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:
- In 2021, a manufacturer called New Widetech recalled two million dehumidifiers due to fire and burn hazards, including units from popular brands such as Honeywell, Danby, De’Longhi, Ivation and Idylis.
- In 2023, the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer, Gree, recalled 1.56 million dehumidifiers sold under different brands, including Frigidaire, GE and Kenmore.
The moral of the story is that most dehumidifiers on the market are produced in just a handful of the same factories. So while you may think that you’re choosing between dozens of different brands and models, you’re often just choosing between different logos slapped onto the same machines.
In this guide, I will share my top picks based on our own first-hand data and I will also walk you through the models you should avoid.
- For smaller spaces that are not too humid, don’t go smaller than the AEOCKY Boreas-001.
- For areas up to 500 sq. ft., look for larger dehumidifiers with capacities increasing in 10-pint increments. I recommend the Levoit Smart Dehumidifier for those in the U.S. and the MeacoDry Arete Two 25L for those in Europe.
- For very large spaces of around 1,200 sq. ft., you require powerful dehumidifiers capable of removing 50 pints of moisture in 24 hours. The AEOCKY Rhea-003 model has high water-removal efficiency and comes with an attachment so you can use any garden hose as a gravity hose.
Dehumidifier dos and don’ts
DO
DON’T
How we test dehumidifiers
To put this list together, I purchased 33 of the most popular dehumidifier models across all sizes, ranging from large 145-pint devices to tiny machines designed to be used in a cupboard.
We used our Levoit Classic 300S humidifier to raise humidity levels to 94% inside our Shorty Gorilla Grow Tent and left the tent for 5 mins for the numbers to stabilize before setting the dehumidifier to top speed for 30 mins.
We gathered humidity data with our SensorPush wireless hygrometer and repeated the test a minimum of three times. We also tested the natural decay inside our tent without any dehumidifier running.
In 2026, we introduced a water extraction test. To do this, we measured how much water each model is capable of removing in the same room of our house at 20 degrees Celsius and 52% humidity during a set amount of time.
We weighed the water bucket before and after the test to determine how much water was removed during the test.
Next, we measured how much electricity each dehumidifier pulls at different speeds.
To do this, we used our MECHEER power meter for UK devices and our Poniie PN2500 energy meter for U.S. devices.
Lastly, we used our BAFX Sound Level Meter to measure how much noise in decibels each dehumidifier generates.
We conducted this test from three feet away, the same way we measure noise levels of the air purifiers we test.
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 in different rooms over several months.
This is generally 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.
1. Best dehumidifier we tested: AEOCKY Rhea-003
For those wanting to dry out a large basement or the entire house, the Rhea-003 from AEOCKY is our top choice for this year.
The Rhea-003 is the largest in the range of dehumidifiers from AEOCKY. We have been using it at home for nearly three months now and it surprised me with its performance and its energy-efficiency.
It tops our water extraction ranking, removing 11.47L of water within 24 hours and beating all 27 different dehumidifiers we tested – this includes two 50-Pint models from Honeywell and Frigidaire and an 80-Pint model from Waykar.
What’s even more impressive is that it did this pulling just 357.55 watts, making it our most energy-efficient model with an efficiency factor of 1.3 litres/kWH. This matches the results of ENERGYSTAR, where this model is also a top performer.
This is a large dehumidifier but luckily it isn’t as noisy as you may expect. In our sound tests, we measured 57.3 dBA at top speed from 3-feet away – to put this into perspective our 50-Pint Honeywell reached 68.6 dBA.
In terms of controls, you get all the standard functions plus a child lock and a light switch. There are two fan speeds and you can adjust the humidity range. The on-board hygrometer was fairly accurate when comparing with our room humidity monitor.
CONS
PROS
| Water removal capacity (per day): | – HouseFresh test data: 20.18 pints (11.47 liters) – ENERGYSTAR test data: 44.3 pints (25.17 liters) |
| Bucket capacity: | 14.80 Pints (1.85 gallons) |
| Electricity consumption (top speed): | 357.55 watts |
| Integrated energy factor (top speed): | – HouseFresh test data: 1.3 L/kWh – ENERGYSTAR test data: 2.2 L/kWh |
| Noise level in from 3 ft. away (top speed): | 57.3 dBA |
| Refrigerant type: | HFC-32 |
| Recommended room size: | 5,500 sq. ft. (50-80% relative humidity) |
| Dimensions: | 17.68 x 11.02 x 24.09 inches (44.91 x 27.99 x 61.19 cm) |
| Weight: | 43.4lbs (19.7lkg) |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 3 years |
| Country of origin: | China |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
2. Best quiet performance: Levoit Smart Dehumidifier
If you’re looking for a dehumidifier for a bedroom or home office, then look no further than this new model from Levoit.
We have tested many air purifiers and humidifiers from Levoit, so I was very excited when I learned about the release of their very first dehumidifier model. In our tests, I was particularly surprised by how quiet it is – – especially considering its dehumidification performance.
In our water extraction rate, the Levoit Smart Dehumidifier was able to remove 1.10L of water from the air within three hours.
