If you're tired of rooms in your home feeling clammy and damp, it might be worth investing in a portable dehumidifier. While these devices are only a partial band-aid solution for more serious water infiltration problems, the best dehumidifiers will efficiently remove humidity in a wide variety of spaces.
We've tested over 20 dehumidifiers, and below are our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers we've tested based on their performance, price, and feature sets. Using our lab testing and scoring, here's a quick guide to what matters most:
- Capacity: Fifty-pint units are intended for especially large basements and open-concept living areas, typically in the realm of 1,200 ft². Thirty-five-pint models are good for 600–800 ft², depending on the level of humidity you mean to clear out. Twenty-pint models and below are suitable for areas 400 ft² or smaller, like bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Airflow: A wider range of airflow speeds makes a unit more versatile. A high maximum fan speed generates air movement in larger rooms, while a low minimum speed will be quieter for smaller spaces.
- Drainage: Most models on the market feature drain ports for continuous operation, but for a hands-off experience, look for drain pumps to drain out into an elevated receptacle.
If you're interested in a more in-depth look at these factors and why they matter, see our full buyer's guide below. You can also check out our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers for basements if you need something for damp spaces where high capacity and continuous drainage are especially important, or the best dehumidifiers for bedrooms if quieter operation and lower heat output are bigger priorities. If you're concerned about your home's air quality, check out our recommendations for the best air purifiers.
If you don't know where to start, deciding between dehumidifiers can put a damper on your day. Luckily, we've streamlined the process, buying and testing over 20 dehumidifiers from major retailers; no cherry-picked models. Our lab team then measures airflow, capacity, and more to ensure you have the data you need to make a buying decision. If you're still between models, you can compare them directly, side by side.
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Best Dehumidifier
Basement8.0Bathroom7.2Large Room8.0Bedroom6.9Noise7.0Capacity8.7Drain PumpNoSee all our test resultsAppYesThe best dehumidifier that we've tested is the LG PuriCare Sonoran. This high-capacity 50-pint model is intended for big spaces, and its powerful fan generates enough air movement to circulate air effectively in open-concept living areas. Despite its high capacity, it's impressively energy-efficient, which is great if you plan on leaving it running for long periods. There's also a drain spout, so you can set it up for continuous drainage instead of having to regularly empty the water tank. However, there's no drainage pump, so you're limited to floor drains for continuous operation, which isn't practical in finished spaces like kitchens or living rooms. Operation is pretty hands-off overall, thanks to its integrated moisture sensor, which allows it to adjust its fan speed based on real-time humidity levels. You can also change settings and monitor humidity levels via a smartphone app. It also runs quite quietly for a full-sized dehumidifier, though it can still be a distraction in its highest fan speed setting.
Unfortunately, the downsides are fairly obvious: this unit is big and bulky and produces a lot of heat, so you should make sure you need a dehumidifier with this level of capacity before placing it in a high-traffic area or a smaller space like a bedroom or bathroom.
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Best Mid-Range Dehumidifier
Basement8.5Bathroom7.7Large Room7.8Bedroom6.4Noise5.6Capacity8.5Drain PumpYesSee all our test resultsAppYesThe Costco-exclusive Midea MAD50PS1AWT-C is a solid option if you want performance closer to the LG PuriCare Sonoran but in a cheaper package, and can live with some sacrifices in noise and overall versatility. Like the LG, it's a high-capacity 50-pint unit that's well suited to large, damp spaces. That said, its range of airflow speeds is quite narrow: at its highest speed, it can move air in larger spaces, but its minimum setting remains quite high, producing a strong, loud stream that can be disruptive in smaller spaces. On the upside, it has a built-in drain pump for continuous drainage into an elevated sink or drain, something the LG doesn't offer. If you'd rather empty the tank yourself, its side-mounted bucket slides in and out smoothly and has a raised lip that makes it easier to carry with less risk of spilling. It also offers Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to monitor humidity levels and adjust settings remotely via its companion app.
Beyond its high operating noise, the Midea also produces a noticeable amount of heat, making it better suited to basements and larger living spaces where you can distance yourself from the unit, rather than in smaller rooms. While its shorter, shallower design makes it easier to place than the LG, it's still a full-size unit that takes up a fair amount of floor space. Keep in mind that this model is exclusive to Costco, so you'll need a Costco membership to purchase this unit.
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Best Budget Dehumidifier
Basement3.6Bathroom5.8Large Room4.5Bedroom7.1Noise8.0Capacity2.5Drain PumpNoSee all our test resultsAppNoIf you only need an affordable dehumidifier for a small space, like a closet or crawl space, consider the ProBreeze PB-03. Given its compact stature, it isn't a replacement for a full-size machine and will struggle to clear away moisture in even modestly sized rooms. However, at just over 4 lbs, it weighs about a tenth of what the Midea MAD50PS1AWT-C does and occupies far less space. As a result, you can set it on a dresser or a closet shelf and leave it running without taking up much usable space. It also operates very quietly and emits very little heat, so it won't make smaller spaces feel stuffy.
The ProBreeze has a very small water tank, but since its dehumidification rate is so low, it takes quite a while to fill up, and you won't have to empty it often. Its power draw is also minimal, but its poor capacity means it isn't an energy-efficient option relative to how much moisture it actually removes. It also lacks app connectivity, so you can't monitor or control it remotely, though that can be expected given this model's small size and basic feature set. If you're having trouble finding this model, check out Home Depot's website.
