Pros

• Removes moisture more quickly and more effectively than most other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested
• Well above average energy efficiency due to its high moisture removal rate
• Above average performance in our noise output tests – very quiet for its size class
• Comparing it side by side with similar units in the same size class, we observed it to be better built with better quality components. We can confidently say that it’s more durable and should be more reliable than most other 70 pint dehumidifiers on the market

Cons

• A slightly below average sized water tank for its size class

Included With Your Purchase

• Dehumidifier
• Gravity Drainage Adapter
• Instruction Manual

Category Ratings

Energy Efficiency	5.0
Noise Output	4.5
Moisture Removal	5.0
Hygrometer Accuracy	3.5
Durability	5.0
Adjustability	4.5
Versatility	4.5
Extra Features	3.0
Ease of Use	3.5
Portability	3.5
Warranty	3.5
Value	4.5
Editor's Score	4.8

Score is out of 5 possible points.

Quick Review Summary

The Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 70 Pint Dehumidifier with Effortless Humidity Control (White) is quite simply the best 70 pint dehumidifier we’ve tested and reviewed thus far, for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it does best what a dehumidifier is designed to do – it removes moisture quickly and, just as importantly, it does so efficiently. Of the sixteen 70 pint dehumidifiers we’ve tested, it removed moisture more quickly than fourteen others in our first moisture removal test, and all other 70 pint dehumidifiers in our second moisture removal test.

It’s also very quiet, highly durable, notably adjustable, and surprisingly versatile. For a detailed description of its performance in each one of our four hands on performance tests, in addition to a thorough analysis of its features and functionality and how it compares to the other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested – in other words, for detailed analysis – see our full review below. For a more complete summary of how this Frigidaire dehumidifier’s performance and features make it our #1 recommendation in the 70 pint dehumidifier category for 2020, see our final thoughts at the end of this review.

Some Notes Before We Start The Review

1. Our review of the FFAD7033R1 will involve comparisons to its predecessor, the FAD704DWD.

The FFAD7033R1 is only the latest 70 pint dehumidifier to be released by Frigidaire. Today, you can still very easily purchase the previous model, the FAD704DWD. We want to note here that (1) because both units are still readily available for sale and more importantly, (2) because we rated the FAD704DWD as one of the best dehumidifiers when it was first released, we’ll be comparing the FFAD7033R1 to the dehumidifier it’s replacing – the FAD704DWD – throughout this review.

Is the FFAD7033R1 a better option than the FAD704DWD? Are these two dehumidifiers essentially the same or does each offer unique features and functionality? Do we still recommend the FAD704DWD as the best dehumidifier for the most situations or does its replacement, the FFAD7033R1, now take the crown as the king of dehumidifiers? We’ll be answering these questions and more as we cover each dehumidifier’s features and functionality below. Rest assured, we’ll also be comparing the FFAD7033R1 to the other fifteen 70 pint dehumidifiers we’ve tested thus far throughout this review but we wanted to make it clear before get started that the fact that we’ll be comparing these two dehumidifiers, specifically, is not without good reason.

2. A brief history of recently released 70 pint Frigidaire dehumidifiers.

We also want to make an additional note about the FFAD7033R1′s “newness”. The truth is that it’s quite common for dehumidifier manufacturers to release new “updated” models quite frequently. Thus, it came as no surprise to us when Frigidaire decided to release the FFAD7033R1 in 2015, only two years after they released the FAD704DWD in 2013. The FAD704DWD was itself the successor to Frigidaire’s previous 70 pint offering, the FAD704DUD.

With the release of these three models we saw the release of a new Frigidaire 70 pint dehumidifier once every two years for six years. In order, in those six years, we saw the release of the FAD704DUD, the FAD704DWD, and then the FFAD7033R1. Each new iteration saw a variety of different modifications and upgrades. We were therefore quite eager to get our hands on the FFAD7033R1 when we first tested it in 2015. We were eager to see how it would measure up to its previous iteration – not only as far as features and functionality were concerned, but also in terms of its real world performance in our four hands on performance tests. We talk about its performance in these tests in detail in the review below.

Early 2020 Update: It appears Frigidaire has finally broken the cycle of releasing a new 70 pint dehumidifier once every 2 years. Now, in 2020, close to 5 years after its initial release, the FFAD7033R1 is still the latest flagship 70 pint Frigidaire dehumidifier.

