Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, creating a more comfortable and breathable environment. They also help reduce household health risks by limiting the conditions where bacteria, dust, and other allergens thrive.
Whether you’re looking to lower humidity levels or improve air quality, our team has you covered. We evaluated a number of top-selling models by comparing their features, performance aspects, and customer ratings. Then, we whittled the list down to the five best dehumidifiers on the market. Our selection includes high-quality options for every budget, room size, and climate.
Below, you’ll find in-depth reviews of each dehumidifier, an expert’s dehumidifier buying guide, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Top 5 Dehumidifiers
- Ivation Dehumidifier: Best Large Pump-Style Dehumidifier
- hOmeLabs Dehumidifier: Best Large Hoseless Dehumidifier
- Pro Breeze Mini Dehumidifier: Best Dehumidifier For Small Rooms
- Vacplus Moisture Absorber Boxes: Best Disposable Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Renewable Dehumidifier: Best Rechargeable Dehumidifier
Compare Top Dehumidifiers
| Product | Area Covered | Tank Capacity | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ivation DehumidifierCheck Price | 4,500 sq. feet | 2.6 gallons | 45.4 pounds | 11.1 x 15.28 x 23.5 inches |
hOmeLabs DehumidifierCheck Price | 4,500 sq. feet | 1.6 gallons | 40 pounds | 11.9 x 15.4 x 24.4 inches |
Pro Breeze Mini DehumidifierCheck Price | 225 sq. feet | 16 ounces | 2.4 pounds | 6 x 6 x 8.5 inches |
Vacplus Moisture Absorber BoxesCheck Price | Not listed | 300 milliliters | 10.5 ounces | 9.5 x 6.2 x 8.6 inches |
Eva-Dry Renewable DehumidifierCheck Price | 333 cu. feet | 6 ounces | 1.2 pounds | 9 x 8.25 x 2.88 inches |
Best Large Pump-Style Dehumidifier
Ivation Dehumidifier
This dehumidifier has several features that make it stand out from the other models. It has a control panel to set the fan, timer, and humidity level. Its 2.25-gallon water tank features a handle to carry it to and from the sink. If you don’t want to manually empty the tank, you can use the included pump to drain the water.
Pros and Cons of Ivation Dehumidifier
- Comes with a washable air filter
- Has a control panel with displays and buttons for various settings
- Can see how much water is in the tank with the transparent viewing window
- Has a high price tag from all of the advanced features
- Runs loudly
What People Are Saying About The Ivation Dehumidifier
Customers who liked this dehumidifier said that it was easy to use, effectively lowering the humidity level in a large room with minimal effort. Some users also liked how easy it was to maintain with the washable filter, automatic pump, and other features. Some reviewers did mention, though, that it leaked water and made a lot of noise.
Best Large Hoseless Dehumidifier
hOmeLabs Dehumidifier
Though this dehumidifier comes with a drain hose connection in case you want to automatically drain the removed water into a nearby sink, it doesn’t come with the pump or hose. Instead, it collects the water in a 1.6-gallon tank that you have to empty to get the device to remove its rated 50 pints of water per day.
Pros and Cons of hOmeLabs Dehumidifier
- Includes an automatic shut-off feature for when the tank is full
- Has a turbo mode for increased fan speed and moisture removal
- Available in other models that filter more or less water and come with or without a pump
- Doesn’t work in the same room as an evaporative cooler
- Requires a separate purchase if you want to drain it with a garden hose
What People Are Saying About The hOmeLabs Dehumidifier
Many customers were able to remove moisture from their air in just hours after this dehumidifier arrived, as it was easy to assemble and fast-working. They also mentioned its durable construction. However, other users said that it had several design flaws, which caused it to stop working after minimal use.
Best Dehumidifier For Small Rooms
Pro Breeze Mini Dehumidifier
If you’re looking for an affordable small dehumidifier for a small room that your air conditioner doesn’t seem to reach, we recommend this model. It can remove up to nine ounces of water per day, but its tank holds up to 16 ounces, so you don’t have to empty it every few hours.
Pros and Cons of Pro Breeze Mini Dehumidifier
- Contains an LED indicator that signals when the tank is full
- Weighs 2.4 pounds for portability
- Has an extremely low noise level
- Doesn’t work optimally in temperatures outside of 59-86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Has a small 16-ounce water tank
What People Are Saying About The Pro Breeze Mini Dehumidifier
Happy customers said that this model ran quietly and reduced condensation effectively. They also liked its compact size that made it easy to move from room to room. Alternatively, unhappy customers thought that it had a weak motor because it took a long time to remove moisture and got hot to the touch.
Best Disposable Dehumidifier
Vacplus Moisture Absorber Boxes
An alternative to traditional electric-powered dehumidifiers, these moisture absorber boxes contain spherical calcium chloride to attract and trap excess moisture. The boxes come in a pack of six, so users can place them in multiple areas around the house.
Pros and Cons of Vacplus Moisture Absorber Boxes
- Doesn’t require any maintenance or adjustments
- Fragrance-free
- Can see how much water each box has collected
- The boxes aren’t reusable
- Although not listed, the boxes have a limited area of operation
What People Are Saying About The Vacplus Moisture Absorber Boxes
Positively, customers valued the moisture absorber boxes’ simplicity and ease of use. They added that the boxes were effective for smaller spaces such as closets or vehicles. Conversely, according to some unhappy customers, the boxes didn’t absorb much moisture in large, open spaces. Additionally, a few users thought that the boxes were too flimsy.
