Problems caused by humidity usually do not appear in one day. At first, you notice that the air in the room is "heavier", the windows are fogging up more often, and mold is starting to appear in some places. You can combat humidity by ventilating the room more often, changing your daily habits, or installing a more advanced ventilation system. However, one of the simpler solutions is a dehumidifier.
Solayce PD16R
Assessment:
What did we like?
What didn't we like?
This time I tested what the Solayce PD16R model can do, which according to the specifications looks like a "golden mean", suitable for rooms up to 35m². My biggest problem is an underground garage, where the humidity level reaches ~85%, so the test was carried out in real conditions, without any artificial scenarios. So, did Solayce manage to cope, or is it just a waste of money? Let's see.
Unpacking and assembly quality
The unpacking experience is quite simple - in the box I find the dehumidifier itself, instructions and a flexible hose for continuous water removal. No excess "junk", but at the same time nothing is missing for full use. The PD16R itself is securely embedded in foam, so even if the box gets hit during transportation, it is likely that the device will remain intact.
The device's body is plastic, and its quality is very reminiscent of the Xiaomi humidifiers I have - nothing premium, but certainly not "cheap". Control is via touch-sensitive buttons, and there are a minimum of options here: power on, operating speed (high / low), timer (from 1 to 24 hours), and setting the desired humidity level.
On the back of the case there is a removable filter and a water container. The latter holds 3.2 liters of water, which is really a lot. Water enters it through a special hole, to which you can connect a hose and direct the drain elsewhere. It is convenient that even after connecting the hose, the container can be left in place - if something leaks, the water will still drain into the tank.
Overall, the Solayce PD16R is a very simple dehumidifier in both its construction and design. And that's not a bad thing - such a device easily "fits in" in any environment.
Settings
As I mentioned, the PD16R is controlled by touch-sensitive buttons. The humidity level is set in percentages, in 5% steps – from 30 to 90. Once the set value is reached, the device operates automatically: the compressor turns off when the humidity drops approximately 3% below the set limit, and turns on again when it rises 3% above it.
You can also choose continuous operation, where the unit simply operates at the selected speed, or comfort mode. In the latter, the humidity level is automatically adjusted according to the temperature: at 5 - 20°C, the goal is about 60%, at 20 - 27°C - about 55%, and above 27°C - about 50%. All this is done automatically, so basically you just have to pour out the collected water and leave the collector to take care of itself.
Testing in real conditions
In the biggest source of problems - the garage (about 18m²) after winter, the temperature reached 6 - 7°C, and the humidity reached about 86%. I left the Solayce running overnight, but in the morning I was surprised - a puddle of water had formed under the device, and the side of the housing itself was clearly wet.
The reason is quite clear - the defrost function has been activated. In this mode, the compressor does not work, although the fan rotates while the device "defrosts". During this time, practically not a drop of water has entered the container.
The situation changed dramatically when the temperature in the garage rose to 8 - 9°C. The defrosting stopped working and the PD16R started working as expected. I set the maximum speed mode and the humidity target to 30%, and then left it running for a week.
The result is really good. The initial humidity level is about 85%. After the first day it dropped to ~79%, after the second - to ~76%, and after a week it stabilized at ~62%. During this time, about 10.8 liters of water were collected.
However, the numbers don't tell the whole story. The biggest change was felt as soon as you entered the garage - the specific "wet rag" smell disappeared, and the previously obviously damp floor became much drier.
Sound
If the Solayce PD16R is used in a living room, it would not become a major noise irritant. During operation, the sound is audible, but it is even and reminds me of the rumbling of an older refrigerator. It is more of a background hum than something that would constantly attract attention. For longer use or even at night, I think it is completely satisfactory.
Verdict
Solayce PD16R shows very clearly where the limits of this type of device are. When the conditions are right - it works really well. Collecting almost 11 liters of water per week and reducing humidity more than 20% at a temperature not higher than 10°C is a very solid result. It is a simple, effective and logical choice for smaller rooms where the temperature is not too low. Although the manufacturer declares up to 16 L per day (in ideal conditions), in real, lower temperature conditions this figure can be several times lower.
However, at lower temperatures, nuances appear. The defrost mode practically stops work, and in extreme conditions, such surprises as water under the device may appear. If your scenario is similar - one room, garage or pantry with increased humidity - Solayce PD16R will definitely help, but it is important to understand that this is not a universal solution for all situations.
