Do you need to control the humidity in your home?
Do you need to control the humidity in your home?
Why Controlling Humidity In Your Home Is Important
Here we have some of the best dehumidifier reviews and information for 2023.
Maintaining a comfortable and healthy living space requires managing the humidity levels in your house. Low humidity can result in dry skin and respiratory issues, while high humidity can cause allergies, mold development, and an unpleasant atmosphere. Depending on the requirements of your house, either a humidifier or a dehumidifier can help solve these issues.
Dehumidifiers function by removing extra moisture from the air to lower the relative humidity. This is especially beneficial for residences in humid regions or places where mold development and moisture are common. Dehumidifiers are available in a variety of sizes and capacities to meet the unique requirements of your house, and some versions even come with built-in air purifiers to enhance the general quality of the air.
On the other hand, humidifiers work by putting moisture into the air. In the winter, when indoor heating may dry the air and cause dry skin, respiratory issues, and static electricity, they are very helpful. There are several different varieties of humidifiers, including warm mist, cold mist, and ultrasonic humidifiers; each having specific advantages and disadvantages.
In addition to utilizing a humidifier or dehumidifier, you may also use air conditioning when necessary, exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, and properly sealed windows and doors to reduce humidity in your house. For a healthy and cozy living environment, it's crucial to regularly check and regulate the humidity levels in your house.
It's important to make the right choice when it comes to controlling the humidity in your home. It's crucial to take your home's particular requirements and the climate where you live into account. A dehumidifier, for instance, might be the best option if you reside in a humid area and want to lower the relative humidity level. A humidifier might be your best bet if you live in a dry climate to raise the air's moisture content.
The size of your house should be taken into account when selecting a humidifier or dehumidifier. While a larger unit might be required for a larger home or open-concept living area, a smaller unit might be adequate for a single room. Consideration should also be given to the unit's noise level, particularly if it will be placed in a bedroom or other quiet area of your house.
Maintaining a healthy and cozy living environment requires managing the humidity levels in your home. There are a variety of options available to help you control humidity, including dehumidifiers and humidifiers. You can choose the ideal solution to meet your needs and maintain the comfort and health of your home by taking into account the unique requirements of your residence and the climate in which you reside.
With so many different makes and models of humidifiers and dehumidifiers on the market, it is difficult to know which to choose. By doing some research and examining the:
- detailed specifications,
- pros, and cons of each, and
- reviews and feedback...
you will be able to find the option that suits your specific circumstances, as well as your budget.
Here are some of our latest humidity control and monitoring articles to get you started:
Latest Humidity Control and Monitoring Info...
Ultimate Dehumidifier Comparison Guide
We know that finding all this information can be a time-consuming task. To make this job easier for you, we have outlined some of the best dehumidifiers that are on the market. This should make narrowing down the choice easier, allowing you to make a decision on which is best for your specific circumstances.
So if you are looking for a new dehumidifier, please have a quick look at the table below as a starting point.
In our table below, we outline:
- Dehumidifier categories
- Images, as well as make and model
- Most important features
- Prices - these are averages of price ranges that you will see on Amazon. The prices cover the following ranges -
- $ = under $100
- $$ = $100-$200
- $$$ = $200-$500
- $$$$ = more than $500
- Customer ratings - these are averages of customer ratings that you will see on Amazon. This can be very helpful in making your decision.
| Category | Product | Features | Rating | Price and More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Large Dehumidifier | Frigidaire 60-Pint Dehumidifier |
| 4.1 out of 5 stars | $$$ More Info... Click here |
Best Medium Dehumidifier | Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier |
| 4.6 out of 5 stars | $$ More Info... Click here |
Best Small Dehumidifier | Ivation 30 Pint Dehumidifier |
| 4.3 out of 5 stars | $$ More Info... Click here |
Best Mini Dehumidifier | Eva-Dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier |
| 4.1 out of 5 stars | $ More Info... Click here |
Best Desiccant Dehumidifier | Ivation 13-Pint Desiccant Dehumidifier |
| 4.3 out of 5 stars | $$ More Info... Click here |
More Information On Our Picks Of The Best Dehumidifiers
We know that choosing a dehumidifier can be a little tricky. There are a lot of different makes, models, sizes, and features that make the decision on which dehumidifier is best difficult.
We have selected the ones we consider the best in the above table, but for some more information on why we think these may be a good option for you, have a look at them in more detail below…
Frigidaire 60- Pint Dehumidifier
The Frigidaire 60-pint dehumidifier is our pick as one of the very best dehumidifiers on the market. It is well priced and has some great features that make it a great all-round dehumidifier.
Some of the best features include that it has a great looking design, is easy to operate, capable of continuous operation, and is quiet.
It has also received lots of great reviews from others who have bought this unit.
All this means that if you are looking for a larger or whole house dehumidifier, you will want to check out the Frigidaire 60-pint dehumidifier.
