If the air in your home has been feeling a little too damp lately, a dehumidifer can bring quick relief. Moisture tends to build up in rooms with poor airflow, which can lead to musty smells and even mold. Spaces like bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms benefit the most from a dehumidifier, which can make them feel fresher fast.
Our Picks
The holidays are the perfect time to pick one up, with excellent deals all around. CNET's experts selected the top six dehumidifiers of 2025 including compact models for small spaces, larger units for big rooms or basements and energy-saving options that can keep costs down through the winter. If you want your home to feel cleaner, drier and cozier for the season ahead, you'll find a model here that fits your budget and your space.
Holiday buying advice for dehumidifiers
If you're shopping for a dehumidifier this holiday season, start by matching the size of the unit to the size of your space since performance is largely dependant on coverage. Focus on long-term value rather than chasing the deepest discounts because a dependable model with a solid warranty pays off over time. Keep in mind that features like Wi-Fi controls can make life easier for daily use. It also helps to look for energy-efficient models, since they can manage humidity without adding much to your bills. The holiday season is a good time to make a purchase due to the plethora of deals going around.
Best dehumidifiers of 2025
Pros
- Remote access
Cons
- Slightly bulky
Since dehumidifiers mainly rely on refrigeration technology to pull humidity out of the air in your home, it should be no surprise that a company known for refrigerators tops this list.
This 50-pint, large-capacity model offers a helpful smart capability that allows you to connect the machine to Wi-Fi and monitor the fullness of the collection tank remotely. Plus, it will turn off on its own when it’s full, so there’s no need to worry about coming home to a mess -- and it offers a continuous draining option, too.
Another benefit of this machine is its washable filter, so you don’t need to consistently replace it. Depending on your size, budget and functionality needs, Frigidaire is always a solid choice.
Most high-functioning dehumidifiers aren't winning any points for style, but this Frigidaire model has a clean, unobtrusive look. Reviewers online frequently noted a quick, drastic improvement of the humidity levels in the rooms where it was placed.
Pros
- Largest reach
This HomeLabs dehumidifier purports to be able to manage the largest square footage among various models, perfect for managing an open-plan, damp basement or other large space with excess moisture. According to Energy Star, it's also one of the most energy-efficient options, which can save you money. Among its many benefits, this dehumidifier can remove up to 22 pints, or 1.2 gallons, of moisture from the air each day, ensuring a humidity-free space. It also has wheels and a handle for ease of moving, as well as a timer.
Customers on Amazon frequently posted that this dehumidifier was exceptionally quiet and easy to assemble and use.
Note: While this particular model is no longer available, there's an updated unit with slightly higher drainage capacity for $200 on Amazon.
Pros
- Affordable
- Quiet
- Voice control
Cons
- Smaller capacity
If you live in a region with humid summers, one easy way to lower your monthly energy bill is by using a dehumidifier and fan in your bedroom at night, instead of running central air to cool the entire house, especially the unoccupied rooms. For bedroom needs, you probably require less power and reach, but the noise level of the unit becomes a bigger concern.
This Midea model has one of the lowest decibels available, with user reviews reporting it was no louder than an average fan and emits none of the vibrating or shuddering noises that some models can make. Midea also had a strong showing among various review sites overall, with several models being designated best compact, best budget or quietest dehumidifier.
In addition to the quietness of the machine, it has Wi-Fi and voice control capabilities, two drainage options and an automatic restart function that goes into effect if your power goes out.
It can dehumidify up to 22 pints per day, which is equivalent to more than three gallons.
Pros
- Unobtrusive size
Cons
- Less powerful
A solid dehumidifier that can run continuously for hours without needing its tank drained is typically going to run you at least $150. If you're not ready for that kind of investment or want to test the waters -- pun intended -- in a small space and on a smaller budget, this miniature model could be perfect for you.
Highly portable and low on energy draw, the reservoir can only collect 13 ounces at once, so it's best for use in small spaces, such as bathrooms or closets for a short amount of time.
A small, inexpensive model such as this one could also be good to help you determine whether you need a more powerful dehumidifier to make a positive effect on your home environment and humidity. Amazon customers were happy with the size and ease of use of this machine.
