How To Set Up A Danby Dehumidifier

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Pros

Built-in pump model offers terrific drainage options
Low racket output
Car defrost with accompanying indicator lite
ii year warranty

Cons

Below boilerplate performance in our wet removal testing
Minor water tank
Poorly labeled control panel

Included With Your Purchase

Dehumidifier
Gravity Bleed Hose
Pump Drain Hose
Instruction Manual

Category Ratings

Energy Efficiency	3.0
Noise Output	4.0
Moisture Removal	3.5
Hygrometer Accuracy	3.0
Durability	3.5
Adjustability	4.v
Versatility	5.0
Actress Features	four.5
Ease of Use	3.0
Portability	three.0
Warranty	4.0
Value	3.5
Editor's Score	4.0

Score is out of 5 possible points.

Quick Review Summary

We tested the DDR050BJPWDB for this review. Nonetheless, annotation that much of the review also applies to the non-congenital-in pump equivalent – the DDR050BJWDB. The two units are nigh identical except for drainage options (built-in pump, included hoses) and a slightly different control panel – to allow for pump command on the built-in pump model.

The DDR050BJPWDB was an average to below average performer in our performance tests. The one exception was dissonance output testing – in which its measured racket output was less than most other fifty pint dehumidifiers we tested. We delve deeper into its performance in all of our testing and make comparisons to all of the other 50 pint units currently on the market in the full review beneath.

Performance Test Results

Free energy Efficiency

The Danby was measured at 572 watts of power draw during testing. This was right about the average for all of the 50 pint units we tested.

The Danby was a slightly below average performer in our wet removal tests – meaning it took slightly longer than most other l pint units nosotros tested to dehumidify a 50 sq. ft. room from 90% downwardly to twoscore% relative humidity (RH) in the first exam and from lxxx% down to fifty% RH in the second test.

Energy efficiency for any particular appliance is dependent on total power depict AND the fourth dimension it takes the apparatus to perform a particular task.

According to our testing the Danby draws an average amount of ability, merely information technology draws that power over a longer menstruum of time to achieve a specific task (dehumidify our test space). And so, co-ordinate to our testing, the Danby exhibited beneath average energy efficiency.

Noise Output

Raw Noise Output

The Danby was one of the "quietest" 50 pint dehumidifiers nosotros tested.

The hOmeLabs HME020031N is the just model currently on the market that was tested to be "quieter" than the Danby.

Note that here we're talking virtually raw noise output. We placed a sound meter next to these units and measured decibel levels. The "quieter" units were measured at lower decibel levels – and such was the case for both the hOmeLabs and the Danby units.

Noise Quality

Raw noise output is important, only and so is the quality of the noise the unit of measurement produces. In describing the quality of the noise the Danby produces we have to talk almost its side exhaust.

During testing, we found that side frazzle units didn't cover up compressor noise as well as height exhaust units. Why not? Considering the fan noise coming out of the frazzle is more directional in side exhaust units. With a side exhaust unit of measurement, if you stand up contrary of the direction of the exhaust, the perceived loudness of the fan is low. In superlative exhaust units the fan noise distributes throughout a room omnidirectionally which results in a perceived fan noise that is louder on such units, no matter where you lot stand relative to the dehumidifier.

Dehumidifier noise quality depends on the ratio betwixt compressor noise output and fan racket output. The college the fan noise output compared to the compressor noise output, the less compressor noise is audible. And this is a good matter. Why? Because fan noise is a clean white noise. Compressor racket is a grating buzzing noise that isn't very pleasant to listen to.

The Danby'southward side exhaust gives it the advantage of being 1 of the "quietest" dehumidifiers we tested. It as well gives it the disadvantage of not being able to cover up its compressor noise besides with emitted fan noise. The Danby still earns a slightly in a higher place average grade in the category.

Wet Removal

Earlier we mentioned our two moisture removal tests – in the first examination we measure how long it takes the unit to lower room humidity from ninety% downward to 40% RH. In the second test, from fourscore% down to 50% RH.

