I have many reviews of dehumidifiers in my blog but here are my recommendations of the best model for each category. You can check out the review of dehumidifiers by clicking on the links.
Small spaces such as Closets, Bathrooms, Cars
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite EVD1100 (read review)
Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier
Small to medium sized bedrooms
- Not too humid: Soleus Air CFM25 (read review)
- Humid: Soleus Air CFM40-E (read review)
|
 Soleus Air CFM25 |
 Soleus Air CFM40-E |
Medium to large sized bedrooms
- Not too humid: Soleus Air CFM40-E (read review)
- Humid: Frigidaire 70-Pint (read review)
|
Soleus Air CFM40-E |
 Frigidaire 70-Pint |
Basement
- With auto defrost (for low temperature basements): DeLonghi DE400 (read this basement dehumidifier review)
- Without auto defrost (for basements above 60 degrees F): Frigidaire 70-Pint (read review)
|
 DeLonghi DE400 |
Frigidaire 70-Pint |
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
- Capacity
- Temperature of Room – Do you need auto defrost?
- Energy efficiency
- Quietness
- Durability
- Features and design
1. Room Size and Humidity – Capacity of dehumidifier
The capacity of a dehumidifier is measured by how much water it can remove from the air per day. 30-pint, 40-pint, 50-pint represent the number of pints of water a dehumidifier can remove within a 24 hour period of time.
Always remember that the bucket or tank of the dehumidifier may not accommodate as much water as its capacity, so you might have to empty the bucket several times a day to achieve the maximum capacity.
If you are constantly busy or don’t want to keep on checking the bucket, you can attach the dehumidifier with a hose (which is sometimes included) to direct the water out of the house into a drain.
Here’s a table to let you check how much capacity you need for your dehumidifier:
AHAM Dehumidifier Sizing Guide – Match room or area size to current humidity conditions to find minimum size rating in pints.
| Condition without dehumidification | 500 sq. ft. | 1000 sq. ft. | 1500 sq. ft. | 2000 sq. ft. | 2500 sq. ft. |
| Moderately damp:Feels damp and has musty odor only in humid weather | 10 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 26 |
| Very damp:Always feels damp and has musty odor. Damp spots show on walls and floor. | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 32 |
| Wet:Feels and smells wet. Walls or floor “sweat,” or seepage is present. | 14 | 20 | 26 | 32 | 38 |
| Extremely wet:Laundry drying, wet floor, high-load conditions. | 16 | 23 | 30 | 37 | 44 |
Tip: It’s always better to get a larger capacity dehumidifier than the exact capacity you need because it can remove moisture from the air faster over the same sized area.
That means it doesn’t have to run for a long time and you save electricity charges in the long run. On the other hand, a small-capacity model in a large room might run continuously and still not lower the humidity to an acceptable level.
Example: By referring to the table, let’s say you have a 2000 sq. ft. room which is very damp, you’ll have to remove 27 pints of water per day from the room. If you buy a 30-pint dehumidifier, you might have to leave it running the whole day to accomplish the job. But if you get one with larger capacity, for instance, 50-pint, it will do the job a lot faster.
2. Temperature of Room – Do you need auto defrost?
Standard dehumidifiers only work well when the temperatures is above 60 degrees F. If your room temperature (standard) is above 60-65 degrees F, then you don’t have to worry about the extra feature to take care of the low temperature condition.
If you are looking for a dehumidifier for your basement, it is better to get a “low temperature” dehumidifier or basement dehumidifier.
“Low temperature” dehumidifiers usually have the “frost guard” or “auto defrost” design to let the fan blow warm air to the coil when low temperature is detected. This is to avoid frosting on the coils which can prevent air from going through. If you have a basement that is below 33 degrees F, you may have to consider a dehumidifier that uses a process called “hot gas” to heat the coil.
