Best Dehumidifiers
Pros and Cons
- Draws up to 50 pints of moisture a day.
- Can handle up to 4,500 sq.
- ft.
- of space.
- Turbo mode increases from 166 to 188 CFM to maximize drying.
- Simple comfort mode maintains humidity based on ambient temperature.
- No stated loudness rating, customers estimate 45-57 dB.
Pros and Cons
- Built-in wheels allow for convenient movement from room to room.
- Capable of handling 1,500 sq.
- ft.
- of area.
- The 46.5- to 52-dB noise level is not too obtrusive.
- Gravity drain fits standard garden hoses.
- Some concerns about longevity from customers.
Pros and Cons
- It can remove moisture from a 4500-square-foot area.
- It has a 1.7-gallon bucket but is also designed for a continuous drain setup.
- The auto-shutoff feature turns it off when the bucket is full.
- Its filter is washable and easy to remove.
- It allows for custom humidity control.
- It isn't as obvious when the Tank Full light is illuminated as some users would like.
Pros and Cons
- It can cover up to 4500 square feet.
- Its humidity setting is adjustable from 35% to 85%.
- It offers extremely quiet operation at just 47 decibels.
- It's Energy Star-certified to save up to 19% on energy compared to standard models.
- It's Wi-Fi-enabled, so it can be controlled from anywhere via the smartphone app.
- The water tank fills quickly and is somewhat awkward to empty.
Pros and Cons
- It can remove up to 30 pints of moisture daily from spaces up to 3,000 square feet.
- It has a continuous-drainage mode that reduces the need to empty the bucket.
- Its filter is washable and easy to access for cleaning.
- It has integrated side handles and rolling casters that allow it to roll from room to room.
- It's very loud when in use, so it may not be the best option for bedrooms.
Pros and Cons
- Between the 0.8-gallon tank and the included drainage hose, you can empty the tank a few times a day or set it to drain on its own.
- The 50-pint-per-day rate is enough for small living spaces with average humidity.
- Inner-threaded copper tubing is designed to outlast common aluminum coils.
- Includes a garden hose adapter.
- The included drainage hose is fairly short, so you may need to buy separate tubing to reach a drain, depending on your placement.
Pros and Cons
- It can cover up to 280 square feet.
- It is compact enough to fit on a tabletop.
- Its transparent water tank lets you see when it's full.
- The auto-shutoff feature prevents spills and leaks.
- It has a handle on the back that allows for easy carrying.
- It operates at just 28 decibels.
- Its tank is very small, so it may need to be emptied often, depending on the humidity level.
Pros and Cons
- It can keep a space up to 4,500 square feet comfortable and dry.
- Its three modes allow you to customize your home's humidity level and reduce humidity by up to 40%.
- Its 1.4-gallon bucket has a carrying handle to make it easier to empty.
- It can be connected to a garden hose for continuous draining.
- It has built-in wheels that make it easy to move.
- Its custom humidity settings can only be set in increments of 5 rather than 1, so it may not be as precise as some homes require.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
considered
researched
best dehumidifiers
Ready to buy now? Shop the best:
- Best of the Best: hOmeLabs Dehumidifier 7,500-Square-Foot 50-Pint
- Best Bang for the Buck: Midea 22-Pint Dehumidifier
- Easy to Maintain: AEOCKY 5,500 Square-Foot Energy Star Dehumidifier
- Quiet & Powerful: Midea 4,500 Square-Foot Dehumidifier
- Best for Multiple Rooms: Waykar 80-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier
- Multiple Drainage Options: AEOCKY 50-Pint/Day, 3,500-Square-Foot Ultra-Quiet 40-Decibel Dehumidifier
- Most Portable: TABYIK Small Dehumidifier
- Most Energy-Efficient: Vellgoo Efficient Energy Star Dehumidifier
Depending on where you live, humidity can range from being a minor nuisance to a destructive force. Too much humidity in your home can cause your wood to rot while it facilitates mold growth. You don't want to take any health or safety risks by purchasing an inferior dehumidifier.
The best models have a hygrometer that monitors how much moisture is in the air and automatically turns the unit on whenever those levels exceed desirable limits. You can also get a unit with a programmable timer so it only operates at designated times. An Energy Star certified dehumidifier with a high-capacity tank that is adequately sized for your room or home is ideal.
