Best Dehumidifiers for 2026 – CNET
Types of dehumidifiers
Some dehumidifiers are built with the option of a hose connection.
Dehumidifiers generally operate by condensation or desiccants, with condensation models being the most common and efficient. Among condensation dehumidifiers, some smaller units can only be drained manually, with the tank having to be removed and emptied periodically. (Most dehumidifiers turn off when their tank is full.)
Many larger units are also built with the option of a drain hose connection, where the dehumidifier can flow continuously through the hose directed to a sink or floor drain. Although this relies primarily on gravity, some units also include a drain pump so that condensation can be directed upwards to a sink for frequent draining and draining.
Dehumidifier size and volume
When choosing a dehumidifier, finding the right size for your space is essential.
Most dehumidifiers are categorized based on their range, the area you can expect to dehumidify, as well as their volume, usually measured in how many pints or gallons of water per day they can extract from the air. The typical range for average floor-standing model dehumidifiers is between 1,500 and 4,500 square feet, with a capacity typically between 20 and 70 pints – or 3 to 10.5 gallons – of water per day. However, this capacity does not necessarily indicate the tank volume of a given model. For the dehumidifier to extract the maximum number of pints/gallons per day from the air, the unit must be able to drain continuously via a hose, or the tank must be emptied manually as often as necessary.
As for the size of the dehumidifier itself, if you’re trying to dehumidify a medium-sized room in your home (i.e. not a closet or bathroom), dehumidifiers will typically be placed on the floor and have a relatively large footprint. The ones on this list average about 12 inches deep by 15 inches wide, with a height of about 24 inches. There are smaller units that can sit on a counter, dresser or desk, but these will generally only be effective for dehumidifying small enclosed spaces and will have a much smaller condensation collection capacity.
Dehumidifier Features
Dehumidifiers have a wide variety of controls, including sleep timers, custom humidity settings, and multiple speeds.
In addition to range and capacity, you may want to consider a number of other features when shopping for a dehumidifier. Some models have smart features, meaning you can monitor and control them remotely when connected to your home’s Wi-Fi. Models with pumps allow you to discharge water upward into a sink without relying on gravity. A defrost function can be a nice feature if you are using your dehumidifier in a humid and cold environment. Dehumidifiers may also have a wide variety of controls, including off timers, custom humidity settings, and multiple speeds.
