Danny as been writing about air purifiers for 10+ years. He is a major fan of home technology, which makes him the perfect person to test and evaluate products for HouseFresh
While the garage may not be the most lavish space in the home, it often houses a variety of prized possessions. Whether shielding your car, motorbike, or bicycle from the elements, acting as a workshop for your tools and maintenance equipment, or even just as a place to store old, treasured belongings, the garage provides a versatile and invaluable space.
As the garage is one of the most exposed spaces in the home, this opens the door to a raft of issues that can wreak havoc on our valuable possessions. From damp and mold build-ups to insect invaders and vermin, the garage can quickly become a battleground. Yet a secret weapon to keep your garage and belongings safe is as simple as running a dehumidifier.
Excess moisture in the air is often the route cause for issues in the garage, providing an ideal environment for mold, dust, and pests. Utilizing a dehumidifier will therefore help to prevent:
- Rusty vehicles and tools
- Mold and Mildew
- Dust mites
- Pest infestations
- Rotten soft furnishing, wood furniture, or cardboard storage boxes
- Asthma and allergy reactions
It’s important to ensure you find the right dehumidifier to meet your needs. As each machine will work at its optimum in a specific sized space, we’ve included a range of options, from the Aprilaire 1830Z, which is ideal for large spaces with a lot of moisture, to the Pro Breeze, which will work best in smaller spaces up to 150 sq. feet. For those looking for help with severe mold or airborne pollutants in the garage, be sure to check out our other guides such as 8 Best Air Purifiers for Mold, and 8 Best Air Purifier for Basements.
When putting together our recommendations, we always take into consideration differing budgets, user needs, and product performance. We also analyze Consumer Reports and genuine customer reviews to ensure each dehumidifier is up to the task at hand so you will be satisfied with your purchase.
1. Honeywell TP50WK Dehumidifier
The Honeywell TP50WK Dehumidifier is an ideal unit for your garage as it is simple for you to set it up when needed and move it out of the way whenever you don’t need it. Not only does it have four built-in wheels, but it also has a heavy-duty handle. To keep your garage less messy, there is a cord winder on the back of the dehumidifier.
Via the humidistat control system, the unit will automatically detect the moisture levels in the room and activate the dehumidification process. This can easily cover medium to large-sized garages, reaching out to every corner of the room so you don’t have to have the unit close by. Also, thanks to the LED display on the front of the unit, you can see the current humidity levels at a quick glance.
As this is an energy-efficient unit, you can run it all day long without worry. Otherwise, you can set the dehumidifier on a timer to make it cut off after a specific amount of time. No matter what happens, the unit will automatically shut off once the tank is full to prevent overflow.
- Tank Size: 30 pints
- Room Size Suitability: 3,000 square feet
- Weight: 34 pounds
- Special Features: Smart digital controls | smooth gliding wheels
What we love
- Straightforward to remove air filter to clean it
- The fan doesn't make much noise
- Simple to remove the tank when it is full
- Intuitive controls that are easy to press
We don't like this as much
- There are a lot of crevices in the tank, so it's important to thoroughly dry it out
- Could be beneficial if the supplied drain hose was longer than 3ft
2. hOmeLabs 50 Pint Dehumidifier
The hOmeLabs 50 Pint Dehumidifier is built for the modern home. It has a clean, sleek design that won’t look like an eyesore inside the garage. Also, it features built-in rolling wheels so you can move it across the ground without lifting it. It’s a tall unit, but not so wide that it would be in the way.
Concerning its functionality, the dehumidifier has a continuous mode and a comfort mode. On continuous, it will run despite humidity levels. With comfort mode, you can set desired humidity levels, and the unit will run to keep the room within those levels. You can always increase the fan speed to turbo for maximum moisture removal. Managing these settings is easy enough too thanks to the simple touch control panel.
When the bucket is full, it will automatically shut down. Otherwise, you can use the drain plug to attach a hose for continuous draining if you don’t want to keep checking inside your garage to manually empty out the tank.
- Tank Size: 50 pints
- Room Size Suitability: 4,500 square feet
- Weight: 40 pounds
- Special Features: Multiple modes | 2 fan speeds
What we love
- Two handles on the side for better maneuverability
- Can set desired humidity using 1% intervals for greater precision
- Powerful design to lower humidity levels fast
- Features an auto-defrost system for longevity
We don't like this as much
- The unit doesn't come with a drainage hose
- A splash guard would be useful to prevent water from spilling out of the tank
3. Vremi 22 Pint Dehumidifier
The Vremi 22 Pint Dehumidifier effectively manages moisture in smaller garages with an unobtrusive design that won’t get in the way. You can set it up wherever needed as the built-in handles on both sides make it easy to lift the unit. Controlling it is just as easy, thanks to the simple, streamlined panel.
This unit can run continuously, or you can set it in comfort mode so that it will turn on to keep humidity levels within the desired range. You can adjust that range simply enough using the arrow buttons on the panel. More control is given as you can change the fan speed, setting it at turbo mode to handle more serious cases of high humidity. If you need to, you can also turn on the timer feature so that it only runs when you want it to.
