How to Choose a Dehumidifier
Choosing a dehumidifier comes down to three questions, how big and damp the space is, how you want it to drain, and how much noise and running cost you will accept. Answer those and the right unit is obvious.
Disclosure: My Best Dehumidifier earns a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never costs you anything extra, and it does not change how we score.
The short version
For If you remember one thing, size to the space and how wet it is, then never undersize a basement.
For For drainage, get a pump if there is no low drain, a hose if there is.
For Quick picks below, a small, a mid and a large unit worth buying.
Our picks
The best dehumidifiers at a glance
The reviews
Three sizes that cover most homes
hOmeLabs 8 Pint (1,800 sq ft)
For rooms up to 1,800 sq ft
The small room hero. It is compact and quiet enough for a bathroom, closet or bedroom, yet still carries the hOmeLabs review pedigree with nearly 29,000 ratings. For everyday damp in a smaller space this is all most people need.
What we liked
- Compact and light, fits tight spaces
- Quiet enough for a bedroom
- Nearly 29,000 owner reviews
- Simple to empty and move
Worth knowing
- Small 8 pint tank fills faster in very damp rooms
- Not for basements or large areas
Price and availability update on Amazon
hOmeLabs 32 Pint
For most homes
The most popular dehumidifier hOmeLabs makes and the one I point first time buyers to. It covers a normal home floor at 4,500 sq ft, has the deepest review history here, and costs the least of the big hitters.
What we liked
- Best price of the high review hOmeLabs units
- Covers 4,500 sq ft, right for most homes
- The deepest review base on this page
- Easy to move room to room
Worth knowing
- Manual tank unless you add a hose
- Not enough for a wet 1,500 sq ft basement
Price and availability update on Amazon
hOmeLabs 50 Pint with Pump
For basements and wet spaces
This is the one I hand most people who have real moisture to fight. The built in pump means it can push water up and out continuously, so you are not carrying a full tank up the basement stairs twice a day. Add nearly 29,000 owner reviews and it is the safest big buy on this list.
What we liked
- Built in pump drains up and out, no bucket runs
- Clears up to 7,500 sq ft of damp space
- Almost 29,000 owner reviews behind it
- Simple dial and auto restart after power cuts
Worth knowing
- Larger footprint than a small room needs
- Pump models cost a little more up front
Price and availability update on Amazon
Side by side
Full comparison
| Dehumidifier | Score | Capacity | Coverage | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
hOmeLabs 8 Pint (1,800 sq ft) Best Small Pick | 73 | 8 DOE (24 max) | 1,800 sq ft | 4.5 (28,660) | $185 | Amazon › |
hOmeLabs 32 Pint Best All Rounder | 86 | 32 DOE (80 max) | 4,500 sq ft | 4.5 (28,675) | $245 | Amazon › |
hOmeLabs 50 Pint with Pump Best Large Pick | 91 | 50 DOE (120 max) | 7,500 sq ft | 4.5 (28,673) | $310 | Amazon › |
About the pint numbers: capacity ratings on this page mix two standards. hOmeLabs lists DOE test pints, measured at cooler standard conditions, while AEOCKY, DECIUU and Trazico headline max condition pints measured at 95°F and 90 percent humidity. A max rating runs roughly two to two and a half times the DOE figure for the same machine, so the table marks each number to let you compare like with like.
Our method
How we score
Every dehumidifier runs through the same scorecard, so the numbers mean the same thing across brands. I weight what owners feel day to day, then roll it into one score out of 100. Capacity and coverage carry the most weight, because a unit too small for the space never wins however nice it looks. I set scores before checking prices. Capacity figures follow each manufacturer listing, and where a maker publishes only a peak number we show it as "up to", so weigh capacity alongside coverage rather than on its own.
Buying guide
How to choose the right one
Step 1, size to the space and dampness
This is the most important decision. Up to about 1,500 sq ft, a small 8 to 20 pint unit is fine. A medium damp area wants 25 to 40 pints. A large or wet basement needs 45 pints or more. If you are between two sizes, go bigger, since a larger unit runs less and lasts longer.
Step 2, choose how it drains
Decide how the water gets out. A gravity hose works when a drain or sink sits below the unit and runs it hands off. A built in pump pushes water up and out to a higher sink or window, which is what a basement with no low drain needs. If neither fits you empty the tank by hand, so factor that in.
Step 3, weigh noise and running cost
For a bedroom, quiet matters, so pick a smaller unit that cycles. For anything that runs all season, an Energy Star model saves real money on power. Everything else is convenience, not performance.
Step 4, then pick the unit
Once you know the size, the drainage and whether efficiency or quiet matters, the choice narrows to a handful of units. Our ranked picks above cover the small, mid and large cases.
Key numbers
Dehumidifier facts and stats worth citing
The numbers below put the picks in context. Each one names its source, so you can quote it, check it, or use it to size your own setup.
The temperature the DOE has tested capacity at since 2019, down from 80°F. That change is why a unit sold as 50 pints today matches what older listings called 70 pints.
Source: US Department of EnergyThe extreme lab conditions behind headline max pint ratings. The same hOmeLabs machine rated 50 DOE pints advertises 120 pints at these conditions.
Source: Manufacturer listingsThe indoor relative humidity range the EPA recommends. Above 60 percent, conditions start favoring mold and dust mites.
Source: US EPAHow much less energy an ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier uses than a comparable conventional unit of the same size.
Source: ENERGY STARHow high a built in pump can push water on models like the DECIUU, which is what lets a basement unit drain up and out of a window or sink.
Source: Manufacturer specHow quickly mold can begin growing on a surface that stays damp, which is why standing moisture needs attention fast.
Source: US EPA and FEMA guidanceQuick questions
Dehumidifier FAQ
What size dehumidifier do I need?
Should I get a pump or a drain hose?
Compressor or desiccant?
What humidity should I set?
Keep reading
More dehumidifier guides
Dan Mercer
I run My Best Dehumidifier and score every unit on one consistent scorecard: capacity, coverage, drainage, owner rating and value. I do not sell dehumidifiers and no brand owns any part of this site. Scores are set before prices are checked, so a good deal never buys a better ranking. More about how this site works.