Frigidaire 50- Pint Dehumidifier
The Frigidaire 50-pint dehumidifier is a smaller version of the 70-pint mentioned above. It has the same great features as its bigger brother, hence why it makes it onto our list as our best medium-sized dehumidifier.
Besides being well priced (and slightly cheaper than the 70-pint model), it is energy star certified. It comes with caster wheels as well as top and side handles to make moving easy. It is also designed to operate down to temperatures as low as 41°F / 5°C.
If you are after something a little smaller than the 70-pint model, make sure you have a look at this Frigidaire 50-pint dehumidifier.
Ivation 30-Pint Dehumidifier
One step down from the 50-pint model above is this 30-pint dehumidifier by Ivation. This is a great option as a small dehumidifier designed to extract up to 30 pints of moisture from the air each day.
It comes designed to be portable and is smaller in physical size than the medium and large capacity models mentioned above.
It has the option of continuous draining or easy bucket water removal. When the bucket is almost full, it alerts you that the unit needs emptying, and has an automatic shut off to prevent damage or overflow.
As with all the best dehumidifiers, you can precisely adjust the humidity level to produce a more comfortable and healthy living environment.
Eva-Dry Edv-1100 Petite Dehumidifier
Our favorite mini dehumidifier is the Eva-Dry Edv-1100. This is a great little unit that works well for smaller areas up to 1,100 cubic feet where moisture may be a problem, such as bathrooms, boats, and RV’s.
It does not have a compressor, so is whisper quiet to operate. It also has an automatic shut-off feature when the reservoir tank is full.
If you have a smaller space that you need to be covered at a great price, then check out this unit.
Ivation 13-Pint Desiccant Dehumidifier
Desiccant dehumidifiers come in a range of sizes... from ultra-small that fit in a drawer or closet, up to be able to cover large rooms. The Ivation 13-Pint Desiccant Dehumidifier is designed to cover small-sized rooms, so will be perfect for many applications around the house. It is also a great option for RVs and boats.
Because it is a desiccant dehumidifier, it does not have a loud compressor. This makes the unit super quiet. Add to this other features such as a large reservoir or drain hose for continuous drainage, and a wide temperature range of operation, this makes it a very versatile unit.
Make sure that you check out this desiccant dehumidifier.
Information On How To Choose The Right Dehumidifier...
Before you decide on whether you need a quiet dehumidifier for your home, you may want a bit more information on:
- What they do,
- How they work, and
- What features to look out for.
But if you are keen to jump in and look at some dehumidifier reviews, then a great place to start is to click here.
What Does A Dehumidifier Do?
The air you breathe in your home contains a certain amount of moisture. A measure of the amount of moisture in the air is the humidity level.
You can use a dehumidifier to remove this moisture, thus improving air quality, and reducing condensation and the build-up of mold or mildew.
If you are unsure of the humidity levels in your home, a good option is to use an indoor hygrometer. There are some great options available that are very well priced.
How Does A Dehumidifier Work?
Use a dehumidifier to control moisture, and reduce mold and mildew that can damage your home
Depending on the type and quality of the dehumidifier, the specific ways that they can work can vary. However, one of the easiest ways to describe how a dehumidifier works is as follows...
- The dehumidifier unit pulls warm moist air in by using a fan. As the air crosses a cooling element or some other similar cold surface it drops in temperature. As the air temperature drops to be much cooler, the moisture contained in it condenses. This condensation appears as water droplets on the cooling element or cold surface.
- As water is heavier than air, gravity forces the droplets to fall into a collection pan or bucket at the bottom of the dehumidifier. The cool air is then reheated to a temperature about two degrees warmer than when it first entered the unit. There will also be a defrost system in place to prevent any ice build-up from the cooling system.
- As the water droplets fill the collection container, many dehumidifiers will have an indicator to show the water level. Others feature an automatic shut-off of the entire system once the water container is full.
- Some dehumidifiers come with a drain hose so that if you have a drain nearby, it can drain continuously.
- Since the water collected is not drinkable, you will have to dispose of it. This is because the mesh filters that the water passes through will capture some of the particles trapped in the moisture, but not all. If the filters are not clean, they can also harbor bacteria.
- You should dispose of the water from the collection container and clean the filters on a regular basis. Most filters are washable, which you can replace before turning the dehumidifier on.
- The dehumidifier can shut off before the water container reaches capacity. If this happens, it may be because the air has reached the desired humidity level. You can specify this humidity level on most good dehumidifiers.
Have a quick look at the video below to see how dehumidifiers work.
What Features To Look For In The Best Dehumidifiers
Below, we have compiled a list of the most desired features consumers want in a dehumidifier. Some of the features you may want to consider when buying a dehumidifier include:
- Price
- Size
- How quiet the dehumidifier is
- If you need a dehumidifier for a specific purpose
- The operating humidity range
- Fan speeds
- Automatic features
- Water level indicator
- Effectiveness in cold temperatures
- Energy efficiency, and
- Warranty.
