Danby Products is based in Guelph, Ontario, with a U.S. office in Findlay, Ohio, according to its manuals. It sells 22, 30, 35, 40 and 50 pint dehumidifiers under DDR model numbers. ENERGY STAR currently certifies three Danby models: two 22 pint units and the 50 pint DDR050BL3BDB.
Most searches for Danby are about controls rather than buying, so this page covers both: which Danby is worth buying, and what the buttons, lights and codes on your Danby mean.
Danby models compared
| Pick | Capacity | Coverage | Pump | Noise | ENERGY STAR | Price tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danby 50 pint with pump Danby 50 (pump) | 50 pints/day (DOE) | Up to 3,000 sq ft (Danby) | Yes | Not published | Not stated | $$$ | Check price |
| Danby ENERGY STAR 50 pint Danby 50 | 50 pints/day (DOE) | Not stated | No | Not published | Yes | $$$ | Check price |
| Model | Pints/day | Pump | ENERGY STAR (current list) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDR050BJPWDB | 50 | Yes | No | 3,000 sq ft, runs to 41F, 2-year warranty |
| DDR050BL3BDB | 49.74 (DOE) | No | Yes, 2.01 L/kWh | Few other published specs |
| DDR020BJ2WDB | 22.31 (DOE) | No | Yes, 1.70 L/kWh | Small room |
| DDR022BSWDB | 22.27 (DOE) | No | Yes, 1.70 L/kWh | Small room |
Danby 50 pint with pump
Danby 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump
Best for: basements without a floor drain.
The Danby 50 pint dehumidifier with pump is the DDR050BJPWDB. Danby lists it for spaces up to 3,000 sq ft, with a vertical pump that sends water to a sink or drain, a 24-hour timer and a low-temperature function that lets it run as low as 41F. It weighs 42.8 lb and has a 2-year carry-in warranty. It is not on ENERGY STAR's current certified list under this model number.
| Model number | DDR050BJPWDB |
|---|---|
| Type | Compressor (portable) |
| Capacity (current DOE test, 65F) | 50 pints/day |
| Coverage | Up to 3,000 sq ft (Danby) |
| Built-in pump | Yes |
| Wi-Fi / app | No |
| ENERGY STAR | Not stated |
| Noise | Not published |
| Low-temperature operation | Operates as low as 5C / 41F (Danby) |
| Pump | Vertical pump drains to a sink or drain |
| Timer | 24-hour |
| Size / weight | 16.14 x 11.81 x 24.25 in, 42.8 lb |
| Warranty | Limited 2-year carry-in |
| ENERGY STAR status | Not on ENERGY STAR's current certified list under this model number (checked Nov 2026). |
| Price tier | Mid (about $200 to $400) |
Pros
- Pump
- Runs to 41F
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Not on current ENERGY STAR list
- No Wi-Fi
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-12): Danby product page DDR050BJPWDB; Sylvane spec sheet DDR050BJPWDB.
Danby ENERGY STAR 50 pint
Danby 50 Pint ENERGY STAR Dehumidifier
The DDR050BL3BDB is Danby's currently certified 50 pint unit: 49.74 pints a day, 2.01 L/kWh and about 525 kWh a year on ENERGY STAR's record. That efficiency matches Midea, Frigidaire and Hisense. Few other specs are published, so check the listing for features.
Heads up: Few published specs beyond its ENERGY STAR record; check the listing for features.
| Model number | DDR050BL3BDB |
|---|---|
| Type | Compressor (portable) |
| Capacity (current DOE test, 65F) | 50 pints/day |
| Coverage | Not stated by maker |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | Not stated |
| ENERGY STAR | Yes |
| Noise | Not published |
| ENERGY STAR test data | 49.74 pints/day, IEF 2.01 L/kWh, about 525 kWh/yr (record for DDR050BL3BDB) |
| Price tier | Mid (about $200 to $400) |
Pros
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Mainstream efficiency
Cons
- Limited published specs
- No pump
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-12): ENERGY STAR certified product record (DDR050BL3BDB).
