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Quick Review Summary

The Toshiba TDDP5012ES2 is an average dehumidifier. It has most of the features and much of the functionality you might want in a dehumidifier, but it doesn’t do anything especially well.

This unit was also only an average to below average performer in our hands-on performance testing. Its performance in those tests as well as all of its features and functionality are covered in detail below.

Performance Test Results

Energy Efficiency

The Toshiba’s measured power draw was 578 watts. The 50 pint units we tested had a measured power draw in the 560 to 610 watt range with most units drawing approx. 570 watts. Thus, the Toshiba’s power draw was ever so slightly higher than average.

The real concern here is its performance in our moisture removal tests. The Toshiba took much longer than most other 50 pint units we tested to dehumidify our test space from 90% down to 40% relative humidity (more on this test in just a moment).

Energy efficiency is dependent on two factors – power draw and how long an appliance draws that power for – i.e. how long it takes an appliance to do a particular job.

The TDDP5012ES2 not only had a slightly higher than average power draw but it also took much longer to dehumidify in a real world environment in our testing. This gives this unit below average energy efficiency compared to all of the other 50 pint dehumidifiers we tested.

Noise Output

We placed a sound meter right above the control panel and 10 ft. away from the dehumidifier to measure its raw noise output.

The Toshiba is a side exhaust unit and so it had an advantage in our testing. Why? Because its side exhaust directed much of the noise away from the dehumidifier – and away from the sound meter. Top exhaust units emitted noise directly at the sound meter when it was placed above the unit’s control panel. 10 ft. away from the dehumidifier this advantage was less pronounced.

In any case, our testing showed side exhaust units to have a lower raw noise output than top exhaust units. The same applies to the Toshiba. Because it is a side exhaust unit it was tested to be “quieter” than most other 50 pint dehumidifiers we tested.

On high fan speed above the unit’s control panel it was measured 61.2 dB of noise output. 10 ft. away it was measured at 52.4 dB. The “quietest” 50 pint dehumidifier we tested, the hOmeLabs HME020031N, was measured at 59.3 dB and 50.3 dB in the same respective tests. Top exhaust units were measured at 70+ dB and approx. 54 dB in the same respective tests.

Note, however, that raw noise output is only part of the equation when it comes to evaluating dehumidifier noise output. Another important consideration is the quality of the noise.

Here, the Toshiba, like all the other side exhaust units we tested, didn’t do as well.

You may have wondered why we didn’t mention low fan speed numbers earlier. The reason is this: you’ll almost never want to run a dehumidifier on low fan speed.

Why? Because on low fan speed it won’t remove moisture as fast AND the white noise the fan produces won’t hide compressor noise nearly as well.

The Toshiba’s compressor makes quite a bit of noise (just like the compressor in most other 50 pint units we tested). And because its side exhaust sends all fan noise in a particular direction, it doesn’t mask compressor noise very well (unless you point the side exhaust directly at you of course).

Top exhaust units better distribute fan noise throughout a whole room (the noise is directed upwards omnidirectionally throughout the whole room). For this reason top exhaust units are “loud” but most of that loudness comes from fan noise. And it’s actually a good thing that you’re hearing more fan noise (due to the upward facing exhaust) with these units, because otherwise you’d be hearing more compressor noise, and that’s a much less pleasing noise to listen to.

Moisture Removal

We measured how long it took each 50 pint dehumidifier we tested to lower room humidity from 90% down to 40% and then from 80% down to 50% (an easier test).

We saw much more variance in the first test (90 to 40%) than the second test (80 to 50%) as it was by far the more difficult test. Most 50 pint dehumidifiers can handle 80% humidity just about equally well and can lower room humidity down to 50% relatively easily. The true test is the 90 to 40% test as 90% RH represents extreme moisture levels and 40% RH represents very dry air.

It took the Toshiba 12 minutes, 42 seconds to lower room humidity from 90% down to 40% in our 50 sq. ft. test space. For comparison, most other 50 pint units took only 10 to 11 minutes. The top rated Frigidaire took only 7 minutes, 56 seconds.

It took the TDDP5012ES2 6 minutes, 44 seconds to lower room humidity from 80% down to 50%. Most other 50 pint units had a time in the 5 and a half to 6 minute range. The top rated Frigidaire was again a bit of an outlier with a time of 5 minutes, 19 seconds.

These results speak for themselves. The Toshiba was an especially poor performer in both moisture removal tests.

Hygrometer Accuracy

The TDDP5012ES2 also doesn’t have a very accurate hygrometer. It often displayed readings up to 4% above the actual room humidity. Top rated units were accurate to within 2% of actual room humidity.

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

Durability (Build Quality)

General Impressions

This unit features average build quality. It doesn’t feature any parts or materials that make us especially concerned about its long term durability, but it also doesn’t feature any parts or materials that make us especially confident about its long term durability.

