5 Most Effective Small Dehumidifiers — Reviews and Buying Guide (Spring 2022)

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The best small dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, reducing mugginess in damp areas such as bathrooms, crawl spaces and basements. The best dehumidifier always has a powerful fan that efficiently transforms clammy air into droplets that are then collected as water in a removable tray.  Dehumidifiers are essential for those who live in hot and humid climates as well as in flood-prone areas. These machines also reduce allergic reactions as they prevent dust from dispersing through the air, as well as inhibit the growth and smell of mold and mildew. The best small portable dehumidifier can easily be transported from one place to another and even used in a college dorm room or camper.

To determine the best-rated small dehumidifier, many factors were considered, including how many square cubic feet of air is processed an hour, whether or not it is noisy and how efficient it is regarding energy use. The unit’s cost, length of warranty as well as it’s design, dimensions, and ease-of-use were also evaluated.

Are you shopping for the best dehumidifier for your apartment, small room or bathroom? We have done the hard part for you by sifting through all of the manufacturer websites, reading customer reviews and finding the five top small dehumidifiers. The top selections for best small dehumidifier were placed in a comparison table along with thoughtful detailed reviews, followed by a concise buying guide, to help you make the wisest, most appropriate purchase possible.

Quick Summary
  • Editor's Choice: WOHOME Portable Dehumidifier
    "An excellent simple, elegant dehumidifier that is very quiet and removes 80% of moisture from the air in an hour can be placed on any tabletop."
  • Best Small Dehumidifier for RV: Hysure Portable Mini Dehumidifier
    "This attractive portable dehumidifier is energy efficient, holds 16.9 ounces of water and shuts itself off when at full capacity."
  • "This small flat wireless unit makes use of desiccated silica gel to remove moisture from the air and is renewed through a charger."
  • Best for Small Basement: Afloia Electric Home Dehumidifier
    "A classic plastic dehumidifier that is energy efficient, portable, and boasts a large 11-ounce reservoir."
  • Best for Bathroom: Jese Small Dehumidifier
    "This compact portable dehumidifier has a sizeable 11-ounce reservoir that easily slides out of it, an automatic shut-off to prevent spills and an exceptional long warranty."

Top 5 Small Dehumidifiers Review 2022

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7496 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.3
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.8
1
Features
  • Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.9 x 8.9 inches
  • Coverage area: up to 215 sq. ft.
  • Noise level: 40 dB
  • Water tank capacity: 550 ml.
  • Warranty: 90-day replacement guarantee; 1-year limited

More features: 25W ETL-certified adapter is included; 300 ml/day dehumidification

This sleek, unobtrusive dehumidifier has a pleasing rounded shape made of durable red and black plastic with one visible ON/OFF button. It is so sophisticated in design that it could easily be mistaken for a modern sculpture or a flower vase. The small clear plastic drawer at the bottom back of the unit acts as a fill tank for any condensed moisture and can easily be emptied. A blue pin dot light indicates that it is working and a concentric red plastic vent at the top of the unit quickly recycles humidity into clean dry air.

This 8.9 by 6.5-inch unit is about as big as a tall teapot and holds about the same amount of water. You never have to worry about the unit getting too full as it shuts off automatically and the red indicator light tells you that it is time to empty it. However, even though it is so compact, this powerful, efficient unit manages to dehumidify the air of 80% of the moisture in the air in one hour.

It is quiet as a whisper, operating at a level of only 40 decibels, which means that you can keep it on at night and be lulled asleep by its white noise. It is the optimum dehumidifier for people with allergies who need it to clean the air while they are sleeping. It is also perfect for very small spaces, such as laundry rooms, crawl spaces or closets that are prone to mold and mildew.

Why is it special?

  • Compact and efficient
  • Powerful for its size
  • Attractive modern design
  • Simple to operate
  • 12-month warranty
  • 3-month unconditional return and replacement policy

What are the flaws?

