# Frigidaire vs. Honeywell Dehumidifiers

> Both say "50" on the box. Only one of them removes 50 pints a day — but the other has the better lab score.

Canonical: https://www.enthusiastreview.com/compare/frigidaire-vs-honeywell-dehumidifier/
Last updated: 2026-11-05
Published: 2026-10-26
Category: Comparisons
Publisher: Enthusiast Review

The Frigidaire vs. Honeywell dehumidifier matchup looks even at first glance. Each brand's popular Wi-Fi model carries a "50" in its name, both connect to Alexa, and both back their compressors with five years of sealed-system coverage. Look closer and they turn out to be very different machines from very different supply chains.

The biggest surprise is capacity. Frigidaire's **FHDD5034Y1** is rated at a genuine 50 pints a day under the current 2019 DOE test. Honeywell's **TPFIT50AWK** keeps a model name from the pre-2019 rating scale and is rated at roughly 32 pints a day under today's test — about a third less water, usually at a higher price. Honeywell's counterpunch is a strong independent score: Consumer Reports gave it an 88 and ranked it first among the large-capacity models it rated.

We compared the two using DOE ratings, manufacturer specs and warranty terms, published independent scores and the CPSC recall database. We don't run our own lab tests.

## The models compared

- **Best for capacity per dollar:** Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Frigidaire%20FHDD5034Y1&tag=sktiger-20)
- **Best independent test score:** Honeywell TPFIT50AWK — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Honeywell%20TPFIT50AWK&tag=sktiger-20)

For most shoppers, the **Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1** is the better buy because it removes more water for less money; the **Honeywell TPFIT50AWK** makes sense if a top independent score matters more than raw capacity.

## 1. Frigidaire 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (FHDD5034Y1) — Best for capacity per dollar

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Frigidaire%20FHDD5034Y1&tag=sktiger-20)

**Pros**

- Genuine 50 pints/day under the DOE 2019 test
- Rated for up to about 4,500 sq ft
- Wi-Fi with Alexa and Google control
- Auto-defrost down to 41°F
- 5-year sealed-system warranty

**Cons**

- No standout independent score of its own
- Bucket and gravity hose only — no pump

**Why we picked it:** It does what the box says. The "50" in the model number is a real 50-pint rating under today's test, and it typically costs less than the Honeywell, which makes it the clear winner on how much water you get for your money.

**Performance:** The 2.7-gallon bucket handles moderate dampness, and a gravity hose connection lets it run continuously into a floor drain. Auto-defrost keeps it working as a basement cools toward 41°F. A sibling model in Frigidaire's Gallery line collected 22.3 pints in four hours in one magazine's evaluation, a good sign for the platform. See more models in our [best Frigidaire dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-frigidaire-dehumidifier/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 50 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Coverage | Up to about 4,500 sq ft |
| Drainage | 2.7-gal bucket or gravity hose |
| Low-temp operation | Auto-defrost to 41°F |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google |
| Warranty | 1 yr parts/labor, 5 yr sealed system |

## 2. Honeywell Smart Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (TPFIT50AWK) — Best independent test score

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Honeywell%20TPFIT50AWK&tag=sktiger-20)

**Pros**

- Consumer Reports score of 88, #1 among large-capacity models it rated
- Wi-Fi with Alexa control and smart alerts
- 5-year sealed-system warranty

**Cons**

- About 32 pints/day under the DOE 2019 test, despite its name
- Usually costs more than the Frigidaire
- Reviewers flag slow, costly out-of-warranty repairs

**Why we picked it:** Honeywell's case rests on independent results. A Consumer Reports score of 88 and a first-place ranking among large-capacity models is the strongest third-party endorsement either brand has in this matchup.

**Performance:** The catch is that its model name overstates its size. Under the current DOE test it's rated at roughly 32 pints a day, so it's really competing with 30- and 35-pint units. Honeywell doesn't publish a separate coverage figure; its app alerts stand in for that. If you want a Honeywell that truly matches the Frigidaire's capacity, look at the TP70 series, covered in our [best Honeywell dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-honeywell-dehumidifier/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | About 32 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Model name | Uses pre-2019 "50" label |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi, Alexa |
| Independent rating | Consumer Reports 88 |
| Warranty | 1 yr parts/labor, 5 yr sealed system |

## Frigidaire vs. Honeywell, head to head

|  | Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1 | Honeywell TPFIT50AWK |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name on the box | 50-pint | 50 (legacy label) |
| DOE 2019 capacity | 50 pints/day | About 32 pints/day |
| Coverage | Up to ~4,500 sq ft | Not separately published |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google | Wi-Fi, Alexa |
| Built by | Licensed manufacturer (Midea) | JMATEK, as Honeywell Air Comfort |
| Independent score | No direct score; Gallery sibling evaluated well | Consumer Reports 88, #1 large-capacity |
| Warranty | 1 yr + 5 yr sealed system | 1 yr + 5 yr sealed system |
| Typical price | Usually the lower of the two | Usually higher |

*Ratings and warranty terms from manufacturer specs; independent score as published.*

## How we researched this comparison

We matched each brand's closest current Wi-Fi flagship and compared them on capacity under the 2019 DOE procedure, manufacturer spec sheets for coverage, drainage and low-temperature operation, and published warranty terms. We added independent scores where they exist, checked the CPSC recall database for both brand names and read owner reviews for patterns around reliability and service. We do not lab-test dehumidifiers.

