The 9 Best Dehumidifiers of 2024 for Reducing Mold, Mildew, and Humidity in the Home, According to Our Testing (2024)

What We Tested

Overall, the best dehumidifier is Honeywell’s Smart WiFi Energy Star Dehumidifier. In addition to a nice design, we found that it did a great job at whisking moisture away and, after the very first use, the air became noticeably drier. Plus, it has a handle and four small wheels that make it easy to move around.

The unit came with helpful directions, and was simple to assemble, only taking around 20 minutes to get it up and running. Once we switched it on, it started working almost immediately.

We liked that this is a smart dehumidifier that comes with an app to download on your phone or tablet, so you can control and monitor the machine with ease. The app keeps tabs on moisture levels, and you can set it to turn on automatically once the room has reached a certain level of humidity. It even has voice control and is compatible with Amazon Alexa.

The unit has two fan settings (low and high) that you can also control via the app, and we appreciated that the noise level is low, with a light hum at only 51 decibels. There’s also an energy-saving timer, as well as sleep mode, auto-defrost, auto-restart, and automatic shut-off settings.

Audible beeps will alert you that the unit needs maintenance. If you’re not going to be using the drainage hose, it’s worth noting that the collection tank is rather small and will need regular emptying. However, this makes it easier to empty as it’s not so heavy, and you’ll also be notified when the tank is getting full—the machine will beep and turn on a red light, and you’ll also get a notification from the app.

How It Performed After Six Months

The dehumidifier still exceeds all of our expectations, even after months of regular use. While testing this dehumidifier over the summer, the device was so effective that we needed to empty the tank multiple times a day, so you may want to opt for the drainage hose. We appreciated the app, which allows us to change settings from our phone and alerts us when the tank is full or needs to be cleaned.

Product Details: Tank Size: 7 pints | Capacity: 30 pints per day | Maximum Room Size: 1,000 square feet | Weight: 29.9 pounds | Dimensions: 20.1 x 13.2 x 10.5 inches | Drainage Style: Collection tank and drainage hose

The Pure Enrichment Dry Deluxe Dehumidifier is less expensive than other options, so it’s one of the best dehumidifiers if you need more than one for your home or just want to try it out. Overall, we appreciated the design of the unit and found that it’s quite effective for removing moisture from the air in smaller rooms.

Unlike some other styles, this unit doesn’t require any assembly. All you have to do is take it out of the box and remove the protective plastic packaging. During testing, the instructions were very easy to follow, and we just had to decide what level to run it on (high or low), and for how long (four or eight hours). You can also opt to run it indefinitely until it’s manually turned off, or set it automatically shut down when the tank is full.

The unit makes subtle noise that we likened to a white noise machine. It also emits light but it’s not overwhelming and can function as a soothing night light.

There are only three to operate–power, timer, and level– and we found them quite intuitive. As long as you use it for the suggested room size (160 square feet), the unit does a nice job of removing moisture from the air. Overall, we felt much more comfortable with the air quality when this machine was running.

We rarely needed to empty the unit, and when it was time to do so, the tank slid out from the back of the unit effortlessly, and the top popped off for mess-free water disposal. From the back of the dehumidifier, you can keep an eye on how much water accumulates via the transparent blue tank.

Cleaning the tank was simple and can be done with a washcloth and dish soap. Plus, there’s no filter to clean, which was a bonus. To clean the back air intake, you have to screw off the back for access, but this was also straightforward.

How It Performed After Six Months

The dehumidifier kept our home at a steady level of humidity throughout months of testing; the display rarely read anything beyond "Comfort." The timer still performs well and we haven't noticed any change in noise level.

Product Details: Tank Size: 3.17 pints | Capacity: 1.5 pints per day | Maximum Room Size: 160 square feet | Weight: 5 pounds | Dimensions: 5.5 x 12 x 9.1 inches | Drainage Style: Collection tank

Although this Frigidaire unit is significantly more expensive than other options, you certainly get what you pay for. Overall, we liked the thoughtful design and durable construction. Plus, there’s a handle on the top and wheels for rolling it around, and it is easy to clean.

The dehumidifier features an easy-to-read control screen, three different emptying options, and control settings. The machine is also fairly quiet while running. As this is a very efficient machine, we found the tank getting quite full every 12 hours, but you can also choose to continuously drain the dehumidifier through a drainage hose or even pump the liquid up and out, say through a basem*nt window.

