Dehumidifier Guide: How It Works And Our Top Picks

“It’s not the heat that gets you, it’s the humidity!” It was probably one of my favorite TikToks last year, and I still think (and laugh) about it all the time. The ultimate dad on TikTok was actually right, as the heat index (also known as the apparent temperature) is what the temperature feels like to your body when relative humidity (RH) is combined with the air temperature.

So as you get too hot, you sweat to cool off but if it’s not able to evaporate, your body has trouble regulating its temperature. Let’s not forget about the sweat-glistening skin, frizzy hair, headache, asthma flare ups and explosive allergies that go along with high humidity. If you haven't had a chance to review our air purifier guide as the pollen continues its rapid explosion this spring, we highly recommend learning more about how they work to decide if you may need one for your home.

And It’s not just the heat index or humidity outside that can trip you up. In the guide below, we’re going to explore ways you can measure how much indoor humidity is in your home, when to use a portable dehumidifier versus a humidifier over the spring and summer, and some of our top dehumidifier picks of 2024.

Dehumidifier Versus Humidifier: What Is Best For Each Season

A couple of quick humidity definitions to keep in mind:

• Relative humidity (RH): Expressed as a percentage, it represents the amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature relative to the highest possible water vapor amount at the current temperature. So for example, a relative humidity of 25% means that air is at a quarter of its potential water vapor capacity.
• Humidifier: Also known as a vaporizer, a humidifier adds moisture to the air through vibration, ultrasonic (spinning discs), or evaporators (fans).
• Dehumidifier: Removes excess moisture from the air, reducing the air’s RH by cooling the air that passes through the unit and decreasing the ability to hold moisture

Humidifiers are best used when the air is very dry, especially during the winter or if you live in a low humidity state.

Dehumidifiers are largely used during spring and summer when the air is too humid. A dehumidifier can help reduce the moisture in the room which mold needs to grow - and while it cannot kill mold, it will lower the humidity to help dry out and prevent mold in certain spaces in your home.

According to 2023 data, the most humid states (and therefore the states you may be more likely to need a dehumidifier) include Alaska, Louisiana, Florida, Minnesota, and Michigan. If you live in a lower humidity state like Arizona, Nevada, and California, a humidifier might be a better option versus a dehumidifier.

How To Measure Indoor Humidity Levels

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60%, and most ideally between 30-50%. Low humidity can also discourage pests like cockroaches and dust mites, according to the same source.

So if you use a humidifier, steam radiator, dryer or stove frequently (and I’m pretty sure most of us need to use a dryer and stove often), these appliances can increase the humidity levels - especially in those rooms - within your home.

One of the ways to measure humidity levels in your home is to invest in a hygrometer, which are pretty reasonably priced on Amazon.

Top Selling Hygrometers And Indoor Thermometers

• ThermoPro TP49 Digital Hygrometer - $8.99, was $11.99 at Amazon
• AcuRite 00613 Digital Hygrometer - $11.88 at Amazon
• SMARTRO SC42 Professional Digital Hygrometer - $17.99, was $21.99 at Amazon
• Mini Digital Temperature Humidity Gauge (4-Pack) - $9.97, was $17.99 at Amazon

These hygrometers are designed to monitor room temperature and humidity levels, and are strongly suggested to pair with humidifiers or dehumidifiers. It should have an easy-to-read display and have multiple options for placement (like kickstands, hanging, magnets, etc.).

Two Types Of Portable Dehumidifiers

Depending on your environment, you’ll need to decide what type of dehumidifier you want before selecting the brand and size.

1. Desiccant Dehumidifier: Ideal for cooler environments, these will have lower capacity ratings but can still be used if the temperature falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The desiccant humidifier uses a hydrophilic material (a molecule or substance with the ability to absorb and hold water) like silica gel, literally soaking up moisture directly from the air as it passes through. This type of dehumidifier offers a broader performance range because of the humidity controls and temperature requirements, but is more ideal for smaller spaces.

