Dehumidifiers combat excess moisture to create a comfortable and healthy environment. These appliances extract moisture from the air, preventing the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria while curbing musty odors. With various sizes and configurations available, dehumidifiers cater to diverse spaces, from small rooms to entire basements.
They operate quietly and efficiently, employing refrigeration or desiccant technology to remove humidity effectively. Beyond moisture control, dehumidifiers can alleviate allergy symptoms by reducing dust mites and airborne allergens. Their energy-saving features and automatic humidity control make them indispensable for homes, offices, and commercial spaces alike. Say goodbye to dampness and hello to a fresh, breathable atmosphere with a reliable dehumidifier. Check out our favorite, the hOmeLabs Dehumidifier, to improve your home's air quality quickly and efficiently.
The Best Dehumidifiers
Best Overall
The Homelabs Dehumidifier is ideal for large basements as it can cover an area of up to 4,500 square feet. With a whopping 1.6-gallon storage tank, this dehumidifier can remove up to 50 pints of water from the air daily. The dehumidifier allows you to adjust the ideal moisture setting for your basement, running for a complete 24 hours before shutting down automatically. The moisture killer even comes with a drain hose outlet if you’re too busy to empty its water tank daily.
The Energy Star-certified machine will help you watch your electricity use, while the turbo mode features extra fan power to clear out excessive humidity in your basements and keep tools and materials like wood dry. With a quiet fan, the dehumidifier won’t be drawing any attention to itself, allowing you to receive calls and talk to people without distraction.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Large water storage tank
- Turbo mode for higher fan speed
- Automatically shuts down when the water capacity is reached
Cons
- The large size may make it noticeable in the room
- Doesn’t include a hose for the drain outlet
Quiet Operation
The SereneLife Portable Dehumidifier not only provides a cool, comfortable environment but also helps in maintaining a dry basement workspace. With a sturdy power of 1150W and cooling strength of 10000 BTU, this compact unit rapidly transforms a 270-square-foot room into a haven of optimum temperature. It outperforms just being an air conditioner by also functioning as a dehumidifier and fan, offering a versatile solution for indoor comfort. Switching between modes happens effortlessly with three-speed settings and an accompanying remote controller.
This portable unit doesn’t only perform, but it also impresses with its sleek, free-standing design that lends any room a dash of style. Functionality meets luxury as it operates at a noise level of 52-56 dB, ensuring that you can enjoy a noise-free, comfortable experience. Features such as auto-swing, a built-in 24-hour timer with automatic swing mode, and push-button control only enhance its convenience factor. Given the easy-to-install window mount exhaust kit and removable air filter, this dehumidifier and air conditioner is easy to set up and maintain.
Pros
- Efficient cooling and heating
- Quiet operation
- Energy efficient
- Portable and easy to install
Cons
- Short power cord
Most Compact
The Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier is designed with high-tech features to combat humidity and provide you with a pleasant atmosphere. It is easy and convenient to use, energy-efficient, and most importantly, has an impressive 300-square-foot range. Small and compact but powerful, this dehumidifier extracts up to 18 ounces of water per day thanks to its advanced Peltier technology. While powerful, it operates quietly with low energy and is ideal for homes, offices, and caravans. Plus, with an ultra-quiet operation and an auto-off LED indicator, you won’t have to worry about disturbance or running out of water. It is lightweight and portable with a large capacity water tank, so you can take it with you wherever you go. So if you’re looking for a compact, highly efficient dehumidifier, then the Pro Breeze Electric Mini is the ideal choice.
Pros
- Eliminates musty odors
- Compact, lightweight, and portable
- Extremely quiet and energy efficient
Cons
- Not suitable for larger spaces
Best Design
This Waykar machine reduces moisture in a radius of up to 2,000 square feet, which is more than sufficient for a basement at risk of getting moldy and affecting your workspace. The dehumidifier can remove about 34 pints of water in a day, allowing you to adjust your room’s humidity, ranging from 30% to 85%. Featuring a water storage tank of 2.5 liters, the dehumidifier will automatically switch off if the tank’s filled to the brim, so you don’t need to worry about the tank overflowing.
