets are few and far between. Other features include the following items.
- 2.64-gallon water reservoir
- Automatic full-reservoir off switch
- 24-hour timer function
- Digital display
- Programmable humidity settings from 35% to 85%
- Drain connection for continuous operation
- Two operating speeds
- Reservoir full and filter cleaning LED indicators
How We Tested It
I personally tested the Frigidaire High Humidity 60 Pint Dehumidifier in my basement, which partially doubles as a woodworking shop in my 100-year-old+ home. I was given the task of testing multiple dehumidifiers over several weeks.
The Frigidaire is the one I kept and continue to use in the same space. However, I’ve long since attached a garden hose to the machine to facilitate continuous draining due to the large amount of moisture that requires controlling in my basement.
My testing consisted of running each machine for several days, noting the average amount of water each removed, how many times the reservoir required dumping, the ease of setting up and operating each unit, filter cleaning frequency and simplicity, noise levels of operation, and how each device performed in general.
I found the Frigidaire to be the best of the several I tested. The unit wasn’t the quietest, and the amount of water it removed from my basement air was comparable to or only slightly better than the other comparable machines. However, this unit felt more durable all around, and its larger-than-average and sturdy water reservoir made it enjoyable to test.
Pros
- Powerful enough to help control humidity in old houses
- Features a 24-hour timer
- Drain hose connection features standard garden hose fitting
- Digital, easy-to-read display on top of the machine
Cons
- Relatively expensive compared to its competition
- The high-speed setting is louder than some models
- Lacks smart-home connectivity
- Not Energy-Star listed
FAQ
How do I use my Frigidaire dehumidifier?
The Frigidaire High Humidity 60 Pint dehumidifier offers three use options. Many owners choose the option they need based on the amount of humidity their home contends with. For minor or occasional use, the unit’s 24-hour timer allows precise control. More frequent use is manageable by relying on the automatic off switch that activates when the reservoir is full. For continuous use in high-humidity situations, install a drain hose to enable constant draining.
How long does a Frigidaire dehumidifier last?
Typically, consumers can expect a well-maintained dehumidifier to last between five and ten years. Keeping the filter clean, drain hose clear, and objects away from the unit to maximize airflow will all help ensure your dehumidifier lasts closer to the top end of the expected lifetime scale. The total lifespan of any appliance, such as a dehumidifier, will also depend on the frequency of its use.
Frigidaire Dehumidifier vs HomeLabs Energy Star Dehumidifier
Putting the HomeLabs Energy Star Dehumidifier up against Frigidaire High Humidity Dehumidifier isn’t really a fair comparison. While the HomeLabs unit also makes our list of the best dehumidifiers for basements, the two are quite dissimilar on many fronts.
The HomeLabs Energy Star Dehumidifier is designed more for use in smaller basements of 1,500 square feet or less. It’s capable of removing up to 22 pints of water per day and features a small, 0.08-gallon reservoir. In contrast, the Frigidaire unit removes more than twice the amount of moisture as the HomeLabs one and has a reservoir with a capacity of over 2.5 gallons.
Both the Frigidaire and the HomeLabs dehumidifiers are excellent performers with regard to their designs. The HomeLabs unit won our best budget category in our overall review, and it’s no wonder due to being roughly half the price of the Frigidaire.
In a head-to-head comparison, the Frigidaire outperforms the HomeLabs Energy Star dehumidifier. However, both are great options, depending on your home’s moisture-control needs.
Final Verdict
I loved the Frigidaire High Humidity Dehumidifier. However, not every purchaser agrees. Some reviews cite a short lifespan and mechanical breakdowns as the reasons they wouldn’t choose the model again.
However, with 64% of Amazon reviewers awarding the device a 5-star rating, the results of our rigorous testing, and my ongoing positive remarks, we recommend the Frigidaire for homeowners with medium to high humidity in their homes who don’t mind some ambient noise when the machine runs on high power.
Where to Buy the Frigidaire Dehumidifier
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Frigidaire 60-Pint 2-Speed Dehumidifier
This 60-pint dehumidifier is perfect or large spaces like living rooms and basements.
The Frigidaire High Humidity 60-Pint Dehumidifier is available at Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart. Regular retail prices range from around $430 to $500.