2. Refrigerant Dehumidifier: The most popular portable dehumidifier for homes. Also known as a condensing dehumidifier, this is best for very hot and humid environments since it will rely on temperature to dry the air. This dehumidifier will create a cold surface where moisture in the air will condense, then the cold air is heated and returned to the room, drier and warmer than when it entered. The warmer the room, the better the condensation effect. A refrigerant dehumidifier has higher capacity ratings and can operate better at higher temperatures, but if the temperature drops below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, ice can form on the evaporator coils and malfunction, especially without an auto-defrost setting. Best for crawl spaces, basements and attics.

How To Choose The Right Size Portable Dehumidifier

Room Size

When selecting the room that needs the dehumidifier (like a basement, bathroom, or attic), measure the square footage of the room by multiplying the length and width of the room (for example, 10 feet x 12 feet = 120 square feet).

Pint Capacity

The Home Depot has a handy chart to determine the pint capacity (which refers to how much water the unit can pull out of the air over 24 hours), and how that equates to your room size.

• Large: 45- to 50-pint capacity
• Medium: 30-pint capacity
• Small: 20- to 22-pint capacity

For room sizes, Molekule provided a good breakdown on square footage to pint size needed depending on moderate and very damp rooms.

For a “moderately damp” room that only feels damp or musty during humid weather:

• 500 sq. ft. – 10-pint dehumidifier (Small)
• 1,500 sq. ft. – 18-pint dehumidifier (Small)
• 2,500 sq. ft. – 26-pint dehumidifier (Medium)

For a “very damp” room that always feels musty and has damp spots on the ceilings or walls:

• 500 sq. ft. – 12-pint dehumidifier (Small)
• 1,500 sq. ft. – 22-pint dehumidifier (Small to Medium)
• 2,500 sq. ft. – 32-pint dehumidifier (Medium to Large)

According to The Home Depot breakouts, you should add 4 pints of capacity for every additional 500 square feet, but if the room is very damp, add 5 pints of capacity to every additional 500 square feet.

Other factors that might increase your pint size include humid climates (+10 pints to the recommended capacity), multiple doors and windows (+5 pints), and a washer/dryer in the room (+5 pints).

Best Dehumidifiers For Your Home In 2024

Refrigerant Dehumidifier

1. Best Overall Dehumidifier: Vellgoo 4,500 Sq. Ft. (52 Pint) Energy Star Dehumidifier For Basement

Price: $269.99 (plus extra $20 off coupon), was $299.99 at Amazon

Best used for: Large basement, living room or studio with moderate humidity, or medium bedroom, kitchen and office with high humidity

Floor Area: 4,500 Sq. Ft. | Capacity: 52 Pints | Draining: Continuous | Automatic Shut Off: Yes | Working Temperature: 41℉-95℉

Features include:

• Washable filter
• 1-24 hour timer
• Auto-defrost
• Custom humidity control
• Multiple drainage options: portable tank and drainage outlet with hose, compatible with garden hose
• 5-year warranty on compressor
• Energy-Star certified, FCC certified, ETL listed

We chose the Vellgoo 4,500 Sq. Ft. (52 Pint) Dehumidifier as one of our top picks based on the results, reviews, pint size and price point. Ideal even for larger rooms, the company currently touts it as one of Energy-Star’s Most Efficient of 2024, and it’s rated highly for efficiency and dehumidifier water removal. If your home isn’t prone to getting too cold in spring but can get pretty warm in the summer, this refrigerant dehumidifier could be just what you need, especially for large basements.

On Amazon, it currently has 4.5 stars and over 4,000+ ratings, with 76% giving it a 5-star rating. Over 4,000 Vellgoo products purchased over the past month, according to the company page. Reviewers were largely satisfied with performance, quality, and portability, though some felt the drainage could be better.

