Is your garage damp, moldy, and humid? Have you noticed your car or motorbike going rusty? Or is there a nasty, musty odor? Moisture spells disaster for cars, motorbikes, stored valuables, and precious mementos. Without a dehumidifier, your garage will have slippery floors and wet walls, with mold spores and dust mites that can aggravate and even cause allergies. 

A garage dehumidifier can remove that excess moisture and lower humidity levels to healthy and comfortable standards. But not every dehumidifier is designed to work properly in a garage, and different units have pros and cons that will determine which is the best choice for your specific needs.  

Keep reading to learn what makes a quality garage dehumidifier, or skip to my top picks using this table of contents.

I’ve worked with dehumidifiers as a licensed Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) expert for over a decade. I’ve used everything I’ve learned in that time to put together this review and buying guide, so you can learn all you need to know about choosing the perfect dehumidifier for your garage.

It’s time to discover how to find the best dehumidifier for your garage!

Garage Dehumidifier Buying Guide

All enclosed spaces are vulnerable to excessive moisture. Since most garages don’t have HVAC, there are plenty of potential causes of a high moisture level in your garage. 

Poor insulation, using a wash or dryer, storing firewood, or bringing your car in from the rain or snow can all contribute to excessive humidity in your garage. 

The best garage dehumidifier for you may not be the best option for somebody else, so it’s essential to consider what you want from your garage dehumidifier. Think of the following as the most important factors to consider when you go shopping!

Pints Per Day

Dehumidifiers are sized and categorized by how many pints of moisture they’re capable of removing from the surrounding air in 24 hours. It’s a good measure of the effectiveness and speed of a dehumidifier. 

Units come with 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70-pint capacities. Choosing the right size for your garage is important or you’ll be left with a machine that isn’t strong enough or excessively dry air. 

Space In Your Garage

You’ll need to measure the size of your garage in square feet to get an idea of the capacity you need to look for. A larger garage will need a unit with a larger capacity. 

For most standard-sized garages of around 100 square feet, a 70-pint dehumidifier will work effectively in even the most humid conditions. 

Humidity Levels

This may seem obvious, but it’s an essential consideration. How humid does your garage usually get? This can depend on the climate you reside in and will determine the capacity you should be looking for.

A hot and humid climate such as that of Florida would need a dehumidifier with a pint capacity of at least 50, and most likely 60 or 70.

Drainage Options

Your garage dehumidifier will extract a considerable amount of moisture from the air daily. For instance, a 30-pint unit will need to be emptied a few times a day since the water tank isn’t physically big enough to collect 30-pints.  

That’s an issue for a garage dehumidifier since it’s unlikely you’ll be around your garage all day to monitor the water tank levels and empty it accordingly. To get around this issue, you’ll need a garage dehumidifier that can provide continuous drainage. 

Most dehumidifiers will use a gravity-based drain hose. This requires the drain hose outlet to be lower than the dehumidifier so that the water can run downwards, limiting the placement options of your dehumidifier. 

The best garage dehumidifiers have a built-in pump that can automatically pump out water in any direction you choose, so you can place it where you want and not have to continuously check up on it. 

You’ll need a drain hose for continuous draining. A standard garden hose will work if your dehumidifier doesn’t come with a drain hose included. 

If your garage doesn’t have a drain or sink nearby continuous drainage isn’t an option. Look for a dehumidifier with a larger water tank capacity so you won’t need to make as many trips to empty it.

Noise Level

Garage dehumidifiers don’t necessarily need to have the whisper-quiet operation of a living space dehumidifier. Most operate at a maximum of about 50 decibels anyway.

That’s quiet enough that you can comfortably talk over it, but it is still noticeable.

Humidistat

The built-in humidistat of a garage dehumidifier works in a very similar way to the thermostat of an air conditioner. While an air conditioner thermostat monitors the temperature, a humidistat monitors the relative humidity levels of the surrounding area and switches the unit off when it reaches the desired humidity level. 

It’s especially useful in garage dehumidifiers since you don’t have to stay nearby to monitor moisture levels, and your garage will never be over-or under-dehumidified. 

Portability

The best garage dehumidifiers are compact and portable so they can be moved around easily and comfortably.

To ensure this, look for a unit with strong caster wheels, long power cables, and robust carry handles. 

