Humidity and moisture are silent killers. Of your home, that is. Both by ruining its environment and endangering your health, humidity leads to a host of problems that may seem impossible to solve. Whether it’s a musty unpleasant odor, damp patches on your walls, or mold growing in your home, you can bet that humidity is the culprit. In this article, we provide a review of best dehumidifiers of 2020.
You might already know that investing in the best dehumidifiers is the solution. But with the market currently flooded with all types of home dehumidifiers, how can you wade through the dozens of dehumidifiers online and find the best dehumidifier for your needs? Luckily, we have made that process easier with our 2020 buyer’s guide that will make sense of all the things you need to know in the world of home dehumidifiers. Keep reading to see our list for the 10 top-rated dehumidifiers in 2021 and their pros and cons.
Top 10 Best Dehumidifiers Reviews in 2021
Choosing the right dehumidifier is crucial in your fight to completely eliminate excessive moisture and harmful mold and mildew from your home. Finding one that fits your needs means the difference between a home that has safe and clean indoor air and one that can lead to illnesses and allergy triggers. So what should you be looking for when you consider the best dehumidifier for you?
The first thing you will need to understand is dehumidifier capacity and how it relates to how it can answer your needs. A dehumidifier’s capacity is how much moisture it is able to take out from the air per day and is often measured in pints. But deciding how much capacity you need is not just a matter of choosing the highest number – it will depend on the size of the space and its dampness.
You can refer to the recommendations of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers through this dehumidifier guide by Energy Star that will recommend the dehumidifier capacity you need. However, because of the chart’s limited scope, if you have a space larger than 4500 square feet or if you think that you may use the dehumidifier in spaces of varying sizes, then you can simply choose to get the biggest capacity available at 70 pints per day.
1. LG High-Efficiency PuriCare Dehumidifier
Topping our list is a crowd-favorite dehumidifier from LG that is also favored by experts according to dehumidifier ratings and there’s no doubt why that is. This powerhouse of a portable dehumidifier has capabilities of up to 70 pints per day for spaces up to 2000 square feet.
That makes it perfect for apartments, small houses, and offices under or just about 2000 sq. ft. By efficiently removing moisture from your home all day, it effectively kills mildew and mold while also eliminating harmful bacteria in your home’s indoor air that can cause breathing difficulties.
This impressive machine comes with an arsenal of innovative digital features that keep it ahead of the game compared to other dehumidifiers in its range like its automatic humidistat control and low-temperature control. It also has a built-in timer that lets you plan out when it turns on and off for up to 12 hours in advance.
2. Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier
If you have a small space that doesn’t quite require a large dehumidifier yet, smaller renewable dehumidifiers can be a great alternative. We particularly recommend the Eva-dry E-333 because of how effective and simple it is, making it perhaps the simplest of the best dehumidifiers on this list.
So how does it work? The Eva-dry E-333 is completely cordless and powerless, which may not be what you expect from a modern ovation dehumidifier. Instead, its dehumidifying capabilities come from renewable silica gel technology.
The great thing about the Eva-dry is that it is completely renewable, which means that you don’t have to throw it away when it reaches its capacity and buy a new one. Instead, simply plug the Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier into a socket and a small heating component will renew the crystals and turn them orange again. They can then be re-used repeatedly for up to 10 years.
3. Frigidaire High Efficiency Dehumidifier
Frigidaire never disappoints with its mid-range appliances that combine brilliant engineering with reasonable prices. And the Frigidaire High Efficiency Dehumidifier that has capabilities of up to 70 pints per day is not any different.
It is powerful in its dehumidifying abilities and you will immediately notice a drop in humidity and moisture as soon as the unit is turned on. Besides its effectivity in removing moisture from rooms, this top-rated dehumidifier also has digital features like a digital humidity readout and a 24-hour timer that is easily programmable.
Among the best dehumidifiers on this list, the Frigidaire High-Efficiency Dehumidifier holds a special place in that it certainly delivers the fastest results to spaces up to 1500 square feet. So if you have a small home, apartment, or even a big space like a basement that needs dehumidifying, this portable dehumidifier would be a great fit.
4. Eva-dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier
Suck the moisture right out of small bathrooms, boats, and offices with the Eva-dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier that promises effective dehumidification for spaces up to 1100 cubic feet. The Eva-dry unit is only 8.5 x 5.3 x 6.5 inches and is thus one of the most portable dehumidifiers on the market.
