Dehumidify Your Way to Better Indoor Air Quality- We Rate the Best
Pollution and air quality is an issue that affects us all, from those in the countryside to others in urban and city environments. We can’t control the quality of the air we breathe outside the home, but inside, we should be treated to the one place in which we can achieve decent air quality.
So, how good are dehumidifiers at regulating moisture in the atmosphere in our homes? We rate the best.
- 70-Pint Per Day Capacity
- 24-Hour On/Off Timer
- Energy Star Certified
- Full Tank Alert
- 1-Year Warranty
- Auto Shut-Off
- Ultra-Quiet Operation
- Compact and Powerful
- Ideal for the Home or Office
- 1-Year Warranty
- 50-Pint Per Day Capacity
- Energy Star Rated
- 24-Hour Timer
- 3-Speed Fan
- 1-Year Warranty
- Operates Below 35 dB
- 11-Ounce Capacity Per Day
- Compact but Powerful
- Energy Saving
- 2-Year Warranty
- 70-Pint Per Day Capacity
- 4,500 Sq Ft Coverage
- Turbo Setting
- 1’6 Gallon Water Tank
- 1-Year Warranty
- 70-Pint Per Day Capacity
- Auto Shut-Off
- 24-Hour Timer
- 5,000 Sq Ft Coverage
- 1-Year Warranty
- 30-Pints Per Day Capacity
- Energy Star Rated
- Quiet Operation
- 3,000 Sq Ft Coverage
- 1-Year Warranty
- Energy Star Rated
- 70-Pint Per Day Capacity
- 24-Hour On/Off Timer
- Auto Restart Feature
- 1-Year Warranty
This Frigidaire model has a 70-pint per 24-hour moisture extraction capability, making it the ideal dehumidifier for larger spaces. It is also energy star rated, so it’s kind to the environment and your bank balance, and because it has a top handle, as well as two side handles, as well as large casters, it maneuverable too.
It has a 24-hour on/off timer, so you can set and forget, it lets you know when the water tank is full with an auto alert, and if you attach a hose to an outlet on the rear of the machine, you eliminate the need to continually empty the water tank.
This Frigidaire product is backed up by a 1-year warranty and a 5-year warranty on the compressor elements of the design.
On the downside, this unit creates a lot of heat when it’s left running, raising the temperature of the room. It also has air vents on the back and sides, which means that for it to be effective, you can’t stand it next to a wall.
That said, for the price and the capacity, this dehumidifier is very effective at regulating the moisture in the air, and the sheer numbers that have sold on Amazon make this our HowToHome pick.
Pros
- Removes up to 70 pints of moisture each day
- 24-hour on/off timer
- Water tank overflow alert
- Energy star rated
- Continuous drain option
Cons
- Air vents are placed awkwardly for the machine to operate
- Runs extremely hot
Sometimes a compact dehumidifier is all you need, so this Pro Breeze model should be ideal if you want to regulate the moisture in a small space. It has an auto-shut-off feature, it operates at an ultra-quiet noise level, and it removes up to 9 ounces of moisture from the air every 24 hours.
It has a coverage of 150 sq ft, which isn’t as high as others on this list, but for small bedrooms, home offices and workspaces, this thing will sit inconspicuously and do its job perfectly. And it only weighs 2.4 lbs!
And if you own an RV, this thing is ideal too!
On the downside, it’s size may be a little too small for some, and the 9-ounce per day moisture extraction claim gets challenged by many reviews on Amazon stating that they saw significantly less in their tests.
On the whole, this Pro Breeze is an inexpensive little dehumidifier that has proved extremely popular on Amazon, so for that reason, it’s worth including it on the list as our budget pick.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Compact and powerful
- Auto shut-off feature
- Portable and lightweight
- Super-quiet operation
Cons
- It may be a little too small for some
- Performance claims may be exaggerated.
