Especially in the spring and summer, it feels like your whole is too humid. That is a cause for concern, and it’s only natural to be proactive about solving problems caused by 60%+ relative indoor humidity levels.
Whole-house dehumidifiers are HVAC devices that allow you to be proactive and reduce the humidity levels effectively throughout the house.
Analysis of indoor humidity levels suggests that more than 36% of US households have above EPA’s maximum recommended (above 60%) humidity levels. In the summer, houses without a whole-house dehumidifier can reach above 80% moisture levels. Basem*nts and crawl spaces, for example, are especially humid; with relative humidity levels above 90%.
Without a whole house dehumidifier, high humidity in your house presents a potential danger on several fronts. Uncontrolled humidity and moisture can affect:
- People. Kauvery Hospital points out that respiratory allergies like asthma, nasal problems, unnatural growth of dust mites, allergic rhinitis could be affected by high indoor humidity levels. Summer of 2019, for example, was one of the worst ones to date as far as humidity levels are concerned.
- Mold and mildew growth. High humidity levels are ideal conditioners for mold growth. Given how difficult is to get rid of mold once it infests your house, using a whole-house dehumidifier to lower humidity levels below 50% is the most useful proactive way to prevent mold and mildew growth.
- Structural damage. Prolonged high humidity levels – especially in the basem*nt – can eat through and crumble the walls (moisture-induced corrosion, reinforced concrete rusting). If structural walls are subjected to 80%+ humidity levels, your whole house’s structure might be in danger; this heavily reduces the home value.
To prevent and avoid these issues, EPA recommends for homeowners to decrease the humidity levels:
“To protect health, comfort, the building, and its contents, it is important that indoor relative humidity be maintained below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%.” (EPA on indoor relative humidity levels)
The best whole house dehumidifiers are capable to lower the relative humidity levels to ‘between 30% and 50%’.
Two Types Of Whole-Home Dehumidifiers
Here we will into what to look for when buying a dehumidifier for your whole house. First off, we need to differentiate between two types of whole home dehumidifiers:
- Big ducted whole-house dehumidifiers. Built into the ducted HVAC system, high dehumidification capacity, and guarantee that the humidity will be correctly adjusted throughout the house. They are expensive – around $1,500 – but will cover every single room, basem*nt, crawl spaces, and so on. You can skip to the list and reviews of the 4 best ducted whole-house dehumidifiers here.
- Smaller portable dehumidifiers for home. Knee-high units that dehumidify a single room; can be moved from room to room and effectively serve as whole-house dehumidifiers. They are very popular because they only cost $200-$300 but you do need to get 2-3 of these to match the effect of the ducted whole-home dehumidifiers. You can skip to the list and reviews of the 6 best portable whole-house dehumidifiers here.
Secondly, let’s look at the important specs to look for when buying both types of home dehumidifiers. If this is the first dehumidifier you’re about to buy for your home, it makes sense to check the 4 most important specs below.
If you do have the basic knowledge of:
- What whole-house dehumidifiers are.
- How dehumidifiers work.
- Understand the benchmark AHAM’s dehumidification capacity standards (2012 DOE vs 2019 DOE for portable whole-house dehumidifiers).
- Dehumidifier’s energy-efficiency.
- Ins and outs of airflow (CFM).
- Expected noise levels…
… you can skip right ahead to both lists of best dehumidifiers in 2023.
For everybody else, let’s have a look at what dehumidifiers are. We will also go through the 4 most important factors to consider when buying a whole-house dehumidifier:
What Are Whole House Dehumidifiers And How Do They Work?
The definition of the whole house dehumidifier is quite straightforward: It’s an HVAC device that reduces the indoor humidity levels to the recommended 30% – 50% levels in your entire house.
There are smaller dehumidifiers especially for basem*nts, crawl spaces, and so on. Practically, the whole home dehumidifier renders all of them useless.
A fully-fledged HVAC dehumidifier will do a much better job at reducing relative humidity levels pretty much anywhere – in the basem*nt, in crawl spaces, bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen, etc.
How does a whole-house dehumidifier actually remove indoor moisture?
Central dehumidifiers suck in the humid air, run it over the cold coils: here the moisture from the air is condensed on the coils.
Of course, that does reduce the overall temperature of now dry air. In order for the whole house dehumidifier to output dry air at room temperature, it is run over hot coils: here the dry cold air is turned into dry room temperature air.
