By room
Guides by room and use
Each one sizes the space, then picks certified models by a rule written on the page.
GuideBasement dehumidifierThe size ENERGY STAR® suggests for your basement, certified picks chosen by a written rule, and what each one costs to run in your state.156 models at 45–50 pintsGuideDehumidifier for moldWhat a dehumidifier can and can’t do about mold, the humidity the EPA says to keep, and certified picks with their running cost in your state.63 models at 35–40 pintsGuideCrawl space dehumidifierThe size ENERGY STAR® suggests for a crawl space, what the Department of Energy says to fix first, certified picks and their running cost in your state.156 models at 45–50 pintsGuideWhole-house dehumidifierWhen ENERGY STAR® suggests a whole-house dehumidifier, the certified models ranked by efficiency, and what removing 100 pints costs at your state’s price.21 models at 52–172 pintsGuideDehumidifier with pumpWhen a built-in pump is worth it, what the EPA list doesn’t say about pumps, and certified models of the right size with their running cost in your state.156 models at 45–50 pintsGuideBathroom dehumidifierWhat the EPA and ENERGY STAR® say to do about bathroom humidity, the size the table suggests for a small room, and certified picks with their running cost.151 models at 20–25 pintsGuideDehumidifier for homeWhether a portable or a ducted whole-house unit fits your home, the size ENERGY STAR® suggests, and certified picks with their yearly cost in your state.42 models at 30–35 pintsGuideDehumidifier for a bedroomThe size ENERGY STAR® suggests for a bedroom, what the EPA list doesn’t say about noise, and certified picks with what each costs to run in your state.39 models at 25–30 pintsGuideCommercial dehumidifierThe ENERGY STAR® list covers consumer dehumidifiers only.10 models at 85–172 pintsGuideGarage dehumidifierWhy cold matters for a garage dehumidifier, the size ENERGY STAR® suggests, and certified picks with their running cost at your state’s price.63 models at 35–40 pintsGuideSmall dehumidifierHow small a certified dehumidifier gets, where mini units stand, and picks at the smallest size ENERGY STAR® suggests, with their cost in your state.151 models at 20–25 pintsGuideQuiet dehumidifierThe EPA list gives no noise figures.39 models at 25–30 pintsGuideLow temperature dehumidifierWhy 65°F is the line for a dehumidifier, what the EPA list doesn’t say about cold, and certified picks of the right size with their running cost in your state.63 models at 35–40 pints
By size
Guides by size
From a number of pints or a floor area: who the size is for, and the certified models that have it.
Size guide50-pint dehumidifiersWhich spaces call for 50 pints a day by the ENERGY STAR® table, certified picks chosen by a written rule, and what each costs to run in your state.156 models at 45–50 pintsSize guide70-pint dehumidifiersNo certified portable is rated 70 pints since the 2019 test change.159 models at 40–50 pintsSize guide35-pint dehumidifiersWhich spaces call for 30 to 40 pints a day by the ENERGY STAR® table, certified picks chosen by a written rule, and their running cost in your state.84 models at 30–40 pintsSize guide22-pint dehumidifiersWhich rooms call for 20 to 25 pints a day by the ENERGY STAR® table, certified picks chosen by a written rule, and their running cost in your state.151 models at 20–25 pintsSize guideDehumidifier for 1,000 sq ftWhat size dehumidifier for 1,000 sq ft, by the ENERGY STAR® table: damp, very damp or wet, with a certified pick for each and its yearly cost in your state.20–30 to 30–50 pints, by dampnessSize guideDehumidifier for 1,500 sq ftWhat size dehumidifier for 1,500 sq ft, by the ENERGY STAR® table: damp, very damp or wet, with a certified pick for each and its yearly cost in your state.20–30 to 30–50 pints, by dampnessSize guideDehumidifier for 2,000 sq ftWhat size dehumidifier for 2,000 sq ft, by the ENERGY STAR® table: damp, very damp or wet, with a certified pick for each and its yearly cost in your state.20–30 to 30–50 pints, by dampness
By state
Guides by state
Where the weather and the price of power change the answer. NOAA humidity, EIA prices, and how homes there are cooled.
State guideDehumidifier for FloridaHumidity month by month in nine Florida cities, the size ENERGY STAR® suggests, certified picks, and what each costs at Florida’s electricity price.11 humid months, 15.03¢ a kWhState guideDehumidifier for HawaiiHawaii is humid every month and pays 48.00¢ a kWh.12 humid months, 48.00¢ a kWhStudyHumidity and cost by stateHumid months and the yearly cost of a 50-pint unit, for all 50 states and DC.50 states and DC
Side by side
Brand comparisons
Two brands at the same sizes, with the EPA figures that set them apart.
ComparisonAprilAire vs Santa FeTwo brands, one filing company: what actually differs.Both filed by Research ProductsComparisonMidea vs HisensePortables of the same size, side by side.3 sizes comparedComparisonHisense vs FrigidairePortables of the same size, side by side.3 sizes comparedComparisonMidea vs FrigidairePortables of the same size, side by side.3 sizes comparedComparisonMoiswell vs AlorAirPortables of the same size, side by side.2 sizes comparedComparisonHoneywell vs FrigidairePortables of the same size, side by side.2 sizes compared
Understand
How it works, and what to ask
Plain answers, each with its source: the EPA, the Department of Energy, and the federal rules that define a dehumidifier.
LearnMold in a dehumidifierWhy it grows there, and how to clean it.EPA cleanup adviceLearnIdeal indoor humidityThe EPA range, by season and by room.30–50%LearnDehumidifier vs humidifierWhich one your home needs.One target, two machinesLearnDehumidifier vs air purifierMoisture or particles.What the EPA saysLearnDoes a dehumidifier cool a room?No, and where the heat comes from.It warms slightlyLearnHow a dehumidifier worksThe four parts in the federal definition.Coil, compressor, fan, drainLearnDehumidifier ratings explainedPints, IEF, the federal minimum and certification.The numbers on the boxLearnHow to clean a dehumidifierBucket, filter and coils.What the sources sayLearnHow long dehumidifiers lastThe DOE estimate, warranty and recalls.11 and 19 yearsGuideDesiccant dehumidifierWhat it is, and what no public test tells you.Outside the federal rules
Either or
Kinds, sizes, and models
Two kinds of unit, two sizes, or two models, each with the figures that decide.
ComparisonWhole-house vs portable dehumidifierWhat the data says.Two kindsComparison35 vs 50 pint dehumidifierSize, cost, which fits.Two sizesComparisonDehumidifier with pump vs withoutWhich you need.Two drain setupsComparisonAprilAire E070 vs E080Whole-house dehumidifiers compared.Two modelsComparisonAprilAire E100 vs E130Whole-house dehumidifiers compared.Two modelsComparisonAlorAir vs AprilAireTwo kinds of dehumidifier compared.Two brands
Not sure where to start?
Size it first
The calculator gives the pints a day your space needs, then the certified models at that size.
Open the size calculator