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Beat raging , humid air with our top pickaxe .
In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
High humidity storey can be downright uncomfortable , lead peel feeling sticky and damp . But did you know that inordinate humidity indoors can be more than just an inconvenience ? Humidity can encouragemold growthand damage to your rest home , which is why having a dehumidifier is important .
“ The first thing to check when opt a dehumidifier is whether its size is sufficient for the room you ’re start to use it in , ” saysRoy Jaramillo , possessor of Amazing Air Solutions in San Antonio . “ For a dehumidifier that is too small for a room , it would be challenge to reduce humidness to desirable degree , and it might need to run non - cease . This results in poor results , high energy consumption , and shortened lifetime of the unit of measurement . ”
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
But sometimes a belittled unit is best for your space , like a closest or little bathroom . “ If a dehumidifier is too big for a room when you ’re fit to use it , it might result in frequent cycling on and off , which can cause wear and tear on internal share , ” Jaramillo says .
What We Tested
To find the honest little dehumidifiers , we tested 28 framework in our own bathrooms , basement , and life area , considering each machine’ssetup , effectivity , easiness of exercise , design , andfeatures .
To learn more about how we essay small dehumidifiers , ascertain outour testing processbelow .
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier
This dehumidifier include several bells and tin whistle , like motorcar shut - off and restart , LED power display , and full water tank indicator .
It took a few hours of running before it made any noticeable change in humidness levels .
After tallying up all the dissimilar examination factors for each product , theEva - Dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifierscored high-pitched in our testing . For one , it was the most efficacious , leading to a 21.90 % average humidity level change , over double the average of all the dehumidifiers we tested .
Credit: Amazon
little models often come in simpler designs , but the Eva - Dry packed a destiny of features into its small size . The automated shut - off is particularly helpful so you’re able to start the machine without concern about the tank car fill up up . It will twist off when the tank is full , and there ’s an index number light to let you sleep together it ’s metre to dump out the water .
We appreciated how easy this small-scale dehumidifier was to use . It took us only about two minute to set it up , and we just had to plug away it in — no need for fussing with instructions . When it was prison term to dump out the water tank , we liked that this process was simple as well . We just pluck out the collection tank car , dumped it in the sink , and supervene upon it . Because of the diminished size , it was n’t profound to bear to the sink .
The only real downside is that it takes awhile for this machine to make a difference of opinion in humidity level . We noted it took about 4 hour before the machine set off reducing the humidity level . But once it started mold , we noticed the way matt-up less sticky , and even our Arabian tea had a noticeableimprovement in allergic reaction symptoms .
In our test, it took about a week for the tank to fill before emptying.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
After six month of use , we were still impressed with this gimmick . The weewee tank only needed to be dumped about once per week in our experience . After dumping out the water each week , we also gave the water tankful a quick clean . We did n’t acknowledge any grime or buildup with regular cleanings .
ware Details : Tank Capacity:16 oz . |Moisture Removal Capacity:0.5 pints per daytime |Room Size:122 sq . ft . |Weight:1 lbs . |Dimensions:6.5 x 11 x 5.3 in .
Key Terms to Know
Best for Bathrooms
Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe Dehumidifier
It can serve a pretty large room sizing despite its small size of it , and it made a difference in multiple room on the same floor in our examination .
This dehumidifier has very dim-witted controls , so you could only line up the timekeeper or fan speed .
ThePure Enrichment Dry Deluxe Dehumidifieris a good size for stash off on a can comeback or shelf , and in our tests , it made a detectable difference in humidness level not only in the elbow room it was in , but also the surrounding rooms .
This dehumidifier is straightforward to setup — just plug away it in and it ’s ready to go . We only used the low setting , since this offered a still hum ideal for nightlong habit , and still noticed an ordinary 7.31 % alteration in humidity levels . We appreciated that this dehumidifier admit an automated shut - off for continuous use , and it also offer options for 4- or 8 - hour setting . Otherwise , this good example does n’t offer much in terms of controls and customization ; there ’s no build - in humidistat or hygrometer to measure humidness level , but you may control the fan speeding with two scene , low or high .
The water storage tank was slow to fill up in our mental test , but when it was time to empty it , we find it very easy to remove , coldcock out , andclean with a chip of liquid ecstasy and water .
We were particularly impressed with the farsighted - condition upkeep ( or really , miss thereof ) for this dehumidifier . away from empty the tankful as call for , which was n’t very often , this equipment did n’t need much forethought , and even with minimum maintenance , it did n’t show sign of buildup . It keep performing well even month later , and it incessantly showed humidness tier at a “ Comfort ” reading .
mathematical product Details : Tank Capacity:50.88 oz . |Moisture Removal Capacity:1.06 pint per day |Room Size:500 sq . ft . |Weight:5.1 lbs . |Dimensions:5.4 x 12 x 9.1 in .
