If you’re in the market for a reliable dehumidifier, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 50 Pint Dehumidifier is a popular choice that deserves a closer look. In this comprehensive review, we’ll provide you with valuable insights and information to assist you in making an informed decision.
Stay tuned to discover how this dehumidifier compares to other top-rated models and why it’s considered one of the best options for tackling humidity issues. My goal is to provide you with the knowledge you need to make a confident choice in improving your indoor air quality.
Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 50 Pint Dehumidifier Reviews
Energy Efficiency with Custom Humidity Control
Here I checked it energy efficiency and compare this model with other brands’ models in this size.
At Extreme Humidity
When faced with really humid conditions, like when the air feels super sticky, it’s interesting to see how dehumidifiers work. I looked at how much energy this FFAD5033W1 model uses, and compared it with other similar models from different brands.
In the world of dehumidifiers, the FFAD5033W1 stands out, using 7.8 amps, which is like 897 watts as the maker says. It’s in the top tier of 50-pint dehumidifiers, hanging out with the Hisense DH7019K1G and the Toshiba TDDP5012ES2, which use the same amount of power, 7.8 amps or 897 watts.
On the other hand, the LG UD501KOG5 (using 6.3 amps, or 725 watts) and the hOmeLabs HME020031N (using 6.5 amps, or 745 watts) are more energy-efficient, using less power.
But here’s the twist: when I checked them all under extreme humidity conditions, they all ended up using around 760 watts. This was surprising, especially when the FFAD5033W1 was supposed to use 897 watts. This made me wonder if the manufacturer’s testing goes even beyond what we consider extreme humidity. Or maybe they just want to be extra careful with their specifications.
It’s important to note that they usually talk about the energy in amps, while the watts are figured out by multiplying the amps by 115 volts.
Maybe manufacturers use amps to make sure their appliances can be used safely on a 15-amp circuit. By being a bit cautious and giving a slightly higher amp number, they make sure the appliance stays safe to use.
In the world of energy efficiency and technical details, it’s fascinating to see how caution and performance work together, revealing the little things that make these machines tick.
At Moderate Humidity
At a more moderate humidity level of approximately 50% relative humidity, the dynamics of power draw among various dehumidifier models became more distinct and illuminating. Contrary to the uniform power draw of around 760 watts observed during the “extreme humidity” trials, the performance under these milder conditions revealed nuanced distinctions among the units.
Two notable observations came to light. Firstly, a greater variance in tested wattage was apparent, highlighting that the units, which demonstrated comparable power draws under extreme humidity, did not exhibit the same uniformity under moderate humidity conditions.
Secondly, it became evident that all units consumed significantly less power at 50% relative humidity compared to their consumption at higher humidity levels. This phenomenon aligned with the basic understanding that a dehumidifier’s power consumption correlates directly with the intensity of the dehumidification process. The closer the relative humidity is to 100%, the harder the dehumidifier has to work.
Under the moderate humidity testing, the Frigidaire, for instance, drew a mere 570 watts at 50% RH, exhibiting notably efficient performance. In contrast, the Hisense drew 597 watts, and the Toshiba drew 578 watts. Strikingly, units with lower manufacturer-specified amperage surprisingly drew more power at 50% RH, as evidenced by the LG drawing 586 watts and the hOmeLabs drawing 610 watts.
This data underscored the Frigidaire’s impressive performance, positioning it as one of the least power-hungry dehumidifiers among the recently tested ten 50-pint units. Notably, only the Black+Decker BDT50WTB, with a power draw of 554 watts, and the Honeywell TP70WKN, with 563 watts, exhibited a lower power draw compared to the Frigidaire’s efficient 570 watts under these moderate humidity conditions.
Noise Output
When it comes to noise, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 dehumidifier stands out in a unique way. Even though it might seem louder in terms of raw decibel (dB) numbers compared to some other supposedly quieter dehumidifiers, like the hOmeLabs HME020031N, many people find its noise more pleasant. Here’s why:
Dehumidifiers make two main types of noise. One is the compressor noise, which often sounds like an annoying buzzing, similar to an old refrigerator. The other is the noise created by air moving through the dehumidifier and coming out through its exhaust.
The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 has been tested to produce a noise output of 70.2 dB on high fan speed and 64.8 dB on low fan speed when measured right next to the dehumidifier’s control panel. At a distance of 10 feet from the dehumidifier, the noise levels drop to 54.6 dB on high fan speed and 49.8 dB on low fan speed.