  • Frequently needs emptying

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2716 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.6
9.7
2
Best Small Dehumidifier for RV

Hysure Portable Mini Dehumidifier

Features
  • Dimensions: 11.1 x 6.3 x 5.2 inches
  • Coverage area: up to 215 sq. ft.
  • Noise level: 37 dB
  • Water tank capacity: 500 ml.
  • Warranty: not specified

More features: low energy consumption; auto shut-off

This handsome compact dehumidifier does not house an air compressor inside, which makes it one of the quietest of small dehumidifiers on the market. It has a sleek design, with pleasing rounded curves and an attractive white plastic honeycomb façade covering the air intake vent. It has a noise level of only 37 decibels, which makes it ideal for RVs, nurseries, and bedrooms.

However, just because it is quiet and lightweight, weighing only 2.45 pounds, does not mean that it is not extremely powerful. It can remove about a cup of water from a 215 square foot room a day. It is about as tall and wide as a soup pot, which makes it easy to carry from room to room, or even to your camper or RV. Nevertheless, many users mentioned that the unit’s mobility would have been increased if there had been a handle at the top. The model is energy-efficient and eco-friendly, helping you to save money on your electricity bill. It is also ideal to place in small cupboards or in laundry rooms where mildew and mold are known to grow.

Aside from being portable enough to use in any small space in your house or a recreational vehicle, this unit features “shut off and forget it” style technology. You press one grey button to turn it on, and an LED light indicates when it is operating or full. The purple pullout water collection tray holds about 16.9 ounces of water and features a small black water dispensing hose that helps to eliminate the possibilities of spills.

What makes it stand out?

  • Light and portable
  • Indicator light
  • Whisper-quiet
  • Affordable

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

  • Drying air takes 24 hours

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9770 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.6
Features
  • Dimensions: 2.8 x 9 x 8.3 inches
  • Coverage area: up to 333 ft3.
  • Noise level: N/A
  • Runtime: 20-30 days before renewing; up to 10 years
  • Warranty: 5-year limited

More features: requires no batteries; contains crystals that indicate when the unit reaches its capacity

This tiny, wireless dehumidifier is the size of a car radio and is truly portable. It is easily mounted on any wall or even in a vehicle, a garden shed or a refrigerator. Unlike traditional dehumidifiers, that use air and metal to condense water and remove moisture from the air, this unit works through the process of adsorption. A slab of silica gel inside of the unit attracts and absorbs moisture through the unit’s plastic front grill, and when it is saturated, the gel changes color from blue to pink. When this happens, you plug in the unit, to “recharge” it and the heat from the electrical unit dries out the silica gel so you can use it once again.

It is also an energy-efficient device that works by adsorption, so you do not have to keep it plugged in to use it. However, as it is such a tiny device, it only removes four to six ounces of water every two to four weeks. This is minimal compared to dehumidifiers with air compressors inside that remove 30 to 70 pints of moisture from the air a day.

If you want a dehumidifier that you can place in a very small space, such as a closet, a wine cooler or gun cabinet, then this is the best small dehumidifier for you. Users have also placed these units inside gym lockers and bags, drawers, and greenhouses as well as used them to keep rooms with art collections dry.

Why is it special?

  • Super compact
  • Wireless
  • Rechargeable
  • Inexpensive
  • Versatile

What are the flaws?

  • Low dehumidification performance

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3229 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.5
4
Best Small Dehumidifier for Small Basement

Afloia Electric Home Dehumidifier

Features
  • Dimensions: 13.8 x 6.5 x 4.4 inches
  • Coverage area: up to 215 sq. ft.
  • Noise level: 35 dB
  • Water tank capacity: 700 ml.
  • Warranty: 30-day money back guarantee; 2-year limited free replacements

More features: absorbs up to 300±50ml (11 oz.) moisture per day in 86°F, 80%RH environment

This compact model sports a simplistic blue and white design that allows you to use it in any room, and it will blend in with its décor seamlessly. It is positively noted for its generous 24 fluid ounce capacity, while the noise its interior fan produces is at the level of 35 decibels, which makes it about as loud as the hum of a small refrigerator. It also quickly and efficiently removes up to 11 ounces of moisture a day.

This electric dehumidifier is also very easy to operate and powered through an AC adapter. Large slatted vents at the top of the unit expel the drier, cleaner air into the room. A simple single button turns it on and off. The machine also automatically turns off when its transparent blue plastic water reservoir at the base of the unit is full, so you never have to worry about it overflowing. The reservoir is well designed, with slats that allow you to easily slide it out of the bottom of the unit like you would with a drawer.