Performance Test Results

Energy Efficiency

The FFAD7033R1 is an energy star rated dehumidifier with a manufacturer specified maximum power draw of 745 watts. The previous model, the FAD704DWD, has the exact same manufacturer specified maximum power draw of 745 watts. To better compare the power draw of these two units and also to better compare the power draw of all of the 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested, we conducted our own in house energy efficiency test. We set the test environment to approximately 50% relative humidity for each test and measured the power draw for each dehumidifier we tested under these conditions. What would our own tests show? Not surprisingly, both Frigidaire units also drew exactly the same amount of power in our in house energy efficiency test. The measured power draw for each unit was 632 watts at 50% relative humidity.

Compared to other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested, this measured power draw of 632 watts is slightly above average, as ten out of the sixteen 70 pint units we tested had a measured power draw of 620 watts or less. Five units had a measured power draw of only 590 watts and the most energy efficient 70 pint dehumidifier we tested, the RCA RDH705, was measured to draw only 571 watts of power.

Power Draw Vs Moisture Removal Rate In Determining Energy Efficiency

You might be inclined to think that because the FFAD7033R1′s measured power draw was higher than average, that it is also less energy efficient than average. This, however, is simply not the case. As we discuss at the bottom of the page here energy efficiency is directly related to moisture removal rate (time). As you’ll see in our discussion of this unit’s moisture removal rate below, the FFAD7033R1 removed moisture much faster than most other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested. Because it can dehumidify the same humid environment in less time, it is actually more “energy efficient” than any particular dehumidifier that is rated to draw less power but takes more time to dehumidify the same environment. That is to say that in any situation in which the dehumidifier is going to be running for an extended period of time, moisture removal rate will actually play a larger part in energy efficiency than base power draw. For this reason, we evaluated the Frigidaire’s moisture removal rate in addition to its power draw in assessing its energy efficiency compared to other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested..

Manufacturer Specified Power Draw Vs Real World Power Draw

You might be confused as to why our in house testing resulted in a measured power draw that was considerably less than the manufacturer specified maximum power draw for all of the dehumidifiers we tested. The answer is rather simple. As humidity increases, so does power draw. In the simplest terms, the dehumidifier’s compressor has to “work harder” to dehumidify a very humid environment compared to a less humid environment. Our test environment wasn’t very humid, thus our testing resulted in lower numbers for measured power draw. Manufacturer specified power draw is more indicative of how much power the dehumidifier will draw at maximum capacity when dehumidifying an environment that is at maximum humidity (100% relative humidity).

Energy Efficiency Conclusion

So, in evaluating the Frigidaire’s energy efficiency, you want to compare our test results in addition to the manufacturer specified power draw in order to determine how its power draw compares to that of other dehumidifiers in its class. The environment you’ll be dehumidifying isn’t always going to be at maximum humidity levels. It may be at 80% or even 60% relative humidity for much of the time you’re dehumidifying, in which case you’ll want to prioritize our test results. Maybe you have a very severe humidity problem in which the environment is perpetually near 100% relative humidity, in which case you’ll want to prioritize manufacturer specified power draw.

Again, the FFAD7033R1 was measured to draw 632 watts of power at 50% RH and should draw as much as 745 watts of power at 100% RH. Data for the FAD704DWD is exactly the same.

While the measured power draw of 632 watts is higher than average for the size class (the average is 615 watts), the unit’s specified power draw of 745 watts is right around the average (the average is 744 watts). Additionally, and more importantly, the FFAD7033R1 has a well above average moisture removal rate. The FAD704DWD does not. Thus, despite the fact that both the FFAD7033R1 and the FAD704DWD have exactly the same measured power draw and manufactured power draw, the FFAD7033R1 is the more energy efficient dehumidifier. In comparing the FFAD7033R1′s performance to other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested, it is also one of the most energy efficient 70 pint dehumidifiers overall.

Noise Output

Going into our noise output testing we expected the first major difference between the FFAD7033R1 and the previous model (FAD704DWD) to be in how much noise each unit produces. While we didn’t expect the newer model’s fans or compressor to necessarily be any less noisy, we still expected it to be the better option for those consumers looking for a low noise output dehumidifier. Why? This expectation was based on the fact that the new model intakes air through the back of the dehumidifier and exhausts air through the side of the dehumidifier. The previous model (FAD704DWD) took in air through the front of the dehumidifier and exhausted air through the top of the dehumidifier.

