Waykar PD160B Portable Dehumidifier review

The Waykar PD160B is described as a 34-pint dehumidifier, but that number is its maximum at 95°F and 90% relative humidity. The manufacturer manual lists 9.5 pints per day at 65°F/60% RH, while the current ENERGY STAR record gives 9.81 pints and a 1.73 L/kWh integrated energy factor. For an ordinary basement, compare the lower-condition rating—not just the large headline.

The Waykar PD160B page identifies the selected option as SKU AZ-PD160B. Its PD160B manual and the official ENERGY STAR record provide model-specific operating details and a current certification listing.

Waykar’s linked PD160B image shows the fitted tank and a drain hose. The image is a product-page visual; it does not establish room performance or an upward-drain pump.

Separate the standard rating from the headline

PD160B’s manual gives four moisture-removal figures: 9.5 pints a day at 65°F/60% RH, 15 at 80°F/60% RH, 25 at 86°F/80% RH and 34 at 95°F/90% RH. These are not interchangeable tests. The current ENERGY STAR record for PD160B lists 9.81 pints per day and an IEF of 1.73 L/kWh; the manual’s 65°F/60% table instead says 9.5 pints and 1.70 L/kWh. I keep both primary-source figures visible rather than treating the hot, very humid maximum as its everyday rating.

Waykar advertises coverage up to 2,000 square feet, but a square-foot claim cannot guarantee control in every basement. Room layout, doors, moisture load, air circulation and temperature all matter. The manual requires a minimum 43-square-foot operating area and at least 18 inches of clearance above and around the appliance. A single open room with a suitable drain is a more sensible use than expecting one portable unit to fix several closed-off spaces.

Simple controls, with a few details worth knowing

The controls are local rather than a smart-home system. The manual describes a target from 30% to 80% RH in five-point steps, two fan speeds, and a 24-hour timer that can schedule a one-time start or stop. At a 30% target the unit runs continuously. In normal humidity control it pauses the compressor when room humidity drops three points below the setting and restarts it when humidity rises three points above. That keeps operation understandable, but the current ENERGY STAR record says “Connected Capable: No,” and the manual documents no app control.

The manual also explains power-off memory: saved settings resume after power returns, but a timer is cleared by an interruption. A three-minute compressor-protection delay means the fan may run before the compressor starts. Auto defrost is included, but the specified operating range is 41°F to 95°F; a freeze-prone room below that range is not a good match. The manual identifies R290 refrigerant, so follow its safety instructions and leave refrigerant-circuit service to qualified technicians.

Choose a real water route before buying

There are two documented ways to collect water: remove and empty the 0.66-gallon (2.5-liter) tank, or connect the included gravity hose to a lower drain. The page’s short feature badge rounds the tank to 0.6 gallon; its detailed specification and drainage text give 0.66 gallon. When full, the tank alarm stops the compressor until the tank is emptied and correctly replaced.

The continuous hose is listed as 6.56 feet long, and the manual specifies a 0.39-inch drain-port diameter. The hose must slope downward to a floor drain or other lower container; the manual does not give a maximum route length beyond the included hose. The illustrated continuous-drain setup keeps the tank fitted. There is no built-in pump, and a gravity hose will not lift condensate to a higher sink or window. A short, reliably downhill run is the practical setup. In a very damp room, the small reservoir may need frequent attention if you use the bucket alone.

Set it up and care for the filter

Waykar lists the cabinet at 12.2 by 9.06 by 20.08 inches and 31.97 pounds, with casters and a lift handle for moving it between rooms. Those features help with repositioning, but the appliance still needs the manual’s clearance and a level, stable placement. The manual says to clean the removable filter regularly, rinse it and let it dry fully before reinstalling it. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth; do not spray the unit with water.

The manufacturer page’s main heading calls this a 2025 “Most Efficient” ENERGY STAR model, while an FAQ on that same page says it is not ENERGY STAR certified. The exact current ENERGY STAR record resolves the status more precisely: PD160B is certified, but is not listed as Most Efficient. That record gives 122 kWh annual energy consumption and marks the product not connected-capable. The page also has conflicting noise claims—33 dB in its title and 40 dB low/43 dB high in the FAQ—so I do not use a noise number to rank it.

Who should consider the PD160B?

It is a reasonable fit if you want a mobile, single-room compressor dehumidifier, have a lower floor drain for continuous gravity drainage, and are comfortable comparing a 9.81-pint ENERGY STAR rating with the manual’s 9.5-pint 65°F/60% figure. It is not a fit if a 20-pint minimum under standard conditions, Wi-Fi/app control, an upward pump route or a Most Efficient designation is essential. Unknown features should not be assumed from the 34-pint headline or a product image.

Within Waykar’s range, the CTH120A is a more relevant comparison when a substantially higher 65°F/60% RH rating matters; its family manual lists 32 pints at those conditions. If your drain must rise, compare a pump-equipped configuration such as the CTH150PA, whose manual documents a pump and a different operating plan. Those are not just larger versions of the PD160B: they have separate capacity, tank and drainage details. Choose based on the verified rating and the route your water can actually take.