It may seem that the options are endless when buying a dehumidifier, but in reality, most units are made in the same factories.
We know this because of the recalls:
- Several dehumidifier recalls in 2021 involved a factory based in China called New Widetech — a factory that produces dehumidifiers for many brands, including Honeywell, Danby, De’Longhi, Ivation and Idylis.
- In 2023, Gree recalled 1.56 million dehumidifiers due to fire and burn hazards. Gree is the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer, producing dehumidifiers for several brands, including Frigidaire, GE and Kenmore.
So, there aren’t as many choices as retailers and the internet would make you believe, and finding a good and affordable dehumidifier is easier than you’d think.
However, it’s important to do your research because, as these recalls show, dehumidifiers can be prone to failure, which could lead to serious accidents.
- Stick to more refrigerant dehumidifiers that can remove up to 20 pints of moisture daily.
- Use the EnergyStar site to find a dehumidifier with an efficiency factor of 1.95 l/kWh.
- Avoid small and mini-sized devices (Peltier dehumidifiers) like the Pro Breeze Mini, as they are just too slow to be useful.
- Be aware of recommendations from big publications. In most cases, they do not even test the dehumidifiers before telling you to buy them.
Product testing is important to us here at HouseFresh, so before I take you through our shortlist of the best dehumidifiers I have reviewed, let me tell you a little bit about how we tested each device.
How we test dehumidifiers
First, we shortlisted the devices we wanted to test by looking for dehumidifiers with a high-efficiency rating, according to data from the Department of Energy. Next, we identified the best-selling dehumidifiers on Amazon. Our final shortlist included eleven dehumidifiers, ranging from compact mini-dehumidifiers everyone seems to be buying online to large 50-pint devices with excellent high-efficiency ratings.
With our list in hand, we bought all the dehumidifiers with our own money so we could test their performance following the same process and produce comparable firsthand data.
We tested their water removal performance in our highly humid 2000 sq. ft. basement with the help of our trusted SensorPush wireless hygrometer, which collects humidity data every minute.
Next, we used a sound level monitor to record how much noise in decibels is generated by the dehumidifier.
Lastly, we measured how much electricity each dehumidifier consumes with the help of a plug-in energy monitor.
In addition to these tests, we used each of the dehumidifiers in our own home to assess how well they perform at removing moisture from the air over several months.
This was the most eye-opening stage in our testing as we experienced the same issue twice across different dehumidifiers: the internal pump of both the hOmeLabs 4000 sq. ft. and the Moiswell 145 pint (Defender XP70) broke within a couple of months of daily usage.
At HoushFresh we benefit from having access to a highly humid 2000 sq. ft. basement where we can test dehumidifiers all year round. Experiencing two pump failures (and reading plenty of evidence online of this happening across different brands and models) led to us coming to the conclusion that you should stay away from dehumidifiers with an internal pump.
Other than that, we found that many of the dehumidifiers we tested had pretty much identical water removal performance, sound levels generated and electricity consumption. The biggest difference in general comes down to design, especially with Midea models.
- For smaller spaces that are not too humid, you can get away with a 20-pint device (500 sq. ft).
- For areas larger than 500 sq. ft., you can look for larger dehumidifiers with capacity increasing in increments of 10 pints.
- For very large spaces like an open plan area or a basement (1,200 sq. ft.), you are likely to require powerful dehumidifiers capable of removing 50 pints of moisture in 24 hours.
We have tested two devices that use internal pumps, and both had their pumps fail after months of usage. After reading about this issue, I think this is a major cause of problems in dehumidifiers.
- I suggest you stick to a gravity hose or a design with a bucket over a unit with an internal pump.
- If you need a pump, many industrial-style designs offer the possibility of having a separate pump, which means the device suffers from the pump being a point of failure.
The best dehumidifier for most people is the Midea Cube
The drainage bucket in the Midea Cube is sturdy and minimizes the trips to the sink to get rid of the water removed from the air.
I fell in love with the unique design of the Midea Cube series as soon as I saw it. It has an efficiency rating of 1.95 l/kWh, and while it’s a little pricer than standard designs, you get a much larger bucket compared to most dehumidifiers available today.
The Midea Cube is the perfect dehumidifier for those of you who are planning on using the device in a location where you can’t simply use a gravity hose. The design of the Cube will allow you to place the bucket higher than the floor, which will in turn it possible to use a gravity hose.
CONS
PROS
The Midea Cube ranges from 20 to 70 pints, so you can choose the model that matches your room size and humidity conditions.
The Midea Cube is my top choice for most people due to its high level of efficiency and the smart bucket design. If you can, go for the version without an onboard pump or Wifi features, as they are not worth the extra money. But if you want a smarter version, look to Frigidaire or Honeywell options after this.
Read my full review of the Midea Cube 50-pint model.
| Water it can remove in a day: | 50 pints (28.41 litres) |
| Recommended room size: | 4500 sq. ft. (418 m2) |
| Water tank capacity: | 4.2 gallons (19 liters) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 14.45D x 14.76W x 14.57H inches (36.7 x 37.5 x 37 cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 42.4 pounds (19.25 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 42.5 — 49dB |
| Max wattage | 425 watts |
| Other features: | Pump and gravity drain hose option |
| Warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $446.76 |
The best non-cube style dehumidifier: Frigidaire or Honeywell
Two trusted brands that are known for more traditional designs for those who didn’t like the idea of the Midea Cube
If you prefer a more traditional design or just think that the Midea Cube is not for you, then you should look in the direction of Frigidaire and Honeywell. These brands are manufactured by the two largest dehumidifier factories in the world, both of which are based in China.
