A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Nov. 06, 2024
Not sure if you need a dehumidifier? Here’s how to figure out if you have too much moisture in your home—and which of the best dehumidifiers on the market is right for you.
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Chances are, you already own a humidifier to add moisture to your home when the air is dry. But what about a dehumidifier to do the opposite? While nearly anyone can benefit from a dehumidifier at certain times of the year, it’s a true requirement if you live in a hot, rainy or coastal area. According to air-quality expert Michael Rubio, “the less moisture, the fewer available locations for mold to begin growing.”
Alongside air purifiers, the best dehumidifiers are also important for anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies. “For individuals with allergies or asthma triggered by mold and/or dust, a dehumidifier is a great option because it helps reduces the moist favorable conditions for mold and dust-mite growth, therefore reducing exposure to a trigger,” says Amina Abdeldaim, MD, the medical director of Picnic, which specializes in personal allergy treatment.
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With this Frigidaire dehumidifier, you can customize the amount of humidity you want in your room, then set it and forget it. Designed for high-humidity spaces, it will automatically shut off when the water bucket is full. It also has a built-in pump and continuous-drain options, so you don’t have to empty the bucket manually. That makes it ideal for nighttime when you’re getting some shut-eye—or daytime hours when you’re working and don’t have time to fuss with a high-maintenance device. Reviewers rave that it’s the best dehumidifier they’ve ever owned, drying out rooms and eliminating musty odors. Plus, with its caster wheels and side handles, it’s easy to move from room to room. Just note that it’s best for smaller spaces, says Rubino.
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Recommended for rooms up to 4,500 square feet, this hOmeLabs dehumidifier can remove up to 1.6 gallons of moisture from the air daily without making your energy bill skyrocket. Simply set your desired humidity level (or set it to choose the best level for your space) and let it run. It will automatically stop when the tank is full—which won’t happen for weeks, if not months, depending on how humid your space is. When the tank is full, simply slide it out and dump the water. Our Associate Editor tested the smallest version of the hOmeLabs dehumidifier in her 450-square-foot Brooklyn apartment. Even during June and July, she found that it took weeks for a significant amount of water to accumulate.
“While it isn’t totally silent, most users (myself included) find it to be quieter than other options and love how easy it is to use,” she notes. “If anything, it provides a nice white background noise. It’s also designed on wheels, so it can easily be moved if needed. Though it’s a bit on the larger side for my small apartment, it can fit nicely under a table or desk, as long as the vent isn’t facing the wall. I found it made my apartment feel significantly cooler and drier during the sticky summer months.”
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Connect the Midea Cube to your Wi-Fi, and the patented sensor and accompanying smartphone app will let you monitor the humidity and water levels on your phone. Don’t want to lift a finger? This smart home device is also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. And here’s another cool feature: This energy-efficient number has a flexible design that allows you to use it in an extended form, with more water-tank capacity, or attached to a drain hose—which reduces its size by half and makes it easier to store or move around. The three different fan speeds also allow you to quiet it down when you want, making it one of the best dehumidifiers for your bedroom.
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Protect your home from excess moisture using this smart machine from Honeywell, which is able to remove up to 50 pints of moisture daily. “These are good residential models for indoor spaces,” says Rubio. “The built-in Wi-Fi is a great addition for ease of use.” Once connected to Wi-Fi, you can use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control the machine too. When the tank is full, the machine will alert you and shut off until you’re able to empty the tank. It’s also simple to clean the air filter: Just run it under the faucet—you never need to buy new filters. Plus, the machine alerts you when it’s time to clean the filter. This would make an excellent tech gift for the right person.
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We love so much about this LG PuriCare dehumidifier: the digital controls, the safety standby mode (which prevents overheating), the on/off timer, the automatic shutoff when the water bucket is full and, of course, the stellar humidity control. Plus, it’s Energy Star certified, so it will help you keep your energy bills down. And because the machine can collect up to 50 pints of moisture, it’s good for a medium to larger size room like a living room.
It also works in a variety of temperatures, which is more important than you may realize. “Most dehumidifiers work better at warmer temps because if the water in the machine is too cool, it can condense and freeze on the coils,” says Tania Elliott, MD, an allergist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. “It’s nice to have a dehumidifier that operates at a lower temperature—and this device operates at as low as 41 degrees Fahrenheit.”
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If you’re looking for the best dehumidifier for your basement or a similarly large space, try this Kesnos dehumidifier, which is equipped with a drain hose. “A hose or floor drain is a good option if you don’t want to empty a tank frequently, and you can place it either above a sink or near a drain,” says Dr. Elliott. Designed to operate in rooms up to 4,500 square feet, it can remove a whopping 70 pints of moisture daily.
Adjust your desired humidity level from 30 to 85 percent relative humidity via a touch screen, preset the on/off timer if you’d like and you’re good to go. The machine automatically shuts off when the water bucket is full—and restarts on its own when the bucket is emptied.
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This wheeled Frigidaire dehumidifier does double duty, not only regulating humidity levels but also capturing dirt from the air in its filter, which is an extra boon for allergy sufferers and anyone who wants cleaner air. Speaking of the filter, it’s both washable and reusable, which will help you live a more sustainable life. We think it’s one of the best dehumidifiers for bathrooms, though you can use it anywhere.
You’ll also appreciate having the water bucket in the front of the machine for easier access, not to mention the splash guard to keep you dry. Or you can choose to use the drain hose instead and skip emptying the bucket all together. Another bonus: This machine can operate at low temperatures, which, as Dr. Elliott notes, is extremely convenient. This one can work in temperatures as low as 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Alongside a reliable home security system, it’s one of best purchases you can make for your home.
“The ideal humidity level is less than 50 percent relative humidity at indoor temperatures of 68 to 72 degrees,” says Dr. Abdeldaim. “Mold spores and dust mites need a relative humidity less than 65 percent, a temperature between 50 and 90 degrees and organic matter to thrive.”
We know, that sounds technical—but it’s actually easy to figure out. All you need is a hygrometer, which you can get for around $10 on Amazon, to measure the amount of moisture in the air. Of course, you can also simply go with your gut. If mold grows quickly in your home, your allergies are getting worse or your living arrangements meet one of the criteria above, you would probably benefit from a dehumidifier.
Of course, no matter what you’re buying, you always want the most reliable appliance brands. That goes for the best washer/dryer sets, refrigerators, dishwashers and more. But when it comes to dehumidifiers, it’s equally important to consider the size of the room you’ll be using the dehumidifier in, any added features you’d like and your budget.
To narrow down the many options on the market, we consulted air-quality experts and doctors to get their top picks, as well as tested out a few ourselves. We also scoured tons of online user reviews to find out which devices lived up to their claims. Here are the best dehumidifiers for every type of room and personal preference that are worth your money.
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