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Upstate New York is no stranger to humid summer weather. As of late, our summers are hotter and more humid than in years past. A dehumidifier can be a worthy investment if you live in a humid climate or your home is prone to muggy conditions.
I live in a ranch-style home that has a finished basement underground, so that basement naturally holds a lot of moisture. It is humid down there all year, but in the summer months, we can feel the humidity the second we get to the bottom step of the staircase. I have tried a few different humidifiers over the years, and some work better than others. Then I found the Frigidaire Gallery High-Humidity 50-Pint-Capacity Dehumidifier, which is designed specifically for high-humidity conditions.
My finished basement has both carpet and drywall, so keeping this area of the house dry and comfortable is important from a health perspective, as well as from a comfort perspective; it serves as a main living area for my family.
I put this dehumidifier through a few heat waves and humid days before making a final determination that it is one of the best I’ve tried over the 10 years I’ve lived here.
Frigidaire Gallery High-Humidity 50-Pint-Capacity Dehumidifier: At a Glance
Rating: 9.5/10
PROS
- Extremely quiet operation for use in living areas without the need to talk over the unit
- Large water tank holds 2.11 gallons of water before it needs to be dumped
- Sleek design fits nicely into any decor without being an eyesore or tucks nicely into corners
CONS
- Can be a bit heavy to move around with a full tank
- Smart functionality and app connection can be a bit troublesome
Get the Frigidaire Gallery High-Humidity 50-Pint Capacity Dehumidifier at:
What is the Frigidaire High-Humidity 50-Pint-Capacity Dehumidifier?
The Frigidaire Gallery dehumidifier is a large-capacity unit designed for large areas such as basements and open living spaces.
The dehumidifier uses a fan that pulls in moist air across dehumidifying coils. The coils work to draw moisture from the air, which is then returned through the air outlet into the room. The result is dry, warm air being sent back into the room, so it’s important to note that this unit will not cool a space but might actually make it warmer. This is normal for dehumidifiers that use a compressor and coils to remove moisture.
The moisture that the unit removes from the air collects in a bucket that will need to be emptied regularly.
Is the Frigidaire Gallery dehumidifier easy to set up and use?
The Gallery dehumidifier took very little time to set up right out of the box. After unpacking, I removed the protective tape from the unit and it was ready to use. I filled the unit with distilled water to prevent any hard water buildup over time. It’s important to note that the owner’s manual states the unit must be used in an environment that is between 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) and 89 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). If your space is out of this temperature range, the unit may not work properly.
The control panel is easy to use and understand with options to choose a mode (auto, quiet, dry), turn on the timer, adjust the humidity levels, choose the fan speed (high, medium, low), check the filter reset button, and connect to your smartphone. There is also a filter reset alert light and a filter reset button.
I especially like the quick-glance light located on the front of the unit. I found myself looking at the light every time I walked by to see if the unit required anything. It has multiple functions. For example, the light will turn off when the unit is in quiet mode or when the humidity reaches the desired level. When the bucket is full of water, the light will turn orange. When the humidity is lower than the set desired humidity, the light will continuously show blue until the humidity level has been reached.
My desired humidity level is around 50 percent for my downstairs space, although I will sometimes set it to 45, depending on the humidity level outside. The first time I used the unit, it took about 24 hours for the humidity level to be comfortable. Now that I run the dehumidifier consistently, it takes a few hours, depending on the outside temperature.
I also found the Frigidaire app easy to set up and use. Connecting to the dehumidifier took only a few minutes, and I was able to connect my smartphone to the unit, which allowed me to control the unit and monitor the humidity levels.
Does the Frigidaire 50-pint dehumidifier work?
The Frigidaire Gallery 50-pint dehumidifier works wonders for creating a comfortable space within a home that battles humidity. I noticed a significant difference after running the unit for 24 hours. This compares with typical conditions before I set up the Frigidaire Gallery; I could feel the moisture in the air downstairs, and on extremely humid days, I could even feel the moisture on the floor. The stickiness was unbearable at times.
Now that I run the dehumidifier regularly, the air quality and comfort level have improved dramatically. The room is a bit warmer due to the unit blowing out warm air, but I’ll take the warm air over humid, uncomfortable air. Keep in mind, the warm air blowing out of the unit is not enough to make an 800-square-foot room uncomfortable; however, it is possible it would affect a small room’s overall temperature.
Is the Frigidaire Gallery high-humidity dehumidifier worth it?
The Frigidaire FGAC5044W1 retails at $349, which is right in line with other large 50-pint dehumidifiers, so it is a great value for the quality build and performance. Frigidaire is a well-known and trusted brand in the home space, and it’s clear the brand has put a lot of thought into this model.
I like having the ability to control the unit from upstairs to ensure the room is comfortable before I plan to spend time down there. The large-capacity water bin is also another useful upgraded feature.
Overall, I think the Frigidaire dehumidifier is worth the investment.
Is the Frigidaire dehumidifier right for you?
The Frigidaire Gallery has proven ideal for my large finished basement. If you have a large area in your home that tends to get humid, this dehumidifier can create a more comfortable environment, and it’s able to maintain that comfort with minimal effort and upkeep.
Those trying to dehumidify a room that is less than 500 square feet might want to look for a smaller option to ensure the warm air that is produced by the compressor does not affect the temperature of a smaller room. Using this unit in a larger open space, I have found no issues with the warm air output, which is typical of any dehumidifier that uses a compressor and is not specific to this model.
This dehumidifier is ideal for large spaces, basements, or living rooms.
Where to Buy the Frigidaire Dehumidifier
Get the Frigidaire Gallery High-Humidity 50-Pint Capacity Dehumidifier at:
Meet the Tester
As the executive editor of Product Reviews, Stephanie Cronk has spent years researching and testing products. Stephanie brings more than 14 years of commerce experience to the BobVila.com team, where her focus is on reviewing and testing products in a variety of categories including DIY, home improvement, home appliances, outdoor living, and more.