Danny as been writing about air purifiers for 10+ years. He is a major fan of home technology, which makes him the perfect person to test and evaluate products for HouseFresh
If you’ve noticed patches of mold and mildew on walls, or detected unpleasant, musty odors, then it’s likely your home suffers from too much moisture and humidity. These problems can cause a whole host of health issues such as coughing and sneezing as well as causing permanent damage to your home and furnishings. Investing in a good dehumidifier can help to resolve these issues, and we’re here to help you find the right unit for your needs.
There are two types of dehumidifier: refrigerant units work by attracting warm currents of air which then moves through refrigerated coils. Cool, dry air is subsequently released back into the space while condensation is maintained inside the unit. Desiccant dehumidifiers operate a little differently, however, and use a sponge-like wheel that absorbs and removes moisture. Dry air is then propelled back out again.
A 35–40-pint dehumidifier will generally cover anywhere between 500 and 3,000 square feet. This is why it’s important to pay attention to the size of your space together with your budget. The TCL TDW40E20 Dehumidifier is our best modest buy and covers up to 3,500 square feet. But the Midea 3000 Sq. Ft. Energy Star Certified Dehumidifier is ideal if you have a bit more money to spare.
When picking out our top choices we looked at budget, weight, and tank size alongside special features such as:
- Child lock to prevent accidental changes to settings
- Automatic restart following a power outage
- Comfort setting to maintain humidity in relation to ambient room temperature
To ensure we found the best dehumidifiers for you, we used consumer reports analysis to remove any false reviews. This meant that all our recommendations came from genuine people who have previously used these units.
Last update on 2023-06-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Waykar Dehumidifier
The Wakar 2,000 square foot dehumidifier brings energy efficiency to high-capacity dehumidification. This unit will draw up to 34 pints of moisture from the air when operating in an environment of 95 degrees Fahrenheit and 90% relative humidity. The sleek design measures 12.2 x 9 x 19.7 inches making it easy to fit in many spaces.
The unit weighs in at 35.9 lbs. and has rotating rolling castors for 360-degree rotation. There is a full-width swiveling handle on the top of the unit to help assist with getting it placed correctly.
The humidity setting button allows you to select your ideal humidity between 30% and 80% relative in 5% increments. At 30%, the unit will run continuously for rapid dehumidification. The 24-hour timer allows you to delay the start or set an automatic shutdown of the unit. You also have the option of normal or high fan speed, allowing for more rapid dehumidification when you first set it up.
You can choose to collect the condensate in the internal 0.66-gallon reservoir. The unit will flash an indicator light when the reservoir is full, and the compressor will shut down. You can also set the unit up for continuous draining with the included 6.5-foot drain line.
- Tank Size: 0.66 gallons
- Room Size Suitability: 2,000 sq. ft
- Weight: 35.9 lbs.
- Special Features: The air output rotates, allowing you to change the airflow direction
What we love
- The unit is very energy-efficient, running at 128 watts on low and 230 watts on high
- There is a washable air filter in the back of the unit to protect the coils from airborne contaminants
- The unit will automatically reset the settings and restart after a power interruption
- Simple 4-button controls make it easy to set up and get running
We don't like this as much
- We’d like to see a handle on the internal reservoir to aid with carrying
- We wish the unit offered a reminder to clean the air filter when necessary
2. Midea Energy Star Certified Dehumidifier
This exceptional dehumidifier from Midea will service a room up to 3,000 square feet, drawing up to 35 pints of moisture per day while only consuming 250 watts of energy, leaving your energy bill with only a minimal increase.
Your living space won’t notice much of an impact either, with a footprint of only 15.2 x 10.24 inches. Standing only 19.69 inches tall and emitting a mere 51dB while running on turbo, it won’t draw attention while it’s running.
The unit itself is a neutral white and gray color. It has integrated handles just under the top on the side and rolling castors on the bottom to help with maneuvering the unit. While running, it’ll collect the moisture in the large 1.6-gallon internal condensate reservoir. It has a clear water level window to allow you to keep track of when it needs emptying, as well as an indicator on the control panel, and an auto shut-off when the reservoir is full.