With this dehumidifier, you have the option of either manually emptying the tank or setting up the drain hose connection for continuous emptying. It makes the unit less hands-on and more user-friendly. Also, maintaining it doesn’t take much either as it’s easy to wipe down the dust filter once a month.
- Tank Size: 22 pints
- Room Size Suitability: 1,500 square feet
- Weight: 33.1 pounds
- Special Features: Auto-defrost | memory feature
What we love
- The power cord holder in the back helps keep the cord out of the way
- With the large tank capacity, you don't have to empty it as often
- Built-in, reliable caster wheels for moving it around
- Easy to check the water level from the see-through section in front of the unit
We don't like this as much
- Requires some clearance away from the wall as the air inlet is behind the unit
- Water fills up close to the top of the bucket, so care is needed when removing to avoid spillage
4. Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier
The Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier may be most beneficial for those of you who don’t have much space in the garage. It is compact, taking up a minimal footprint so you can set it out of the way. This can even fit on a workbench, making it more useful if your garage is your workspace. Also, because of its size, it’s most ideal for use in smaller garages. It doesn’t make much noise so it can run and leave you undisturbed.
Unlike many of the smart, modern units, this dehumidifier is more straightforward in its use. There are only two lights on it. One to indicate that it is running, and another light that will indicate when the bucket is full. It will automatically turn off when it is full too so you don’t have to constantly watch out for it.
When you’re ready to empty it, it is easy enough to pull the water tank out. It slips back in without difficulty too, making this dehumidifier completely user-friendly.
- Tank Size: 1.125 pints
- Room Size Suitability: 150 square feet
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
- Special Features: Peltier technology
What we love
- Appears to remove odors from the air quickly
- Good portability so it's simple to pack it up and move it around
- Quick and easy to operate with a single-button design
- Even if the unit runs for hours, it seems to stay cool
We don't like this as much
- The small reservoir design will require frequent emptying in high humidity environments
- May take some time to empty it out through the drainage hole
5. Aprilaire 1830 Pro Dehumidifier
The Aprilaire 1830 Pro Dehumidifier is a go-to unit to handle larger garages and high-humidity areas. It can remove up to nine gallons per day, making it an effective unit if you are dealing with issues such as rust on vehicles or metal tools. This is something you can also set and forget as it will automatically sense when humidity levels are above the target range. Because of this, you never have to worry about checking the levels in the garage again.
This dehumidifier comes with everything you need to install it or have it professionally installed. Once it is up and running, using it is just as simple. There is no water tray on the unit. Instead, you have two options to drain the water. You can set up a hose so that it will automatically drain out wherever you place the other end of the hose, or you can install the unit over a drain so the water simply drips out.
Further convenience is found via the interactive display. Additionally, all you have to do to maintain this is clean or replace the filter about once a year.
- Tank Size: 70 pints
- Room Size Suitability: 3,800 square feet
- Weight: 67 pounds
- Special Features: Corrosion-resistant aluminum coils
More like this: Best 70 Pint Dehumidifiers
What we love
- Comes with duct collars for easier installation
- Includes straightforward instructions for assembly and use
- Remote capability so you can control it at a distance
- Quickly lowers humidity levels
We don't like this as much
- Take care with the drain hose as it may kink up
- No temperature monitoring on the remote
6. Keystone 35 Pint Dehumidifier
The Keystone 35 Pint Dehumidifier is suitable for most garages. With its electronic controls, it features an LED display that is easy to read. You can cycle through different options so that it either runs continuously or shuts off when the bucket is full. Simply set up the unit to drain out if you want it to constantly run. However, emptying it is easy thanks to the built-in handle inside the tank.
Although it will shut off when full, you can always keep an eye on the water level if needed. This is thanks to the transparent water level indicator on the front of the unit. Also, the indicator on the unit will turn on too to make you aware of the tank requiring emptying.
This unit also features a dust air filter. So, the dehumidifier works well at clearing out excessive moisture and lowering other airborne irritants. Because of this, you can completely overhaul the environment inside your garage, making it easier to breathe in when needed and protecting all the items inside.
- Tank Size: 35 pints
- Room Size Suitability: 3,000 square feet
- Weight: 36.3 pounds
- Special Features: LED display | 24-hour timer
What we love
- Turns itself back on if you ever lose power
- Easy to navigate the control system
- Simple to adjust desired humidity levels
- After removing the tank for emptying, the unit won't restart until the bucket is placed back on
We don't like this as much
- It could be more energy efficient as it can run on a lot of power
- The container can be a little awkward to slide in and out
7. Whirlpool WHAD501CW Dehumidifier
The Whirlpool 50 Pint Dehumidifier protects your garage from airborne moisture, thus eliminating contaminants like allergens, mold, and mildew. It does well at combining efficiency with maneuverability so it is a user-friendly unit that anyone can use. As it works best in a 700-square foot environment, this unit will best serve smaller or medium-sized garages.