Why buy a dehumidifier?
A top-of-the-line dehumidifier is a fairly large purchase, so you might be on the fence about whether or not to buy one. If you can’t decide, here are some reasons why a dehumidifier is a smart buy.
-
Dehumidifiers decrease the likelihood of mold growth on your walls, around your windows, and in your linens and clothing.
-
Dried foods such as grains, flour, and cereal last longer in a less-humid environment.
-
Small dehumidifiers in bathrooms help towels dry and stop mold from forming around tiles — especially if you don't have a ceiling fan.
-
In the event of flooding, a powerful dehumidifier will dry your home out faster.
-
Lower humidity can curb certain allergens, such as dust mites and mildew.
-
Dehumidifiers can reduce dampness in the walls and help get rid of musty smells.
Dehumidifier considerations
Capacity
Think about how much moisture you'll need your dehumidifier to handle. Caroline says you need to purchase a dehumidifier that fits your size home and area you want to dehumidify, as well as the climate (dew point is a more reliable measure to consider than temperature).
-
Mini-capacity dehumidifiers remove 12 to 25 ounces of moisture per day. They're not designed to dehumidify whole living spaces but can be useful in bathrooms and crawl spaces.
-
Small-capacity dehumidifiers remove 20 to 30 pints of moisture per day, so they're best for small spaces that are damp but not wet.
-
Medium-capacity dehumidifiers remove 40 to 50 pints of moisture per day. Use them for medium-sized spaces or large spaces that are only slightly damp.
-
Large-capacity dehumidifiers remove up to 70 pints of moisture per day, so they can tackle large, wet spaces.
Controls
Most dehumidifiers have either a simple dial or digital controls.
Those with a dial typically allow you to choose between a few pre-set humidity levels, such as "normal," "dry," and "very dry."
Those with digital controls allow for much greater precision when selecting a humidity level.
Timer
Many dehumidifiers have timers, letting you set the time of day you want the unit to switch itself on.
This is useful if you want the appliance to run while you're out of the house, switch itself on at night when your electricity use is lower, or if you're simply likely to forget to turn it on.
Tank size
All that moisture removed from the air has to go somewhere — and that somewhere is a tank inside the unit.
Each model is rated for a different cubic feet per minute (CFM) based on the capacity of the dehumidifier, explains Caroline. The greater the capacity of the dehumidifier, the greater the overall CFM of the dehumidifier.
Tanks range in size from around 10 to 75 pints and need to be emptied when full.
The larger the tank, the less often you'll need to empty it, but the heavier it will be when it's full of water.
Noise level
Dehumidifiers aren't the quietest appliances.
Medium- and large-capacity units tend to produce about 55 to 67 decibels when running at full power.
Small-capacity dehumidifiers are quieter but still far from silent.
If you're going to be using the unit in your bedroom at night, look for models with lower noise levels.
Dehumidifier tips
Make the most of your dehumidifier, and deal with dampness and humidity in your home, with these tips.
-
Using a dehumidifier in a dirty room can spread dust and clog the air filter if your unit has one. Vacuum before you use your dehumidifier for the first time. Keep any spaces in which you regularly use a dehumidifier well-vacuumed and dusted.
-
Don’t block the input or output. Station your dehumidifier at least an inch or two from walls, curtains, and furniture.
-
Washing and drying clothes indoors releases a lot of moisture into the air. Placed near your laundry space, a dehumidifier can make a positive difference in humidity.
-
Dehumidifiers can help with dampness, but they won't fix the root cause. Unless your home’s dampness is caused by living in a humid area, it's worth getting an expert to check that you don't have a problem like leaky pipes.
Dehumidifier prices
The main factor affecting the price of a dehumidifier is its capacity. However, it's worth noting that price doesn't necessarily equal quality with dehumidifiers. Just because a unit is expensive doesn't mean it's good. Consult expert and customer reviews to find out whether a specific model is worth its price.
Mini-capacity
A mini-capacity dehumidifier that can remove 12 to 25 ounces per day can cost as little as $30 to $50.
Small-capacity
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For a small-capacity dehumidifier capable of tackling up to 30 pints of moisture per day, expect to pay $100 to $150.