Here is a simple illustration of thermodynamics processes that dictate the inner workings of a whole-house dehumidifier:
When picking the best whole house dehumidifier (be it an inline HVAC unit or portable one), you’re actually picking a unit with the most optimized dehumidification process.
We can evaluate how well an inline dehumidifier, for example, works by looking at the specs that are extensions of this thermodynamics process (2nd Law of Thermodynamics is at work here). You can read more about how dehumidifiers work here.
Most Important Specs To Check When Buying A Whole-Home Dehumidifier
You have bad, good, and the best whole-house dehumidifiers. If given a chance, everybody would choose the best moisture-removal HVAC device for their home, right?
In order for you to be able to make an informed decision, let’s look at 4 factors you should consider when buying a dehumidifier for the first time:
Dehumidification Capacity (Pint/day or PPD)
The most important function of every whole-home dehumidifier is to remove moisture in the air and thus effectively reduce indoor humidity levels.
How to check how much water can a particular dehumidifier remove?
That’s what the dehumidification capacity measures. Inline ducted whole-house dehumidifiers are considered that much better primarily because of very high dehumidification capacity.
Example:
- Ducted central dehumidifiers can remove as much as 100 Pint/day of moisture.
- Portable dehumidifiers can remove up to 50 Pint/day, according to the new 2019 DOE AHAM Verified measurement process.
These dehumidification capacities are measured at ideal conditions: 60% humidity levels and 80°F.
Here both ducted and portable dehumidifiers work the best and can achieve the specified PPD moisture removal.
Important: Note that ducted $1,000-$1,500 whole-house dehumidifiers are that much more expensive than $200-$300 portable units because they are that much more powerful. In ideal conditions, a standard ducted inline dehumidifier can do 2x as much work as a portable dehumidifier. What is more, at low temperatures, the ducted dehumidifier can be up to 6x more effective at removing moisture from cold air than a portable dehumidifier.
How to find out what kind of dehumidification capacity you need?
Here’s the rule of thumb: Most households will require a 90 Pint/day inline HVAC dehumidifier. If, however, you want to choose a cheaper portable unit, look for the ones with the highest dehumidification capacity (70 PPD at 2012 DOE standard or 50 PPD at 2019 DOE standard). You will probably need 2-3 of these to match the capacity of the ducted dehumidifier.
Note on the capacity of portable whole-house dehumidifiers: You might find 2 numbers for dehumidification capacity in the specifications. Example: 70 PPD and 50 PPD for the same unit.
There are 2 standards. The older standard by DOE from 2012 gives 70 PPD capacity (less accurate) and the new DOE standard from 2019 gives 50 PPD capacity (more accurate).
For a whole-house portable dehumidifier, always go for the maximum 50 PPD / 70 PPD capacity. You have smaller 20 PPD and 30 PPD units; those are more fit for single-room dehumidification.
Coverage Area (All Those High 4,500+ Sq Ft Numbers)
Based on the dehumidification capacity and airflow (CFM), producers calculate the estimated highest possible coverage area for all whole-house dehumidifiers.
Example:
- Aprilaire 1850Z Pro’s coverage area is 5,200 sq ft. It’s one of the most powerful and best inline dehumidifiers; with 95 PPD capacity.
- In the table of best portable dehumidifiers for the whole house, you’ll find that 50 PPD / 70 PPD units have a coverage area of 4,500 sq ft. These numbers have to taken with a pinch of salt.
The high numbers in the case of portable whole-house are not entirely genuine. They take into account that you have to move the dehumidifier from room to room; not exactly what a true whole-home dehumidifier is designed for.
The inline ducted max. coverage area, on the other hand, is quite accurate. These powerful HVAC dehumidifiers can effectively lower the moisture levels in your entire house; portable units not so much.
What to do if you don’t have a 4,000 sq ft or 5,000 sq ft house?
These high numbers might make you think “I only have 1,000 sq ft house, I don’t need a 5,000 sq ft house”. That’s not a cause for concern with whole-hole dehumidifiers.
You can easily use a 5,000 sq ft max. coverage area dehumidifier in a 1,000 sq ft home. The coverage area is only the uppermost cut-off coverage.
In some way, producers of especially portable whole-house dehumidifiers use it to artificially indicate how powerful their dehumidifier is. Inline HVAC dehumidifier producers are much less prone to do this.
Airflow (Measured In CFM)
Airflow indicated what volume of air can a whole-house dehumidifier “process” in a certain time period. The most commonly used unit for airflow is CFM or cubic feet per minute.