You can set the humidity level of your choosing, between 35% and 85% relative in 5% increments. You can choose between normal and turbo fan speeds, and also set the unit to continuously run.
The unit allows you to set up a schedule to run with the built-in timer. This allows you to schedule the unit to run for anywhere from 1 to 24 hours and then shut down for 1 to 24 hours. It runs this as a cycle, so you can set it up to run during the highest humidity times.
- Tank Size: 1.6 gallons
- Room Size Suitability: 3,000 sq. ft
- Weight: 33.5 lbs.
- Special Features: The unit offers an auto-comfort feature, which maintains the relative humidity between 45% and 55%
What we love
- There’s a continuous drain feature that connects to a standard garden hose
- The automatic defrost protects the coils from freezing during low-temperature operation
- You get a reminder indicator to clean the washable filter every 250 operational hours
- The unit has an automatic restart feature after a power interruption, including resetting the previous settings
We don't like this as much
- The automatic restart does not restart the timer function, so you’ll have to do that manually if you lose power
- The condensate bucket doesn’t have a cover, making spills more likely when emptying it
3. HEVILLO Dehumidifier
The HEVILLO 2000 dehumidifier offers sophistication with your dehumidification. Drawing up to 40 pints of moisture from your space per day, the unit has a curvy design with a white body and solid black top, matching a modern decor perfectly. The entire unit measures 14.37 x 10.63 x 20.28 inches and emits a quiet 40dB, so it easily tucks away along an unused wall without drawing too much attention.
It weighs in at 29 lbs, which is much less than many other similar capacity units. Despite the light weight, it still has rolling castors and integrated handles on the sides to make setting it up and moving it around easier.
The unit has continuous and smart dehumidification modes. With the smart dehumidification, you can select your preferred humidity level between 30% and 85% relative, and the unit will automatically turn on and off to maintain that setting. There is also a clothes setting to rapidly pull moisture from the air, very helpful when drying clothes.
Use the included 6-foot drain line for hassle-free continuous draining if you set it up near a floor drain. Otherwise, there is a 0.66 gallon internal condensate reservoir to collect the moisture. You’ll know when the tank fills because the unit will turn off, and the full tank indicator will illuminate.
The unit continues pulling moisture from the air down to an ambient temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit has an automatic defrost function to protect the coils against freezing during low-temperature operation. It will also restart after a power interruption with the automatic restart feature, maintaining its previous settings.
- Tank Size: 0.66 gallons
- Room Size Suitability: 2,000 sq. ft
- Weight: 29 lbs.
- Special Features: The unit has a secondary humidity display on the front cover
What we love
- The unit has a child lock to prevent unintentional changes, by either children or inattentive adults
- There’s a washable filter to remove airborne contaminants before they can clog the unit
- You can set up a run schedule with the 24-hour on/off timer
- There are two fan settings to allow you to circulate large amounts of air, up to 112 CFM
We don't like this as much
- There is no indicator to remind you to clean the air filter
- The condensate tank is on the back of the unit, so if it’s near a wall, you’ll have to move it when the tank needs emptying
4. Vacplus Dehumidifier
Vacplus brings advanced technology to the process of humidity control with the Vacplus 3000. This begins with the compact nature of the unit, with a footprint of only 11.3 x 6.7 inches, standing less than 20 inches, and weighing only 24.2 lbs. The unit has integrated rollers and handles on the sides for maneuvering the unit into the right position.
The unit itself is a modern design with a white front and back, and a black side and top. Between the design and its exceptionally quiet 35.9dB operation, most people won’t notice the unit in a room. You’ll be able to draw in up to 34 pints of moisture per day, ideal for larger spaces and areas of high humidity.
You have the option to set your ideal humidity level with the standard operating mode or use one of the presets. This includes a raining mode, which maintains a 45% relative humidity, a drying mode for rapid continuous dehumidifying, and a sleep mode, for ultra-quiet operation.
