Dehumidifiers: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org editors evaluate 17 dehumidifiers, ranging in size from 70- to 25-pint capacity. Editors rate each model for water removal at various temperatures and humidity levels, humidistat accuracy, energy efficiency, noise level at the highest setting, and frost control. The highest-rated models maintain set humidly levels. Editors ultimately recommend three large-capacity models, three medium-capacity units and two small-capacity dehumidifiers.

Our AssessmentAmazon.com is the best source we've found for reviews on a wide variety of dehumidifier brands. The Frigidaire's 70-pint and 50-pint models are the highest rated from several hundred owners each. Owners say they work well at removing moisture from living areas or a basement and are fairly quiet. The Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier E-500 and Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier E-333 are wireless dehumidifiers that receive a solid rating of 4 stars out of 5 from about 200 owners.

Our AssessmentThis online retailer sells a limited number of brands of dehumidifiers, but a few have accumulated a good number of user reviews. The GE ADER65LP Dehumidifier receives 4.5 stars out of 5 from more than 140 owners who say it's very effective in a dank basement. The Frigidaire 70 Pint Capacity Dehumidifier FAD704TDP receives the same rating from about 70 owners who say this quiet unit is effective in a basement or to combat summer humidity.

Our AssessmentThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures dehumidifier efficiency in liters of water removed per kilowatt-hour of energy consumed. Dehumidifiers that are Energy Star-qualified must be 15 percent more efficient than models with a comparable capacity. By comparing higher-capacity models to lower-capacity models you can see that a 70-pint dehumidifier is more efficient than a 50-pint one.

Our AssessmentAllergyBuyersClub.com tailors its product selection to consumers who suffer from allergies. Editors give the larger whole-house dehumidifiers a perfect 5-star rating, while most of the smaller-capacity units receive 4 stars. Editors also list the pros and cons of each unit's features, although it doesn't seem as if the dehumidifiers have been tested. Most dehumidifiers have only one or two owner-written reviews. The Aprilaire 1710A is recommended for a large basement and Winix for a mid-sized basement. Editors say the Santa Fe RX and Danby dehumidifiers [http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/dehumidifiers-home-industrial.html] are quiet enough to use in living spaces. The Santa Fe Max Dry Duel XT and Santa Fe Compact are recommended for crawl spaces, due to the small size and ability to operate down to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Our AssessmentThis online retailer specializes in large-capacity dehumidifiers than can remove moisture from a whole house, large basement or crawlspace. They sell brands like Santa Fe and Aprilaire that cost more than $1,000. The Santa Fe Classic is a whole-house dehumidifier that receives a perfect rating from more than 100 owners, while the Aprilaire 1750A, Santa Fe Advance and Santa Fe Compact are the highest rated among dehumidifiers for crawlspaces. This site also features a comparison of portable dehumidifiers vs. the more expensive units it sells.

Our AssessmentNewegg.com, an online retailer that specializes in electronics, sells several brands of dehumidifiers. The Soleus Air CFM-40E is the only model that has accumulated a significant number of reviews. Approximately 40 owners give it an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars. They say it is quiet enough to use in a bedroom. A few reviewers say they experienced mechanical problems. The Soleus Air DP1-40-03 receives the same rating from about a dozen owners.

Our AssessmentAchooAllergy.com, an online retailer of allergy, asthma and sinus-relief products, sells several brands of dehumidifiers, and a few have accumulated some owner reviews. The 70-pint Danby Dehumidifier DDR7009REE has the highest rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 from more than 40 owners who say it works beautifully. The main drawback mentioned is that the fan runs continuously, even after the compressor turns off. Editors at AchooAllergy.com recommend this unit for areas up to a 1,000-square-feet. The 50-pint Danby DDR5009REE also receives good reviews from owners.