What does this mean for you as a consumer? The FFAD7033R1 taking air in through the back of the dehumidifier means that if you place the dehumidifier close to the wall in any particular room the fan will be pulling air towards the wall and not towards the center of the room where you or your family members might be located. This results in less audible noise being produced in the room. Additionally, the exhaust is on the side of the unit which means that you can orient the dehumidifier to exhaust in a certain direction. The FAD704DWD exhausts through the top of the unit which makes it much more difficult to control noise caused by the unit’s exhaust. You cannot “orient” it to direct noise in a particular direction. For these reasons alone, the FFAD7033R1 is already the much better choice if you’re looking for a more quiet dehumidifier.

Considering the information above, our noise output test results were far from surprising. The FFAD7033R1 garnered above average test results in all four of our noise output tests. It also outperformed the FAD704DWD in each test. At close range (in which the sound meter was positioned right above the dehumidifier’s control panel) the FFAD7033R1 was measured to produce 61.2 dB of noise on high fan speed and 57.2 dB of noise on low fan speed. Compare these results to the high fan speed close range average for the category of 67.2 dB and the low fan speed close range average for the category of 63.4 dB – the category being the 70 pint size class (the average of the sixteen different 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested).

At long range (in which the sound meter was positioned 10 feet away from the dehumidifier) the FFAD7033R1 was measured to produce 52.9 dB of noise on high fan speed and 48.8 dB of noise on low fan speed. Compare these results to the high fan speed long range average for the category of 53.5 dB and the low fan speed long range average for the category of 50.3 dB. The FFAD7033R1 is a great choice if you’re looking for a quiet 70 pint dehumidifier.

Moisture Removal

While the changes in design we discussed above (side exhaust vs top exhaust and back intake vs front intake) are good for noise output they do make moisture removal more challenging. Again, the previous model FAD704DWD pulls in air through the front of the unit which means that if you have it located close to the wall it will pull in air from the center of the room. The FFAD7033R1 pulls in air from the back of the unit which means that if you have it close to the wall it will pull in air between itself and the wall, which is obviously much less optimal for efficient moisture removal in any particular room. To maximize moisture removal efficiency we suggest that you either place the FFAD7033R1 in the center of the room (for severe humidity problems) or orient it so that the front of the unit is towards the wall and the back of the unit is facing the center of the room.

Additionally, the older model exhausts through the top of the unit which is more optimal for dispersion of dehumidified air. The newer model FFAD7033R1 exhausts through the side of the unit which, depending on the unit’s location in the room, may result in less even distribution of dehumidified air. Again, how well the FFAD7033R1 dehumidifies will largely depend on its orientation in the room you’re dehumidifying. Trying to orient the exhaust so that it directs outgoing air more towards the center of the room, vs directing the air towards a corner of the room.

From the discussion above, you might be inclined to think that the FFAD7033R1 didn’t perform as well in our moisture removal tests. Let’s see what happened.

The FFAD7033R1 placed second (out of sixteen 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested) in our 90% to 40% test and first (again out of sixteen) in our 80% to 50% test. It dehumidified our 50 sq ft test environment from 90% relative humidity down to 40% RH in under 10 minutes, accomplishing the feat in 9 minutes, 41 seconds. Only the Honeywell DH70W did so faster (9 minutes, 21 seconds). Compare this result to the 12 minutes, 14 seconds it took the FAD704DWD (which placed 10th) in the same test.

The FFAD7033R1 dehumidified the same room from 80% RH down to 50% RH in 4 minutes, 41 seconds. Compare this result to the 6 minutes, 27 seconds it took the FAD704DWD.

Clearly, based on our hands on testing, the FFAD7033R1 removes moisture more quickly and more efficiently than the FAD704DWD by a considerable margin (more than 20% faster). It also removes moisture more quickly than thirteen other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested. If moisture removal rate is important to you (if you’re trying to dehumidify as quickly as possible) then the FFAD7033R1 is again an excellent choice. Not only does its high moisture removal rate result in faster dehumidification, but it also results in lower electricity costs. Because this dehumidifier will dehumidify any particular space faster than almost any comparable dehumidifier, it won’t need to run as long. And because it won’t need to run as long, it won’t draw power for as long. This reduced duration in power draw results in lower electricity costs.

