Humidity above 50% level is the perfect setting for mites, bacteria and mold to breed as well as for infections to trigger. Such situations are referred to as ‘dampness’. This is highly common in your bathrooms, closets, basement, etc. Musty smells and mold formations are some of the evident signs. If your space fits this condition, it is time you look out for the right de-damp solution – dehumidifiers!
While buying one, like any other device, it is imperative you take into account your specific requirements and the available features. That is your first step towards a perfect buy, isn’t it? You do not need to worry with the long list of points coming into your mind right now. We already have it ready for your use!
Step-by-step buying guide for dehumidifiers:
1. Check your need
First thing is first! Check your space humidity level. Do you feel excess moisture? Have wall stains and musty smell become evident? Are windows beginning to dampen? If yes, you need a dehumidifier right away!
2. Portability
It is best to not compromise on portability of the dehumidifier. Long power cord as well as castors is always a positive add-on. Portability of dehumidifiers contributes to ease of use, affordability and efficiency in reducing excess humidity.
3. Know your space
The impact of dehumidifiers is judged by their ‘pint capacity’. Higher the area to be covered higher would be the pint capacity required. Accordingly you will also have to decide the placement and size of the dehumidifier that your space can afford. Centre placement is always considered the best. In terms of size, you’ll find a range in the market. It is usually recommended that you allow at least 6 inches open area around the dehumidifier. There is definitely no point in buying one with high quality features but that ultimately fails to fit!
4. Placement
Where you’re going to place the dehumidifier is also an important aspect. Your bedroom, for example, is a place where you rest and spend your time. An oversized, unaesthetic dehumidifier is not the right choice for you there. So, you can get a bedroom unit which is small, aesthetically pleasing, and quiet. The same goes for your living room, office, or your baby’s nursery for that matter. That isn’t the case for your basements or crawl space. Usually, people don’t spend a lot of time in the basements or crawl spaces, so efficiency is the priority there, instead of aesthetics and even noise production. Also, due to the structure of crawlspace, the dehumidifiers for such spaces are specialized.
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5. Manufacturer
When you’re buying any product, not just dehumidifiers, you should always go with the brands which are trusted by people. Of course, you have to be mindful while you’re browsing because no brand is going out of their way to tell you that they lack something. You have to have your sense of standard and quality that you’d like to bring to your home, and go with brands that are known for their consistent excellence in the Industry. Whenever you invest in a product, you should make sure that it comes from a company that puts in hours in research and testing to make sure the products are safe, timely updates its products, and provides satisfactory customer service.
6. Special features
Every dehumidifier will be equipped with special features unique to the model. It is crucial you list down your needs and match them in hunt for the best dehumidifier. A list of these special features is right here:
- Automated versus manual monitoring and control
- Hygrometer display
- No noise operation
- Night light
- Defrost features
- Automatic shut off
- Energy efficiency
7. Specifications
- Other than the size of the room that the dehumidifier is going to improve, you should also keep a few more things in mind. Along with the size of the space, you should also see the amount of humidity that the dehumidifier needs to remove from that space. If a small room has a lot of moisture content, a smaller unit might not be the right fit. It might have to consume more power, and it might still not be enough. So, assess the moisture content in the room and choose accordingly. Always check to see if there aren’t any issues such as leakages, flooding, etc., that you can fix beforehand. It’s going to take a load off from the dehumidifier and will save you a lot of energy.
8. Type of Dehumidifier
- There are a lot of dehumidifier types, and you have to choose the one that fits your requirements ideally. Based on the size, we can mainly divide dehumidifiers into small, medium, whole house, and Industrial units. For a smaller room, a small dehumidifier will suffice. However, a whole-house dehumidifier is appropriate for larger rooms and entire houses. Similarly, on the bases of operation, we can classify dehumidifiers as Electric dehumidifiers, traditional air conditioners, spray dehumidifiers, thermoelectric dehumidifiers, absorption/desiccant dehumidifiers, adsorption dehumidifiers, and so on. Based on what you need, you can choose between these various dehumidifier options available for you.
