Frigidaire FFAD5033R1 Review 2023 (50 Pint Dehumidifier)
It all started with my home smelling musty, then pest activity followed. Once I learned that excess moisture was the culprit, I had to protect my family from experiencing allergic reactions.
In this Frigidaire FFAD5033R1 review, I’ll share with you how it helped me combat the vicious allergens lurking around.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Dehumidifier
No matter where you live, spaces like laundry rooms, kitchens, and basements always fall prey to excess moisture, and, thus, to mold growth, dust mites, and mildew. In this case, a dehumidifier makes your home less attractive to allergens by condensing the water vapor present in the humid air.
If you believe your home is susceptible to potential allergy triggers, a dehumidifier will help cut down the humidity level, especially in old houses that frequently host mold invasions. If you evade extreme humidity, the weather will feel milder so that you won’t have to turn your AC unit on, for instance.
A dehumidifier boasts a great approach to keep energy costs easy on your wallet. Besides having an Energy Star certification, it saves appliances like air purifiers and washing machines the bother of having to struggle against the ever-increasing humidity level.
Bear in mind that exposure to allergens is synonymous with underlying lung issues and, even worse, asthma. So, if you find out that dust mites are already wheezing around, I guess an air purifier would be optimal due to its advanced air filtration system. Otherwise, a dehumidifier does a good job anticipating allergens’ takeover before it’s out of hand.
Thinking about every facet of a dehumidifier can be a tad bit overwhelming. I listed them down below for effortless decision-making:
- Pint Capacity
- Power Consumption
- Noise Output
- Condensate Bucket
- Drainage
- Air FIlter
- Hygrometer Accuracy
- Control Panel Options (Indicators, Timer, etc.)
Getting Acquainted With Frigidaire FFAD5033R1
The Frigidaire FFAD5033R1 dehumidifier promises to remove 50 pints of moisture per day with a surprisingly similar performance to 70 pint units. With the purchase, Frigidaire includes a gravity drainage adapter for hose connection and an instruction manual.
While a market-leading 50 pint dehumidifier like the Ivation IVALDH50PW boasts compactness and portability, this Frigidaire 50 pint dehumidifier sacrifices these in exchange for a large condensate bucket (13.1 vs. 3.4 pints) and superior humidity control with the same specifications as the latter.
This 50 pint dehumidifier shines in mid-sized rooms like basements and kitchens prone to allergen growth. However, this unit doesn’t promise much in bedrooms due to the noise output, which is normal yet not well-suited for small rooms, unlike 30 pint units.
Pros:
- Low-temperature operation
- Performance similar to 70 pint units
- 3 fan speeds
- Antibacterial filter
- Quiet
Cons:
- Relatively heavyweight
- No condensate pump
Frigidaire FFAD5033R1 In-Depth Review
Now that you’ve had a smattering of the Frigidaire FFAD5033R1, let’s delve into how this 50 pint humidifier performs in real-world use.
Power Consumption
When hosting new appliances at home, I always put their power draw and energy efficiency into consideration, since knowing it’s Energy Star certified isn’t enough.
So, I assessed this 50 pint unit’s power draw based on 3 factors: standby, fan-only, and fan + compressor modes. Most dehumidifiers consume 1 watt on standby mode and roughly 60 watts on the fan-only mode.
When the compressor cycles on, this 50 pint dehumidifier draws up to 530 watts, proving its energy efficiency. To give you perspective, highly-priced 70 pint units can consume up to 750 watts.
Bear in mind that this wattage is applicable at maximum moisture removal. Other than that, it can consume around 450 watts at low humidity levels. Also, this dehumidifier features an auto shut-off mode that lets the compressor cycle off when the condensate bucket is full.
Moisture Removal
The unexpected thing about a 50 pint dehumidifier like the Frigidaire FFAD5033R1 is the comparable performance to high-tier ones. For moisture removal, we rely on the CFM rating, which denotes the air intake per minute in cubic feet.
This dehumidifier scores 182 CFM at the 3rd fan speed, similar to the high-performing 70 pint units. Adding to the plus side, the FFAD5033R1 has an antibacterial air filter that traps dust mites and bacteria in the air intake before it delivers it to the evaporator coil.
Noise Emission
Dehumidifiers emit noticeable noise when both the fan and compressor are running. So, don’t expect them to be as quiet as a whisper. Surprisingly, the Frigidaire FFAD5033R1 scores 51 dB of loudness at the 3rd fan speed. You can regard this identical to a quiet chatter at home.
