hOmeLabs 50-Pint Dehumidifier Review – Purchased & Tested

The hOmeLabs dehumidifier, despite not being a household name, has managed to carve out a significant presence in the market. Intrigued by its popularity, I recently placed an order for their 50-pint model (HME020031N) which claims to be able to cover 4500 sq. ft.

However, this review is also valuable even if you’re eyeing the 22-pint or 35-pint versions, as they share the same functionality and design. 

Now, let’s dive into the performance and features of this highly popular model.

hOmeLabs Dehumidifier Specs

Size	15.4 x 11 x 24.3 inches
Water tank capacity	12.8 pints.
Moisture removed by the hour	730 ml (our test result)
Noise level	60.5 dB
Exhaust method	Side
Wattage	508 watt. (our test result)
CFM	188 on turbo mode and 165 on normal mode
Warranty	1-year. If you buy it on hOmeLabs.com, it can be extended to 2 years.

Appearance

After reviewing numerous dehumidifiers, I’ve noticed that many units tend to have a similar appearance. This hOmeLabs 50-pint model shares a resemblance with units from Midea and Frigidaire, albeit with a slightly slimmer profile. 

In terms of dimensions, both the 50-pint and 35-pint versions have an overall size of 15.4 x 11 x 24.3 inches, indicating a consistent design approach. The 22-pint version, on the other hand, is a bit smaller, measuring 15.2 x 10.24 x 19.7 inches.

Convenience features include two side handles for easy transport, a top-mounted control panel, and on the back, you’ll find the filter and the drain hose outlet. Additionally, there’s a bracket to neatly manage the power cord.

Dehumidifiers are generally quite heavy, but this unit has been designed with four casters on the bottom, which makes it easy to move around once it’s out of the box. That being said, considering its weight, it’s advisable to have some assistance when unboxing it. In my experience, it did require some effort to handle on my own.

Overall, it boasts a simple and modern design that won’t be overly conspicuous in any space. 

Our hOmeLabs Dehumidifier Performance Test

Many dehumidifiers out there claim to offer fancy features at a low price, but often, they end up being ineffective gadgets with subpar dehumidification performance.

Hence, it’s crucial to prioritize dehumidification performance when purchasing a dehumidifier.

Fortunately, this hOmeLabs dehumidifier proves to be a reliable choice to buy.

Dehumidification performance

We conducted a 1-hour test in a room measuring approximately 300 sq. ft., with an initial indoor humidity level of around 64% at 90°. We used the Govee hygrometer to record the change in humidity level and set the humidistat at 35%. 

As depicted in the graph, the indoor humidity level dropped from 63.5% to 42.4% within 60 minutes, demonstrating an impressive performance by the dehumidifier.

Water collected per hour

Given that you may want to use this dehumidifier in larger spaces like a basement or attic, we’ve also calculated the amount of water it collected per hour during our testing. This additional information should provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of its performance.

The unit impressively collected 730 ml (equivalent to 1.54 pints) of moisture within just 1 hour during our testing, making it the top performer among all the models we evaluated.

Noise level 

We employed a sound meter to measure the noise level when the dehumidifier operated in continuous mode with the normal fan speed. The result is 60.5 dB, which is slightly lower than the Frigidaire 50-pint dehumidifier.

However, The noise produced by this unit may not be as pleasant as the noise generated by the Frigidaire unit.

I can intermittently hear the humming noise of the compressor, and regrettably, the fan noise doesn’t effectively mask it.

This unit has a CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) rating of 188, which is lower than the Frigidaire unit’s higher CFM of 229. Additionally, its side exhaust design means that the noise is directed more specifically. The combination of these factors likely contributes to the somewhat annoying noise you experience when using this dehumidifier.

It is not a big issue if you intend to use it in a space where you won’t be spending much time. However, I strongly advise against running it when you need a quiet environment for activities like reading or working in the same space.

Energy efficiency

Compared to a humidifier, a dehumidifier will use a lot more electricity so many people are concerned about its energy efficiency.

This hOmeLabs dehumidifier is an energy star-certified dehumidifier, which means that it can save more energy than many counterparts. According to our test, this 50-pint model costs 0.508 kWh ( during my testing, I did not run the machine for the first five minutes.) to remove 1.54 pints of water, which translates to approximately 0.33 kWh per pint, which is lower than many 50-pint units we tested. 

Assuming the cost of a kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 13.2 cents, running this dehumidifier in your basement for 3 months during the summer would cost you approximately 14.5 dollars.

This cost is generally considered acceptable, especially when compared to the benefits of maintaining a comfortable and moisture-free environment in your basement.

