Even if I In New York, the wet New York, I didn’t have a dehumidifier most of my life. I never had a basement and I had no idea about the benefits of portable dehumidifiers.
I’m lucky because I haven’t or at least know about the mold problem I live in. I use air conditioning during the hot months, which somehow reduces moisture. But last spring, I found myself on the Dehumidifier Tiktok and decided to take my indoor air quality to the next level.
According to my air quality monitor, I lived in a wet cabin in Maine last summer with a humidity level of 80%. Now is the time. I want good air for all indicators – not just looking at PM 2.5 or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but low moisture. I want a delicious day, too. So these are the numerous models we’ve tested, from our best basement choices, Honeywell Smart Portable Dehumidifier ($260)for our best travel or small space portable version, EVA-DRY Renewable Small Dehumidifier E-333 ($25).
Updated May 2025: We have added two options for EVA-DRY, MIDEA’s Cube and Tabyik Peltier, as well as updated links and prices.
For more ways to improve indoor quality, check out our guide to the best air purifier, best air quality display, best window air conditioner, best space heater and best fans.
Unlimited access to power wired. Getting a first-class report is too important to ignore $2.50 $1 year per month. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive content for subscribers only. Subscribe now.
Things to know before buying
The first thing to consider is how to drain water from the dehumidifier. The best thing you can do in a basement is to use the continuous drain of the dehumidifier for a sewage pump or drain. If these options are not available, you may want to empty the tank multiple times a day. The first time I put the dehumidifier in the basement, the tank was filled in three hours. It’s all about drainage. Also, know how to read the tags. If the dehumidifier is listed as “50 pints”, it means that the device can remove 50 pints of moisture from the air within 24 hours; it is no Internal tank capacity. Also, look for the maximum area coverage. For example, the Honeywell Smart 50 pint can remove 50 pints of water from 4,000 square feet in 24 hours.
If you also need a dehumidifier in a city apartment like me, then consider buying something that is easy to move with wheels and handles. Some of these machines are heavy. Also, a small dehumidifier in the bathroom is a good idea to avoid moisture, especially when mold grows on grout.
Finally, don’t drink the water collected in the dehumidifier chassis. The water is not drinkable. Pour it into the drain. The dehumidifier does not produce distilled water. That’s a different process and equipment.
Dehumidification of your home is one of nine foundations for a healthy home, according to Harvard’s Public Health Buildings Health Initiative. Moisture can cause mold growth. And most of my air quality monitors, like the Awair Element and the QP Pro, have moisture or humidity. As someone with mold allergies, or at least this is confirmed by testing of allergic patients – the dehumidifier I should have purchased a few years ago. According to several studies, while dry air may be the culprit for itchy eye and respiratory problems, there are many benefits to lower humidity in homes. The EPA recommends keeping humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%.
It is worth noting that there are many studies on low humidity (relative humidity) low humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air) that affect the viability of certain viruses. An example is the SARS coronavirus (not Covid-19), which has the stability to promote transmission in low-temperature and low-humidity environments, while high-temperature and high-humidity (such as tropical areas) do not. I focus on the unhealthy effects of high humidity because it can stimulate the growth of mold.