Example: A 300 CFM dehumidifier for the home will be able to “process” 300 cubic feet per minute at maximum fan speed level.
Does that mean that whole-house dehumidifiers with the highest CFM airflow are the best?
Not at all. Airflow depends only on fan speed; it has less to do with the actual removal of moisture from indoor air.
The “process” of how the moist air is handled is the key here. High CFM whole-house dehumidifiers might create a high airflow but remove less moisture per unit of volume than low CFM dehumidifiers.
Example: Dehumidifier A has a 300 CFM airflow and removes 0.03 pints of water per cubic foot from indoor air. In an hour, it will remove 0.9 pints of water. Dehumidifier B has a 200 CFM airflow and removes 0.05 pints of water per cubic foot from indoor air. In an hour, it will remove 1 pint of water.
Dehumidifier A might have a higher airflow but dehumidifier B is better because it can more effectively remove moisture from indoor air.
It is important to keep in mind that whole-house dehumidifiers with higher CFM airflow are not necessarily better and quicker at decreasing the indoor relative humidity.
Note about noise levels: High CFM whole-house dehumidifiers tend to be louder. All that airflow does create some noise – wind swirling-like noise. Lower CFM inline dehumidifiers can be quieter.
Energy Factor (How Much Energy Do Whole-Home Dehumidifiers Spend?)
In the specification sheet of most of the ducted whole-house dehumidifiers, you’ll find the ‘Energy Factor‘ expressed in ‘L/kWh‘. What does all this mean?
It’s the basic metric for the energy-efficiency of larger dehumidifiers. These units can operate at 1,000 W or more. The higher energy factor (EF) means that the HVAC dehumidifier will require less electricity for the same amount of moisture removed.
The unit ‘L/kWh’ translates into “How many liters of water can a dehumidifier remove per 1 kWh”.
Examples: A dehumidifier with a 1 L/kWh ER rating can remove 1 liter of moisture from indoor air for the price of 1 kWh (the average cost of a kilowatt-hour in the US is $0.1319). A dehumidifier with a higher 2 ER rating will remove 2 liters of moisture with the same amount of electricity needed. That means that the 2 ER rated unit is 100% more energy-efficient than 1 ER rated unit.
Other similar HVAC energy-efficiency factors that relate to air conditioners are EER, SEER ratings, and AFUE and HSPF rating for furnaces and heat pumps.
In short, the higher ER rating, the better the whole-house dehumidifier.
You can read more about the dehumidifier’s energy-efficiency here. You can even calculate how much electricity dehumidifiers spend using this calculator.
Ducted central dehumidifiers might be more expensive but they can be up to 200% more energy-efficient than the cheaper portable whole-home dehumidifiers.
With all these factors and specifications in mind, we can finally look at the list of the best inline HVAC dehumidification system (the powerful truly whole-house units that are connected into the HVAC system via ducts):
Best Ducted Whole House Dehumidifiers In 2023
- Aprilaire 1850Z Pro: Best Ducted Whole House Dehumidifier.
- Santa Fe Advance90: Best 90 Pint Whole Home Dehumidifier.
- Honeywell DR65A3000: Most Energy-Efficient Inline Dehumidifier.
- Ultra-Aire 4033730: Best Small Whole House Central Dehumidifier.
| Cheap Portable AC | #1 Aprilaire 1850Z Pro | #2 Santa Fe Advance90 | #3 Honeywell DR65A3000 | #4 Ultra-Aire 4033730 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo: |  |  |  |  |
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 95 Pint/day PPD | 90 Pint/day PPD | 90 Pint/day PPD | 70 Pint/day PPD |
| Coverage Area: | Up to 5,200 sq ft | Up to 3,000 sq ft | Up to 3,100 sq ft | Up to 1,800 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 265 CFM | 309 CFM | 320 CFM | 150 CFM |
| Energy Factor: | 1.875 L/kWh | 2.88 L/kWh | 2.9 L/kWh | 2.4 L/kWh |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 850W (120V, 8 A) | 640W (120V, 5.7 A) | 636W (120V, 5.3 A) | 580W (120V, 5.1 A) |
| Filter Type: | Washable MERV 8 | MERV 13 | MERV 11 | MERV 13 |
| Price: | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ |
| Average Rating: |  |  | |  |
| Availability: | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
1. Aprilaire 1850Z Pro (Best Ducted Whole House Dehumidifier)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 95 Pint/day PPD |
| Coverage: | Up to 5,200 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 265 CFM |
| Energy Factor: | 1.875 L/kWh |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 850W (120V, 8 A) |
| Filter Type: | Washable MERV 8 |
| Dimensions (HxWxD): | 14.5″ x 12.5″ x 25″ |
| Weight: | 67 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
Aprilaire 1850Z Pro is generally considered the best ducted whole-house dehumidifier. It has been the most popular model for the past 2 years now, and it’s not difficult to see why.
