# The Best Amana Dehumidifiers, Plus What to Know About the Recall > Amana's lineup is short and simple — but its spec sheets disagree, and its name sits on the biggest dehumidifier recall on record. Canonical: https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-amana-dehumidifier/ Last updated: 2026-11-05 Published: 2026-10-22 Category: Brands Publisher: Enthusiast Review If you're shopping for an **Amana dehumidifier**, the good news is that the choice is short. Amana currently sells three portable models in the U.S.: the 50-pint **AMND501AW**, a pump-equipped twin called the **AMND501PAW**, and the 48-pint **AMAD481BW**. All three carry ENERGY STAR certification according to their retailer listings, and all three are straightforward, no-app machines aimed at basements and large rooms. Two things are worth knowing before you click Buy. First, retailer spec sheets for these models disagree with one another, sometimes wildly, on coverage and weight. Second, Amana is one of about 20 brand names in the 2021 CPSC recall of dehumidifiers made by New Widetech. The recalled Amana units are older models with a different naming scheme — none of today's lineup is affected — but it matters if you're buying used. Here's how the three compare and which one to choose. ## Our top picks - **Best overall:** Amana AMND501AW — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Amana%20AMND501AW&tag=sktiger-20) - **Best with a pump:** Amana AMND501PAW — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Amana%20AMND501PAW&tag=sktiger-20) - **Best for mid-size rooms:** Amana AMAD481BW — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Amana%20AMAD481BW&tag=sktiger-20) The **Amana 50-Pint AMND501AW** is the best Amana for most homes: ENERGY STAR certified, three fan speeds, auto-restart and a roomy bucket. ## 1. Amana 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier (AMND501AW) — Best overall [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Amana%20AMND501AW&tag=sktiger-20) **Pros** - ENERGY STAR certified - Three fan speeds and an adjustable humidistat - Auto-restart after a power interruption - Large 16.2-pint bucket with auto shut-off **Cons** - Coverage claims vary wildly between retailers - No built-in pump on this version **Why we picked it:** It's the most complete Amana: a true 50-pint machine with simple electronic controls, a 24-hour timer and the auto-restart feature that keeps a basement unit working after a storm knocks the power out. The bigger bucket also means fewer trips to the sink. **Performance:** Amana lists 50 pints a day with three fan speeds (232, 196 and 160 CFM) and auto-defrost for cooler basements. Coverage is where listings fall apart: one major retailer says 4,500 square feet, another says 150. The smaller number is almost certainly a listing error; in practice, treat it like any 50-pint unit, which our [size guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/) places in large basements and open-plan spaces. Compare it to other options in our [50-pint dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier/) roundup. | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Capacity | 50 pints/day | | Fan speeds | 3 (232/196/160 CFM) | | Bucket | 16.2 pints, auto shut-off | | Drainage | Bucket or gravity hose | | Efficiency | ENERGY STAR | ## 2. Amana 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier with Pump (AMND501PAW) — Best with a pump [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Amana%20AMND501PAW&tag=sktiger-20) **Pros** - Built-in pump drains upward to a sink or window - Same capacity and fan speeds as the AMND501AW - Only about a pound heavier than the standard model - ENERGY STAR certified **Cons** - Costs more than the non-pump version - Pump hose needs an occasional check for kinks **Why we picked it:** If your basement has no floor drain at the right height, this is the Amana to buy. It's the same 50-pint machine as our top pick, but a condensate pump pushes water up and out through a hose, so you never have to carry a full bucket up the stairs. **Performance:** Listings put it at about 40.7 pounds versus 39.6 for the non-pump model, so the pump adds very little bulk. Prices for this exact model number vary noticeably between retailers, so it's worth comparing a couple before you order — our [Sam's Club dehumidifier guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-sams-club-dehumidifier/) is one place to start. For other self-draining models, see our [best dehumidifier with