Danby Premiere
Danby Premiere is the name Danby used on several earlier models, all with DDR model numbers: for example the Premiere 45 pint DDR45B3WP (rated for up to 2,500 sq ft), the Premiere 70 pint DDR70B3PWP (up to about 4,500 sq ft, a pre-2019 label), and the 50 pint DDR5009REE, which retailers list as no longer available. If you own a Danby Premiere, the buttons below work much the same way, but check your manual for your exact panel.
Danby dehumidifier buttons explained
Here are the Danby dehumidifier buttons and button meanings from Danby's current owner's manual (model DDR040BFCWDB). Older panels may lack Smart dehumidify or use slightly different labels.
| Button or light | What it does (Danby manual) |
|---|---|
| Power | Turns the dehumidifier on or off |
| Humidity adjust (up/down) | Sets the target from 35% to 85% in 5% steps; lower means drier |
| Fan | Switches between normal and high fan; the light is on for high |
| Timer | Sets an auto-off or auto-on timer; each runs once, then normal operation resumes |
| Continuous | Runs continuously, ignoring the humidity setting (fan runs all the time) |
| Smart dehumidify | Adjusts the target automatically with room temperature, holding about 45% to 55%; press humidity adjust to cancel |
| Filter button and check-filter light | Light comes on after 250 hours of running; clean the filter, then press Filter to turn it off |
| Bucket full light | Bucket is full or not seated; the compressor and fan stop until you empty or reseat it |
| Auto defrost light | Frost on the coil; the compressor stops and the fan runs until it melts |
| Display | Shows room humidity (plus or minus 5%, from 30% to 90%) or the setting you are adjusting |
Danby's manual also says the default setting is 40% with high fan, that it is normal for the unit not to start if the room is already below the setting, and that Danby recommends 40% to 45% in normal conditions. For best performance, set the target about 10% below the current room humidity.
Error codes
| Code | Meaning | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2 | Bucket full or not in position | Empty the bucket and push it fully home | Danby DDR040BFCWDB manual |
| E3 | Unit malfunction | Unplug, plug back in; call for service if it repeats | Danby DDR60B3WP manual |
| Auto defrost light | Frost on the coil | Normal below about 41F; the unit defrosts itself | Danby manual |
Danby does not use the same code list on every model. If you see another code, look up your model number at danby.com for its manual.
How to reset a Danby dehumidifier
- Turn it off with the Power button and unplug it.
- Wait about 10 minutes.
- Empty and reseat the bucket, and clean the filter if the check-filter light was on.
- Plug it back in, turn it on and set your humidity target again.
Danby's manual says the filter light comes on after about 250 hours of use even if the filter is clean, so pressing Filter after cleaning is part of normal upkeep rather than a fault reset.
Pros and cons of Danby
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clear manuals with a full control guide | Few independent tests or noise figures |
| Current 50 pint model ENERGY STAR certified | Pump model not on the current ENERGY STAR list |
| Low-temperature operation to 41F | No Wi-Fi models in the line we checked |
Verdict
Danby makes straightforward, well-documented dehumidifiers. The DDR050BJPWDB is a reasonable pump model, and the DDR050BL3BDB matches the class leaders on efficiency. If you want an app, a bigger bucket or independently measured noise, the Midea Cube 50 is the stronger pick; see our 50 pint comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What do the buttons on a Danby dehumidifier mean?
How do I reset my Danby dehumidifier?
Is Danby reliable?
Sources
- Danby DDR040BFCWDB owner's manual
- Danby DDR60B3WP manual: indicator and code functions
- Danby DDR050BJPWDB product page
- Danby Premiere 70 pint dehumidifier (DDR70B3PWP)
- ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifiers dataset (data.energystar.gov)