This portable machine is a perfect bathroom, pool change room, closet, RV or crawl space dehumidifier. It is also ideal to place next to the bed of an individual who may be suffering from allergies or respiratory problems as the unit efficiently prevents moisture from facilitating the spread of dust and mold spores.

What makes it stand out?

  • Quiet operation
  • 24-ounce fluid capacity
  • Portable
  • Automatic shut-off when full
  • Blends in with any décor

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

  • More expensive than similar models
  • No indicator light

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6946 people in the past 30 days
9.3
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.9
9.3
5
Best Small Dehumidifier for Bathroom

Jese Small Dehumidifier

Features
  • Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 4.4 inches
  • Coverage area: up to 220 sq. ft.
  • Noise level: 30 dB
  • Water tank capacity: 530 ml.
  • Warranty: 1-month free trial; 2-year warranty for parts and accessories; 10-year warranty for the motor and lifetime support

More features: low consumption of 0.022KWh; works only at a temperature of 59F-95F and a rated humidity of 45%-90%

This classic white plastic dehumidifier is an attractive boxy energy-efficient appliance. It is easily moved from room to room and boasts a large 11-ounce reservoir that easily slides out from the bottom of the unit. It is also very simple to operate, with a push on/off button. The dehumidifier also automatically shuts off once the transparent plastic reservoir, which is available in both sky blue and lilac colors, is filled to capacity. The air ejected from the top vents is sterilized, which is beneficial for those allergic to mold and dust.

This efficient compact small dehumidifier can remove ten ounces of water from the air in 220 square feet provided that the air is between 59°F – 95°F and the humidity level is at least 45%. This is because this elegant, plastic unit, with its sizeable 18-ounce reservoir, lacks a noisy central air compressor, which means that it will only operate truly efficiently when there is enough water in the air to condense on its internal coils. This also makes it one of the quieter smaller portable units on the market, operating at a level of 30 decibels, which is comparable to the humming of a quiet refrigerator, making it ideal for use in studies, bedrooms, and nurseries.

This dehumidifier for small spaces also comes with an exceptional one-month free trial, a two-year warranty for accessories and parts and a ten-year warranty on the unit’s motor. This package also includes a user manual and complimentary support for a lifetime.

Why is it special?

  • Whisper quiet operation
  • Automatic shut off
  • One-month free trial
  • Ten-year warranty
  • Purifies mold and bacteria

What are the flaws?

  • Limited by existing humidity

Things to Consider

There are quite a few things to consider while shopping online for the best small dehumidifier including the unit’s design, the size of its reservoir, how noisy it is and whether or not it is energy efficient. You might want to consider the advice in this buying guide to make sure that it is the appliance that is most appropriate and also affordable for you.

Features to consider while choosing a small dehumidifier

The Best Small DehumidifierWhen selecting a small dehumidifier there are several features you should consider, depending on what type of space needs treatment, the preferred noise level, and other factors

Dimensions and weight

The best portable dehumidifiers are truly lightweight and often weigh less than three pounds, such as the WOHOME Portable Dehumidifier that only weighs 2.5 pounds. The smallest are the size of a portable radio and the largest are close to a computer tower size. Most small dehumidifiers qualify as so because they fit comfortably on a shelf or on a bedside table. Dehumidifiers based on silica gel technology, such as the Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier can be as compact as a wall thermostat and be mounted in a closet or bathroom in the same way.

Coverage area

The coverage area of a small portable dehumidifier is usually in the area of 215 square feet or less although some manufacturers calculate the drying capacity of the air in cubic feet.

The smaller the space you are looking to dehumidify, the quicker the unit will work to dry the air. For instance, placing a WOHOME Portable Dehumidifier that can dehumidify 215 square feet in a 100 square foot closet will improve its efficiency.

Noise level

If you are looking for a truly quiet dehumidifier, then buy one that registers lower than 35 decibels, which is equal to the humming of quietest refrigerators. The quietest electric units, such as the Jese Small Dehumidifier operate almost silently because they lack noisy fans. Dehumidifiers that are adsorbents, such as the Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier that is based on silica gel desiccants do not make any noise at all.