Who makes the best whole house dehumidifiers?
Aprilaire, in general, is the most well-rounded HVAC dehumidifier producer. They make a range of advanced and technically-proficient units; the 1850Z Pro is the best Aprilaire whole-home dehumidifier.
It has a very high 95 Pint/day dehumidification capacity. In a single day, it is capable of removing whooping 12 gallons of water from indoor air. That has a massive effect on the humidity levels; the Aprilaire 1850Z Pro is capable to lower humidity levels to 30%-50% even in basem*nts with 98% relative humidity.
It has by far the highest max. coverage area. This model is capable of adequately lower the humidity levels in areas up to 5,200 sq ft. Of course, you can also install it in a 1,500 sq ft home, and the Aprilaire 1850Z Pro will cover every part of your house: living room, kitchen, bedroom, kids rooms, even moldy basem*nt, and difficult-to-reach crawl spaces and attics.
The important part that Aprilaire 1850Z Pro can achieve this at a decently low 265 CFM and with washable MERV 8 rated filters. Lower than average CFM makes the Aprilaire 1850Z Pro also the quietest ducted whole-house dehumidifier.
The only drawback is the ER of 1.875 L/kWh. It’s not above-average energy-efficient.
The reason why Aprilaire 1850Z Pro is so widespread and with an enormous unit sold in the US is due to its affordable price. This powerful model costs less than $1,500.
All in all, Aprilaire 1850Z Pro is the go-to choice for most homeowners. It’s easily the best ducted dehumidifier for the whole house:
Aprilaire 1850Z Pro Review
Pros
- Most popular go-to choice model for most homeowners
- Has a big 95 PPD dehumidification capacity with max. coverage of up to 5,200 sq ft
- Quietest big whole-house dehumidifier due to reasonable 265 CFM airflow
- Aprilaire is the #1 brand for HVAC dehumidifiers
- Budget-friendly price is also the reason why pretty much everybody buys the 1850Z Pro
Cons
- Energy efficiency is 1.875 L/kWh; this could be higher
2. Santa Fe Advance90 (Best 90 Pint Whole Home Dehumidifier)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 90 Pint/day PPD |
| Coverage Area: | Up to 3,000 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 309 CFM |
| Energy Factor: | 2.88 L/kWh |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 640W (120V, 5.7 A) |
| Filter Type: | MERV 13 |
| Dimensions (HxWxD): | 19.4″ x 14.5″ x 26″ |
| Weight: | 80 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
90 PPD is ideal dehumidification capacity for most households; it’s the golden standard capacity. Among all the 90 PPD whole-home inline dehumidifiers, the Santa Fe Advance90 is the best choice.
Obviously, it will fit most homes due to the 90 Pint/day capacity. Santa Fe Advance90 max. coverage area is calculated to be up to 3,000 sq ft.
The best parts about the Santa Fe Advance90, in addition to the reliability of the Santa Fe brand, are the extremely high energy-efficiency (something that Aprilaire 1850Z lacks) and superb filters.
Santa Fe Advance90 has an ER rating of 2.88 L/kWh. Compared to the #1 Aprilaire model with 1.875 L/kWh, it has superb energy-efficiency. For example, to run at the full capacity of 90 PPD, the Santa Fe Advance90 uses only 640W of electricity. This will turn into $2000+ energy savings in 10 years (standard use applied in the calculation).
The MERV 13 filters Santa Fe Advance90 uses are the best in the industry. With inline dehumidifiers, you can see MERV 8, MERV 10, MERV 11, and the best MERV 13 filters. Those filters can remove air pollutants such as dust, pollen, or even smoke particles more effectively than lower-MERV filters.
The 309 CFM airflow is considered above-average. That’s why the noise levels are a bit higher as well.