You can of course buy a machine with frost guard or auto defrost and use it in all the rooms that needed dehumidifying to save money, rather than buying a separate dehumidifier for your basement. But please note that low temperature dehumidifiers are generally noisier than the regular machines that are designed to work above 65 degrees F.
3. Energy efficiency
If you are concerned about electrical costs or the environment, get an Energy Star rated dehumidifier which is 10 to 20 percent more power efficient.
4. Quietness
You’ll definitely want your dehumidifier to be very quiet if you’re going to put it in an occupied bedroom to run at night. If that is so, get a model that is praised for its quietness.
But when you read reviews, be aware that “quiet” to one owner may seem “noisy” to another, as we all have different tolerance for noise. It could also be that your house is so quiet even the quietest dehumidifier sounds like a boiling pot.
5. Durability
Who knows how long an electrical appliance can last? Despite all the negative feedback we can see written by irate owners who don’t get their money’s worth, there could be a chance either way.
But just in case, do find a model which has longer warranty period and remember that warranty may not include return shipping costs.
Don’t rely on the manufacturer totally for durability, because durability also depends on the owner to take good care of the machine. You must of course, use it in the proper way and clean it regularly.
To read more about how to maintain your dehumidifier, click here to read my guide on How To Keep Your Dehumidifier Working.
6. Features and design
Before you decide to buy any model, check its features and design as I listed out below. These may not seem very important but you really wouldn’t want to be disappointed because your dehumidifier lacked that one convenient feature.
- Bucket or Hose – If it is possible to place your dehumidifier so that a hose can be connected to drain the water out of the house, I would strongly recommend you to do so. This will save you a lot of time and energy to empty and clean the bucket regularly, and it will avoid spills. One reviewer pointed out that this is also more convenient for senior citizens.
Otherwise you’ll need the bucket of the dehumidifier to be designed for easy removal, carrying and cleaning. Look at the handle(s) of the bucket. Can you carry it with one or two hands? Is it easy to take out when it’s full?
Most dehumidifiers have indicator light or sound warning when the bucket is full, and will automatically shut off when the bucket is full, tipped or not properly attached.
- Pump – Some models have a pump to pump the water out of the room through the window. This is handy for using the dehumidifier upstairs.
- Easy controls – You will want controls that are user-friendly. Some dehumidifiers have electronic controls, while some have digital controls. They come with various options such as fan speed, humidistat to control the humidity level, and timer.With a humidistat you can set the humidity level you want the room to achieve, and this should be around 30% to 50%.
The dehumidifier will automatically turn off when the level is reached. This will prevent over-dehumidifying the room (which may also cause problems such as dry skin, itchiness, and cracked furniture), and is power saving.
Check the accuracy of the humidistat with a hygrometer which you can get inexpensively ($20 – $40).
- Built-in wheels or casters – Not up to carrying the heavy thing around? Remember to have this feature then. Usually only mini or compact dehumidifiers don’t have casters.
- Air vent – Check to see which direction the air is going in and out so that you don’t block the dehumidifying process by putting it too near walls or furniture. Some models draw in air through slits in the front which is great if you have to put it right next to some furniture.
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
I brought home the Soleus Air DP1-50-03 50-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier from my store when my old dehumidifier broke down after a few years of use. I’m pleased with its performance so far.
Soleus Air DP1-50-03 50-Pint Portable Energy Star Dehumidifier
After my old dehumidifier broke down, the humidity in my 1800 sq. ft. basement became unbearable and the musty smell came back. The first few days of using the Soleus Air DP1-50-03 50-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier, it filled the 50 pint bucket in a day. After that it takes a couple of days to fill up to capacity.
The dehumidifier pulls moisture out great and you can set the humidity level that you want so that it will only run when it needs to.
As its 70 pint sister, the 50 pint dehumidifier has a magnetic float that offers the least chance of an overflow, anti-defrost that keeps it working when other shut off and a hose attachment in case you would want to run to a gravity drain.
