Top 3 Best Dehumidifiers – Updated October 2017

Dehumidifiers are devices that are typically placed in living rooms, bedrooms, offices, basements and RV’s to remove excess moisture from the air. High humidity levels can accelerate the growth of various forms of mold as well as dust mites, which can lead to a number of different health problems. It can even damage furniture and clothing. Therefore, it’s important to always keep humidity levels within a normal range, which a dehumidifier can help you do.

However, with so many different models of dehumidifiers out there to choose from, most of you shopping for one probably feel overwhelmed just by the sheer number of options available. And this is where we feel we can help. After extensively analyzing and comparing over 30 different dehumidifiers, we narrowed down the field to just three units which we consider to be the cream of the dehumidifying crop. We based our selection on a number of different factors, including the size and dehumidification capacity of the unit, features, energy efficiency and price. Click here to go straight to our comparison chart.

High humidity levels in your home can not only negatively impact your health by promoting the growth of mold and mildew, but it can also cause damage to your furniture, clothes, electronics and many other household items. If you want to remove excess moisture and lower your home’s humidity level, you’re going to need a good quality dehumidifier that will get the job done effectively and efficiently.

It’s important that you know what to look for, as the best dehumidifiers have certain qualities and features in common. Also, some aspects may be more important to you than others, depending on what your needs and preferences are. Here is a list of some things you should consider when deciding on which dehumidifier to buy.

Dehumidification Capacity

One of the most important considerations when purchasing a dehumidifier is the volume of moisture it can remove from the air in a given period of time. You’ll find that most dehumidifiers on the market are rated based on how many pints of moisture it can remove in a 24-hour period, and this rating can vary anywhere from 0.5 to 70+ pints/day. If you have a large space or a particularly wet or damp area that you need to “dry” then you’ll want to go with a dehumidifier that is rated at 50 pints/day at a minimum.

Energy Efficiency

Larger, higher-capacity dehumidifiers naturally have bigger motors than their smaller counterparts, which means that they use more electricity as well. Compressor-based dehumidifiers typically use between 300 to 800 watts, depending on their size/capacity, and models that use peltier technology use hardly any electricity. However, it’s important to note that the wattage rating doesn’t tell you the whole story. If you were to measure the total amount of electricity used by a 500-watt dehumidifier vs. a 700-watt model over the course of a week, you’d most likely find that they used about the same amount of energy. The reason is because the larger units’ compressors do not have to cycle on as long as units with smaller compressors to maintain a certain humidity level. So keep that in mind if you’re considering purchasing a smaller unit simply because you think it will save you money, because most likely the savings will be negligible.

Tank Size

Another consideration is the dehumidifier’s storage tank capacity, which can vary in size from 1 to 16+ pints. The advantage of a larger tank is that it will reduce the need to empty it out as frequently. The disadvantage of a large tank, however, is that it adds both size and weight to the unit, making it heavier to lift and overall less portable. And if you don’t like the idea of having to empty out a tank every so often, then make sure to get a model that allows you to attach a hose to the back of the unit so that the water can drain out continuously without the need to periodically empty out a tank.

Price

Most portable dehumidifiers cost between $50 to $250. Miniature-sized models are significantly cheaper than full-sized or medium-sized models, but have no where near the dehumidification capacity as the larger sized models.

Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Which One Should You Buy?

Did you know that most portable air conditioners can also be used as dehumidifiers? In fact, not only are they capable of dehumidifying the air, many of them are better at it than dehumidifiers. Portable air conditioners also have an advantage over dehumidifiers in that they don’t require the use of drains, buckets or moisture collection tanks. This is because they evaporate the moisture out through the window vent. Additionally, some AC’s will allow you to operate the dehumidifier and air conditioning functions separately, so you can dehumidify your room without cooling it if so desired and vice versa. This makes air conditioners much more versatile appliances than dehumidifiers. AC’s do require venting to the outside, however, so they are not without their disadvantages. Still, some of you may find an air conditioner to not only be more convenient but more useful as well due to their multi-functionality, so be sure to check out our air conditioner buying guide to determine if they may be a better choice for you.