Best Rechargeable Dehumidifier
Eva-Dry Renewable Dehumidifier
This compact and portable dehumidifier is meant for closets, cars, or other small, humid spaces. It absorbs six ounces of water in rooms up to 333 cubic feet. Once it fills with water or dies, you can recharge the unit after seeing the indicator light go on.
Pros and Cons of Eva-Dry Renewable Dehumidifier
- Absorbs musty odors
- Comes with a long five-year warranty
- Fits inconspicuously in closets and cabinets
- Doesn’t work in rooms that are larger than 333 cubic feet
- Holds only six ounces of water
What People Are Saying About The Eva-Dry Renewable Dehumidifier
Positive reviews mentioned this device’s low-maintenance, long-lasting design. Customers also liked that it prevented mildew growth. Some users were dissatisfied with its performance, stating that it overheated or didn’t work at all.
Dehumidifier Buying Guide
We created this buying guide to help you understand the benefits and workings of a dehumidifier. The information below can help you make an informed purchase.
Dehumidifier Capacity
A dehumidifier’s capacity is measured by the amount of water it can remove from the air in a set amount of time, typically 24 hours. A dehumidifier with a large capacity can treat a larger room.
If your home is moderately humid, here are some general guidelines for how dehumidifier capacity lines up with room size:
- 30-pint dehumidifier for 500 to 2,000 square feet
- 50-pint dehumidifier for 2,000 to 2,500 square feet
- 70-pint dehumidifier for 2,5000 to 3,000 square feet
If your room has a humidity level above 70%, size up. For example, choose a 50-pint dehumidifier for a 1,000-square-foot room that’s at 80% humidity.
Dehumidifier Tank Size
The tank collects the moisture that the dehumidifier draws from the air. The tank usually holds one or 2 gallons of water, so you have to empty it several times throughout the day to ensure that the dehumidifier can continue running up to its rated pint capacity. The tank size you need for your dehumidifier depends on the area you want to control. Rooms with more square footage, such as basements or living rooms, may require a larger tank size, while smaller-capacity dehumidifiers may work fine for bedrooms, bathrooms, or laundry rooms.
Select dehumidifiers, especially larger ones, have a garden hose connection that automatically feeds the water into a nearby floor drain, sump pump, or bathroom sink.
Control
With some dehumidifiers, you simply turn them on to get them going. Others feature dials, buttons, or other controls to customize their operation. For example, you can set the dehumidifier to only pull moisture from the air until your room reaches your desired humidity level.
Noise
The compressors that dehumidifiers use to suck the moisture out of the air tend to be fairly noisy. If a quiet-running dehumidifier is a priority, look for a model advertised as quiet. Some manufacturers may list the decibels at which the unit operates.
Smart Features
Some smart dehumidifiers come with Wi-Fi connectivity and can connect to smart home assistants like Google Home or Amazon Alexa. These dehumidifiers allow you to control various settings through a mobile app or voice control.
Dehumidifier Benefits
Besides providing a comfortable living or working environment, a dehumidifier offers two other primary benefits.
- Protects items: High humidity can warp wood floors, cabinets, and other items. You don’t want moisture to collect in your electronic devices, either.
- Removes bacteria: Bacteria, dust mites, and other harmful microorganisms thrive in high humidity. As your dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air, they die.
- Reduces energy usage: Using a dehumidifier can make your home more energy-efficient by reducing the cost of heating. Look for an Energy Star-certified dehumidifier to ensure you’re conserving energy.
How Does a Dehumidifier Work?
To give you a better understanding of how a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, our experts created this step-by-step outline.
- The process begins when the dehumidifier’s fan brings in the warm, moist air from your home.
- The air passes over a series of pipes that are cooled by refrigerant.
- As the pipes cool the air, the moisture is pulled from it, dripping down into the water collection tank.
- The dehumidifier reheats the dry air to its original temperature using an electric heater before blowing it back into the room.
- As the dehumidifier pulls water from the air, a plastic float rises with the water in the collection tank.
- Once the tank reaches capacity, the float trips a switch that shuts off the fan.
- Before the dehumidifier can start again, you need to empty the tank.
Dehumidifier FAQs
Is it safe to run a dehumidifier constantly?
To be effective, a dehumidifier needs to run for an extended period of time. You can leave it running until the automatic switch detects that the water tank is full and turns off the motor.
When should I turn off my dehumidifier?
You don’t need to run your dehumidifier if your home is between 30% and 50% humidity. Instead of manually checking to see when you reach that level, you can usually set your dehumidifier to turn off automatically.
What is a whole-house dehumidifier?
The type of dehumidifier that you’re buying online only works in a small space. However, if you live in an area that’s hot and humid throughout the year, a whole-house dehumidifier may be a better option. It connects to your HVAC system and pulls moisture from the air whenever the system runs.
Consult an HVAC technician if this sounds like the solution for you.
Is it worth using a dehumidifier?
If you live in a notably humid area, it’s worth investing in a dehumidifier if you wish to make things around you drier. Additionally, some dehumidifiers, such as compact, portable models, tend to be fairly inexpensive.
If you wish to dehumidify your entire home, the unit will be pricier, but worth the investment if your home doesn’t have air conditioning.
What’s the difference between a dehumidifier and a humidifier?
While a dehumidifier increases air quality by pulling water out of the air, the best humidifier adds moisture to the air when the air is too dry.
Our Methodology
To provide our readers with the best product recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of products with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products for the home, from doorbell cameras and dining room decor to circular saws and snow blowers.
Once we conclude the research and testing phases, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.