Hygrometer Accuracy

Perhaps the most disappointing test results we obtained from testing the FFAD7033R1 were those results obtained from testing the dehumidifier’s hygrometer accuracy. It was measured to read the ambient air’s humidity between 3 and 4% below the actual room humidity. Many of the 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested were measured to read room humidity to within 1 or 2%. What does this test result mean for you as the consumer?

Should you set the desired humidity level on the dehumidifier to 40% RH, it will cycle off after reaching 43 or 44% actual room humidity. If you set the desired humidity level to 35% RH, it will cycle off after reaching 38% to 39% RH. The truth is that most consumers (if not all consumers) will never require their dehumidifier to set the humidity in a room to an exact number. If you’re comfortable at 40% RH and set the dehumidifier to 40% RH while the room only reaches 44% RH, chances are you’ll never be able to notice the difference. In other words, you won’t really be able to feel the difference between 44% and 40% relative humidity.

Why then do we test hygrometer accuracy to begin with? We test hygrometer accuracy only because it indicates the quality of the built-in hygrometer which can be indicative of other internal parts used in manufacturing any particular dehumidifier. There may also be some consumers who value hygrometer accuracy and want to be sure that if they set their dehumidifier to 40% RH that the room will actually reach 40% RH.

Included Features, Functionality, Build Quality, Warranties, and Value

Durability (Build Quality)

General Impressions

The FFAD7033R1, out of the box, looked to be made of much higher quality materials than those used to manufacture the previously popular FAD704DWD. For one, the LED display is visibly much higher quality. The buttons on the control panel also feel like they’re of higher quality. The water collection bucket and the brace across the top of the bucket look to be made of sturdier higher quality materials. The mechanism that secures the bucket into place when placed inside of the main body of the dehumidifier is also of higher quality. Additionally, the handle on the water bucket is of higher quality.

A problem area (as far as durability is concerned) for a lot of dehumidifiers equipped with a top handle is, you guessed it, the top handle. Large capacity (70 pint) dehumidifiers, especially, are quite heavy. Most are at least 40 pounds with many weighing in at a weight upwards of 50 pounds. Lifting up such a large weight by a singular extendable handle can cause potential issues if the handle isn’t very high quality. Despite the fact that we tested the FAD704DWD last year, we ordered another one this year to directly compare it to the FFAD7033R1 side by side. One of the things we compared on both units was the top extendable handle. Even though it may appear to be a very small part of the dehumidifier’s overall design, assessing such a small part can give us greater insight into the overall quality and durability of the dehumidifier. That being said, there’s definitely a lot more play (side to side movement possible) in the previous model’s top handle compared to the latest iteration’s top handle. The handle on the FFAD7033R1 also feels much more sturdy and solidly constructed. This is only one example of how the FFAD7033R1 is built better than the FAD704DWD. Overall, we were very impressed with the FFAD7033R1′s superior build quality and the quality of the materials used in its manufacturing.

Consumer Reviews

During hands on testing we only have any particular dehumidifier in our possession for less than a month. During this time we run it extensively to perform various tests but we still don’t run it nearly as much as the average consumer does during the course of even the first few weeks of ownership. For this reason we use consumer reviews as an additional tool in assessing how durable any particular dehumidifier is. We can physically inspect the dehumidifier and comment on the quality of its parts and workmanship but, just like you, we have to rely mostly on consumer reviews to find out just how durable any particular dehumidifier is over the course of several months of use. Of course, many consumers post a review when they first get the dehumidifier. Most, however, leave a review at least after a few months of use. We use these reviews as a guide to help us better understand how durable and reliable any particular dehumidifier is.

With that being said, at the time of the first writing of this editorial review, the FFAD7033R1 has received over 250 consumer reviews with an exceptionally low negative review rate (% of reviews that are 1 or 2 star) of only 5%. This is the lowest negative review rate of all of the 70 pint dehumidifiers we’ve tested. The FAD704DWD stands at a negative review rate of 11% while the average negative review rate for the 70 pint size class is 19%. With such a low percentage of negative reviews it’s only reasonable for us to conclude that the FFAD7033R1 is one of the more durable and reliable dehumidifiers on the market.

Overall Category Score

Over 250 consumer reviews, the large majority of which are positive, indicate that the FFAD7033R1 is both a durable and a reliable option in the 70 pint dehumidifier size class. Our own observations confirm that the FFAD7033R1 should prove to be one of the most durable and reliable 70 pint dehumidifiers that the market has seen thus far. It earns a perfect 5/5 for durability.

