Dehumidifiers: Reviews

Updated March 2012

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air -- think about your basements, crawl spaces and small storage areas or if your home doesn't have air conditioning. When indoor humidity levels reach over 50 percent, the environment can feel uncomfortable and can cause mold and mildew to grow. ConsumerSearch compares expert ratings and user reviews to identify the most effective and durable models.

Danby DDR7009REE

Best basement dehumidifier

$210

Estimated Price

The Energy Star-rated Danby DDR7009REE fares better than most 70-pint dehumidifiers in user reviews, with few complaints about durability. Plus, it carries a two-year warranty -- twice as long as most other brands. Its features include a timer, digital controls, automatic defrost at low temperatures (down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit) and automatic restart after a power outage. It also comes with a remote control, a feature we did not find on any other machine. The water collection container holds just 14.2 pints, which is on the small side. However, you can run a hose to a floor drain, which eliminates the inconvenience of emptying the condensed water.

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Frigidaire FAD704DUD

Dehumidifier for living areas

$220

Estimated Price

If you want a quiet dehumidifier for rooms that see a lot of activity, experts and owners say the Frigidaire FAD704DUD is very reliable. This Energy Star-rated dehumidifier is both efficient and effective at dehumidifying up to a 1,400-square-foot space. Its 17-pint collection container means less frequent trips to empty the condensed water. Other features include a timer, an antimicrobial filter and automatic reset. The Frigidaire dehumidifier lacks the automatic defrost available on the Danby dehumidifier, however, and the one-year warranty period is half that of Danby.

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Santa Fe Advance

Dehumidifier for crawl spaces

$1275

Estimated Price

Crawl spaces require dehumidifiers that are compact, have continuous drainage and can operate at low temperatures. The Santa Fe Advance meets all these requirements and can remove an astonishing 90 pints of moisture per day -- enough to clear a crawl space up to 2,200 square feet. It operates in temperatures as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit and features automatic defrost and restart. Owners generally say setup is straightforward, but professional help may be needed for special 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.

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Eva-Dry E-333 Mini Dehumidifier

Mini dehumidifier for small storage areas

$20

Estimated Price

If you need a dehumidifier for a small, enclosed space like a closet or cabinet, reviewers say the Eva-Dry is an inexpensive option. Instead of electricity, this model uses silica crystals to absorb moisture. Over a period of about a month, the crystals change color from blue to pink, signaling that they need to be dried out. At that point, you plug the unit into a wall socket for up to 10 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. $30) can dehumidify up to 500 cubic feet.

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