We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 5 Best Dehumidifiers, Tested In The Southern Humidity All Southerners know—it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. By Amanda Ogle Amanda Ogle Amanda Ogle is a writer covering travel, food and drink, and general lifestyle topics. She also writes product reviews across a range of topics, including travel gear, kitchen gadgets, organization, home decor, furniture, and fashion. She's been a writer since 2016, and prior to that she was an editor at American Way magazine. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 12, 2025 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process Tips for Choosing Questions and Answers Why Trust Southern Living Credit: Southern Living The South experiences quite a bit more warm weather than the rest of the U.S., with balmy winter months and triple-digit temperatures in the summer, making living spaces humid and clammy. And if your home has a basement, you can also experience humidity there, too, as basement spaces can hold condensation and have poor ventilation. A fix for this could be a dehumidifier, which pulls moisture out of the air, leaving rooms much less moist. Dehumidifiers are great for warm months, and both small and large spaces that you need to dehumidify. Various models across the market work for compact and sprawling spaces, with various smart features and modes. We've tested 24 dehumidifiers over a period of up to six months in a Southern climate and identified the best models for both small and large spaces. Here, the best dehumidifiers to beat the Southern humidity this year. Our Top Picks Best OveralL: Frigidaire 50 Pint Wi-Fi Connected Dehumidifier at Amazon $349 Jump to Review Best Budget: Insignia NS-DH35WH1 35 Pint Dehumidifier at Best Buy Jump to Review Best Compact: Crane 4 Pint Compact Dehumidifier at Amazon $100 Jump to Review Best Quiet: Keystone Portable Dehumidifier at Amazon $190 Jump to Review Best Smart Features: TCL Smart Dehumidifier at Wayfair $180 Jump to Review How do you know if you need a dehumidifier? If you live in an area of high humidity, or you notice signs of high humidity, like window condensation, peeling paint on walls, a clammy feeling in the air, mold and mildew growth, or a musty smell, you might want to consider buying a dehumidifier. Marco Radocaj, owner of Balance HVAC in Vero Beach, Florida, says that condensation on the AC is a dead giveaway. “Relative humidity impacts a lot of day-to-day things we may not think about,” he says, noting that extra humidity can cause bathroom towels and kitchen rags to not dry out overnight, and cause us to wake up at night sweating from high humidity. Best OveralL Frigidaire 50 Pint Wi-Fi Connected Dehumidifier Credit: Southern Living $349 at Amazon $309 at Wayfair $349 at Home Depot Pros and Cons What’s Great About It Ideal for large spaces Smart technology Easy to move around Effectively removes moisture What Could Be Better A bit loud Small window for checking water level Sometimes blows out hot air The Full Picture Dehumidify your room from afar with the Frigidaire 50 Pint Wi-Fi Connected Dehumidifier, which works with Wi-Fi and the Frigidaire app. The app allowed us to change humidity levels, control modes, and create custom schedules from our phone, or change the fan speed before returning home. Wherever you are, you can turn the unit on and off, or raise and lower the temperature. You can also use Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to speak to the unit and control things through voice command. We liked the simple setup here and clear instructions. Plus the unit has a long runtime before you have to empty the tank (about 8-9 hours). Within a couple of hours of running this unit in the central part of our home, the humidity was down 10% to 20%, and the air felt noticeably dryer. And after six months of continued use, it continued to pull moisture from the air effectively. This dehumidifier works in rooms up to 4,500 square feet, which is great for larger spaces and basements. The washable filter removes dust from the air, and the air ionizer reduces airborne particles to improve air quality in the room. It is easy to move around with wheels and a handle, and the app and smart home features make it all effortless. The unit is a bit loud though, and we found that the small window to check the water level is awkward. Lastly, the unit does blow out some hot air, which raises room temps slightly. Important Specs Dimensions: 16 x 24.8 x 12.3 inches | Room Size Coverage: 4,500 square feet | Dehumidification Capacity: 50 pints per day | Bucket Capacity: 16.8 pints | Drainage: Bucket or hose | Weight: 42 pounds Product Images The Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier is easy to move around using the wheels and handle. Credit: Southern Living The unit supports continuous drainage; however, a hose must be purchased separately. Credit: Southern Living The top handle makes it easier to lift. . Credit: Southern Living The unit quickly lowered humidity by 10–20%, making air feel drier. Credit: Southern Living The bucket is easy to remove and carry to and from the sink for emptying. Credit: Southern Living The control panel is simple, and you can also control the unit remotely via the app. Credit: Southern Living Best Budget Insignia NS-DH35WH1 35 Pint Dehumidifier Credit: Southern Living View on Best Buy Pros and Cons What’s Great About It Quiet operation Intuitive controls Built-in wheels for moving between rooms Effective humidity control Auto shut-off and restart What Could Be Better No app or smart