Pros
- Compact
If noise is a concern for you, the HomeLabs 1,000 Sq. Ft Portable Dehumidifier is your best option. At 33 dB, it's ultra quiet, which Amazon customers noted as one of its top features. This compact dehumidifier can remove up to 8 pints of moisture daily, and has wheels and a handle to ensure it's easy to move around your home.
Like many dehumidifiers, it also offers a washable filter in addition to a removable water tank, two drainage options and a 24-hour timer.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Quiet
While the hOmelabs dehumidifier above is a solid choice for a bedroom thanks its quietness, a Waykar dehumidifier is another option you can’t go wrong with. The 2,000-square-foot dehumidifier offers intelligent humidity control and is energy-star certified.
It also offers a 24-hour timer and will automatically shut off when the water tank is full. The sleek and modern design ensures the appliance won’t be an eyesore in your bedroom, and the wheels make it easy to tuck it into a corner and out of sight.
There are two fan speeds, which have noise levels of 46 dB and 40 dB, ensuring you’ll still be able to comfortably sleep through the night even while it’s running. If you have a larger space, it's also offered in additional sizes to meet your needs.
How we picked the best dehumidifiers
Our list of best dehumidifiers was aggregated from numerous review sites among models that had the most inclusions, as well as best-selling and top-rated models at major retailers such as Amazon, Home Depot and Lowe's. Only dehumidifiers that were Energy Star certified were considered for inclusion. We researched the dehumidifiers on this list by analyzing specs and user reviews, diving deep for mentions of persistent issues, and considering the available features and functionality compared with price as a measure of each model's overall value.
We also focused primarily on those models that had high user ratings. While these were not tested in person in a lab environment, every dehumidifier on this list has been tested by numerous sites for high performance, including Consumer Reports and Best Reviews Guide. Additionally, we were able to examine several in person in order to get a feel for their footprint, design and control panel.
Dehumidifiers compared
| Frigidaire FGAC5044W1 | hOmeLabs (4,500 sq. feet) | Midea MAD22C1AWS | Pro-Breeze | hOmeLabs (1,800 sq. feet) | Waykar HDCX-PD160B | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size (inches) | 2.7 x 15.9 x 24.75 | 11.93 x 15.43 x 24.41 | 10.51 x 15.31 x 19.8 | 6.1 x 8.7 x 5.1 | 7.5 x 11 x 16.1 | 9 x 12.2 x 20.9 |
| Weight (pounds) | 43 | 40 | 33.5 | 1 | 24 | 32 |
| Drainage | Manual or hose | Manual or hose | Manual or hose | Manual | Manual or hose | Manual or hose |
| Reach | Not specified | 4,500 square feet | 1,500 square feet | 1,100 cubic feet | 1,800 square feet | 2,000 square feet |
| Capacity | 50 pints | 50 pints | 22 pints | 13 ounces | 24.3 pints | 34 pints |
| Price at Amazon | $248 | $142 | $175 | $40 | $142 | $158 |
Dehumidifier buying guide
Types of dehumidifiers
Some dehumidifiers are built with the option for a hose attachment.
Dehumidifiers typically work via condensation or desiccants, with condensation models being the most common and most effective. Among condensation dehumidifiers, some smaller units can only be drained manually, where the reservoir tank must be removed and emptied periodically. (Most dehumidifiers will shut off when their reservoir becomes full.)
Many larger units are also built with the option for a drain hose attachment, where the dehumidifier can drain continuously through the hose directed to a sink or floor drain. While this primarily relies on gravity, some units also include a drain pump so that condensation can be directed upward to a sink for frequent emptying and draining.
Dehumidifier size and volume
When choosing a dehumidifier, finding the right size for your space is critical.
Most dehumidifiers are classified according to their reach, the square footage you can expect to dehumidify, as well as their volume, usually measured in how many pints of water per day it can pull from the air. The typical reach for average floor model dehumidifiers is between 1,500 and 4,500 square feet, with the capacity usually between 20 and 70 pints of water per day. However, this capacity does not necessarily indicate the volume of a given model's reservoir. In order for the dehumidifier to pull the maximum number of pints per day from the air, the unit must be allowed to continuously drain via a hose, or the reservoir must be drained manually as often as necessary.
