Standard Dehumidifiers

Best general-purpose dehumidifiers

Despite complaints about customer service, we found the best owner reviews for the Soleus Air CFM-40E (*Est. $195), which can operate in temperatures as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not Energy Star-rated, however. The unit includes an automatic-defrost feature to keep it from icing up. It removes up to 40 pints of moisture in 24 hours and discharges water either through a drainage port or into a 12.5-pint tank. The Soleus Air CFM-40E automatically shuts off when the tank is full. Because the tank is on the small side, the Soleus isn't the best choice for a basement unless you set it up for continuous drainage.

The Soleus dehumidifier has three fan settings and three humidity settings, the lowest of which is 50 percent. Most reviewers say that the Soleus is significantly quieter than other dehumidifiers they've tried. The Soleus CFM-40E is compact and weighs about 30 pounds. It should be noted that the Soleus dehumidifier lacks a few useful features, including a humidity readout on the display, but it does have a washable filter. Also, this unit will not turn back on automatically if there is a power fluctuation or outage.

Despite these drawbacks, this dehumidifier and the smaller Soleus Air CFM-25E 25-Pint Dehumidifier with Humidistat (*Est. $200) are standouts at Amazon.com. Both receive more than 200 user reviews, and both maintain average rankings of four stars out of five. Most users praise these models for their overall functionality and durability. However, both dehumidifiers receive more than a dozen user complaints each about customer service and durability.

LG is also in the dehumidifier business. Its 45-pint, Energy Star-rated LG LHD45EL (*Est. $300) receives positive marks from professional reviewers but almost no consumer feedback apart from a handful of mixed reviews at HomeDepot.com. This dehumidifier has electronic controls, two fan speeds and can operate at temperatures as low as 35 degrees. This model also has an external drain connector and a washable filter. Without additional consumer feedback, however, we hesitate to recommend it solely based on professional tests.

Bionaire dehumidifiers are typically a bit more expensive, but we found positive reviews for the 20-pint Bionaire BDQ24-UC (*Est. $160). Owners say it effectively removes water from the air and eliminates musty smells. It is also praised for working quietly and for generating a minimal amount of heat. Features are similar to other dehumidifier brands, with electronic controls, a full-bucket indicator with a safety shut-off and adjustable humidity. There are a few consumer complaints of defective products, while customer service said to be is fair to good. These dehumidifiers are not Energy Star-rated. In addition to a washable particle filter, these units include a carbon filter, helpful for reducing odors. They are also more attractive than other dehumidifiers, which might make a difference if you will be using the unit in a frequently used part of the house.

Mini dehumidifier

If you need a dehumidifier for a bathroom or closet, we found some reviews for the widely available Eva-Dry EDV-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier (*Est. $40), a former ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed pick. At Amazon.com, where there are more than 200 user comments for this model, many users are pleased that this dehumidifier does exactly what they want it to do, and most say that it works well in smaller rooms such as bathrooms or in high-humidity climates. Recent reviews, however, are more critical, with many durability complaints.

We now find that the Eva-Dry EDV-E-500 Renewable Wireless Mini Dehumidifier (*Est. $25) receives stronger reviews overall. It is meant for small, enclosed spaces, and several reviewers say it works well in bathrooms and closets. Users say it also works well in cabinets, clothing chests, small refrigerators, freezers, gun safes and -- in one instance -- a violin case. There are no reports of defective units (at least so far), and it comes with a five-year limited warranty. This unit operates without batteries or electricity; it uses crystals that absorb about eight to 10 ounces of water over several weeks. When the crystals have absorbed all they can, they turn pink, and it is time for the unit to be plugged into an electrical outlet so that the crystals can be dried. Several owners complain that when the unit needs to be recharged, it cannot be plugged into a wall outlet because it will fall out.