## The naming gap: why a Honeywell "50" isn't 50 pints

In 2019, the Department of Energy lowered its dehumidifier test temperature from 80°F to 65°F. Cooler air gives up less water, so every unit's rating dropped by roughly 30%. Frigidaire renamed its models to match the new figures. Honeywell kept its old names, so its model numbers still describe pre-2019 capacity.

- **Honeywell TPFIT50AWK:** "50" in the name, about 32 pints under today's test.
- **Honeywell TP70 series:** "70" in the name, about 50 pints under today's test — the true match for the Frigidaire.
- **Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1:** "50" in the name, 50 pints under today's test.

> **Shopping tip:** Ignore the number in any model name and look for the DOE 2019 rating on the spec sheet or EnergyGuide label. Our [dehumidifier size guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/) explains how much capacity your space needs.

## Who makes them, and their recall histories

Neither brand builds its own dehumidifiers. Frigidaire's current units come from a licensed manufacturer in Midea's family, the same group behind several other brands we cover. Honeywell's are made by JMATEK, which has operated as Honeywell Air Comfort since 2014 — an entirely separate supply chain.

Both names appear in old fire-hazard recalls, but from unrelated manufacturers. Frigidaire was one of 13 brands on a Gree-built platform recalled in 2013 and reannounced in 2016 after roughly 450 fires. Honeywell-branded units built by New Widetech (models DH45W, DH50W and DH70W) were among about 20 brands recalled in 2021 after more than 100 overheating and fire incidents. Neither recall covers the current models compared here, but always check a secondhand unit's model number and date code at CPSC.gov.

## Which should you buy?

### Choose the Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1 if…

- You need true 50-pint capacity for a basement or large room.
- Getting the most water removal for your money is the priority.
- You want Google Assistant support as well as Alexa.

### Choose the Honeywell TPFIT50AWK if…

- Your space only needs about 30–35 pints a day, such as a bedroom or mid-size room.
- A top independent score is worth paying extra for.
- You prefer Honeywell's app and smart alerts.

Want a Honeywell with Frigidaire-level capacity? Step up to the TP70 series. Want to see how Frigidaire stacks up against another major brand? Read our [Midea vs. Frigidaire](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/compare/midea-vs-frigidaire-dehumidifier/) comparison, or browse our [best 50-pint dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier/) picks.

## The bottom line

For most homes, the **Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1** is the smarter purchase: it's a genuine 50-pint dehumidifier that usually costs less than the Honeywell. The **Honeywell TPFIT50AWK** earns its place with a Consumer Reports score of 88, but it removes about a third less water under the current test. Whichever brand you lean toward, compare dehumidifiers on their DOE 2019 rating, never on the number in the model name.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Frigidaire or Honeywell the better dehumidifier brand?

For capacity per dollar, Frigidaire. Its FHDD5034Y1 removes a genuine 50 pints a day and usually costs less. Honeywell's TPFIT50AWK has the stronger independent score (Consumer Reports 88), but it's rated at only about 32 pints a day under the current DOE test.

### Is the Honeywell TPFIT50AWK really a 50-pint dehumidifier?

No. Its name references the pre-2019 rating scale. Under the current DOE test it's rated at roughly 32 pints a day. Honeywell's true 50-pint models are in the TP70 series.

### Are Frigidaire and Honeywell dehumidifiers made by the same company?

No. Frigidaire's current dehumidifiers are built under license by a Midea-family manufacturer, while Honeywell's are made by JMATEK, operating as Honeywell Air Comfort. They share no hardware platform.

### Which has the better warranty?

They're essentially tied: one year on parts and labor plus five years on the sealed refrigeration system. Some reviewers report that Honeywell's out-of-warranty repairs can be slow and costly.

### Have Frigidaire or Honeywell dehumidifiers been recalled?

Both brand names appear in older recalls from different manufacturers: Frigidaire in the Gree recall first announced in 2013, and Honeywell-branded New Widetech units in a 2021 recall. Neither affects the current models compared here. Check any used unit at CPSC.gov.

## Related guides

- [The Best Frigidaire Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-frigidaire-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best Honeywell Dehumidifiers for Your Home](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-honeywell-dehumidifier/)
- [Midea vs. Frigidaire Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/compare/midea-vs-frigidaire-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best 50-Pint Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best Dehumidifier Brands, Ranked](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-brands/)
- [What Size Dehumidifier Do You Need?](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/)

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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).*