As for the size of the dehumidifier itself, if you're trying to dehumidify an average size room in your home, (i.e. not a closet or bathroom,) dehumidifiers are typically going to be placed on the floor, and have a relatively large footprint. Those on this list are, on average, about 12 inches deep by 15 inches wide, with a height of about 24 inches. There are smaller units available that can sit on a counter, dresser or desktop, but those will typically only be effective for dehumidifying small, enclosed spaces and have a significantly smaller capacity for collecting condensation.
Dehumidifier features
Dehumidifiers have a wide variety of controls, including sleep timers, custom humidity settings and multiple speeds.
In addition to reach and capacity, you may want to consider a number of other features when shopping for a dehumidifier. Certain models have smart-enabled capabilities, meaning you can monitor and control them remotely when they are connected to your home Wi-Fi. Models with pumps allow you to drain the water upward into a sink without relying on gravity. A defrost function might be an attractive feature if you are running your dehumidifier in a damp and cold environment. Dehumidifiers can also have a wide variety of controls, including sleep timers, custom humidity settings and multiple speeds.
What to know about past humidifier recalls
In 2023, roughly 1.5 million dehumidifiers were recalled due to fire hazards after there were nearly two dozen reported fires in connection with the dehumidifiers, according to the US Consumer Product and Safety Commission.
The dehumidifiers recalled were from numerous brands, including Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze. The CPSC said at the time that the dehumidifiers could “overheat, smoke, and catch fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.”
All of the dehumidifiers apart from the recall were manufactured by Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai.
The difference between humidifiers and dehumidifiers
While the answer may seem simple to you, these two appliances can often be confused. While a dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air, a humidifier adds it back in.
If your home is too dry, you may need a humidifier. If it is damp or humid, a dehumidifier is your best bet. But sometimes, you may need both -- the humidifier for your bedroom or living room and the dehumidifier in basements or rooms that are affected by humidity throughout the year.
Maintaining the perfect amount of humidity in your home may seem like a balancing act, but it is well worth it in the end.
Best dehumidifiers FAQs
How do I know if I need a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier might be a worthy investment if certain rooms in your house feel uncomfortably humid, or if they smell dank or musty. Certainly, if you live in a humid climate, even seasonally, or don't have a central air conditioning unit, a dehumidifier can make your home more comfortable. While a fan simply moves air around the room, a dehumidifier actually removes the humidity from the air.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a relative humidity level between 30% and 50% is ideal for both health and comfort, and air that is too humid can affect both your respiratory system and your skin. (Mayo Clinic is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) A hygrometer is a simple, inexpensive device that can measure the actual humidity in your home, to make yourself aware of whether any adjustment is needed.
How do dehumidifiers work?
The most common is by a system of refrigeration and condensation. Humid air is pulled into the unit where it is cooled to the point of condensation, which is then collected in a reservoir that must be either periodically emptied manually or can be ferried into a nearby drain via a pump and hose. Some dehumidifiers work via desiccants, where certain substances such as activated charcoal, silica gel or calcium chloride, which are effective at absorbing moisture from the air.
How effective is a dehumidifier?
The effectiveness of a given dehumidifier depends on many factors, including the size of the space you're trying to dehumidify, whether it's open or enclosed, the power and reach of the particular dehumidifier you're working with and the initial humidity of the space you're trying to treat. If you're trying to dehumidify a large space with a model that is not equipped for such a space, you will likely have disappointing results, but if you use and maintain an appropriate dehumidifier for your room size and condition, you should easily notice a marked improvement in the air quality.
Where should you put a dehumidifier?
The best place to put a dehumidifier is as centrally located as possible within the space you are trying to dehumidify, without it being cumbersome or dangerous to move around. Because dehumidifiers rely on air circulation, you want to avoid placing it against a wall or a piece of furniture where airflow is compromised or its vents may be blocked. If you're using a hose for continuous draining, you'll also have to factor in the need to run the hose to an appropriate sink or drain.
Are dehumidifiers energy efficient?
Not all dehumidifiers are energy efficient, but it's important to look for Energy Star certification if you are going to run it continuously or for long periods of time to treat the air in your home.
