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Best Small Dehumidifier

Best Small Dehumidifier [9 Reviewed]

This post was last updated on: Friday, October 1, 2024
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Finding the best small dehumidifier can be daunting, especially if you want one that delivers full-size dehumidification. There are innumerable choices out there on the market, but most of the marketing material for each of them suggests that each is better than the last.

So, how do you distinguish between each one—let alone figure out which one is the best dehumidifier for you? That’s exactly what this guide is about. We’ll fill you in on how different types of dehumidifiers work and what capabilities and features you should be looking for.

While online descriptions often try to make it sound as if each dehumidifier is going to be the best, the truth is that you need to choose your favorite small dehumidifier not just by price, size, or type—you need to factor all of these and more into the equation.

What might work absolutely perfectly for one household, in one particular type of space, won’t perform nearly as well in another situation. Once you’ve taken all of the above into account, however, you’ll find it’s much easier for you to choose the model that fits your household’s needs.

We’ll help you do just that, and on top of it all, we’ll give you some of our favorite recommendations, too. You might choose one of our favorites, or you might not—but either way, we’ll give you the tools you need to know how to choose the one that’s best for you.

The Best Small Dehumidifiers: At a Glance

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The Best Small Dehumidifier: A Round-Up

Finding the best dehumidifier can be a headache. They all seem to have their good points—but which one is best suited for your needs? We’ve given you a roundup of some of the best on the market right here—and what we think they’re best for.

Overall Best Pick: Honati Home Dehumidifier

This tiny, quiet, yet effective dehumidifier is the perfect option for small spaces. Packed with tons of helpful features like safety-oriented automatic shut off, one-button operation, and reduced noise, you’ll love this little dehumidifier.

You’ll see that Honati, as a brand, comes up a few times on our list. That’s because they’re one of the top manufacturers of quality small dehumidifiers on the market, and it should come as no surprise that our overall favorite comes from their product line.

Pros

  • If it’s simplicity you’re looking for, you’ll find it in this little streamlined unit. You’ll have the satisfaction of watching the water reservoir fill, accompanied by nothing but a little bit of white noise—and all you have to do is turn it on.
  • No complicated settings, no timers, just plug it in and hit the on button. While more complex features can be a plus, they also open up the potential for more malfunctions.
  • If your space and your needs are small and straightforward, you really can’t ask for a better option.

Cons

  • Simplicity is great—but it can be a little bit of an annoyance, if, for example, you are tracking the humidity of a particular space.
  • Aside from what you empty from this unit, you don’t really have any indication of whether it’s working or not.
  • It also doesn’t work well below 59 degrees, and not at all below 50 degrees.

Premium: Honati Small Dehumidifier with Air Purifier

This is our premium pick—it pairs Honati’s dependable performance at dehumidifying with a built-in purification system that’s a major plus. We all know that moist, damp air can harbor all kinds of baddies—allergens, mold, mildew, and so on. This two-in-one gets rid of the moisture while outputting air that isn’t just dryer, but cleaner, thanks to its advanced filters.

Honati scores several spots on our list for good reason.  We didn’t choose this as the overall top choice because if you really don’t need an air purifier, then it’s an unnecessary feature—but on the other hand, why wouldn’t you want one?! A standard filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter made this our premium choice because it provides you with premium air!

Emptying the water receptacle is a little clumsy—this isn’t a big issue, since mostly when you want a mini dehumidifier, you’re not using it in a large, high-moisture spot, so you won’t be emptying it often. However, if you ARE going to be emptying this guy more than once a day, it could get on your nerves pretty quickly. It’s easy to remove the receptacle, but actually emptying it requires separating two parts in a way that isn’t super intuitive or elegant.

Pros

  • One of the primary reasons for wanting to remove humid air from the environment is the smell—that musty, damp, dirty smell. If you’re battling a moist, musty odor, why not hit it with a one-two punch?
  • This perfect pairing of a dehumidifier and air purifier is an exceptional choice if that’s what you’re looking for. Plus—you can run the air-purifying mode separate from the dehumidifier, so it’s truly a two in one system.

Cons

  • Emptying the water receptacle is a little cumbersome

Runner Up #1: Hysure Dehumidifier,700ml

Super quiet, super portable, and very affordable. Not overflowing with features, but has everything you absolutely need.

