Best dehumidifiers
For most people, coping with humidity is neither comfortable nor pleasant. When the humidity and moisture level in your home rises, it not only creates a sticky and disagreeable atmosphere but can also be dangerous.
Excessive moisture is highly susceptible to allergens and pollutants like mildew, mold and dust mites. These air contaminants can cause severe lung problems, even more so for those who have asthma, allergies and existing pulmonary ailments.
For the safest and most comfortable conditions, the Environmental Protection Agency advises keeping household humidity in the range between 30% and 60%. A quality dehumidifier might be your best option for maintaining those agreeable levels.
How dehumidifiers work
A dehumidifier works by forcing air over coolant-filled coils to remove moisture. The condensation that collects on the coils drips into a basin or is pumped out of the device. The drier air is then expelled back into the room, reducing the humidity.
Dehumidifiers are rated according to capacity or the number of pints of moisture they can remove in 24 hours. The dampness and size of the area you want to dehumidify will determine the dehumidifier requirements.
A moderately damp area needs a unit with a 25-40 pint capacity, while an extremely damp area such as a basement or laundry room will need a device with a capacity of 40-70 pints per day, depending on the size of the area.
When selecting a dehumidifier, you should also consider the ambient temperature of the area you want to remove moisture. In a cooler area (basement), the dehumidifier removes less moisture since less is present in colder air than in warmer air.
How to select the right humidifier
A dehumidifier with a direct drain feature is a must for damper areas. Using a hose connection permits you to continuously operate a large capacity machine without dumping the captured condensation water manually.
However, the direct drain depends on the force of gravity and requires a floor-level water drain. If one is not available, opt for a dehumidifier with a pump that can push the condensation through a drain line to a higher elevation like a basement sink or nearby window.
Look for a dehumidifier that is certified by Energy Star, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. Dehumidifier energy performance is determined by the hourly moisture extracted versus the amount of energy required. Although low-level devices usually consume less power, they are often insufficient for your humidity needs.
Additional feature considerations
Thermostat: An adjustable device is a must.
Filter: A filter indicator alerts you when your filter needs cleaning.
Humidistat: An auto-humidistat can sense the moisture level in the air and automatically turn off the unit to save energy once the desired level is reached.
Cold ambient temperature: A low-temperature setting or an auto-defrost feature is essential for the dehumidifier to operate in cold temperatures as low as 41 degrees.
Power loss: An auto-reset feature restarts the dehumidifier to its previous setting after a power loss.
Water-level window: For monitoring the condensation bucket without a direct drain.
Handles: Allows easy transport of portable units to different rooms.
Before you begin your search for the ideal dehumidifier, identify the size and magnitude of your humidity issues. Purchase an inexpensive digital thermo hygrometer to measure temperature and humidity in your space. Your rooms should maintain about 45% humidity all year round. The measurements will help you determine how much moisture needs to be removed and the size of the dehumidifier required to create a comfortable environment.
If you select a unit that is too small, it will not be able to keep up. But devices that are too large will cool too fast and shut off before sufficiently dehumidifying your space, resulting in cold, damp air that creates conditions ideal for mold growth.
If your humidity issue is limited to only a few rooms in the house or occurs seasonally, a smaller portable residential unit might be your best bet. However, keep in mind that while smaller dehumidifiers cost less to purchase and are easier to move, they are usually less efficient. Select a slightly larger unit than you need, one that will run less frequently and consume less energy.
Best high-capacity dehumidifiers
Best unit with a pump
Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 50-Pint Dehumidifier: available at Amazon
Our take: The Energy Star-certified sleek design with an attractive digital display allows you to control the exact percentage of humidity while capturing up to 50 pints of moisture every day.
What we like: An active pump sends condensation water to an elevated sink or nearby window if no floor drain is available, eliminating the need to remove and empty a bucket.
What we dislike: Owners reported difficulties removing the plug from the pump socket.
Best dehumidifier for large spaces
Ivation 70-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier: available at Amazon
Our take: The device efficiently removes up to 70 pints of moisture in 24 hours, keeping spaces as large as 4,500 square feet cool and comfortable.
What we like: Eco-friendly features, intuitive LCD screen, auto-defrost sensor, optional hose connection, and an advanced filtration and evaporation system make the Energy Star dehumidifier an excellent choice for big rooms.
What we dislike: This unit is noisier than the competition and is challenging to set up.
Best affordable high-capacity dehumidifier
Honeywell 50-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier: available at Amazon
Our take: Well-suited for basements and small rooms, the Energy Star Qualified Honeywell 50-pint dehumidifier offers user-friendly features and a programmable timer that saves energy by automatically turning on or off between 30 minutes and 24 hours in advance.
What we like: An upgrade for Wi-Fi and voice-enabled control allows you to manage your home’s humidity from anywhere. Voice-command changes can be made through Amazon Alexa.
What we dislike: The small bucket needs to be emptied several times a day if the drain tube is not connected.
Best smart dehumidifier
LG PuriCare 50-Pint Pump and Wi-Fi Dehumidifier: available at Home Depot and Amazon
Our take: The LG PuriCare comes with a 12-hour timer to control dehumidification and offers continuous draining with a built-in drain pump for those who tire of emptying the condensation bucket.
What we like: The LG SmartThinQ app helps you start and stop the unit as well as monitor the bucket’s capacity. It also sends notifications to your smartphone for optimizing humidity in your home.
What we dislike: The unit is quiet with only the fan running, but it gets noisy when the compressor is turned on.
Best low-capacity dehumidifiers
Best dehumidifier for small spaces
Eva-Dry EDV-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier: available at Amazon
Our take: The thermoelectric device (no compressor), which removes 8 ounces of moisture per day, works best in laundry rooms, small bathrooms and storage spaces.
What we like: The compact unit fits on a desk or counter, consumes little power and includes an auto-shutoff feature. In addition, the lack of a compressor means it’s quieter than other small dehumidifiers.
What we dislike: The unit has a low power output and is not Energy Star-certified.
Best dehumidifier for small homes
Frigidaire Low-Humidity 22-Pint Capacity Dehumidifier: available at Amazon and Home Depot
Our take: The Energy Star certified dehumidifier is designed to operate at low temperatures (down to 41 degrees) and features an easy access front-loading bucket with a carrying handle.
What we like: For users who tire of emptying the water bucket, a continuous drain option is available to send condensation into a nearby floor drain.
What we dislike: The air intake is on the back of the unit, which does not allow the buyer to place it against a wall.
Jeff Harper is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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