The Danby was a slightly beneath boilerplate performer in both tests. Information technology took 11 minutes, 33 seconds in the commencement test (ninety% to xl%) and 6 minutes flat in the second (fourscore% to l%).

For comparison, the top rated Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 took 7 minutes, 56 seconds in the commencement test and 5 minutes, nineteen seconds in the second. These were some of the best results we saw in the fifty pint size class.

The hOmeLabs' performance was closer to average. It took 10 minutes, 3 seconds in the first examination and 5 minutes, 33 seconds in the second.

Hygrometer Accurateness

The Danby also exhibited slightly below boilerplate hygrometer accuracy. It read room humidity from 3 to five% over the actual room humidity. For example, it would read 54% when the actual room humidity was 50%.

Top rated units similar the hOmeLabs and Frigidaire have more than accurate hygrometers – both units read mostly within 2% of the actual room humidity.

Included Features, Functionality, Build Quality, Warranties, and Value

Durability (Build Quality)

Full general Impressions

The DDR050BJPWDB, overall, features boilerplate build quality compared to all of the other 50 pint dehumidifiers nosotros've tested.

Nosotros do have 1 specific complaint regarding the unit's pattern. There is a plastic "arm" that extends down into the unit's water tank. This arm is supposed to stay in a horizontal position when you remove the h2o tank. In that location'southward a latch belongings it in this horizontal position (come across photo beneath).

However, during testing, we frequently found the arm unlatching and moving to a vertical position when removing the water tank (see photo below).

When nosotros tried to replace the tank the arm would prevent the tank from plumbing equipment into place. We so had to manually movement the arm back into a horizontal position before replacing the tank.

It's quite possible for y'all to experience this same scenario when using the Danby on a day to day footing. When this scenario becomes problematic is if you don't notice the arm hanging in a vertical position and try to force the bucket in. It would be quite possible to intermission the arm from its attachment, permanently damaging the dehumidifier.

Note that we do not know if the not-built-in pump DDR050BJWDB has this same arm extension.

Consumer Feedback

This unit, similar nearly of the other fifty pint units nosotros tested recently, is relatively new to market place. As such, it hasn't received consumer feedback over a long enough period of fourth dimension for us to glean any helpful data regarding long term reliability from the same reviews.

Overall Category Score

The Danby earns only an average score in the category – a iii/five.

Adjustability

The Danby allows you to fix a desired humidity level in 5% increments. This is the manufacture standard.

The unit likewise features an industry standard timer – it can exist set in half hour increments up to 10 hours and then 1 hour increments from eleven up to 24 hours.

The unit features ii fan speeds although you will well-nigh always keep information technology on only one – loftier fan speed – to mask grating compressor racket.

The DDR050BJPWDB features a continuous style and an auto mode. The old (continuous mode) is quite helpful while the latter is somewhat unnecessary. We'll explain more than in the next section on versatility.

Overall Category Score

The Danby earns a 4.5/5 in the category.

Versatility

Set up Humidity Range

The Danby can exist manually set between 35% and 85% RH – on this setting the unit volition stay on until the desired humidity level is met. For example, if you lot were to ready information technology to 40% RH the unit would stay on until room humidity was 40%. If room humidity were to go dorsum up the unit would bike dorsum on. This is "manual" style.

The unit'south continuous mode is helpful because the unit will continue to run fifty-fifty past a room humidity of 35% RH on this mode. If you actually want to dry out a room you can practise it with continuous way.

The unit's auto mode is much less helpful. It essentially sets a "desired" humidity level for yous. Instead of you lot having to input a humidity level you're comfortable with (likely shut to 50% RH), the unit volition automatically fix it to the aforementioned approximate range.

Annotation that almost other 50 pint units nosotros tested offering a similar fix humidity range (35% to 85%). Well-nigh all units feature a continuous style. Many also feature an machine mode.