This Black+Decker portable dehumidifier can remove up to 50 pints of water from the air as long as it’s working at the ideal operating temperature of 41 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s energy star rated and comes with a 3-speed fan to increase the rate of extraction. It also has a 24-hour timer enabling you to set and forget, and with large casters, it’s maneuverable too, so getting it from room to room will be easy.
On the downside, the control panel is hard to read in low light, the water tank is constructed from flimsy plastic, so may be the first casualty on this dehumidifier, and it also has an awkward pouring action that splashes everywhere.
Pros
- 50 pints a day capacity
- 3-speed fan
- Energy star rated
- Continuous drain option
- 24-hour timer
Cons
- Control panel is hard to read in low light
- Water tank is flimsy
- No spout to pour away the water
This is the second mini-dehumidifier to feature in the list, and this Afloia can handle rooms up to 215 sq ft. It will absorb up to 11 ounces of fluid per day, and the water tank capacity is 700 ml.
It operates at an ultra-quiet 35dB, which is quieter than a whispered conversation, so if you want to employ this dehumidifier in the bedroom, then it won’t disturb your sleep.
It is an energy saving dehumidifier, so it’ll be kind to your pennies, and because it is so small, weighing in at just 2.03 lbs, it won’t feel obtrusive in the smallest of rooms.
It also has a 2-year free replacement warranty and lifetime support, so it gives you peace of mind when you purchase.
On the downside, it may not be powerful enough for the average home. The larger the room, the less efficient the unit will be, and with coverage so small, it may only work well in bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Pros
- Great for smaller spaces
- Lightweight and portable
- Super-quiet operation
- 700 ml water tank capacity
- Coverage of 215 sq ft
Cons
- Only effective in very small rooms
- May not be powerful enough for the average home
- Not cheap compared to others in its class
This Keystone dehumidifier has coverage of 4,500 sq ft, so larger rooms and spaces will be covered, and because it has a maximum absorption level of 70 pints every 24 hours, you can be sure that the humidity levels in your home will remain in the optimum 30 to 60 percent.
This model even has a turbo setting that increases the absorption and speeds up the efficiency of the machine. It has a 1.6-gallon water tank, a 24-hour timer, for set and forget, and a digital display and control panel.
On the downside, the water tank only shuts off when the bucket is filled to the brim, meaning that when you remove it, it spills everywhere. And if you think that attaching a hose to the water outlet for continuous draining will solve that problem, think again; the flow of water is non-existent, allowing the moisture to flow back into the water tank.
Pros
- Huge capacity to extract moisture
- Large room coverage
- Turbo setting
- 1.6-gallon water tank
- 24-hour timer
Cons
- Water tanks fills to the top before cutting off
- Continuous drainage option ineffective
- Build quality issues
This Opolar model has a massive 5,000 sq ft coverage, making it the ideal dehumidifier for the whole house. For the best results, it should be placed in a central location, and as many doors should be left open to allow the air to circulate.
It has an absorption rate of 70 pints per day, an auto shut-off feature when the preset humidity level gets reached, and when there is an increase of between 3 and 5 percent moisture, the dehumidifier will switch back on.
There is a downside to this model; the water tank holds 1.85 gallons, which is the equivalent of just over 12 pints. If this machine extracts 70 pints in a 24 hours, you are going to be emptying that bucket an awful lot to stop it overflowing.
Pros
- Huge water extraction capacity
- 5,000 sq ft coverage
- Large water holding tank
- Digital display, and controls
- Auto shut-off
Cons
- Water tank needs emptying often
- Creates heat while in operation
This Tosot dehumidifier has a smaller capacity than the Opolar model, but it does cater to the middle ground where space is concerned. It has a coverage of 1,500 sq ft, so should provide for most homes easily, and the water absorption runs at a maximum of 30 pints every 24 hours.
It’s quiet too, running at 48 dB at its peak, which means even on the highest setting it won’t disturb you too much. This model is a great basement dehumidifier, extracting the moisture from the crawl space and reducing mold and damp spores, as well as that familiar musty smell.