Comparatively, the hOmeLabs HME020031N registers lower dB numbers in these tests. However, despite these lower decibel levels, the hOmeLabs is considered the “noisier” option due to its noise profile. This is because its compressor is louder, it has a less powerful fan, and it exhausts air from the side, which means the fan noise doesn’t cover up the compressor noise effectively.
On the other hand, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 has a quieter compressor, a more powerful fan, and exhausts air from the top. All these factors work together to make the fan noise effectively mask the compressor noise, resulting in a more pleasing overall sound.
So, even though it may not have the lowest raw dB numbers, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is considered to have one of the best and most pleasing noise profiles among high-capacity dehumidifiers available. It produces a sound that many users prefer over seemingly quieter options, making it a solid choice for those who want a pleasant dehumidifying experience.
Why Moisture Removal Matters
When you’re picking a dehumidifier, one of the key things to look at is how quickly it can make a place less humid. This speed really matters because it affects how well the dehumidifier can control the humidity in a room. In tests like yours, they use the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 as a kind of standard to see how other dehumidifiers measure up.
Two Important Tests:
From Very Humid to Comfortable: In the first test, they measure how long it takes for a dehumidifier to make a 50 square foot space less humid. They start at a very high humidity level (90%) and aim to make it more comfortable (40% humidity). The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 did really well here. It only took 7 minutes and 56 seconds to do the job. That’s impressive because it was faster by a whole 1 minute and 25 seconds compared to 27 other powerful dehumidifiers tested over six years. The closest competitor was the Honeywell DH70W, which is not available anymore.
From Quite Humid to Comfortable: The second test looks at how fast a dehumidifier can make a room less humid, but this time from 80% to 50% humidity. The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 did pretty well here too. It came in second place among the dehumidifiers that are still being sold. It wasn’t as quick as the Black+Decker BDT50WTB, which did it in just 5 minutes and 10 seconds, but it was close at 5 minutes and 19 seconds. This shows that the Frigidaire can handle reducing humidity even when it’s not as high to start with.
Comparison with Other Dehumidifiers:
The hOmeLabs HME020031N took a bit longer, about 10 minutes and 3 seconds, to go from 90% to 40% humidity, so it was slower compared to the Frigidaire.
The Black+Decker BDT50WTB, which did the best in the second test, only took 9 minutes and 55 seconds to go from 90% to 40% humidity, and it was just 9 seconds slower than the Frigidaire in the second test, going from 80% to 50% humidity.
The LG UD501KOG5 was the slowest of them all, taking a much longer 14 minutes and 31 seconds to do the same job. This means it’s not as good at getting rid of humidity quickly.
In simple terms, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is a top performer when it comes to removing moisture from the air, whether the humidity is really high or just quite high. It’s a good choice for keeping your indoor spaces comfortable and dry.
Hygrometer Accuracy and its Importance
A hygrometer is an instrument used to measure the humidity or moisture content in the air. In the context of a dehumidifier, the accuracy of the built-in hygrometer is crucial because it directly impacts the device’s ability to maintain a specific desired humidity level in a room.
Most compressor-based dehumidifiers, including the Frigidaire, come equipped with a built-in hygrometer.
This hygrometer measures the current humidity in the room and allows you to set a target humidity level.
If you manually set the dehumidifier to, for example, 60% humidity, it will run until its built-in hygrometer reads 60% humidity.
Once it reaches the set level, the dehumidifier will cycle off and remain off until the hygrometer reads a humidity level above the set point, at which point it will cycle back on.
The accuracy of the built-in hygrometer is critical. In the example provided, if the hygrometer is inaccurate by 6%, it could lead to premature cycling off. For instance, if the set humidity level is 60%, the dehumidifier might turn off when the actual humidity is 66%, which is not the desired level.
The review mentions that it was difficult to assess the Frigidaire’s hygrometer accuracy due to its display limitations.
The Frigidaire only displays humidity in 5% increments, which means it can accurately display values that are multiples of 5%. For example, it can accurately show 50% or 55% humidity.
When the actual humidity is not a multiple of 5%, the display may round up or down, making it challenging to determine the exact accuracy.
In a worst-case scenario, the internal read-out might be off by 2%, while in a best-case scenario, it might be accurate but still display a rounded number.
The Frigidaire’s hygrometer is considered to have an accuracy of ±2% based on the limitations of its display.
The accuracy assessment is made on the visible display, which sometimes appeared to be off by 2%.
In comparison to other dehumidifiers on the market, most of which display humidity in 1% increments, the Frigidaire’s accuracy is considered above average.
