5 Best Dehumidifiers of 2024, According to Testing (2024)

This feature-rich GE came out on top for performance and versatility in our tests, making it the best choice for most situations. For starters, our testers were impressed by how effectively the 50-pint unit pulled water from the air, especially on its highest fan setting.

Since the GE can remove moisture in a space up to 4,000 square feet, this durable pick is ideal for tackling widespread dehumidification. For instance, if your entire house feels too humid during a particularly wet season, this is a great solution. Weighing in at 44 pounds with a large housing, the dehumidifier is one of the bulkier units from our tests, but its wheels and handle made it easy to transport during our usability tests.

It's also well-suited to basem*nts, the most common area for dehumidifier use. The built-in pump means you can drain out a window or into an elevated sink up to 16 feet away. And the auto defrost features will prevent the coils from freezing if the temperature dips below 32°F.

As for operation, our testers say the LED controls are easy to read. If you choose not to use the pump, you can either attach a hose for continuous drainage or empty the reservoir after it fills; it alerts you when the bucket is full. "Just keep in mind that, while continuous pumping is a nice convenience, it will show up in higher electricity bills," DiClerico notes.

This dehumidifier from Midea, a reputable manufacturer in the category, comes in at under $250 while still being able to clear humidity out of 3,000 square feet of space.

Based on our experts' experience with similar Midea models, we expect the unit to do a superb job removing up to 35 pints of moisture from the air per day, with minimal noise from the motor or fan. Its auto defrost function means it's safe for use in basem*nts or other cold rooms.

"If you're dealing with a midsize area under 1,000 square feet that gets damp, but not wet, this medium-capacity unit is a very solid option," DiClerico says. The 33-pound dehumidifier sits on wheels for easy transportation from room to room. Though at nearly 25 inches tall, it's fairly bulky, so you might want to consider a more compact unit if you're looking to dry out a smaller space.

In past reports, our experts tested Midea's Cube 20-Pint Dehumidifier and found it to be an excellent option. The only issue is that it's been a little harder to find this season, but keep an eye out for it if your goal is a compact unit that packs plenty of dehumidifying power.

Moisture removal capacity between 40 and 50 pints per day tends to be the sweet spot for dehumidifiers, our experts say, since those models offer the best combination of value, performance and efficiency. This 50-pint unit from Frigidaire is the perfect case in point. It did an excellent job of drawing moisture from the air in our test area, plus it has great usability features from intuitive controls and an accessible water bucket to a washable air filter.

You'll pay a premium for this Frigidaire, but one feature in particular makes it worth the splurge for many homeowners: The on-board pump enables you to continuously drain water from the bucket to a location up to 15 feet away, including a utility sink or other elevated spot.

On the downside, the dehumidifier is not suited for spaces that get below 40°F, since it lacks a frost control sensor, a feature found on other dehumidifiers that automatically shuts the unit off whenever ice crystals start to form on its coils. "That's why we like this model for living spaces, such as a family room or bedroom, as opposed to a chilly basem*nt," says DiClerico.

RELATED: The Best Dehumidifiers From Frigidaire, Tested by Experts

If you're only dealing with a little moisture in a bathroom or other confined space, for example a home office in a finished basem*nt, you can save money without sacrificing comfort with a small-capacity dehumidifier, like this 35-pint unit from Frigidaire.

This dehumidifier was a top pick in our tests because it has so many simple, helpful features that make it easy for daily use. A digital readout helps you monitor the current humidity and customize how much moisture you want in the air. A red light indicates when the bucket needs a change, or you can connect a hose for continuous drainage.

When it comes to maintenance, we found it easy to access the reservoir bucket, since it's right in the front of the unit. The bucket's built-in carrying handle means you can hoist it up and empty the water down a drain or into the yard with less effort. (For a win-win, you can repurpose the water you've pulled out of the air to water your plants.)

The dehumidifier's cord wraps around hooks on the back for easy storage, and the side handles and wheels make it a breeze to move this 40-pound dehumidifier around on both hardwood floors and carpeting. Although the manufacturer doesn't list the square footage the unit can handle, it claims to be appropriate for a "medium" room — and in our tests, we found that it could handle more than that.

"A potential drawback with this Frigidaire is that, while it comes with a hose for continuous draining, there's no onboard pump to send water to an elevated drain source, like a utility sink or nearby window," DiClerico notes. The highest fan setting may also be loud in a small room.

If your humidity level is on the lighter side, Frigidaire offers an even smaller 22-pint-capacity version for $229. If you've got high humidity to fight, the larger 60-pint version for $499 (before sales) might be the best option for you.

For large, wet spaces, like an unfinished basem*nt where moisture collects on the floor and walls, you need a dehumidifier that can remove at least 50 pints of water per day from the air. This Honeywell, the largest in our test, can handle as much as 70 pints. Despite its powerful compressor, it carries the Energy Star label, so it will help keep both moisture levels and electricity costs in check.

"The Honeywell was also one of the easiest dehumidifiers to take apart and clean, thanks to its accessible front-facing bucket with a handle," says Good Housekeeping Institute Lab Assistant Nikolas Greenwald. "Plus, we found the interface and digital controls to be clear and intuitive."

In addition to its exceptional performance in our water removal test, the Honeywell's accurate humidistat helps it maintain steady humidity levels. And it includes an onboard pump, so you can continuously drain water vertically or horizontally, up to 15 feet.

All that stellar performance comes at a cost: The Honeywell is an expensive model. It's also fairly bulky and on the noisy side, so it's best suited to basem*nts or other isolated parts of the home, as opposed to your bedroom or family room.