Medium-capacity
A medium-capacity dehumidifier that removes up to 50 pints of moisture per day costs around $150 to $200.
Large-capacity
Expect to pay roughly $180 to $300 for a large-capacity dehumidifier that can tackle up to 70 pints per day.
FAQ
Q. Do I need a dehumidifier with a hose connection?
A. A dehumidifier with a hose connection allows you to divert the collected water directly to a drain or sink so you don't have to empty the tank. This can be useful if you're running your unit in a basement with a floor drain or sink — or if the dehumidifier is in a practical location to divert the water straight out of the window into an outside drain or onto your lawn.
Not everyone needs a dehumidifier with a hose connection, but some people find it’s an invaluable feature.
Q. Will a dehumidifier help with my allergies?
A. Running a dehumidifier can help reduce certain indoor allergens. Some allergens — such as mold and dust mites — need a humid environment to thrive. Keeping the humidity in your home below 50% will help reduce allergens.
Q. What is a humidistat?
A. A humidistat tests the humidity in the air, so the dehumidifier can maintain the level you've selected. For instance, if you set a dehumidifier to maintain a room at 50% humidity, the humidistat can tell when the humidity drops to 50% or below, at which point the dehumidifier will switch itself off.
Q. How do I maintain my dehumidifier?
A. You don't need to do much to keep a dehumidifier in good working order. Just make sure you clean the air filter about once a month, empty the tank every one to two days, and occasionally clean the tank to stop the build-up of limescale or bacteria.
best dehumidifiers
Ready to buy now? Shop the best:
- Best of the Best: hOmeLabs Dehumidifier 7,500-Square-Foot 50-Pint
- Best Bang for the Buck: Midea 22-Pint Dehumidifier
- Easy to Maintain: AEOCKY 5,500 Square-Foot Energy Star Dehumidifier
- Quiet & Powerful: Midea 4,500 Square-Foot Dehumidifier
- Best for Multiple Rooms: Waykar 80-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier
- Multiple Drainage Options: AEOCKY 50-Pint/Day, 3,500-Square-Foot Ultra-Quiet 40-Decibel Dehumidifier
- Most Portable: TABYIK Small Dehumidifier
- Most Energy-Efficient: Vellgoo Efficient Energy Star Dehumidifier
Depending on where you live, humidity can range from being a minor nuisance to a destructive force. Too much humidity in your home can cause your wood to rot while it facilitates mold growth. You don't want to take any health or safety risks by purchasing an inferior dehumidifier.
The best models have a hygrometer that monitors how much moisture is in the air and automatically turns the unit on whenever those levels exceed desirable limits. You can also get a unit with a programmable timer so it only operates at designated times. An Energy Star certified dehumidifier with a high-capacity tank that is adequately sized for your room or home is ideal.
Why buy a dehumidifier?
A top-of-the-line dehumidifier is a fairly large purchase, so you might be on the fence about whether or not to buy one. If you can’t decide, here are some reasons why a dehumidifier is a smart buy.
-
Dehumidifiers decrease the likelihood of mold growth on your walls, around your windows, and in your linens and clothing.
-
Dried foods such as grains, flour, and cereal last longer in a less-humid environment.
-
Small dehumidifiers in bathrooms help towels dry and stop mold from forming around tiles — especially if you don't have a ceiling fan.
-
In the event of flooding, a powerful dehumidifier will dry your home out faster.
-
Lower humidity can curb certain allergens, such as dust mites and mildew.
-
Dehumidifiers can reduce dampness in the walls and help get rid of musty smells.
Dehumidifier considerations
Capacity
Think about how much moisture you'll need your dehumidifier to handle. Caroline says you need to purchase a dehumidifier that fits your size home and area you want to dehumidify, as well as the climate (dew point is a more reliable measure to consider than temperature).
-
Mini-capacity dehumidifiers remove 12 to 25 ounces of moisture per day. They're not designed to dehumidify whole living spaces but can be useful in bathrooms and crawl spaces.
-
Small-capacity dehumidifiers remove 20 to 30 pints of moisture per day, so they're best for small spaces that are damp but not wet.
-
Medium-capacity dehumidifiers remove 40 to 50 pints of moisture per day. Use them for medium-sized spaces or large spaces that are only slightly damp.