Important features

While this hOmeLabs unit is a bit noisy, it has good performance. Now, let’s discuss the extra features it has. As you know, factors like the ease of draining the collected water and the user-friendliness of the control buttons are also crucial when it comes to using a dehumidifier.

Comfort mode 

Much like most dehumidifiers on the market, this unit includes a continuous mode for continuous operation. Meanwhile, you can set your desired target humidity anywhere between 35% to 85%. The dehumidifier will then automatically switch off when it senses that the indoor humidity has reached your chosen level.

Note that this unit defaults to continuous mode. If you wish to adjust the humidistat setting, you should first press the button to turn it off before making any changes.

But what sets this hOmeLabs dehumidifier apart is that it has a comfort mode, meaning that it can work automatically according to the ambient temperature and humidity level. The higher the temperature, the lower the target humidity it will set.  

Ambient Temperature	<65°F	65-77°F	>77°F
Indoor Humidity Level	55%	50%	45%

This is great if you don’t bother to adjust the setting but still want to be mindful of electricity consumption. But you can’t adjust the target humidity in this mode.

Auto-on and auto-off timer

The control panel also includes a timer button that enables you to schedule the unit to turn on or off after a specific time period.

This timer can be set anywhere from 0.5 to 24 hours, offering flexibility in how you want to use the dehumidifier. For instance, you can schedule it to run only during the night or daytime hours, depending on your needs and preferences.

My mom likes this feature since she is used to turning off all the household appliances when leaving home. 

Manual drain and gravity drain 

The manual drain option means that you’ll need to empty the water bucket on your own. Given that the water bucket can hold approximately 12.8 pints of water, it will reach its full capacity and stop working after approximately 8 to 10 hours of operation.

You can also attach a hose to the back for continuous operation, but please note that the hose isn’t included. Make sure to measure the distance to the nearest drain for proper setup.

hOmeLabs also offers a model that comes with a pump, designed to pump out water to a sink or drain.

However, it’s important to be aware that online reviews suggest that the pump component in this version, as with many other brands, has a reputation for being somewhat prone to failure. For this reason, you prefer to purchase the version without a pump, which tends to be a more reliable choice. Alternatively, you can use an external pump.

Easily maintainable filter

When air is drawn into the machine, it can also carry airborne impurities with it. With time, the filter on the back will accumulate a lot of dust and dirt. 

This dehumidifier includes a filter button on the control panel, and after about 250 hours of use, the filter light will flash to remind you to clean it. Cleaning is a breeze – just remove the filter and give it a quick rinse under running water. The filter is quite easy to take off and put back.

But you should reset the filter function after cleaning it by pressing the filter button again.

Power cord storage bracket

Not every brand includes a design for cord storage. For instance, the Midea cube unit offers excellent dehumidifying performance, but it lacks a convenient cord organization feature.

Fortunately, this hOmeLabs dehumidifier is equipped with a storage bracket (usually found in the water tank during unpacking). You can easily attach it to the back of the unit and use it to neatly store the cord, helping you keep things organized and tidy.

Warranty 

Like the majority of dehumidifiers, this hOmeLabs only offers a 1-year warranty. But if you buy it via its official website: homelabs.com, you will get a 2-year warranty which is great, especially when you decide to purchase a version with a pump. 

Durability 

Despite its slightly lower price point, this dehumidifier doesn’t compromise on build quality. The robust plastic used in its construction ensures durability and longevity, meaning it won’t deteriorate easily.

One aspect we found that could use some improvement is the lack of a water tank cover. Many high-quality dehumidifiers come with this feature, which may help prevent mold growth in the compressor area. However, this hOmeLabs unit does not include such a cover.

Who should buy this hOmeLabs dehumidifier? 

I believe that the 50-pint hOmeLabs dehumidifier is an excellent choice for individuals seeking to address dampness issues in their basement or bedroom. For those looking to dehumidify smaller spaces, like a bathroom, the 22-pint or 35-pint versions with the same functionalities are also viable options.

This dehumidifier is particularly well-suited for people who:

1. Require a dehumidifier with powerful performance: Based on our tests, it can reduce humidity from 63.5% to 42.4% in just 60 minutes, ranking it among the top performers we’ve evaluated.
2. Seek an energy-efficient option: Being Energy Star certified, it incurs only minimal monthly electricity costs.
3. Prefer the convenience of an auto mode: The comfort mode adjusts the humidity setting based on ambient temperature, simplifying operation.

However, I don’t recommend it for individuals planning to stay in the same space while the dehumidifier is running, as the compressor can be somewhat noisy.