Best dehumidifier for apartment
Admittedly, even the best dehumidifier for apartment is not the most glamorous appliance you will find in anyone’s home. Depending on where you live, however, it could be one of the most useful items you own.
Too much moisture can turn your apartment into a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. These organisms cause serious health problems. They can also damage furniture, wall fittings, and even electronics.
Dehumidifiers for apartments reduce the level of moisture in indoor air. The right humidity level will make your home a healthier and more comfortable environment.
What is the best dehumidifier for apartment?
If you have decided to buy a dehumidifier, you have made the first step towards beating high humidity once and for all. The bad news, however, is that the dehumidifier market is swarming with options. Therefore, choosing the right unit for your home will not be a walk in the park.
Fortunately, we have done the leg work for you. Here are our top picks of the best apartment dehumidifiers available today.
Pros
- Elegant design
- Excellent performance for a 35-pint dehumidifier
- Variable fan speeds
- Energy Star Certified
- Straightforward controls
Cons
- Small collection tank
hOmeLabs has not been in the dehumidifier game for as long as other competitors. Nonetheless, its models appear on the same podium with the best units from established brands.
This 35-pint hOmeLabs unit can remove moisture from spaces as large 3,000 sq ft. It is designed with the modern-home owner in mind. The handles and wheels are cleverly placed not to ruin the sleek look of the unit.
When up and running, this dehumidifier provides outstanding performance. It has three fan speeds, which you can toggle through depending on the humidity in your apartment. With Energy Star certification, the unit also guarantees top-class efficiency.
When the water tank is full, the dehumidifier will shut off automatically. Admittedly, the tank is rather small for such a powerful dehumidifier. You will be better off attaching a hose to the dehumidifier to empty it continuously into a drain or sink.
The most praiseworthy feature of this dehumidifier is how easy it is to control. Its intuitive touch panel places all the settings at your fingertips.
All in all, this hOmeLabs system is an excellent dehumidifier for apartment. Despite its small tank, its design, performance, and user-friendliness make it an excellent buy for the price.
Pros
- Great performance
- Practical design with a sizeable water tank
- Energy Star certification
- Quiet operation
- Simple controls
Cons
- Lackluster aesthetics
MIDEA MAD20C1ZWS dehumidifiers are among the best-selling apartment dehumidifiers in the world. The 35-pint unit sits between the smaller 20-pint and the much larger 50-pint dehumidifier. It, therefore, strikes a decent balance between size and power.
This MIDEA unit trades off the elegance of the similarly-priced hOmeLabs model above to offer a larger water tank.
The device
is best suited for apartments up to 3,000 sq ft. It offers exemplary performance while remaining remarkably quiet, even at maximum fan speed. Meanwhile, the Energy Star certification is an assurance of the dehumidifier’s top-notch energy efficiency.
Like the hOmeLabs system, this MIDEA dehumidifier comes with a touch panel and standard customization settings. You can program the unit to switch off after 24 hours of continuous dehumidification. Moreover, the auto-restart function enables the dehumidifier to pick up from where it left off after a power interruption.
Looks aside, the 35-pint MIDEA MAD20C1ZWS is everything you would want in a dehumidifier for apartment.
Pros
- Compact and light
- Energy Star rated
- Sizeable water tank
- Affordable price
- Long-term reliability
Cons
- Underwhelming performance for a 50-pint unit
The 50-pint Frigidaire FAD504DWD is acclaimed by users and critics alike as one of the best-value dehumidifiers on the market. It offers 3000 sq ft apartments reliable long-term moisture reduction without breaking the bank.
This Frigidaire system features caster wheels and handles for easy mobility. Moreover, its 37-pound weight means you will not break any sweat carrying it from room to room.
If you have used a 50-pint dehumidifier before, you will likely find the performance of this unit a bit underwhelming. Nevertheless, it still performs better than most dehumidifiers in its price range. It is also highly efficient, earning the coveted Energy Star rating.
Some dehumidifiers require regular user attention. With this Frigidaire system, however, you can set the humidity percentage you want and leave it to do its job.
The sizeable tank will take a while to fill. Once full, the unit will shut off automatically and set off a beep to remind you to empty it. You can also take advantage of the continuous drain option for an even more independent dehumidifier setup.
The Frigidaire FAD504DWD is often the first choice for shoppers looking for the best value for their money. It offers all the features you can expect in a medium-capacity unit at an affordable price.
Pros
- Large capacity
- A compact and practical design
- Highly efficient
- Large water tank
- Straightforward controls
Cons
- Relatively costly to buy
If your apartment is larger than 3,000 sq ft, you will want to consider a dehumidifier that does more than 50 pints a day. The 70-pint unit is the largest in TOSOT’s range of home dehumidifiers. Despite its capacity, however, it is delightfully compact. Moreover, its even ergonomics means you will not struggle to find a spot for it in your apartment.