The unit has an internal 0.82-gallon condensate drain, complete with a cover to help prevent spilling while emptying. It also shuts down when the reservoir is full to prevent leaking and water damage. If you prefer allowing the unit to run longer without needing attention, it also has a continuous drain feature, complete with an included 4-foot drain line. Set the unit up to run automatically with the 24-hour boot and shutdown timer.
Controls are simple, with only four buttons, including power, mode, humidity (setting), and timer. The Wi-Fi app allows you to easily monitor and control the unit without having to constantly get up to check it.
- Tank Size: 0.82 gallons
- Room Size Suitability: 3,000 sq. ft
- Weight: 24.2 lbs.
- Special Features: There is a smartphone app that allows you to control the unit from anywhere with an Internet connection
What we love
- Small footprint makes this dehumidifier perfect for discrete setup
- The humidity display is color-coded so that you can easily tell if you should cycle the unit
- An upgraded fan and compressor improve efficiency and minimize energy consumption
- The output vent is the entire front of the unit, so there’s no concentrated output of hot air
We don't like this as much
- The wheels don’t swivel, meaning you’ll need to lift the unit for finer adjustments
- We’d like to see the incorporation of other fan speeds, to help make the unit more versatile
5. TCL TDW40E20 Dehumidifier
Controlling humidity in a large space can be challenging, especially on a budget, but the TCL 40-pint dehumidifier rises to this challenge. Coming in at under $200, this unit will control the humidity in a room up to 3,500 square feet. When operating in the right environment, it will remove up to 40 pints of moisture from the air every day.
Despite its impressive capabilities, it won’t take over your room. The entire unit measures 12 x 15 x 25.2 inches and weighs in at just under 43 lbs. The body has rolling castors on the bottom and integrated molded handles on the side to help maneuver the unit around. It has a neutral white and gray design and emits a mere 49dB of noise while running, letting it fade into the background as you go about your day.
The controls are simple, with three different operative modes: continuous operation, basement, and bedroom. There are also two different fan speeds to give wide control over how much air the unit circulates. If you prefer more control over your settings, you can set the unit to achieve and maintain your desired humidity level. The unit will continue pulling moisture from the air with an ambient temperature down to about 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
While it’s running, you have the option to collect the moisture in the internal 7.4-pint reservoir or use the continuous drain feature. The reservoir has an internal swiveling handle to assist with emptying, and there’s also a window to allow you to check the reservoir level.
- Tank Size: 1 gallon
- Room Size Suitability: 3,500 sq. ft
- Weight: 42.8 lbs.
- Special Features: Automatic restart after a power interruption with the previous settings
What we love
- Features a washable filter to protect the coils from airborne contaminants
- Automatic defrost function eliminates worries about frozen coils
- You know exactly when the unit needs attention with full tank and filter cleaning alerts
- Delay the start and automate the shutdown of the unit with the 24-hour timer
We don't like this as much
- The internal reservoir does not have a lid or splash guard
- We wish the carrying grooves were a little deeper to provide more grip when lifting the unit
6. Whirlpool 40 Pint Portable Dehumidifier
If you’ve shopped for many household appliances, you have no doubt seen the Whirlpool brand among your options. And it’s no wonder you have, being they have served the consumer appliance market since 1911. This portable dehumidifier meets every expectation the brand brings with it.
First, it is a portable and compact unit, measuring only 12 x 15 x 25.2 inches. It weighs in at 40.5 lbs, so it has rotating rollers on the bottom for precise maneuvering, and integrated handles on the sides. The unit itself is a nondescript white with gray accents and emits a maximum of 51dB while running on high, so it won’t overwhelm whatever space you need to dehumidify.
The unit will pull an impressive 40 pints of moisture from your space every day from a room of up to 500 square feet. All of this, while the unit consumes only 395 watts, so your energy bill won’t suffer from it.
You can set whatever humidity level meets your household’s needs. However, if you’re not sure of the optimal humidity level, you can use one of the programmed settings for the bedroom, living room, or basement. You also have the choice of three fan speeds to circulate the right amount of air for your needs.