Navigating this unit is straightforward thanks to the electronic control panel. There are three fan speeds to cycle through so that you can run it as powerful or as light as you need, allowing you to personalize how the unit functions based on your garage’s humidity levels. There is also an automatic shut-off function and even an auto-defrost system so that it maintains its longevity.
To make maintaining the unit easier on you, there is a clean filter alert. This way, you know when to remove the filter to give it a quick wipe so that it functions well. Also, this comes with a 1-year warranty to give you peace of mind.
- Tank Size: 50 pints
- Room Size Suitability: 700 square feet
- Weight: 42.42 pounds
- Special Features: Electronic controls with an LED display
What we love
- Makes a noticeable impact on humidity levels in a short amount of time
- It beeps when the water tank is full so you know when to empty it
- Can adjust the humidity within a comfortable range
- Simple to move to any corner of the garage
We don't like this as much
- The fan seems to run continuously even if the dehumidifying function isn't
- It may vibrate when running, which can create noticeable noise
8. Inofia 30 Pint Dehumidifier
The Inofia 30 Pint Dehumidifier is a smart dehumidifier designed for simple use in a small to moderate-sized garage. It has a built-in humidistat to automatically detect whether the humidity levels are currently within the comfortable range. This way, you don’t have to adjust and check on the levels yourself, making it more hands-free to use.
This unit will automatically stop running when the bucket is full. Unless, of course, you have it set to continuously drain via a drainage hose attachment. Otherwise, it will not restart until you empty out the bucket and replace it.
For more user-friendliness, this unit features multiple fan speeds so that you can run it exactly how you want to. Also, there is a timer function so that it runs when you want it to as well. Besides that, this timer function will help the unit to save more energy over time. If the power were to ever go out in the home, then the unit will start back up with the settings you placed.
- Tank Size: 30 pints
- Room Size Suitability: 1,500 square feet
- Weight: 24.9 pounds
- Special Features: Built-in humidistat
What we love
- Produces minimal noise
- Features a discrete drain hose that won't get in the way
- Small footprint so it can be placed anywhere
- The timer has 1-hour increments for precise settings
We don't like this as much
- We’d like to see the addition of a remote control feature, especially if the dehumidifier is in a hard to reach place
- A handle on the water tank would make it more user-friendly
FAQs About Garage Dehumidifiers
What do you need to consider before buying a garage dehumidifier? There are two main factors to consider as you shop around for a garage dehumidifier: pint capacity and garage status. The pint capacity of any dehumidifier will help determine just how effective it is at removing moisture in the air. This will also be a good indicator of how fast the unit will remove moisture so that you'll know if it will take a few hours or a few days to fill up the water tank. Secondly, the current condition of your garage plays a role in choosing what dehumidifier will work best. An important feature to think about is the size of your garage in terms of square feet as this will help you choose the right pint capacity. Also, you can test the humidity levels to see if you need something that's either more or less powerful. What size dehumidifier do I need for my garage? Choosing what size dehumidifier is needed depends on the size of your garage. For example, if your garage is over 2,500 square feet, then a dehumidifier with a 70-pint capacity is needed. That type of unit will effectively cover the entire garage. However, smaller garages under 1,500 square feet will benefit just as well from a unit that has a 50-pint capacity. At the same time, how damp the room is will play a factor in what size will work best. Sometimes, if the garage space is smaller but has high humidity, a higher pint capacity will still be useful. What is relative humidity? To put it simply, relative humidity (RH) relates to the amount of water vapor that's in the air at a certain temperature and place. In more scientific terms concerning dehumidifiers, RH is a ratio that refers to the amount of water vapor inside a unit to the point that the rate of evaporation will equal the rate of condensation. On the notion of finished wood products and cut lumber, something that may become an issue if your garage is your workspace, RH is the primary source of moisture. When combined with other sources such as leaking appliances or standing water, it can greatly raise humidity levels in your garage. Which, in turn, raises the need for a dehumidifier. Which Dehumidifier is Best for You? Garages can be home to many things, from vehicles to storage space for tools, paint, etc. If the humidity levels get high, the area can also be home to mold, mildew, and harsh, musty odors. Metal on vehicles and other items can start to corrode and rust. So, a proper dehumidifier will allow your garage to smell and feel fresher while maintaining the integrity of any items stored within the space. Also, you don't want to enter your garage one day and see it swarming with annoying pests. A dehumidifier can further help ward off pests that otherwise live in high-moisture environments. However, as not all dehumidifiers work the same, you need the right one so that it's effective in your garage. Furthermore, consider looking at our top picks for our favorite budget-friendly dehumidifier, our favorite mid-range option, and our top high-end dehumidifier:- Best Budget Option – Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier
- Best Mid-Range Option – Vremi 22 Pint Dehumidifier
- Best High-End Option – Aprilaire 1830 Pro Dehumidifier