All dehumidifiers can run in a stand-alone mode where all the water is collected in the reservoir. This means regularly carrying the reservoir to the nearest drain or sink and pouring it out. Larger dehumidifiers give you extra capacity to cope with emergencies like leaks or spills that temporarily make your home more humid.

The reservoir also has a strong, comfortable carrying handle. The simple shape means that it’s easy to empty without spills. What bumped the Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 above the other devices we considered is its design. It's sleek and has an attractive digital display, making it easy to see indicator lights and settings. This flaw isn't unique to Frigidaire, but it is something to prepare for if you're purchasing this model for the convenience of having a pump. We'll keep an eye out to see if the FFAP5033W1 suffers from the same problem. Don’t get too excited about any claims of silent running – we found that, while actively dehumidifying, it puts out around 50dB on all of its three settings, so you won’t want to sit and watch the TV while it’s on. However, it’s a good performer for its size, reducing humidity in a damp-prone living room by 9% in the first hour and by nearly 22% within two hours. The laundry function’s quite effective too, helping dry your washing indoors without adding a layer of condensation to the windows. And at 9kg it’s light enough to take from room to room, making this a great dehumidifier for the average flat or small to medium-sized home. Each model was assessed for how easy it was to use the controls. Portable dehumidifiers should also live up to their name and be easy to move!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. Dehumidifiers are a a great option for any homeowner looking to improve the air quality in their home. These devices work by removing excess moisture from the air, which can help to prevent the growth of mould and mildew, and reduce the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues. In addition to improving air quality, dehumidifiers can also help to protect your home from water damage, which can be costly to repair. Type:If humidity is a problem throughout the entire house, an integrated whole-home system may be the way to go. If your moisture issues are seasonal or confined to only some rooms of the house, a portable residential unit is your best bet. Smaller dehumidifiers tend to cost less and can be easier to move, but they can be less efficient when running at a constant rate. It's best to err on the side of caution by buying a larger unit than a smaller one and having the unit run less frequently. It’s slightly louder and consumes more power than the equivalent refrigerant, but can also run more effectively over shorter periods. That makes it a good bet for drying clothes or using in an outside office, garage or workshop where damp is becoming a problem, and it’s relatively lightweight and portable to boot. 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.

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. Models with a pump are the most versatile. The pump gives you flexible emptying options as it moves the water to a drain point above the dehumidifier. You probably don't need a Wi-Fi-enabled dehumidifier, but if smart-home devices are your jam, then the 50-pint Frigidaire FGAC5044W1 may deliver on what you're looking for. Pumps: Attached to the hose, a pump can send water up to a sink or window. Many can move water up to 15 feet. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ 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.

Dehumidifiers don’t have to be noisy, and there are some good near-silent options. They will work discreetly in your home without interfering with your sleep or work, so a quiet mode or eco mode is well worth any extra, particularly if it will save you some cash in running costs. 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. 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. Product experts and analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute continuously survey the marketplace and manufacturers to identify the models that consumers nationwide are most likely to find in stores and online. From there, we select models for testing across different size categories to cover every need and budget.For a typical room temperature of 68°F to 70°F a relative humidity of 30% to 50% is considered comfortable. Some dehumidifiers have a comfort setting that automatically keeps humidity in this range. Do Air Conditioners Dehumidify? Some portable dehumidifiers are surprisingly hard to move. The LG Puricare has deep carrying handles and large, smooth-running castors. So, moving it to where it’s most needed in your home is a snap. Key specs – Dehumidifier type: Desiccant; Tank size: 2l; Extraction rate: 6 litres per day; Dimensions: 48.5 x 29 x 17.5cm; Weight: 6kg; Warranty: 2 years

A small humidifier removes 20 to 25 pints of moisture at 65°F, or 30 to 40 pints at 80°F (about 400 to 600-plus square feet). Based on our experts' experience with similar Midea models, we expect the unit to do a superb job removing up to 35 pints of moisture from the air per day, with minimal noise from the motor or fan. Its auto defrost function means it's safe for use in basements or other cold rooms. We narrowed the list down to several models based on features, price, efficiency and ease of use. How to choose the best dehumidifier

Dry out your home for healthier living with the best dehumidifiers tried and tested

Hands-on testing begins in our Lab under controlled humidity and temperature conditions. The key performance-based test measures how much water each dehumidifier collects in a 48-hour time period. Our engineers also use a decibel meter to assess how loud each machine is when running at its highest fan speed. Usability is another important part of our evaluation; it happens in the Lab, as well as in the homes of consumer testers, allowing us to test the dehumidifiers under real-world conditions. Despite the low price point, the Hisense is energy efficient at reducing humidity. It features a convenient auto mode, which adjusts the fan level as needed to keep humidity at a comfortable 50%. This saves energy as it keeps the fan speed low once the target humidity is reached. There are a huge range of dehumidifiers on the market. Before choosing your favorite, here are a few factors you should consider: Features: Dehumidifiers have many features to consider, but these are the ones our pros recommend focusing on: As a consequence, the biggest dehumidifiers, which originally offered 70-pint capacities, have now been reduced to capacities of 45-50 pints. This is because warm air can hold more water than cool air, so the dehumidifier will naturally absorb less in lower temperatures.