Based on this result, we estimate that it can remove 8.87L of water in a day in real world conditions. It outperformed our previous top pick (the Midea Cube 35-Pint) and models from hOmeLabs, GE and Pro Breeze.
Reaching 50.2 decibels at Turbo speed, the Levoit Smart Dehumidifier is the quietest high performance dehumidifier I have tested. This makes it perfect for spaces that require quiet operation, such as a bedroom or home office.
The water tank slides out from the side. I really like the wide handle that is integrated into the tank and the enclosure at the top to minimize splashes.
You also get a removable pump, the ability to use it with a gravity hose and even the option of connecting it to a garden hose. I tested them all with good results – just be aware that the pump won’t kick in until the tank is full.
In terms of controls, you get buttons to set the desired humidity level, choose the fan speed, switch between dehumidification modes and set timers. It connects Levoit’s VeSync app, so you can control it remotely, access humidity data and schedule routines.
CONS
PROS
| Water removal capacity (per day): | – HouseFresh test data: 18.75 pints (8.87 liters) – ENERGYSTAR test data: 24.5 pints (11.59 liters) |
| Bucket capacity: | 7.36 pints (3.48 liters) |
| Electricity consumption (top speed): | 298.8 watts |
| Integrated energy factor (top speed): | – HouseFresh test data: 1.24 L/kWh – ENERGYSTAR test data: 1.9 L/kWh |
| Noise level in from 3 ft. away (top speed): | 50.2 dBA |
| Refrigerant type: | HFC-32 (GWP:675 | Lower GWP) |
| Operating conditions: | – Temperature: 41°-90° F (5°-32° C) – Humidity: ≤ 90% RH |
| Dimensions: | 22.3 x 12.8 x 10.2 in (56.4 x 32.6 x 26.2 cm) |
| Weight: | 33.1 lb (15 kg) |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Country of origin: | China |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜ Coming soon…
3. Best under $200: AEOCKY Boreas-001
My top picks can be expensive or might be too large for your space. This is the only cheap + small dehumidifier worth your money.
Up to now, I’ve been recommending medium to large size dehumidifiers with price tags around $300. But this AEOCKY device is much smaller and cheaper, so it could be a good option for those looking for a dehumidifier on a budget.
The Boreas-001 vastly outperformed all other popular small and mini dehumidifiers we tested – usually units you’ll find at the top of Amazon.
And it did this while generating just 52.7 decibels of noise, which is a lot quieter than what you can expect from larger dehumidifier.
You get buttons to set the humidity level, change fan speeds and modes, switch off lights, set auto mode and lock the screen (child lock).
You also get a big handle at the top and castor wheels at the bottom to move the dehumidifier around the home.
CONS
PROS
If you go smaller than this, you are likely to waste your money.
| Water removal capacity (per day): | HouseFresh test data: 5.8 pints (3.30 liters) |
| Humidity reduction rate: | 29.31% drop (from 91.11% to 61.8% in 30 minutes) |
| Bucket capacity: | 5.7 pints (0.71 gallons) |
| Electricity consumption (top speed): | 266.3 watts |
| Integrated energy factor (top speed): | HouseFresh test data: 0.5 L/kWh |
| Noise level in from 3 ft. away: | Top speed: 52.7 dBA Low speed: 48.1 dBA |
| Airflow (top speed): | 106 cfm |
| Refrigerant type: | R290 |
| Recommended room size: | 500– 800 sq. ft. (50-90% relative humidity) |
| Dimensions: | 13.19 x 17.99 x 8.66 in (33.5 x 45.7x 22 cm) |
| Weight: | 28.7 lbs (13.02 kg) |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 3 years |
| Country of origin: | China |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
4. Best made in the UK: Ebac 4850e 21L
Ebac is a British company that manufactures excellent dehumidifiers in County Durham since 1972.
As a resident of the north of England, I know that our kind of damp is different and our electricity bills are a lot higher. The good news is that I found a British brand that designs dehumidifiers for the UK environment with an smart mode that controls humidity levels without continuously adding to your energy bill.
In our water extraction rate, the Ebac 4850e (21L) was able to remove 3.7L of water within three hours – second only to the MeacoDry Arete Two. The smaller Ebac 4150 (12L) also offered excellent performance for a small unit.
And they both did this while consuming less electricity than other models. If you were to run your Ebac 4850e 24/7 all year around, it will add around £145 to your energy bill.
Something I appreciate about my 4850e is that Ebac designed the water tank to be more like a watering can than a bucket. This makes it easier to empty it when full without making a mess compared to other models.
The 4850e comes with Ebac’s Smart Control, a smart mode in which the dehumidifier monitors the weather in your home and automatically switches itself on and off as needed based on the data it collects.