The Honeywell TP70WKN is cited as having the most accurate hygrometer with an accuracy of ±1%.
Other units, like hOmeLabs and Black+Decker, have varying levels of inaccuracy, with hOmeLabs being up to 3% inaccurate and Black+Decker being up to 4% inaccurate.
Durability and Quality
The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 dehumidifier stands out for its excellent construction and long-lasting design when compared to other 50-pint dehumidifiers available.
The machine has a control panel with high-quality buttons and LEDs. This makes it not only more responsive but also able to handle constant use without wearing out.
The materials used for the main body of this Frigidaire dehumidifier are of superior quality. This ensures the unit’s durability and helps it last for a long time.
The bucket where the dehumidifier collects water is made from thicker and better-quality plastics. Since it’s constantly exposed to moisture, this sturdiness is crucial for long-term reliability.
Unlike many other dehumidifiers that combine the grille and air filter, the FFAD5033W1 has separate, high-quality components for these parts. This design choice makes maintenance easier and ensures the dehumidifier’s overall durability.
The brackets used to wind the power cord around the back of the unit are made with high-quality materials. This not only makes the unit more durable but also gives it a neater and more organized appearance.
The FFAD5033W1 was a relatively new model at the time of this review, so there weren’t many consumer reviews about its long-term performance. However, because of its superior build quality and components, it’s expected to hold up well over time.
Ease to Use
The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 dehumidifier is super easy to use. It has a clear LED display that’s easy to understand, unlike some other models like the hOmeLabs HME020031N, which can be confusing because of their low-quality displays.
Setting up of this model is a piece of cake. All the buttons and lights on its control panel are labeled well, so you don’t need to constantly check the manual to use it. On the other hand, some units, like the BDT50WTB, aren’t labeled clearly, which can be frustrating.
It has a smart design with a filter located at the back, making it easy to clean. In most other 50-pint dehumidifiers, the filter is also easy to remove. But some units, like the GE ADEL45LY, make you take out the water bucket and awkwardly bend down to access and remove the filter from behind the front panel, which is less user-friendly.
Frigidaire’s dehumidifier manuals have always been well-written, and the FFAD5033W1 is no exception. The manual gives you clear and detailed instructions.
One of the best things about this Frigidaire dehumidifier is its huge water tank, holding 16.9 pints. This is much bigger than most other 50-pint units we tested, which usually have tanks ranging from 13 to 14 pints. For comparison, the hOmeLabs model has a tank of 12.8 pints, and the Black+Decker unit offers 14.3 pints. The smallest tank we found, in the Danby DDR050BJPWDB, is just 12.6 pints.
With its user-friendly design and large water tank, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 easily deserves a perfect 5/5 rating in this category. It’s a top choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and efficient dehumidifier.
Portability
When it comes to portability, which is how easy it is to move a dehumidifier around, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is a decent option. It weighs about 43 pounds, which is typical for a 50-pint dehumidifier. The hOmeLabs model is a bit lighter at 40 pounds, and the Black+Decker one is a tad heavier at 44.5 pounds.
What makes the Frigidaire stand out is its top handle that you can extend. This handle is much more user-friendly than the side pocket handles you find on the hOmeLabs and Black+Decker models. With the top handle, you can simply reach down and lift the dehumidifier up for moving. Side pocket handles make you bend lower and grab the dehumidifier awkwardly when you want to move it.
Another plus for the Frigidaire is its excellent cord storage, a feature most other 50-pint units also have, including the hOmeLabs model. However, it’s worth noting that a few 50-pint models, like the Black+Decker BDT50WTB, don’t have any cord storage.
In the portability category, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 gets a high score of 4.5 out of 5, meaning it’s pretty easy to move around and is well-designed for convenience.
My Verdict
The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is a top-notch dehumidifier, known for its outstanding quality. When we put it head-to-head with other highly-rated models like the hOmeLabs HME020031N and Black+Decker BDT50WTB, it’s clear that the Frigidaire is a cut above when it comes to quality and performance.
In my thorough tests, the model consistently delivered impressive results. What really sets it apart is how quickly it removes moisture, outpacing all other dehumidifiers we tried by a significant margin. This means it’s exceptionally good at reducing the humidity levels in your space.
At the end of the day, a dehumidifier’s main job is to dehumidify, and the FFAD5033W1 does this exceptionally well. It gets the job done swiftly and more efficiently than any other dehumidifier currently on the market.
Because of its exceptional performance and quality, we wholeheartedly recommend the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 as the best dehumidifier for 2023. It’s the top choice for tackling humidity issues in your living space.
