5 Best Dehumidifiers for Your Home

5 Best Dehumidifiers for Your Home

The right dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the air and prevent mold buildup.

Best Dehumidifiers for Your Home
A dehumidifier reduces moisture in the air and can help control dust mites and their allergens.iStock

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A dehumidifier helps remove excess moisture or dampness in the air and clear out any musty odors — and may be considered a necessity if you live in a warm, humid climate.

Plus, if you suffer from allergies or asthma you may be able to minimize symptoms by placing a dehumidifier in your home or workspace. While allergies can strike at any time during the year, seasonal allergies are typically triggered by mold and pollen. Having a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in the air can help control dust mites and their allergens, and other particles that aggravate symptoms. Breathing in mold can also trigger asthma attack. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using a dehumidifier to help keep the humidity level low and prevent mold growth.

Features to Consider When You’re Buying a Dehumidifier

  • Size Consider the size of the area you wish to dehumidify. Mid-size models remove 30 to 50 pints of moisture from the air in a 24-hour time frame, according to manufacturer-stated capacities in varying testing conditions. These models are typically light-weight and portable, and can easily be transported from room to room. Larger capacity models are designed for larger rooms (1,500 sq. ft and more) or damper conditions, and remove 70 to 90 pints of moisture from the air in a 24-hour time frame. Check the guide on the Energy Star website to estimate the capacity you’re looking for.
  • Energy Performance If you are out during the day and are worried about keeping your dehumidifier running for long periods, look for a model with an auto humidistat. This feature will sense the moisture level around the unit to automatically shut off once the desired humidity level is attained. For maximum efficiency, look for an Energy Star qualified unit. The Energy Star label ensures that the product has undergone government testing and adheres to energy-efficient practices.

Here are our top picks for the best dehumidifiers.

Best Portable Dehumidifier

The Keystone Energy Star 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier

Keystone Duhumidifier

The Keystone Portable Dehumidifier is a great option for any small space. It can remove up to 50 pints of moisture from the air in a room up to 3000 square feet, and it has three power settings — normal, turbo, and auto-defrost. It also has a water level indicator that will alert you when the bucket is full (and needs to be emptied) and a clean-filter alert that will tell you when the dust filter needs to be checked.

Best Dehumidifiers for Small Spaces

Pure Enrichment Mini Dehumidifier

The compact Pure Enrichment Deluxe Mini Dehumidifier is one of the best dehumidifiers for small spaces, such as closets and bathrooms. It extracts up to 10 ounces of water from the air per day. It’s also virtually noiseless, so it can even be placed in a nursery or home office without causing disruption. It has an automatic shut-off safety feature which saves energy, and the transparent water tank makes it easy to keep track of the water level, so you know when it needs to be emptied.

Best Mid-Sized Dehumidifier

Danby Energy Star 70 Pint Dehumidifier

Danby Energy Star 70 Pint Dehumidifier

If you’re looking for a mid-sized dehumidifier for your home or office, this Danby 70 Pint Humidifier is our top pick because it effectively dehumidifies spacious rooms and it’s easy to operate. The sleek design has programmable, digital controls with a bright LED display. And the digital humidistat ensures that your machine will provide accurate humidity readings. Plus, it’s Energy Star rated for energy efficiency.

Best Mid-Size Dehumidifier with Easy Humidity Controls

Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier

Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier

Another mid-sized dehumidifier that’s worth considering is the Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier. The humidity control on this model allows you to control the exact percentage of humidity in the room, and the portable design allows you to move it from room to room as needed.

Best Dehumidifier for Large Spaces

HomeLabs 9 Gallon Dehumidifier

Home Labs Dehumidifier

This 9-gallon dehumidifier is designed to absorb moisture in large rooms or basements up to 4,000 sq. ft. The modern design has built-in wheels and handles that make it easy to move, and it's quiet enough to run during the night. Make sure to position this dehumidifier on a level surface to ensure reduced noise. To use, you just need to select the desired moisture level/setting on the touch control panel and let it run its continuous 24-hour cycle. After each cycle it will automatically shut off to save energy. It also features a “turbo mode” that increases the fan speed to remove the maximum amount of moisture in the air.