In short, the Santa Fe Advance90 is the ‘golden standard’ of ducted whole-house dehumidifiers: The best HVAC unit with 90 PPD:
Santa Fe Advance90 Review
Pros
- Superb energy-efficiency with 2.88 L/kWh energy factor and $2000+ electricity savings in 10 years compared to average units
- The best 90 PPD dehumidifier; the most sought-after dehumidification capacity
- Uses the best filters in the industry (MERV 13 filters)
- Made by Santa Fe; a well-known producers known for their reliable devices
Cons
- Above average airflow (309 CFM) doesn’t guarantee the most quiet operation
3. Honeywell DR65A3000 (Most Energy-Efficient Inline Dehumidifier)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 90 Pint/day PPD |
| Coverage: | Up to 3,100 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 320 CFM |
| Energy Factor: | 2.9 L/kWh |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 636W (120V, 5.3 A) |
| Filter Type: | MERV 11 |
| Dimensions (HxWxD): | 19.375″ x 14.375″ x 25.81″ |
| Weight: | 86 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
Honeywell DR65A3000 is probably the most-well known inline dehumidifier for the whole house. Honeywell has truly engineered an energy-efficiency powerhouse dehumidifier, and it shows since everybody seems to know the Honeywell DR65A3000.
This is a 90 PPD dehumidifier that is installed directing into the HVAC duct system. Operating at 90 Pint/day in ideal conditions, the Honeywell DR65A3000 will effectively reduce the relative indoor humidity levels to adequate humidity (30% – 50%) levels in houses with up to 3,100 square footage.
That’s the effectivity; now let’s look at the Honeywell DR65A3000’s primary advantage – efficiency. With an energy rating of 2.90 L/kWh, the Honeywell DR65A3000 reigns supreme as far as energy efficiency is concerned.
For comparison, even the Aprilaire 1850Z Pro has an energy efficiency of 1.875 L/kWh. Honeywell DR65A3000 is more than 50% more efficient than the best overall ducted inline dehumidifier.
The only drawback of the Honeywell DR65A3000 is the very high 320 CFM airflow; all that air swirling inside the unit creates some noise. Luckily, though, this is an inline dehumidifier located in your HVAC duct system. There the noise levels are less important.
All in all, the Honeywell DR65A3000 is everything you’ve probably heard about it. Extremely energy-efficient, reliable, and affordable. That makes it one of the most widespread inline dehumidifiers many people already have installed in their duct system:
Honeywell DR65A3000 Review
Pros
- Most energy-efficient inline dehumidifier (ER of 2.90 L/kWh, full 50% more efficient that Aprilaire unit)
- 90 PPD dehumidification capacity and 3,100 sq ft coverage makes it appropriate for most households
- Made by Honeywell; reliability and affordability assured
- Most well-known ducted inline dehumidifier
Cons
- Can have higher noise levels due to 320 CFM
- It gets sold out quite quickly before the summer; supply-side issues
4. Ultra-Aire 4033730 (Best Small Whole House Central Dehumidifier)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 70 Pint/day PPD |
| Coverage: | Up to 1,800 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 150 CFM |
| Energy Factor: | 2.4 L/kWh |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 580W (120V, 5.1 A) |
| Filter Type: | MERV 13 |
| Dimensions (HxWxD): | 12.5″ x 17.6″ x 21.5″ |
| Weight: | 65 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
Ultra-Aire is another well-respected company in the HVAC world. Their best dehumidifier that can be installed into the central ducted system is the 70 PPD Ultra-Aire 4033730.
With 70 PPD capacity, the Ultra-Aire 4033730 is most appropriate as a dehumidifier for smaller homes with up to 1,800 sq ft. Compared to the bigger 90 PPD units, the Ultra-Aire has created a small house dehumidifier that is both effective at reducing humidity levels and conservative as far as the electricity demands go.
With an energy rating of 2.4 L/kWh, the Ultra-Aire 4033730 belongs to a class of energy-efficient central dehumidifiers. At its maximum fan speed, it only required 540W of power. That’s half less than what commercial dehumidifiers require.
The drawback Ultra-Aire 4033730 has is a low CFM. That does make its operation very quiet, but it also reduces the speed at which the indoor relative humidity levels are reduced. It might need a bit longer to adequately bring the moisture levels in the air within the normal and EPA recommended 30% – 50% levels.