Its easy set up is unmatched among the best dehumidifiers with a “plug and play” design. Needing just 22 watts to effectively operate, the Eva-dry Edv-1100 has a low power consumption that makes the unit incredibly cost-effective to use.
It also has a sensor that automatically turns the unit off when it has reached its full capacity and a light to indicate when the unit will need to be drained. And while it is perhaps the quietest dehumidifier, which is certainly not a bad thing, you will not be able to miss how it can absorb musty odors and remove mildew and mold from your spaces with a reservoir that can hold up to 8 oz of moisture without draining. Sit it on shelves or desks and watch it work.
5. Black + Decker BDT70PWT Portable Dehumidifier
Black + Decker engineered this sleek dehumidifier to be a response to the influx of bulky and big dehumidifiers in the market. Sleek, small, and beautifully designed, the Black + Decker is a beautiful sight in itself.
But it is also part of this list of the best dehumidifiers because it has great features to back its modern look. This Black + Decker unit has capabilities of up to 70 pints of moisture every 24 hours and the choice between using its 16.9-pint bucket or its internal pump that can vertically drain your unit automatically.
Whichever draining option you choose, the Black + Decker BDT70PWT is easy to set up and leave. It also has a range of digital settings and features like a 24-hour timer, 3 fan speeds, an LED control panel with an adjustable humidistat, and a warning system to remind you when it is time to clean the filter.
6. Keystone High-Efficiency Dehumidifier
For spaces up to 3000 square feet, the Keystone High-Efficiency Dehumidifier can remove as much as 50 pints of moisture per day and eliminate harmful bacteria in the air. This beautifully-designed plastic dehumidifier strikes a great balance between features and cost-effectivity, making it a high rated dehumidifier among the best dehumidifiers on the market.
It has 3 settings that let you have control over just how much moisture is removed from your home every day. And once it has been drained, the bucket on this Keystone unit snaps firmly back into place to ensure that there are no leaks.
It also has durable wheels to make transporting and storing this portable dehumidifier easy. Keystone has not forgotten important digital features either – with auto shutoff, auto defrost, and a filter indicator to let you know when it is time to clean the washable dust filter.
7. Frigidaire Dehumidifier Best for Home
Undoubtedly one of the best dehumidifiers available today, this Frigidaire unit is perfect for people looking for a smaller and lighter dehumidifier that still has powerful and fast dehumidifying capabilities. While small at just 10.5 x 13.8 x 20.5 inches and weighing just 31 lbs, this unit can handle up to 30 pints of moisture per day.
It has a front-loading built-in container with a 7.6-pint capacity that can be drained manually or you can also set up a hose to make the unit drain continuously as it is being used. Frigidaire has long touted its Effortless Humidity Control feature, which can either turn the unit off as soon as it reaches the desired humidity in the room or it can also run continuously to eliminate all moisture.
8. Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 Dehumidifier
No, you aren’t seeing double. Right off the heels of the Frigidaire 30-Pint Dehumidifier is its bigger sibling, the Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier is one of the best dehumidifiers on the market that offers most of the same features as the 30-Pint version while also updating its capabilities, energy-efficiency, and digital controls.
It has more than twice the dehumidifying capabilities of the 30-Pint model, which makes it more suitable for larger rooms, homes, and offices that have excess moisture throughout the day. With a front-loading 13.1-pint tank with a splash guard that easily pulls out to drain, you can manually drain the water throughout the day or set up a hose to allow for continuous draining as you leave it on during the day.
9. homeLabs HME020031N Energy Star Dehumidifier
For large or extremely wet spaces, you’ll need the most powerful and best dehumidifiers like this home lab unit to sufficiently meet your dehumidifying needs. The home lab unit has been engineered to efficiently remove moisture from the air, eliminate harmful bacteria and allergens, and remove any stagnant or musty odor for spaces up to 4,500 square feet.
It can eliminate up to 50 pints of moisture every day and it can either be manually drained through its 1.8-gallon built-in tank or by attaching a garden hose for continuous automatic draining. This unit is the largest dehumidifier home labs currently has in their lineup and the care they’ve put into it is obvious.
10. Perfect Aire 1PED30 Energy Star Dehumidifier
Rounding out our list of the best dehumidifiers on the market is Perfect Aire’s 1PED30 Dehumidifier that can dehumidify spaces up to 1500 square feet. It can dehumidify up to 30 pints per day and can either be manually drained or set up with a hose to continuously drain the moisture in the unit.