2019 Update: Several years have passed since we first assessed consumer reviews for this model. And while this unit’s negative review rate has increased slightly (it’s now up to approx. 10%), it is still well below the average rate for units in this size class (approx. 20%). We continue to score this model 5/5 in the category mostly because we still feel very strongly about our own impressions of the unit’s build quality. Comparing it side by side with all the other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested, this Frigidaire unit was clearly composed of higher quality parts and materials and was, by far, the most well built.

Adjustability

The FFAD7033R1 has many of the same features that the FAD704DWD came equipped with. Like the FAD704DWD, it also features a humidistat that can be adjusted in 5% increments, a timer that can be adjusted in half hour increments up to 10 hours and 1 hour increments up to 24 hours, and a continuous mode. Like its predecessor it lacks an auto mode. We do note here that the FFAD7033R1 features three fan speeds (high, medium, and low) while the FAD704DWD only features two fan speeds.

Overall Category Score

The FFAD7033R1 has standard humidistat adjustability, slightly above average timer adjustability, and an above average number of fan speeds (most of the 70 pint units we’ve tested only have two fan speeds). It features a continuous mode but not an auto mode. We dock a point for its lack of an auto mode but it immediately gains a half point back with its inclusion of a third fan speed. The Frigidaire earns an almost perfect 4.5/5 for adjustability.

Versatility

Set Humidity Range

The Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 is a 70 pint dehumidifier with effortless humidity control – it can be set to a desired humidity level as low as 35% and as high as 85%, which is exactly the range of the previous model, the FAD704DWD. This is also a fairly standard range for most other 70 pint dehumidifiers we’ve tested. There are models available that can dehumidify down to as little as 30% RH but like we discussed in the section on this unit’s hygrometer accuracy above, you’ll be hard pressed to feel the difference between 30% and 35%. 35% is already quite dry by most standards.

Operating Temperature Range

The FFAD7033R1, similarly to its predecessor and most other dehumidifiers in the 70 pint size class, can be operated in temperatures as low as 41° F and as high as 90° F. Note that these are only manufacturer guidelines. In other words, this is the temperature range in which the dehumidifier will work most efficiently. While the lower end of the range is fairly concrete (we don’t suggest you run this dehumidifier in temperatures below 41° F), the upper end of the range is more flexible. You’ll still be able to run this unit in temperatures greater than 90° F. You should be aware, however, that it won’t be as efficient at 90°+ F as it will be around 80° F or 70° F.

Gravity Drainage

One major difference between the FFAD7033R1 and the FAD704DWD is the fact that the newer model now features drainage coming out of the side of the dehumidifier. The previous model drained out of the back of the dehumidifier. The newer model also requires that you install an additional included drainage adapter onto the drain outlet before connecting a garden hose to use gravity drainage. The previous model only required you to remove the drain cap on the back of the dehumidifier before connecting a garden hose.

We’re not the biggest fans of these changes but we understand that gravity drainage on the new model can still work and can still work efficiently. For one, unlike the adapter on the Keystone KSTAD70B that has to be connected using two included screws, the adapter on the Frigidaire is threaded so that you can easily connect it by hand without needing to use any tools or extra accessories. Secondly, while we personally prefer to have drainage coming out of the back of the dehumidifier, this is nothing more than personal preference. You may like the fact that the unit drains out of its side and/or it may be more convenient for your particular setup.

Built-in Pump

The FFAD7033R1 does not come equipped with a built-in pump. You will need to buy a condensate pump and pump hosing separately if you need to drain the dehumidifier to a location far away or above it.

Overall Category Score

The FFAD7033R1 earns an above average 4.5 for versatility. Its set humidity range and operating temperature range is average to above average for its size class and while an extra adapter is required for gravity drainage, its threaded for easy installation.

Extra Features

Again, the FFAD7033R1 has many of the same extra features (or lack of extra features in this case) as the FAD704DWD. It doesn’t measure or show ambient temperature and more notably, it doesn’t have a warning LED that illuminates when defrost mode is activated. It does, however, come equipped with a check filter light. Note that the FFAD7033R1 does have a defrost mode that activates automatically when the dehumidifier senses frost build up on its evaporator coils. There simply isn’t a warning light that illuminates to let you know when and for how long it stays activated.