connectivity The Full Picture Reasonably priced for its size and performance, the Insignia 35-Pint Dehumidifier is ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces that need reliable moisture removal with minimal noise. We tested it in a bedroom with an attached bathroom and noticed that the air felt less damp and more comfortable after a single use. During testing, this dehumidifier effectively reduced humidity levels from 65-70% down to 55% after a shower. Its quiet operation never interfered with sleep, conversation, or watching TV, making it well suited for use in the bedroom. The generous tank only needed to be emptied every three days in a humid environment, although there is a rear hose outlet for continuous drainage (the hose is not included). A built-in handle makes the tank easy to remove and carry to the sink for emptying. This unit comes with simple, intuitive controls. We particularly appreciated the automatic shut-off that turns the unit off when the tank is full, as well as the auto-restart function in the event of a power outage. And like many of the units on our list, it also includes a built-in humidistat and timer. While this unit doesn’t come with an app or smart connectivity, all the onboard features worked well. For spaces up to 2,000 square feet, this no-frills dehumidifier delivers strong value and performance. A 50-pint version is also available for larger spaces. Important Specs Dimensions: 16.8 x 24.4 x 11.7 inches | Room Size Coverage: 2,000 square feet | Dehumidification Capacity: 35 pints per day | Bucket Capacity: 12.6 pints | Drainage: Bucket or hose | Weight: 39.2 pounds Product Images The Insignia dehumidifier's water tank has a handle makes it easy to carry to the sink for emptying. Credit: Southern Living This unit has simple, intuitive controls, plus a built-in humidistat and timer. Credit: Southern Living The filter cover is easy to snap on and off. Credit: Southern Living The large tank only needed to be emptied every three days in a humid environment. Credit: Southern Living The 35-pint size is ideal for spaces up to 2,000 square feet. Credit: Southern Living Best Compact Crane 4 Pint Compact Dehumidifier Credit: Southern Living $100 $95 at Amazon $141 $95 at Walmart $95 at Home Depot Pros and Cons What’s Great About It Very quiet Lightweight Easy to move Automatic shut-off What Could Be Better Limited timer and speed settings No smart technology The Full Picture If you have a small space that you need dehumidified, the Crane 4-Pint is small but mighty, as it can dehumidify up to 300 square feet and remove up to 1.5 pints of moisture from the air per day. It will easily fit into an RV space as well, and it’s lightweight enough to move around. It automatically shuts off when the 4-pint tank is full, and there are two speed settings that you have to manually change. The water tank is removable and easy to clean, with a clear indicator to show you water levels. We used this dehumidifier in a small bathroom, and it collected an impressive amount of moisture over a two-week period. It was easy to set up and put out minimal noise. It was also super lightweight and easy to move, and easy to clean as well. After six months, it proved to be a reliable and low maintenance option for our bathroom. There are limited timer options though (just 4 and 8 hours), and it doesn't work on a 24-hour cycle, meaning it won't turn back on itself. There’s also no smart technology that you could input from a phone or app. But, for a small space, this is a great option, and the price is reflective of the features. Important Specs Dimensions: 9 x 12 x 5.4 inches | Room Size Coverage: 300 square feet | Dehumidification Capacity: 1.5 pints per day | Bucket Capacity: 4.2 pints | Drainage: Bucket | Weight: 8.5 pounds Product Images The Crane's tank is removable, easy to clean, and has a clear water level indicator. Credit: Southern Living It has limited timer and fan settings and won’t restart automatically on a 24-hour cycle. Credit: Southern Living The tank is easy to empty and clean, with few nooks that trap moisture or debris. Credit: Southern Living The unit is compact enough to sit on furniture or fit in a small bathroom. Credit: Southern Living It pulled an impressive amount of moisture from the air in our bathroom. Credit: Southern Living Best Quiet Keystone Portable Dehumidifier Credit: Southern Living $190 at Amazon $210 at Wayfair $210 at Wayfair Pros and Cons What’s Great About It Low noise Large tank capacity Can use bucket or drainage hose What Could Be Better Tank removal is troublesome No app or smart connectivity The Full Picture Keystone’s 35-Pint Dehumidifier works in rooms up to 3,000 square feet, removing up to 35 pints of moisture from the air per day. It has normal, turbo, auto-defrost, and auto-restart settings, which are adjusted using the controls on the unit’s display. We used the dehumidifier in a finished basement space (1,000 square feet), and found that instructions and set up were easy, and that turbo and normal modes both had suitable noise levels. Before using this dehumidifier, the humidity level in our basement was consistently above 60%, but with the help of this dehumidifier they fell below 50%. The dehumidifier’s readings of the humidity were also accurate when compared to our external reader. It performed reliably over six months, keeping our space dry and mildew-free. The Keystone alerts you when the water bucket is full, and automatically shuts itself off to avoid spills. The removable dust filter is washable and reusable, and a low noise level means you can use it all day and