This dehumidifier is also energy star rated, so it won’t dent the bank balance too much when in operation.
On the downside, it comes with a plug attached to the water hose connector which may prove tricky to remove. Try and be as gentle as possible as the connector is prone to snapping. Also, when trying to attach the hose, be patient as it could be a challenging task.
Pros
- Great medium capacity dehumidifier
- Energy star rated
- Ultra-quiet operation
- 1,500 sq ft coverage
- Easy to maneuver around the home
Cons
- Build quality issues
- Hose connector is prone to snapping off
- FO error appears on display panel
This Friedrich dehumidifier has a built-in drain pump to remove any issues of gravity fed water flow. It also has an absorption rate of up to 70 pints a day, and when the relative humidity level gets reached, it has an auto restart function should the moisture content of the air increase.
It has a 24-hour on/off facility, and an energy star rating for money-saving operation.
This model comes with a 15 ft hose that attaches on the rear to an outlet for continuous drainage, freeing up your time from constant emptying of the water tank.
It is also highly mobile, with large casters so that it won’t be stuck in one place in the home.
On the downside, it has a humidity level display that is inaccurate, and there are issues over the noise level produced by the motor. There are also build quality problems with the float valve and the construction of the water bucket.
Pros
- Large room coverage
- 24-hour on/off timer
- Built-in drain pump
- Auto restart function
- Comes with a 15 ft hose
Cons
- Build quality issues
- Float valve sticks
- Noisier than others in its class
Comparison Chart
| FEATURES | Pro Breeze Compact Dehumidifier | Frigidaire Dehumidifier | Black+Decker Portable Dehumidifier | Afloia Dehumidifier | Keystone KSTAD70C Dehumidifier | Opolar Dehumidifier | Tosot Energy Star Dehumidifier | Friedrich D70BPA Dehumidifier |
| Coverage | 150 sq ft | 3,500 sq ft | 1,000 – 2,500 sq ft | 215 sq ft | 4,500 sq ft | 5,000 sq ft | 1,500 sq ft | 2,500 – 4,000 sq ft |
| Capacity Per Day | 9 oz | 70 pints | 50 pints | 11 oz | 70 pints | 70 pints | 30 pints | 70 pints |
| Size Inches | 7 x 6 x 11 | 11.6 x 15 x 24.4 | 10 x 13.4 x 19.5 | 14 x 6.4 x 4.2 | 10.8 x 15.4 x 23.2 | 26 x 17.5 x 12 | 13.4 x 9.8 x 19.5 | 12 x 15 x 23.25 |
| Weight Lbs | 2.4 | 47 | 34 | 2.03 | 40 | 45.8 | 33.6 | 50 |
| Size | Compact | Large | Medium | Compact | Large | Large | Medium | Large |
| Warranty | 1-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year | 2-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year |
Buyer’s Guide:
Dehumidifiers
Small Space Dehumidifiers – There are spaces within the home that are more prevalent to moisture; think the closet, the bathroom, and the laundry room. You don’t need an expensive, large capacity dehumidifier here, so what are the alternatives?
Small space dehumidifiers like the Pro Breeze Compact Dehumidifier are ideal for such tiny areas. It is perfect because it only has a 0.4-gallon capacity and offers quiet, efficient, and ultra-low energy operation. This means that you can leave it running and not worry about the noise or the energy costs. It even has an auto shut-off and water tank full function for the ultimate in personal space dehumidification. The price is small too, retailing at less than $50, so it’s affordable.
Portable Dehumidifiers – It may be that you want to control the humidity levels in a particular room. This is where portable dehumidifiers come into their own. Bedrooms are particularly prone to high moisture levels because the human body creates high moisture content when perspiring and breathing, and unlike other rooms in the house, the bedroom is where you become confined for a set number of hours every night.