All in all, if you have a smaller house (below 1,500 sq ft), you don’t need the 90 PPD inline dehumidifier. The Ultra-Aire 4033730 70 PPD central dehumdiifier is ust the right capacity for a smaller house:
Ultra-Aire 4033730 Review
Pros
- Best central dehumidifier for smaller houses (up to 1,500 sq ft)
- Is considered energy-efficient with ER rating of 2.4 L/kWh
- Has the industry’s #1 MERV 13 filters
- More affordable and quieter than bigger units
Cons
- Has low 150 CFM airflow
- Is not sufficient as a big house dehumidifier
We have covered the best inline dehumidifiers that are installed in the central HVAC duct system.
For most people who struggle with high humidity levels, portable dehumidifiers might be a more appropriate choice. They are cheaper, you don’t need $500 – $700 installation, and you can easily buy 2-3 of them, plug them into standard 115V outlets, and see them reduce the humidity levels fairly quickly.
Here is the full list of the best portable whole-house dehumidifiers:
Best Portable Dehumidifiers For Home
- MIDEA MAD50C1ZWS: Best Portable Whole House Dehumidifier.
- TOSOT GDN50BA-A3EBA2E: Best Whole House Dehumidifier With Pump.
- Frigidaire FFAD5033W1: Dehumidifier For Home With The Highest Max. Airflow.
- Waykar PD253B: Quietest Whole House Dehumidifier.
- hOmeLabs HME020031N: Best-Selling And Cheapest Home Dehumidifier.
- Vremi VRM010184N: Cheap Big Whole House Dehumidifier.
(scroll right, and down)
| Portable Home Dehumidifier | #1 MIDEA MAD50C1ZWS | #2 TOSOT GDN50BA-A3EBA2E | #3 Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 | #4 Waykar PD253B | #5 hOmeLabs HME020031N | #6 Vremi VRM010184N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 50 Pint/day | 50 Pint/day with pump | 50 Pint/day | 50 Pint/day | 50 Pint/day | 50 Pint/day |
| Coverage: | Up to 4,500 sq ft | Up to 4,500 sq ft | Up to 4,500 sq ft | Up to 4,500 sq ft | Up to 4,500 sq ft | Up to 4,500 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 188 CFM | 206 CFM | 229 CFM | 112 CFM | 188 CFM | 165 CFM |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 690W (115V, 6 A) | 710W (115V, 6.1 A) | N/A | 400W (115V, 3.5 A) | 900W (115V, 7.8 A) | N/A |
| Noise Levels: | Below 51 dB | Below 51 dB | Below 51 dB | Below 40 dB | N/A | Below 60 dB |
| Price: | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ |
| Average Rating: | | | | |  |  |
| Availability: | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
1. MIDEA MAD50C1ZWS (Best Portable Whole House Dehumidifier)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 50 Pint/day (2019 DOE) |
| Coverage: | 4,500 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 188 CFM |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 690W (115V, 6 A) |
| Noise Levels: | Below 51 dB |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 15.94″ x 11.54″ x 24.29″ |
| Weight: | 33.5 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
MIDEA MAD50C1ZWS is a big portable 50 PPD whole-house dehumidifier. It’s the best-selling and the best portable dehumidifier that can be used throughout the house.
You can use it in the basem*nt, bathroom, bedroom, and so on. The point is – as is with all portable units – to move it around. With the 50 PPD 2019 DOE dehumidification capacity (70 PPD according to the old 2012 DOE standard) it can cover up to 4,500 sq ft.
You can set the humidity level to anywhere between 35% and 85%. The MIDEA MAD50C1ZWS will power up its 188 CFM airflow and start the dehumidification process. Due to reasonable airflow, the noise levels are quite silent as well – 51 dB in the max. noise level.
Like most portable whole-house dehumidifiers, the MIDEA MAD50C1ZWS has a tank that needs to be emptied either manually, or, even better, via a 0.75-inch garden hose.
All in all, the MIDEA MAD50C1ZWS is extremely well-balanced. It has a 50 PPD capacity, low noise levels, it’s a reliable device, affordable, and the best-seller. It hits just the right specs spots and is, therefore, the best portable dehumidifier for home:
MIDEA MAD50C1ZWS Review
Pros
- 50 PPD capacity with 188 CFM airflow
- Can be easily moved around (33.5 lbs) and you can put it in any room in the house that has a high humidity
- Can be set to 35% – 85% operation
- Quiet and reliable
- Bestseller because it’s very budget-friendly
Cons
- The tank has to be manually emptied (no pump)
2. TOSOT GDN50BA-A3EBA2E (Best Whole House Dehumidifier With Pump)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 50 Pint/day (2019 DOE) |
| Coverage: | 4,500 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 206 CFM |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 610W (115V, 6.1 A) |
| Noise Levels: | Below 51 dB |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 14.76″ x 11.38″ x 24″ |
| Weight: | 48 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
TOSOT is a well-known brand. They are known for their advanced engineering which came in very handy when designing TOSOT GDN50BA-A3EBA2E. That’s because it not all that easy to include an anti-gravity pump into dehumidifiers; TOSOT has created the best 50 PPD portable whole-house dehumidifier with a pump.