Water tank capacity

The water tank capacity of most small dehumidifiers often depends on it’s size, but as almost every unit on the market today has an automatic shut-off safety function to prevent your reservoir from overflowing. Larger tanks, such as the 18-ounce one that is part of Afloia Electric Home Dehumidifier are useful in larger damp areas like basement bathrooms and bedrooms, where there may be a need to operate the unit for two days in a row.

Dehumidification performance

Dehumidification performance is often measured by how much moisture can be removed from the air in a day. Extremely efficient units, such as the WOHOME Portable Dehumidifier tend to have electric fans and condenser coils that remove 80% of the moisture in the air in an hour, whereas less efficient electric small dehumidifiers, such as the Jese Small Dehumidifier might take a day to accomplish the same thing.

The least efficient dehumidifiers are the silica gel based ones that can take four to six weeks just to remove a cup of moisture from the air. However, these are precisely the models required for limited spaces such as closets, gun safes, and shoe boxes.

Settings/modes/speeds

Small dehumidifiers do not tend to have settings, modes or speeds and are simply operated by an on/off button. If you are looking at a dehumidifier with many configurations on it, then you should probably look for a higher performance unit.

Warranty

As is true of any appliance, you should look for a small dehumidifier that offers you the best guarantee without defying your intention for buying it in the first place. An example of a great warranty is the Jese Small Dehumidifier that offers a one-month free trial, two years on parts and a ten-year warranty on the unit’s motor.

Extra features

Small portable dehumidifiers do not tend to have a lot of bells and whistles, but ideally, you should look for one with a proper AC/DC adaptor, LED/LCD indicators and ones with an auto shut-off feature. There is also no need to buy boring looking portable appliances as they come in many unique designs and colors nowadays as is evidenced by the fire-engine red and black WOHOME Portable Dehumidifier.

Tips on how to maintain your dehumidifier

In order to maintain your small portable dehumidifier, be sure to take note of the following points:
  • Be sure to empty the water reservoir as soon as it is full to prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside of the unit, especially in units with large reservoirs such as the Jese Small Dehumidifier.
  • Wipe down the reservoir, intake vents, and outtake vents with a mild disinfectant to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria, as would be the case with any model
  • Always replace any filters as often as recommended by the manufacturer
  • Recharge silica gel based dehumidifiers such as the Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier as soon as the gel changes its color to ensure its effectiveness over time

FAQ

It goes without saying, that too low humidity can cause different skin and even health issues. That is why you’d better watch your home humidity level carefully. Bigger models often come with built-in humidistats and an automatic shut-off when the air reaches the required humidity level. Unfortunately, the small units’ construction is often much simpler, so it’s better to have a small humidistat for your extra control and peace of mind.

Dehumidifiers pose no hazard to children or pets if proper safety precautions are taken. For instance, if the small dehumidifier has an electrical cord, there can be the danger of electrocution if the water in the reservoir somehow makes contact with it if it is plugged in. Another risk can be pets or children drinking bacteria-laden water from the reservoir or eating the desiccated silica interior of a passive wireless dehumidifier, so these types of units should be placed as high up as possible and in a place that is hidden.

Small dehumidifiers have automatic shut-off function that prevents water from spilling out of their reservoirs, once the water has reached a certain level. Usually, an indicator light tells you when it is time to empty the collection tray or bin holding the condensed water. 

Our Verdict

All of the small dehumidifiers that made our top five list have many similar excellent features but there a few that have a bit more to offer than other models.

For instance, the WOHOME Portable Dehumidifier offers a departure from the usual fake wood paneling or white hospital look of these appliances by offering a unique streamlined design that is almost mid-century in flavor. At the same time, it weighs less than two pounds and yet has the power to completely dehumidify a 215 square foot room in an hour.

If your priority is to purchase a very quiet and yet ecologically viable appliance, then the Hysure Portable Mini Dehumidifier is a great deal as it operates very quietly at 37 decibels and is also energy efficient.

If you want a very inexpensive, completely silent dehumidifier for a tiny space such as a closet, shower area or curio cabinet, then the rechargeable Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier is your best bet, especially if your goal is to prevent the formation of mold and mildew.

The post 5 Most Effective Small Dehumidifiers — Reviews and Buying Guide (Spring 2022) appeared first on HouseAndBeyond.org.

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