As one reviewer stated, [it was] “easy to set up and use…my basement was wet and had high humidity. Two days after starting to use this dehumidifier, it felt much improved.” Another said, “I purchased this product after a spike in relative humidity coupled with excess space heater use led to substantial mold growth throughout my house…this is a MUST if you want to keep your humidity at a certain percentage.”

As for complaints, even with a 5-star rating, this one reviewer gave the feedback, “the drain hose is cumbersome and not as flexible as I’d like,” and another mentioned it would be better with a larger collection tub.

2. Best Closet Or Bathroom Dehumidifier: BREEZOME 60 Oz. Dehumidifier

Price: $49.98 (plus extra $10 off coupon) at Amazon

Best used for: Bathroom, closet, cloakroom, and RV

Floor Area: 250 Sq. Ft. | Capacity: 60 ounces | Draining: Tank Only | Automatic Shut Off: Yes | Working Temperature: up to 86℉

Features include:

• Dual semiconductor condensers
• 12, 24, 26 and 48 hour timer
• Auto-defrost
• Sleep mode

You’re not going to get the same bells and whistles as some of the other products on this list, but if you need something to cut down the humidity in your bathroom or closet, take a look at the Breezome if you’re looking for results without the strain on your pocketbook.

The company page does say it works best in environments that don’t exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheit and with higher amounts of humidity. There is a sleep mode, but some reviewers have stated it’s still a little loud and would be best placed in a room that you don’t sleep in.

Reviewers are generally pretty happy with the quality, especially considering the price, and it does the job for the little rooms it’s designed for. One reviewer said, “I got this for a small bathroom with no built-in fan. Prior to purchase the bathroom wasn’t drying between showers and started to get a funk. This dehumidifier got straight to work and within an hour had already pulled a noticeable amount of water from the air.”

Many of the complaints were around the freezing and icing, and that you’ll have to allow it to defrost completely before reusing when that happens. Others struggled to remove the bucket, or saw no major effect on the humidity levels in their rooms.

3. Best Small-to-Medium Room Dehumidifier: Waykar 2,000 Sq. Ft (34 Pint) Dehumidifier

Price: $168.60 at Amazon

Best used for: Basement, bathroom, laundry room

Floor Area: Up to 2,000 Sq. Ft. | Capacity: 34 Pints | Draining: Continuous | Automatic Shut Off: Yes | Working Temperature: up to 95℉

• 360 degree rotating wheels and lift up handles
• Adjustable fan speeds
• 24-hour timer settings
• Auto defrost
• Humidity controls and sensors
• Auto on/off when tank is full
• Auto drain with hose or manual drain

In terms of size, quietness, performance and value, we chose the Waykar as our top pick for small-to-medium sized dehumidifiers. With 4.4-stars, over 18,000+ ratings for the various dehumidifier sizes and generally well-rounded reviews for a good price, you’d be hard pressed to find a better deal. While the other Waykar product sizes are Energy-Star certified, this smaller 34-pint version was not, which isn’t great but we didn’t consider it a deal breaker.

Reviewers are largely pleased with the product and decent customer service. One said, “The best dehumidifier for the money! I researched as many dehumidifiers on Amazon that I could find at all possible prices. I wound up liking what I read from Waykar the most…[I] was amazed at how well it took the moisture out of the air.”

Another said, “We just purchased our fourth unit…we live a few hundred feet from the Gulf of Mexico and the air is very humid year round. These dehumidifiers are workhorses running 16-18 hours a day, 365 days a year.” This third review stated, “2.5 years later and still great! This thing pulls so much humidity from the air, it blows my mind. It’s quiet, produces no heat, doesn’t require maintenance besides the occasional wipe down.”

Most of the complaints were around what was a potentially inaccurate humidity sensor, with a specific example that it sensed the air had more humidity than it actually did and would keep running. Another mentioned the container needs to be emptied a lot, while another said it might be underpowered for some areas.

