hOmeLabs are a household name, responsible for manufacturing a wide range of home appliances. Their most popular products are arguably their dehumidifiers, with three full sized models forming the product range.
These three models consist of a 70 pint (9 gallon), 50 pint (6 gallon) and a 30 pint (4 gallon) dehumidifier, one of which is bound to be perfect for your home. In this review, we’ll be covering their superb 70 pint HME020031N model which is going to be the most suitable for most homeowners.
Features And Benefits
Common amongst all dehumidifiers, this model’s rating suggests that it is capable of removing 70 pints of water from the atmosphere in a 24 hour period. Such a specification makes this model suitable for both small and large spaces, quickly and efficiently removing moisture.
Super Quiet Operation
hOmeLabs claim that this model utilizes what they refer to as super quiet peltier technology. In practice, this equates to a dehumidifier that is as quiet as most other leading brands.
We recorded an average sound output of 54 decibels whilst on the highest setting, making this dehumidifier perfect for living spaces where low levels of background noise is desirable.
Bedroom use is also possible, but some homeowners may have difficulty sleeping with this dehumidifier running in the background.
Digital Humidistat
As with any top of the range home dehumidifier, a digital humidistat is included as standard which allows you to set both the level of humidity reduction as well as ascertain the current level of relative humidity.
Humidity can be set to between 35 and 85% which is more than adequate for any indoor environment.
For reference, mold, mildew and other allergens become increasingly prevalent above 60% humidity. It is for that reason that most homeowners will find that setting their model to around 45% should dramatically improve the air quality within their home.
The operating temperature range for this model is rated at between 41 - 95 degrees Fahrenheit which is about typical for a consumer grade dehumidifier.
Easy Access Drain Bucket
The built-in drainage bucket has a water capacity of 12 pints which equates to 1.6 gallons of water. In reality, this means that you will be required to empty the tank up to every 4 hours depending on the humidity level of the environment you are dehumidifying.
During testing, we didn’t encounter the need to empty the drain bucket any more frequently than once every day whilst being used in an average sized open lounge with a medium level (55%) of humidity.
The drainage bucket is well designed and easy to use, making emptying it simple and hassle free.
Drain Hose Functionality
In conjunction with the continuous drainage mode, it is possible to attach a section of hose which will drain the water tank automatically, allowing you to empty the bucket into a nearby sink, floor drain or out of an open window.
A hose isn’t supplied with this model but is readily available from any home and garden retailer.
Washable Air Filter
hOmeLabs include a washable filter with this model which is capable of being removed for cleaning. It is suggested that this filter is removed and cleaned on a monthly basis, regardless of how often you use the device.
The hOmeLabs range are fitted with a ‘clean filter’ light which will illuminate when the filter requires cleaning. Nothing more than soap and warm water is required to clean the filter.
Auto Power Outage Restart
As is standard with most dehumidifiers, this model includes an auto restart function which is designed to facilitate easy restart in the event of a power cut.
If you use your device in a difficult to access location, this a feature that you can’t do without.
Energy Star Certification
One point of concern for many users is just how much energy their new dehumidification device will consume. This model has received an energy star rating for this very reason.
The maximum power draw for this model is 6.5 amps or 780 watts which is rarely reached in normal operation. 600 watts of power consumption is a typical consumption figure during normal operation.
Pros And Cons
We’ve outlined the features, but how does this model measure up in real world use? We’ve included a list of pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
- Easy to setup. hOmeLabs have a simple to follow initial operation procedure which involves simply switching the device on and disabling ‘continuous’ mode, which will then allow you to adjust the humidity.
- Quiet. Not quite the quietist model in existence but very good nonetheless.
- Works well in any environment. Whether warm or cold, the advanced functionality of this model such as auto defrost capability will ensure that it will continue to run, even in your basement.
- Powerful. As a high quality 70 pint model, this device will very quickly extract as much moisture out of the air as possible.
- Price. This is one of the cheapest 70 pint models you will find available.
Cons
- Some users note that the drainage hose connection sometimes leaks if a solid connection isn’t made. We suggest ensuring that you’ve inserted the hose properly if you choose to make use of this feature.
Final Verdict
Like most hOmeLab appliances, their range of dehumidifiers are very good and represent exceptional value for money.
The 70 pint HME020031N is not only powerful, but energy efficient too. Couple that with fantastic reliability and the result is a dehumidifier that we would not hesitate to recommend.
The negative points we encountered are few and far between, making this appliance a top buy. We also recommend it as one of the best dehumidifiers for basement use due to its performance and versatility.
The other models in the hOmeLabs range are very similar and made to the same great standard if instead you would prefer a model with a lower capacity rating. They manufacture several other smaller sizes including 30 pint dehumidifiers which might be more suitable for your needs.
Looking for a wider range of 70 pint dehumidifiers? Take a look at our guide.
Our Rating