Quick Review Summary

The Eva-Dry EDV-1100 is a very popular small and portable thermo-electric dehumidifier. Note that this type (thermo-electric) and size (8 oz/day moisture removal rate) dehumidifier is only recommended for very small bathrooms, laundry rooms, and storage spaces. Do not buy the EDV-1100 expecting it to serve as a replacement for a large and expensive compressor based dehumidifier. It doesn’t even have close to the same moisture removal capability. The EDV-1100 and similar thermo-electric dehumidifiers remove und 10 ounces of moisture per day. Large compressor based dehumidifiers remove over 1000 ounces of moisture per day. That’s not to say that the EDV-1100 doesn’t fit a specific niche. If you have a small room that needs to be dehumidified AND you don’t need it dehumidified quickly then the EDV-1100 can definitely do the job and do it well.

In assessing the EDV-1100′s performance we’ll compare it to the two other “mini” thermo-electric dehumidifiers we tested in 2015 throughout this review. Those dehumidifiers are the Ivation IVADM10 and the Gurin DHMD-210. We classify these two dehumidifiers in addition to the EDV-1100 as “mini” thermo-electric dehumidifiers because they are the smallest least heavy duty thermo-electric dehumidifiers on the market. We will also be comparing the EDV-1100 to its “big brother”, the Eva-Dry EDV-2200, if only because both units are made by the same manufacturer and both are very similarly priced.

Performance Test Results

Noise Output

The average noise output for all of the thermo-electric dehumidifiers we tested was 53.2 dB. Testing was conducted at close range with the sound meter placed a few inches above and a few inches forward of the dehumidifier. We tested a total of eight different thermo-electric dehumidifiers. Three were louder than average – both SPT units (the SD-350 and SD-350TI) and the Perfect Home EWDH4 were measured between 58.2 dB and 63.2 dB. Five units were quieter than average – measured between 44.5 dB and 52.1 dB. The EDV-1100 was among these five – it was measured at 50.9 dB, 2.3 dB below average.

Compared to the Gurin DHMD-210 and the Ivation IVADM10 the Eva-Dry was the loudest of the three. The Gurin was the quietest thermo-electric dehumidifier we tested overall at a measured noise output of only 44.5 dB. The Ivation was second quietest at a measured noise output of 47.2 dB. Thus, the Eva-Dry is 6.4 dB louder than the Gurin and 3.7 dB louder than the Ivation. If you’re looking for the quietest option among these three mini thermo-electric units the Gurin is the clear choice. If you’re debating between getting the Ivation or the Eva-Dry based on noise ouput alone the decision is more difficult. While the 6.4 dB difference in noise output between the Eva-Dry and Gurin is substantial enough for you to be able to clearly distinguish between the two, the 3.7 dB difference between the Eva-Dry and Ivation is still distinguishable but much less so. Our recommendation is that you shouldn’t buy the Ivation over the Eva-Dry based on this small difference in noise output alone. Definitely consider other differences instead as we continue to discuss them throughout the rest of this review.

Note that we did not test the noise output of the EDV-2200 to be able to compare its performance to that of the EDV-1100.

Moisture Removal Rate

In order to obtain moisture removal rate data for the three mini thermo-electric dehumidifiers we tested we had to lower the range of our testing by a substantial margin. For the compressor based dehumidifiers we tested, we measured how long it took these units to dehumidify a 50 sq ft room from 90% down to 40% relative humidity. To test the larger sized thermo-electric units we reviewed, we again placed them in the same 50 sq ft test environment but because of these dehumidifiers’ limited ability in extremely humid environments we had to adjust the parameters of the test – we only measured the time it took for these units to dehumidify the test environment from 80% down to 70% relative humidity. The three mini thermo-electric dehumidifiers we tested were even more limited in their ability to dehumidify a highly humid environment. Thus, we further limited the parameters of our moisture removal tests – we only measured the time it took for these units to dehumidify the test environment from 80% down to 75% relative humidity.

