Argendon Shield vs Guardian 60/60P: Which to Choose

Four crawl space models

Shield and Guardian have horizontal cabinets with carrying handles. Before buying, decide where the unit will sit and which side you can reach. Then choose the panel position: Shield has it on the long side, while Guardian has it above the grille on the end. Dehumidifier guides for other applications.

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Argendon photos from each model's product page. Images are not to the same scale. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Why both 60 and 145 pints?

Argendon lists 60 pints of water per day at 80°F and 60% relative humidity (RH) for all four models. The product pages label this rating AHAM, after the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which develops test standards. [1] [2] [3] [4] [6]

Saturation describes water removal in warmer, more humid air. For Shield 60P and both Guardian models, Argendon lists 145 pints per day at 90°F and 90% RH. Shield 60 is also rated at 145 pints, but its specification sheet does not give the conditions alongside that figure. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Guardian 60's specification table and product page list 145 pints, while the prose in the same specification sheet says 120. This comparison uses the table's figure, which explicitly states 90°F and 90% RH. [3]

The 60 and 145 ratings describe different test conditions for the same unit. Compare these models at their shared rating point of 80°F and 60% RH. Actual water removal depends on temperature, humidity and moisture entering the crawl space. Matching a unit to your home is covered in the crawl space dehumidifier guide.

Choose the drainage method first

The 60P versions have separate outlets for the two drain options. To use the pump, cap the gravity outlet and switch on pump mode. [2] [4] Hose routing and drain location are covered in the dehumidifier drainage guide.

Argendon Shield vs Guardian: key differences

CFM means cubic feet of air per minute.

Argendon publishes two airflow figures for Shield 60P: 165 CFM in the product specification table and 185 CFM in an illustration. These materials do not establish which figure is correct.

Will the cabinet fit?

Among the versions without pumps, Guardian 60 is 1.1 in narrower and 0.5 in shorter than Shield 60. For either 60P model, confirm the height before ordering for a space with low clearance: the tables do not label the dimension order.

Allow space at the air inlet and outlet, plus access to the filter and drain connections. Each model's manual includes diagrams showing these parts. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Controls and maintenance

All four models have digital controls. RH can be set from 35% to 90% in increments of one percentage point; continuous operation is also available. They have automatic defrost and restore settings after a power outage. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Choose RH to maintain a target humidity percentage in the crawl space. Relative humidity describes how close the air is to saturation at its current temperature.

Choose GPP (Grains Per Pound) when your target is expressed as moisture content: the mass of water vapor in grains per pound of dry air. The dehumidifier will switch on and off based on this value. [4]

The difference matters when air warms without gaining or losing moisture. RH falls, so RH control may stop dehumidification if the shutoff threshold is reached. Heating alone does not change GPP: if moisture content is still above the target, GPP control will continue dehumidifying. [4] [7]

Control from the living area

The wired Shield/Guardian controller fits all four models and is sold separately. You can place it in the living area to change settings without entering the crawl space. A 26 ft cable is included with the controller. [5]

All four product pages list a MERV-1 filter. MERV is a filter efficiency classification. Replacement filters are sold as separate products for Shield 60/60P/85P and Guardian 60/60P/85P. [5] Argendon filters and replacement parts.

If there is exposed soil under the house, covering it with a vapor barrier reduces moisture evaporation. Argendon 10 mil vs 12 mil vapor barrier comparison.

Which model should you choose?

• Water needs to go uphill: Shield 60P or Guardian 60P.
• Gravity drainage is available and space is tight: compare Shield 60 and Guardian 60. Guardian 60 is narrower and shorter according to the labeled dimensions in their specification PDFs.
• Panel access matters: choose Shield if the long side is easier to reach, or Guardian if you can reach the end.

Other Argendon options: low-profile Shield 35M/35P and upright Sandidry Pro35C. For another brand, see the AlorAir Galaxy 60, 60P and 85P comparison.