We often use the garage to store precious memories, as well as things we simply don’t have room for. It is, therefore, crucial to keep the garage free of dampness and moisture, but that isn’t always easy.
As the temperature changes outside, so does the climate inside the garage. But if the garage becomes too damp or humid, mold will likely begin to grow.
Discovering mold on your old books, baby clothes or other memories can be devastating. Luckily, by using the best garage dehumidifier, you can effectively keep moisture and mold at bay.
Will a Dehumidifier Work in a Garage?
Many things can cause a significant amount of moisture in a garage, such as what the car brings from outside. However, it’s essential to get rid of excess moisture since it will cause mold and can damage the structure of the garage (1). Not to mention, if you use the garage to store things, finding mold is far from ideal.
Garage sweating is a common issue where the floor seems to be constantly wet. It typically happens when moisture from the air settles on the cold floor, causing it to look sweaty.
Garages aren’t the best-ventilated areas either. So when the hot air meets the coldness of the floor, condensation occurs (2).
Installing a dehumidifier in the garage is the most effective way to get rid of the condensation. It will also help to relieve some of the sweating your floor is experiencing.
What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need for My Garage?
One can’t say for certain what size dehumidifier you need for your garage. It depends on different factors, such as area size, dampness and outside environment. If you know how many square feet your garage is, this should be a helpful start.
Size Matters
How to Choose the Best Garage Dehumidifier
There are many dehumidifiers available on the market. However, with few being specifically marked for garages, what should you choose? We’re here to give you a gentle push in the right direction with a few crucial points to consider.
Pints Per Day
Dehumidifiers are generally categorized or sized by how many pints of water they can remove per 24-hour period. You can find units that are 30 pints, 40, 50 and all the way up to 70 pints. These are very effective, but it’s important to choose one that suits the area.
It’s also essential to consider how humid your garage usually is. For instance, if you live in a hot, humid climate such as Florida, your garage could benefit from a 50 or 70-pint dehumidifier.
Drain Options
Because the garage can be home to a significant amount of moisture, your dehumidifier will be extracting quite a lot. How often you’ll need to empty the tank will depend on how much moisture it can extract.
It’s important to note that a 70-pint dehumidifier won’t be fitted with a 70-pint tank. So, for a garage, we prefer to have the option of continuous drainage. That way, you won’t have to worry about emptying a tank.
Most dehumidifiers use gravity-fed hose drainage, which means the water has to be able to run down. Some units come with a built-in pump that helps to pump the extracted water out of the machine.
In order for the continuous drainage to work, you have to attach a hose. Some dehumidifiers include a small hose. If yours doesn’t come with a hose, you can attach a standard garden hose to the outlet.
If you don’t have a drain nearby and need to use the tank, choose a unit with a large reservoir capacity. This will make it easier for you since you won’t have to empty it as often.
Area Coverage
As you’re hunting for a new dehumidifier for your garage, look at its area coverage. This is generally measured in square feet. It can give you a good idea of how the unit will do in your garage.
Extra Features
Just because the dehumidifier is going to be in the garage, that doesn’t mean features shouldn’t be considered. Here are some of the features we like to look for:
- Auto-shutoff: The auto-shutoff will monitor the water in the tank; when it becomes full, it will turn the unit off. This will prevent the tank from overflowing, potentially ruining the dehumidifier and the surrounding area.
- Fan speeds: Having the option of setting the dehumidifier to a turbo speed or slow speed can be convenient, depending on the conditions. Most units have two fan speed options, while some have three or four.
- Defrost: Dehumidifiers are fitted with coils, and during cold days, these can freeze over. If this happens, the unit will use more energy to run, which will eventually burn it out. The defrost function keeps the coils free of ice and helps to save energy during the winter.
The Best Garage Dehumidifiers of 2020
Having a dehumidifier in the garage is important to keep moisture at bay, but it can be tricky to find the right one. Before making our list, we looked at various sizes to see how each dehumidifier would perform in a garage. Our expert team had a weigh-in on what features and options would be needed before making our final list.
1. Vremi Energy Star Rated Dehumidifier
The Moisture Maniac 22-pint is an excellent little machine, but don’t judge it by its size. It’s highly effective as well as energy-efficient. The device will dehumidify and purify the air in the garage in one go, so it’s a bit of a hybrid.
It comes with auto-shutoff as well as a gravity-fed drain hose outlet that allows continuous use without worrying about the tank. You get to control the humidity in the garage by setting your preferences on the display.
Why We Love It
Excellent for Medium-Sized Garages
If you have a medium-sized garage, this dehumidifier is perfect. It can cover up 1,500 square feet and will remove 22 pints of moisture per day. The Vremi works very effectively at reducing humidity levels to help prevent mold, mildew and bacteria.
Portable
The Moisture Maniac definitely lives up to its name; it’s highly efficient, yet compact and easy to move around. It’s fitted with two handles and four sturdy wheels to help you move it from room to room.
