Performance Test Results

Energy Efficiency

We measured the DH5026KP1G’s power draw at 50% relative humidity and approx. 72° F.

In these conditions its power draw was measured to be 533 watts, which is the second lowest power draw among the 16 most recent 50 pint dehumidifiers we’ve tested.

The only model that was tested to have less power draw than this Hisense unit was the top rated Midea Cube. It was measured at 512 watts of power draw. The average for the last 16 models tested was 567 watts.

On the negative side of things, the DH5026KP1G took longer than average to lower room humidity in our moisture removal test.

So, while it has below average power draw, it takes longer than average to dehumidify, which gives it only average energy efficiency overall.

Noise Output

The DH5026KP1G was the second “quietest” top exhaust dehumidifier we tested.

Most compressor-based dehumidifiers either dehumidify through the top of the unit or through the side.

Top exhaust units like this Hisense unit emit fan noise omnidirectionally, and generally mask compressor noise better – with fan noise – than side exhaust units.

With a side exhaust unit you basically have to be in direct “line of sight” of its exhaust for it to mask compressor noise with fan noise.

With a top exhaust unit like this one you can be anywhere in the room, and it should be able to mask compressor noise fairly well.

The problem for the Hisense, specifically, is that it is one of very few top exhaust units that doesn’t actually mask compressor noise well, despite its top exhaust design.

Its compressor is loud and its fan is fairly quiet, and so you hear the unpleasant buzzing noise its compressor makes even on high fan speed.

Raw noise output for this unit is low. It was measured at 67.1 dB on high and 64.8 dB on low fan speed. The only top exhaust competitor that performed better was the Midea Cube with a reading of 66.4 dB and 65.4 dB, respectively, in the same test.

The problem, again, is the quality of the noise. On most competitors you really only hear fan noise, at least on high fan speed. With this Hisense unit you hear the compressor very well, even on high fan speed.

Moisture Removal

The manufacturer specified moisture removal rate for this unit is 50 pints per day.

We also tested it – to see how quickly it could lower room humidity in a 50 sq. ft. room (the size of a small bathroom) from 90% down to 40% RH (relative humidity).

It took the DH5026KP1G 10 minutes and 35 seconds to do so, which is closer to the upper end of the range of outcomes for all of the 50 pint dehumidifiers we tested.

The top rated Midea Cube took only 7 minutes, 39 seconds in the same test. The top rated Frigidaire FHDD5034W1 took only 8 minutes, 32 seconds. Many other competitors also took less than 10 minutes.

The bottom line – performance in this test was definitely not a strong point for the DH5026KP1G.

Hygrometer Accuracy

The DH5026KP1G’s built-in hygrometer consistently gave a reading that was 3% higher than the actual room humidity. This is right around an average result.

The best performing units in this test consistently gave readings that were within 1 to 2%. The worst performing units gave readings beyond 5% of the actual room humidity.

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

Durability (Build Quality)

General Impressions

So far we’ve tested over 50 dehumidifiers, and among all of those models, the DH5026KP1G is definitely NOT one of the better built units we tested. Its build quality and the quality of the materials used for its construction are average at best.

Consumer Feedback

This model is fairly new on the market and thus far hasn’t received many consumer reviews. As such, there’s really not much to take away from these reviews, at least as it concerns durability and long-term reliability.

Overall Category Score

Overall, mostly based on our own observations using and testing this model, we can only give it a 3.5/5 for durability.

Adjustability

The DH5026KP1G features three fan speeds, a continuous mode, and an auto mode.

Its timer can be set in half hour increments up to 10 hours, and in one hour increments from 11 hours up to 24 hours.

Most competitors have similar functionality, though many only have two fan speeds (low and high) vs three (low, high, and medium) for the Hisense.

Overall Category Score

Overall, the DH5026KP1G scores a 5/5 for adjustability.

Versatility

Set Humidity Range

This unit can be set to as low as 30% and as high as 80% relative humidity. Most competitors have a range of 35% to 85%.

So, the DH5026KP1G can be set to a lower humidity level than most competitors but not as high of a humidity level as most competitors.

In the real world, the upper and lower end of the range is rarely used.

The upper end is rarely used because a target humidity of 80% to 85% is still extremely humid. The lower end of the range is rarely used because 30% to 35% is extremely dry, and if you really want as low of humidity as possible, you’re better off just running the dehumidifier on continuous mode.

Operating Temperature Range

The recommended operating temperature range for this model is 38° to 90° F. Most competitors have a range of 41° to 89° or 41° to 95° F.

Gravity Drainage

This unit has an outlet for gravity drainage (via a garden hose) on the back. You can use this outlet to drain the dehumidifier using gravity so that it doesn’t drain into its water tank.

Built-in Pump

This unit has an outlet for pump drainage (via an included drainage hose) on the side. You can use pump drainage if you need to drain to a location that’s far away or above the dehumidifier.

Overall Category Score

This unit receives a 5/5 for versatility.

Extra Features

Temperature Reading

This unit doesn’t display room temperature. Very few models on the market have this functionality.

Defrost

This unit will automatically defrost its evaporator coil if it ices up. It doesn’t have an LED on the control panel though (like many competitors) to alert you when defrost mode is activated.

Check Filter

This unit does have an LED that lights up when its filter needs to be cleaned.

Overall Category Score

The DH5026KP1G gets a 4/5 for extra features.

Ease of Use

LED Display Clarity

This unit has an average quality display.

Setup Difficulty

It’s fairly straightforward to setup this unit out of the box. Its control panel is clearly labeled.

Filter Removal Difficulty

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

Manual Clarity

We don’t have any complaints about this model’s included user manual.

Water Tank Size

The DH5026KP1G features a 16 pint water tank. This is an improvement over the previous iteration of this dehumidifier that we tested – the DH7021KP1G – which had a water tank that only had a 13.6 pint capacity.

The average water tank capacity for a 50 pint dehumidifier is 15.7 pints.

Overall Category Score

Overall, we give the DH5026KP1G a 4.5/5 for ease of use.

Portability

This is definitely one of the heavier 50 pint dehumidifiers we tested. The average weight for this category is right around 43 lb. Many competitors weigh as little as 40 lb.

The DH5026KP1G weighs a whopping 46.9 lb.

It has side pocket handles if you want to pick it up and casters on the bottom if you want to roll it around.

There is a strap in the back to hold its power cord. Many competitors feature much more elegant cord storage though – the Frigidaire FHDD5034W1, for example, has plastic hooks that are part of the main body of the dehumidifier around which you can wrap the power cord.

Overall Category Score

The DH5026KP1G scores only a 3.5/5 for portability.

Warranty (Manufacturer’s)

The DH5026KP1G is one of only a handful of dehumidifiers on the market that come with a 2 year warranty, instead of the industry standard 1 year warranty. This is definitely a very strong positive for this dehumidifier.

Value

The DH5026KP1G regularly retails for just under $300. This isn’t a bad price for a dehumidifier with a built-in pump, but it’s also not a very competitive price either.