4. Best Medium Room Dehumidifier: hOmeLabs 3,500 Sq. Ft. (40 Pint) Energy Star Dehumidifier With Pump

Price: $299.99, was $329.99 at Amazon, $329.99 at Walmart

Best used for: Laundry room, bedroom, living room, basement (medium to large rooms)

Floor Area: 3,500 Sq. Ft. | Capacity: 40 Pints | Draining: Continuous | Automatic Shut Off: Yes | Working Temperature: up to 90℉

Features include:

• Washable filter
• 1-24 hour timer
• Auto-defrost
• Custom humidity control
• Full bucket alarm and overheating protection
• Multiple drainage options: portable tank and drainage outlet with hose
• Energy-Star certified

This hefty 42 pound hOmeLabs dehumidifier has great reviews on both Amazon and Walmart, with easy-to-navigate features, a 1.6 gallon water tank, five foot power cord and 16 foot pump drain hose. The company page claims the noise level shouldn’t be disruptive, and many of the dehumidifier versions have been Energy-Star certified. The hOmeLabs dehumidifiers have a combined 53,000+ ratings on Amazon, 4.5-stars out of 5, and can be purchased with or without a pump.

“This dehumidifier is a quiet workhorse,” claims one reviewer on Walmart. “As a side benefit, my A/C does not have to run so often as the lowered humidity makes the air comfortable at higher temperatures.”

75% of reviewers give it a 5-star rating on Amazon, with the efficiency, easy cleanup and value of the product outweighing some of the complaints. One reviewer said, “This little thing is powerful. I knew we had an issue with moisture in the basement, however, after getting this and hooking it up, I see we had a bigger issue than I realized. It works wonders and it’s great! I feel the difference now when I go into the basement.” A few reviewers also mentioned the great customer service, with one saying, “I immediately contacted (via email) customer service and in a timely manner, they responded…they sent me a new unit, with no charge of any kind to replace the one I have. The new unit works great with no issues.”

Some of the common complaints were about the potential longevity of the dehumidifier, with some not getting more than a year to 16 months out of it, while others said the water reservoir should have been a little bigger.

5. Best Large Room Dehumidifier: Midea 4,500 Sq. Ft. Energy-Star Certified Dehumidifier With Pump

Price: $249.99, was $269.99 at Amazon

Best used for: Laundry room, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, basement (medium to large rooms)

Floor Area: 4,500 Sq. Ft. | Capacity: 50 Pints | Draining: Continuous | Automatic Shut Off: Yes | Working Temperature: 41℉-89℉

Features include:

• Washable filter
• Quiet on lowest fan setting
• 24-hour timer
• Auto on/off, defrost, and auto restart
• Custom humidity control
• Built-in pump - but no hose included
• Energy-Star Certified

The Midea dehumidifier is one of the few products on the market that actively tries to promote how quiet it is, and largely remains one of the most popular brands available. When it comes to the noise level, many of the reviewers surveyed were pretty positive while there were others who mentioned it was like white noise. It currently has a 4.3-stars and over 14,000 ratings on Amazon.

The built-in pump is definitely a plus though it doesn’t come with a hose, and maneuverability reviews were positive. The collection container is “easy to remove and put back, but it’s a weird shape so it can be a little messy to pour out”, says one reviewer. Another said, “When we moved in, there was a musty smell. After just [one] night of using this dehumidifier, the smell is all gone. Works great!”

In terms of complaints, some didn’t like the loud or rattling noises it can make, and there’s some concerns about the longevity of the product. Others mentioned the customer service is a little lacking and hard to reach when it comes to returns.