Both Frigidaire and Honeywell have been releasing popular dehumidifiers for decades. During our hands-on testing, it was clear they both utilize high-quality materials for the case and bucket compared to other brands.
CONS
PROS
In my testing, I used the Frigidaire FGAC5044W1, which can remove up to 50 pints of water per day and comes with smartphone app compatibility so you can turn the unit on or off remotely from your phone.
In terms of the Honeywell, I have tested both the Honeywell TPFIT32AWK (with a 30-pint capacity) and the Honeywell TPFIT50APWK, which is my favorite. The TP50WKN has a dehumidification capacity of 50 pints per day and can be used in massive spaces of up to 4,000 sq. ft.
All of the latest Honeywell dehumidifiers (TPFITXX) that exceed 25 pints per day achieved an impressive 2.01 Integrated Energy Factor – l/kWh, which is at the top of the range of efficiency for all 855 dehumidifiers tested by Energy Star.
However, you should choose the specific model that suits the area you need to cover and the level of humidity you are dealing with. Just browse the different models for Fridigare and Honeywell to see which one makes more sense.
| MODEL | EFFICIENTY (Integrated Energy Factor – l/kWh) | WATER REMOVAL CAPACITY (pints/day) | CURRENT PRICE |
| Honeywell TPFIT25AWK | 1.75 | 24.48 | $259.99 |
| Honeywell TPFIT32AWK | 2.01 | 32.46 | $269.99 |
| Honeywell TPFIT32WK | 2.01 | 32.46 | Price not available |
| Honeywell TPFIT50APWK | 2.01 | 49.66 | $269.99 |
| Honeywell TP70WKN | 1.9 | 49.94 | Price not available |
The best dehumidifier for the UK: Ebac
Built in the UK and designed for the UK climate, the Ebac range is highly effective at keeping costs and humidity low
Whilst the vast majority of cheap dehumidifiers for sale are designed for the largest market for warm, damp conditions, the Ebac has used a Smart Control system that goes beyond a standard hygrometer to control the device. This means you spend less on electricity to run in the UK climate. We tested and reviewed the Ebac 3850, which is at the top of the range for that series and found it so effective that we chose to use it as our primary device in our dining room.
While the initial price is higher, that should quickly be offset by reductions on your energy bill, considering the cost of electricity is higher than average in the UK. One big standout feature I really liked was the use of a custom-designed bucket that is much easier to empty.
CONS
PROS
| Water it can remove in a day: | 36.95 pints (21 litres) |
| Recommended room size: | 4800 sq. ft. (450m³) |
| Water tank capacity: | 2.5 liters |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 50H x 32.5W x 27.5D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 13 kg |
| Maximum noise level: | 46 dBa |
| Operating temperature (minimum – maximum): | 3°c – 35°c |
| Other features: | Dust filter that will block smaller particles from entering the device. |
| Warranty: | 5 years |
Things to keep in mind when buying a dehumidifier
Our top tips for ensuring you won’t buy a device you will regret later.
Why you should ignore Peltier dehumidifiers
They might be cheap and cute, but they will also be a waste of your money
We have tested several Peltier-effect dehumidifiers, and in all cases, they were too weak to reduce the humidity in our basement.
The charts below show the comparison between the test of the Honeywell TP70WKN and the NineSky H2 dehumidifier:
As you can see, the Peltier dehumidifier (NineSky H2) struggled to bring the humidity down to 63% and even when it did, it could only keep it there for a very short period of time.
That is a stark difference from the Honeywell TP70WKN, which managed to bring the humidity down to 49% and kept it within the 50% range for as long as the dehumidifier ran.
Most people choose Peltier dehumidifiers because they are small and cost around $50-80. In many cases, they look cute too as you can see in the images below:
Truth be told, most people don’t want to hear that they must spend $200 on a dehumidifier for it to achieve meaningful results. The problem with not wanting to invest in a serious dehumidifier is that you are wasting $80 on a piece of plastic that will do nothing to lower humidity levels in your home.
At HouseFresh, we want to raise awareness about these useless devices so that fewer consumers are duped out of their money.
We support Wirecutter’s initiative not to recommend dehumidifiers for the bathroom.
If you are struggling with humidity in your bathroom, the first and foremost step is to improve ventilation. Keep the bathroom door and window open to let air in, or install exhaust fans if that’s possible.
Bringing an electric device into your bathroom poses a risk that is not worth taking.
Wrapping up
Searching for the best dehumidifier can seem overwhelming, but I hope my guide shows you that most devices are made in just three factories.
Make sure you choose an efficient device by focusing on those that have achieved the Energy Star Certified status.
Finally, know that there is no major difference between the models across brands; they are all pretty much the same thing manufactured in the same place. The exception to this rule is the Midea Cube design, which is why it’s our top recommendation.
