Often, when you walk into your garage you’re slapped with misty, mildew, or just plain heavy air. That’s not something you have to settle for — in fact, it’s something you need to correct to protect everything in your garage.
Getting a dehumidifier is hands-down one of the best investments you can make for your workshop. The trick is finding the right one to suit your specific needs.
To help you find the best dehumidifier for your home garage, we’ve tracked down some of the best options out there. And if you’re not sure if your garage needs a dehumidifier — we’ve got you covered there too. So, just keep reading!
Why Does Your Garage Need a Dehumidifier?
Most garages don’t have the sort of ventilation your home does. Instead, they are well sealed. While that isn’t a problem for a lot of things — when it comes to moisture, it can be a big deal.
That’s because standing water caused by high humidity leads to mold — sometimes you’ll see it, and sometimes you won’t. And if you’re pretty sure that water isn’t going to get into your garage, the sad fact is that it will.
While some garages suffer from more condensation than others — if you’re parking your car in there, condensation will accumulate, even if you use a quality garage floor mat.
Whether you realize it or not — your vehicle produces water. The catalytic converter turns emissions into water, and while this is great for the environment, it’s bad for your garage. Even if you don’t leave your car running for a while — water is going to accumulate, and it’s up to you to remove it.
Of course, you can reduce the amount of water by leaving the garage door open (though that depends on where you live — in some areas, this will make things worse) and by limiting how often you run your vehicle in the garage. But without a dehumidifier, humidity will build up in the air.
As we said, this excess moisture can lead to mold, and it can ruin just about everything in your garage. Any metal components exposed to a humid atmosphere will rust. Yep, your mechanic’s toolset, your jack stands, your car lift, and your car parts are all at risk of rusting.
It also affects the air quality and can be bad for your health, especially if you’re spending long periods in your garage working on your car.
But while preventing humidity is impossible, learning how to dehumidify a garage is easy. Spending a few bucks on a dehumidifier now can save you a ton of money in the long run.
Things to Consider When Buying a Dehumidifier
Just because your garage needs a dehumidifier doesn’t mean you can blindly pick one up and think you’re good to go.
Regardless of whether you’re looking for your garage or need a workshop dehumidifier, there are plenty of things you need to consider to be sure you choose the right one.
Size and Coverage
For starters, you need to figure out what size dehumidifier you need. This depends on two factors:
- the size of the garage, and
- how much humidity you’re dealing with,
But while these two things work hand in hand, they aren’t always linked.
For instance, if you’re looking for a dehumidifier for a very large garage without a bunch of humidity, you can’t pick the smallest one and call it good as it can’t move enough air!
Be sure to check both the coverage area and the amount of humidity it can remove in a day when picking your dehumidifier — we’ve highlighted both specifications in each product’s specs so you can easily see which products will work for you and which ones won’t.
Power and Drainage
The next step is to determine how you’re going to power and drain your dehumidifier. Just like any electrical appliance in your garage, dehumidifiers run on electricity. So, you’ll need to plug them into an outlet.
On top of that, they’re pulling water out of the air — and that water needs to go somewhere. Most dehumidifiers come with a drain pan and a way to attach a hose. If you can attach a drain hose and get it to a drain or outside, this is what you want to do.
But this isn’t always an option, which means you’ll need to drain the pan or a bucket manually as it fills up.
Best Dehumidifiers for Garage & Workshop Use
As we’ve explained, buying a garage dehumidifier is a lot different than getting one for your home. You really want to be sure it has the right specs for your needs.
We’ve listed some of the best garage dehumidifiers out there, along with specifications for each. You’ll find one in this list to be the perfect fit for your garage — so let’s get to it!
For Climate Extremes
Don’t let wet or humid climates deter you from getting the best garage dehumidifier out there. These dehumidifiers can tackle any climate — leaving your garage dry and comfortable.
While these dehumidifiers might not be as big as other dehumidifiers on this list, they’re sure to get the job done no matter where you live.
Aprilaire
Manufacturer: Aprilaire
Part Number: 1850F
Coverage Area: 3,000 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 95 Pints
Warranty: 5-year
Buy On: Amazon
If you’re looking for a dehumidifier that can handle even the harshest climates and the largest spaces, the Aprilaire 1850F is an outstanding choice. Yes, it’s way more expensive than the competition, but it’s also the only humidifier that comes with a five-year warranty.
Moreover, setting up and using the humidifier is easy, and you don’t need to worry about emptying out a pan. Finally, all you need to do with this dehumidifier is set your target humidity level and leave it alone.
It turns on and off on its own to maintain the perfect humidity level, and all you need to do is change the filter once a year. When it comes to dehumidifiers, it doesn’t get more powerful or easier.
Frigidaire
Manufacturer: Frigidaire
Part Number: FGAC5044W1
Coverage Area: 2,000 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 50 Pints
Warranty: 1-year full/4-year sealed
Buy On: Amazon
Frigidaire makes tons of energy-efficient appliances, and it’s no surprise that they make an Energy Star dehumidifier for garage use. This humidifier comes with three different fan speeds you can choose from and has an automatic shut-off and full water tank alert system that keeps everything from overflowing or malfunctioning.