It only took us 15 minutes to unbox, but note that you may need an extra set of hands as the 47-pound unit may be a bit heavy for some. It comes already assembled, minus connecting a drain hose (not included). The user manual was helpful, thorough, and easy to understand, with pictures and clear, simple instructions. Once switched on, it only took a couple of hours before we could feel an improvement in the air’s humidity level.

During testing, we felt that emptying the tank was easy enough. We would have liked a handle, but there are indents on either side of the tank to grip the edge and pull it out (it slides into the dehumidifier like a drawer into a dresser). Even though there is a clear lid on the top with a handle and gaps in the corners to allow for pouring, there was still some splashing when it was full, something you might want to consider if using it in a carpeted room.

To clean the unit, you have to pop out the handle, and then jiggle around the clear lid for it to come up so you can access the basin. It was a little tricky to wash the corners but still achievable. Putting it back together is foolproof as the unit won't work until the tank is securely in place.

The filter is clearly labeled and the guard snaps in and out easily. A red light flashes on the control panel when it’s time to dump the tank, and when it’s full, the unit shuts off. There’s also a clear vertical window running the height of the tank on the front with a red float that rises as the water does.

The built-in humidistat can be set to turn off at a certain level (although it will shut off if the tank is full regardless), and it was accurate and aligned with our external hygrometer’s readings. If you can use the continuous drain feature, this machine is practically effortless. It only takes 60 seconds to connect a suitable hose and you’ll never have to worry about emptying it or the machine turning off unless you’ve preset it.

How It Performed After Six Months

We've been using the dehumidifier continuously in our basem*nt and garage for months, letting it drain out an attached drainage hole. The wheels have made it especially easy to roll out of our way when it's not in use. The filter hasn't required a change yet, and we haven't seen any mold or buildup arise.

Product Details: Tank Size: 16.9 pints | Capacity: 50 pints per day | Maximum Room Size: 4,500 square feet | Weight: 47 pounds | Dimensions: 15.96 24.25 x 12.19 inches | Drainage Style: Collection tank and drainage hose

When shopping for dehumidifiers for basem*nts, you need one that is effective in large, dark rooms that tend to get humid. During testing, this Midea model was effective in a large room, pulling a lot of moisture from the air and ensuring that the space remained under the humidity limit set on the machine.

We appreciated that the unit was easy to control, with many options that we worked out by referring to the user manual. It alerts you when the tank is full but it never got to that point during testing as the tank is large. There’s also a small window to see the water level, which was a nice added touch.

The assembly took us about five minutes as the instructions were clear, and there were even handy labels for any settings that weren’t intuitive (such as holding two buttons down together for continuous mode).

Although the bucket is large, emptying it was very easy—all we had to do was lift the top portion out of the bucket, then tilt it to empty. It did emit some noise, but we think it can still be considered a quiet dehumidifier. During testing, we were able to hold conversations and watch television (albeit on a little higher volume than usual) comfortably.

Accessing the filter is very easy as it slides into a designated slot on the side, however we noticed that it never got dirty during our testing. The bucket did accumulate a little mold but this was easy for us to clean with a damp cloth.

There was a slight disparity between the unit’s built-in hygrometer and our external device, with the internal one reading a few percent higher, but nothing too drastic. The machine also has Wi-Fi capability and sends alerts to your smart device when the bucket is full. You can also keep tabs on the moisture levels, and operate the machine remotely via the corresponding app.

Switching to continuous draining is simple—we attached a short garden hose since the piece of tubing provided was too short for our purposes. The connection point can accommodate both a threaded screw-on hose or a non-threaded tube. When the hose is connected, the bucket needs to be removed, and you also lose the ability to use the wheels, which is not ideal as it’s quite a heavy unit at 42 pounds.

How It Performed After Six Months

We continuously ran and drained the dehumidifier in our basem*nt for six months and have been impressed with the results as it's kept our basem*nt's humidity levels steady. While other dehumidifiers in our home have accumulated mildew, this pick has stayed fairly clean. Although we haven't been able to regularly use the smart features thanks to the weak Wi-Fi signal in our basem*nt, we think the dehumidifier is worth the cost even without it.

Product Details: Tank Size: 34 pints | Capacity: 50 pints per day | Maximum Room Size: 4,500 square feet | Weight: 42 pounds | Dimensions: 14.45 14.76 x 14.57 inches | Drainage Style: Drainage hose

With a nice design, and wheels to help users move it around easily, the Whirlpool Portable Dehumidifier is the best dehumidifier for any room of the house, particularly bathrooms. Suitable for a maximum room size of 3,000 square feet, this unit was easy to set up thanks to a clear instruction manual.

