It’s never too early to start thinking about purchasing a dehumidifier, and hot weather isn’t the only reason to invest in one.
Today’s dehumidifiers come in all shapes, sizes and tank capacities. To help you navigate the many choices that are out there and determine the best dehumidifier for your space, we spoke to experts about the benefits of dehumidifiers, the different types available and what to consider when shopping for one. We also rounded up highly rated options based on their expert guidance.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best dehumidifiers | The best dehumidifiers | How to shop for a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers reduce the humidity levels in your home, because with high humidity comes moisture, which can do serious damage if not addressed. According to Chris Koehner, owner of Halo Heating & Cooling, too much moisture can cause doors to stick, create a musty smell in the air and even lead to mold and mildew, which in turn can trigger allergies or hinder people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. To avoid this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping humidity levels in your home as low as possible — no higher than 50%.
According to our experts, an air conditioner alone will not solve the problem of high humidity levels. “It can only work as a dehumidifier when it’s on,” says Koehner, “but even when it’s on, it’s not running continuously.”
Selected.Our top picks
Biggest splurge
$1,135.85
$1,199.00
Learn more
Related
select
selectIndoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air — here’s what to do about it
Although the Department of Energy says the two primary performance ratings for dehumidifiers are capacity and energy efficiency — the DOE defines capacity as the amount of water a dehumidifier can remove in 24 hours, and energy efficiency as how many liters of water a dehumidifier can remove per kilowatt-hour of energy consumed — our experts recommend also keeping in mind the following factors when choosing a high-quality dehumidifier:
- Energy Star certification. Our experts recommend choosing a dehumidifier that has the Energy Star seal of approval because they use 15% less energy than non-certified models.
- Noise. If you are placing your dehumidifier in a highly trafficked area of your home, you want to opt for a unit that is quiet, our experts say. They recommend looking for a unit that is between 53dB and 60dB, adding that for a basem*nt or garage, you could expand your search to one that has a noise level of up to 65dB.
- Tank capacity. The dehumidifier’s water tank is also often referred to as the condensation collection bucket. Obviously, the larger the tank size, the better, unless the unit has a pump that automatically drains out the water. Otherwise, you will need to remove the tank and empty it each time it fills up, so a larger tank will reduce the times you need to go through this process.
- Moisture removal capacity. The moisture removal capacity is the amount of water a dehumidifier can extract in a 24-hour period. Our experts recommend the following pint capacities per square foot (the smaller pint size for each square footage is based on an 50% to 60% humidity level; the larger pint size is based on an 80% to 90% humidity level):
- 400-square-foot room: 20-30 pints
- 600-square-foot room: 25-40 pints
- 800-square-foot room: 35-50 pints
- 1,200-square-foot room: 50-60 pints
- Portability. Many dehumidifiers come with handles and omni-directional caster wheels so you can move them easily from room to room or into storage. Our experts also recommend checking the weight of the unit, as residential units most commonly range between 45 and 75 pounds.
- Removable air filter. When air enters a dehumidifier, a filter cleans the air by trapping any debris. When the air filter is clogged, it can reduce the unit’s performance, so regular cleaning is important. That’s where a removable air filter makes a big difference, says experts.
- Auto shutoff. The last thing you want is your dehumidifier to overflow, says our experts. An auto shutoff automatically turns off the unit when the water tank is full — and will also shut off when your space reaches the proper humidity level, saving on energy costs.
- Reviews. Koehner and certified mold inspector Jennifer Nitrio of Mold Help For You agree that you should rely on reviews when shopping for a dehumidifier, adding that a good product should have mostly 4- to 5-star reviews. “Go with a company that has been making that type of product for a long time and has a track record,” Nitrio said.
To help you find the right dehumidifier for your needs, we turned to the experts for shopping tips and sought out highly rated options based on their guidance. All of our dehumidifier recommendations come in multiple tank sizes for various-sized rooms, and all but one have the Energy Star seal of approval, which means the organization has determined that it removes moisture using less energy than a similarly sized conventional unit.
Best overall dehumidifier:Honeywell 70-Pint Smart Dehumidifier
What we like
- Drain hose included
- Paired app
- Smart tech settings
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
This Honeywell smart dehumidifier removes up to 70 pints of moisture daily from medium to large rooms such as basem*nts, dens and storage rooms, says the brand. It includes a drain hose for continuous drain operation and automatically senses room moisture levels and activates dehumidification to maintain desired humidity levels. Wi-Fi connected with Amazon Alexa voice control, — a 2.5 GHz connection is required — it lets you monitor humidity in your home through the Smart Dehumidifier App. It’s also compatible with Apple iOS9.0 (or later) and Android version 4.3 (or later).