CONS
PROS
| Water removal capacity (per day): | HouseFresh test data: 6.5 pints (3.7 liters) |
| Humidity reduction rate: | 25.1% drop (from 93.1% to 68.0% in 30 minutes) |
| Bucket capacity: | 7.4 pints (3.5 liters) |
| Electricity consumption (top speed): | 144.2 watts |
| Integrated energy factor (top speed): | HouseFresh test data: 1.07 L/kWh |
| Noise level in from 3 ft. away: | Top speed: 50.3 dBA Low speed: 42.8 dBA |
| Airflow (top speed): | 176 cfm |
| Refrigerant type: | R290 |
| Recommended room size: | 225-450m³ |
| Dimensions: | 21.2 x 13.4 x 8.66 in (54 x 34 x 10.4 cm) |
| Weight: | 28.6 lbs (13 kg) |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 5 years |
| Country of origin: | United Kingdom |
| Country of manufacture: | United Kingdom |
READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜ Coming soon…
5. Best in Europe: MeacoDry Arete Two 25L
The Arete Two 25L outperformed every other dehumidifier I’ve tested available in Europe with the perfect balance of performance, energy efficiency, sound and long-term costs.
The MeacoDry Arete Two 25L is a compact dehumidifier that has wheels underneath and a hose adapter for continuous drainage using a standard garden hose. I personally liked the little hook on the side where you can wind up the cable, and appreciate the fact that you can access the tank from the front.
The water tank is well designed, with a cover and a handle that help reduce the risk of spilling water all over the place when removing the tank when full.
You get buttons to set the desired humidity level, set timers and switch between modes, including Night Mode and Laundry mode. There’s also a large retractable handle to move it around the house.
In our tests, it removed 4.98 liters of water within three hours – this is the top result across all EU dehumidifiers I tested this year.
At full power, it pulled 218.4 watts. This is considerably less than the top speed energy consumption of other 20-litre models I’ve tested – with the exception of the Ebac 4850e 21L.
CONS
PROS
| Water removal capacity (per day): | HouseFresh test data: 10.5 pints (5.0 liters) |
| Humidity reduction rate: | 33.7% drop (from 93.1% to 59.4% in 30 minutes) |
| Bucket capacity: | 10.1 pints (4.8 liters) |
| Electricity consumption (top speed): | 218.4 watts |
| Integrated energy factor (top speed): | HouseFresh test data: 0.95 L/kWh |
| Noise level in from 3 ft. away: | 43.2 dBA |
| Airflow (top speed): | 150 cfm |
| Refrigerant type: | R290 |
| Dimensions: | 10.7 x 24.3 x 14.4 in (27.2 x 61.8 x 36.6 cm) |
| Weight: | 35.3 lbs (16 kg) |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 5 years |
| Country of origin: | United Kingdom |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜ Coming soon…
Special mentions
We have tested over 30 dehumidifiers and there were some that nearly made the list. Perhaps one of them will be a good option for your specific situation.
Midea Cube
The Midea Cube is a simple cube that you can stack up: the bucket sits at the bottom and the fan sits at the top. In terms of performance, it was able to outperform popular models from brands like Pro Breeze, GE and hOmeLabs.
I used mine in our basement for just over 3 years with a gravity hose and had zero issues with it. It didn’t make the cut because the Levoit Smart Dehumidifier offers more power at quieter and more energy-efficient operation.
Xiaomi Smart Dehumidifier Lite
The small yet powerful Xiaomi Smart Dehumidifier Lite is available across Europe and Asia for less than 250 EUR. Its performance is comparable to small units like the MeacoDry Arete Two 12L and the Honeywell 16L.
It didn’t make the cut because the AEOCKY Boreas-001 offered better performance for nearly half the price. Plus, I’m not a fan of having the water bucket at the back of the unit – pretty inconvenient!
Ebac 3850e
When it comes to performance, the Ebac 3850e matched what you will get with the Xiaomi Smart Lite (below). And in terms of noise, we measured 54.3 decibels at top speed, so it’s not too loud for a dehumidifier.
I used mine in our dining room since 2021 without any issues, but I didn’t include it on my main list of recommendations because the new model (the Ebac 4150e 12L) offers better performance in a more modern body.
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.
November 10th, 2026:
- Replaced the Ebac 3850e with the newer Ebac 4850e 21L for those looking for a dehumidifier made in the UK.
- Added the MeacoDry Arete Two 25L as the Best in Europe.
October 12th, 2026:
- Replaced the Midea Cube 35-Pint with the Levoit Smart Dehumidifier, which can remove more water from the air while generating less noise and consuming less electricity.
August 27th, 2026:
- Replaced the Frigidaire 50-Pint with the AEOCKY Rhea-003 as the best dehumidifier for large spaces.
- Updated the section about the Midea Cube 35-Pint with new charts including data from our latest peformance tests.
- Updated the methodology section with information about our new water extraction test.
- Replaced the Ivation 13-Pint with the AEOCKY Boreas-001 after we encountered issues with our Ivation after long-term use at home.
May 30th, 2026:
- Replaced the Honeywell 50-Pint with the Frigidaire 50-Pint after learning that Honeywell is not currently producing large capacity dehumidifiers.
July 27th, 2025:
- Added the Xiaomi Smart Lite as a Special Mention after testing it at home for over three months with good results.
