# The Best Dri-Eaz Dehumidifiers

> Dri-Eaz builds machines for flood crews, not living rooms. Here's which one earns its keep — and when renting beats buying.

Canonical: https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dri-eaz-dehumidifier/
Last updated: 2026-11-05
Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Brands
Publisher: Enthusiast Review

A Dri-Eaz dehumidifier is built for the crews who show up after a burst pipe or a flooded basement. Dri-Eaz is the restoration arm of Legend Brands, and you can tell from the spec sheets alone: two capacity ratings instead of one, an Xactimate code for insurance billing, long cords, long drain hoses and housings built to be dragged up stairs and stacked in a van.

That pedigree comes with a price tag to match. Every current Dri-Eaz lands somewhere in the low-to-mid four figures, while a capable 50-pint home unit is usually a few hundred dollars. So the first question isn't which Dri-Eaz to buy — it's whether you should buy one at all. For a single flood, renting almost always wins. For a restoration business, or a crawl space that stays damp every summer, owning starts to make sense.

We compared the current lineup on Legend Brands' published specifications, authorized-dealer listings and the warranty terms each model carries. We don't test dehumidifiers ourselves, so every capacity figure below is the manufacturer's rating.

## Our top picks

- **Best overall:** LGR 6500XLi — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dri-Eaz%20LGR%206500XLi%20Low-Grain%20Refrigerant%20Dehumidifier&tag=sktiger-20)
- **Best value large LGR:** LGR 6000Li — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L6WN5P5?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best for crawl spaces:** PHD 200 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dri-Eaz%20PHD%20200%20Dehumidifier&tag=sktiger-20)
- **Best compact LGR:** LGR 5000Li — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHC18RJ2?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best for large losses:** LGR 3500i — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AB24VVG?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best for existing fleets:** LGR 7000XLi — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AB24XIW?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

For most restoration buyers, the **Dri-Eaz LGR 6500XLi** is the one to own: Extra Large drying capacity in the same compact housing as the smaller 6000Li, with lower amp draw than the older 7000XLi.

## 1. Dri-Eaz LGR 6500XLi Low-Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifier — Best overall

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dri-Eaz%20LGR%206500XLi%20Low-Grain%20Refrigerant%20Dehumidifier&tag=sktiger-20)

**Pros**

- Xactimate Extra Large class in a Large-size housing
- Rated 125 pints AHAM and 245 at saturation
- 320 CFM airflow on 7.8 amps
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi monitoring via the Command Center Pro app
- Lifetime housing warranty per dealer listings

**Cons**

- Heavy at a listed 106 lb
- Can't share a 15-amp circuit with a second unit

**Why we picked it:** Moving up a size class usually means a bigger, hungrier machine. The 6500XLi sidesteps that: it bills at the same Extra Large Xactimate tier as the 7000XLi while living in the compact body of the 6000Li, and it does it on less current.

**Performance:** Legend rates it at 125 pints a day at AHAM conditions (80°F, 60% RH) and 245 pints at saturation (90°F, 90% RH), with 320 CFM of airflow. That's five AHAM pints shy of the 7000XLi, but it beats the older unit on saturation pints, airflow and amp draw. Its Extreme Dew Point Technology adjusts the controls to jobsite conditions, and the listed operating range runs from 33°F to 100°F.

**Worth knowing:** Legend's spec sheet lists 106 lb but gives a metric figure that matches the lighter 6000Li. Plan your lifting around the heavier number.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 125 pints AHAM / 245 saturation |
| Type | Low-grain refrigerant (LGR) |
| Airflow | 320 CFM |
| Power | 7.8 A |
| Low-temp operation | Down to 33°F |
| Best for | Restoration crews, fleet replacement |

## 2. Dri-Eaz LGR 6000Li Low-Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifier — Best value large LGR

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L6WN5P5?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Same 320 CFM airflow and housing as the 6500XLi
- Spill-proof pump basin holds water after the final purge
- Published wattage makes running costs easy to estimate
- Rated at 53 dB, quiet for its class

**Cons**

- Two units won't fit on one 15-amp circuit
- Large rather than Extra Large Xactimate class

**Why we picked it:** If most of your calls are one or two wet rooms, the 6000Li handles them for noticeably less money than the 6500XLi. You keep the airflow and the compact housing; you give up some extraction at the top end.