Best Portable
Pro Breeze Mini Portable Dehumidifier
The dehumidifier outset work now , but the water tank is sluggish to fill up , meaning less maintenance for drug user .
The dehumidifier include an air filter , but it ca n’t be cleaned and reused . You ’ll postulate to purchase successor filter .
At just under 2.5 pounds and with the diminished dimensions of any dehumidifier we test , it ’s no wonder thePro Breeze Mini Portable Dehumidifieris the achiever of the most portable dehumidifier . We prove it in a small sleeping room and acknowledge an intermediate humidness degree change of 11.30 % .
This dehumidifier is easy to use — it only needs plug in and ferment on with a single clit to start working . Once it ’s on , it start working right aside . We noticed a modification in the humidity and temperature and control weewee dripping into the collection tank just minutes after turning on the machine .
Despite the piddle beginning to collect in the armored combat vehicle quickly after turning on , it occupy a few years of consistent employment before the armored combat vehicle was full of water . Dumping out the water and cleaning the tankful was just as easy as set up the machine .
We come up this machine particularly portable ; in fact , it was small enough to contribute to and from the post or pack in carry - on luggage for taking it on trips .
Credit: Amazon
After 6 months , the mathematical product was still performing as well as it did on 24-hour interval one . cleanup is specially easy ; cleaning the outside of the automobile was as gentle as wiping it down occasionally with a disinfectant wipe . The tank was easy to make clean out with scoop and water every few hebdomad to keep buildup at bay .
merchandise Details : Tank Capacity:16 oz . |Moisture Removal Capacity:0.57 pints per Clarence Shepard Day Jr. |Room Size:215 sq . ft . |Weight:2.4 lbs . |Dimensions:6 x 8.5 x 6 in .
Best Design
Pure Enrichment PureDry Elite Dehumidifier
It has the largest tank capacity of the small dehumidifiers we tested , think of you may hunt down it for longer before it needs to be dumped .
Based on our run , this dehumidifier act good for living room or bedrooms rather than highly humid bathrooms .
If you desire a dehumidifier that you may leave out on video display , consider the stylishPure Enrichment PureDry Elite Dehumidifier . It has a minimalist and modern design that you wo n’t have to hide out off .
The Pure Enrichment PureDry has a sleek design suitable for living spaces.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
This model has an impressive 67.6 - snow leopard piddle tank capacity , which we always emptied well before it was full . If it did fill up up , the simple machine include an automatise shut - off feature . It also include three ready to hand timer setting , 4 hours , 8 hours , or 12 hours .
When the motorcar is on , it ’s quiet enough that it wo n’t cut off conversation or vie with racket from a TV or stereo .
While we did find a slender change in how the atmosphere felt in the bathroom after running the auto , it did have a small impact on humidity , with a 2.33 % medium humidity level variety . Because bathrooms can be particularly humid , this modelling may be best for asmall living roomor bedroom , or it may solve substantially in ahalf bathroomor solo spaces .
This machine includes a filter , which we found easy to access , remove , and clean . The entire setup and cleaning processes were straightforward .
Product detail : Tank Capacity:67.6 oz . |Moisture Removal Capacity:1.25 pint per 24-hour interval |Room Size:300 sq . ft . |Weight:5.5 lbs . |Dimensions:5.5 x 13.2 x 9.9 in .
Best with Air Purifier
Tenergy Sorbi Air Dehumidifier
This gadget has a sleek design and is impressively quiet , and we liked how well it worked in a chamber stage setting .
You ’ll need to purchase extra , brand - specific line filters for this model , and the filter pauperization changed about every six calendar month .
TheTenergy Sorbi 1000ml Air Dehumidifieris a slap-up value , offering two functions for the price of one product . In accession to removing surplus wet from the strain , the Tenergy Sorbi dehumidifier also doubles as anair purifier .
Setup was fairly simple-minded , but away from plug it in , it ’s important to remember to remove the plastic covering on the breeze filter . It also proved to be pretty effective , with an median humidness level alteration of 15.33 % , although we found it work best in bedrooms or other areas with moderate humidity over very humid space , like bathrooms .
Removing the H2O storage tank to knock down it out into a sink was loose , and although there ’s no exonerated panel to divulge the water level , the dehumidifier does automatically wrick off once the water cooler is full .
The HEPA filter lineament can be helpful in maintaining healthy indoor air , but that does mean you ’ll involve to purchasereplacement filtersfor this particular dehumidifier . It require trade name - specific replacements , so make trusted to grease one’s palms the appropriate filters to keep the machine run as intended . The filter is leisurely to get at and remove .