Extra Features

All garage dehumidifiers carry out effective moisture removal, but some are equipped with extra features that make their use easier, more convenient, or more energy-efficient. These are some of the most popular extra features to look out for:

Auto-Restart Feature

A garage dehumidifier with an automatic restart remembers its previous settings when it is switched back on after a power outage. If you live in an area that’s prone to power cuts and thunderstorms (when you likely need your dehumidifier most), look for a high-quality dehumidifier with this feature.

Auto-Shutoff Feature

An automatic shut-off will monitor water levels in the collection tank using a float switch. When the water reaches a certain level, it will turn the unit off to prevent overflow. Without this feature, you either need a continuous drain hooked up to the unit, or you’ll have to manually monitor water levels and empty the tank.

Fan Speeds

Most dehumidifiers have 2 fan speeds to select from, though some of the best dehumidifiers have 3 or 4. 

A higher fan speed may be louder and consume more power, but it can reduce moisture more effectively and quickly. Lower settings use less power and are conveniently quiet, but moisture removal will take a bit longer.

If you think you’ll need some flexibility when it comes to energy usage, noise level, and dehumidification speed, go for a dehumidifier with a changeable fan speed. 

Defrost

Garages tend to be colder than the indoor spaces of your home, so if you live in a climate that can get particularly cold during the winter, look for a dehumidifier that has an auto-defrost feature. 

This will stop your dehumidifier’s internal coils from freezing over, which can eventually destroy a unit from overuse. You’ll also save energy during the winter, reducing your bills.

Wi-Fi Controls

Some of the best garage dehumidifiers come with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can integrate it into your smart home setup or control various settings using your phone or tablet. 

Wi-Fi is a great feature in garage dehumidifiers since it lets you conveniently control the unit from anywhere in your home, so you don’t have to go out into your garage every time you want to change a setting.

Garage Dehumidifier Reviews

You can find some great dehumidifiers on the market today, but it can be difficult to know where to start looking. With that in mind, I’ve reviewed and compared some of my top picks for the best dehumidifier for your garage. I’ve selected each with a different scenario in mind, so you can narrow down your search and choose the unit that suits you best!

Best Dehumidifier For Garage 2021

When you’re looking for a dehumidifier for your garage, you’ll want something effective, easy-to-use, and ideally, ready to ‘set it and forget it’. This Keystone dehumidifier for garage spaces of up to 3,000 sq ft offers this and more.

The transparent water level indicator makes it easy to check how much water has been collected in the water tank. It doesn’t need to be opened up to be checked, and you won’t have to wait for an overflow indicator to go off.

Push-button controls and a simple LED display make moisture control simple and convenient. The display is also bright and easy-to-read, so you can check your settings even if your garage is dark and unlit. 

To prevent dust from being sucked into the unit and clogging it up, a dust filter is there to catch anything that tries to get in. It’s removable and easy to clean too, with an indicator that lets you know when cleaning is due so you don’t have to shell out on replacement filters unnecessarily. 

If your garage is up to 3,000 sq ft and suffers from high humidity, mold, and dampness, this is the best choice I came across when putting this review together!

What We Like:

• Transparent water level indicator
• Effective in garages up to 3,000 sq ft
• Easy-to-use electronic controls
• Dust filter

What We Don’t Like:

• Consumes more electricity than other units

Best For Low Temperatures

The Ivation 30-pint Energy Star Dehumidifier is a surprisingly powerful unit that can keep an unheated garage of up to 1,500 square feet free from moisture and mold. 

It may be small and weighs just 30 pounds, but this compact device can remove 30-pints of moisture from the air every 24 hours. 

The automatic defrost feature prevents the coils from freezing over, so you don’t have to worry about the unit breaking down in especially cold temperatures. This makes it a perfect choice if you live in an area with particularly cold winters!

It has a built-in auto-shutoff that stops the 1.3-gallon tank from overflowing, and you can attach a hose for continuous drainage at a small additional cost. You can set this machine up and carry on with your day, distraction-free!

Innovative filtration and evaporation technology improves the air quality of your garage. Fresh air keeps mold and mildew from growing which can trigger allergens and adversely affect your health and that of your family.

A simple-to-use and understand LED display features electronic controls that let you select how much moisture you want to remove. 2 fan speeds give some extra flexibility when it comes to power usage and noise levels.