Product experts and analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute continuously survey the marketplace and manufacturers to identify the models that consumers nationwide are most likely to find in stores and online. From there, we select models for testing across different size categories to cover every need and budget.

We only test condensing models, since they capture more moisture than desiccant models (which use a water-absorbing material) or thermoelectric dehumidifiers (which use an electric charge to "attract" humidity).

Hands-on testing begins in our Lab under controlled humidity and temperature conditions. The key performance-based test measures how much water each dehumidifier collects in a 48-hour time period. Our engineers also use a decibel meter to assess how loud each machine is when running at its highest fan speed. Usability is another important part of our evaluation; it happens in the Lab, as well as in the homes of consumer testers, allowing us to test the dehumidifiers under real-world conditions.

We look at factors such as portability, how intuitive the display and controls are and ease of cleaning, including how simple it is to wash the filter and empty the water reservoir. Finally, we assess each brand's customer service by contacting their help lines with a pretend problem and seeing how quickly it is remedied by the representative.

Here are a few points to keep in mind before you purchase the best dehumidifier for your needs:

✔️ Price point: If you're asking yourself if a dehumidifier is worth the price, it most likely is. The fact that you're researching which one to purchase shows that you're already dealing with excessive humidity. Generally speaking, the more efficient it is, the more powerful it is and the more you need to run it, the more expensive it will be. When it comes to dehumidifiers, it's almost guaranteed that you'll be happier having one versus not having one, no matter the price point.

✔️ Type: If humidity is a problem throughout the entire house, an integrated whole-home system may be the way to go. If your moisture issues are seasonal or confined to only some rooms of the house, a portable residential unit is your best bet. Smaller dehumidifiers tend to cost less and can be easier to move, but they can be less efficient when running at a constant rate. It's best to err on the side of caution by buying a larger unit than a smaller one and having the unit run less frequently.

✔️ Size: The size of your room and how damp it is will determine how big or small your dehumidifier should be. Dehumidifiers are sized based on how many pints of moisture they can remove in a day. The larger and wetter your space is, the more powerful your unit will need to be. For example, a 70-pint dehumidifier can cover a very damp 700 square feet or a slightly damp 1,200 square feet. Keep in mind: If the room is cooler (say, a basem*nt), the dehumidifier will remove less moisture, since colder air contains less moisture than warmer air. Here's a quick guide:

• A small humidifier removes 20 to 25 pints of moisture at 65°F, or 30 to 40 pints at 80°F (about 400 to 600-plus square feet).
• A medium humidifier removes 30 to 35 pints of moisture at 65°F, or 50 to 60 pints at 80°F (about 800 to 1,000-plus square feet).
• A large humidifier removes 40 to 55 pints of moisture at 65°F, or 70 to 90 pints at 80°F (about 1,200 to 1,500-plus square feet).

✔️ Features: Dehumidifiers have many features to consider, but these are the ones our pros recommend focusing on:

• Hose connection: If you'll be using a large-capacity dehumidifier for a particularly wet job, finding a dehumidifier with a hose connection can save you from having to empty the machine manually.
• Pumps: Attached to the hose, a pump can send water up to a sink or window. Many can move water up to 15 feet.
• Auto-humidistat: This can sense the moisture in the air and turn off automatically once the desired level is reached.
• Low temperature setting and/or auto-defrost: These features are helpful if the dehumidifier will be in a cool place, as they help ensure the unit can operate properly in cooler temps.

✔️ Maintenance: Some dehumidifiers are easier to clean and maintain than others:

• Accessible water reservoir: Front-facing buckets that have a comfortable handle are the easiest to remove.
• Filter indicator: This feature reminds you to clean your dehumidifier's air filter. That's also a good time to clean the grill at the back of the unit, following the manufacturer's instructions.

In 2019, the Department of Energy changed the parameters of measuring the capacity of dehumidifiers. In the past, dehumidifiers were officially tested at 80°F, but since June 13, 2019, dehumidifiers are required to be tested at a lower temperature, 65°F, "to more accurately reflect expected performance in a basem*nt setting."

This means that a dehumidifier tested in accordance with the new protocols will likely report a smaller capacity. For example, a previously labeled "70-pint dehumidifier" will now likely be considered a 50-pint dehumidifier under new guidelines.

In this roundup, all of the picks are reflective of these new standards. This means that if you previously purchased a dehumidifier, the original pint size may have been adjusted according to the new guidelines, as you cannot compare older units directly against newer units.

• Check to see that the airflow isn’t restricted. Some units have vents on top, allowing it to sit against a wall. Others have vents on the sides, which means they shouldn't be pushed up against walls or furniture.
• Regularly clean the air filter. The dehumidifier won't work as well if it's dirty. Make sure you're tending to it at least once a week.
• Unplug the machine before you open it for any reason. When you empty the container or clean it, check to be sure you've unplugged it first.

Lead author Rachel Rothman has extensive experience conducting hands-on testing of dehumidifiers, leveraging her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. In her former role as chief technologist and director of engineering at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Rachel helped develop the testing protocols for the category. With regard to indoor air quality, she is a leading advocate for the adoption of rigorous industry standards. Rachel has also tested dozens of dehumidifiers in recent years at her home.

Nikolas Greenwald, Lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute, led the latest round of dehumidifier testing. Nikolas works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining GH in 2022, Nikolas worked in the labs of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University.

Contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn most recently updated this story, studying the Good Housekeeping Institute's newest dehumidifier testing data.