During testing, this Energy Star-rated unit dried out a humid bathroom extremely quickly and was quiet while running, too—we were able to carry on a conversation without raising our voices. It has a built-in humidistat and hygrometer which didn’t precisely match our external hygrometer’s readings but was still fairly accurate.

The dehumidifier’s controls are super easy to understand. The dehumidifier is programmable to your needs and features automatic restart, defrost, and shut off, as well as a time. It can also be set to continuously drain, but no hose is provided.

You can see when the tank needs emptying by looking in the tank window but there’s also an indicator light that comes on when it’s very full. After 12 hours, we manually emptied the tank. The unit weighs just under 42 pounds, but we didn’t find it too heavy to lift and empty into a nearby sink.

The machine didn’t get dirty quickly, and the air filter was easy to access. The only downsides we noted were that the power cord is a little short and that the water bucket doesn’t go in and out as smoothly as some other models. However, we found that this didn’t impact the unit’s functionality.

How It Performed After Six Months

Overall, our opinions haven't wavered since our initial testing. The auto shut-off feature has worked properly, which was especially helpful during an extra humid period when we needed to empty the tank twice a day. With the monthly upkeep of cleaning the bucket and filter with soap and water, we haven't experienced any mildew or buildup.

Product Details: Tank Size: 14.8 pints | Capacity: 40 pints per day | Maximum Room Size: 3,000 square feet | Weight: 41.78 pounds | Dimensions: 15.04 x 25.2 x 12.01 inches | Drainage Style: Collection tank and drainage hose

The compact Eva-Dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier is only 8.5 inches tall and weighs 1 pound, so it’s the best dehumidifier for small spaces. We also appreciated that it was easy to set up, as all you have to do is unbox it and plug it in.

We liked that the unit was quiet and we would easily talk and watch television while it was on. It’s also quite easy to operate as there is only one button (on/off), so it’s also the best dehumidifier for those who have never used one before.

We ran this dehumidifier in a bedroom after it had rained and noticed that the room felt more comfortable. On drier days, we didn’t notice a major difference. However, it did feel less sticky in the room and seemed to alleviate some allergies. It took about nine hours of operation to notice an improvement.

With this unit, you do sacrifice a few features that other models have. For example, it does not have a built-in hygrometer, or audible alerts when the tank is full. However, you can see when it’s filling as the tank is clear.

The unit took a few full days to fill up. The tank was easy to empty as you just slide it out, dump the water, and re-insert. Other than cleaning the tray after emptying the water, no other cleaning is required. There’s no filter, and the device stayed pretty clean in general.

How It Performed After Six Months

While using this small dehumidifier in our bedroom, we've noticed our allergies improve. The water tank lasts about a week before it needs to be emptied, and we haven't seen any significant buildup. While it's not a deal breaker, note that our plug has come loose from the outlet at times.

Product Details: Tank Size: 1 pint | Capacity: 1 pint | Maximum Room Size: 225 square feet | Weight: 1 pound | Dimensions: 6.5 x 8.5 x 5.3 inches | Drainage Style: Collection tank

The Frigidaire FFAD3533W1 can dehumidify up to 4,500 square feet, making it a great pick for large spaces. We tested it in our 700-square-foot basem*nt which houses our sump pump and laundry room. The device was nearly ready to use straight out of the box and took us just 10 minutes to set up. The instructions recommend running the device on continuous mode during its initial use, during which we physically felt our basem*nt become less damp. Even after one use, we noticed less condensation on our pipes and walls and small puddles near our washing machine dissipated quicker than usual.

Operating the device was a breeze thanks to clear labeling on the display panel. While you can connect to your own hose for continuous draining, we opted to manually empty the tank during our initial testing period. There is a bobber inside the tank to show the water level, and an indicator light flashes red when the tank is full. Even with a wet basem*nt, it usually took up to 48 hours until the tank was empty.

Beyond a timer, this pick doesn't have any smart features or connectivity, though we didn't feel like we were missing anything without them.

The dehumidifier was fairly noisy, but not enough to hear it from our main living areas upstairs. If you're placing this in a higher traffic area, three different fan settings can help adjust the noise output. The manufacturer recommends cleaning the filter every two weeks, a task we found easy to complete by simply popping out the filter, rinsing, and drying.