Speaking of power usage, this dehumidifier has been Energy Star certified for meeting the highest standards of energy efficiency in the US.  A built-in timer switches the unit off when it reaches a set humidity level, saving energy and reducing your energy bills by as much as 30%. 

What We Like:

• Auto-defrost feature
• Built-in humidistat
• Auto-shutoff
• LED display and electronic controls
• Energy Star certified

What We Don’t Like:

• Water drainage doesn’t stop when the collection bucket is removed
• Discharge hose not included

Best For Large Garages

This large dehumidifier can cover a big, humid garage of up to 4,500 sq ft, removing up to 70-pints of moisture every 24 hours. 

That’s an impressively large amount of moisture removal and the 18-pint water tank capacity conveniently reduces the number of times it needs emptying each day. 

You can also attach a hose to allow the unit to continuously drain, eliminating the need for emptying altogether!

The large reservoir and high capacity mean the unit is on the larger, heavier side, but it’s a surprisingly portable dehumidifier. 4 strong and durable caster wheels let you move it around whenever and wherever you need, without having to struggle and strain!

A large garage with high humidity calls for a powerful dehumidifier. Look no further than this 70-pint dehumidifier if you have a garage up to 4,500 sq ft. 

What We Like:

• Keeps a 4,500 sq ft large garage free from moisture and mold
• Large 18-pint collection tank
• Humidistat and safety standby mode
• Surprisingly portable

What We Don’t Like:

• Large and noisy

Best Commercial-Grade Dehumidifier

This extra-powerful dehumidifier for garage spaces can remove a massive 150-pints of moisture per day from very humid environments. That’s largely thanks to the high-efficiency rotary compressor that keeps efficacy high and energy usage low so your energy bills stay low too.

As you would expect from an industrial-grade humidifier for your garage, the unit’s outer casing is robust, sturdy, and capable of withstanding harsh environments. 

You don’t need to worry about damaging the unit if your garage is used as more of a workshop. Even if the outer casing does break, it’s covered by a generous 5-year warranty, saving you having to shell out of repair or replacement yourself.

Unfortunately, the most delicate and expensive part of the unit, the compressor, is only covered by a short 1-year warranty.

Compressors can often cost upwards of $250, not including the professional service required for this commercial-grade dehumidifier. Bear this in mind if you know that covering the outlay on a new compressor in the future could be an issue. 

If you’re somebody who stores tools or raw materials in your garage, this is a great large-size dehumidifier for you.

What We Like:

• Exceptional performance in even the most humid environment
• Built-in pump for continuous drainage
• High-efficiency rotary compressor
• Robust outer casing
• Energy-efficient

What We Don’t Like:

• Short 1-year warranty on the compressor
• Very heavy at 80 pounds

Garage Dehumidifier: Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Ideal Humidity Level For A Garage?

Keeping your garage humidity level between 30% and 50% will keep it comfortable, and stop mold from developing and growing.

Will The Collector Tank Overflow Once It Gets Full?

Many of the best dehumidifiers are equipped with an auto-shutoff feature. This is a float switch that will switch the unit off if the water rises above a certain level, preventing overflow. 

If your dehumidifier doesn’t have this auto-shutoff, look for a unit with a continuous drain or a larger tank capacity for fewer emptying trips. 

What Is The Best Dehumidifier For Lower Temperatures?

The Ivation 30-Pint Dehumidifier is perfect for low temperatures since it comes with an auto-defrost feature that stops the coils from freezing over in the winter. It can be attached to a hose for continuous draining at a small additional cost. 

How Long Will It Take For A Dehumidifier To Do Its Job?

Once you’ve set up your dehumidifier, as long as you’ve chosen one that’s suitable for the size of your garage in square feet, you should notice a difference in the humidity levels within around 12 hours.

If you have particularly bad mold or damp issues, it can take a few days to a week before you start noticing results.

My Final Thoughts

High humidity in your garage can cause some real issues, affecting the structure, anything you store in the space, and, when mold and dust mites start to appear, even your health.

Now that you’ve seen what makes a dehumidifier suitable for a garage, and I’ve shown you some of the best units that you can buy today, I hope you feel well-equipped to go out and find the perfect garage dehumidifier for you!