Waykar PD160B-PRO 34-pint portable dehumidifier review

Waykar’s PD160B-PRO and black-finish PD160B-PRO-B are compact portable compressor dehumidifiers with the same documented controls and drainage setup. Their “34 pints” headline is the maximum at 95°F and 90% relative humidity; the exact current ENERGY STAR entries list 10.16 pints per day under the standard rating and an IEF of 1.91 L/kWh. Use the standard figure when comparing dehumidifiers.

Waykar’s PD160B-PRO page and PD160B-PRO-B page identify the white and black listings. The PD160B-PRO family manual and PD160B-PRO-B manual name both codes. Their current PD160B-PRO and PD160B-PRO-B records give the matching standardized figures used here.

Read the 34-pint rating in context

The 34-pint figure is measured at 95°F/90% RH, not the milder 65°F/60% conditions used for the manual’s standard table. That table lists 10 pints per day at 65°F/60% RH, 15 at 80°F/60% RH and 27 at 86°F/80% RH. The EPA’s exact entries list 10.16 pints per day for each code. I use those current certified model values for capacity and efficiency matching, while keeping the manual’s figures visible rather than treating the tests as interchangeable.

There is a real document conflict worth knowing: the two model-named Waykar manuals report different IEF figures, 1.85 and 1.75 L/kWh, while both exact ENERGY STAR records give 1.91 L/kWh and 144 kWh/year. The official program records also confirm ENERGY STAR and 2025 Most Efficient status for both codes. For an efficiency threshold, the dated exact-model record is the more useful comparison point; do not turn Waykar’s separate “energy savings” marketing claim into a promised household bill reduction.

A small, straightforward humidity-control plan

The manual describes a local display and physical controls rather than phone-based operation. In DEHU mode, set a target from 30% to 80% RH in five-point steps. The unit pauses when the room falls more than three RH points below the target and resumes above it. A 24-hour timer can schedule a one-time start or stop, not a repeating daily routine. Power-off memory restores saved settings after an outage, but the timer must be set again.

There are two manual fan speeds; the outlet can be moved by hand through a 90-degree range. The separate clothes-drying function is described as “Dry Clothes” in one manual and “Fan Only” in another; the manuals describe it as airflow rather than a humidity-setpoint mode. The third option is continuous operation at a fixed 30% target. Choose DEHU when you want to set a humidity target. Automatic defrost is included, and the compressor has a three-minute restart delay. The manual documents no app setup; the exact ENERGY STAR records say “Connected Capable: No,” so this is not a match for an essential app-control requirement.

Choose between the fitted tank and a lower drain

The 0.62-gallon (2.35-liter) tank is small enough that a damp room may require frequent emptying. A full-tank float stops the compressor and lights the tank alert until you empty and reseat the bucket. For less hands-on emptying, the manual supports gravity drainage: connect the included hose, keep a continuous downward path, and place the outlet at least 3.9 inches below the drain port. Waykar lists the hose as 3.3 feet; a standard garden hose is an additional option, but the manual does not specify a maximum allowable run.

There is a drainage conflict on the black listing: its detailed specification and exact-model manual describe the bucket and gravity hose, but a separate page FAQ says the unit has a built-in pump with a 16.4-foot lift. The two model-named manual files do not document that pump. I treat pump capability and any lift distance as unverified, not as a yes for matching. The manual’s gravity illustration shows the tank in place, so bucketless operation is also unestablished. If an uphill route is essential, choose a model with a pump limit confirmed in its model-specific operating instructions rather than relying on that FAQ.

Room fit and upkeep

Waykar advertises up to 2,000 square feet, but that is not a promise for a divided or unusually damp home. The manual calls for at least 43 square feet of operating space, 18 inches of clearance above and around the cabinet, and an ambient range of 41°F to 95°F. A cold room below that range or a tight closet is a poor placement. The black listing gives overall dimensions of 10.7 × 8.15 × 19.29 inches and a weight of 24.25 pounds, but it does not label the axis order; the white listing does not provide those dimensions. Measure carefully before buying.

The filter is removable and should be cleaned regularly, then dried fully before it goes back in. Unplug before cleaning or connecting the hose; wipe the cabinet rather than spraying it. The manual identifies R290 refrigerant and warns against puncturing or burning the appliance, so leave refrigerant-circuit repairs to a qualified technician.

Who should shortlist it?

Consider this family for a modest single room where a 10.16-pint standard rating, bucket emptying or a short downhill drain are enough. The white PD160B-PRO and black PD160B-PRO-B are documented as finish variants of the same operating configuration, so choose the color that fits rather than expecting a capacity or drainage upgrade. If you want to compare a closely related compact unit, read the Waykar PD160B assessment: its exact ENERGY STAR record is 9.81 pints/day and 1.73 IEF, versus 10.16 and 1.91 for this PRO family. If you need more standard-condition moisture removal, a larger-capacity model such as the Waykar TDW80A is a more relevant comparison. This PRO family is not the right choice when a 20-pint standard minimum, a lift pump, a confirmed bucketless setup or phone control is essential.