The kitchen is the next space to benefit from a dehumidifier. It’s a room with excess heat, steam from cooking, heat from electrical appliances, and breathing; these all increase the humidity levels significantly and thus can reduce the quality of the air you breathe and increase the chances of pollutants like mold growth and damp spores.
Large Space Dehumidifiers – For higher capacity, you should look no further than the Frigidaire Dehumidifier. It has a 33-liter capacity and has a coverage of 3,500 square feet. This model has an option to attach a gravity fed hose line to drain the water away directly from the machine, which is excellent if you want to keep it running 24/7 without worrying about emptying the water reservoir.
It retails at less than $300, so while it has the more significant capacity, it isn’t going to stretch the budget too much, and compared to some dehumidifiers that retail at over $1000, it’s a bargain.
Refrigerant Dehumidifier – Refrigerator dehumidifiers are by far the most popular on the market. They work by drawing moist air through a cold evaporator coil to cool the air to a temperature below the dew-point level. The damp air is collected in a reservoir, allowing the dry, cooled air to be passed through the machine and into the atmosphere. It is possible to get dehumidifiers that have a hose attachment that allows the water to get drained away, leaving the device to run without the worry of an overflowing water tank.
Desiccant Dehumidifier – Desiccant dehumidifiers pass air through a rotor which contains an absorbent material, like silica gel, to remove the moisture. Once the air dries out, it gets fed back into the room. The trapped moisture is then heated to allow the water to be extracted out of the building via a vent.
It only takes 4 to 6 pints of water in the atmosphere to raise the humidity levels in a 1,000 square feet space from 15 to 60 percent, so taking steps yourself will help reduce the risk of too much moisture. Some quick fixes include:
- Open windows wherever possible for ventilation
- Increase the indoor temperature because warm air kills moisture
- Cover your boiling pans with lids
- Cut down on houseplants, as they create moisture
- Dry clothes outside
- Make sure that the home has adequate ventilation throughout
- Make sure washing machines and spin dryers are correctly ventilated
Pros:
The challenge is that we humans produce moisture that can impact that humidity. An average family of four in a 3-bedroom house, for example, can create as much as 112 pints of moisture per week through the activities of daily living, like showering, breathing and cooking.
How, though, do you achieve a healthy standard of air within the home setting? The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has suggested that the ideal humidity in our living spaces should be somewhere in the region of 30 to 60 percent. This is the optimum level to keep mold and spores at bay while maintaining decent air quality to control the creation of pathogens that trigger respiratory allergies like asthma.
- Removes unwanted moisture – Too much moisture is harmful. It affects how we breathe, sleep, our well-being and our energy levels.
- Good for the vulnerable – Moderating the amount of liquid in the air improves the health of the very young and the elderly. Convalescing relatives benefit from moisture-balanced air because it kills the breeding grounds for allergens and airborne pollutants.
- Great for furniture – Regulating the humidity in the atmosphere helps to maintain and prolong the life of wooden furniture; too dry and the wood starts to crack and shrink, too wet and it swells.
Cons:
- Cost – Dehumidifiers aren’t cheap to buy or maintain. Some will set you back hundreds of dollars!
- Emptying the water tank – The average water tank hold between 1 and 2 gallons of water, so, if your dehumidifier absorbs 70 pints in a 24 hours, that’s a lot of emptying!
- Another gadget – It can be stressful not knowing whether we have to dehumidify, purify, or humidify. These gadgets help make our lives easier, but it can become very confusing.
Pros
- Removes moisture that affects breathing
- Great aid for the old and young
- Good for wooden furniture
Cons
- Dehumidifiers aren’t that cheap
- Constant maintenance of water tank levels
- Can be confusing to know which gadget is right for you
Final Thoughts
Dehumidifiers are great devices for regulating the air we breathe. They are also just one route to improving the quality of the air in our homes and shouldn’t be seen as the only way of tackling pollution and allergens.
As the seasons change so too does the moisture content in the air, and if we want the flexibility to deal with these changes, a dehumidifier is a very useful tool to have.