**Performance:** Legend rates it at 100 pints AHAM and 219 at saturation, with a 748-watt draw. Run around the clock, that works out to roughly 18 kWh a day — useful to know when you're billing a client or explaining a spike on a homeowner's electric bill. At 6.5 amps, a pair of them overloads the continuous-load limit of a 15-amp household circuit.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 100 pints AHAM / 219 saturation |
| Type | Low-grain refrigerant (LGR) |
| Airflow | 320 CFM |
| Power | 6.5 A / 748 W |
| Noise | 53 dB (rated) |
| Best for | Everyday water-damage jobs |

## 3. Dri-Eaz PHD 200 Dehumidifier — Best for crawl spaces

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dri-Eaz%20PHD%20200%20Dehumidifier&tag=sktiger-20)

**Pros**

- Designed to stay installed, not roll between jobs
- Optional kit hangs it from floor joists
- Humidistat adjusts from 40% to 90% in 5% steps
- Built-in pump lifts water up to 3 ft
- Lowest cost per AHAM pint in the lineup

**Cons**

- Operating range starts at 45°F, not 33°F
- Dealer listings show a 1-year parts and labor warranty only

**Why we picked it:** This is the Dri-Eaz built for a permanent home. Legend pitches it for crawl spaces and other damp areas that need ongoing humidity control, and the suspension kit, set-point humidistat and automatic pump all point that way.

**Performance:** It's rated at 74 pints AHAM and 120 at 90°F/90% RH, with 180 CFM of airflow and a 55 dB rating. At 17.6 inches tall and 65 lb, it slides into low crawl spaces more easily than any rolling LGR. Even so, it costs several times what a dedicated crawl space unit does, so weigh it against our [best crawl space dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-crawl-space-dehumidifier/) picks first.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 74 pints AHAM / 120 at 90°F/90% |
| Drainage | Built-in pump, 3 ft lift |
| Humidistat | 40–90% in 5% steps |
| Low-temp operation | Down to 45°F |
| Best for | Encapsulated crawl spaces |

## 4. Dri-Eaz LGR 5000Li Low-Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifier — Best compact LGR

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHC18RJ2?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Under 20 inches tall and 69 lb
- Two lock together on a hand truck; three stack for storage
- 5.1 A lets two share a 15-amp circuit
- English and Spanish touchpad controls

**Cons**

- High cost per AHAM pint for its size
- Availability has been patchy at Legend's own store

**Why we picked it:** Stairwells, tight vans and small crews are where the 5000Li shines. It's the most portable true LGR in the lineup, and its low current draw means you can run two in the same room off a single household circuit.

**Performance:** Legend rates it at 80 pints AHAM and 164 at saturation, with 215 CFM. It has effectively replaced the older Revolution LGR at dealers, matching that model's AHAM rating while adding 20 saturation pints and 35 CFM. Like the bigger models, it accepts 12-inch layflat ducting for directed drying.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 80 pints AHAM / 164 saturation |
| Type | Low-grain refrigerant (LGR) |
| Airflow | 215 CFM |
| Power | 5.1 A |
| Best for | Stairs, vans, small jobs |

## 5. Dri-Eaz LGR 3500i Low-Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifier — Best for large losses

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AB24VVG?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Highest capacity in the lineup: 170 pints AHAM
- 400 CFM, the most airflow of any Dri-Eaz
- Rated for spaces up to 17,000 cubic feet

**Cons**

- 10.8 A needs a dedicated 15-amp circuit
- 157 lb and loud, at a 70 dB average

**Why we picked it:** When one machine has to dry a big open space — a gym floor, a warehouse bay, an entire finished basement — the 3500i is Legend's heavy hitter, carrying the top Xactimate XXL class.

**Performance:** Legend's current spec sheet lists 170 pints AHAM and 270 at saturation, though some dealer pages still quote an older 240-pint figure. The catch is power: at 10.8 amps, nothing else (not even an air mover) can share its 15-amp circuit. For several separate rooms, two 6500XLis on different circuits move more air in total.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 170 pints AHAM / 270 saturation |
| Airflow | 400 CFM |
| Power | 10.8 A |
| Coverage | Up to 17,000 cu ft |
| Best for | Large open losses |

## 6. Dri-Eaz LGR 7000XLi Low-Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifier — Best for existing fleets

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AB24XIW?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- 130 AHAM pints, second only to the 3500i
- Sealed pump basin holds water from an unplanned defrost
- Tall folding handle and built-in cord storage

**Cons**

- Draws more current than the newer 6500XLi
- Less airflow than the 6500XLi for more money

**Why we picked it:** The 7000XLi has been the Dri-Eaz workhorse for years, and plenty of crews already know its quirks and carry its filters. If your fleet runs on them, adding one more keeps parts and training simple.