Overall Category Score

The FFAD7033R1′s lack of extra features earns it a below average 3/5 in the category.

Ease of Use

LED Display Clarity

We discuss this unit’s LED display clarity and compare it to that of other models in the size class in the section on this unit’s aesthetics later in the review.

Setup Difficulty

As was true for the FAD704DWD, setup is a breeze on the FFAD7033R1. Settings and features are clearly marked with no ambiguous buttons or warning lights. On many other 70 pint dehumidifiers we’ve tested you’ll definitely want to read the dehumidifier’s manual before trying to operate it. This is not the case with the FFAD7033R1. All settings/functions are easily accessed and inputted without issue.

Filter Removal Difficulty

The FFAD7033R1′s air filter is easily removed as the filter is easily accessed on the back of the unit (the FAD704DWD features a bottom slide out filter on the front of the unit that requires you to remove the water tank before removing the air filter).

Manual Clarity

This unit’s manual is very clear and well organized. Although the dehumidifier is generally easy to use and operate, you’ll find detailed descriptions and diagrams throughout the manual for more “advanced” setups such as setting up gravity drainage for example.

Water Tank Size

The FFAD7033R1 does feature a smaller condensate collection bucket (water tank) than its predecessor. The FAD704DWD features a 16.3 pint bucket. The FFAD7033R1 only has a 13.1 pint bucket. This approximately 20% reduction in water tank size means that you’ll be emptying the unit’s water tank 20% more frequently than you had to on the previous model. Of course, if you’re draining the unit via its external drain then this change is of no concern to you, but if you’re like most consumers you’ll be emptying the unit’s water tank every few hours. A smaller water tank means you’ll be emptying and replacing it more frequently. This is a definite negative for the FFAD7033R1 – perhaps its greatest negative overall.

Overall Category Score

The FFAD7033R1 is very easy to use but it’s less efficient to use because of its smaller water tank. Despite it being the only real negative in the category, it’s a big one, and for its smaller water tank alone we have to give the FFAD7033R1 only an average 3.5/5 for ease of use.

Aesthetics

What immediately struck us when first taking the FFAD7033R1 out of its box, was the fact that it was a surprisingly modern looking appliance. Almost all of the 70 pint dehumidifiers we’ve tested thus far (with only a one or two exceptions) look as if they could have been manufactured in the 1990s or even the 1980s. The plastics on these units have a beige color very reminiscent of the type of plastic you might have seen on appliances manufactured in decades preceding the 2000s. While most types of appliances (vacuums, steam irons, etc.) have seen a more modern approach to their design over the last few years, the same cannot be said for dehumidifiers. The FFAD7033R1 breaks this mold with a much more modern design than what we’re used seeing in a dehumidifier.

The plastics used on the FFAD7033R1 all have a clean white color with a glossy finish, unlike the beige matte finish on the previous model, the FAD704DWD. The control panel has a much more modern feel and design and the dehumidifier is even equipped with a very modern looking blue LED on the front panel that flashes when the water collection bucket is removed or not replaced correctly.

Portability

We rated the FAD704DWD as one of the most portable 70 pint dehumidifiers on the market in 2014. This was primarily because it featured side pocket handles and a top extendable handle. It also featured outstanding cord storage. The FFAD7033R1 again features a top extendable handle and excellent cord storage. However, it does not come equipped with side pocket handles, which is disappointing for a several reasons. If after years of use the top extendable handle on the dehumidifier does break, side pocket handles prove invaluable. Additionally, it’s more comfortable to pick up a dehumidifier by its side handles (vs picking it up by the top extended handle) for some consumers.

That being said, as we cover in the durability section earlier in this review, the top handle on this dehumidifier is much better quality than the one equipped on the previous model. It is such a high quality that we really cannot imagine a scenario in which it will ever break, outside of extreme abuse. The fact that some consumers prefer picking up a dehumidifier by its side pocket handles still remains. But the fact that the handle that is included (the top handle) is highly durable makes our first concern -that you might need side pocket handles in case the top handle breaks – a moot point.