No compressor or moving parts make this one of the most whisper-quiet units in its class. And it’s tiny and dainty enough to fit right on your desk or counter—truly a compact “mini” option. Like our top pick, it’s a one-button operation machine, so you don’t have to fiddle with settings. Hysure is a relatively new competitor in this industry, but they’re already proving themselves with this tiny powerhouse.

Pros

  • This little guy really gets the job done—if you give it a chance.
  • It works great in warm, small spaces—so great you might find yourself emptying it more than you’d expect.

Cons

  • On the other side of that coin, you can’t expect this unit to perform under less than ideal conditions, especially when it comes to temperature.
  • It will not work in cold temps, which the product description is very clear about—but this seems to come as a surprise to certain reviewers out there.

Runner Up #2: 2020 Electric Mini Dehumidifier, 1500Cubic Feet (170 sq ft)

A very respectable choice if you have a small room or closet that needs dehumidifying.

This is an adorable, very tiny dehumidifier that is absolutely ideal for very small spaces. It’s certainly not going to do much in a large space, or even one that’s not well contained—but for the right space, it’s a great choice.

Pros

  • This is one of the smallest choices on our list, and it’s not just small—it’s really nicely designed.
  • It’s a really affordable model that looks like a much more pricey option, so if aesthetics are important to you, this is one of the best choices out there.

Cons

  • The most obvious con is that the capabilities of this model are very limited in terms of size and needing pretty optimal conditions to perform well.
  • One other thing to note—it needs plenty of airflow around it to work well, so it’s not going to do its best if you stick it in a corner.

Runner Up #3: Honati Small Dehumidifier

A winner from Honati in the ultra-small category. If you have a bathroom that doesn’t have a fan   or a walk-in closet that you need to keep fresh and dry, this may well end up being your first choice.

Honati scores another winner! This is a mini model that is best suited to small, closed spaces like bathrooms, closets, and RVs.

Pros

  • The sleek, minimalist design is absolutely gorgeous. This very small model is extremely quiet, and the soothing green light lets you know it’s working.
  • One of our favorites if you’re looking for something small and unobtrusive.

Cons

  • Our only complaint—assuming you place this in an appropriately small, closed space—is that the reservoir isn’t transparent. Once you get used to the rate of fluid collection, it’s fine, but at first, you’ll want to be checking it quite frequently.
  • The auto-shutoff is great but if you intend to keep it working twenty-four/seven, it can be a little frustrating to realize it’s been off for some time.

Most Popular: Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier, 1200 Cubic Feet (150 sq ft)

Low energy consumption, quiet operation, and a compact build make this mini dehumidifier incredibly popular—helped quite a bit by the fact that it’s also very budget friendly.

The 18 oz reservoir is a nice addition to this already very functional and user-friendly model. And you don’t have to worry about timing when it comes to emptying it; it has an auto switch off, as well as an indicator light that shows when it’s full.

Pros

  • The Peltier cooling technology keeps this awesome little dehumidifier quiet enough to make it a great addition to your bedroom, or even a nursery.

Cons

  • While this model itself has a great track record, Vremi isn’t known for having the best customer service in the business. There’s no denying that the price is great, but some people might prefer to pay a little more for a company that offers longer-term customer support.

Cheapest: Vremi 1 Pint Compact Portable Dehumidifier

Small but mighty, this 1-pint unit has a formidable list of features with an almost unbelievably low price tag.

Slightly under five pounds, this isn’t the most compact on our list, but it is still very powerful for its relatively small size.

Pros

  • Powerful and wonderfully affordable for small spaces in warm environments—RVs, for example, are a great use-case for this unit.

Cons

  • As with the last entry on our list, be aware that Vremi isn’t as conscientious about their customer service as some of the other brands we’ve reviewed.

The Best Small Desiccant Dehumidifier

So far, our list has focused on electrically powered, condensation/temperature based dehumidifiers that use some variety of temperature sink to collect moisture from the air. Typically, those types of units output warmer, drier air than they take in.

Desiccant dehumidifiers, on the other hand, do not use condensation. Instead, they use a chemical (called a desiccant) to accomplish the same thing. There are several different types of desiccant dehumidifiers, from tiny disposable moisture absorbers to full-sized units.

