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 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. Also, check out our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers for basements and the best dehumidifiers for bedrooms. Or 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 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
Basement8.4Bathroom7.6Large Room7.8Bedroom5.8Noise5.0Capacity8.5Drain PumpYesSee all our test resultsAppNoThe best dehumidifier that we've tested is the GE APYR50LC. This unit is intended for use in big spaces, with a high 50-pint AHAM-rated capacity and a max fan speed sufficient to generate air movement in open-concept living areas. Despite its high capacity, it's relatively energy-efficient, which is great if you plan on leaving it to run continuously: there's a drain spout and a pump, so you can leave it to drain continuously in high-moisture environments, like basements or larger bathrooms. Operation is pretty hands-off overall, thanks to its integrated moisture sensor that allows it to adjust fan speed depending on real-time humidity levels.
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 using it in an area with a lot of foot traffic or that simply traps a lot of heat.
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Best Mid-Range Dehumidifier
Basement7.6Bathroom6.7Large Room7.4Bedroom7.0Noise6.6Capacity7.2Drain PumpNoSee all our test resultsAppYesIf you don't have the need for a high-capacity 50-pint model and would prefer something cheaper and quieter, then consider the Midea MAD35S1QWT. It has a smaller 35-pint capacity than the GE APYR50LC, so it isn't quite as efficient for use in large rooms. However, it has its fair share of advantages. It has a unique collapsible design, which makes it easier to stow away when not in use. You can set it up normally with the compressor sitting atop its 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 a sink or tub; just know there's no built-in drain pump for drainage into a utility sink or tub. However, it has a similar footprint to the GE when fully deployed. As mentioned earlier, it's also quieter than the more potent GE, and it emits less heat, so it'll be less of a nuisance in smaller spaces.
Unfortunately, its compressor unit is rather heavy, so it'll require some muscle to take it out of its water bucket. Its fan also provides less airflow compared to the GE, 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. This model is sometimes unavailable from major online marketplaces, but if you don't see it elsewhere, Home Depot reliably has it in stock.
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Best Budget Dehumidifier
Basement6.9Bathroom7.3Large Room7.0Bedroom7.7Noise7.9Capacity6.1Drain PumpNoSee all our test resultsAppNoIf you're on an even more limited budget, check out the Waykar PD160B. This model has a pretty modest 8.5-pint capacity, meaning it's best for small and medium-sized rooms. That said, it's also a lot smaller than either the GE APYR50LC or Midea MAD35S1QWT, so it's easier to find a space for it in 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.
Unfortunately, it can be a bit of a bear to interact with due to its dim display with poor viewing angles, making 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.
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Best Cheap Dehumidifier
Basement3.6Bathroom5.8Large Room4.5Bedroom7.1Noise8.0Capacity2.5Drain PumpNoSee all our test resultsAppNoIf you only need a cheap dehumidifier to deal with 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 2 lbs, it weighs roughly 5% of what the GE APYR50LC does, and it occupies approximately one-tenth the same space. As a result, you can set it on a dresser or shelf in a closet and leave it to run. 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 0.4-gal (1.5 L) 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. It draws only 37W of power, but its poor capacity means it isn't an energy-efficient option. If you're having trouble finding this model, check out Home Depot's website.
Notable Mentions
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Frigidaire FFAD5033W1:
The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is a 50-pint dehumidifier with similar capacity and lower operating noise than the GE APYR50LC, but it also lacks an integrated pump for more convenient drainage options.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 08, 2026:
We've ensured all the main picks are available and still represent the best option for user needs. We've also added the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 to the Notable Mentions section and removed the Whirlpool WHAD50PCW due to current availability.
May 08, 2026:
We've added a buyer's guide section to this article to help users make a more informed choice when considering a dehumidifier. We've also updated the text in our picks to better convey product details.
Mar 26, 2026:
We replaced the Midea MAD50PS1WS with the GE APYR50LC as the 'Best Dehumidifier' pick due to current availability.
Nov 17, 2025:
We've replaced the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1 with the Midea MAD50PS1WS as our top pick, since the Frigidaire isn't available.
Jun 16, 2025:
We've verified our recommendations represent the best choices and are available.
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 humidifier. Buying too small a humidifier 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 humidifier'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 (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 here 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.