Quick Review Summary

The Friedrich D50BP is among three 50 pint dehumidifiers we tested that feature built-in pump functionality. This unit compares favorably to other built-in pump units, and also performs well compared to those units we tested that do not come equipped with a built-in pump, although at a much greater price point. Our review below thoroughly covers the D50BP’s performance in all four of our real world tests. We are much more brief in discussing its features. The D50BP and D70BP are nearly identical as far as features and functionality are concerned. Please see our D70BP review for a much more thorough discussion of this unit’s features and how these features compare to those of similar units.

Performance Test Results

Energy Efficiency

The Friedrich was slightly less energy efficient than the best performing 50 pint dehumidifiers we tested. We measured its power draw at 462 watts. Compare this number to a measurement of 439 watts for the most energy efficient 50 pint unit we tested and a measured value of 620 watts for the 70 pint Friedrich. All of our power usage testing was carried out at approximately 50% relative humidity.

Note that while the 50 pint unit draws much less power than the 70 pint unit at any particular instance, it will need to work harder and over a greater time period to remove the same amount of moisture, thus evening out this advantage.

Noise Output

The D50BP performed very well at both high fan speed and low fan speed in our noise output tests. Compare its measured noise output of 51.1 dB on high fan speed and at a distance of 10 ft to a measured value of 50.7 dB for the best performing 50 pint unit and 55.4 dB for the 70 pint Friedrich under the same conditions and at the same distance.

Note here that the 50 pint unit is substantially more quiet than the 70 pint unit. If you value quiet operation, definitely take this into consideration if you’re comparing Friedrich’s 50 and 70 pint offerings.

Moisture Removal

The Friedrich was an average performer among the 50 pint units we tested. The best performing 50 pint units, the Danby and the ArcticAire, outperformed the competition by a substantial margin. The Friedrich falls among the rest of the pack as it only barely outperformed the SPT in our 90-40% test and was barely beaten by the Delonghi in the same test. In the 80-50% test the Delonghi was again the winner among the three built-in pump 50 pint units we tested, again by the smallest of margins. The Friedrich was much quicker than the SPT however, in the same test.

When comparing the 50 pint Friedrich’s performance to the 70 pint’s performance in our moisture removal tests we see again that 70 pint units are simply much better equipped than 50 pint units to be able to remove moisture in any particular space more quickly. The 70 pint Friedrich was a full 5 minutes faster in our 90-40% test in removing the same amount of moisture in the same test environment. The results were much less lopsided in the 80-50% test where the 70 pint unit was only about a minute faster than the 50 pint.

Hygrometer Accuracy

The Friedrich’s hygrometer was very accurate. We observed it to measure the relative humidity no worse than within 1% of actual room humidity. In fact, during much of our testing, the Friedrich’s hygrometer was reading the actual room humidity exactly as it was, on the dot.

Durability, Features, And Value

Durability (Consumer Feedback)

Perhaps the strongest case against recommending the Friedrich is its surprisingly high rate of negative consumer reviews. Of over 100 total reviews left, about 25 are either 1 or 2 star reviews, indicating substantial durability and reliability issues. We find it interesting that the negative review rate for the Friedrich at around 25% is very similar to the negative review rate for the 70 pint unit, which also has an above average negative review rate approaching 25%.

As we discuss in much greater detail in our 70 pint Friedrich review, we observed the Friedrich units to be very well built, perhaps the most well built of all of the dehumidifiers we tested. As we note in our 70 pint review, our own observations stand in stark contrast to consumer opinion. Friedrich also offers outstanding customer service which makes dealing with any potential problems much easier than it is with some other popular brands.

Feature Summary

The D50BP features below average portability. Like the 70 pint Friedrich, the 50 pint model also comes equipped with casters that don’t perform very well on carpet. The unit can be pushed around on its casters without issue on hard surfaces. However, during our testing on carpet the casters would catch onto the carpeting and the unit would get stuck repeatedly as we tried to move it from one location to another. We definitely do not recommend this unit if you plan on moving it around on carpet frequently.

The D50BP features industry standard humidistat and timer adjustability. The timer can be set in one hour increments up to 24 hours. The humidistat can be set to as low as 30% RH (relative humidity) and as high as 90% RH. It also features an industry standard operating temperature range. The manufacturer recommends that the unit be operated in temperatures ranging from 41° F to approximately 95° F.

The Friedrich’s most notable feature is its built-in pump. You can drain collected condensate up to 15 ft away from the unit by utilizing the unit’s built-in pump feature. The built-in pump will also allow you to drain condensate to a location at a higher elevation than the actual dehumidifier’s location, should you need to drain into a sink or any other location higher than the unit’s drain port. Along with the 16+ ft pump drain hose, a 39 in gravity drain hose is also included with your purchase. We discuss the merits of the Friedrich’s drainage options in much greater detail in our 70 pint review.

We also note here that the Friedrich does not feature a continuous mode but does come equipped with a defrost mode for low temperature operation, as does all built-in pump 50 pint units we tested. The Friedrich also features a very helpful second LED display that shows the ambient air temperature. This functionality is missing on the SPT but is included with the Delonghi.

Portability (Weight)

Compare the 50 pint Friedrich’s weight of 39 lb to the 70 pint Friedrich’s weight of 47 lb. Some of the 50 pint units we tested are less than 5 lb lighter than the respective 70 pint equivalent models. The difference in weight between the 50 pint and 70 pint Friedrich units is a little bit more substantial. Note, however, that like other 50 and 70 pint units we compared, the 50 pint and 70 pint Friedrich units are nearly the exact same size. The added weight is only due to more “beefy” internal parts on the 70 pint unit.

Value

The D50BP is the second most expensive 50 pint unit we tested at a street price of about $255. Only the Delonghi is more expensive at $310 (approx.). The SPT is slightly less expensive at $240 (approx.).

Final Thoughts

We definitely recommend the Friedrich as a viable buying option should you be looking for a 50 pint dehumidifier with built-in pump functionality. It’s much more affordable than the Delonghi and only slightly more expensive than the SPT. We suggest that you read our review of all three of these units and then decide for yourself which unit fits your needs the best.