Even better, the Frigidaire Smart Appliance App allows you to control these settings and speeds with the click of a button, no matter where you’re at.
Moreover, this dehumidifier can remove up to 50 pints of water from the air in a single day, making it a highly effective choice for even the most humid climates. To top it off, you get a full years warranty and 4-years on the sealed components.
Ivation
Manufacturer: Ivation
Part Number: IVALDH30PW
Coverage Area: 1,500 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 22 Pints
Warranty: 1-year
Buy On: Amazon
Another smaller unit that is perfect for most garages is the Ivation 22-pint dehumidifier. But while it may be small in size, it’s still packed full of features. For starters, it has a built-in humidity control sensor that lets you know the current levels in the room and allows for automatic moisture control.
Additionally, it comes with a 1.3-gallon reservoir, or you can install a standard garden hose to continuously drain for you! Finally, this unit comes with plenty of safety features and a 12-month warranty.
The safety features include an auto-shutoff when the reservoir is full, an auto-restart feature, and a frost sensor.
For Smaller Garages
If space is a major concern for you, a smaller dehumidifier will still get the job done despite its size.
Take a look at our favorite mini dehumidifiers below.
Pro Breeze Mini
Manufacturer: Pro Breeze
Part Number: PB-03-US
Coverage Area: 250 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 4 Pints
Warranty: 1-year
Buy On: Amazon
The Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier might be just what you need to clear out the air in your very small garage on the cheap. While it’s definitely better suited for small areas, 250 square feet is still enough for some smaller garages.
The advantage of not going with a bigger unit is the price. This unit might be small — but it’s also available for a great price. Not only that, but this smaller unit is much quieter than the larger alternatives, and it still comes with an auto-on and auto-off switch, so you don’t need to track the humidity level yourself.
Despite the lower cost, you still get a 12-months worth of warranty. Why spend more when you can get the job done with less?
GE
Manufacturer: GE
Part Number: ADHR35LB
Coverage Area: 3,000 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 35 Pints
Warranty: 1-year
Buy On: Amazon
Just because you don’t want humidity in the room doesn’t mean that you need to get a massive dehumidifier that’s too much for the job. Just like the 50-pint option, this is an Energy Star system, but the smaller size means it uses even less power.
It comes with a hose connection for a continuous drain option, or you can use the 1.1-gallon bucket that comes with an alarm to keep things running smoothly. Moreover, it comes with three different fan speeds and can handle an area of 3,000 square feet, making it an outstanding choice for garages.
Inofia
Manufacturer: Inofia
Part Number: HD161A
Coverage Area: 1,500 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 30 Pints
Warranty: 1-year
Buy On: Amazon
If you’re looking for a hassle-free, smaller unit, the Inofia 30 Pint is an excellent choice. While it’s smaller in size, it has enough power to dehumidify a 1,500 square foot area, which should be more than enough for your garage.
It comes with a self-regulating feature that turns on the dehumidifier once the humidity in the room reaches a certain point — and shuts back off once it’s in an acceptable range.
While you have to drain this humidifier after 4 pints, if you hook it up to a hose, it self-drains for you.
Frigidaire
Manufacturer: Frigidaire
Part Number: FFAD2233W1
Coverage Area: 1,000 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 22 Pints
Warranty: 1-year full/4-year sealed
Buy On: Amazon
Another great option by Frigidaire, this 22-pint unit will feel right at home in your garage. It won’t be quite as powerful as Frigidaire’s 50-pint variant but it’s still a solid option for smaller workshops and garages.
While it has an auto shut-off and system to alarm you to empty the water tank, this dehumidifier is not compatible with the mobile app. However, you can hook it up to a hose for a continuous drain mode, and you can let this dehumidifier run without ever having to drain it.
Just like the larger dehumidifier, this one comes with a one-year comprehensive warranty and four years on the sealed components.
Keystone
Manufacturer: Keystone
Part Number: KSTAD224D
Coverage Area: 1,500 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 22 Pints
Warranty: 1-year full/4-year sealed
Buy On: Amazon
If you’re looking for the perfect unit for smaller garages or those without a ton of humidity, don’t miss out on Keystone’s 22-Pint dehumidifier. It’s an Energy Star-certified unit, with three different speeds depending on your needs.
You can either use the 0.8 gallon tank to collect water or set up a hose, so you never have to worry about draining the water tank. However, past that, this is a pretty basic unit when it comes to features.
But it’s affordably priced and comes with a warranty of one-year on the full unit, and an additional 4 years on all the sealed components. It might not be the fanciest unit, but it will a long time.
For Large Garages & Mechanic Workshops
So, you have a lot of space to cover? Don’t worry, these dehumidifiers are more than enough to tackle the job.
Whether you have tons of humidity or a giant space, these dehumidifiers are what you want.
