Designed to remove excess moisture that can lead to mold, mildew and even serious health problems, dehumidifiers are often necessary in hot and humid environments—especially in the summertime. The best dehumidifiers have a high moisture removal capacity, washable filters and operate quietly. Our top pick, the Midea 1,500 Square Feet Energy Star Certified Dehumidifier, has all of these features, while checking a few other boxes as well, like the ability to be controlled through the SmartHome app, Google Home or Alexa. If you’re looking for a small, portable dehumidifier that you can easily carry from your bathroom to your bedroom to your laundry room, we recommend the Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier for its light weight and auto shut-off feature.
Why We Named It Best Dehumidifier Overall
Even with its slim, sleek design, the Midea Dehumidifier is able to remove up to 22 pints of moisture each day, has a two-speed fan and a washable filter, plus you can set the humidity so your air maintains your desired moisture level. The unit can collect water in its removable tank, or you can set up continuous drainage with a hose (though a hose isn’t included, so you’ll need to buy one). It also operates at a low 47 decibels, making it one of the quietest units on our list.
In addition to the control panel, the dehumidifier can be adjusted through Alexa, Google Home or the SmartHome app. Set target humidity levels, change fan speed and power the unit on and off via voice activation or a tap of your phone. This Midea unit is also available in 35-pint, 50-pint and 60-pint sizes to serve spaces up to 5,500 square feet.
Why We Named It Best Dehumidifier For Basements
If you’re looking for a dehumidifier for your basement, the HomeLabs 32-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier is a great option. It covers up to 4,500 square feet and can run using its built-in collection tank (though it’s on the smaller side at only one gallon), or with an included 3.3-foot hose for continuous drainage. The unit is able to remove 32 pints of moisture per day and can even extract up to 80 pints per day under extremely hot and humid conditions. To adjust settings, set timers and monitor humidity levels, the HomeLabs dehumidifier can be operated by a control panel on top of the unit, an app or via smart home assistants like Alexa.
Why We Named It Best Portable Dehumidifier
The Black and Decker Portable Dehumidifier’s shorter profile, recessed handles and built-in casters make it easier to roll from room to room. This model also has the option to collect water in a tank for even more portability or be hooked up to a hose for continuous drainage. And though the unit isn’t compatible with an app or smart home assistants, it does feature automatic overflow shutoff protection, as well as a built-in indicator light and audible alert system when the 10.5-pint tank is full. Keep in mind, though, that many users report that this model is fairly noisy.
Why We Named It Best Quiet Dehumidifier
At an average 43-decibel noise level, the Frigidaire 22-Pint Portable Dehumidifier is one of the quieter models on our list with reviewers consistently praising it for its low-volume operation. And it still stacks up to other dehumidifiers in terms of capacity and room size, while also offering smart controls (though some users report occasional Wi-Fi connectivity issues), customizable humidity settings and three fan speeds. It will also alert you when it’s time to clean the washable filter.
Why We Named It Best Small Dehumidifier
Not everyone needs a dehumidifying behemoth that will pull buckets of water out of the air on a daily basis. This machine from Pro Breeze is a good option for smaller rooms like a home office, bathroom or laundry room. At less than a foot tall with a 3.17-pint water tank, it’s petite and ultra quiet. It’s also equipped with an automatic shut-off feature that powers the unit down when the tank reaches capacity. While you don’t get your choice of advanced features like fan speeds and target humidity levels, it gets smaller jobs done without taking up too much space.
Why We Named It Best Dehumidifier For Houses
Some homes have widespread moisture issues that are best addressed holistically with a whole-house ducted dehumidifier. The AprilAire E080 Pro is a veritable beast for the job, able to filter as much as 80 pints of moisture a day and service areas up to 4,400 square feet in size. And while the price is considerably more than smaller models, it’s a bargain when you compare it to the cost of running multiple dehumidifiers throughout the home and having to separately maintain each one (including emptying waste water buckets).
Speaking of, there’s no waste water collection bucket in the E080. Instead, this dehumidifier is designed for continuous drainage through a floor drain or drain hose. Once you’ve set the desired humidity level, it can run automatically to help maintain it.
