How to Pick a Dehumidifier for a Small Room or Apartment
Appliance experts tell NBC Select that tank size, square-footage rating and the type of dehumidifier matter more than price when the space is tight.
Small apartments and single rooms rarely need the large, expensive dehumidifiers marketed for whole houses, according to home appliance experts consulted by NBC Select for a guide to compact models.
"The goal of a dehumidifier is to lower the humidity in a room or building by removing moisture from the air," said David Leezer, engineering director at the appliance brand Midea. "There are many benefits to doing this, but the primary benefit is to improve the comfort level of a room."
While a humidifier adds moisture to the air, a dehumidifier pulls it out. Leezer said reducing indoor humidity also cuts the musty odors caused by excess moisture — damp bath towels drying on a rack, for example — and can protect electronics and items made of wood or metal that are vulnerable to humidity and rust. Rooms that stay too humid can develop mold because materials absorb moisture and do not dry quickly enough.
Not every machine suits every space. Some are built for large homes, others for small areas, and buyers who do not need a big appliance can avoid the higher price that usually comes with one, the guide notes.
The roundup, which drew on guidance from experts at Ace Hardware and Midea, limited its picks to models with a four-star average from at least 500 Amazon reviews or at least 100 reviews at another retailer. The listed options span a wide range: a top pick with a 16-ounce tank that removes up to 9 ounces of moisture a day and shuts off automatically when full; a budget model rated at 35 decibels that removes up to 16 ounces a day; and a Midea refrigerant unit that uses a compressor, holds up to 3 gallons, covers up to 1,500 square feet and works with Amazon Alexa.
A compact Eva-Dry device takes a different approach, using silica gel beads that change color from orange to green when it is time to recharge the unit through a collapsible plug. Other picks include a Tabyik model rated for rooms up to 280 square feet and the Pure Enrichment PureDry, with a 27-ounce tank, suggested for spaces around 150 square feet or less, including RVs, bathrooms and closets.
NBC Select said Midea products in the story were selected independently of Leezer, who was consulted only for shopping guidance.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