This TOSOT is a high-performance dehumidifier. It features three main operating modes. On High, the unit will lower your humidity by more than 30 percent in just six hours. Once it gets close to the moisture level you want, you can switch to Low mode for a quieter and more relaxed experience.
TOSOT dehumidifiers are renowned for their top-notch efficiency. This Energy Star certified 70-pint unit is more efficient than many smaller systems. Its large tank collects a decent amount of water before the unit shuts off and prompts you to empty it. You can also connect a garden hose to the dehumidifier for continuous draining.
The control interface at the top of the unit is straightforward to navigate. The LED screen clearly shows you the humidity percentage you have set. Furthermore, the appliance will automatically restart to its previous setting after a power outage. You, therefore, won’t need to worry about leaving it unattended.
All in all, this 70-pint TOSOT is your go-to dehumidifier for a medium-sized or large apartment. It is not the most affordable unit on our list, but its design, capacity, and efficiency all match its price tag.
Pros
- Great ergonomics
- Commendable performance
- Sizeable water tank
- Two operating modes
- Highly efficient
Cons
- Lackluster aesthetics
- More expensive than some worthy competitors
The Keystone KSTAD50B is the perfect alternative to the budget-friendly but less powerful Frigidaire FAD504DWD. When deployed in apartments with a floor size of up to 3,000 sq ft, the unit offers better performance than its Frigidaire equivalent. On the other hand, it is heavier and slightly more expensive.
This Keystone dehumidifier will not win any beauty contests. Instead, it features a practical design. It can fit perfectly along walls and in corners.
The decently-sized water bucket can take a few hours to several days before it needs emptying. When full, the unit will shut off automatically and trigger an alert on the unit. You can also make use of the continuous drain feature to avoid emptying the tank manually.
The Keystone KSTAD50B features two operating modes: Normal and Turbo. Even in Turbo mode, the unit is quiet and highly efficient.
Overall, this Keystone dehumidifier ticks all the essential boxes. It also stacks up nicely against its more popular Frigidaire competition.
Pros
- Eye-pleasing design
- Great performance
- Energy Star rated
- Impressive smart controls
Cons
- Modestly-sized water tank
- Costlier than most competitors
Few air-product manufacturers have a portfolio that is as comprehensive as Honeywell’s. The company has dehumidifiers to fit any household. Like all its appliances, the 50-pint TP50WK model is built to serve its purpose as reliably and as conveniently as possible.
Honeywell fits its 50-pint unit with smooth-gliding wheels and a heavy-duty handle for easy mobility. Although it is not as stylish as the 35-pint hOmeLabs unit above, it is still good-looking enough to fit in most indoor layouts.
This powerful unit removes moisture from spaces as large as 3,000 sq ft. It is also Energy Star rated to guarantee high-level energy efficiency. The onboard water tank collects a modest 15 pints of water before requiring you to empty it. On the bright side, it is equipped with automatic shut-off and splash guards to avoid spillages. A drain-tube is also included for continuous unattended operation.
Designed for comfort, the Honeywell TP50WK offers impressive smart controls. The inbuilt digital humidistat, for instance, varies operation automatically based on the room conditions. The unit can, therefore, achieve and maintain the moisture level you set without requiring any more input from you.
The Honeywell TP50WK is not the most affordable 50-pint dehumidifier on the market. However, the extra bucks get you a unit that is significantly more enjoyable to use than most alternatives.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Commendable performance
- Energy Star certified
- LCD touch interface and smart features
Cons
- Small water tank
- Costly for a 50-pint dehumidifier
Ivation dehumidifiers are made for the tech-savvy homeowner. The company’s 50-pint unit may be one of their larger models, but it still looks and acts like a high-tech device. Its stylish design means you won’t struggle to hide it out of sight.
The performance offered by this Ivation system is right on par with other 50-pint models on our list. It is also Energy Star certified to provide moisture control with little impact on your wallet. The water tank has a capacity of only 10 pints. Fortunately, you can connect a hose to empty the tank continuously into a sink or drain.
Most dehumidifiers come with a somewhat dated touch panel. This Ivation system, however, features a more modern LCD interface. You can set the moisture level, adjust the fans, and program the timer in a few simple steps. The LCD also displays essential water reservoir and air filter alerts so that you can respond in time.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly dehumidifier, you will likely be put off by this unit’s price tag. Nonetheless, it is proof that dehumidifiers can be elegant, high-tech appliances.
Pros
- Compact, portable design
- Commendable performance for its size
- Well-sized water tank
- Quiet and highly-efficient thermo-electric operation
- Affordable price
Cons
- Covers a relatively small space
- Lacks most common nice-to-have features
Many people think of apartment-friendly dehumidifiers as large-capacity appliances. If you own a studio apartment, however, a 50-pint dehumidifier might be overkill. You can save a lot more by getting a smaller unit.