Obviously, the most bothersome part of dehumidifiers is manually emptying the water tank. The beauty of TOSOT GDN50BA-A3EBA2E is that it has a pump; you can pump the collected air moisture 12 feet away, either horizontally or vertically (against gravity).
The tank will fill up, and the pump will start when it’s almost full. That makes the pumping more energy-efficient as oppose to dehumidifiers with continuous pump. In fact, the TOSOT GDN50BA-A3EBA2E is Energy Star rated and it is 30% more energy-efficient than comparable 4,500 sq ft 50 PPD dehumidifiers.
On top of that, it has a good 206 CFM airflow and silent operation (with max. noise levels of 51 dB).
All in all, TOSOT GDN50BA-A3EBA2E is an ideal solution for homeowners that want peace of mind. Because this is the #1 best whole-home dehumidifier with pump, you can just set the desired humidity levels and forget it. The pump will take care of the access water in the dehumidifier tank:
TOSOT GDN50BA-A3EBA2E Review
Pros
- One of the few whole-house dehumidifier that has an anti-gravity pump (even vertical pumping is possible)
- Good 206 CFM airflow quickly collects and dehumidifiers the air
- Has a silent operation with 51 max. noise levels
- Energy Star rating for up to 30% more energy-efficient operations
- TOSOT is one of the bigger reliable brands that make portable dehumidifiers for home
Cons
- Higher cost due to the inclusion of the pump (only reasonable)
3. Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 (Dehumidifier For Home With The Highest Max. Airflow)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 50 Pint/day (2019 DOE) |
| Coverage: | 4,500 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 229 CFM |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | N/A |
| Noise Levels: | Below 51 dB |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 16″ x 12.2″ x 24.2″ |
| Weight: | 44 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
Frigidaire is probably the most well-known HVAC brand that makes portable dehumidifiers for homes. They make everything from window air conditioners, portable AC units, and even mini-splits. The FFAD5033W1 model is the best Frigidaire portable whole-home dehumidifier.
Like all 50 Pint/day dehumidifiers, it has a total maximum coverage area of 4,500 sq ft. Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is actually more than capable of removing moisture from such a large space. This is thanks to its very high airflow.
At max. fan speed setting, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 can generate 229 CFM airflow. That is more than pretty much any other 50 PPD whole-home dehumidifier. Of course, you can also reduce the fan speed; this model has 3 fan speed modes, automatic shut-off, and a tank alert.
When the 2-gallon tank is full of water (moisture from the indoor air), the alarm will let you know that the tank is ready for emptying. Alternatively, Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 also offers continuous drain mode: you attach a hose and the tank is continuously being emptied. Without the pump, however, it’s not possible to drain it vertically (anti-gravity).
All in all, the big CFM airflow is useful when you have to reduce the too-high humidity levels quickly. Frigidaire is also a very reliable brand and does offer Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 at an affordable cost:
Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 Review
Pros
- Very high airflow (229 CFM) can quickly reduce the indoor humidity
- It has a water tank alert system, with the optional continuous drainage
- Silent operational
- Frigidaire is a reliable whole-home dehumidifier producer
Cons
- Doesn’t have a pump; no anti-gravity drainage
- Tank cap might leak a bit in some units
4. Waykar PD253B (Quietest Whole House Dehumidifier)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 50 Pint/day (2019 DOE) |
| Coverage: | 4,500 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 112 CFM |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 400W (115V, 3.5 A) |
| Noise Levels: | Below 40 dB |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 11.4″ x 11.4″ x 25.19″ |
| Weight: | 30 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
Waykar PD253B is a very interesting whole-house dehumidifier. It has a 50 PPD dehumidification capacity like all portable dehumidifiers fit to reduce the humidity levels in the whole house. However, it has an extremely low airflow, which, quite surprisingly, is its main advantage.
Usually, 50 PPD dehumidifiers have around 200 CFM airflow. Waykar PD253B, in comparison, has a 112 CFM airflow. It’s twice as slow as comparable devices. Yes, that does mean that it will reduce the indoor humidity levels slower.
