Living in older homes, you get used to a certain… ambiance. And by ambiance, I mean that telltale musty smell of a basement that’s a little too friendly with moisture. This year, though, the humidity was next-level, so I finally caved and decided to get a dehumidifier. After doing my homework, the SPT SD-53E 50-Pint model seemed like a good bet, and let me tell you, it’s been working overtime these past few weeks.
First Look and Cool Features:
Right away, the SPT SD-53E struck me as practical. It’s not winning any beauty contests, but the simple white design blends in just fine, and it’s not huge, which is a win in my packed basement. Seriously, those wheels? A total back-saver. Rolling it around is a breeze.
The controls are super easy to figure out. You can set it to run continuously, or dial in your ideal humidity anywhere from 35% to 80%. I also love that it shuts off automatically when the bucket’s full – nobody wants a flood! And the washable air filter? Smart. Plus, it even reminds you to clean it.
Putting it to the Test:
My basement’s around 450 square feet, so the 50-pint capacity seemed about right. When I started, the humidity was hanging around 70%, making it feel like a swamp down there. I set the SD-53E to 50% and crossed my fingers. Honestly? I noticed a real difference within a day. The air felt lighter, and that musty odor? Fading fast.
I’m emptying the bucket every couple of days, which isn’t a big deal. If you’ve got a major moisture problem, you might want to hook up a hose for continuous draining, but so far, I haven’t needed to.
Another thing I appreciate? The memory function. We had a power flicker last week, and when the dehumidifier came back on, it remembered my settings. Small thing, but definitely handy. And while it has two fan speeds, even on high, it’s not obnoxiously loud.
A Few Little Things:
Okay, so it’s not perfect. The water bucket could be a bit bigger. And while it can drain continuously, you have to supply your own hose, which feels a little cheap.
The Green Factor:
Big bonus points for being ENERGY STAR certified. I try to be mindful of energy use, so knowing it’s not a total power hog is a relief.
Final Thoughts:
All in all, the SPT SD-53E 50-Pint Dehumidifier is a solid choice. It tackles dampness effectively, it’s user-friendly, and has some nice-to-have features. Sure, it’s not flawless, but the good definitely outweighs the not-so-good, especially for the price. If you’re looking to dry out a basement or other medium-sized space, this one’s worth a look.