In this 80% to 75% test we still were unable to find real relevant test results for the Eva-Dry EDV-1100. As a control for our tests we let the test environment dehumidify naturally (with no dehumidifier in the room) from 80% down to 75%. This took 18 minutes. We then placed each of the three mini thermo-electric units in the room and measured the time it took these units to dehumidify the room from 80% down to 75% relative humidity. Of course, our expectation was that these units would dehumidify the room faster than it would lose humidity naturally – we expected that all three of the dehumidifiers we tested would take the room humidity from 80% down to 75% in a time faster than 18 minutes. This, to our surprise, was simply not the case. The Ivation IVADM10 met our expectations – it dehumidified the room in 12 minutes – an approximately 33% improvement over what would occur in the room without artificial dehumidification. Both the Eva-Dry EDV-1100 and the Gurin DHMD-210, on the other hand, made absolutely no difference in how long it took the room to dehumidify from 80% down to 75% RH. We turned both units on in the room (in separate trials) and in each case it took exactly the same time as the control trial for these dehumidifiers to “dehumidify” the room from 80% down to 75% RH – 18 minutes.

In summary, of the three mini thermo-electric dehumidifiers we tested, only the IVADM10 had a measurable impact on room humidity. This occurred even when experimentation was limited to extremely forgiving test parameters. Both the Eva-Dry and the Gurin had absolutely no measurable impact on room humidity.

Note that while we couldn’t measure the Eva-Dry’s moisture removal rate, it still removed moisture from the air. After finishing our testing there was moisture collected in the unit’s condensate collection bucket. This unit simply couldn’t dehumidify the room fast enough (at a high enough rate) for us to measure it – for us to obtain relevant real world moisture removal rate data. This data would have been helpful for us to compare the EDV-1100′s real world performance to that of the IVADM10 and DHMD-210. Instead, we will rely on manufacturer specified moisture removal rate data to compare the performance of these three units below.

Again, we did not test the EDV-2200 for review and therefore weren’t able to test its real world moisture removal rate in order to compare that rate to that of the EDV-1100.

Area of Coverage

Eva-Dry does not give a specified area of coverage for the EDV-1100. Gurin also doesn’t give a specified area of coverage for the DHMD-210. Ivation claims that the IVADM10 can cover an area (or technically a volume) as large as 1100 cubic feet. As we discuss in some of our Ivation dehumidifier reviews (in this IVADM45 review, for example), we feel it’s dishonest for any thermo-electric dehumidifier manufacturer to give a specified area of coverage in terms of cubic feet. This is because most consumers don’t think of room size in terms of cubic feet. The only reason these manufacturers put a cubic foot number on the box is to be able to put a much larger number than what they would have to put if they were to give the unit’s area of coverage in terms of square feet. A 200 square foot room with 10 foot high ceilings has a volume of 2000 cubic feet. To the average consumer glancing at the dehumidifier’s specifications, the number 2000 (cubic ft) stands out much more than the number 200 (sq ft) and makes the dehumidifier look comparable to compressor based units that can cover areas upwards of 2500 to 4000 square feet (25,000 to 40,000 cubic feet) when it really is not.

In summary, when comparing the Eva-Dry to other thermo-electric dehumidifiers be aware of the fact that many thermo-electric dehumidifier manufacturers try to trick consumers into thinking that their dehumidifiers can dehumidify spaces larger than what they actually can. The IVADM10 is rated to be able to remove moisture from rooms as large as 1100 cubic feet – be aware that this is only a 110 sq ft room. The Eva-Dry EDV-2200 is rated by the manufacturer to be able to dehumidify rooms as large as 2200 cubic feet – again, be aware that this is only a 220 sq ft room if the ceiling are 10 ft high. In a room with higher ceilings (such as a living room with vaulted ceilings), the 220 sq ft estimate becomes even smaller. For example, 2200 cubic feet translates into 110 sq ft in a room with 20 ft high ceilings.

Note that while we couldn’t find any documentation giving a manufacturer specified area of coverage for the EDV-1100, we can infer from its many similarities to the IVADM10 in addition to its model number that its “manufacturer specified” area of coverage is in fact 1100 cubic feet. The EVD-2200, another thermo-electric dehumidifier from the same manufacturer, is specified to be able to remove moisture from spaces as large as 2200 cubic feet. Naturally, we can infer from this information that if EDV-2200 = 2200 cubic feet of coverage then EDV-1100 must = 1100 cubic feet of coverage.

