Humidity in the home is not a good thing. It can be unhealthy, uncomfortable and difficult to be around.
When humidity is allowed to sit indoors, it can cause the space to become musty, grow mold, cause damage and sometimes even lead to health problems that could cause a severe health crisis. Remove moisture in your home with a dehumidifier.
You don’t have to be living in a humid climate to benefit from a dehumidifier. Despite the weather outside, humidity can — and often does — affect rooms prone to damp conditions, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements or any area that doesn’t receive proper air circulation.
A dehumidifier can help you counter the dampness.
Best overall dehumidifier: Frigidaire FGAC5044W1
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 the washable filter, so you don’t need to consistently replace it.
Depending on your size, budget and functionality needs, Frigidaire is always a steady 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 this was placed.
Best dehumidifier for basements: hOmeLabs HME031001N
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 for dehumidifiers, which can save you money. Among its many benefits, this dehumidifier can also remove up to 22 pints, or 1.2 gallons, of moisture from the air each day, ensuring a humid-free home. It also features wheels and a handle for ease of moving, and it has a timer. Customers on Amazon frequently remarked that the dehumidifier was exceptionally quiet and was easy to assemble and use.
Best dehumidifier under $200: Midea MAD22C1AWS
If you live with humid summers, an easy way to cut down on your monthly energy bill is to run a dehumidifier and fan in your bedroom rather than rely on central air conditioning to cool every unoccupied room in your house overnight. 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 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.
For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.