DREO 73-Pint Smart Dehumidifier DR-HDH003S: features, specs and who it suits

The DREO Smart Dehumidifier (DR-HDH003S) is a portable dehumidifier for damp basements, garages and large rooms. DREO rates it to remove up to 73 pints of moisture a day and to cover up to 2,000 square feet. It can hold the humidity at a set level by itself, drain continuously through a hose, and be adjusted from a phone app.

What 73 pints a day means

The 73-pint figure (about 34.5 litres) is measured at 95°F (35°C) and 90% relative humidity, which is very warm and very humid air. Dehumidifiers pull less water out of cooler, drier air, so in a typical basement it will remove less than the headline figure. The number is most useful for comparing machines measured under the same conditions.

DREO lists coverage of up to 2,000 square feet (about 186 m²) and airflow of 163 cubic feet per minute (CFM), roughly 277 m³ an hour. Airflow is how much air the fan moves through the machine: the more it moves, the more often the air in a room passes over the cold coils that condense the moisture.

Auto mode and the humidity light

In auto mode, the dehumidifier keeps the humidity within range by itself, to within ±5% according to DREO. A soft coloured light shows the humidity level at a glance, so you can see how damp the room is without opening the app.

A common target for indoor humidity is somewhere between 30% and 50%. A separate hygrometer is a simple way to check the readings in the room.

Tank, auto shut-off and hose drainage

The 7-litre (1.85-gallon) tank lasts up to 15 hours before it needs emptying, according to DREO. When it's full, the dehumidifier alerts you and shuts off automatically.

It also defrosts itself. In a cool basement, frost can build up on a dehumidifier's coils, and an automatic defrost clears it so the machine can keep working.

For longer runs, attach a garden hose for continuous drainage, so it keeps going without refills. Hose drainage normally works by gravity, so the hose needs to run downhill to a floor drain or other outlet lower than the dehumidifier. The filter is washable, and caster wheels make it easier to move between rooms.

App control and Energy Star

With the DREO app, you can adjust the humidity remotely and see the energy use in real time. The dehumidifier is Energy Star certified, and DREO says it uses 30% less energy than standard DOE models. Energy Star is the US Environmental Protection Agency's energy-efficiency programme, and DOE refers to the US Department of Energy's minimum efficiency standards. In a damp season, a dehumidifier can run for many hours a day, so efficiency adds up over time.

Noise and controls

DREO lists it at 41 dB, around the level often quoted for a quiet library. The listing doesn't say which fan speed that applies to, and higher fan speeds are typically louder. A child lock and a timer are included. DREO names basements, bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, offices and large rooms as places to use it.

Who it suits

It suits homes with a damp basement, garage or large open area, especially if you can set up hose drainage and let auto mode run without emptying the tank by hand.

What to check before you buy

• Your space: its size and temperature; check the manual's operating range if the area is unheated.
• Drainage: a drain lower than the hose outlet for continuous drainage, and a garden hose of suitable length.
• Placement: the clearance the manual asks for around the air intake and outlet.
• App: the app's Wi-Fi and phone requirements.
• Upkeep: washing the filter regularly, and how easy the tank is to carry when full.

The short version

• Removes up to 73 pints a day (at 95°F and 90% humidity) and covers up to 2,000 sq ft, with 163 CFM of airflow.
• Auto mode holds humidity within ±5%, with a coloured humidity light.
• A 7-litre (1.85-gallon) tank lasting up to 15 hours, full-tank alert, auto shut-off and auto defrost.
• Continuous drainage through a garden hose; washable filter and caster wheels.
• App control with real-time energy use; Energy Star certified; 41 dB, child lock and timer.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.