Manufacturer Specified Moisture Removal Rate

The manufacturer specified moisture removal rate for the EDV-1100 is 8 ounces per day in ideal conditions (86° F and 80% relative humidity). This is exactly the same manufacturer specified moisture removal rate as the DHDM-210 and slightly more than the IVADM10 (6 oz/day). Recall that our own testing contradicts these manufacturer specifications – our testing indicated that the IVADM10 removes moisture at a higher rate than both the Eva-Dry and the Gurin and that the Eva-Dry “removes moisture” just as fast as the Gurin.

Eva-Dry specifies that the EDV-2200 can remove up to 20.5 ounces of moisture per day under the same ideal conditions. Thus, in terms of moisture removal rate, it’s over 100% “more powerful” than the EDV-1100.

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

Power Draw

The EDV-1100 has a manufacturer specified power draw of 22 watts. The Gurin draws almost exactly the same amount of power – it’s rated at 22.5 watts. The Ivation is surprisingly more energy efficient – it’s rated at 13.5 watts. Recall from the section above that all three units have a similar moisture removal rate. The Ivation, however, removes moisture much more efficiently than either the Eva-Dry or the Gurin. Keep in mind that despite the Ivation’s superior energy efficiency, all three units will have little to no impact on your power bill. Both the Eva-Dry and the Gurin use less than half the electricity of a 60 watt light bulb. The Ivation uses less than a quarter of the electricity of a 60 watt bulb.

Durability (Build Quality)

General Impressions

As we discuss in our thermo-electric dehumidifier buyer’s guide, all thermo-electric dehumidifiers are fairly reliable. Nothing about the EDV-1100 suggests to the contrary. It has the same plastic outer shell and “Peltier module sandwiched between two metal heat sinks” core as every other thermo-electric dehumidifier on the market. Its fan is notably louder than that of the IVADM10 and the DHMD-210 but this really isn’t much of a concern in terms of reliability. The rest of the dehumidifier is hard, if not impossible to break. As icing on the cake, this unit is only about $60. If it does break it does have a warranty and worst case scenario, it can be fully replaced at a fairly low price.

Consumer Feedback

While we can’t really use consumer feedback for this dehumidifier to help us assess its durability (we discuss why here), we’ll note it here if only to give you a better idea of how consumers feel about this dehumidifier in general terms (not in terms of reliability). The EDV-1100 has received more consumer reviews than any other thermo-electric dehumidifier we’ve tested and/or reviewed. With over 1700 total reviews (as of the time of this editorial review) it has received more than double the number of consumer reviews as the next most popular thermo-electric dehumidifier on the market, the EDV-2200, which has received only 700 or so reviews at this time. The EDV-1100 has also received an above average number of positive consumer reviews. It has a negative feedback rate (% of reviews that are either 1 or 2 star) of only 19%. Compare this percentage to a negative review rate of 28% for the EDV-2200, a rate of 26% for the IVADM10, and a rate of 21% for the DHMD-210. The bottom line – the EDV-1100 is not only a popular thermo-electric dehumidifier but it is also well reviewed by consumers, especially when compared to its competition.

Ease of Use

Setup Difficulty

The EDV-1100 couldn’t be easier to use. Simply plug it in and turn it on. It will immediately start dehumidifying. If the condensate collection bucket fills up the “FULL” LED will light up and the dehumidifier will automatically shut off. Simply remove the bucket, empty it, and replace it. The dehumidifier will automatically resume operation (you don’t even need to turn it off while emptying the bucket).

Manual Quality

The EDV-1100′s manual is very easy to read and understand. Then again, you won’t really need to reference this unit’s manual as it is very easy to use with no complicated settings that require you to read the manual to begin with.

Water Tank Size

The EDV-1100 has a 16 ounce water tank. This means that, assuming ideal conditions (86° F and 80% relative humidity), you’ll need to empty its water tank once every two days if you want the dehumidifier to run (and dehumidify) continuously. For comparison, the Gurin has exactly the same size tank while the Ivation has a slightly larger 17 ounce tank. Recall that both the Ivation and the Gurin remove a similar amount of moisture per day thus both of these units will also need their water tanks emptied once every two or so days, assuming ideal conditions. In less than ideal conditions you can expect to need to empty all three dehumidifiers’ water tanks once every three to five days.