The Perfect Aire unit has been built to be a simple home dehumidifier that works in small to medium rooms or even in small apartments and offices. It is no wonder that it is so favorable among dehumidifier reviews. Even with its simplicity, the Perfect Aire unit has convenient digital features to make using the unit even more enjoyable.
If you are looking for something budget-friendly, energy-efficient, and if you don’t care too much about design or fancy digital features, this might be the best small dehumidifier for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dehumidifiers
1. What Type of Dehumidifier Capacity Do I Need for My Home?
A dehumidifier’s declared capacity as stated by its manufacturer actually depends on two factors: dampness of space and size. It is usually measured in pints and it lays out how much moisture it can eliminate from space in 24 hours. A dehumidifier’s capacity is regulated by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and you can refer to their chart at Energy Star to figure out what kind of capacity you need from your humidifier.
However, because the scope of the AHAM chart is so limited, we recommend that for spaces larger than 2,500 square feet or for spaces that are particularly excessive in moisture, simply choose the largest to get the best results if you have the budget to do so. Not only can a 70-pint dehumidifier process more moisture, but it also does so faster than 30-pint or 50-pint dehumidifiers. But if you do not have the budget or the space to invest in the biggest dehumidifiers on the market, smaller mid-range dehumidifiers can also get the job done.
2. Why is Continuous Draining an Important Feature?
You may have noticed that throughout our list, we were careful to mention which dehumidifiers allowed for continuous draining. This is because of the convenience it offers compared to other dehumidifiers that can only be manually drained. Think about it – if your dehumidifier has a capacity of 70 pints per day but only has a tank that can take 10 pints, then you will need to manually drain the unit up to 7 times every day. But you would not have to do that if that same dehumidifier allowed for continuous draining.
By attaching a garden hose directly to the unit, water collected would be filtered out through the hose into a sink or window and save you the trouble of manual draining. This is especially a great option for basements where people may not usually be or if you plan to leave your dehumidifier on when you go out.
3. Do I Need an Auto-defrost Feature From My Dehumidifier?
Moisture does not simply cease to exist once we enter lower temperatures in the colder months of the year. In fact, dehumidifiers may be all the more important when there are heavy snowfalls and moisture in the air. When the air is cooler, the refrigerant inside your dehumidifier will make that air all the cooler, which sometimes leads to it turning to ice and sticking to the coils of your dehumidifier. Not only is this impractical in that it halts the proper dehumidifying in a space, but it can also ruin the interior of your dehumidifier and lead to permanent damage.
With an auto-defrost feature, that would not happen at all. But whether it is important will depend on where you live and how you plan to use the appliance. For colder areas, we absolutely recommend that you choose a unit with an auto-defrost feature. But if you live in warmer places, you may still find it useful but it also may not be a priority for you.
4. Is Noise an Important Factor to Consider?
While this may sound like a technical feature, it is actually a personal factor to consider. Most dehumidifiers on the market today have been engineered to be as quiet as possible. if not to be the quietest dehumidifier on the market. However, some dehumidifiers will undoubtedly be noisier than others.
If you are the type of person who can tune out white noise in the background. or if you plan to use the dehumidifier in a room you do not usually frequent, then the noise may not be an important factor. But if you plan to use the dehumidifier in your living spaces – say. a bedroom or a living room – then we encourage you to look through our list for the quietest dehumidifiers. to facilitate your ease as you sleep and go about your day.
5. Besides Removing Moisture From the Air, What Other Benefits Do Home Dehumidifiers Have?
Besides eliminating excessive moisture and killing mildew. and mold before they can begin to form, there are other benefits to investing in a dehumidifier. First, it also eliminates foul and musty odors from our homes. With musty odors that come from excessive moisture in the air. air fresheners and candles won’t do the trick to remove them. In those cases, you will have to go after the source to give your home a better and fresher smell. Second, dehumidifiers also eliminate harmful bacteria that grow .and live in moist and wet environments.
These bacteria can be harmful to our health. Especially to children and pets, so nipping them in the bud is incredibly important. Finally, dehumidifiers also purify and filter the air in our home. This means that they can also remove allergens to further improve the indoor quality of our air. So, if you’re still in doubt about whether buying a dehumidifier is the right choice for you. Remember that you can also use it throughout the year to improve. Indoor air quality even when it is not humid or wet inside.