If you’re finding manual drainage to be a hassle, no need to fret as the dehumidifier also comes with a drain hose outlet along with a hose that you can attach to your drainpipe and forget about emptying the water tank for days to come. If you’re unsatisfied with this behemoth of a machine, Waykar also offers a complete money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Pros
- Includes a hose for automatic drainage
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Automatic shutdown when water tank is full
- Adjustable fan speed
Cons
- Not Energy-Star certified
- The water storage tank has a low capacity to store water
High Moisture Removal Rate
Tired of dehumidifiers removing 50 pints of moisture a day? Well, the Colzer dehumidifier is tested to remove a whopping 70 pints of water from spaces of up to 4,500 square feet. With a storage tank of 1.2 gallons along with a drain hose for automatic water drainage, you shouldn’t be worrying about water spillage as long as the dehumidifier is alive.
Are these features not enough for you? Well, the Colzer also features a “Laundry-Dry” mode to dry out your clothing indoors! Boasting a sleek and modern look, this dehumidifier is perfect for people living in high-moisture environments who want to protect their clothes, tools, and materials.
Pros
- A fairly high moisture removal rate per day
- Multi-purpose
- Includes a 6-foot drainage hose
- Adjustable fan speed
Cons
- Not Energy-Star certified
Most Water Storage Capacity
This “Moisture Maniac” from Vremi can remove about 50 pints of water from an area of up to 4,500 square feet. With the Vremi featuring a monstrous 1.8-gallon water tank, you won’t have to worry about frequently emptying your dehumidifier. If you’re not a fan of clearing out the water tank, you can always use the in-built drain hose outlet to automatically dispose of any water as soon as it’s collected.
The dehumidifier also includes a separate turbo mode to increase fan speed and dry out your basement even faster. Being Energy-Star certified means you won’t break the bank to pay off your electricity bill.
Pros
- Large water storage tank
- Energy-Star certified
- Automatic shutdown when the storage tank is filled
Cons
- The drain hose for automatic draining needs to be bought separately
- Does not include replaceable filters
Most Cost-Efficient
This Yaufey Dehumidifier is perfect for your cozy little basement, effectively clearing out moisture in an area up to 1,750 square feet. Removing around 32 pints of moisture a day, this appliance is perfect for people who own small basements and are looking for a cheap and effective solution for their humidity problems. With a 1.8 liter tank and an automatic shutdown feature, you can enjoy clear air without worrying about the dehumidifier overflowing.
The dehumidifier comes with its own hose and a drain plug, which you can set up for automatically emptying any water collected. This dehumidifier is the most cost-efficient appliance you can get to get the job done.
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Includes drainage hose
Cons
- Low water tank capacity
- Not Energy-Star certified
Buyer’s Guide: Dehumidifiers for Basements
Buying a dehumidifier can be daunting after seeing their price tags. If you’re willing to spend a buck or two for this appliance, you have to do some research to know what you want and compare it to your budget. Take a look below at all the information you’ll need before buying the perfect dehumidifier for your home and workshop!
Signs You Need a Dehumidifier
Are you unsure whether a dehumidifier will solve your basement crisis? Well, if your basement workshop has poor ventilation, it’s quite possible it contains high-moisture content in the air. If you don’t have a humidity reader on you, you can always judge excessive moisture if there are water stains and mold on the walls.
Another red flag can be musty and rotten smells, as they often arise due to hidden mildew in the room. If you’re experiencing such conditions, it’s likely that you’re in need of a dehumidifier.
Factors To Consider Before Buying a Dehumidifier
Energy-Star certified
An appliance made to run 24/7 is bound to consume a huge chunk of energy and produce a sizeable electricity bill. An Energy-Star-certified dehumidifier is guaranteed to save you a ton of energy and keep the electricity bill under control. The certification also makes sure that your appliance manufacturers produce the dehumidifier without releasing harmful emissions from their factories, keeping the environment safe. So if you’re one to care for the environment, this certification should be considered before making your purchase.