The bucket is easy to remove, clean and replaced in no more than 10 minutes. It is however tough to pull out the bucket out and carry without spilling the water when it is full.
According to the manufacturer, the dehumidifier is so quiet that you would need to check it to see if it’s on. However, I find that it can be a little bit louder than a table fan, even at the lowest of three fan settings. But since I place it in the basement, it’s not a bother as I only use the basement for doing laundry and storing things. It’s not even audible from upstairs.
The Soleus Air DP1-50-03 50-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier is amazing. With a laundry room in the basement, the room can get damp and musty and this dehumidifier fixes both problems. This is one of the dehumidifiers that I would personally recommend to my customers.
Shopping information:
- 16% discount and free shipping for Soleus Air DP1-50-03 50-Pint Portable Energy Star Dehumidifier here.
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
The most challenging part of buying a dehumidifier is determining the right size for your needs. The different sizes will determine its cost and effectiveness. Instead of asking “What is the best sized unit?”, the better question to ask is “How much moisture needs to be removed?”
If the answer is “not a lot”, then a smaller unit will be sufficient. However, if there is a continuous source of dampness in the room and need continuous help, but the most powerful dehumidifier you can afford.
When choosing the right dehumidifier it is important to know the size of the room, how much moisture to be removed, the air temperature and the humidity level. On each unit’s box, manufacturers will usually give you the idea of the room size it was made for or how many liters of water it can absorb. As useful as these guidelines are, the level of humidity vary greatly in real situation and not as simple.
These guidelines enables you to compare each unit with each other; all you have to do is decide how powerful a dehumidifier you need. Below are steps to help you determine this:
You will need: (a) humidity gauge and (b) measuring tape.
1. Measure the area of your room/ home. Manufacturers provide charts as a guideline to match the right dehumidifier with the right area size.
2. With the humidity gauge, measure the humidity and determine how much water that is removed from the room in 24 hours.
3. Determine if you need to dehumidify the whole house or just a room.
4. Get a unit that covers more area than what the room/ house measures. If your room is 1200 square feet, get a unit that can cover up to 1500 square feet.
5. It is a safe move to get a dehumidifiers that comes with warranties should they don’t perform as the manufacturers claimed. Research the cost and warranties offered before purchasing.
Even though it is not important to consider the dehumidifier’s size (you can always purchase a large one with variable speed control with a built in humidistat that will cope in any situation), it will affect you if you’re running on a budget. The larger and fancier it is, the more it will cost you. The same goes if you buy a too small unit for a large room as it will run continuously without fixing the problem.
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
This Bionaire BDQ24-UC 20-Pint Dehumidifier is fully portable with a 20 pint capacity. As described by the manufacturer, it can effectively dehumidify a room that is up to 1300 sq. ft. but I would recommend that you use it in a smaller area.
Bionaire BDQ24-UC 20-Pint Dehumidifier
There are two preset humidity level mode; an economy mode and a continuous operation mode. The economy mode is great for those who would like to keep their utilities bill low. With a bigger area, it will do the job of removing moisture if you would run it on continuous operation but it will be more expensive.
True to its promise, Bionare BDQ24-UC 20-Pint Dehumidifier is one of the quietest ones in the market. As described by my customers, it’s as loud as a window air conditioner which is tolerable; it won’t keep you up at night or distract you from conversations on the phone or the TV.
The model is small and not imposing at all. It will able to fit in small spaces and will not stick out. Although it tends to warm up the air a bit, it does produce less heat than most other units out there. It also has an auto shut off with an audible alarm to alert you that the bucket needs to be emptied.
It would receive a perfect score from my customers if not for the fact that the humidistat tends to lag. I figured that it might be because of the location of its humidity sensor that is placed inside the body and tends to dry out quickly. This will cause the dehumidifier to underestimate the humidity level and turns off/turns on itself too soon/too late.
Despite the minor flaw, I think that Bionare BDQ24-UC 20-Pint Dehumidifier justify itself well and is a pleasure to have and is worth the money spent.