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Best Dehumidifier For Medium-Sized Rooms
Basement8.0Bathroom7.8Large Room7.5Bedroom6.9Noise7.3Capacity6.8Drain PumpYesSee all our test resultsAppYesThe Levoit Smart Dehumidifier is our recommendation for medium-sized rooms and a good choice if you don't require the sheer capacity of our top picks and want something smaller that produces less heat and noise. It has a smaller 25-pint capacity and a lower maximum airflow than the similarly priced 50-pint LG PuriCare Sonoran, so it won't be able to effectively handle high moisture or generate air movement in really large spaces. However, it has its fair share of advantages, being smaller than the bulky LG or even the relatively small Midea MAD50PS1AWT-C, so you'll be able to fit it into cluttered areas more easily. As mentioned earlier, it's also quieter than the more powerful LG, and it emits less heat, so it'll be less of a nuisance in smaller spaces.
It also features a pump, so it can drain continuously into a sink or over the wall of a high-walled tub. Somewhat uniquely, this pump is removable and washable, so you can clear out any clogs and clean it pretty easily. It also has a washable filter, which helps trap airborne contaminants before the air gets sucked into the machine. As the name implies, it's a 'smart' appliance with Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can change settings or monitor ambient conditions through your smartphone.
Notable Mentions
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TABYIK DH-CS01:
The TABYIK DH-CS01 is smaller, quieter, and usually cheaper than the ProBreeze PB-03, with similarly limited moisture removal. However, the ProBreeze has a larger water tank and higher airflow.
See our review -
Hisense HD3526:
The Hisense HD3526 is a 35-pint dehumidifier that delivers superior overall capacity to the Levoit Smart Dehumidifier, but also runs louder and less efficiently.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 02, 2026:
Due to current product availability, we've replaced the GE APYR50LC with the LG PuriCare Sonoran as the 'Best Dehumidifier' pick, and the Midea MAD35S1QWT with the Levoit Smart Dehumidifier as the 'Best Dehumidifier For Medium-Sized Rooms' pick. We've also added the Hisense HD3526 to the Notable Mentions section of the article.
Sep 23, 2026:
We updated our recommendations to reflect current availability and added the TABYIK DH-CS01 as a Notable Mention.
Aug 25, 2026:
We ensured all picks remain available and continue to be our top recommendations.
Jul 30, 2026:
We added the Midea MAD50PS1AWT-C as the new mid-range pick, moved the Midea MAD35S1QWT to upper mid-range, and refreshed the article accordingly.
Jul 17, 2026:
We've confirmed that all picks are still available and made minor text updates to add more context for users and better clarify how performance figures are presented.
What To Consider When Choosing A Dehumidifier
There are a few main factors to consider when shopping for a new dehumidifier. Here are some of the key considerations to take into account.
Dehumidification Capacity
While these guidelines aren't set in stone, you can have a good idea of whether a dehumidifier is the right fit for your needs based on its approximate capacity:
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50-pint
- Assuming a starting relative humidity level of approximately 60%, these units are suitable for areas up to 1,200 ft² (111.5 m²).
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35-pint
- Assuming a starting relative humidity level of approximately 60%, these units are suitable for areas up to 800 ft² (74.3 m²).
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20-pint
- Assuming a starting relative humidity level of approximately 60%, these units are suitable for areas up to 400 ft² (37.1 m²).
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10-pint and below
- Assuming a starting relative humidity level of approximately 60%, these units are suitable for areas up to 300 ft² (27.9 m²) and smaller.
It's important to note that a higher starting relative humidity level within the same-sized room will require a higher-capacity dehumidifier. Buying too small a dehumidifier for your space will keep the room from reaching your desired humidity level. However, buying too big a unit should also be avoided: the heat output of a dehumidifier scales pretty predictably with its capacity, and an oversized unit will make smaller rooms feel hot and stuffy.
Airflow/Fan Speed
The larger the difference in fan speed between a unit's max and lowest settings, the better. A high maximum airflow, exceeding 160 cubic feet per minute (CFM), is enough to generate air movement in larger rooms, while a low minimum airflow of under 120 CFM or so keeps things quiet, which is useful in bedrooms where the unit may be placed nearby.
However, it's worth noting that there's a point of diminishing returns for maximum airflow. As we discovered in our investigative R&D article, too high a maximum airflow for a given dehumidifier's capacity can actually have a negative impact on dehumidification performance. Slowing air movement gives the air more contact time with a dehumidifier's condenser coils, increasing the rate at which water vapor in the air is condensed and boosting dehumidification efficiency.
Drainage/Water Tank Capacity
Water tank capacity generally scales with the advertised capacity of a dehumidifier. For instance, 50-pint models typically feature 1.6 gal (6.0 L) to 2.4 gal (9.0 L) tanks, 35-pint models generally have 0.79 gal (3.0 L) to 1.1 gal (4.0 L) tanks, and 10-pint and under models usually have 0.7 gal (2.5 L) or smaller tanks. The main thing to remember is that the larger the tank, the more of a hassle it can be to empty when filled. Water weighs in at 2.2 lbs (1 kg) per liter, so something like the Midea MAD20S1QWT, with its enormous 12.0 L tank, can be a bit of a bear to empty out regularly.
Of course, if you have an especially humid room, it's probably worth considering setting a unit up for continuous drainage. As stated earlier, most full-size units on the market feature drain ports, which allow them to pour out any accumulated moisture from a hose into a floor drain or shower. That said, if you plan on running the unit in a finished area where that isn't an option, you should consider something with a drain pump, which allows the unit to drain any accumulated water into an elevated basin or sink.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are some of the best dehumidifiers for homes for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
That said, there is no single best dehumidifier for home use that will suit everybody; your needs will depend on your budget, the size of your living space, your tolerance for operating noise, and whether you like having a device with convenience features like Wi-Fi connectivity or a drain pump. If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our dehumidifier reviews.