Dehumidifiers: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org editors evaluate seven large-capacity and 10 medium-capacity dehumidifiers. Editors rate each model at various temperatures and humidity levels, testing humidistat accuracy, energy efficiency and noise level at the highest setting. Most models tested are excellent at water removal, but noise levels vary significantly among the dehumidifiers included in this roundup. Editors recommend three large-capacity units and one medium-capacity model -- some based on testing and others based on their similarity to tested models.

Our AssessmentAllergyBuyersClub.com offers a wide selection of dehumidifiers for consumers who suffer from allergies. Expert reviewers rate each dehumidifier on various factors, including moisture removal, noise level, operation in low temperatures, drainage and energy use. However, it is not clear whether the dehumidifiers have been subjected to any hands-on testing. The WhiteWing Defender is the editor's pick in several categories, including home, basement, Energy Star and mold dehumidifiers. Reviews from owners are also available on this site, though most dehumidifiers have only a handful.

Our AssessmentAchooAllergy.com, an online retailer of allergy, asthma and sinus-relief products, sells several brands of dehumidifiers. Experts at the site have tested some of these models under real-life conditions and list their pros and cons on the site, but they do not make any specific recommendations. A few dehumidifiers have accumulated a fair amount of owner-written reviews and maintain average ratings of 4.5 stars out of 5 or better, including the Danby Premiere 70 Pint Dehumidifier DDR7009REE, Danby Premiere 50 Pint Dehumidifier DDR5009REE, which have both been discontinued. The Eva-Dry 1100 Petite Dehumidifier, designed for small spaces such as laundry rooms and bathrooms, also earns positive feedback.

Our AssessmentA number of dehumidifiers sold at Walmart.com have accumulated a few dozen reviews or more. The highest-rated dehumidifiers are Frigidaire models with about a dozen other units earning varying average ratings among 25 reviews or more.

Our AssessmentThis online retailer specializes in large-capacity dehumidifiers than can remove moisture from a whole house, large basement or crawl space. The Santa Fe Classic, a whole-house dehumidifier with a capacity of 110 pints per day, receives a rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 from about 140 owners. Other models also earn positive ratings but have accumulated fewer reviews. The site also has an FAQ discussing the benefits of whole-house dehumidifiers and how they stack up against the less expensive portable models.

Our AssessmentThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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. The site provides a downloadable list of all humidifiers that meet Energy Star requirements. By comparing the higher-capacity models on this list to lower-capacity models, you can see that larger dehumidifiers are generally more efficient than smaller ones.