**Performance:** It's rated at 130 pints AHAM and 235 at saturation with 280 CFM on 8.8 amps. Legend's crossflow design and sealed basin are built for the realities of a jobsite, including power cuts that trigger a defrost. It ranks sixth here only because the 6500XLi now matches nearly all of it with better efficiency.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 130 pints AHAM / 235 saturation |
| Airflow | 280 CFM |
| Power | 8.8 A |
| Type | Low-grain refrigerant (LGR) |
| Best for | Crews standardized on the 7000 |

## Dri-Eaz, by the numbers

- **1.6–2.2×** — How much higher each model's saturation rating runs than its AHAM rating
- **12 A** — Continuous draw a 15-amp household circuit can safely carry
- **0** — Dri-Eaz recalls in the CPSC database, and models in ENERGY STAR's list

So a Dri-Eaz listed at 245 pints isn't twice as strong as one listed at 125 — the bigger figure simply comes from a hotter, soggier test room.

## How we pick Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers

We don't run a lab. We built this ranking from Legend Brands' product pages (capacity at both test conditions, airflow, amps, watts, weight, operating range and Xactimate class), authorized-dealer listings for warranty terms, the CPSC recall database and ENERGY STAR's certified-product data.

We weighted AHAM capacity relative to cost most heavily, then amp draw (because it decides how many machines a house can run at once), portability and warranty length. Where a dealer's listing and Legend's spec sheet disagree, we went with the manufacturer's current sheet and flagged the difference.

## What to look for in a Dri-Eaz dehumidifier

- **Rent-vs-buy math:** Restoration LGRs typically rent for roughly $75–125 a day. The cheapest Dri-Eaz costs about as much as two to three weeks of rental. See our [dehumidifier rental guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-rental/) before you commit.
- **AHAM pints, not saturation pints:** AHAM is the fairer yardstick between Dri-Eaz models. Saturation numbers look bigger but describe a far wetter room.
- **Amp draw:** Add up every machine and air mover on the circuit. The total for all-day loads shouldn't exceed 12 A on a 15-amp circuit or 16 A on a 20-amp one.
- **Weight and height:** If you carry units, the LGR 5000Li stays under 70 lb and 20 inches tall. The LGR 3500i is 157 lb and over 40 inches tall.
- **An authorized seller:** Legend's warranty covers the original buyer from an authorized distributor, so an auction-lot fleet unit usually comes with nothing.

## The Dri-Eaz lineup at a glance

| Model | AHAM pints/day | Saturation pints/day | Airflow | Amps | Xactimate class |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LGR 6500XLi | 125 | 245 | 320 CFM | 7.8 A | Extra Large |
| LGR 6000Li | 100 | 219 | 320 CFM | 6.5 A | Large |
| PHD 200 | 74 | 120 | 180 CFM | 6.2 A | Not listed |
| LGR 5000Li | 80 | 164 | 215 CFM | 5.1 A | Large |
| LGR 3500i | 170 | 270 | 400 CFM | 10.8 A | XX Large |
| LGR 7000XLi | 130 | 235 | 280 CFM | 8.8 A | Extra Large |
| DrizAir 1400 | 64 | 130 | 215 CFM | 4.7 A | Base |

*Manufacturer ratings. AHAM = 80°F, 60% RH; saturation = 90°F, 90% RH.*

Xactimate is the estimating software insurers and contractors use to bill equipment by the day, and its dehumidifier codes step up by size class. A higher class means a higher daily billing rate, which is why restoration buyers care about it as much as raw capacity.

## Older Dri-Eaz models: DrizAir 1200, Evolution and Revolution LGR

A lot of Dri-Eaz units change hands secondhand or sit in rental fleets for years, so you'll often run into model names that are no longer the current lineup. Here's how the familiar ones map to today's machines.

### Dri-Eaz DrizAir 1200

The DrizAir 1200 was a standard (non-LGR) restoration dehumidifier that Legend says stayed in service for more than 25 years. Its replacement is the **DrizAir 1400**: the smallest and lowest-draw current model at 4.7 A and 541 W, rated at 64 pints AHAM and 130 at saturation. Like the 1200, it isn't marketed as an LGR, and it has the highest cost per AHAM pint in today's lineup.

### Dri-Eaz Evolution and Revolution LGR

The Evolution LGR is an earlier-generation compact LGR that no longer appears in the current lineup. The **Revolution LGR** is still on Legend's product pages (80 pints AHAM, 144 at saturation, 63 lb, 61 dB), but dealers now steer Revolution shoppers to the **LGR 5000Li**, which matches its AHAM rating while adding saturation capacity and airflow. If you're buying a used Evolution or Revolution, check the compressor's age and remember the warranty doesn't transfer.