Water storage tank
While searching for the best dehumidifier for your basement, make sure that the water capacity of the dehumidifier is fairly high. We believe that a capacity above 1.5 gallons is ideal as you won’t be continuously bugged to clear out the water tank time and time again. Even though the storage tank won’t matter if you’re using a hose to drain out the water, it’s always better to be prepared for anything!
Hose connection
While a large water storage tank can be great, a hose connection for emptying water can save up a good deal of your time. If you’re paying around $300, the least you should expect is a decent-sized hose connection along with a hosepipe to connect with your drain.
Moisture removal rate
You should find a dehumidifier that can remove at least 40 pints of water from an average 1,200-square-foot room in a day. A slower removal rate would mean that your desired humidity level will take longer to achieve and your dehumidifier will end up costing more electricity. If you live in highly humid environments, find a dehumidifier that can remove 70 pints of water daily.
Convenience
Many people may overlook this aspect, but a dehumidifier with built-in wheels and handles can make all the difference. You often need to move your dehumidifier from different rooms and built-in wheels can help a lot. With the weight these appliances are hosting, it’s essential to focus on portability and convenience unless you’re keen on breaking your back.
Side Effects of a Dehumidifier
If you’re planning to purchase a dehumidifier for your place, you need to look into the cons as well. A dehumidifier might make the air drier than needed, giving rise to skin allergies like eczema or making conditions like pneumonia even worse. To prevent such side effects, we recommend purchasing a dehumidifier with an adjustable humidity level. Ideally, your basement’s humidity should be somewhere between 30-50%.
How Does Temperature Affect the Dehumidifier?
Places with a temperature lower than 65 degrees can give a hard time to your dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air and condensing them to their inner coils. For this procedure to work efficiently, the inner temperature of the condenser should be colder than the surrounding air.
In case the temperatures are unbalanced, ice and frost can build up inside your dehumidifier, causing it to lose its efficiency. If you live in colder climates, we recommend finding something like the Waykar Dehumidifier which features an auto-defrost system to remove any ice inside the appliance.
How To Get the Most Out of Your Dehumidifier?
Many people complain their dehumidifiers lose their efficiency after a couple of months of use. Mostly, this performance reduction is owed to dusty air filters inside the dehumidifier. To avoid any such troubles, regularly clean out the air filters at least once a month. For maximum efficiency, you can also make sure that the vents of the dehumidifier aren’t blocked off, restricting the airflow of the fans.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers
A desiccant dehumidifier is smaller and lighter than the usual compressor variants but consumes more energy per hour. The desiccant dehumidifier is definitely more effective at extracting moisture, even in colder environments, as it doesn’t face the usual frosting issue present in compressor dehumidifiers.
The desiccant materials inside the dehumidifier have no expiry, allowing you to use the appliance without worrying about replacing individual parts. Desiccant dehumidifiers can be relatively costlier and may consume more energy in warmer climates than their compressor counterparts do.
People Also Asked
What is the ideal humidity level for my basement?
The ideal humidity level for an average basement size of around 3,000 square feet is around 30-40%. This percentage can vary according to the temperature or medical issues.
Is dehumidifier water reusable?
The water collected by a dehumidifier should not be consumed by a human or an animal as it can contain traces of harmful elements which can cause illnesses. It can water plants or used for cleaning.
How long does a dehumidifier last?
Residential dehumidifiers can last for about a good 3-5 years. This lifespan can increase depending on your usage and regular maintenance. Regularly cleaning the air filter and placing the dehumidifier in an open space can definitely help lengthen its life.
Does the size of the dehumidifier matter?
The size of your dehumidifier depends on the room you plan to place it in. Setting down a small dehumidifier in a 1,500-square-foot basement would probably result in the dehumidifier failing to dry up the area. The dehumidifier will suck up more energy and die out earlier than its predicted lifespan.
