Best Dehumidifier Overall

A little humidity can make a home comfortable, but too much can cause many problems including warping doors and thriving bacteria.  Though basements are often the most likely areas to collect humidity, excess moisture can be a problem anywhere in the home.  Since heating is not always a viable option to control dampness, a dehumidifier can remove that excess moisture and make those living spaces healthier and more comfortable.  Though they usually have wheels, these 'portable' units are generally bulky and heavy - not an appliance you'll want to carry from room to room, so plan its location close to a plug-in and if possible, a drain.

When choosing a dehumidifier, pick a size based on the seriousness of your moisture problem, not necessarily by the size of the room. The pint size noted with model numbers actually refers to the amount of moisture the unit can remove from the air in a 24-hour period, not the size of the water holding tank. Therefore the higher the pint number, the more moisture it will remove.  However, if you're running a dehumidifier on low or an econo setting, you can expect a reduced output.  The size of the water bucket is also measured in pints and it does matter - the smaller it is, the more you'll need to empty it.  Most new units are equipped with an auto shut-off to avoid spills, but for best convenience, connect the dehumidifier to a drain so it can run continuously.   Though some units are noisier than others, a certain amount of noise is to be expected when operating a dehumidifier.  Best features: Energy Star, auto shut off, drain connection option, built-in humidistat or humidity setting, auto defrost and more than one speed.