Types of dehumidifiers
Some dehumidifiers come with a hose attachment option.
Dehumidifiers usually work via condensation or desiccant, with condensing models being the most numerous and most effective. Among condensing dehumidifiers, some smaller units can only be drained manually, and the water storage tank must be removed and emptied periodically. (Most dehumidifiers shut down when the reservoir is full.) Many larger units also come with a drain hose attachment option, in which the dehumidifier drains continuously through a hose that runs directly to a sink or floor drain. While this relies primarily on gravity, some units also include a drain pump so that condensation can be directed upward to the sink for frequent emptying and draining.
Dehumidifier size and capacity
When choosing a dehumidifier, it’s crucial to find the right size for your space.
Most dehumidifiers are classified according to their range, the area they are expected to dehumidify, and their volume (usually measured in how many pints of water they can extract from the air per day). Typical coverage for a common floor-standing dehumidifier is 1,500 to 4,500 square feet. Capacity is typically 20 to 70 pints of water per day. Note that this capacity does not necessarily represent the volume of a given model’s reservoir; in order to extract the maximum number of pints from the air per day, the unit must be allowed to drain continuously via a hose, or the tank must be manually drained as often as needed .
As for the size of the dehumidifier itself, if you want to dehumidify an average-sized room in your home (i.e. not a closet or bathroom), the dehumidifier will typically be placed on the floor and have a relatively large footprint. The average depth in this listing is about 12 inches, width is about 15 inches, and height is about 24 inches. There are some smaller units that can sit on a counter, dresser, or tabletop, but these units are typically only effective at dehumidifying small enclosed spaces and have much less ability to collect condensation.
Dehumidifier features
Dehumidifiers come with a variety of controls, including a sleep timer, custom humidity settings, and multiple speeds.
In addition to range and capacity, there are many other features you may want to consider when purchasing a dehumidifier. Some models have smart features, which means you can monitor and control them remotely when they’re connected to your home Wi-Fi. Models with a pump allow you to drain water up into the sink without having to rely on gravity. If you run a dehumidifier in a humid, cold environment, the defrost function may be an attractive feature. Dehumidifiers can also have a variety of controls, including sleep timers, custom humidity settings, and multiple speeds.