This was one of the heavy small dehumidifiers we tested at 7 pounds . While still portable , we wished this had some type of handle to make it easier to carry .
Product item : Tank Capacity:33.8 oz . |Moisture Removal Capacity:1.6 dry pint per day |Room Size:200 sq . ft . |Weight:7 lbs . |Dimensions:8 x 12 x 8 in .
The Bottom Line
base on our tests , we crowned theEva - Dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifieras the best small dehumidifier . While we were impressed with many of its feature , like the automated shut - off , a full tank indicator , and automatic restart functionality , what really blew us by was how powerful this little machine was . It had the greatest effect on humidness levels , with a 21.90 % average change in humidness stage .
Our Testing Process
To settle which models would make it to our lean of the best small dehumidifiers , we prove 28 total dehumidifiers , including both small andlarge simulation . To set off , we unbox the dehumidifier and let it posture for 24 hours prior to testing , as this lets any compressor oils settle and helps the unit perform as mean .
We notedindoor humidness levelsusing a separate hygrometer before using the dehumidifiers alongside any information on their locations and late weather , like rain , that can impress humidity . we also take down any readings from build - in hygrometer of dehumidifiers to compare these readings with the freestanding hygrometer readings . After a 12 - hour catamenia , we note hygrometer readings to determine any humidity level changes .
In total , we spent over 1,000 hours examination dehumidifiers . We recorded how long each model learn to set up , how simple or difficult it was to keep in line each twist with its buttons , the noise level while each dehumidifier was running , how easygoing it was to move the dehumidifier , and how easy or difficult it was to empty and clean the water armoured combat vehicle .
Credit: Amazon
We continued using the dehumidifiers for several calendar month , register progress at the 3 - calendar month and 6 - calendar month mark . We test how the dehumidifiers worked , noting any signs of buildup in the water tanks and how well the equipment functioned with steady usance .
What to Know About Small Dehumidifiers Before Shopping
Capacity
When you’reshopping for a dehumidifier , keep in thinker that there are differences between capacity type . verbal description will show two unlike type of product specifications : tank capacity and moisture removal capacity .
The storage tank capacity refers to the volume of liquid the water collection tank will hold . Once this tank is full , it needs to be dumped or drained with a waste pipe hose , depending on the dehumidifier example .
In our list of dehumdifiers , the tank car capacities range from about 16 Panthera uncia to well-nigh 68 ounce . A larger tank capacity means the car can work longer before need to be abandon .
The ProBreeze dehumidifier worked quickly and effectively.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
“ think back that dehumidification mean it will polish off water from the melody , ” explainsDaniel Berry , HVAC - R Program Director at Fortis Institute in Scranton , Pennsylvania . “ Unless , of line , you have a system that can be piped into your domicile plumbing system organization . In any case , having access to the H2O reservoir for draining and cleaning is critically important . ”
But the dehumidifier is n’t circumscribe to only removing its tank ’s worth of wet from the air in one day . So that ’s why producer include a wet remotion capacity , ordinarily measured in pints or liters of moisture that can be take away from the melody per day .
For moisture removal capacity , the dehumidifiers on our inclination range from about 0.5 pints per day to 1.6 dry pint per day . TheTenergy Sorbi 1000ml Air Dehumidifierhas the highest moisture removal capability at 1.6 pints per day .
Credit: Crate & Barrel
Room Size
elbow room size is a major consideration when buy a dehumidifier , so make certain to gibe the maximal way sizing your dehumidifier can serve .
In our tilt of the adept little dehumidifiers , the top models make for best in rooms under 300 square feet , which make them idealistic for smaller spaces like bathrooms , closets , orsmall bedrooms . One product , thePure Enrichment Dry Deluxe Dehumidifier , worked for rooms up to 500 square feet .
Dimensions
Aside from the sizing of the room , you will also want to consider the size and portability of the dehumidifier . Small dehumidifiers work best for spaces like chamber and privy , but they can still be bulky or incompatible with the place . For illustration , the dehumidifier may have a smaller tank mental ability , but it ’s loaded with bells and whistles , do the unit too large to fit on a dresser or bathroom counter .
The belittled model in our selection for the best pocket-size dehumidifier was thePro Breeze Mini Portable Dehumidifier , which assess 6 x 8.5 x 6 inches , and it work best for rooms less than 215 solid feet . By weight unit , theEva - Dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifierwas the light option we tested at just 1 pound , but all the options in our top picks weigh under 7 lbf. .
Sometimes , you may require to sacrifice tank capacity and wet removal electrical capacity for a smaller , more portable unit .
While larger than others we tested, the Pure Enrichment Elite is small enough to fit on a nightstand.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
No matter the size of the dehumidifier , if you plan to move it from room to room , make certain to consider design features like wheels or prosperous carrying handgrip for improved portability .
