Auto-humidistat: This can sense the moisture in the air and turn off automatically once the desired level is reached. The performance numbers are important, but a fast-drying humidifier isn’t much use if it’s impossible to use. This relates to how many speeds the fan has on the dehumidifier. The more speeds there are, the better as it gives you greater control and means excess energy isn’t wasted.

The Hisense has reservoir removal from the front of the unit. While the reservoir feels a little flimsy, it’s easy to carry and empty without spilling.

How we tested

If you’re pulling out 15 to 20 litres per day, the dehumidifier needs to have a tank with the capacity to handle it or you will be emptying it out every few hours. Three litres is the absolute minimum, while five or six litres will give you a bit less emptying to do. Is there anything else worth looking out for? Because humidity is removed by cooling the air, dehumidifiers work best when it is warm. All the dehumidifiers we tested have minimum operating temperatures of around 40°F. This means they’ll work just fine in most basements. If you have an unconditioned space that gets colder than 40°F, compressor-based dehumidifiers won’t work for you. Although the build quality is slightly lower than other units, the up-side to this is that it’s relatively lightweight. It weighs in at 36 pounds versus 40-plus pounds for the other units we tested.

Lead author Rachel Rothman has extensive experience conducting hands-on testing of dehumidifiers, leveraging her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. In her role as chief technologist and director of engineering at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Rachel helped develop the testing protocols for the category. With regard to indoor air quality, she is a leading advocate for the adoption of rigorous industry standards. Rachel has also tested dozens of dehumidifiers in recent years at her home. It’s bad for you because bugs and mould love high humidity levels. Dust mites and mould spores thrive and can trigger allergies, skin irritation and respiratory problems such as asthma. Moods and general wellness can also be affected. Nikolas Greenwald, Lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute, led the latest round of dehumidifier testing. Nikolas works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining GH in 2022 , Nikolas worked in the labs of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University. Low Noise Design - minimise noise and maximise comfort by optimising the refrigeration and air duct systems. The noise is as low as 39dB. The Dehumidifier also uses reciprocating compressor technology allowing less vibration to effectively reducing the noise level. If you're dealing with a midsize area under 1,000 square feet that gets damp, but not wet, this medium-capacity unit is a very solid option," DiClerico says. The 33-pound dehumidifier sits on wheels for easy transportation from room to room. Though at nearly 25 inches tall, it's fairly bulky, so you might want to consider a more compact unit if you're looking to dry out a smaller space.

Dehumidifier FAQs

In addition to its exceptional performance in our water removal test, the Honeywell's accurate humidistat helps it maintain steady humidity levels. And it includes an onboard pump, so you can continuously drain water vertically or horizontally, up to 15 feet. Under the old regulations, these sizes were 70, 50 and 30 pints, respectively, and you'll see such numbers with three older models above. Features to look out for The reservoir also has a strong, comfortable carrying handle. The simple shape means that it’s easy to empty without spills. Auto Restart - if the unit turns off unexpectedly due to the power being cut, it will restart with the previous function setting automatically when the power resumes. Other types include desiccant dehumidifiers, which will use a water-absorbing material, and thermoelectric dehumidifiers, which operate with charged plates. Generally speaking, neither of these latter two types are as effective as condenser models, which is why we only recommend this type in our list.

With a two-litre tank, it might need emptying more regularly than some models, but there’s a 1m hose if you need continuous draining into a sink or drain. And while there’s no timer, you do get a laundry mode and a choice of quiet and turbo functions, and the rotary control is – as advertised – simple and easy to use. For effective cooling and humidity removal, the heat exchanger needs to be clean. If it gets dusty it won’t cool the air effectively to reduce the humidity. Dehumidifiers have filters to trap dirt before it hits the cooling coils.Dust can also get past the filter onto the cooling coils. To remove this, gently run a vacuum nozzle over the coils when you clean the filter. The Frigidaire Gallery’s reservoir cover allows for smooth water pouring without spills. A handy level indicator clearly shows how full the reservoir is.

The good news is that if you take these simple steps and keep the dehumidifier clean, it will run more efficiently. Also, because there’ll be less stress placed on the components it should last longer. What Is A Comfortable Humidity Range? We used multiple humidifiers to create a disgustingly humid environment in a temperature-controlled room. These saturated the room air with water vapor, leaving the dehumidifiers facing a tough performance challenge. Hose connection: If you'll be using a large-capacity dehumidifier for a particularly wet job, finding a dehumidifier with a hose connection can save you from having to empty the machine manually. If you're only dealing with a little moisture in a bathroom or other confined space, for example a home office in a finished basement, you can save money without sacrificing comfort with a small-capacity dehumidifier, like this 35-pint unit from Frigidaire.Air conditioners have a drain or reservoir to remove or collect condensed water. So, if you have air conditioning it might reduce your need for a dehumidifier. However, keep in mind that drying your air isn’t the main function of an A/C unit. If you routinely move the units between rooms, particularly between floors, then you may want to go for several smaller units. A 20 pint unit would work well for most small rooms. How Do You Empty A Dehumidifier? There are different types of dehumidifiers on the market. The most common type is a condensing dehumidifier, which pulls the absorbed air over refrigerated coils, which cools it enough the condense and separate the moisture. Over time these filters get clogged and restrict airflow. Some can be vacuumed clean, and others are washable. Pull out the filter and vacuum or rinse it off every few weeks. The Frigidaire Gallery wasn’t the fastest at reducing humidity under our test conditions, but it had other strengths.