-
Large-capacity dehumidifiers remove up to 70 pints of moisture per day, so they can tackle large, wet spaces.
Controls
Most dehumidifiers have either a simple dial or digital controls.
Those with a dial typically allow you to choose between a few pre-set humidity levels, such as "normal," "dry," and "very dry."
Those with digital controls allow for much greater precision when selecting a humidity level.
Timer
Many dehumidifiers have timers, letting you set the time of day you want the unit to switch itself on.
This is useful if you want the appliance to run while you're out of the house, switch itself on at night when your electricity use is lower, or if you're simply likely to forget to turn it on.
Tank size
All that moisture removed from the air has to go somewhere — and that somewhere is a tank inside the unit.
Each model is rated for a different cubic feet per minute (CFM) based on the capacity of the dehumidifier, explains Caroline. The greater the capacity of the dehumidifier, the greater the overall CFM of the dehumidifier.
Tanks range in size from around 10 to 75 pints and need to be emptied when full.
The larger the tank, the less often you'll need to empty it, but the heavier it will be when it's full of water.
Noise level
Dehumidifiers aren't the quietest appliances.
Medium- and large-capacity units tend to produce about 55 to 67 decibels when running at full power.
Small-capacity dehumidifiers are quieter but still far from silent.
If you're going to be using the unit in your bedroom at night, look for models with lower noise levels.
Dehumidifier tips
Make the most of your dehumidifier, and deal with dampness and humidity in your home, with these tips.
-
Using a dehumidifier in a dirty room can spread dust and clog the air filter if your unit has one. Vacuum before you use your dehumidifier for the first time. Keep any spaces in which you regularly use a dehumidifier well-vacuumed and dusted.
-
Don’t block the input or output. Station your dehumidifier at least an inch or two from walls, curtains, and furniture.
-
Washing and drying clothes indoors releases a lot of moisture into the air. Placed near your laundry space, a dehumidifier can make a positive difference in humidity.
-
Dehumidifiers can help with dampness, but they won't fix the root cause. Unless your home’s dampness is caused by living in a humid area, it's worth getting an expert to check that you don't have a problem like leaky pipes.
Dehumidifier prices
The main factor affecting the price of a dehumidifier is its capacity. However, it's worth noting that price doesn't necessarily equal quality with dehumidifiers. Just because a unit is expensive doesn't mean it's good. Consult expert and customer reviews to find out whether a specific model is worth its price.
Mini-capacity
A mini-capacity dehumidifier that can remove 12 to 25 ounces per day can cost as little as $30 to $50.
Small-capacity
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For a small-capacity dehumidifier capable of tackling up to 30 pints of moisture per day, expect to pay $100 to $150.
Medium-capacity
A medium-capacity dehumidifier that removes up to 50 pints of moisture per day costs around $150 to $200.
Large-capacity
Expect to pay roughly $180 to $300 for a large-capacity dehumidifier that can tackle up to 70 pints per day.
FAQ
Q. Do I need a dehumidifier with a hose connection?
A. A dehumidifier with a hose connection allows you to divert the collected water directly to a drain or sink so you don't have to empty the tank. This can be useful if you're running your unit in a basement with a floor drain or sink — or if the dehumidifier is in a practical location to divert the water straight out of the window into an outside drain or onto your lawn.
Not everyone needs a dehumidifier with a hose connection, but some people find it’s an invaluable feature.
Q. Will a dehumidifier help with my allergies?
A. Running a dehumidifier can help reduce certain indoor allergens. Some allergens — such as mold and dust mites — need a humid environment to thrive. Keeping the humidity in your home below 50% will help reduce allergens.
Q. What is a humidistat?
A. A humidistat tests the humidity in the air, so the dehumidifier can maintain the level you've selected. For instance, if you set a dehumidifier to maintain a room at 50% humidity, the humidistat can tell when the humidity drops to 50% or below, at which point the dehumidifier will switch itself off.
Q. How do I maintain my dehumidifier?
A. You don't need to do much to keep a dehumidifier in good working order. Just make sure you clean the air filter about once a month, empty the tank every one to two days, and occasionally clean the tank to stop the build-up of limescale or bacteria.
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