pump](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-with-pump/) picks. | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Capacity | 50 pints/day | | Fan speeds | 3 | | Drainage | Built-in pump or bucket | | Weight | About 40.7 lb (retailer listing) | | Best for | Basements without a floor drain | ## 3. Amana 48-Pint Portable Dehumidifier (AMAD481BW) — Best for mid-size rooms [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Amana%20AMAD481BW&tag=sktiger-20) **Pros** - Consistent 1,200 sq ft coverage rating - Adjustable humidistat and 24-hour timer - LED touch controls - ENERGY STAR certified **Cons** - Smaller 6.3-quart bucket fills faster - Only two fan speeds - Weight listings disagree **Why we picked it:** If you're drying a family room, a smaller basement or a large bedroom rather than a sprawling lower level, the AMAD481BW is a sensible fit. Its coverage rating is the one Amana number that retailers actually agree on. **Performance:** It's rated at 48 pints a day for spaces up to about 1,200 square feet, with two fan speeds, a humidistat and a 24-hour timer. The bucket is smaller than the AMND501AW's, so in a genuinely damp room plan to empty it more often or run a hose to a drain. Listed weight ranges from about 32 to 42 pounds depending on the source, so assume the heavier figure if you'll be carrying it downstairs. | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Capacity | 48 pints/day | | Coverage | Up to about 1,200 sq ft | | Fan speeds | 2 | | Bucket | 6.3 quarts | | Efficiency | ENERGY STAR | ## Amana dehumidifiers, by the numbers - **3** — Current Amana dehumidifier models sold in the U.S. - **~20** — Brand names covered by the 2021 New Widetech recall, Amana among them - **30x** — Gap between two retailers' coverage claims for the same AMND501AW Amana's home appliances, including its dehumidifiers, are sold under Whirlpool Corporation, while Amana-branded furnaces and central air come from a separate HVAC business. Amana doesn't publicly say which factory builds its current dehumidifiers, so you're buying a well-known appliance name rather than a humidity-control specialist. ## How we picked the best Amana dehumidifiers We don't lab-test. For this brand guide, we gathered every current Amana model, compared manufacturer and retailer spec sheets side by side, checked ENERGY STAR status and searched the CPSC recall database for every Amana model number. Where listings disagreed, we flagged the conflict rather than picking whichever number looked best. We ranked the three on capacity, drainage options, bucket size, convenience features like auto-restart and timers, and how they stack up against similarly sized models from [Frigidaire](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-frigidaire-dehumidifier/) and other mainstream brands. ## What to look for in an Amana dehumidifier - **Capacity first, coverage second:** Choose by pints per day, then sanity-check room size against other 50-pint models rather than trusting a single retailer's claim. - **Bucket size:** The AMND501AW's 16.2-pint tank holds far more than the AMAD481BW's 6.3 quarts. In a damp basement, that's the difference between emptying once a day and twice. - **Pump or gravity hose:** If there's a floor drain below the unit, a gravity hose works fine. If not, the AMND501PAW's pump saves you the stairs. - **Model number on used units:** Current models start with AM-. Recalled Amana units start with D. Check any secondhand unit against CPSC.gov before plugging it in. - **Retailer price spreads:** The same Amana model number can vary a lot in price between stores, so compare at least two listings before you buy. ## The Amana dehumidifier recall, explained In 2021, the CPSC announced the recall of roughly 2 million dehumidifiers made by New Widetech and sold under about 20 brand names, including Amana, Danby, Friedrich, Haier, Honeywell and Whynter, because they could overheat and catch fire. The Amana units named in the recall are: - D930M, D935M, D945E, D950EP - D965E, D965E-E, D970E-E, D970EP - D974E, DM70E-E All were manufactured before September 1, 2017. None of the current AM-prefix models — the AMND501AW, AMND501PAW or AMAD481BW — is on the list. > **Buying a used Amana?:** Read the model number off the nameplate and check it at CPSC.gov. If it matches a recalled model, stop using it and contact New Widetech for the remedy. When it's time to get rid of an old unit, see [how to dispose of a dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/how-to-dispose-of-a-dehumidifier/) — it contains refrigerant and can't go out with the trash. ## Amana AMND501AW vs. AMAD481BW | | AMND501AW | AMND501PAW | AMAD481BW | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Capacity | 50 pints/day | 50 pints/day | 48 pints/day | | Fan speeds | 3 | 3 | 2 | | Built-in pump | No | Yes | No | | Bucket | 16.2 pints | Not consistently listed | 6.3 quarts | | Listed coverage | Disputed (150–4,500 sq ft) | Up to 4,500 sq ft | Up to 1,200 sq ft | *Figures from manufacturer and retailer listings; where they conflict, we show the range.