Why it matters
The Friedrich 50-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier (D50B1B) is a portable dehumidifier with a 16.2 pints bucket, rated for 1200 sq ft and removing up to 50.0 pints/day a day.
Aim for 40 to 60 percent relative humidity indoors: drier air irritates airways and skin, wetter air feeds dust mites and mold.
At its full rating of about 50 pints a day, a 16-pint bucket would fill in roughly 8 hours, so in a damp basement plan on a hose or pump rather than emptying it by hand.
At its stated 900 watts, running non-stop uses about 21.6 kWh a day; in practice the compressor cycles off once the room reaches the set humidity.
Its rated area of 1,200 square feet is one of the smallest ratings we cover: 16 of the 99 dehumidifiers with a stated figure come in lower, and the range runs from 110 square feet to 7,500 square feet.
Price-wise it sat in the dearest third of the 52 portable models we cover when we checked; the button shows today's price.
It qualifies for our list Best Dehumidifiers for Bedrooms and Apartments, where it is ranked against every model that meets the same rule.
Compared with the Friedrich 35-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier (D35B1B): rated room size 1200 sq ft here vs 500 sq ft; power draw 900 W here vs 600 W; warranty 1-Year Warranty on Parts, 5-Year Warranty on Refrigerant System here vs 1-Year Warranty on Parts; 5-Year Warranty on Refrigerant System.
Warranty, per the maker: 1-Year Warranty on Parts, 5-Year Warranty on Refrigerant System.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Good fit if
- Bedrooms, apartments and laundry rooms
- Owners who can run a drain hose
Look elsewhere if
- Rooms far larger than its rating
Pros and cons
Pros
- 50.0 pints/day removal
- 16.2 pints bucket
- Rated for 1200 sq ft
Cons
- Needs regular cleaning to stay hygienic
Limitations to weigh
- Not stated on the Friedrich 50-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier (D50B1B) listing: airflow. Ask the seller or check the manual before relying on it.
- Pints-per-day figures depend on the test conditions; since 2019 the US test uses cooler, drier air, so newer ratings look smaller than older ones for the same machine.
Specifications
The bracket shows where each figure comes from.
| Price | $499 | Retailer |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | D50B1B | Retailer |
| Room coverage | 1200 sq ft | Retailer |
| Moisture removal | 50.0 pints/day | Retailer |
| Tank capacity | 16.2 pints | Retailer |
| Wattage | 900 W | Retailer |
| Filter type | Washable | Retailer |
| Low temp | 41 °F | Retailer |
| Voltage | 110-120 V | Retailer |
| Refrigerant | R-32 | Retailer |
| Warranty | 1-Year Warranty on Parts, 5-Year Warranty on Refrigerant System | Retailer |
Alternatives worth comparing
More dehumidifiers we cover
Final verdict
A sensible choice for bedrooms, apartments and laundry rooms. Confirm the model it fits before ordering.
Where to buy
Each button opens this exact model. We may earn a commission on tracked links; it never changes what we publish. Disclosure