Best Dehumidifier Reviews 2023

Before getting started on the price of dehumidifiers, it is important to know if you need a dehumidifier or a humidifier. While both a dehumidifier and humidifier help improve the quality of air in your home, the difference lies in how they function. A dehumidifier basically is designed to remove the excess moisture in humid environments, whereas a humidifier adds moisture to the air if your room is dry. Adding to this, both units can potentially eliminate respiratory ailments such as chest congestion and asthma, but a humidifier will do a better job at moisturizing your passage and airways when you’re suffering from sinus and chest congestions.

A hygrometer is a device that can be used to measure the humidity in your home, and it’s rather inexpensive at Amazon, many available for just under $10. The ideal humidity level in your space should be between 40%-50%, and lower than 40% RH to avoid condensation in the winter months. The size or capacity of a dehumidifier plays a crucial role towards the price, and it is rated as pints of moisture eradicated per 24 hours or day. So for example, a 30 pint dehumidifier is basically a model that is designed to eliminate 30 pints of total moisture per day.

This pint capacity loosely indicates the square footage area the particular unit is best suited for, so it is important to know the area and the individual room conditions (slightly damp, moderately damp, very damp and wet) when shopping for the right model. A 30 point capacity standalone dehumidifier is a good fit for moderately dry basements or crawl spaces of up to 1500 feet.

If your room is really damp and the area shows clear signs of excess moisture such as damp stains, musty odors and visible mold growth, then you will have to go big with a 40 to 50 pint rated dehumidifier. The largest dehumidifiers can collect up to 90 pints of liquid per day and they are best suited for areas that are larger than 2000 square feet regardless of the conditions and level of humidity. So basically the bigger the dehumidifier and the more features, the higher the price tag.

Apart from coverage area, capacity, and type of humidity problem, dehumidifiers can be had with a wide range of features such as easy to adjust control panel, digital humidistat, full bucket overflow protection, programmable timer, continuous drainage options and castor wheels. Look for energy efficient models such as class leading De’Longhi dehumidifiers that dehumidify at the same level as traditional models only use 10 to 20 percent less energy.

And in order to do your part towards the environment, consider buying a dehumidifier that uses the eco-friendly refrigerant R410A. Many, if not all, dehumidifier models specify the collection reservoir capacity and this is for good reason. Simply put, if you’re looking for a low maintenance dehumidifier, one that you don’t have to empty often, consider a model with a large capacity reservoir.

It might not matter what a dehumidifier looks like, but it really should because regardless of its size, it is going to occupy a prominent space in your home. With regards to aesthetics, dehumidifiers can be had in a choice of several different colors and finishes, with the most common being glossy and matte.

A dehumidifier is similar to a portable air conditioner, and is fitted with more or less the same parts, which needless to say aren’t exactly lightweight. These parts include the compressor, evaporator so the first thing you’ll want to check is portability of the unit especially if you’re going to be moving it around the house or down a flight of stairs. The weight of each unit directly relates to its pint capacity, where a 70 pint model weighs roughly 70lbs and a 30 pint unit roughly 30bs.

Good news is that most if not all dehumidifiers are fitted with a handle on the top and two on the side. But our research indicates that it is much easier to pick up a dehumidifier with a top handle than it is with the two side pocket handles. Given that most models are heavy and bulky, it is also a good idea to check the quality of the wheels, as this is an area where cheap dehumidifiers suffer the most, and provide pegs instead of castors.

There are several different types of dehumidifiers available, all divided into three main categories – small, medium, large and whole house capacity. Small capacity dehumidifiers are designed to remove roughly 30 pints of excess moisture per day and are best suited for small, damp spaces. Next up, medium capacity dehumidifiers can remove about 50 pints of moisture per day, and are a great choice for damp medium to large size spaces.

And lastly, large capacity dehumidifiers can remove and upwards of 75 pints of moisture per day, and are mostly used to treat a wider range of humidity problems from excessively wet to damp conditions. Whole house humidifiers are the big boys that are generally integrated with your home’s HVAC system, and can dehumidify spaces measuring upwards of 3000 feet. Often referred to as single room dehumidifiers, is it highly important to consider power efficiency when shopping for the best dehumidifier.

Most models have a bucket that can collect water and must be emptied when it fills up, but there are others that can be set to automatically drain as long as you set them near a drain, and are best fits for basements that have floor drains already installed. Many dehumidifiers are equipped with a humidistat, which is basically a device that’s allows you to “set it and forget it” or set the humidity levels, and then have the unit shut on/off when this temperature is reached.

If you’re going to be using a dehumidifier in temperatures colder that 65° F, consider buying a unit fitted with an anti-frost sensor to avoid frost from forming on the condensing coils consequently affecting the performance of the product. Placing your dehumidifier in the right location is critical to achieving top notch performance, and most manufacturers recommend placing it six inches away from walls or any structure that may block the airflow into and out of the unit.

All dehumidifiers are fitted with a fan, which helps circulate the dehumidified air. Along with a fan, these units are also appointed with a compressor and combined make some level of noise. Dehumidifiers can get pretty loud at high settings, but there are some models that are quieter than others such as those from Danby. Noise shouldn’t really be a concern if you’re using a dehumidifier in crawl spaces and basements, but to give you a rough idea, 50 to 60 decibels is the sound level emitted from a refrigerator in operation and as high as a properly functioning air-conditioner.