Dehumidifier Review and Ratings

Comfort-Aire Low Temperature Dehumidifiers

by Bob Cobe, AllergyBuyersClub.com Staff

Dehumidifier Rating: - Very Good Plus

The low temperature Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers are among the best-designed home dehumidifiers we have tested. In addition to their being able to operate at temperatures down to 42 degrees, the digitally adjustable humidistat allows you to set the humidity level to which you want to dry. Their intuitive controls are clearly readable on the top of the units and digital readouts give you the room humidity and temperature plus the humidity level to which you have set the adjustable humidistat.

INFO LINKS Dehumidifiers Overview - view all Dehumidifiers sold by AllergyBuyersClub.com Dehumidifiers Comparison Chart - a comparison with pluses and minuses of all the best Dehumidifiers Mold Solution Guide - a quick buyers guide of the best recommended products to solve mold allergy problems Best Dehumidifier Articles - Editor's top picks on dehumidifier info

The large front loading bucket holds 20 pints, has a convenient center of the bucket carrying handle, slides in and out easily, and uses a lever system to shut the dehumidifier off when the bucket is filled, rather than the "float on a wire" system that tends to jam occasionally in some other units. When the bucket has filled, the unit will shut off automatically and will let you know by a light on the top.

The moist air is drawn into the front of the dehumidifier and the dry air exhausted vertically through the top to allow you to place it right up against a wall. Should the dehumidifier need to be moved, there are handles on both sides for carrying and 4 wheels on the bottom for rolling. The washable air filter is easily accessible for cleaning.

While the 2-speed fan produces a higher volume of air than most dehumidifiers and will dry rooms more quickly, it is unfortunately noisier than we would like. The only other drawback seems to be that it does not automatically reset itself should there be a power failure and you must push the start button and reset your desired humidity level.

For those of you who want to constantly drain the water by use of gravity or a pump, this dehumidifier is ideal because the drain connection does not attach to a hole in the bottom of the bucket, but has a drain connection above the bucket. Included is a 1-foot solid plastic tube that you push onto this drain connection, then run the tube out the back corner of the cabinet, and attach a hose to the threaded end of the tube. Therefore, there is never any water left in the bucket.

All in all, while not perfect, this dehumidifier is the best I have seen in this price range of $319.00 upwards.

More information on Comfortaire low temperature dehumidifiers

For those who are just looking for the best dehumidifier and where price is not so critical, the Santa Fe line of dehumidifiers for the home still win hands down (priced at $1,149.95 and up).

See all the dehumidifiers at Allergybuyersclub.com

First Published: Memorial Day 2003
Updated: April 2007

Send this article to a friend

.................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ..................................................