Moisture can cause problems in a home, including mold, rust and unpleasant odors. A dehumidifier is a device designed to help control the humidity in your home. But how do you choose the right dehumidifier for your home? In this article, we’ll go over five key factors to consider when choosing a dehumidifier.

tips for choosing a dehumidifier

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1. Room size

The first thing to consider when choosing a dehumidifier is the size of the room you want to dehumidify. Dehumidifiers have different capacities, measured in pints of water per day, which is the amount of water they can extract from the air in a day. For small rooms, a 30- to 40-quart-per-day dehumidifier should be sufficient. For larger rooms, a dehumidifier of 50 pints or more would be necessary.

The number of dehumidifiers needed depends on the size of your home and the amount of moisture you have in each room. In general, you don’t need a dehumidifier in every room of your home, but it depends on the layout of your home and which areas are most affected by moisture.

If you have moisture problems in only one room of your home, it may be sufficient to use a dehumidifier in that specific room. However, if moisture is present in multiple rooms or throughout your home, it may be necessary to use multiple dehumidifiers to regulate the humidity effectively.

2. The level of humidity

The second factor to consider is the humidity level in your home. If your home is very humid, a more powerful dehumidifier will be needed to maintain the desired humidity level. Dehumidifiers have different humidity thresholds, which can be adjusted to meet your needs.

If you have a very high humidity level, you may need to opt for a dehumidifier with a lower humidity threshold. For example in Vegas where I live, the humidity level is very low, so consider the area you live in to evaluate whether or not you need to purchase a dehumidifier.

3. Noise

Noise is another important factor to consider when choosing a dehumidifier. Some models can be very loud, which can be annoying if you plan to use it in a room where you spend a lot of time.

Dehumidifiers without a compressor, called absorption dehumidifiers, are generally quieter than dehumidifiers with a compressor. Be sure to check the decibel (dB) levels to make sure the dehumidifier won’t be too loud for your home.

4. The cost of the dehumidifier

Cost is an important factor to consider when purchasing a dehumidifier. Prices vary depending on the size, brand and features. Larger, more powerful dehumidifiers are generally more expensive than smaller models. It is important to define your budget before you start looking for a dehumidifier to avoid overspending.

5. Additional features

Finally, it’s important to consider the extra features you might want in your dehumidifier. Some models may have air filters to improve the air quality in your home, while others may have more advanced humidity control features, such as digital displays or remote controls.