Shopping information:
- Click here for more about Bionaire BDQ24-UC 20-Pint Dehumidifier. Currently there are 3 left in stock.
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
The Honeywell TM005X Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer is great to track the temperature and humidity in your home or office economically. It features a clean, attractive design and is easy to use.
Honeywell TM005X Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer
Its ability to monitor not only the temperature and humidity of its immediate space but also up to three remote areas is its main attraction. You can tract the temperature of your greenhouse, pools, spas etc. with the remote sensors. The sensors have a transmission range of up to 100 ft.
The Honeywell TM005X Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer will only come with one remote sensor so you have to purchase two additional sensors separately if you want to monitor more than one remote area at the same time.
The main display unit has a sleek black and silver finish and a one-inch tall digital display. It was meant to sit on a table or shelf but has the ability to be mounted on the wall. This may affect the hygrometer’s sensitivity as its sensors are on its back. Both main display and sensor requires two AA alkaline batteries to run on.
As for the accuracy of the main display and sensors, I find that they’re pretty accurate. I conducted a calibration with a sling psychrometer as it is the most accurate way to determine relative humidity.
The sling psychrometer consists of two sealed thermometers and does not need any calibration. The readings on both main display and sensor were dead right with the sling psychrometer.
Without any flaws, the Honeywell TM005X Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer works efficiently and fast to adjust to change.
Further information:
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
When my customers are not happy with the smell of mildew in their basement or garage and want to prevent any mold problems, I would often recommend them the Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier.
Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier
Upon initial installation, the unit will run continuously for the first few days until the humidity level in the room has lowered significantly from the original level of humidity.
When it has dropped to the level that you desired, set the machine to that level and it will maintain the same level of humidity onwards. It will only run when needed and automatically shut off when the desired result is achieved.
The Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier’s water tank can hold up to 2.5 gallons of water so that you will only need to empty it once a day. When it reaches its capacity, the dehumidifier will shut off automatically so that there won’t be any overflowing problems. If you don’t want the hassle of emptying out manually, you can attach a hose to it for continuous drainage.
The only drawback for it is that it can emit a noise that is slightly louder than an oscillating fan so you might not want to place this in your bedroom if you’re a light sleeper. My customers mostly use this in the basement so it is not an issue for them. It is best to use this dehumidifier in a room where you don’t spend most of your time in.
It has a great appearance and is attractive for what it is. It is quiet heavy but the rollers on the bottom will help you with that. The Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier does what it’s supposed to do and you will notice a change in the air of your previously humid space.
Shopping update:
- Amazon is offering a free shipping for the Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier now.
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
If you have small spaces like nurseries and closets to dehumidify, a mini dehumidifier such as NewAir ADS-500 Mini Dehumidifier with 20 oz. Capacity Built-in Air Purifier is perfect for the area.
NewAir ADS-500 Mini Dehumidifier with 20 0z. Capacity Built-in Air Purifier
According to the manufacturer, NewAir ADS-500 Mini Dehumidifier is ideal that has approximately 80% relative humidity and can dehumidify up to 20 ounces of moisture in 24 hours.
I’ve personally bought and place a unit in my bedroom closet. It had always been damp and mildew smelling. After plunging this up in the closet for a few hours, it collected a bit of water and there’s no smell in there anymore.
This great little appliance has virtually no noise or vibration. Unlike larger dehumidifier, this product uses a thermoelectric pettier technology that has no compressor or refrigerant that contributes to the lack of noise and vibration. This makes the mini dehumidifier perfect for just about any room especially ones that require no sound such as the bedroom or baby’s nurseries.
The automatic switch-off functions will prevent spills when the tank is full, enabling you to just plug it in and walk away with no worries. The water tank itself has the capacity of 3.5 pints and is easy to detach. For mobility, there is a carrying slot that can be recessed when not in used.