This Pro Breeze unit has a range of 150 sq ft. It is portable and compact enough to move easily from your kitchen to your bedroom. Furthermore, it can remove a decent nine ounces of water in a day.
Unlike the larger models above, the Pro Breeze Mini does not come with continuous drain functionality. Nonetheless, the 16-ounce water tank matches well with the performance of the unit. Automatic shut-off is also present to prevent spillages.
Unsurprisingly, this device is both the quietest and the most efficient dehumidifier on this list. This is because it uses thermoelectric cooling technology instead of a compressor.
The Pro Breeze Mini gets the job done without gimmicks. Therefore, you will not get smart features like a 24-hour programmable timer and variable operating modes. Regardless, It is a bargain for apartment owners that want quick, straightforward relief from high humidity levels.
The best overall dehumidifier for apartment
If the perfect dehumidifier for apartment existed, it would have the technology of the 50-pint Ivation, the performance of the 70-pint TOSOT, and the efficiency of the Honeywell TP50WK. All this goodness would be presented in the compact and affordable package of the Pro Breeze Electric Mini.
The best dehumidifier on the market is the one that gets as close to perfect as possible. In our opinion, this unit is the TOSOT 4,500 Sq. Ft. 70 Pint Dehumidifier. It offers enough power for all average-size apartments. It is also thoughtfully designed and highly efficient. Although it is significantly more expensive than our other choices, it is aggressively priced against other 70-pint dehumidifiers.
If you can compromise performance for a cheaper unit, you can go with our second choice, the Ivation 50 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier. Closing our top-three is the Frigidaire FAD504DWD 50-Pint High-Efficiency Dehumidifier. This unit is the obvious pick if you are looking for a high-performance dehumidifier on a budget.
How to choose the right dehumidifier for apartment
If you are thinking of getting a dehumidifier for your apartment, knowing the best models available is essential. However, you must also understand the factors that make a dehumidifier the right option for you.
Here are five key comparison points to consider when filtering your options.
- The size of your apartment
Dehumidifiers come in various capacities. Generally, the larger a unit’s capacity, the more space it can cover.
Large-capacity units like the 70-pint TOSOT can handle a wide range of moisture levels. You can also set their fans to run on lower, quieter settings. For a large, wet space, go for the largest capacity you can afford.
On the other hand, medium- and small-capacity dehumidifiers are suitable for smaller apartments that get damp rather than wet. The 50-pint Ivation and the 35-pint MIDEA MAD20C1ZWS are excellent options for this category.
Most manufacturers indicate the maximum size of space that their models can dehumidify. Before going shopping, therefore, take time to measure your apartment’s floor-size.
- A practical design
Most dehumidifiers do not offer much in the aesthetics department. If you do not want to have an appliance ruin the flow of your apartment, you can consider getting a sleek unit like the 35-pint hOmeLabs.
However, it is crucial to look beyond beauty and consider the functionality of the device as well. The controls must be easy to access, and the display straightforward to read. The size and ergonomics must also suit the placement you have in mind. Additionally, go for a unit with smooth wheels and sturdy handles for easy mobility.
- . Safety features
Basic science dictates that water and electricity form a dangerous combination. Therefore, your dehumidifier for apartment must prevent these two elements from mixing.
Automatic shut-off is a standard function among dehumidifiers. It prevents spillages by switching off the unit once the water tank is full.
Another safety feature to consider is a frost sensor. This sensor detects room temperature and activates auto-defrost when the room gets too cold. It, therefore, prevents the dehumidifier coils from freezing.
- Energy efficiency
Modern dehumidifiers are generally efficient devices. All the units we have discussed above will likely not impact your energy bill a great deal.
The efficiency of a dehumidifier is measured in the amount of water it can remove per kilowatt-hour. This measurement is called the energy factor. A higher factor indicates a more efficient dehumidifier.
Models with the highest energy factor earn the prestigious Energy Star rating. They consume the least energy relative to the moisture they remove
- Extra features
The best dehumidifiers for apartments come with extras that make them more effective and more enjoyable to use. A built-in humidistat, for example, enables the unit to maintain the humidity you specify.
After a power interruption, a unit with auto-restart functionality will come back on at its previous settings. This feature is especially helpful when a blackout occurs while you are not at home.
You can program some dehumidifiers to turn on and off at specific times, thanks to their onboard timers. Meanwhile, Full-Tank and Clean-Filter alerts will tell you when to empty the tank and clean the air filter.
Keep in mind that extra features can drive a unit’s price up significantly. If you are on a budget, consider trading off a few niceties for a cheaper but functional dehumidifier.
Wrap Up
High humidity can undermine your quality of life significantly. Thankfully, the best dehumidifier for apartment can turn your misfortunes around.
We believe that the information we have provided has given you the confidence to dive into the market and do some shopping. The right dehumidifier for your apartment might be hard to find, but it is out there.