The 4 Best Dehumidifiers - Fall 2024

The best dehumidifier we've tested is the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1. Though awkwardly named, this 50-pint unit is great for dealing with humidity in both large areas or cooler, more humid environments, as it offers plenty of airflow variance across its three fan speed settings. Its high dehumidification capacity also makes it a perfect fit for bigger rooms, and thanks to its impressive energy efficiency, you can let it run for extended periods without any major consequences for your energy bill. It has a port for continuous drainage and an integrated pump for dumping collected moisture into a faraway drain or container.

This device is fairly heavy at over 40 lbs; however, it has caster wheels that make it easier to move around. Unfortunately, it generates a lot of heat and noise, reaching just over 56 dBA at its highest fan speed setting. While it isn't the worst offender in this respect, it's something to be aware of if you plan on using it while watching TV or when company's over. It's a bulky machine that can be a somewhat tight fit for smaller rooms; check out the Midea MAD50PS1QWT if you want another 50-pint model that occupies less space when not in use, but note that it's even noisier and produces more heat than the Frigidaire.

If you want something a bit more affordable, the Midea MAD35S1QWT is among the best dehumidifiers for homes we've tested at the mid-range price point. It has a smaller 35-pint capacity than the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1, so it doesn't perform quite as efficiently in large rooms. However, it has its fair share of advantages, including its unique collapsible design, in which the compressor unit and water bucket are separate components. You can set it up normally with the compressor sitting atop its 4.2 gal bucket, detach the compressor entirely and have it drain into a sink, or connect a hose (to the drain port) to pour out accumulated moisture into an elevated container.

Unfortunately, its compressor unit is rather heavy, so it'll require some muscle to take it out of its water bucket. Its fan provides less airflow compared to the Frigidaire, reaching 189 CFM at its highest fan speed setting and 155 CFM at its lowest, so it can't adapt as seamlessly to different ambient humidity conditions.

If you're on an even more limited budget, check out the Waykar PD160B. This model has a pretty modest 8.5-pint capacity, so it's best suited for small to medium-sized rooms. That said, it also has a more compact design that can fit more easily into smaller rooms, and it generates very little heat or noise, so you can place it near your bed without disturbing your sleep. You can set your desired humidity level and let the unit automatically adjust its fan speed, reducing the need to constantly fiddle with the settings. Besides, it doesn't have the best display; it's pretty dim, and its poor viewing angles make it almost impossible to see unless you're looking straight at it from above. This model doesn't have a built-in pump to drain the water into an elevated receptacle; instead, it has a hose for continuous drainage.

If you only need a dehumidifier to deal with small amounts of moisture in a small space like a closet, consider the ProBreeze PB-03. It doesn't offer anywhere near the dehumidification capacity of a full-size machine and will struggle to clear away moisture in even modestly sized rooms. However, it weighs roughly one-tenth as much as a full-size machine like the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1 and takes up a little over 10% of the same room, so you can rest it on a dresser or shelf and leave it to run. It also operates very quietly and emits very little heat.

The ProBreeze has a very small 0.4 gal (1.5 L) water tank, but since its dehumidification rate is so low, it takes quite a while to fill up. It draws only 37W of power, but its poor capacity means it isn't an energy-efficient option.