Why We Named It Best Dehumidifier For Garages
This GE model removes up to 25 pints of moisture per day in rooms as large as 1,500 square feet, making it a good fit for even the roomiest garages. A Smart Dry feature actively monitors the humidity level in the room and automatically adjusts the fan speed, so you don’t need to constantly keep tabs on it. There are three different fan speeds to find the setting that’s right for your garage. You can connect a drain hose for continuous drainage or simply empty the bucket as needed. The dehumidifier even lets you know when it’s time to clean your filter, so your machine can deliver peak performance.
How We Chose The Best Dehumidifiers
We extensively researched the best-rated and best-selling models from reputable brands like Frigidaire, Midea and GE to compile our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers.
- In selecting our picks, we evaluated dehumidifiers based on key features determined during our research process, including design (weight and size), ease of use, maintenance and capacity.
- We spoke to several experts to determine which features shoppers should prioritize when choosing a dehumidifier, including Jamie Mitri, a chemical and environmental engineer and founder and CEO of Moss Pure, as well as Dr. Laura Purdy, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician and former chief medical officer at OpenLoop Health.
- We sifted through thousands of user reviews from top retailers to gain critical insight from people who have used these products in their own homes and only including products with a four-star rating or higher.
- We aimed to add a variety of units for different uses, space sizes and prices to suit our readers’ various needs.
What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Dehumidifiers
There are quite a few things to consider when shopping for a dehumidifier, including the location you need to dehumidify, noise level, maintenance, personal preferences and budget.
Size
The type of dehumidifier you choose depends first and foremost on the size and humidity of the area that needs to be dehumidified. “In higher-humidity spaces like a basement, you will be removing more water from the air in a quicker timeframe, so you’ll want a dehumidifier with a higher capacity and a larger water holding tank,” says Mitri. If you have a rough estimate of the square footage of the area, most manufacturers provide recommended coverage areas to help you choose the right size for your space.
You should also consider the weight and portability of the dehumidifier. “If you will be moving it from room to room, this may be important to you. Some dehumidifiers come with wheels to make this easier,” says Purdy.
Capacity
According to Purdy, the capacity of a dehumidifier—particularly its moisture removal capacity—is another important factor to consider. “Moisture removal capacity is the amount of water a dehumidifier can remove in a 24-hour period,” she says. “I would focus on this metric and compare it to the [square footage] of your space.”
Noise Level
Dehumidifiers tend to be loud, so keep that in mind if you’re putting one in a bedroom. “Most [people] like to sleep without noise so this would be something to consider,” says Purdy. “Even if you are placing the dehumidifier in a high-traffic room, noise might also be something to think about if you prefer silence in these spaces.” However, Mitri assures, “there are different manufacturers that make quieter dehumidifiers.” We recommend the Frigidaire 22-Pint Portable Dehumidifier with Wi-Fi, our pick for the quietest dehumidifier.
Energy Efficiency
When it comes to dehumidifiers, energy efficiency refers to how efficiently a unit removes moisture relative to the energy it consumes. “I would recommend purchasing a dehumidifier that has the Energy Star Seal because that means it uses 15% less energy [when removing moisture] than non-certified models,” says Purdy.
Maintenance
How extensively you have to maintain your dehumidifier depends on the size of its holding tank and whether it has a built-in automatic pump, Mitri explains. “If there's a smaller water holding tank that needs to be manually drained out, then you will have to drain it multiple times a day, especially in higher-humidity environments,” she says. Also, note that some dehumidifiers have washable filters, while others need the filters regularly replaced.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home team has a wealth of experience covering devices designed to improve your home’s air quality, including the best dehumidifiers for basements and the best humidifiers.
- Co-author and Forbes Vetted writer Fran Sales has years of home reporting and testing under her belt. She has covered and tested the best basement dehumidifiers and air purifiers, as well as extensively reviewed robot vacuums, refrigerators and robotic pool cleaners.
- We review and update our stories regularly to ensure our recommendations remain accurate and up-to-date. This story was last updated by home and mattress commerce writer Kathleen Knowles in June 2026.
Our Experts
- Jamie Mitri, chemical and environmental engineer and founder and CEO of Moss Pure.
- Dr. Laura Purdy, M.D., board-certified family medicine physician and former chief medical officer at OpenLoop Health, a digital healthcare company.