Homeowners comparing against lower-cost alternatives should look at the AlorAir Storm LGR Extreme in our [AlorAir guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-alorair-dehumidifier/). For a broader field of restoration brands, see our [best commercial dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-commercial-dehumidifier/) roundup, and for flood cleanup specifically, our [water damage picks](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-water-damage/).

## Why Dri-Eaz pints don't match home-unit pints

Since 2019, home dehumidifiers sold in the U.S. have been rated under the Department of Energy's test at 65°F. Dri-Eaz rates at warmer, wetter AHAM and saturation conditions, where air gives up water more easily. That means a 64-pint Dri-Eaz and a 50-pint home unit aren't measured the same way, and you can't line them up directly. Our [dehumidifier size guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/) explains how home ratings work.

### How many units fit on one circuit

| Model | Amps | Per 15-amp circuit | Per 20-amp circuit |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DrizAir 1400 | 4.7 | 2 | 3 |
| LGR 5000Li | 5.1 | 2 | 3 |
| PHD 200 | 6.2 | 1 | 2 |
| LGR 6000Li | 6.5 | 1 | 2 |
| LGR 6500XLi | 7.8 | 1 | 2 |
| LGR 7000XLi | 8.8 | 1 | 1 |
| LGR 3500i | 10.8 | 1 | 1 |

*Based on the National Electrical Code's 80% limit for continuous loads.*

At a national average around 18 cents per kWh, a DrizAir 1400 running 24 hours costs roughly $2.40 a day and an LGR 6000Li roughly $3.30; our [electricity guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/how-much-electricity-does-a-dehumidifier-use/) runs the same math for home units. Air movers on the same circuit count against the same amp limit.

## The bottom line

If you dry buildings for a living, the **Dri-Eaz LGR 6500XLi** is the one to buy: Extra Large capacity in the compact 6000Li housing, with less current draw than the 7000XLi it replaces. Choose the **LGR 6000Li** to save money on everyday jobs, the **PHD 200** for a crawl space it will never leave, and the **LGR 3500i** when one machine must cover a vast open area. If you're a homeowner facing a single flood, rent — the math rarely favors owning.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best Dri-Eaz dehumidifier?

For most restoration buyers, the LGR 6500XLi. Legend Brands rates it at 125 pints a day at AHAM conditions and 245 at saturation, with 320 CFM on 7.8 amps — close to the older 7000XLi on AHAM pints, ahead of it on saturation pints and airflow, and lower in current draw.

### Is a Dri-Eaz worth buying for my home?

Usually not. Even the least expensive Dri-Eaz costs several times a good 50-pint home unit, and renting a restoration LGR for a one-time flood is far cheaper. Buying makes sense if you run a restoration business or need a permanent crawl space unit like the PHD 200.

### What replaced the Dri-Eaz DrizAir 1200, and where can I find its manual?

The DrizAir 1400 replaced the 1200 after a run of more than 25 years. Dri-Eaz documentation now lives on Legend Brands' website rather than the old dri-eaz.com address; if a manual for an older model isn't posted there, an authorized Dri-Eaz distributor can usually supply one.

### What's the difference between AHAM pints and saturation pints?

They describe the same machine in two test rooms. AHAM pints are measured at 80°F and 60% humidity; saturation pints at 90°F and 90%. Wetter air yields more water, so saturation figures run 1.6 to 2.2 times higher. Compare Dri-Eaz models with each other using the AHAM number.

### Can I run two Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers on one household circuit?

Only the smaller ones. A 15-amp circuit should carry no more than 12 amps of continuous load, so two DrizAir 1400s or two LGR 5000Lis fit, but two LGR 6000Lis don't, and an LGR 3500i needs a circuit to itself. Count any air movers, too.

### What warranty do Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers carry?

It varies by model. Dealer listings show the LGR 6500XLi with one year on parts and labor, six years on the compressor and coils and a lifetime housing warranty, while the PHD 200 gets one year on parts and labor only. Coverage applies to original buyers from authorized distributors.

### Dri-Eaz LGR 7000XLi or 6500XLi: which should I buy?

The 6500XLi for a new purchase. The 7000XLi removes five more AHAM pints, but the 6500XLi removes more at saturation, moves more air and draws a full amp less. The 7000XLi still makes sense if your crew already runs a fleet of them.

## Related guides

- [The Best Commercial Dehumidifiers for Restoration and Job Sites](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-commercial-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best Dehumidifiers for Water Damage and Flood Cleanup](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-water-damage/)
- [The Best Crawl Space Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-crawl-space-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best AlorAir Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-alorair-dehumidifier/)
- [Dehumidifier Rental: When Renting Beats Buying](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-rental/)
- [The Best Dehumidifier Brands, Ranked](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-brands/)

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*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).*