Place the unit wherever you want with the 2-gallon condensate reservoir, including a clear level window. The unit will shut down when the reservoir fills, protecting you against water damage from overflowing. You also have the option of the continuous drain feature for independent operation. Simply connect a short garden hose, and you’re in business.
- Tank Size: 2.1 gallons
- Room Size Suitability: 500 sq. ft
- Weight: 40.5 lbs.
- Special Features: A child lock prevents unintentional adjustments to your settings
What we love
- The power cord is nearly 5 feet long, providing flexibility where you place it
- Your unit will automatically restart after a power interruption, complete with your previous settings
- The 24-hour timer allows you to set an automatic boot and shutdown cycle for more efficient use
- The unit continues pulling moisture down to an ambient temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit, making it perfect for places like your basement
We don't like this as much
- The unit services a small area for the amount of power and its dehumidifying capacity
- This dehumidifier is a little on the heavy side, however, the built-in castors help with portability
7. Kesnos Dehumidifier
Kesnos specializes in commercial and consumer dehumidifiers, and this 34-pint consumer model takes a different design approach than many. The dehumidifier has a small footprint, measuring 11.8 x 5.9 x 20 inches and weighing only 25.6 lbs. It has four 360-degree rotating rollers and a full-width swiveling handle to help maneuver the unit both for initial setup, and reliable portability.
What sets this particular unit apart is the control panel and the output vent. While most control panels are on the top of the unit, Kesnos puts this one on the front face. The output vent rotates, giving you some control over the direction of the airflow.
The controls themselves are simple, with only five buttons, including power, humidity select, fan speed, timer, and a lock feature. Set the unit to maintain a humidity level between 30% and 80% relative humidity.
Drain the moisture into the internal 0.6-gallon condensate reservoir, or choose to use the continuous drain feature. While using the condensate reservoir, the unit will automatically shut off when it reaches capacity. It comes with a 6-foot drain hose so that you can immediately start using the continuous drain function.
The unit runs quietly, emitting a maximum of 48dB while running on high. It is a nondescript white, with a black control panel. These combine to allow you to run the dehumidifier without making it the center of attention. It has an automatic defrost feature, which shuts down the compressor but keeps the fan running on high when it detects frost on the coils.
- Tank Size: 0.6 gallons
- Room Size Suitability: 2,500 sq. ft
- Weight: 25.6 lbs.
- Special Features: There is a full-width swiveling handle on the top of the unit to make maneuvering it effortless
What we love
- After a power outage, the unit will automatically restart once power is restored
- The unit is very energy-efficient, consuming only 230 watts per hour of operation
- It will continue pulling moisture from the air down to an ambient room temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit
- The 24-hour timer allows you to set a cycle for the unit to run and then shut off during low-humidity times, reducing energy consumption
We don't like this as much
- We’d like to see an indicator to remind you when the filter needs to be cleaned
- The condensate reservoir is quite small, meaning more frequent emptying trips if living in an area of very high humidity
8. Vremi 35 Pint Dehumidifier
When you need a compact and high-capacity dehumidifier, you’ll want to look at the Vremi 35-pint unit. This dehumidifier pulls 35 pints of moisture from the air while serving a room up to 3,000 square feet. All of that while measuring only 16.7 x 12.4 x 24.2 inches so it won’t consume the entirety of your room’s floor space.
The unit weighs 39.8 lbs, and has nearly invisible wheels and integrated, recessed handles on the sides to assist with setting it up. The unit is a soft white with a gray middle.
You can easily control the unit with the simple dashboard. It offers power, humidity selection, turbo and continuous modes, and automatic comfort control. As it runs, it’ll empty the condensate into a 1.6-gallon reservoir mounted in the front of the unit. The reservoir has a clear level window and a swiveling handle to aid in emptying the tank. It also illuminates an indicator when the reservoir reaches capacity.