How It Performed After Six Months

After our initial testing period, it became clear that continuously draining the dehumidifier instead of using the collection tank was the best choice for our wet basem*nt. Before buying the hose, we had to empty the tank every few days. We haven't noticed any significant change in quality or performance, and we never had to clean any major mildew or buildup.

Product Details: Tank Size: 2.11 gallons | Capacity: 35 pints per day | Maximum Room Size: 4,500 square feet | Weight: 40 pounds | Dimensions: 15.97 x 24.25 x 12.19 inches | Drainage Style: Collection tank and continuous drain

While many dehumidifiers can drain the water directly to a drain, most do not include a drainage hose. If you’re set on using the drainage function of a dehumidifier for a medium to large space, you’ll need a model that comes with all the fixings, like this GE Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump.

Once you set up the machine (connect the optional pump to the tank and plug it in), it’s ready to get to work. After operating for 13 hours non-stop on a rainy day, we noted that the air felt less sticky, and the tank filled up. It beeped to let us know it was full, and the collection bucket has a handle for easy emptying.

The unit is very powerful, so we noticed quick and efficient dehumidifying in around two to three hours. Even the floor felt less sticky and dry to the touch. The room felt cooler and less humid and musty in general, and this was seemingly more effective and noticeable on a rainy day than it was on a hot, cool day.

In comparison to other models, we did find this unit quite noisy (possibly to do with the fact that its fan automatically turns on), but considering its moisture-absorbing abilities, efficiency, and ease of setup, use, and cleaning, we felt it’s still worth the investment.

The dehumidifier features a built-in timer for two or four hours, frost control sensors, and a built-in fan with three settings (low, medium, and high) that helped with the overall regulation of air ventilation. It also cooled down the room much faster when it was on medium or high.

The water tank is smaller than what the machine can absorb, evidenced by the fact that it was full every morning when we left it on overnight. In this instance, the drainage hose and pump that are included would come in very handy as you can just leave it on for as long as you like without ever having to worry about emptying the tank.

How It Performed After Six Months

We haven't noticed any significant difference in the dehumidifier's performance after six months of regular use. We haven't needed to change the filter and there hasn't been any buildup to remove.

Product Details: Tank Size: 15 pints | Capacity: 50 pints per day | Maximum Room Size: 1,500 square feet | Weight: 43.7 pounds | Dimensions: 14.76 x 24.02 x 11.38 inches | Drainage Style: Collection tank and drainage hose

When we first started testing the Amazon Basics Dehumidifier, our first impression was that it was quite loud, so it’s not the best dehumidifier for bedrooms, living rooms, or anywhere else you might try to unwind. However, we were left impressed with this machine’s ability to remove moisture quickly and efficiently, so it’s a great option for a garage or other areas you don’t spend as much time in.

The machine took three minutes to set up as it comes ready to use. We had to read the instruction manual thoroughly to work out what all the buttons on the top are for, but it didn’t take long to figure it out. We appreciated that it's on wheels so we were able to roll it around effortlessly when needed.

We tested this unit in a 700-square-foot room with windows that gets a lot of condensation. There was a substantial change in the level of condensation on and around the windows in the morning after having left the machine on all night. Water would usually be dripping down these windows, especially in the morning, so the difference was quite dramatic: the windows were impressively dry.

We were able to notice a change in the humidity levels within the first 30 minutes of operation. The air was crisper, and the hygrometers (both the built-in one and our external device) were aligned and confirmed this.

We appreciated that the tank was easy to remove and empty. All that’s needed is to slide it out and dump the water. We were surprised, however, that the tank didn’t need much emptying. There is a small window on the tank that lets you peek in to check the water levels, which is a nice touch.

The filter was also very easy to clean. After working the unit to the bone, we only had to clean it once, and even at that point, it was already fairly clean. The device also has an indicator that notifies you when it's time to clean the filter, although it never went off during our initial testing period.

How It Performed After Six Months

After six months of regular use, we're still impressed with the dehumidifier. Before testing this dehumidifier, we were using a smaller device that ran every day, but this larger unit has provided the same results running just a few times a week. We haven't noticed any buildup in the tank, though we've been cleaning it thoroughly after each use.

Product Details: Tank Size: 12.72 pints | Capacity: 35 pints per day | Maximum Room Size: 2,500 square feet | Weight: 39.2 pounds | Dimensions: 15.43 x 24.25 x 11.1 inches | Drainage Style: Collection tank and drainage hose

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