SaleBestseller No. 1
Dehumidifier,TABYIK 35 OZ Small Dehumidifiers for Room for Home, Quiet with Auto Shut Off, Dehumidifiers for Bedroom (280 sq. ft), Bathroom, RV, Closet
  • High Efficient Dehumidifiers for Home: Still annoyed about the muggy weather? Just Take it easy! have a try at TABYIK 35OZ Peltier dehumidifier, in a closed small room with humid environment of 86°F and 80% RH, it can collect a max of 16oz(450ml) of water in 24 hours, and with very low energy consumption (no more than 1-kilowatt hour a day).
  • Small Dehumidifiers with Colorful Light: There is a separate light button, which can emit 7-color romantic atmosphere lights for you, and the ultra-quiet operation (28dB) creates a comfortable and peaceful environment for your bedroom and office.
  • 35OZ Dehumidifiers for Bathroom: With 1000ml (35OZ) large transparent tank, you can see the water collection volume of the dehumidifier in real-time, and there is a groove design at the bottom of the water tank, you can easily take it out, pour water and clean it!
  • Auto Shut Off Protection: When the water tank is 700~800ml full, dehumidifiers will auto shut off work, and the light will flash red to inform you. It is also very safe and convenient to use when you are not at home.
  • Portable Dehumidifier for Bedroom: With a compact size of 5.9X5.9X10.1 inch and a built-in handle on the back, it is very convenient to be placed everywhere. Helping to get the excess moisture out of the air for you in bedroom, bathroom, RV, closet.
SaleBestseller No. 2
SAMSICHI Dehumidifier, 85 OZ Dehumidifiers for Room for Home, (800 sq. ft.) Quiet Dehumidifiers for Bathroom, Bedroom, Closet, RV, 7 Colors LED Auto Shut Off Dehumidifier with Drain Hose
  • Efficient Dehumidifiers for Home: SAMSICHI 85OZ large capacity dehumidifier uses semiconductor dual condensation technology to quietly and effectively remove moisture from the air. In a sealed room at 86°F and 80% relative humidity, it can effectively collect up to 34 ounces of excess moisture per day. Say goodbye to dampness and enjoy a healthy and comfortable living.
  • 7 Color Night Lights Dehumidifiers for Room: The SAMSICHI dehumidifier has an independent light button control for seven colors of ambient light, which can be used as a night light. You can choose your favorite color by clicking the light button, creating a romantic atmosphere for your home.
  • Quiet & Efficient Two-mode Dehumidifiers for Bedroom: The SAMSICHI dehumidifier has two working modes. The sleep mode operates at low speed, working quietly (<30db) while you sleep. The powerful mode operates at full speed, effectively reducing humidity quickly.
  • Auto Shut Off Dehumidifiers for Bathroom: SAMSICHI smart dehumidifier is equipped with an automatic shut-off function when the water tank is full or placed incorrectly, perfectly preventing water from overflowing when you're not paying attention. We offer drain hoses that allow the dehumidifier to continuously drain automatically so you don't have to empty the tank frequently.
  • Portable Compact Dehumidifier: The SAMSICHI dehumidifier is compact in size with a built-in handle on the back for easy transport to different places. Item Measures 7.2'' by 5.3'' by 12.6''. It covers up to 800 sq. ft. The dehumidifier can be used in bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, closets, RVs, and more. The bottom of the water tank is designed with ergonomic grooves for easy removal and emptying of the tank.
Bestseller No. 3
Waykar 2000 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier for Home and Basements, with Auto or Manual Drainage, 0.66 Gallon Water Tank Capacity
  • Dehumidifier for Space Up to 2000 Sq. Ft: Our dehumidifiers are able to remove up to 34 pints (under 95°F,95%RH condition) of moisture per day. (Please note: under 95°F,95%RH condition,the max dehumidification capacity up to 34 pints) in areas up to 2000 Sq. Ft and adjust humidity from 30% to 80%.It is a dehumidifier ideal for any basements, office, home, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, stockroom, living room, laundry room, cellars, crawlspace, etc..
  • Unique Design for The Modern Home: The Waykar dehumidifiers designed with modern look. With 360° rotatable wheels and ergonomically lift up handles, you can move around this dehumidifier easily. A quiet fan that won't disturb you when you sleep or at work, adjustable fan speeds for multiple choices. 24-hour Timer Setting for preset operation and reduced energy consumption
  • Intelligent Control: After you set your desired humidity, the dehumidifier will run intelligently. Humidity Auto Control-Simply adjust to your desire humidity, it will work smartly, when it reached its designated humidity, it will automatically stop working and then automatically restart to dehumidify when the humidity above target is sensed. Automatic Shut Off/On-Shuts off automatically when the bucket is full and switch it on again after the bucket emptied. Power Outage Automatic Restart
  • Easy To Use: Auto Drain - The unit comes with a 6.56 feet drain hose that you can attached to the drain pipe hole to continually drain water that is dehumidified. Manual Drain - The water tank is 0.66 gallon/2.5 L,when it reaches maximum capacity, the "Full Tank "indicator will light up, the dehumidifier will automatically switch off until the tank has been emptied. Meanwhile, a reusable and washable filter preserves fresh and clean air quality
  • Support: All of Waykar Dehumidifiers are covered with 30-Days Money Back if you are not satisfied with the product, 1 year warranty, 2nd year warranty extension and lifetime expert tech support. Please don't hesitate to contact us if there is any question, we will reply to you within 24 hours and help you solve the problems. Waykar customer support team is always just one-email away

Last update on 2024-04-02 / As an Amazon Partner, I make a profit on qualifying purchases./ Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Are there any risks to using a dehumidifier?

While dehumidifiers are useful for reducing humidity in your home, they can pose some potential risks. Here are some of the most common risks associated with using a dehumidifier:

  • Fire Hazard: Dehumidifiers use electrical components to operate, which can increase the risk of fire. To avoid this risk, it is important not to overload electrical outlets or leave the dehumidifier on for long periods of time without supervision.
  • Risk of water leakage: Dehumidifiers collect water in a tank or tray that must be emptied regularly. If the tank is not emptied on time, it can overflow and cause damage to your home. Some dehumidifiers have an automatic shut-off feature that turns off the water supply when the tank is full to prevent leaks.
  • Mold Risk: Although dehumidifiers are designed to remove moisture, if not maintained regularly, they can actually create an environment for mold growth. Pans and filters should be cleaned regularly to prevent moisture build-up and mold growth.
  • Health Risk: If a dehumidifier is not maintained regularly, it can become a home for bacteria and mold that can affect indoor air quality. This can cause health problems such as allergies, respiratory problems and infections.
  • Energy cost: Dehumidifiers use energy to operate, which can increase your home’s energy costs. Larger, more powerful models typically use more energy than smaller models, so it’s important to choose a model that fits your dehumidification needs to avoid high energy costs.
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