I have highly recommended the NewAir ADS-500 Mini Dehumidifier to many friends if they need a compact, efficient and quiet dehumidifier that does a good job. Best of all, the built-in air purifier will make the air much more cleaner to breath in.
Shopping update:
- You save $21 if you get the NewAir ADS-500 Mini Dehumidifier here.
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
A dehumidifier is not a common appliance in the household, so it is common for people to ask “Why should I get a dehumidifier?” As pointed out below, there are several reasons to have a dehumidifier in your home.
Comfort
If you live somewhere that is hot and humid all year round or during the summer, chances are that you probably complain of heat, even in the confines of your home. It is uncomfortable when you skin is clammy and clinging to your clothes and furniture. In severe humid weather, then air tends to be thick and hard to breathe in.
By getting a dehumidifier, you can make yourself more comfortable in your home; it will remove water vapor in the air, allowing your body to release heat more affectively as high vapor level in the air prevents sweat from evaporating, thus disabling the body from cooling off. If you use it with an air conditioner, you will also be able to drop the temperature more than 20 degrees.
Mold Prevention
In humid, moist air, mold grows easily from tiny mold spores that are in the air. If you have mold growing in your house, it can be a serious problem; it can not only grow on your furniture, storage boxes and under the carpeting but also hidden in your walls. If it is too late, you may need to tear your walls and carpeting out. What is worse is that you would need to throw away irreplaceable mementoes. Buying and running a dehumidifier will not be as costly as repairing your home.
Health
Having a dehumidifier in your home can help preventing you from getting sick. As mentioned before, mold can grow anywhere and when it sprouts, it can be hazardous to your health. It can cause nasty allergy reactions and repertory problems. Although they are unlikely to be fatal, recovering from them can take time and more money. As they say, prevention is better than cure.
Dehumidifiers come in various sizes and added functions so you can get one that is reasonably priced within your budget. If you live where the temperature is at the higher end of the thermometer, get a refrigerant dehumidifier with air conditioning. A desiccant dehumidifier however, will be best if you live in a cool freezing area. Regardless of where you live, it is a good investment that will benefit you in terms of comfort, finances and health in the long run.
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
There are very few dehumidifiers that receive favorable publications reviews. One of those that did is the Danby DDR6588EE Dehumidifier.
Danby DDR6588EE Dehumidifier
According to Danby, this unit will work best for areas up to 3700 sq. ft. depending on conditions, so this is definitely not for smaller spaces like your closet. I have a customer who bought this for his 1700 sq. ft. basement and it has performed as said. According to him, the humidity level in the basement dropped 20% within the first 24 hours.
Danby DDR6588EE Dehumidifier also enables you to set a cut off point to which level of humidity that you desire for the room. This means that if you set it at 45%, the machine will automatically shut down when the humidity drops to 45% or lower and start again when it is higher.
The noise of this dehumidifier is no louder than a normal conversation as most dehumidifier would. Therefore, if you put it in a room where you read or watch the TV, it will tend to annoy you.
The only complaint that I often hear from some purchaser of this Danby model is that the humidity sensor tends to fail after a few months. This will cause the red light to turn on and it will stop running or it will not turn off when it should and overflow. As frustrating as this is, Danby’s customer service will be able to provide you with a solution if you call them up with this problem.
In my opinion, if you have a problem with continuous dampness in a large room, the Danby DDR6588EE Dehumidifier is good for you.
Shopping update:
- Danby DDR6588EE Dehumidifier has gone off the rack and is not available for an indefinite time at Amazon. If you want this model you’ll have to look for it in your nearest store.
Related Posts:
- Dehumidifier Reviews – Main
- DeLonghi DE400 40-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Basement Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier review – Best Big Capacity Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM-40 E Dehumidifier with Humidistat review – Best Dehumidifier
- Soleus Air CFM 25 Dehumidifier review – Best Small Dehumidifier
- Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier EVD1100 review - Best Mini Dehumidifier for cars and closets