9. Power Consumption
- When you’re bringing home a dehumidifier, you know you’ll be running it for quite a while, at least until the humidity is down to the normal levels. Some dehumidifiers have smart features, which automatically regulate the working of the dehumidifier by evaluating the change in the moisture content. That can save you a lot of energy. But a unit that consumes too much power can cost you a lot for the operation it performs. So, get a dehumidifier that’s energy-efficient and has the Energy Star certification. You may save a few bucks neglecting this, but in the long run, an efficient unit can save you a lot of money.
10. Ease of Operation
- Dehumidifiers are not a very complicated device to operate. However, it can be a lot of effort and time saved if you can get a unit that is more convenient and user- friendly. For example, an automatic dehumidifier requires way less of your involvement than a manual dehumidifier. Similarly, models with gravity draining and pumps are far more convenient than ones with buckets that you have to continually empty. Low-temperature operation is also something to keep in mind if you’re from an area where it gets pretty cold. Features like a twenty-four-hour timer let you control operations to suit your timings. You can also go for a remote-controlled unit and operate the dehumidifier, sitting on your couch.
11. Cost and Budget Consideration
- Cost is a significant factor in deciding which dehumidifier you’re going to pick. Preferably, you don’t want to exceed your budget. So, you must understand how the cost of a dehumidifier comes up to what it is, and how you can define your priorities to get a dehumidifier that you’re satisfied with, within your budget. How much does a dehumidifier cost depends on its size (coverage area), it’s capacity (the amount of moisture it can remove per day), who its manufacturer is, what type of dehumidifier it is, what special features it has (auto- defrost, Auto- restart, anti-corrosion coils, silent operation, etc.), and so on. When you get down to it, you have to set your priorities straight until you come to a point where your options align with your budget.
12. Maintenance Ritual
Can you commit to regular cleaning and filter replacements? Or would you rather prefer a device with minimum maintenance issues? Different dehumidifiers come with different maintenance needs. You must ensure the design allows easy brushing till the corners, hassle free replacement of waters and fitting of filters. Better the maintenance you can keep up to, longer would be the life of dehumidifier.
Bonus – Best Dehumidifiers in 2024 as per your needs
Once you know what you need in your ideal dehumidifier, you are ready to explore the expansive range of models available out there. To start with, check out our list of top 6 dehumidifiers:
- Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier
- Frigidaire Dehumidifier
- Keystone KSTAD50B Dehumidifier
- Homelabs HME020030N Dehumidifier
- Kedsum SYNCHKG104240 Small Dehumidifier
- Ivation IVAGDM20 Mini Dehumidifier
1. Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier
Pro Breeze’s mini dehumidifier is claimed to control moisture for upto 1,100 cubic feet area. It features thermo electric cooling. With 16 ounce of tank capacity, this dehumidifier will extract in 24 hours upto 9 ounce of moisture. However, you will have to allow some waiting time to see the results. If a noise free model is your bait, this might be a perfect fit. Moreover, it has automatic shutoff and comes with a pressure indicator. So leave it to the unit, else you can also manually operate it. As regards carrying issues, it is light weight as well as portable. So you’re free to shift this compact device as per your need. Given the fine price and size, this is a pretty good option. Here is your takeaway –
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- Thermo electric technology
- Automatic shut off and indicator
- Noise free
- Suitable for small space – bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, garage, etc.
- Easy carry
- Low maintenance and electricity usage
- Not instant result
This model is available on Amazon. Here is your link:
2. Frigidaire Dehumidifier
This 50 pint model by Frigidaire is suitable for dehumidifying spaces upto 1500 square feet with temperature below 5 degree Celsius. It supports an efficient built that comes with select electronic controls, a digital display, alert system, timer as well as a lock. It also features an automatic shut off option. The handles on the top and sides and castor wheels promise easy portability. Even if cleaning and maintenance is your main concern, this product won’t disappoint you at all given the easy to remove tank and continuous drain option! Here is your final takeaway:
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- Suitable for low temperatures
- Electronic control + digital display + alert system + timer + control lock
- Automatic shut-off
- Easily portable
- Easy cleaning and low maintenance
This whole house dehumidifier by Frigidaire is available on Amazon at this link:
Note: Frigidaire has made available to you more models as regards the pint capacity:
3. Keystone KSTAD50B Dehumidifier
Keystone’s KSTAD50B is a recommended dehumidification solution with 50 pints capacity (tank capacity- 1.3 gallons) for large areas upto 3,000 square feet. Its unique feature is the 3 mode setting – normal, turbo and auto- defrost. As you might already be expecting, the device features electronic controls, LED display, water level indicator, timer and automatic alert and shutoff. Moreover, it is equipped with a filter clean alert as well as rolling casters. Additionally, permanent memory ensures that power outage does not render any loss of settings. Now that is no less an attractive bait! Here is your takeaway –
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- 5o pints capacity
- Suitable for upto 3,000 square feet
- 3 mode setting
- Electronic controls + LED display + water level indicator + 24 hour timer + fill up alert + filter clean alert + automatic shut off
- Durable castors
- Permanent memory
Available on Amazon, Keystone’s KSTAD50B is in your wait!