Operating Temperature Range

The unit'southward operating temperature range is 41° F to 90° F. This is just well-nigh the same as it is for every other l pint compressor based dehumidifier on the market.

Gravity Drainage

Danby congenital-in pump dehumidifiers have always offered terrific drainage options. The DDR050BJPWDB is no unlike. It comes with a 2 ft. long gravity drain hose. Nigh other dehumidifiers don't come with a hose at all – with such units y'all accept to supply your own garden hose to use gravity drainage. A few other models nosotros tested came with a drain hose but they were all but i ft. long. This Danby is the but modernistic unit of measurement nosotros've tested that comes with a 2 ft. long hose (on right in photo below – the pump hose is on the left).

Note that the DDR050BJWDB does not come up with a gravity drain hose.

Built-in Pump

The DDR050BJPWDB does feature a built-in pump while the DDR050BJWDB does not.

Overall Category Score

The unit earns a perfect 5/5 in the category, mostly due its excellent drainage options.

Extra Features

Temperature Reading

This unit does not display temperature. Earlier Danby units like the DDR70A2GP did display room temperature but this functionality has been phased out with newer models like the DDR050BJPWDB. Note that none of the modern units we've tested (that includes most popular brands) come equipped with a temperature display either.

Defrost

This unit features a defrost style and a defrost indicator low-cal. The light is very helpful as information technology will warning you when frost builds upwards and that the dehumidifier is actively working to melt the frost (this involves shutting off the compressor and only running the fan).

Check Filter

This unit does have a check filter low-cal.

Overall Category Score

The Danby earns a 4.5/five in the category.

Ease of Use

LED Display Clarity

The LED display is clear and easy to read.

Setup Difficulty

The unit of measurement does have a chip of a learning curve as at that place are no text labels for command panel buttons or indicator lights. Y'all'll probable have to reference the unit's manual to figure out what sure buttons do and what certain indicator lights are warnings for.

Filter Removal Difficulty

The Danby features a combination filter/back grille. The philharmonic filter/grille is easy to remove and clean.

Manual Clarity

We have no complaints here.

Water Tank Size

The Danby does have a below average size water tank. Its capacity is just 12.6 pints.

Well-nigh other high capacity dehumidifiers we tested have a tank with a capacity of at least xiv pints. Certain top rated units, like the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1, accept a tank with a chapters close to 17 pints.

Overall Category Score

A non-user friendly control panel and a beneath boilerplate size water tank gives the Danby a beneath average 3/5 in the category.

Portability

All 50 pint units are heavy (close to 50 lb.) and relatively large appliances (near 2 ft. tall and one.5 ft. wide). This Danby is no different.

Information technology features two side pocket handles for choice-upwardly and a plastic "buckle" on the dorsum that you can use to wrap the ability cord effectually.

Overall Category Score

The Danby earns a slightly beneath average iii/five in the category.

Warranty (Manufacturer's)

The Danby comes with a 2 year "bear in" warranty. The fact that the warranty lasts for 2 years is definitely a good thing. Nearly other 50 pint dehumidifiers on the market (including the superlative rated Frigidaire) only come with a 1 yr warranty.

The "carry in" component of the warranty could be less of a positive. Our interpretation here is that you need to accept the unit into an authorized service middle to take the unit of measurement replaced/repaired under warranty. Virtually other units allow yous to only transport the unit dorsum to the manufacturer and receive a repaired/replaced unit back without the hassle of going to a specific authorized service center.

On the flip side of things, if an authorized service center is in shut proximity to you, y'all may very well accept a better experience with Danby than y'all might with another manufacturer.

Value

Value is about what you lot become for your money. With the Danby yous become mostly average to below average performance (energy efficiency, wet removal rate, etc.) with an above boilerplate warranty. The non-congenital-in pump version commonly retails for correct effectually the aforementioned price as most other 50 pint units on the market. All of this makes for an average value compared to the competition. The pump version adds a built-in pump, but usually at an added cost equivalent to simply adding an external condensate pump to a non-built-in pump unit.