However, and this is a big ‘However’, the low CFM allows for a super silent operation. While other dehumidifiers generate 50+ dB of noise, the Waykar PD253B generates only 40 dB noise. That makes it the quietest whole-house dehumidifier by a great margin.
Another positive effect of low CFM is the energy-efficiency. Waykar PD253B runs on 400W while other comparable models can run on 600W, even 700W. That means that it will save you quite a lot of electricity bills.
All in all, the Waykar PD253B is the quietest home dehumidifier with very low airflow. It does its job slowly, but also silently, and cost-effective:
Waykar PD253B Review
Pros
- Quietest portable dehumidifier for home (40 dB or less)
- Uses low 400 wattage yet can still achieve 50 PPD capacity at the maximum effectiveness
- Quite affordable
Cons
- The dehumidification is slower than with other units
- Waykar is not a well-known brand
5. hOmeLabs HME020031N (Cheapest Whole-Home Dehumidifier)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 50 Pint/day (2019 DOE) |
| Coverage: | 4,500 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 188 CFM |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | 900W (115V, 7.8 A) |
| Noise Levels: | N/A |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 15.4″ x 11″ x 24.3″ |
| Weight: | 45.4 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
hOmeLabs is one of those only-Amazon brands that are actually exceptional. They produce a small 22 Pint/day, medium-sized 35 Pint/day, and the big hOmeLabs HME020031N 50 Pint/day dehumidifier for homes.
In fact, the hOmeLabs HME020031N is the most popular dehumidifier you can buy; with over 25,000 positive Amazon reviews. A part of the reason is that this is the best dehumidifier for $200 or less, but the important part is that it’s actually an exceptionally well-designed and balanced model.
hOmeLabs HME020031N has 188 CFM airflow, the same as the #1 Midea unit, and it’s considered to be fairly silent.on
It does, however, need 900W to power its max. fan speed setting which is not ideal.
In short, the hOmeLabs HME020031N is the cheapest whole-home dehumidifier that’s actually has a good and reliable operation:
hOmeLabs HME020031N Review
Pros
- Most popular dehumidifier for home
- Has decent specs with 188 CFM airflow
- The only good 50 pint portable dehumidifier for less than $200
Cons
- Has to be powered by 900W (max. setting)
- hOmeLabs is an Amazon-only brand
6. Vremi VRM010184N (Cheap Big Whole House Dehumidifier)
| Dehumid. Capacity: | 50 Pint/day (2019 DOE) |
| Coverage: | 4,500 sq ft |
| Max. Airflow: | 165 CFM |
| Power, Voltage, Amps: | N/A |
| Noise Levels: | Below 60 dB |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 16.6″ x 11″ x 24.3″ |
| Weight: | 41.6 lbs |
| Price: | $$$$ |
| Rating: | |
In many ways, the Vremi VRM010184N is very similar to hOmeLabs HME020031N. 50 PPD cheap whole-house dehumidifier with simple yet aesthetic design, and decent specs.
It’s pretty much the simplest dehumidifier to use in your house. As Vremi neatly puts ‘This is not rocket science, it’s just moisture removal’. You plug it in, set up the continuous drainage, set the relative humidity percentage (between 30% and 50% is ideal), and it does its magic.
It’s also one of the most affordable portable dehumidifiers for home. It costs about $200, about 20% – 30% less than comparable units.
hOmeLabs HME020031N’s only apparent drawback is the lower airflow. With 165 CFM, it will do alright, but the dehumidification speed will be slower.
All in all, if you’re looking for a cheap whole-house dehumidifier, the portable hOmeLabs HME020031N is definitely a decent choice:
Vremi VRM010184N Review
Pros
- One of the most affordable units (dehumidifier for less than $200)
- Decent-enough specs for a budget-friendly model
- Very simple to operate; just plug in, set it up, and forget it
Cons
- Airflow is on the low end (165 CFM)
- Unknown wattage
- Higher-than-average noise levels
Related posts:
- Does A Dehumidifier Cool A Room? (That’s Crazy)
- How Much Does It Cost To Run A Dehumidifier? (Electricity Use Calculator)
- Dehumidifier Setting Chart: What Should Dehumidifier Be Set At?
- 8 Best Commercial Dehumidifiers In 2024 (30+ Gallons/Day)
- Should You Run A Dehumidifier And Air Conditioner At The Same Time?