The EDV-2200 has a much larger tank with a capacity of 67.7 ounces. Recall that the EDV-2200 removes around 20 ounces of moisture per day. In ideal conditions you’ll need to empty the EDV-2200′s tank once every three days (vs once every two days for the EDV-1100). Thus, you’ll need to empty its tank less frequently than you would have to empty the EDV-1100′s tank.

Portability

The EDV-1100 couldn’t be any more portable. For one, it can easily be transported. Compressor based dehumidifiers are charged with a refrigerant and thus require some finesse in moving them from one place to the next. If you lay a compressor based unit on its side during transport, you’ll need to leave it upright for some time before turning it on after it reaches its destination. A thermo-electric unit (such as the EDV-1100) can be oriented any which way you’d like during transport (even upside down) and you’ll be able to immediately turn it on once setting it upright at its destination.

Secondly, the EDV-1100 is one of the smallest, lightest thermo-electric dehumidifiers on the market. Thermo-electric dehumidifiers are already much lighter and smaller than compressor based units and the EDV-1100 is one of the smallest and lightest within the thermo-electric dehumidifier category itself. Most large capacity 70 pint compressor based units weigh between 40 and 50 pounds. The lightest compressor based dehumidifier we tested, the 32 pint Haier DM32M-L, weighs 29 pounds. Larger sized thermo-electric units such as the EDV-2200, the Ivation IVADM35 and IVADM45, and the SPT SD-350 weigh about 5 pounds. The EDV-1100, Ivation IVADM10, and Gurin DHMD-210 weigh a feather light 1 to 2 pounds each. If you want a thermo-electric dehumidifier that’s small, light, and easy to move around, you can’t do better than any one of these three dehumidifiers.

Warranty (Manufacturer’s)

The EDV-1100 does come with a warranty. To activate the warranty you will need to register the dehumidifier you buy within 30 days of purchase on Eva-Dry’s website. Because we didn’t register our test unit we were unable to obtain specifics regarding the warranty’s terms, duration, etc.

Value

The EDV-1100 is a very inexpensive dehumidifier. It retails for only about $60. The IVADM10 and the DHMD-210 are even cheaper – they can be bought online for a mere $40 (approx.) each. The EDV-1100′s big brother, the EDV-2200 is only about $20 more expensive – it retails for around $80 online. Is the Eva-Dry worth the approximately $20 more you’ll have to spend to get it over the Ivation and/or the Gurin? Should you spend the $20 (approx.) more and just get the EDV-2200? We hope to answer those questions as we conclude our review below.

Final Thoughts

Is the EDV-1100 worth its approximately $20 more expensive price tag over the Ivation IVADM10 or the Gurin DHMD-210? The EDV-1100 is less quiet than both other units, it performed worse in our moisture removal rate test than the IVADM10, and it’s also less energy efficient than the IVADM10. It does have a better warranty than the IVADM10, if only because the Ivation’s warranty is seemingly nonexistent (see its review for more information). It also is the much more popular more well reviewed dehumidifier among consumers. So, in summary…

Category Winners

Noise Output – DHMD-210 (most quiet)

Moisture Removal Rate – IVADM10 (fastest at removing moisture)

Energy Efficiency – IVADM10 (most energy efficient)

Warranty – EDV-1100

Consumer Reviews – EDV-1100

Price – IVADM10 and DHMD-210 (tie)

Thus, if you’re really looking for the most quiet thermo-electric dehumidifier out there, get the Gurin. If you’re looking for the most efficient dehumidifier among the three “mini” thermo-electric options on the market, get the IVADM10. If you value the opinion of consumers and want a unit with a decent warranty, get the EDV-1100. If you’re looking to spend as little as possible, get either the Ivation or the Gurin (click for our reviews of these units).

Finally, should you buy the EDV-1100 or spend the extra $20 (approx.) to get the EDV-2200? In short, yes. We feel the EDV-2200 is well worth the extra $20 or so you need to spend to get it. It’s more than twice as powerful, needs to be emptied less frequently, and did we say it’s twice as powerful? For our full Eva-Dry EDV-2200 review click here.