Moisture removal capacity: 70 pints | Tank capacity: 7 pints | Max. recommended room size: 3,000 sq ft | Weight: 35.2 pounds | Noise level: 50dB | Auto shutoff: Yes | Removable water filter: Yes | Drain Pump: Yes | Wheels: Yes
Best dehumidifier for small rooms: Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier
What we like
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Long-lasting
Something to note
- No auto-restart feature
Nitrio says she’s become more impressed with the Frigidaire dehumidifier line. “I would suggest this dehumidifier as a good alternative to the Danby if it’s not in stock,” she says. “It’s easy to clean, and it’s a workhorse. It’s really robust in a high-humidity area, and it has the continuous drain option.” It’s also easy to move around, with caster wheels and side handles. The only caveat, she says, is that it does not have the auto restart feature.
Moisture removal capacity: 50 pints | Tank capacity: 2.1 gal | Max. recommended room size: 2,500 sq ft | Weight: 44 pounds | Noise level: 47dB. | Auto shutoff: Yes | Removable water filter: Yes | Drain Pump: Yes | Wheels: Yes
Best value dehumidifier: Midea 22-pint dehumidifier
What we like
- Affordable
- Smart app pairing
- Two drainage methods
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
NBC Select staff-favorite brand Midea’s 22-pint dehumidifier has a 4.3-star average rating from 14,850 reviews on Amazon and was awarded Energy Star’s “Most Efficient 2023” designation, which the Environmental Protection Agency says “recognizes products that deliver cutting-edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation.” It removes up to 22 pints of moisture a day and has an adjustable humidity setting from 35% to 85%, says the brand. There’s an auto restart in case the power goes out, a digital control panel, along with handles and 360-degree caster wheels for easy portability. The unit automatically stops when the water tank is full, or you can connect a drainage hose to it, but it’s not included.
Moisture removal capacity: 22 pints | Tank capacity: 0.8 gal | Max. recommended room size: 1,500 sq ft | Weight: 33.29 pounds | Noise level: 46.5dB | Auto shutoff: Yes | Removable water filter: Yes | Drain Pump: Not included | Wheels: Yes
Best splurge dehumidifier:BlueDri BD-BD-130-BL Industrial Commercial Dehumidifier
What we like
- High removal capacity
- Includes long drain hose
Something to note
- Not Energy Star certified
- Pricier
If you’re on the lookout for a heavy-duty dehumidifier for larger projects, then the BlueDri should be a top choice, says Nitrio. “There isn’t a place this [machine] can’t dehumidify,” she said. “It also comes equipped with temperature sensors, automatic water pumps and a high-tech digital panel.” Though this dehumidifier isn’t Energy Star certified, the brand says its efficient rotary compression helps extract up to 225 pints of water per day, more than double the amount of typical dehumidifiers. It can also dry up to 4,000 square feet and includes a 38-foot drain hose that can automatically pump water up to 16 feet in height so you can direct water out of a window if necessary.
Moisture removal capacity: 225 pints | Tank capacity: N/A | Max. recommended room size: 4,000 sq ft | Weight: 103 pounds | Noise level: NA | Auto shutoff: No | Removable water filter: Yes | Drain Pump: Yes | Wheels: Yes
Best dehumidifier for large spaces: Black + Decker 4500 Square Foot Dehumidifier
What we like
- Compact
- Easy to move
- LED display
Something to note
- Lower moisture removal amount
If you’re looking for a dehumidifier for your basem*nt or another larger space, this option from Black and Decker may be just what you need. It’s Energy Star-certified and can remove up to 50 pints of water a day, according to the brand. It has a built-in indicator light and alert system that notifies you when the drain is full, and also comes with a 3.28 foot drain hose, for continuous draining. The dehumidifier is also adjustable via the top-mounted control panel — the brand says that you can adjust the humidistat anywhere from 35-80% using the LED digital display. This model is also available in a version with a pump, and has a 4.3-star average rating from 1,076 reviews on Amazon.