There are definite pros and cons to choosing a desiccant dehumidifier over a condensation technology dehumidifier. One of the cons is that they are typically limited in terms of effectiveness in anything but a small space. However, if you’re already in the market for a small dehumidifier, that might be perfect!

They do, however, have some advantages over other dehumidifiers, especially smaller sized units. One of the most important is their ability to work in lower temperatures. Since the chemicals they use typically aren’t temperature dependent, this can be a big advantage.

While some full-sized dehumidifiers can handle cold temps, you’re looking at a considerably larger profile, plus they still can’t usually perform effectively at temps as low as a chemical dehumidifier. Not to mention the fact that you’ll have to pay a great deal more to dehumidify a small, cold space with one.

Desiccant dehumidifiers are a specialized option, and while it might be argued that thermal sink dehumidifiers have a wider range of useable situations, there are certainly some situations where you might want one—which is why we’ve included two mini desiccant dehumidifiers in our round-up.

Premium: Ivation 13-Pint Small-Area Desiccant Dehumidifier

Designed with very small spaces in mind and ideal for cold temperatures—and with a washable filter—this is everything a small-area desiccant dehumidifier should be.

Great for drying out damp laundry, reducing mold and mildew, getting rid of bad smells, and of course, regulating condensation in your small spaces. If you’ve ever dealt with flood or water burst conditions in a cool climate or season, you’ll definitely want one of these on standby.

Pros

  • This unit is particularly popular with RV goers since they often still need dehumidifying even on cooler nights—sometimes ESPECIALLY on cooler nights.
  • Low power usage is a huge plus in these circumstances, too.

Cons

  • Unfortunately, this particular unit does seem to develop the habit of making a louder noise over time. If you want a long-term solution that stays quiet—very reasonable expectation for the price—you might want to shop around.

Cheapest: New and Improved Eva-dry E-333

This is a “rechargeable” desiccant dehumidifier. It requires no power, and no batteries for dehumidifying; you just need to plug it in to recharge it. Internal crystals change from orange to green when the unit needs to be renewed. They’re quite reliable but be aware that the unit doesn’t feature any LED or other lighting—part of what makes it so convenient as a powerless option, aside from recharging.

Very inexpensive, very easy to use, and very reliable—depending on how humid the area is, you’ll need to check it often, but these convenient models can last up to 10 years.

Pros

  • You can’t really find anything as small, effective, inexpensive, and wireless.
  • The five-year warranty isn’t anything to sneeze at either, especially considering the price.

Cons

  • If the space you want to dehumidify is very, very humid, the 8-10 hour recharge time can be something of a headache. That said, these are inexpensive enough to buy two to rotate.

Honorable Mentions

The following dehumidifiers didn’t reach our top list—but we still found them worthy of being mentioned. Here’s a quick rundown of what we liked—and didn’t—about each of them.

Eva-dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier

Extremely quiet—in fact, the quietest in its class. Super portable and very energy efficient. However, it seems to be prone to breakdowns in extremely high humidity areas.

Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier

Very portable, and has a high capacity reservoir for its size—52 oz. It performs up to standard but has a high electricity draw that might make a more expensive unit more worthwhile.

New and Improved Eva-dry E-500 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier

Amazon’s Choice for a safe dehumidifier, which makes sense for this tiny desiccant unit. Biggest con? While this model is equipped with larger Eva-dry silica gel beads than other Eva-dry models, they don’t seem to recharge as well as the smaller silica gel beads. They take a bit longer and don’t seem to have as many recharges.

SEAVON New Electric 2020 Mini Dehumidifier

Tiny, and with a large capacity for its size. It works well for an average humidity small space, but a small space with extreme humidity will easily overwhelm it.

hOmeLabs Small Space Dehumidifier

Extremely quiet and a great value. Not an incredible performer for lowering humidity, however, even under ideal conditions. If you’re looking for a very small unit, it might be worth spending a bit more, or choose a larger model in the same price range, although they might not be as quiet.

Ivation IVADM35

Peltier tech gives this model very quiet operation, and it performs as desired. However, there are cheaper models around the same size that perform as well, and as quietly.

Afloia Electric Home Dehumidifier

Extremely small and performs fantastically for its size. However, its small form factor also means emptying frequently, and of course, it won’t work in any spaces that are even closed to midsized. Even in very small spaces, like standard closets, the space needs to be very enclosed.