Auto-Shutoff
We love the auto-shutoff feature on the Vremi. It works by monitoring the tank and shutting the unit off when full. This will help to prevent a disaster in case you’ve forgotten to empty the tank. When this happens, a light on the display will notify you that the unit has been turned off and it’s time to empty it.
Continuous Drain
If you don’t feel like dealing with a full tank, you can use the drain hose outlet. All you have to do is attach a hose to the unit and find a nearby drain. The dehumidifier will then drain automatically through the hose instead of filling up the tank — saving you time and effort.
Air Purification
Keeping the garage clean involves more than merely sweeping the floors; the air has to be clean as well. Luckily, with this dehumidifier, you don’t only get less humidity, but also cleaner air. It’s fitted with a fine filter that captures things like allergens, dust, dirt and mold spores.
When needed, you can easily remove the filter and wash it in warm water and mild detergent. Vremi recommends that this is done once a month to keep up the efficiency. Make sure the filter is thoroughly dry before putting it back into the machine.
Keep In Mind
Loud
Despite working effectively, the Moisture Maniac is loud. If you plan on using the dehumidifier in other rooms within the house, this won’t be ideal.
Additional Specs
| Area Coverage | 1,500 square feet |
| Pints Per Day Removed | 22 pints |
| Reservoir Capacity | 8 pints |
| Dimensions | 16.1 by 10.4 by 19.9 inches |
| Weight | 30.9 pounds |
2. Ivation 30-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier
The Ivation 30-Pint Dehumidifier is an excellent choice for large garages as it can remove a great amount of moisture. It’s a compact model that’s easy to move around, thanks to the four durable caster wheels.
It’s very energy-efficient and comes with multiple features such as auto-shutoff, a timer, filter and alerts. Unlike many other dehumidifiers, this one can be used safely during the colder months of the year due to the defrost function.
Why We Love It
Compact
The space in a garage can be rather restricted at times, so having a compact but powerful dehumidifier is best. This one from Ivation is small, yet very powerful, removing up to 30 pints of moisture per day. It can cover an area of up to 2,000 square feet, which should be more than enough for the average garage.
Cleans the Air
The Ivation 30-pint dehumidifier has a filtration and evaporation system that helps to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. It will keep allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust mites, at bay as well.
Large Tank
Despite the compact size, this dehumidifier is fitted with a 10.4-pint tank to hold all of the moisture it captures. The large reservoir will only make life easier for you as you don’t have to spend time and effort emptying it several times a day.
Smart Features
We love the features you get with this dehumidifier; it comes with different fan speeds, a timer and filter alert. You can also monitor and set your desired humidity levels using the built-in humidistat. Everything is controlled from the bright LED display that’s easy to read and to use.
Defrost Function
Winters can get frigid, especially in an unheated garage. Low temperatures can have detrimental effects on your dehumidifier as the coils can freeze over. However, thanks to the defrost function on this unit, you can use it all year round.
Keep In Mind
Missing Screws
To attach a hose for continuous drainage, you need two screws. Unfortunately, these aren’t provided. You have to purchase them separately.
Additional Specs
| Area Coverage | 2,000 square feet |
| Pints Per Day Removed | 30 pints |
| Reservoir Capacity | 10.4 pints |
| Dimensions | 14.2 by 9.9 by 20.1 inches |
| Weight | 31 pounds |
3. Aprilaire 1830 Pro 70-Pint Dehumidifier
If you want fast results, this is the way to go. The Aprilaire Dehumidifier was built to last. It’s also designed to remove a significant amount of moisture. This pick is a heavier model than what we’ve seen previously, but it’s excellent for a humid garage.
If you also have a basement in your house, you could use it there as well. Aprilaire offers a five-year warranty with the unit to cover any malfunctions or breakage.
Why We Love It
Highly Effective
For large garages, we prefer this Aprilaire dehumidifier. It works very effectively and removes up to 70 pints of moisture per day. You can be sure there’s no damp, mold, mildew or even termites hanging around when using this model.
Durable
Because this is a commercial dehumidifier, it has been built to last you through the years. It’s fitted with corrosion-resistant aluminum coils and is manufactured and designed in the US.
Easy Setup
It’s quick and easy to get the dehumidifier started. It has two plastic duct connectors, which can be removed using a regular screwdriver. Place it over a drain or attach a hose and it will work continuously without filling a tray.
The display can be placed where you find it most convenient — set it up on top of the unit or on the side.
Keep In Mind
Heavy
Weighing nearly 70 pounds, this dehumidifier is far from lightweight. It’s heavy but durable. Just don’t try to lift it on your own.
Additional Specs
| Area Coverage | 3,800 square feet |
| Pints Per Day Removed | 70 pints |
| Reservoir Capacity | N/A |
| Dimensions | 25 by 12.5 by 14.5 inches |
| Weight | 67 pounds |
4. Keystone High-Efficiency 50-Pint Dehumidifier
The Keystone 50-Pint Dehumidifier is favored by many homeowners. It’s highly effective and can cover vast areas of up to 3,000 square feet. It comes with a full-bucket alert as well as a transparent water level indicator.