We will discuss some of these features below...
Besides being the right price, the top request is size. However, other important considerations include:
- a dehumidifier that is portable enough to move from room to room,
- one with a large collection container that requires emptying less often,
- one that is quiet to run, and
- one that cycles less often than smaller (and generally less powerful) units,
will be the best choice.
More Information On Features...
A common feature that many people prefer is a quiet dehumidifier. Generally, as the dehumidifier size increases, they get noisier. Many mini dehumidifiers do not have any moving parts, and as such are silent. These are generally desiccant dehumidifiers. These use a special humidity-absorbing material or silica gel to extract moisture from the air. The amount of moisture they can extract out of the air will be less, so it's often a compromise between size and noise.
Other dehumidifiers are for specific usages, such as those designed as gun safe dehumidifiers. The GoldenRod Dehumidifier is a typical example... this heats up the local environment to remove humidity. Once again because it has no moving parts (no compressor or fans), it is a quiet dehumidifier.
Another great feature to look out for in dehumidifier reviews is one that has a wide humidity range. This means that you can pre-set the preferred humidity in your home or specific rooms in your living area. The best dehumidifiers should provide settings between 30 and 85 percent. To avoid the build-up of mold or mildew, relative humidity between 50 and 60 percent works best.
Fan speeds should also be a consideration. With most small dehumidifier models there are only two fan settings, while larger units often have three. The points to keep in mind about fan speed include:
- the higher the speed, the noisier it gets
- the slower the speed, the longer it takes for the dehumidifier to do its job of removing moisture from the air.
Another important need as noted in dehumidifier reviews is automatic features. This includes:
- an automatic shut-off (when the collection container is full),
- an automatic defroster (to prevent the cooling coils or surface from freezing up), and
- automatic restart (to kick it back in gear in case of a power failure).
Gauges, indicator lights, alerts, and extra bells and whistles don’t hurt either, so keep an eye out for these when looking at dehumidifier reviews. A nice inclusion is an indicator level for the water collection container with an easy-to-read display (usually in an LCD screen).
Other important requirements to look for in dehumidifier reviews include:
- cold temperature operation (think: crawlspace, unfinished basement),
- high efficiency (Energy Star rated means the top of the heap in energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness), and
- warranty protection (read the small print as some only cover certain parts of the unit over different periods of time).
Make sure that you check out our dehumidifier reviews that outline many of the features that are important to know before buying.
What Size Dehumidifier Do You Need?
Dehumidifiers come in many different sizes to suit various requirements
There are many different size dehumidifiers on the market. The size refers only to the greatest amount of moisture it will remove over the course of a typical day of operation.
To be able to choose the correct unit for the job you will need to know the square footage of the area you intend to use the dehumidifier in. This is an easy piece of math that only requires a tape measure.
To determine the square footage of a room, for example, measure the width of the room and multiply that by the length of the same room. In other words, a room measuring 10 feet wide by 10 feet long is a total of 100 square feet in size.
As a general rule of thumb:
- For single rooms, a mini or petite dehumidifier should suffice
- For spaces measuring up to 1,500 square feet, a 30-pint dehumidifier should work fine in this setting
- For areas up to 2,000 square feet, you will want to move up to a 40 or 50-pint dehumidifier
- For areas larger than 2,000 square feet you will need a 60 or 70-pint dehumidifier.
Some dehumidifier guidelines may differ from these, as there are variables that may alter these numbers. However, these numbers will give you a good idea when looking for the best dehumidifier for your home.
One Last Suggestion On Dehumidifier Reviews
Once you've determined the size of space you intend to use a dehumidifier in, and the size of the unit you need, the next step is to do some homework. This will mean looking at various models and styles to see what features you need, as well as what ones you can live without.
A great way to do this, and to gain some valuable insight, is by visiting online dehumidifier review sites such as this one. As well as this, good online shopping sites have customer reviews with information about their experience with the product. Sites like Amazon are ideal for this.
You may find yourself pouring over many review sites. The benefit of this is that when you finally select the best quiet dehumidifier for your living space, you will:
- have the most up-to-date knowledge on the products available,
- have a good idea of what to expect from one before you buy,
- have the best chance of purchasing the right dehumidifier for the job, and
- get the best value for money.
For honest and non-solicited advice, feedback, and tips, make sure that you check out our dehumidifier reviews before buying.
Hi David
Do you have a review of the AIRCARE MA1201 humidifier? Is this unit any good?
thanks
Hi Jimmy
Thanks for your question.
At this stage we do not, but this model was on my list to check out. It’s a popular unit. I will put together a review in the next few weeks and put it up, so keep an eye out.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Regards
David
Hi Jimmy
I have completed my review of the Aircare MA1201. Please check it out here.
Thanks
David