Dehumidifiers: Reviews

The Energy Star-rated Danby DDR7009REE fares better than most 70-pint dehumidifiers in user reviews, suffering fewer complaints for durability. Plus, it carries a two-year warranty -- twice as long as other brands. The… expanddigital controls include a timer for delayed start or stop, and owners praise the display that shows the current humidity level and room temperature. Other features include automatic defrost at low temperatures (it's safe to use down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit) and restart after a power outage, as well as a remote control. The water collection container holds just 14.2 pints, a bit on the small side. However, you can run a hose to a floor drain, which eliminates the inconvenience of emptying the condensed water. collapse

If you want a quiet dehumidifier for rooms that see a lot of activity, experts and owners say the Frigidaire FAD704TDP is very reliable. This Energy Star-rated dehumidifier is both efficient and effective at dehumidifying… expandup to a 1,400-square-foot space. In fact, it exceeded its 70-pint daily capacity in comprehensive testing by Good Housekeeping. If you don't want to hook up an unsightly drainage hose in a living area, its roomy 17-pint collection container means less frequent trips to empty the condensed water. Favorite features in reviews are a readout of the room's current humidity level and an indicator light that signals it's time to remove and wash the air filter. The Frigidaire dehumidifier lacks the automatic defrost and reset available on Danby models, and the one-year warranty period is half that of Danby. collapse

Crawlspaces with a low clearance require specially designed dehumidifiers to remove moisture that can cause unhealthy mold growth or serious damage to wooden supports underneath a home. Although expensive, the Santa Fe… expandCompact is recommended by experts and owners for its solid metal construction, dual-stage air filter and ability to fit in a crawlspace with as little as a 1-foot clearance. It operates in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and features automatic defrost and restart. Owners say set up is straightforward, but a professional may be needed if purchasing installation options like a remote humidistat or integrating it with ductwork. This dehumidifier has a one-year comprehensive warranty, but the condenser, compressor and evaporator are covered for five years. collapse

If you need a dehumidifier for a small, enclosed space like a closet or cabinet, reviews say the Eva-Dry is an inexpensive option. Instead of electricity, this model uses silica crystals to absorb moisture. Over a period… expandof about a month, the crystals change color from blue to pink to signal when they need to be dried out. At that point, you plug the unit into a wall socket for about 14 hours to dry out the crystals for reuse. If you're trying to reduce humidity in a bathroom, laundry room or RV that's larger than 333 cubic feet, the larger Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier E-500 (*Est. $35) can dehumidify up to 500 cubic feet. collapse