Inofia
Manufacturer: Inofia
Part Number: YDA-828E
Coverage Area: 4,000 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 70 Pints
Warranty: 1-year
Buy On: Amazon
If you like the features of the Inofia 30 pint but need a little more power, they offer a 70-pint option that is sure to get the job done. Just like the smaller option it has an auto-on and auto-off feature to keep your garage at the perfect humidity level.
However, while the smaller version has a drain pan, you must connect this larger option to the 6.5’ drain hose. As long as you have somewhere to run the hose, this is an outstanding choice that can easily dehumidify even the largest and most humid areas.
Like many others, this dehumidifier is warrantied for one year, which isn’t mind-blowing for such a large unit, but for the price point, it’s still a great deal.
hOmeLabs
Manufacturer: hOmeLabs
Part Number: HME020031N
Coverage Area: 4,500 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 70 Pints
Warranty: 2-years
Buy On: Amazon
This unit might be a little overkill for most garages, but if you’re looking for a unit for an extremely humid area or if you have an extremely large garage, this dehumidifier might be exactly what you need.
It’s an Energy Star rated appliance with tons of power to clear out even the largest areas. Keep in mind that this unit does produce some heat — so if you’re thinking of putting this unit in a smaller area, you might run into problems.
The entire unit comes with a two-year warranty which is longer than most, and it’s available for a great price. Finally, this unit comes with a 1.6-gallon drain tank, or you can connect a hose directly to the unit, so you don’t have to worry about manually draining it.
Ivation
Manufacturer: Ivation
Part Number: IVADUWIFI50WP
Coverage Area: 4,500 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 50 Pints
Warranty: 1-year
Buy On: Amazon
Another larger energy-efficient dehumidifier is the Ivation 4,500 square foot option. It can clear up to 50 pints of moisture per day — and it comes loaded with features that you’ll love.
For starters, there are app control features that allow you to monitor humidity levels from wherever you are and adjust your unit accordingly. From there, set timers, adjust fan speeds, and so much more.
This unit comes with a 16’ hose, so it’s easy to set up somewhere for it to drain, so you never need to worry about finding somewhere to drain. The entire unit sits on caster wheels, so it’s easy to slide around too.
Keystone
Manufacturer: Keystone
Part Number: KSTAD504D
Coverage Area: 4,500 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 50 Pints
Warranty: 1-year full/4-year sealed
Buy On: Amazon
If you need a larger unit for your garage than Keystone’s 22-pint version, their 50-pint dehumidifier should do the trick for your garage. Just like their smaller unit, it’s not packed full of features, but it comes with everything you need to get the job done.
It does have an auto-restart feature and three different settings, but in the end, it’s a basic unit available for a great price. Finally, just like the smaller unit, it has a full 12-month warranty and three more years on all the sealed components.
GE
Manufacturer: GE
Part Number: APER50LZ
Coverage Area: 2,000 sq ft
24-Hour Water Removal Capacity: 50 Pints
Warranty: 1-year
Buy On: Amazon
As the name implies, this dehumidifier can remove up to 50 pints of water from the atmosphere per day, but it also comes with a 16’ drain hose, designed to provide plenty of distance to find a drain. However, if you still can’t find a drain, the 1.8-gallon drain bucket can help you out.
It’s large enough to where you won’t need to change it constantly but small enough to where you can still lift it when it’s full. Even better, when it does get full, it has an empty bucket alert that lets you know when it’s time to drain the bucket or when you’ve forgotten to put it back in.
Our Favorite Garage Dehumidifiers
After reading so many reviews, it’s understandable if you’re overwhelmed with the choices. That’s why we’ve taken the time to highlight a few of our preferred options.
Depending on what you’re looking for, these are the perfect fit.
Most Efficient: GE Energy Star 50 Pint
If you’re looking for a powerful, effective, and cost-effective dehumidifier for your home garage, it’s hard to beat the GE Energy Star 50 Pint. It’s large enough to tackle even the most humid garages, and while it’s far more powerful, it’s not an electricity hog.
It’s a great choice all-around and one you’re sure to be happy with.
Best Value For Money: Keystone 22 Pint
If you don’t want to spend a ton of cash but want a dehumidifier that can get the job done, stick with the Keystone 22-Pint option. While it doesn’t have tons of extra features, it does everything you need from a dehumidifier.
Don’t pay for features you don’t need, and stick with a long-lasting and reliable option with this dehumidifier.
For Harsh Winters: Ivation 22 Pint
It doesn’t matter what dehumidifier you go with — when the weather gets too cold, it’s not going to work. But that doesn’t mean you should skip the dehumidifier altogether. Instead, stick with an option like the Ivation 22 Pint.
This garage dehumidifier works well in the winter since it comes with a frost sensor that will shut off whenever the weather gets too cold and will auto-restart when the weather warms.
Did this guide help you find the best dehumidifier for your workshop or home garage? We’d love to hear which ones made it to the top of your list, so leave a comment below!