KEDSUM Electric Mini Dehumidifier

This model comes in a few different sizes, which can be a great option when you’re trying to find the perfect fit for your space. However, it really only works well in temperate climates—don’t expect much from it at very low or even especially high temperatures.

Gurin Thermo Electric Mini Dehumidifier

This plug and play unit pulls a decent amount of water out of the air for its size. That said, it’s not intended for super-high humidity areas. The biggest complaint is that it just simply works too slowly to get the job done if you have a very high humidity space.

Hysure Direct ysure Dehumidifier

Quiet, and with Hysure’s exceptional customer service, this little unit is quite popular with some buyers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be incredibly consistent when it comes to performance. If it interests you—or you particularly want a mini-unit that comes in black—try it out. If it doesn’t perform up to snuff, let Hysure know.

Pure Enrichment Deluxe Mini Dehumidifier

This model does what it’s supposed to. The biggest complaint we have here is simply the price. And while it’s subjective, there are definitely sleeker, more attractive units out there that perform just as well and cost less.

Hysure Quiet and Portable Dehumidifier

This is a more reasonably priced model from Hysure but unfortunately seems to be of a cheaper make than some other units in the same class. In particular, the plug doesn’t seem to be well made, which leads to more failures than we’d really like to see in one of our top favorites.

InvisiPure Hydrowave Dehumidifier

This model is at a good price point, and sometimes it works great. The bad luck seems to be that even units that perform well sometimes are a bit inconsistent about it—in seemingly similar conditions in terms of space, temperature, and humidity, whether or not it performs exceptionally seems to be very hit and miss.

SEAVON Electric Dehumidifier

This is a really fantastic model, but the best use case is vanishingly small—it’s basically designed to be used above 80 degrees Fahrenheit and below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you have that sort of space—perhaps a garage in a hot climate that isn’t climate controlled—it’s worth it.

Jese Small Dehumidifier

One of the things we really love about the Jese brand is how cute they are. Of course, you might not be looking for cute, but it’s one of their distinguishing features. We don’t really have any particular complaints about this unit, but it doesn’t have the long-term positive track record as our heavy-hitting faves because it’s pretty new on the scene.

LATITOP Small Dehumidifier

Generally great reports on this unit and our testers confirmed the same. The only big complaint we have that it doesn’t seem to have a very long lifespan.

Hysure Portable Mini Dehumidifier

A great little unit with a recommended use-case of 80+ relative humidity and over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also a great value, just choose it carefully to make sure it can perform when and where you need it.

People Also Ask

Of course, the top question for anyone shopping for a small dehumidifier is going to be “Which one is best?” But that’s probably not the only question on your mind—so we’ve tackled a couple of other frequently asked questions about this dehumidifier category.

Are Mini Dehumidifiers Any Good?

If they weren’t, why would they be such a popular sale item? Okay—we know, that doesn’t quite answer what you’re asking. The full answer is a bit more nuanced.

First, do they work at all?

Yes, they certainly do—but to get the type of performance you’re looking for, you’ll need to make sure they have optimum conditions. There are some full-sized and commercial dehumidifiers that are extremely versatile.

Mini dehumidifiers don’t tend to be extremely versatile. That doesn’t mean they’re not great, it just means that they’re pretty specialized. When you’re shopping for one, you need to think pretty carefully about the space that you want to have them in, and collect some information about it—for example:

What temperature ranges do you usually have in the space?

Different dehumidifier types, and individual models within those types, are designed for different temperature ranges. When you read over reviews, pay attention to those that reference the temperature conditions of the space in which the model was used. Often, negative reviews are a result of using the model at too low or too high of a temperature.

What size is the space?

It should go without saying that the effectiveness of a small or large dehumidifier is going to be dependent on the size of the space in which it will be used. You may be able to get away with a dehumidifier designed for a slightly smaller space if the larger space is both closed off, and you add additional air movement, like fans—but at that point, you might as well get a larger model.

How often are you willing to check on/empty the dehumidifier?

Some small dehumidifiers will have continuous emptying options, which can be helpful if you have a drain nearby. Others will not. If you are tied to using a reservoir, you’ll need to figure out how often on average it fills up. If you aren’t going to be around to empty it when it does, you’ll want to choose a unit that has an auto-shut-off option.

If you need continuous operation, you’ll need to choose a unit with a reservoir that’s appropriately sized for when you’ll be able to check it, relative to how often it fills up.

