The 4 Best Dehumidifiers - Fall 2024

The best dehumidifier we've tested is the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1. This 50-pint unit offers plenty of airflow variance across its three fan speed settings, which is great for dealing with humidity in both large areas or cooler, more humid environments. Its high dehumidification capacity also makes it a perfect fit for bigger rooms. Thanks to its impressive energy efficiency, it's a stellar option if you need to run it for extended periods. It has a port for continuous drainage and an integrated pump for dumping collected moisture into a faraway drain or container.

Unfortunately, at over 40 lbs, this device weighs a bit, though its caster wheels make it easier to move around. Like many full-size 50-pint dehumidifiers, it produces a lot of heat and makes a fair amount of noise, topping out at 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 have company over. It's also a bulky machine that can be a bit of a 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 noisier and produces more heat than the Frigidaire.

For something more affordable, the Midea MAD35S1QWT is among the best dehumidifiers for homes we've tested. 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, not counting its lower price. It has a unique collapsible design, in which the compressor unit and water bucket are separate components. You can set it up normally, with the compressor unit sitting atop the 4.2 gal (16.0 L) bucket, detach the compressor entirely and have it drain into a sink from its drain port, or connect a hose to the drain port and turn on the built-in pump, so it can pour out any accumulated moisture into an elevated container or faraway spout.

Unfortunately, its compressor unit is rather heavy, and it can take a bit of 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-size rooms. It doesn't take up much space, thanks to its compact design, 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.