The dust filter will catch large airborne particles while the unit extracts moisture from the air. It comes with several settings such as different fan speeds, auto-shutoff and a defrost function.
Why We Love It
Water Level Indicator
It’s easy to know how full the water tank is on the Keystone Dehumidifier. It’s fitted with a transparent panel where you can see exactly how much water is in the reservoir. You don’t have to open it to check or wait for a light indicator.
Easy Controls
All buttons are marked, so it’s easy to figure out how to set your preferred settings. You can also set a timer and fan speed, among other things. The controls are electronic and have an LED display that’s bright and simple to read.
Dust Filter
As moist air is drawn into the machine, dust is inevitably going to follow and this can clog up the machine.
Fortunately, the dust filter will effectively catch anything that tries to get into the dehumidifier. When the filter needs to be cleaned, a light on the display will notify you. It’s easy to locate and quick to clean.
Keep In Mind
Uses a Significant Amount of Electricity
Although this unit works like a dream, it can be a nightmare for your electricity bills. It consumes a significant amount of energy, especially if you run it continuously.
Additional Specs
| Area Coverage | 3.000 square feet |
| Pints Per Day Removed | 50 pints |
| Reservoir Capacity | Not specified |
| Dimensions | 10.8 by 15.4 by 23.2 inches |
| Weight | 36.3 pounds |
5. Ivation 70-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier
The Ivation 70-Pint Dehumidifier is an ideal choice for a humid garage. It can cover a vast area in one go and will remove an impressive amount of moisture. The large reservoir is able to hold a lot, but you can also attach the included hose for continuous drainage.
Customers love how effective it is and how long it lasts, even with continuous use. It’s also energy-efficient and won’t raise your energy bills as much as other 70-pint units do.
Why We Love It
Excellent for Large Spaces
If you have a large garage, you need a powerful dehumidifier — and this Ivation model is just that. It will remove up to 70 pints of moisture per day and can cover an area of up to 4,500 square feet.
Large Reservoir
Having to empty the water reservoir multiple times a day can be extremely inconvenient. Luckily, this unit has an 18-pint reservoir. This generous size is impressive and will help to reduce the number of times you need to empty the bucket each day.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to deal with having to empty the tank altogether, use the continuous drain. Attach a hose to the outlet and draw it to a nearby drain. The dehumidifier will work continuously without stopping to be emptied.
Humidistat
You get to set your ideal humidity levels on the humidistat. It’s displayed on the LED screen and it even shows the current levels, so you can monitor it throughout the day.
Easy to Move Around
Despite weighing 45 pounds, it’s actually quite easy to move around — that’s because of the four durable caster wheels. Push it to where you need it without breaking a sweat or your back.
Keep In Mind
Loud
Due to the size, it’s expected to not be the quietest unit; however, it can get quite loud. This might not be an issue in the garage, but if you plan on taking it inside as well, it can be too loud.
Additional Specs
| Area Coverage | 4,500 square feet |
| Pints Per Day Removed | 70 pints |
| Reservoir Capacity | 18 pints |
| Dimensions | 11.1 by 15.3 by 23.5 inches |
| Weight | 45 pounds |
Detailed Comparison Chart
| Product | Best | Area Coverage | Pints Per Day | Reservoir Capacity | Dimensions | Weight |
| Vremi Energy Star Rated | Overall | 1,500 sq ft | 22 | 8 pints | 16.1 x 10.4 x 19.9″ | 30.9 lbs |
| Ivation 30-Pint Energy Star | Cold Weather | 2,000 sq ft | 30 | 10.4 pints | 14.2 x 9.9 x 20.1″ | 31 lbs |
| Aprilaire 1830 Pro 70-Pint | Commercial | 3,800 sq ft | 70 | N/A | 25 x 12.5 x 14.5″ | 67 lbs |
| Keystone HE 50-Pint | 50-Pint | 3.000 sq ft | 50 | N/A | 10.8 x 15.4 x 23.2″ | 36.3 lbs |
| Ivation 70-Pint Energy Star | Large Garages | 4,500 sq ft | 70 | 18 pints | 11.1 x 15.3 x 23.5″ | 45 lbs |
How Do I Keep Moisture out of My Garage?
Installing a dehumidifier in your garage is an effective way to get rid of moisture. However, there are other things you can do as well:
- Ventilate the garage.
- Dry your car after parking it.
- Control the temperature inside the garage.
- Coat the floor to prevent sweating.
Don’t Sweat It
Garages can become quite humid due to various factors such as the outside climate and the temperature inside. Having a dehumidifier in the garage is the best way to keep humidity levels to a minimum.
The best dehumidifier for a garage has to be the right size and strength to handle the humidity. We prefer to have the option of continuous drainage as it requires less time and effort. However, look for a large tank if continuous drainage isn’t a possibility.