night without noise interruptions. We did have some difficulty removing the water bucket, but you can also install a garden hose connected to a low-level drain. Important Specs Dimensions: 15.4 x 24.3 x 11.1 inches | Room Size Coverage: 3,000 square feet | Dehumidification Capacity: 35 pints per day | Bucket Capacity: 12.7 pints | Drainage: Bucket or hose | Weight: 40.5 pounds Product Images The Keystone 35-Pint Dehumidifier has built-in wheels for moving the unit from room to room. Credit: Southern Living The handle makes it easy to remove the water tank and carry it to and from the sink for emptying. Credit: Southern Living It has normal, turbo, auto-defrost, and restart modes that are adjustable via the unit's display. Credit: Southern Living The unit alerts you when the water bucket is full, and automatically shuts off to avoid spills. Credit: Southern Living You have the option to install a garden hose connected to a low-level drain. Credit: Southern Living Our basement humidity dropped from over 60% to below 50% after using this dehumidifier. Credit: Southern Living Best Smart Features TCL Smart Dehumidifier Credit: Southern Living $180 at Wayfair View on Walmart $153 at Target Pros and Cons What’s Great About It Eliminated window condensation Wi-Fi and app-enabled for remote control Foldable top handle for mobility Easy maintenance What Could Be Better App sent too many notifications Noisy at higher speeds The Full Picture As the only other app-enabled dehumidifier on the list besides the Frigidaire 50-Pint Wi-Fi Connected Dehumidifier, this 25-pint TCL unit impressed us with its performance and tech-savvy features. We tested it primarily in the bedroom over six months, and it effectively eliminated window condensation. Depending on the humidity setting, the 9.6-pint bucket filled up every 12 to 90 hours. (You also have the option to connect a hose for continuous drainage.) The unit offers low, medium, and high fans speeds, but we found that the medium and high speeds somewhat disruptive and preferred using it on the lowest setting. The app interface is basic but functional, allowing you to monitor humidity levels, control the unit remotely, and adjust the settings as needed. The unit includes a built-in hygrometer for real-time humidity monitoring, as well as a timer, automatic shut-off, and auto-restart. However, we found the app’s notifications to be excessive and often vague—receiving alerts like “Device seems to have some issues” when the tank was simply full. For six months, we ran this dehumidifier daily and cleaned the tank weekly at first, then biweekly during drier months. There was no grime buildup, and the foldable tank handle made it easy to carry to and from the sink for emptying. We also appreciated that it’s lightweight enough to move between rooms. Overall, this is a great option for anyone who wants to be able to remotely control their dehumidifier and remove moisture from moderate-sized spaces. Important Specs Dimensions: 12.2 x 19.7 x 8.3 inches | Room Size Coverage: 2,000 square feet | Dehumidification Capacity: 25 pints pints per day | Bucket Capacity: 9.6 pints | Drainage: Bucket or hose | Weight: 26.4 pounds Product Images The TCL is light and easy to move between rooms using the built-in handle and wheels. Credit: Southern Living Depending on the humidity setting, the bucket filled up every 12 to 90 hours. Credit: Southern Living We found the app’s notifications to be excessive and often vague. Credit: Southern Living The tank was easy to clean, and the foldable handle made it easy to carry to and from the sink. Credit: Southern Living The wheels at the bottom of the unit made it easy to transport from one room to the next. Credit: Southern Living The filter required little maintenance thanks to the relatively low dust buildup. Credit: Southern Living The Bottom Line The Frigidaire 50 Pint Wi-Fi Connected Dehumidifier is our best overall pick because it works for larger spaces and connects to Wi-Fi and the Frigidaire app so you can control it remotely while not at home. It also has a long run time before you have to empty the tank. Most importantly, it reduced humidity levels in our home by 10-20% and made the air feel noticeably dryer. Our Testing Process We’ve tested 24 dehumidifiers to date. Most recently, we brought the dehumidifiers home and had our Southern-based staff test them for up to six months. Testers were based in Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina. We began by setting up each one according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We ran the dehumidifiers over the course of the testing period, letting them run as close to 24/7 as possible, and no less than 12 hours a day. We checked and emptied each dehumidifier once a day to prevent any overflow, if not using the hose draining system. We followed each unit’s instructions on how to maintain the unit, cleaning each one, rinsing the air filter, vacuuming air ducts, and rinsing the bucket filter. We evaluated the process of setting up each dehumidifier, and if it was difficult or easy, and how clear instructions were. We also looked at noise levels, water levels, cleaning and maintaining each unit, how easy or difficult it was to move each unit, and how easy it was to empty the tanks or set up drain hoses. For air quality, we noted changes in humidity levels in the rooms where we were using the units, including how fast or slow each unit lowered humidity. Special features like smart home features, apps, auto-restart, frost control, auto-shutoff and other things were noted as well to see if they improved the