Overall Category Score

The FFAD7033R1 weighs 47 pounds which is only 1 pound more than the FAD704DWD (46 pounds) but 7 pounds more than the very light and portable Keystone KSTAD70B which weighs only 40 pounds. If you’re looking for a portable dehumidifier the FFAD7033R1 is certainly not a bad choice, with its very sturdy top extendable handle and excellent cord storage, but there are better choices out there. That being said, those better choices are only better choices if portability is of utmost concern to you, in which case we’d probably recommend a smaller dehumidifier (that’s lighter) anyway. All in all the Frigidaire earns a respectable 3.5/5 for portability.

Warranty (Manufacturer’s)

The FFAD7033R1 comes with the same full 1 year warranty that comes with the FAD704DWD. Like its predecessor, it also comes with a 2 to 5 year warranty on the sealed system of the dehumidifier (the compressor, condenser, etc.). This type of warranty is standard for the 70 pint size class although there are exceptions. If you’re looking for a dehumidifier with a better warranty you only have two choices – the Danby DDR70A2GP and the ArcticAire ADR70A2G, which both come with a full 2 year warranty (vs the 1 year on the Frigidaire).

Value

At the time of this review the FFAD7033R1 is retailing for about $270 while the FAD704DWD is priced about the same, also at around $270. The average price of all sixteen 70 pint dehumidifiers we’ve tested is $254. In evaluating the FFAD7033R1′s value we have to consider what it is and what it offers, and how these things compare to other 70 pint dehumidifiers on the market. We do so in the final thoughts section below.

Final Thoughts

In trying to determine whether the FFAD7033R1 is worth its approximately $270 price tag we said that we have to consider what it is and what it offers and then compare those things to the competition.

So, what is the FFAD7033R1 and what does it offer? The FFAD7033R1 is, first and foremost, a dehumidifier. You’re buying this appliance to dehumidify a home or a place or business. The FFAD7033R1 is, simply put, a much better dehumidifier than most other 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested. That is to say, it dehumidifies faster and more efficiently than most other units we tested. It was the second fastest in dehumidifying our test environment from 90% relative humidity down to 40% RH and the fastest (out of the sixteen 70 pint units we tested) in dehumidifying the same space from 80% RH down to 50% RH. Keep in mind that because it removes the same amount of moisture faster than a comparable dehumidifier it will also use less electricity than any comparable dehumidifier because it will need to run for a shorter duration of time. Definitely take this into account as you consider its price tag. The cost of a dehumidifier doesn’t end when you pay the purchase price of 200 plus dollars. These are heavy duty power hungry appliances and in most cases in which they’re needed they’re going to be running for long periods of time which results in substantial energy costs. The FFAD7033R1 is not only going to remove moisture faster, but it’s also going to do so more efficiently than every other 70 pint dehumidifier we’ve tested.

Secondly, the FFAD7033R1 is quiet. It rated above average in all of our noise output tests. Its design also lends itself to being a good option if noise output is important to you (we discuss this in greater detail in the respective section on noise output near the beginning of the review).

Thirdly, the FFAD7033R1 is a very durable and reliable dehumidifier as we discuss in the respective section on durability earlier in the review. This quality once again ties into value. Yes, the FFAD7033R1 is slightly more expensive than many other comparable 70 pint dehumidifiers, but consider the fact that that extra $20, $30 of savings can turn into a $200+ loss if the less expensive dehumidifier breaks outside its warranty period. That is not to say that the FFAD7033R1 is impervious to breaking down while other dehumidifiers are not. All that we’re saying is that you definitely want to take into account that consumer reviews and our own observations indicate that it’s more durable than most other 70 pint dehumidifiers on the market.

With all of the positive things that we’ve had to say about the FFAD7033R1 you might be inclined to think that we’ve been paid to endorse Frigidaire’s products. Rest assured, this is not the case. We bought this dehumidifier and every other dehumidifier we’ve tested from the same retail stores you’ll be buying your dehumidifier from. We simply feel very strongly about the quality of this dehumidifier. We’ve tested a lot of dehumidifiers over the last few years and we’ve seen a lot of dehumidifiers that have been cheaply built and unintelligently designed. Despite these issues these dehumidifiers still retail for upwards of at least $200. The Frigidaire is a breath of fresh air. At around $270 it really is a substantial upgrade over its predecessor and a much better dehumidifier than any other 70 pint dehumidifier retailing for mostly under $270. We can say without hesitation that it’s the best dehumidifier we’ve tested thus far. The FFAD7033R1 receives our highest recommendation as the best buy in the 70 pint size class in 2020.