Noise Level
While larger dehumidifiers can bestashed away in basementsto help muffle the noise , little dehumidifiers for living rooms or sleeping room are dear when they are quiet . You want something that contributes what amounts towhite noise ; otherwise , you may find yourself cry over the sound of the running dehumidifier or waking up through the nighttime .
“ You ’ll know how noisy the dehumidifier is by checking the decibel rating on the merchandise specification , ” Jaramillo explains . “ The optimal chain of stochasticity level is 30 - 50 decibel , which resemble the sound of docile rain or rustling leafage . Some dehumidifiers have sound dampening technology to make less disturbance , and such options are preferred for rooms where silence is key . ”
In general , small dehumidifiers operate quietly compare to heavy simulation . TheVeva Small Dehumidifierwas one of the smooth models we test . We only noticed a very subtle busyness from this machine , and the merchandise boasts a interference level of less than 30 decibels . For comparison , a whispering is about 30 decibels .
Your Questions, Answered
How do dehumidifiers work?
Refrigerant dehumidifiers work by using fans to draw in air from the room into the gimmick . Then , the line make a motion over pipes or coils that are chilled through a refrigerant . This induce the water vapor in the melodic phrase to concentrate , then it drips as liquid weewee into a collection storage tank . The continue breeze then passes over warm condenser pipes or coil before dust back into the room at a well-fixed temperature .
Desiccant dehumidifiers work by drawing in the melodic phrase , then pass it over a material that adsorbs or pull together H2O , know as a desiccant . The water is then move to the collection tank , while the dry air disperses out of the equipment and into the elbow room .
Do dehumidifiers help with mold?
Dehumidifiers help reduce wet in the air . Because moisture can promote mold growth , using a dehumidifier can help oneself withmold prevention .
“ Moisture reduction forbid the increment of mold and mould , which can damage habitation structures and furnishing , ” saysGlenn Wiseman , a certify residential air systems conception technician who works at Team Harding , an HVAC contractor in Ontario , Canada . “ Plus , they can sometimes facilitate lower levels of dust mites and allergens , furtherimproving melodic phrase qualityand benefiting citizenry with allergies or respiratory issues . ”
However , if there is already mold in your home , a dehumidifier won’treduce any existing mold .
Ideally , it ’s best to keep humidity levels at 30 % to 50%,according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) , to belittle the endangerment of mold and to avoid draw certain pest , like debris hint and cockroach .
Does a dehumidifier use a lot of electricity?
A dehumidifier will use more or less electricity calculate on its size of it and how often it is give running . In our tests , which adopt place in our homes , we did n’t notice any significant changes in electrical bills when using the dehumidifiers .
heavy dehumidifiers that are get-up-and-go - efficient models may be certified underEPA ’s Energy Starlabel and have less wallop on electric flier than other models , so shoppers concerned about energy use may want to look for models that are Energy Star - certified .
However , you may also rest easy knowing that dehumidifiers may in reality help you abbreviate trust on other appliances with high push demands .
“ Dehumidifiers tending in muscularity efficiency by allowingair conditionersto persist more efficaciously since they do n’t have to operate as hard to remove moisture from the air , which can lead to lower energy note , ” Wiseman explains .
Who We Are
Paige Bennettis a author and editor program with six year of experience researching and reviewing home , food , and beauty products for a variety of brand and publications . To compose this article , Paige relied on testing from our enquiry squad , who expend over 1,000 hours testing 28 entire dehumidifiers . The research worker prove each product for effectiveness at convert humidness level in a room , comfort of setup and use , design , haphazardness level , easiness of cleaning , and note value , plus extra features like automate shut - off , sum air filter , hygrometer , and humidistat .
In addition , Paige interviewedGlenn Wiseman , a certified residential breeze systems design technician who works at Ontario - base HVAC contractor Team Harding . Wiseman has more than 15 years of experience in the HVAC business . She also spoke toRoy Jaramillo , owner of San Antonio - based Amazing Air Solutions ; andDaniel Berry , HVAC - R Program Director at Fortis Institute . These experts gave her advice on what feature article shoppers should turn over when choosing the right dehumidifier for their home . They also provided more selective information on the intimate workings of dehumidifiers and how they can gain the home and the wellness of house member .
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this leaning , you may have discover our BHG Recommends seal of approval . product that earn the seal have been put through rigorous examination to check that they ’re worth a topographic point in your habitation . We buy most of the products we prove ourselves , but once in a while we are provided samples by company if purchasing is n’t an option . In these cases , we use the same testing criteria we apply to test the purchased products .
Credit: Amazon
Water collects in a tank on the bottom of the unit.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