performance or were unnecessary. Value was also taken into account, so we evaluated whether the prices were reflective of the product’s performance and features. We checked and emptied each dehumidifier once a day to prevent any overflow. Credit: Southern Living Tips for Choosing the Right Dehumidifier Pints per Day Depending on how large of a space you’ll want to dehumidify will affect how much dehumidification capacity you need. Units that can dehumidify larger rooms will be able to dehumidify a larger number of pints per day. On the other hand, if it is a small space, you can get away with less pints per day. Room Type and Size The larger the room, the larger the dehumidification capacity you will need. If you live in a humid climate too, you’ll need to take that into consideration, and also if a lot of people stay in the room for extended periods of time, as this causes more warmth and humidity. If the room has lots of windows and doors, you’ll want a larger dehumidification capacity, too, and if a washer or dryer is in the room, you’ll need something with a higher dehumidification capacity. “An often overlooked space that critically needs a dehumidifier is the attic,” says Radocaj. “Encapsulated or ‘spray-foam attics’ create a new inside space. For example if you encapsulated the attic of a single-story home, you’re essentially building a second floor on that home, as the attic space is now inside the thermal envelope.” He also notes it’s not uncommon in areas with crawl spaces or basements to have dehumidifiers. Drainage Type If you’re only using your dehumidifier for a few hours a day, then you can get away with one that has a water bucket that you empty. Or, as long as the unit will hold water for at least seven to nine hours, you could use one with a tank for sleeping. However, if you’re using a dehumidifier all the time, or even when you’re not home, you’ll want to find one with continuous drainage, like a hose, that will constantly empty water out for you either through a floor drain or another location below the drain port. Features Check to see if your dehumidifier comes with any useful features, like multiple fan speeds, multiple humidity modes, automatic shut-off or auto-start, auto defrost, a smart home feature, an app, or a timer. All of these things help you better control the unit, as you’re able to adjust the settings and create the best room environment. Dehumidifiers often include features like multiple fan speeds, humidity modes, and auto shut-off/restart. Credit: Southern Living Questions and Answers How do dehumidifiers work? Dehumidifiers pull moist air from a room to reduce the clammy and sticky feeling that can occur in humid environments. The air goes through cold coils, causing the moisture to condense into water droplets, which are then collected in a tank, bucket, etc. and drained. The dehumidified air is heated and released into the room. Do dehumidifiers remove mold? No, dehumidifiers don’t remove mold. However, they can help prevent mold growth, as they help remove moisture from the air, which is what mold needs to grow. Radocaj says that dehumidifiers do prevent mold in the home and in duct systems though. “When relative humidity reaches 65%, things can grow. A dehumidifier will keep your living space far from that range, making it almost mold-proof,” he says. “Additionally, a lot of what we deal with as an HVAC company is growth inside of the ducts. With a supplemental dehumidifier, warm, dry air runs through the same ducts, keeping them warm, dry, and mold-free.” How long should you run a dehumidifier? Depending on how small or large a room is will depend on how long you need to run the unit. Larger rooms will need the unit to run for longer, and smaller units won’t need to run as long. The ideal humidity level is anywhere between 30-50%, and this can take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours, perhaps less for a smaller room. In warmer months, you’ll find you might need to run the dehumidifier more, as more moisture is in warm air, and in colder months, you might not need the unit as much. Radocaj says that dehumidifiers in warm, humid climates should run all year long. “Moisture management is a full-time job in the South,” he notes. “During hot summer days, the AC system should shoulder the load, but at night and in the more temperate seasons, there isn’t enough heat load to keep the air conditioning systems on long enough to effectively remove moisture (its takes between 12-16 minutes for AC units to begin removing significant moisture). In the ideal world, you would have a properly sized AC system with a supplemental dehumidifier working together, but rarely at the same time.” Why Trust Southern Living? Amanda Ogle is a Texas-based writer for Southern Living who writes product reviews across a range of topics, including home products, travel gear, kitchen gadgets, organization, crafting, home products, furniture, and fashion. Being a Texan, she has experienced how high humidity levels can affect a home and understands the importance of a dehumidifier not just for a safe home, but personal comfort as well. We’ve tested 24 dehumidifiers to date to come up with our list of recommendations to help you beat the Southern heat and humidity. Amanda also consulted Marco Radocaj, owner of Balance HVAC in Vero Beach, Florida. Melanie Fincher, an editor for Southern Living who served as one of the staff testers for dehumidifiers, also contributed to this review. Explore more: Home Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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