The fan exhaust’s location is also a great approach to evaluating the noise output. You’ll find the outlet grill here on the side, meaning you’ll be subject to noise if you’re facing the exhaust. Furthermore, there were no compressor buzzes to speak of.
It’s uncommon to find a noisy 3rd fan speed in a 50 pint dehumidifier. However, I found it useful when I needed to leave the dehumidifier running in the basement for fast-paced dehumidification. Apart from that, I predominantly use the 1st and 2nd fan speeds, which are quite tranquil.
Humidity Control
The Frigidaire FFAD5033R1 features a humidity range between 35% and 85%. The hygrometer, which is responsible for displaying the humidity level, reads increments in 5%, typical for 50 pint units.
I found the humidistat quite accurate since the compressor cycles on immediately when the hygrometer detects rising humidity levels.
The FFAD5033R1 also boasts low-temperature operation through a built-in defrost mode, which allows the ice around the evaporator coil to melt by turning off the compressor in freezing weather (41° F.)
Drainage
The 50 pints of moisture the FFAD5033R1 conquers wind up in a huge 13.1 pint condensate bucket. For comparison, the abovementioned Ivation dehumidifier houses a troublesome 3.4 pint reservoir. It’s a good gesture that the bucket here has a splash guard to prevent accidental splashes if you choose to empty it manually.
Frigidaire is so generous to include a gravity drainage adapter, which has helped me with my incompatible garden hose. I wished this dehumidifier would come with a condensate pump for vertical drainage.
Ready-Select Controls
On top of the Frigidaire FFAD5033R1, you’ll find a touch panel housing buttons for timer modes, fan speed, filter reset, and power. Additionally, you get two up and down arrows for humidity control and 2 LEDs that blink when the dehumidifier detects a full tank or a dirty filter.
I liked the lock button that let me freeze all the controls so that nobody would mess them up when I was away. Also, people didn’t realize that this dehumidifier features a continuous mode. You can activate it by lowering the humidity level below 35%; then, the hygrometer will display a “CO” reading.
3 Dehumidifiers to Resort to: Alternatives
Below I listed 3 alternatives that often come head-to-head with the Frigidaire FFAD5033R1. So, let’s see how they compare.
1. hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier
It’s a fair competition between two 50 pint units. Although this dehumidifier is more lightweight than the 50 pint Frigidaire dehumidifier, it has two fan speeds. So, it’s either too quiet or too noisy.
Moreover, the air filter here isn’t antibacterial. However, I liked how this one has an LED for the auto defrost, something the Frigidaire misses.
So far, this unit offers:
- Lightweight vs. heavy design
- 2 vs. 3 fan speeds
- Normal vs. antibacterial filter
- Auto defrost indicator
If this one caught your attention for its lightweight construction, check it out here.
2. Vremi 4,500 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier
This one seemed competent when I put it in comparison. This 50 pint unit has all the bells and whistles in the Frigidaire plus a sizable 14.4 pint bucket and an auto-defrost LED. Yet, it doesn’t feature the 3rd fan speed present in the Frigidaire. It also doesn’t have the precious antibacterial filter.
So far, this unit offers:
- 14.4 vs. 13.1 pint bucket
- Turbo mode vs. 3-speed fan
- Auto defrost LED
Since every pint means less moisture, I’m personally into larger buckets. If you’re like me, make sure to click here to give it a shot.
Inofia 30 Pint Dehumidifier
While it may seem like an unfair comparison, I find this 30 pint unit great for removing humidity in small spaces like bedrooms instead of basements and living rooms owing to its 4 pint bucket. Though affordable and lightweight, I think that the absence of an air filter is unjustifiable.
So far, this unit offers:
- 4 vs. 13.1 pint bucket
- Affordability vs. high price
- No filter vs. antibacterial filter
- No Energy Star certification
If your bedroom suffers from a musty odor on the window sills, I recommend taking a look at this dehumidifier here.
Conclusion
I bet you don’t want your home to become a breeding ground for allergens. Dehumidifiers guarantee you peace of mind knowing that mold spores and dust mites won’t ruin your comfort.
I’ve always recommended this unit owing to its superior performance compared to 50 and 70 pint counterparts, from power efficiency to a vigorous CFM rating. If you’re satisfied with how it operates, you’re ready to hit the buy button with confidence.