Consumer Feedback

This unit is essentially brand new to market at the time of the writing of this editorial review. We usually survey consumer reviews written after a few years of ownership to see if there are any issues with the unit we may have missed during testing. We can’t do that as of yet with the Toshiba since it’s only been on the market for a few months.

Overall Category Score

The unit earns an average 3.5 for durability.

Adjustability

This unit features a timer that can be set in 1 hour increments up to 24 hours. Most other 50 pint units allow you to set the timer in half hour increments up to 12 hours, and then 1 hour increments from 13 to 24 hours.

The Toshiba features two fan speeds. Again, you’ll almost always want to use only one – high fan speed. There are models on the market with three fan speeds.

This unit does feature a continuous mode. On this setting the unit will run continuously until you manually shut it off. Most other 50 pint units we tested also come equipped with this mode.

The TDDP5012ES2 does come with an auto mode called “comfort” mode. We’ll say more about this in the next section on versatility.

Overall Category Score

The unit again scores an average 3.5/5 in the category.

Versatility

Set Humidity Range

The Toshiba allows you to set a desired humidity level between 35% and 85% humidity. You can adjust the setting in 5% increments.

On this “manual” mode the unit will cycle off automatically when the built-in hygrometer reads that room humidity matches the set humidity.

The unit’s “comfort” mode sets a desired humidity level automatically. And then the unit works much the same as it does on “manual” mode. Note that you’ll probably never want to use “comfort” mode as you’ll be able to establish the exact humidity level that’s comfortable for you by simply adjusting the desired humidity level on “manual” mode over the course of a few days. For example, you might set the unit to 55% RH on the first day, find that it’s not dry enough, then set it to 50% RH the next day, and from that day forward just leave it on 50% RH for many months as 50% RH may be comfortable for you. In contrast, “comfort” mode might set the unit to 55% RH, you may not be comfortable at this RH, and then you’ll set a lower desired RH manually anyway.

Operating Temperature Range

The Toshiba’s minimum operating temperature is 41° F. The user manual doesn’t state a maximum but we think it’s safe to assume it’s in the 89° to 90° F much like every other compressor based dehumidifier on the market.

Gravity Drainage

The unit has a drain outlet that doesn’t require an adapter for use. Certain models, like the LG UD501KOG5 and Keystone KSTAD504D, require that you install an adapter before connecting a garden hose to the outlet.

Built-in Pump

The TDDP5012ES2 doesn’t feature a built-in pump. You can, however, still pump collected moisture by draining through the gravity drain outlet into a condensate pump (purchased separately).

Overall Category Score

The Toshiba earns a 4.5/5 in the category.

Extra Features

Temperature Reading

This unit does not display current room temperature.

Defrost

This unit features a defrost mode with an accompanying defrost indicator light (on the main control panel). Defrost mode is activated if frost builds up on the unit’s evaporator coils (the evaporator is found behind the unit’s back grille – see the photo below). On defrost mode the compressor shuts off and the fan continues to run to melt the frost. The defrost indicator light alerts you when defrost mode is activated.

Check Filter

This unit does feature a check filter light on its control panel.

Overall Category Score

The Toshiba earns a 4.5/5 in the category.

Ease of Use

LED Display Clarity

The display is low quality but easy enough to read.

Setup Difficulty

The unit is easy to setup and use.

Filter Removal Difficulty

The unit’s filter is easy to access and remove. It pulls out of the top of the back of the dehumidifier.

Manual Clarity

The TDDP5012ES2 manual is easy to follow and understand.

Water Tank Size

The unit’s water tank has a capacity of 14 pints – right around the average for the 50 pints/day size class. Some high capacity units have a smaller tank (e.g. the Keystone KSTAD504D has a 12 pint tank) while others have a much larger tank (e.g. the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 has a 16.9 pint tank). The larger the tank, the more infrequently you have to empty and replace it (unless you’re using gravity drainage, of course).

Overall Category Score

The Toshiba earns average marks in the category – a 3.5/5.

Portability

The TDDP5012ES2 weighs just under 44 lb. The average for the 50 pint size class is around 43 lb.

The unit features side pocket handles and a plastic “buckle” on the back around which you can wrap the unit’s power cord.

Overall Category Score

The Toshiba earns a slightly above average 4/5 for portability has it has just about an average weight for a 50 pint dehumidifier and it features excellent cord storage.

Warranty (Manufacturer’s)

The TDDP5012ES2 comes with an industry standard 1 year warranty.

Only a handful of 50 pint dehumidifiers come with a longer warranty. The top rated Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 isn’t one of them. Like the Toshiba it only comes with a 1 year warranty.

The hOmeLabs HME020031N does come with a longer warranty – 2 years plus an additional 6 months if you register your purchase with the manufacturer.

Value

The Toshiba TDDP5012ES2 tends to be priced towards the lower end of the range for 50 pint units. But it’s a very average, if not below average dehumidifier overall. And since value is just as much about what you get as it is about what you pay, this unit earns only an average 3.5/5 for value.