How much noise can you tolerate in that area?

Dehumidifiers, with the exception of purely moisture-absorbing desiccant versions, all dehumidifiers make some level of noise. Some make just a bit of white noise that can be quite pleasant for sleeping; others make a louder hum that might be disruptive.

If you’re using it in a place where noise doesn’t really matter, like an unfinished basement, you may prefer to invest in a larger reservoir or a unit with other, more useful features. But if you’re going to use the unit in a bedroom or nursery, or in a family room, pay attention to decibel ratings.

Another aspect that some people don’t consider is how often the unit cycles on and off. A steady hum might be just fine, but if the unit is constantly kicking on and off, it can be problematic in some spaces.

What is the current relative humidity, and what is the desired relative humidity?

Larger, full-featured units will often allow you to set the range of desired relative humidity yourself. With smaller and more budget units, you won’t be able to do this. You can, however, read the specifications carefully to see if the unit is designed for the relative humidity in your space, and how much it can be expected to lower it.

Once you know these things about the area where you want to place the dehumidifier, then you have the basics you need to choose one that works well for you.

How Do Small Dehumidifiers Work?

There are a variety of different ways that dehumidifiers work. Some use chemicals to remove moisture from the air. Those that use chemicals are called desiccant dehumidifiers. Those that don’t use chilled pipes or a chilled tank to cause condensation.

Essentially, they pull in humid air and use these chilled pipes or chilled tanks to cause condensation, which they collect into a tank. They output drier air. Some use refrigerants to chill their coils, others use other means.

Those that use refrigerants are usually the most effective, but they require a larger form factor to work. If you’re looking for a much smaller unit, then you’ll have to opt for one that doesn’t. These smaller dehumidifiers do tend to use less energy than their larger counterparts, though, and that might make their specialized nature worth it.

Other Dehumidifier Tips

Regardless of which small dehumidifier you buy, you’ll want to do what you can to ensure that it works as well as possible. Here are some things that you can do to get the most from your dehumidifier:

  1. Fix ongoing issues. Obviously, getting a dehumidifier is a great choice for recovering an area that is becoming uncomfortable due to a high humidity level.
  2. In some cases, the source of the humidity itself isn’t something you can address, but in other cases it is:
    1. Prior flooding: In the case of a flood, once the floodwaters have receded, using a dehumidifier is one of the best options you have to help dry out the space. Do whatever you can to waterproof the area once it’s dry.
    2. Slow leaks: In some cases, it isn’t an influx of water due to a storm or anything of the type, it’s just a slowly leaking foundation or a shower pan that isn’t completely sealed. If this is the problem, then a dehumidifier can help, but you’ll also need to address the source of the leak.
    3. Condensation due to rooms not being well-sealed. Sometimes a dehumidifier can tackle this problem on its own, in other situations, it’s really important to ensure that you improve the overall air-tightness of the space.
  3. Place the humidifier in a good spot. Dehumidifiers need to take in humid air and output less humid air. Before you buy, consider where your new unit’s optimum placement is, and choose a model that will be able to get good airflow in that area. Some can put air out through a vent on top, but others vent to the size; for example—you need to take this into account.
  4. Close windows and doors while the dehumidifier is working for the best results.
  5. Keep fresh filters. Whether the filters in your dehumidifier are washable or disposable, you’ll want to do some maintenance to ensure that they’re working at their best. Set a reminder on your smartphone to replace or wash them if necessary.

Ready to Buy?

You’re now armed with everything you need to know about small dehumidifiers, as well as the information you need to acquire about the intended space to choose one that will fit what you’re looking for. 

You also know how to make sure that whatever dehumidifier you choose will work at its full potential in your chosen space. We’ve also given you a heads up on the pros and cons of each unit and each different brand so that you can be confident in your choice.

The small dehumidifier market continues to grow, due to technological advancements that provide us with smaller dehumidifiers that work more quietly, efficiently, and more conveniently.

Even if you already have a small dehumidifier you love, and you’re just looking for an additional unit, it might be worth looking into whether or not it’s a good idea to replace your existing unit as well. Because of continuing advances, you might find that a new unit will perform just as well or better—and for less than you might think.

If there was ever a good time to choose a new small dehumidifier, it’s now! If you have any questions or anything to add, let us know!