Desiccant Dehumidifier

6. Best Compact Desiccant Dehumidifier: Ivation 13-Pint Small-Area Desiccant Dehumidifier

Price: $209.99 at Amazon

Best used for: Bathrooms, closets, attic, crawlspaces, RVs, offices

Floor Area: Up to 270 Sq. Ft. | Capacity: 13 Pints | Draining: Continuous | Automatic Shut Off: Yes | Working Temperature: 33℉-104℉

Features include:

• LCD display to adjust humidity, fan speed, vent swing and screen brightness
• Timer and sleep mode
• Washable filter
• Auto shut off

If you’re in a cold-weather environment and worried about the refrigerant dehumidifiers struggling in the springtime, we might suggest checking out this compact desiccant dehumidifier instead.

One of the more unique aspects of this particular dehumidifier on the list was the company’s suggestion on using it for laundry. By using the adjustable swing setting, it claims to help dry out wet clothes, towels, rugs and other all-weather gear. You can also pop it into an RV or boat to speed up drying time and help prevent mildew.

You can connect this to a bucket or nearby dain, but also comes with a small 0.5 gallon water reservoir as well. The weight clocks in around 14 pounds and can cover spaces up to 270 square feet.

Multiple reviewers mention that this dehumidifier will put out some heat, so many felt it was best used in humid winters and colder springs. The high setting is like a fan, so there is some background noise but was considered negligible. Another said, “I’m using the dehumidifier in my basement, where it’s very cool in the winter. Compressor-type dehumidifiers won’t work due to the low temperature…plus it uses about half as much electricity as the other types.”

The complaints largely surrounded the heat it may put out in the summer, and that the drainage hose wasn’t optimal.

7. Mini Desiccant Dehumidifier For Very Small Spaces: Eva-dry E-333 Mini Dehumidifier

Price: $14.97, was $24.95 at Amazon

Best used for: Closets, cars, boats, even gym bags

Features include:

• Absorbs 4-6 ounces of moisture
• No cords, cables or batteries required - plug it in to dry out the beads
• Covers areas up to 333 cubic feet (approximately 40-50 square feet depending on room size)
• Non-toxic silica gel technology, child and pet safe design

If you’ve got a couple of small spaces that need a little clean up, check out this mini dehumidifier that utilizes silica gel to absorb moisture. It doesn’t need cables or batteries, but will need to be plugged in when the gel turns green to dry out.

Some users have stashed it in cars and closets and it’s supposed to help reduce odors as well. Some common complaints are that as it continuously goes from wet to dry, some reviewers notice the gel turned dark and no longer changed back to orange.

8. Hanging Desiccant Dehumidifier For Closets: DampRid Fragrance Free Hanging Moisture Absorber

Price: $15.99 at Amazon

Best used for: Closets, laundry rooms, pantry, and dorms with damp and musty odors

A bit of a different flavor to this list, these DampRid hanging moisture absorbers claim to attract and trap excess moisture from the hair, helping to eliminate musty odors and controlling mold and mildew. It’s ideal for closets, especially, to help protect your clothing and leather goods. One bag can capture up to 16 fluid ounces of moisture, and it comes in a pack of three with various scents (or unscented). As the water level reaches the replacement line, it’s time to toss them out and hang up a new one.

On Amazon, these amazing little bags have over 15,000+ ratings and 81% 5-star approval reviews. Customers are generally pretty happy with the quality and ease of use, and the amount of water collection these moisture absorbers can grab.

“This is magic!” said one reviewer, who continued on to say, “This bag filled up in a couple months and there has been no musty odor on my clothes anymore! It’s truly perfection as a product. It was affordable, works, and was easy to use. Highly recommend [it].”

Another mentioned it was great for other spaces, saying, “I live in a RV full-time and these really help keep the moisture out and that means no mold, and they smell good too.” And finally, this reviewer says, “During winter, the storage area underneath my staircase started to smell a little musty…[I] decided to hang one of these bags in there. I checked on the bag in the closet, and it was full! It was crazy to see how much moisture it collected.”

Some of the poor reviews were about the smells for some of the scented products, and some potential leakage if the bag isn’t sealed properly.

P​rices accurate and items in stock at time of publish.