Moisture removal per day:50 pints | Tank capacity:21.6 pints | Drain hose:included | Auto shutoff:yes | Wheels:yes | Weight:42 pounds | Energy Star certified:yes
Both Prouty and Jennifer Nitrio, the founder of Mold Help For You, recommend this 50 pint dehumidifier for most spaces. You can connect the unit to your home Wi-Fi network and use the Fridigaire app to monitor humidity levels and make adjustments while you’re away from home, says Prouty. It also has more advanced air filter technology, including an ionizer setting to help pull particles from the air.
Moisture removal per day:50 pints | Tank capacity:34 pints | Drain hose:included | Auto shutoff:yes | Wheels:yes | Weight:42 pounds | Energy Star certified:yes
This 50 pint dehumidifier is notable because of its large tank capacity and built-in pump. On its own, it has a tank capacity of 34 pints, more than every other pick on our list. If you plug in a drain hose, the unit has a built-in pump that can push water out of the unit, even if the drain hose goes upwards into a sink or out a window, according to the brand.
Like our expert-pick from Frigidaire, you can control this unit remotely using the Midea SmartHome app.
Moisture removal per day:0.56 pints | Tank capacity:1.06 pints | Drain hose:no | Auto shutoff:yes | Wheels:no | Weight:2.4 pounds | Energy Star certified:no
This affordable dehumidifier comes recommended by Nitrio, and while it doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, it’s a workhorse in small spaces, says Nitrio. It’s small and portable, weighing about two and a half pounds, and has an auto shut-off feature so you don’t have to think about it too much. Unlike our other picks, the tank is large enough that you may not have to empty it out every day.
Moisture removal per day:22 pints | Tank capacity:6.4 pints | Drain hose:not included | Auto shutoff:yes | Wheels:yes | Weight:30.8 pounds | Energy Star certified:yes
This is one of the best-rated dehumidifiers on Amazon, with a 4.4-star average rating from over 6,700 reviews. It’s a 22 pint dehumidifier that’s well-suited to smaller or less humid environments. It’s less powerful than a 50 pint dehumidifier, but it’s also smaller and lighter.
The tank capacity isn’t very big compared to its moisture removal power, so you’ll have to empty it throughout the day, depending on how humid your space is. But it connects to the Midea SmartHome app over Wi-Fi, which can help you monitor its status.
Moisture removal per day:225 pints | Tank capacity:n/a | Drain hose:yes, with pump | Auto shutoff:yes | Wheels:yes | Weight:97 pounds | Energy Star certified:no
If you’re on the lookout for a heavy-duty dehumidifier for larger projects, then the BlueDri is a great fit, says Nitrio. “There isn’t a place this [machine] can’t dehumidify,” says Nitrio. It can remove up to 225 pints of moisture a day, far more than a typical 50 pint model. It also has a powerful built-in water pump and temperature sensor.
It does not have a built-in water tank — you must use the pump and drain hose with this dehumidifier. It comes with a 38-foot long hose, and the pump can push water up to 16 feet high, according to the brand.
Indoor relative humidity should generally be kept between 30% and 50%, according to our experts and the EPA. “You want to keep humidity levels low enough to discourage the growth of mold and dust mites, but not so low that it causes discomfort or dry air problems,” says McKeon.
The best approach is a combination of source control, ventilation, and dehumidification, says McKeon, who recommends the following:
Address moisture at its source. Areas like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas are hot spots for moisture. Make sure all of them are free of leaks, fit with proper drainage and have exhaust fans when necessary.
Increase ventilation. Open your windows when weather permits — it can help free trapped humidity and let in fresh air.
Use a dehumidifier where needed. A dehumidifier may help you maintain consistent humidity levels in damp areas like basements or bathrooms.
Humidity plays a major role in how allergens behave indoors, says McKeon. Dust mites and mold spores, two common triggers for allergy and asthma symptoms, thrive in high humidity. Too low humidity can lead to feeling overly dry, and cause dry airways and cracked skin.
A humidistat is a built-in sensor that measures relative humidity and automatically turns your dehumidifier on or off depending on the unit’s settings, and is very useful for most shoppers, says Nitrio. This is sometimes called auto mode or marketed as an auto shut-off feature.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Dr. John McKeon is the CEO of Allergy Standards, an organization that works with brands and manufacturers to improve indoor air quality science and standards.
Carl Prouty is the technologist at Abt, a national electronics and appliances retailer based in Glenview, Illinois.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including stories on fitness trackers, wireless earbuds and point-and-shoot cameras. I’ve been writing about air conditioners, air purifiers and other HVAC systems for years, and interviewed air quality and appliance experts to better understand how dehumidifiers work.