4. Homelabs HME020030N Dehumidifier
Here comes one from Homelabs. This dehumidifier with 4 gallons capacity (30 pints) might be a great buy given the customisable settings and Energy Star certification for energy efficient use. Water tank comes with a capacity of 3 litres (0.8 gallons) and for an area of upto 1,000 square feet with temperature between 41 degree F and 95 degree F. Its design is a major plus; the sleek modern- use oriented model comes with built- in wheels and handles for easy portability. Automatic shut –off and continuous drainage features enhance this dehumidifier’s efficiency. However, to absorb moisture this dehumidifier tends to emit heat which lends an increase in temperature. If that isn’t any big key for you, you’ll be happy to know it is one of the most popular and highly rated dehumidifier models. Maintenance hustle is also minimal. So let us sum it –
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- Energy Star certified
- Adjustable settings
- Built- in pump compressor
- Wheels and handles
- Automatic shut- off
- Continuous drainage
- Suitable for upto 1,000 square feet area
- Turbo mode
- Creates noticeable low hum
- Emits heat
You sure as hell don’t want to miss this product! Go grab it on Amazon. Here is your link –
Note: This model again comes with 2 additional versions, each with varying capacities. While the mentioned above is of size 4 gallons, following are the others:
5. Kedsum SYNCHKG104240 Small Dehumidifier
A thermo- electric dehumidifier by Kedsum, this product is a great choice for small spaces’ dehumidification with area of 100- 400 square feet. Thus it is a perfect fit for kitchen, attic, closet, etc. It comes with a portable sleek design that allows easy shift from one shelf to the other as per your need. One touch control also makes monitoring a pretty simple task! The dehumidifier also features an automatic shut off option for situations when moisture reaches required level or when water in the tank runs out. The thermo electric cooling saves up any trouble for a compressor. The removable tank has a capacity of 17 ounce that is claimed to extract upto 8.8 ounce of moisture in a day. Another attractive bait is the whisper quiet technology that renders noise less than 35 dB! Hence this light and quiet dehumidifier promises better results with higher the humidity and lesser the area. Now you know where it fits best! Here comes your takeaway –
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- Thermo- electric cooling
- No compressor
- Suitable for area of 100- 400 square feet
- One button control
- Portable and light
- Automatic shut off
- Removable tank
- Ultra- quiet technology
This Kedsum dehumidifier is available on Amazon. Not making you wait anymore, here is the link mate –
6. Ivation IVAGDM20 Mini Dehumidifier
Here comes another small size dehumidifier for your limited spaces upto 1,100 cubic feet. This compact dehumidifier might be your best bet given the thermo- electric technology and automatic indicator settings. However, it works better with lesser the area. If that’s not an issue, you’ll be happy to know that it is claimed to be a lot quieter than standard dehumidifiers; all thanks to its advanced peltier technology. It extracts upto 500 ml in a day with tank capacity of average 591 ml and continuous operation of upto 48 hours. Its design is another plus point; perfect to place in a corner and light weight allows easy carry and shifting. Maintenance hustle is also minimised. That isn’t all! The humidifier comes with double the efficiency and ease given two tanks! Let’s sum it –
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- Thermo electric technology
- Advanced peltier technology; minimal noise
- Compact design
- Suitable for upto 1,100 cubic feet area
- Automatic shut off and indicator
- Portable
- Continuous operation of 48 hours
You don’t want to miss this product at any cost! Here is your link –
Note: With varying tank and output capacities, Ivation has a range of additional dehumidifiers to offer:
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