How to choose a dehumidifier for your home
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- ENERGY STAR portable dehumidifier, about 30 to 35 pints (2019 test). Best for: Comparing mid-capacity portable options. See options on Amazon
- Portable dehumidifier with built-in pump. Best for: Basements where you cannot gravity-drain to a floor drain. See options on Amazon
- Smaller portable dehumidifier, about 20 pints (2019 test). Best for: A smaller space with a modest moisture load. See options on Amazon
- Whole-home dehumidifier, professionally installed. Best for: Homes with humidity problems on more than one floor. See options on Amazon
- Digital indoor hygrometer. Best for: Checking whether you need a dehumidifier, and whether it is working. See options on Amazon
Do you need a dehumidifier?
The EPA's mold guidance puts it simply: the key to mold control is moisture control. It advises keeping indoor relative humidity below 60%, ideally 30% to 50% if possible, and watching for condensation and wet spots.
Signs a room is too damp:
- Water beading on windows, pipes or cold walls
- A musty smell, often in basements
- Damp spots or visible mold
A dehumidifier is one tool, not the whole fix. The EPA says to clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours and to fix the source of water. A dehumidifier will not stop a leak or remove mold that is already growing.
Sizing: pints per day, and why the numbers changed
Capacity is how much water a unit removes in 24 hours, in pints per day. ENERGY STAR explains that since June 2019 the Department of Energy tests portable dehumidifiers at 65°F instead of 80°F, to better reflect basement conditions. Cooler air holds less water, so the same machine now is rated lower.
| Old portable capacity | Approximate new capacity |
|---|---|
| 30 pints | 20 pints |
| 50 pints | 30 pints |
| 70 pints | 40 to 45 pints |
| 90 pints | 55 pints |
ENERGY STAR calls this a rough guide that varies by model, and says larger, wetter rooms need higher-capacity units. If you are replacing an old 50-pint machine, a new unit rated around 30 pints may do the same job.
For actual sizing, ENERGY STAR's buying chart considers both area and dampness: a slightly to moderately damp space under 2,000 square feet starts at 20 to 30 pints per day; a very damp space that size starts at 25 to 40. Larger or wetter spaces need more. Use the current model's rated capacity, not the old-to-new conversion alone.
Portable vs whole-home
| Type | What to compare | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Portable | One room or problem area | Bucket access or a workable drain route |
| Portable with pump | Model-specified lift height and hose setup | Check that it can reach your intended drain |
| Whole-home | Humidity throughout the home | Professional sizing and installation |
ENERGY STAR recommends bathroom vent fans to reduce moisture at the source. Do not assume a portable unit is safe in a wet room just because it is small; follow the exact model's placement and electrical restrictions.
Features that matter
- Humidity control: compare the humidistat settings with the target above.
- Bucket and shut-off: check access, full-bucket warning and automatic shut-off.
- Drain setup: confirm the hose connection, required slope or pump limits.
- Temperature range: compare the maker's operating limits and defrost instructions with your basement conditions.
- Efficiency: compare certification and Integrated Energy Factor under equivalent test conditions; a higher IEF means more water removed per unit of electricity.
- Care: check the bucket and filter instructions, including whether the filter is washable.
Safety: check for recalls
Check recalls before use, including for secondhand equipment. An August 2023 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warning stated that dehumidifiers made by Gree Electric Appliances, sold from 2005 to 2014 under 13 brand names listed on the CPSC warning, can overheat, smoke and catch fire. At that time, CPSC reported more than 2,000 overheating incidents, about 450 fires, and four potentially associated deaths. The warning distinguishes this older group from a separate recall announced that day; check the exact model rather than judging by brand alone.
- Find the brand and pint capacity on the front and the model number and date code on the sticker.
- Compare them with recall lists on cpsc.gov.
- If yours is recalled, turn it off and unplug it right away.
ENERGY STAR advises a properly grounded outlet, drain water kept away from electrical circuits, and hoses separated from electrical cords and connections. Avoid a hose trip hazard. Follow the maker's airflow clearance and cleaning directions.
What to look for when you buy
ENERGY STAR portable dehumidifier, about 30 to 35 pints (2019 test)
Best for: Comparing mid-capacity portable options
Use the area-and-dampness chart above before choosing this range. Confirm certification for the exact model.
Watch out: The old capacity conversion is only approximate; it does not size your room by itself.
See options on AmazonPortable dehumidifier with built-in pump
Best for: Basements where you cannot gravity-drain to a floor drain
Compare models with a pump against your intended drain elevation and hose route.
Watch out: Verify maximum lift and hose compatibility in the manual. Keep water drainage clear of electrical connections.
See options on AmazonSmaller portable dehumidifier, about 20 pints (2019 test)
Best for: A smaller space with a modest moisture load
Compare the lower end of the buying chart with the actual size and dampness of your space.
Watch out: A small footprint or bucket does not establish sufficient capacity or suitability for a bathroom.
See options on AmazonWhole-home dehumidifier, professionally installed
Best for: Homes with humidity problems on more than one floor
ENERGY STAR advises professional sizing and installation for whole-home units.
Watch out: Confirm installation requirements before ordering. Equipment does not fix a leak or wet foundation.
See options on AmazonDigital indoor hygrometer
Best for: Checking whether you need a dehumidifier, and whether it is working
A separate gauge helps compare room humidity with the target above.
Watch out: Check the device instructions and location; one reading does not describe every room.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- How do I choose a dehumidifier?
- Match pints-per-day capacity to the size and dampness of the space, using the post-2019 capacity figures. Then look for a humidistat, auto shut-off, a drain option, and ENERGY STAR certification.
- What humidity should I set my dehumidifier to?
- Use the EPA humidity target above as a starting point, while addressing leaks and condensation. A humidistat does not replace fixing moisture sources.
- What size dehumidifier do I need for a basement?
- Use area and dampness together, as in the sizing examples above. A basement label or an old capacity figure alone is not enough.
- Do I need a dehumidifier in the bathroom?
- Check ventilation first. Do not place a portable appliance in a wet room without confirming the model's electrical and placement instructions.
- Will a dehumidifier get rid of mold?
- No. It helps prevent mold by lowering humidity, but existing mold needs cleaning and the water source needs fixing. The EPA says moisture control is the key to mold control.
Sources
- Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guide: Chapter 2 (epa.gov), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Dehumidifier Testing and Capacity (energystar.gov), ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA and DOE)
- CPSC Warning: Stop Using Recalled Gree Dehumidifiers Due to Fire Hazard; 4 Deaths May be Tied to Recalled Units (cpsc.gov), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Dehumidifiers: buying guidance and safety (energystar.gov), ENERGY STAR, U.S. EPA