Moisture removal capacity: 50 pints | Tank capacity: 1.8 gal | Max. recommended room size: 4,500 sq ft | Weight: 41.1 pounds | Noise level: NA | Auto shutoff: No | Removable water filter: Yes | Drain Pump: No | Wheels: Yes
Related
select
selectYou should be vacuuming every week. Here's how to do it without lifting a finger
Once you’ve determined the humidity level in a space is above 50% and needs to be addressed, there are a number of things to consider when shopping for a dehumidifier. Experts recommend keeping the following in mind:
Know the size of your space. Dehumidifiers are sized by the square footage of your space and by how many pints of fluid they can remove per day, so knowing the size of the space you’re working with, as well as the humidity level, is the first step to determining which dehumidifier is best for your needs.
Look for a built-in humidistat. Some dehumidifiers require considerably less maintenance than others given their features. “Ideally, shoppers should look for a model that has a built-in humidistat, which not only measures the relative humidity but also controls it automatically,” Nitrio said. “This takes the guesswork out of whether or not you need to turn your dehumidifier on or off.”
Opt for these standout features. In addition to a handy built-in humidistat, Nitrio recommends looking for some other standout features, including:
- An adjustable thermostat
- An automatic timer shutoff or restart when it’s needed so you don’t have to constantly check the humidity
- A defrost mode on a refrigerant dehumidifier so the coils don’t freeze in lower temperatures
- Water-level windows to monitor the bucket as it fills
- Direct-to-drain installation compatibility so you don’t have to manually empty water that collects in the machine’s reservoir
- A filter-change indicator light
- Handles and rotational wheels for easy transport from room to room
Make sure it’s energy efficient or carries the Energy Star seal of approval. Koehner warned against any model that isn’t isn’t energy efficient, especially if you’ll be running it throughout the day and night. “Dehumidifiers can increase energy usage and drive your electricity bill up,” he said.
Frequently asked questions
According to experts, below are three equally important reasons to invest in a dehumidifier:
- To prevent mold
- To help reduce indoor pollutants, which can trigger allergies
- To preserve building materials by protecting them from dampness and damage (think buckling floorboards and rotting support beams)
Although the problem may start with humidity in a bathroom, says Koehner, it could eventually spread into your bedroom and closets, too. “It’s important to understand humidity’s wicking effect,” he explains. “When you drop a paper towel onto a spill, it wicks the liquid, pulling it into the sheet. That’s a great visual for how humidity works in your home — it doesn’t stay in one room.”
“The ideal scenario is to have a smart thermostat that has a humidity sensor built right in,” says Derek Anneser, HVAC sales engineer for HTS , a full-service HVAC distributor in North America. But for those who don’t, he says the easiest way to measure the humidity level in your home is by using a hygrometer, which can be purchased for about $10 from retailers like Walmart or Amazon , Lowe’s or Home Depot . “If it says your humidity level is above 50%, you know you gotta kick it down,” says Anneser.
According to the experts we consulted, a common mistake shoppers make is buying the wrong size unit. While some go with a smaller dehumidifier because it’s cheaper, they quickly learn that they need to invest in a second option in order to get the job done. There are also those who assume oversized units will give better results and go with one that’s too aggressive.
“Units that are too small can’t keep up, but units that are too large have a different problem: They cool too fast, making them shut off before dehumidifying enough,” Koehner explained. “You get cold, damp air. That creates a recipe for mold.”
It may be tempting to just buy a unit and put it on the highest setting, but this can actually cause more issues, say experts. “An incorrect setting can actually lead to mold growth in the dehumidifier, in addition to not removing enough moisture or removing too much moisture from the air,” Nitrio explained, adding that the ideal range for a home dehumidifier is between 30% and 50%.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Chris Koehner is the owner of Halo Heating & Cooling in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Jennifer Nitrio is a certified mold inspector from the International Association of Certified Mold Inspectors and the owner of Mold Help For You.
- Derek Anneser is an HVAC sales engineer at HTS, a full-service HVAC distributor in North America.
Barbara Booth has published several guides on home appliances at Select, including best countertop dishwashers, best humidifiers, best mini fridges and best portable washing machines.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering, skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more.
For this piece, Barbara interviewed three experts and researched dozens of dehumidifiers on the market. We included dehumidifiers recommended by experts, along with those that are highly rated and meet expert shopping guidance.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
Barbara Booth
Barbara Booth is a former CNBC reporter whose work spans a wide range of business and social topics, including work/life issues, international business and personal finance. In addition to CNBC, her work has been seen in USA Today, Huffington Post, Yahoo Finance, HerMoney, and for various television news programs including the Nightly Business Report.
Ashley Morris
contributed
.
