A good dehumidifier is one that effectively dries the air, levels out humidity, and is easy to operate. The Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 efficiently does all of the above which is why we chose it as our top pick. Testing it and competitors in stone basements, we spent weeks and 40 hours researching the competition.
Our runner-up, the GE ADEW70LW, is a close second pick and dries the air just as well as the Frigidaire. While its drain hose is the simplest to set up, it isn’t as quiet. GE’s ADEW70LW is an improved replacement model that’s equipped with an easy-to-read interface. Its overall dehumidification is more than effective and its hose drains water continuously.
The GE APER70LW is our also great pick. Its built-in pump is the only differentiator that sets it apart from our runner-up. It offers the same interface and noise levels as the ADEW70LW and it’s ideal for those who may not be able to continuously drain the unit using a hose. The GE APER70LW’s pump turns on when the reservoir is full and it has enough power to carry water up into sinks, or out of a basement window where water can flow into an outside gutter.
Who is this for
Dehumidifiers suck the dampness and humidity out of spaces, more often out of basements.
They’re a necessity in environments where excess moisture could lead to the growth of mold, wood damage, allergies, or even an infestation of insects.
If your space experiences flooding, or if the walls are often saturated because of dampness, a home dehumidifier won’t be helpful long-term. Although our picks are capable of maintaining ideal humidity levels in rooms with saturation—in cases where permanent home improvements are needed, a portable commercial dehumidifier is a better fix.
Indoor spaces that stay damp even with the assistance of an HVAC system are great for dehumidifier use—especially in the fall and spring seasons when HVAC systems aren’t always on. During these times—if the damp space isn’t a basement—we recommend running a dehumidifier in a central closet with shuttered doors. This will help to lower overall humidity in your home, although it’s possible to be hit with a higher energy bill.
If you’re actually looking to create moisture within a dry space, see our guide for the best humidifiers.
How we picked and tested
After researching we found that it was best to focus on and only test condensing dehumidifiers.
Desiccant dehumidifiers use a chemical drying agent—similar to silica packets that are placed in boxes with new shoes—to absorb damp air. They don’t work as quickly nor remove as much moisture from the air as condensing dehumidifier models, which draw about 50 more pints of water per day out of the air. Removing an average of 25 ounces of water per day from the air, we also dismissed thermoelectric dehumidifier models.
Our picks, all of which are condensing dehumidifiers, operate like air conditioners. With these models, a coolant and a compressor are used to chill metal fins and a fan. Humid air is then drawn over the chilled metal fins which collect condensed water that falls into a hose or reservoir. These models perform best when home temperatures hover around 68 degrees, and when humidity is around 65 percent.
We preferred testing and recommend 70-pint models that can maintain a humidity level close to 50 percent. Dehumidifiers that draw 70-pints of water out of the air do so effectively in a 1,400 square foot space. They have larger condensers and work faster over fewer hours throughout the day. The majority of dehumidifiers can store about 16 pints—or 2 gallons—in their reservoirs. This is why we also recommend passively draining your dehumidifier continuously.
Our picks, all with continuous drain options, have the ability to be connected to a hose which bypasses reservoir collection and automatically empties water into a sink or floor drain. This gravity-based system is fail-safe and allows you to skip the task of manually emptying the unit’s reservoir once or several times a day. You have a higher chance of maintaining steep humidity levels with units that have to be manually drained as these dehumidifiers shut down once the reservoir is full.
Our pick: Frigidaire FFAD7033R1
We tested the Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 in a 850 square foot basement. It’s our top pick because it proved to be the best all-around full package lowering humidity levels of 70 percent to 45 percent when its fan was set on medium. With its low fan setting on, it maintained humidity levels between 50 and 55 percent.
The Frigidaire’s wheels and handle make it easy to move, and its reservoir is more than manageable. Its cord wrapping feature also helps with smooth maneuvering as well as painless storing. We didn’t have to struggle or shift the reservoir around when we removed it for emptying. Its interface is easy-to-read with straightforward controls. Among all of the competitors that we tested, this pick was the quietest operating with a noise level range between 51.1 and 51.2 decibels on its lowest fan setting.
When the Frigidaire’s air filter needs cleaning, it alerts you by turning on a red light. Both our top pick and runner-up are fine operating for about 250 hours, or two weeks, before the filter will need cleaning. Like the reservoir, its air filter is easy to remove and install, so cleaning it takes little effort outside of being placed under running water.
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For the most comfortable environment, we recommend allowing your dehumidifier to monitor the room’s humidity level by letting the unit run constantly. This way, the condenser will turn on when needed. The fans of our recommended dehumidifiers don’t run while the condensers are off, so you won’t have to worry about using much power when the air in your space is dry.
While reaching 65 percent humidity will feel comfortable, 60 percent is recommended to fend off mold and dust mites. Again, for most spaces, 50 to 55 percent is an ideal target. All of our picks can maintain this target on medium, or even their lowest setting.
This guide may have been updated. To see the current recommendations or availability updates, please go here.
