Excess moisture in your home will dampen more than just your mood, its effect can actually lead to permanent damage. Some signs you may need a dehumidifier are watermarks on the walls, a musty smell, condensation build-up on windows, and rotting wood. These contributing factors, as well as humidity levels of more than 50 percent in summer and 40 percent in winter in your home, are reasons to look into purchasing a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the air and may go a long way to eliminating those unwanted odors and helping to prevent mold. A dehumidifier is a great addition for anyone with an older home, water damage, or if you need better ventilation in bathrooms and basements. We decided to put Tenergy’s Sorbi Air Dehumidifier and Air Purifier claims to the test in our soggy bathroom with ventilation issues. Read on to learn about the results.
Performance: Dual purpose multi-tasking machine
Tenergy’s Sorbi Air Dehumidifier and Air Purifier is designed for smaller spaces and can accommodate rooms up to 200 square feet, which compared to other comparably-sized and priced units, is a smaller maximum capacity than most. We decided to test the Sorbi in our 50-square-foot bathroom. What we love most about this unit is it’s dual dehumidifying and air purifying capabilities. Since the air quality in any damp space is compromised, this dual function is a great option for those attempting to fresh the air in stuffy spaces like bathrooms and basements. This unit claims to remove 25 ounces (750 ml) of moisture per day in environments with 80 percent humidity. Because the bathroom is the only room that reaches that level of humidity during our short, hot showers we did not reach the maximum capacity for several days. However, once the unit collects the full amount, it conveniently shuts off automatically and flashes a red LED indicator light that means it’s time to empty the water tank. The reservoir is easy to remove, and clean. We think the built-in HEPA air purifier is a major selling point for this appliance. Not all dehumidifiers include this feature and it makes it worth the extra splurge on price, giving you a two-for-one deal. It’s important to note that the dehumidifier requires the air purifier to be on, it will work passively as it dehumidifies. This didn’t make much difference to us as we preferred the air purifier to be on at all times. You do have the option to only use the air purifier without turning on the dehumidifier.
Design: Sleek and modern
The design of the Sorbi sets it apart from other dehumidifiers on the market. It’s a medium-sized unit about 8 inches tall, weighing 6 pounds. For only being able to cover 200 square feet, we initially thought it was a bit large but we were surprised to find it fit easily in our 50 square foot bathroom. The crisp white unit is sleek and modern and easy to operate with just three buttons on the control panel at the top of the machine. It has an on/off button for the purifier (lights up green when on but changes to orange indicating the air filter must be changed), an on/off button for the dehumidifier, and a fan speed option. The control panel features two small LED lights indicating when the power is on and when the water tank needs to be emptied. The HEPA air filter is located on the back of the unit. It slides out behind a hidden panel so the unit maintains a simple, yet sleek appearance. The water collection tank is at the bottom of the machine and also pulls out. We checked the machine’s water tank levels daily until we had a sense of how quickly it fills. The water tank can be tricky to pull out without spilling when it reaches full capacity. The water tank has a plastic cover, but we still needed to carefully maneuver not spilling a full tank. It’s certainly best to remove the reservoir before it fills up completely. The white exterior was also very easy to keep clean. Considering this is an appliance that sits out on display, we think the design and look of the unit are critical in deciding whether or not to purchase it. We were impressed with Tenergy’s subtly attractive, modern design.
Setup and Maintenance: Simple
Setting up the Sorbi was incredibly easy, we removed it from the box, unwrapped the HEPA filter, slid it into place, plugged it in the wall, and we were all set. For proper maintenance of the dehumidifier, the manufacturer suggests filling the water tank with a mixture of warm water and vinegar and letting sit for 3 to 5 minutes, then a quick rinse, and simply put the tank back into the unit. Over time, you will find that you need to clean out and replace the water tank frequently. The unit comes with a HEPA three-stage composite air filter that must be replaced and purchased separately every 6 months. And, in case you forget to change your filter, the machine will let you know by changing the green air purifier power light to orange to remind you.
Noise: White noise
The Sorbi dehumidifier and purifier has a slight low fan sound, similar to what you hear with a white noise machine. If you have had an air purifier before, it is about the same as that. It is by no means obtrusive. We set up this appliance in our bathroom and were never bothered by the sound. We can imagine some may find it mildly distracting if it is placed in a more frequently used room like an office.
User-Friendly Features: Simple settings
The simplicity of the Tenergy Sorbi makes it a great buy. The on and off settings and high or low fan options take all the guesswork out of setting your own humidity levels. The only drawback with this machine is that it is only designed for small spaces. So anyone who needs to regulate the humidity of a larger space will want to opt for something with a larger moisture collection capacity. On the plus side, we found this appliance to be straight-forward, very easy to use, and suitable for our needs.
Price: Two for the price of one
The Tenergy Sorbi Dehumidifier and Purifier retails for $99.99, which is pricey for only being able to cover 200 square feet, but we think the fact that it’s a dual operating machine capable of both dehumidifying and purifying makes it a really compelling purchase. You can often find it on sale for about $70. Compared to most other machines on the market, the design is the best we’ve seen. If you’re looking for a machine to help with temperature regulation as well as humidity control and air purification or you need coverage of a larger space, you will probably want to look elsewhere. For our small bathroom, it was perfect.
Tenergy Sorbi 1000ml Air Dehumidifier and Air Purifier vs. Eva-Dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier
Because the Tenergy Sorbi also has an air purifier, we could not find anything in the same price range that could also do both. The closest competitor was the Eva-Dry’s Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier. Both machines are compact and about 8 inches tall, but side-by-side, the Tenergy is twice as deep. Eva-Dry’s unit measures just 6 x 8 x 5 inches compared to Tenergy’s 8.5 x 7.7 x 12.4 inches. The biggest differences are the capacity of the water reservoir–the Tenergy collects about 25 ounces of water while the Eva-Dry maxes out at 16 ounces—and the coverage area. The Eva-Dry covers about 150 square feet while the Tenergy unit can service 200 square feet. When it comes to performance, we think Tenergy’s ability to both purify and dehumidify a space is unbeatable. Eva-Dry also does a good job of dehumidifying the area and does so at a whisper, which is quieter than the Tenergy unit, but it doesn’t have an air purifier. The Eva-Dry retails for $59.95, about $40 cheaper, but based on looks, the Tenergy design beats out the outdated aesthetic of the Eva-Dry. While Eva-Dry’s smaller size makes it easy to hide, its design is still disappointing. So, we would choose the Tenergy for its ability to cover a larger area and accumulate more moisture, its dual function with an air purifier, and we prefer its more attractive design. The Tenergy Sorbi Dehumidifier and Air Purifier is a great choice for anyone looking to control humidity levels in a small space like an office, bathroom, closet, or small basement. The fact is has a built-in HEPA air filter is unheard of for the price, but keep in mind you will have to manually empty your dehumidifier tank regularly.