* For most basements, the AMND501AW is the better buy for its third fan speed and larger bucket. Pick the AMAD481BW only if its coverage suits your room and the smaller bucket won't be a chore. Weighing Amana against a pricier name with the same recall history? Our [Amana vs. Friedrich comparison](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/compare/amana-vs-friedrich-dehumidifier/) breaks it down. ### Amana dehumidifier filter and manual basics Like most portable dehumidifiers, Amana's models use a washable mesh air filter rather than a disposable one. Rinse it every couple of weeks during heavy use and let it dry fully before reinstalling. The owner's manual — usually available from the retailer's product page or Amana's support site by model number — shows where the filter slides out and how to set the humidistat. Our [replacement filter guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-replacement-filter/) covers what to do if one tears. ## The bottom line The **Amana AMND501AW** is the best Amana dehumidifier for most homes, with 50 pints of capacity, three speeds, auto-restart and a big bucket. Choose the **AMND501PAW** if you need a pump, and the **AMAD481BW** for a mid-size room. Just remember to double-check coverage claims against similar models, and to look up any secondhand Amana's model number before using it. To see how Amana stacks up against everyone else, browse our [best dehumidifier brands](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-brands/) guide. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the best Amana dehumidifier? The Amana 50-Pint AMND501AW for most basements and large rooms. It's ENERGY STAR certified with three fan speeds and auto-restart. If you want continuous drainage without a floor drain, the AMND501PAW is the same unit with a built-in pump. ### Are Amana dehumidifiers any good? They're solid, simple machines with the features most people need: a humidistat, timer, auto-restart and ENERGY STAR certification. They lack app control, and the brand is sold under Whirlpool rather than a humidity specialist, so compare them against similarly sized models before buying. ### Was there an Amana dehumidifier recall? Yes. Amana was one of about 20 brands in the CPSC's 2021 New Widetech recall. The affected Amana models (D930M, D935M, D945E, D950EP, D965E, D965E-E, D970E-E, D970EP, D974E and DM70E-E) were made before September 1, 2017. The current AM-prefix models aren't included. ### What's the difference between the Amana AMND501AW and AMAD481BW? The AMND501AW removes 50 pints a day with three fan speeds and a 16.2-pint bucket. The AMAD481BW removes 48 pints with two fan speeds, a smaller 6.3-quart bucket and a 1,200-square-foot coverage rating. ### Does Amana make a dehumidifier with a pump? Yes, the AMND501PAW. It matches the AMND501AW's 50-pint capacity and three speeds and adds a condensate pump, at roughly a pound of extra weight. ### How do I clean the filter on an Amana dehumidifier? Unplug the unit, slide out the washable mesh filter (your manual shows the exact location), rinse it with warm water, let it dry completely and slide it back in. Doing this every few weeks during heavy use keeps airflow up and helps prevent frosting. ## Related guides - [Amana vs. Friedrich Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/compare/amana-vs-friedrich-dehumidifier/) - [The Best 50-Pint Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier/) - [The Best Dehumidifiers with a Built-In Pump](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-with-pump/) - [The Best Friedrich Dehumidifiers — and the Recall to Check First](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-friedrich-dehumidifier/) - [The Best Dehumidifier Brands, Ranked](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-brands/) - [The Best Budget Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-budget-dehumidifier/) --- *Enthusiast Review researches products against DOE ratings, ENERGY STAR data, manuals, CPSC recalls and owner reviews; it does not run a test lab. Amazon links are affiliate links (tag sktiger-20).*