If you prefer being able to leave the unit longer without needing attention, consider using the continuous drain feature. This is a gravity-powered drain, only needing a standard garden hose to direct the condensate to a floor drain.
The unit has two critical safety features to ensure it reaches its full service life. First, you’ll be reminded to wash the filter with an indicator. It also has an automatic defrost function to keep the coils from freezing.
- Tank Size: 1.6 gallons
- Room Size Suitability: 3,000 sq. ft
- Weight: 39.8 lbs.
- Special Features: The automatic comfort mode adjusts the humidity setting based on ambient room temperature and humidity
What we love
- Has a memory feature to restore function with previous settings after a power interruption
- The washable filter is easy to remove from the back without having to remove the condensate tank
- The turbo mode increases unit airflow to service a larger area
- The continuous drain feature is easy to access from a simple removable cap on the back
We don't like this as much
- The integrated handles aren’t very deep, making it a little more difficult to transport the unit from place to place
- The rollers do not work as well on carpet, meaning the unit will need to be picked up instead
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet does a 40 pint dehumidifier cover?
A 40-pint dehumidifier will generally cover a room up to about 3,000 square feet. However, that is the general rule, but there are some variables that will determine exactly how much space it’ll effectively service.
First, you have to look at the setup of the space. If it is a single room that is 3,000 square feet, the unit will be more effective than if it’s a 3,000 square foot home, with multiple rooms. Then you also need to look at the airflow of the unit, measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. If the unit cannot move enough air, it will service a smaller area. Quieter units generally circulate less air, and therefore their serviceable area may be less.
What factors dictate the emptying frequency?
The big factors impacting how often you have to empty your unit include the ambient temperature and humidity in the room. If you’re working in a room that’s kept at 60 degrees and has a humidity of 70%, your unit will pull less moisture from the air than if your space is 85 degrees at 90% humidity.
Then you have to look at the capacity of your machine, such as a 35- or 40-pint unit, and the size of the condensate reservoir. The larger the capacity and the smaller the reservoir, the more often you’ll have to empty the tank.
Is there a way to automatically empty a dehumidifier?
Rather than having to keep an eye on the level of the condensate reservoir, many dehumidifiers offer an automatic, or continuous, drain feature. This allows you to connect a drain line to the unit rather than have the moisture collect in the condensate reservoir. The moisture then drains to a nearby floor drain in most cases.
Different models have different connection types, including either a special line that comes with the unit or a generic connection. If your unit has a generic connection, it’ll likely use a standard garden hose connection. Just be careful that your line isn’t too long, or you may find you’re dealing with spills or leaks.
Which Dehumidifier is best for you?
You won’t experience all the benefits you’re looking for from a dehumidifier if you don’t have the right one for your space. While budget is always a consideration, there’s a vast difference between various units, and your experience will differ greatly. Take the time to find the right unit for your situation. Here are some of the factors to consider.
First, look at the amount of space you’re trying to dehumidify, and how it’s set up. There’s a vast difference between working with a 2,000 square foot single room versus an entire house. If there are walls, doors, or other things that obstruct airflow, then your unit’s effectiveness will decrease dramatically. In those cases, you may be better off using several smaller units than trying to use a single larger one.
Next, look at the sources of moisture. Is the space well-sealed from the air outside, or does it draw in a lot of environmental moisture? Are there sources of moisture in the space, such as plants, showers, dishwashers, etc.? A space that’s not well-sealed or that has significant moisture sources will need a larger capacity unit to make a noticeable difference.
Finally, look at how the unit drains and how it will work in your space. If you have a lot of moisture, you either want a unit with a larger condensate reservoir or a continuous drain function. If you want to use the continuous drain, look to make sure the unit will be right next to the floor drain or look for a unit with a condensate pump.
Based on budget and room size, here are the models we recommend:
- Budget Model – TCL TDW40E20 Dehumidifier
- Mid-range Rooms – HEVILLO 2000 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier
- Larger Rooms – Midea 3000 Sq. Ft. Energy Star Certified Dehumidifier