Performance Test Results

Energy Efficiency

The H50D44W was measured to draw 584 watts of power at 50% RH (Relative Humidity). This is a worse than average result. Most competitors drew less power – between 530 and 570 watts – under the same conditions.

The H50D44W also took longer than average to lower room humidity in our test environment.

The bottom line – high power draw combined with a low tested moisture removal rate makes this unit energy inefficient according to our testing.

Noise Output

The H50D44W was measured at 67.8 dB of noise output on high fan speed and 62.4 dB on low fan speed. This makes it one of the quieter top exhaust dehumidifiers we tested.

For comparison, the top rated and one of the most quiet top exhaust units we’ve tested, the Midea Cube, was measured at 66.4 dB on high fan speed (only 1.4 dB quieter than the TCL) and 65.4 dB on low (3 dB louder than the TCL).

Like most other top exhaust dehumidifiers, the H50D44W does well to mask compressor noise on high fan speed, but it does not mask compressor noise very well on low fan speed.

So, for more a pleasant sounding noise profile we recommend running this unit on high fan speed (fan speed masks compressor noise). The quietest setting overall is low fan speed, but the quality of the noise on this setting is unpleasant (compressor noise audible over fan noise).

Moisture Removal

The H50D44W took 10 minutes, 16 seconds to lower room humidity from 90% RH (relative humidity) down to 40% RH in our 50 sq. ft. test space.

Most competitors were faster in this test.

The top rated Midea Cube, for example, took only 7 minutes, 39 seconds in this test. The Frigidaire FHDD5034W1 took only 8 minutes, 32 seconds, and so on and so forth.

Hygrometer Accuracy

The H50D44W’s built-in hygrometer is highly accurate according to our testing. It consistently gave a reading within 1% of the actual room humidity.

This is a benefit to the manual humidity setting. If you set this dehumidifier to, let’s say 45% RH, it will properly cycle off within 1% of 45%.

The Whirlpool WHAD50PCW is a good counterexample. Its built-in hygrometer is only accurate to within 7% of actual room humidity. If you set the Whirlpool to 45% it will only cycle off at an actual room humidity of 52% RH.

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

Durability (Build Quality)

General Impressions

Build quality for this dehumidifier is below average.

The first prominent example of this is its water tank. There’s no bracing inside the H50D44W’s tank while better built models have substantial bracing in their water tanks.

Another example is the H50D44W’s air filter. Its air filter is glued to the grille on the back of the dehumidifier while better built models have an air filter that can be separated from the grille on the back of the dehumidifier.

Consumer Feedback

This model has a a very large percentage of negative consumer reviews, and many of those reviews reference poor long term reliability.

Overall Category Score

Overall, this unit scores only a 3/5 for durability.

Adjustability

The H50D44W features three fan speeds, a continuous mode, an automatic mode, and Wi-Fi functionality.

Overall Category Score

Overall, it scores a 4.5/5 for adjustability.

Versatility

Set Humidity Range

You can manually set a target humidity level between 35 and 80% for this dehumidifier. This is a slightly smaller range than that of most competitors. Many models can be set between 30 and 80% or 35 and 85%.

Operating Temperature Range

The manual for this model only specifies that it should be used at temperatures higher than 41° F. This is a fairly standard guideline for a dehumidifier of this type (compressor based) and size (50 pint).

Gravity Drainage

This unit has a gravity drain port on the back. You can unscrew a cap on the back of the dehumidifier and connect a garden hose to this port to drain it using gravity. If the cap stays in place, the dehumidifier will automatically drain into its water tank.

Built-in Pump

The H50D44W does not feature a built-in pump though there is a version of this dehumidifier – the H50D46W – that does feature pump functionality.

The H50D46W is basically identical to the H50D44W except for this functionality.

Overall Category Score

Overall, the H50D44W scores a 4.5/5 for versatility.

Extra Features

Temperature Reading

This dehumidifier does not display temperature. It only displays the desired and current room humidity level.

Defrost

This unit does have a defrost mode on which it cycles off its compressor and only runs its fan to de-ice its evaporator coil. There is no LED, however, that lights up to alert you when this mode is activated.

Check Filter

This model also doesn’t have a check filter light.

Overall Category Score

Overall, we score the H50D44W a 4.5/5 in the category.

Ease of Use

LED Display Clarity

The LED display for this unit is of an average quality.

Setup Difficulty

The control panel on this model is well-labeled. We could use this dehumidifier right out of the box without referencing its manual.

Filter Removal Difficulty

We didn’t have any trouble removing or replacing the grille and integrated air filter on the back of the dehumidifier.

Manual Clarity

No complaints here.

Water Tank Size

This model’s water tank has a capacity of 15.9 pints which is slightly above the average (for this size class) of 15.7 pints.

Overall Category Score

Overall, the H50D44W scores a 4.5/5 in the category.

Portability

The H50D44W weighs 41.9 lb. which is slightly lighter than average for a 50 pint dehumidifier.

It has a top handle (which we prefer over side handles) if you need to pick it up and casters on the bottom if you need to push it from one location to another.

Overall Category Score

This unit scores a 4/5 for portability.

Warranty (Manufacturer’s)

The H50D44W comes with a 1 year warranty. The industry standard for a dehumidifier of this size (50 pint) and type (compressor based) is also 1 year.

Value

As of the writing of this review the H50D44W is priced at only approx. $170. This is a very good price for a 50 pint compressor based dehumidifier.

Top rated competitors like the Midea Cube and Frigidaire FHDD5034W1 regularly retail for between approx. $250 and $300.