The 3 Best Small Dehumidifiers - Fall 2024

The best small dehumidifier we've tested is the ProBreeze PB-03. It's a fraction of the size of most full-size dehumidifiers, so you can easily squeeze it onto a shelf in your closet or any other tight space. It also generates very little heat, so you won't notice any major impact on the ambient temperature, even if you leave it running continuously. Its power draw of only 37W is pretty minimal, which is great if you plan on having it run overnight often, but its poor capacity means it isn't an energy-efficient option either.

Performance-wise, it doesn't offer anywhere near the dehumidification capacity of a full-size machine. As a result, it'll be very slow in removing moisture from even modestly sized rooms. The ProBreeze also has a tiny water tank, but since its dehumidification rate is so low, it still takes quite a while to fill up. Thankfully, it has an automatic shutoff feature, so the tank won't overflow if you leave it unattended.

If you want to spend less on a compact dehumidifier, consider the ProBreeze PB-02. In terms of capacity, it falls even further behind the ProBreeze PB-03, meaning that it's only really suited for the smallest of spaces, like a closet—it won't do much to clear humidity from even a modestly sized room. That said, it's even cheaper and more compact, to the point where you can set it up on a nightstand, dresser, or shelf with room to spare.

Its water tank is pretty small, but like the PB-03, it takes a fair amount of time to fill up. Like its larger stablemate, it shuts off automatically once the tank is full, so you won't need to worry about the tank overflowing if you leave it unattended for a while.

If you need a more capable dehumidifier than the countertop options listed above for an actual living space, but don't want to step up to a full-size unit, the Waykar PD160B is a great choice. Its 8.5-pint capacity is substantially greater than compact models like the ProBreeze PB-02 or the ProBreeze PB-03, so it won't have much trouble removing moisture from small to medium-sized rooms. There's little need to interact with its controls, as you can set your desired humidity level, and the Waykar will adjust its fan speed setting as needed. If you're close to a floor drain or sink, you can configure it to drain continuously using the provided hose, though it lacks a drain pump.

This dehumidifier is a great option for bedrooms since the noise it produces is barely louder than a quiet hum even at its highest fan speed, so it won't keep you up if you run it at night. It generates very little heat, too, so you can position it near your bed without feeling a constant flow of warm, dry air against your face. Its display is rather dim: while this can be a nuisance when trying to operate the machine, it also means there's no harsh light that'll disturb your sleep.