The best dehumidifier for a damp home
We tested 9 dehumidifiers in a damp basement and a windowless bathroom. The DryAir 20L pulled the most water out of the air per kWh.
Sarah Miller
Ryan Mitchell, editor-in-chief
August 28, 2026
4 weeks · 9 models
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In this guide
Our picks at a glance
DryAir 20L
Collects 14 liters a day while using less power than most smaller models.
Read the full review
Aqua Stop 12
Enough for a bathroom or a small bedroom.
Read the full review
DryAir 30 Pro
With a drain hose connection, so it can run day and night.
Read the full reviewPrices checked September 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Prices may change.
Why you can trust us
Sarah Miller has tested home appliances since 2017 and previously spent five years at a consumer advocacy group. For this guide we tested 9 models over 4 weeks in our test house. We bought most models ourselves; loaned units were returned after testing. Manufacturers don’t see our conclusions before publication.
Who is this for?
A dehumidifier helps against condensation, mold and a musty smell. It’s especially useful in a basement, a north-facing bedroom or for drying laundry indoors.
How we tested
Each unit ran for 48 hours in the same sealed room. We measured how many liters of water it collected, its power use and the noise on night mode.
Test setup in our test house in Columbus. Photo: BrasQ
Our full test methodTest results compared
| Model | Rank | Test score | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| DryAir 20L | Our pick | 8.9 | $279 |
| Aqua Stop 12 | Budget pick | 7.7 | $149 |
| DryAir 30 Pro | Upgrade | 9.1 | $399 |
Test score based on our fixed weighting scheme. Price from: lowest price on September 30, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What humidity level is ideal?
Indoors, humidity between 40 and 60 percent is healthy. Above 70 percent, mold grows faster.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
Our pick used 0.24 kWh per hour on average. Eight hours a day, that’s about $10 a month at $0.17 per kWh.
- Test protocol for dehumidifiers, BrasQ (2026)
- Manufacturer specifications and manuals
- Prices and availability checked.
- First version published after testing 9 models.
Sarah has tested vacuums, mops, air purifiers and dehumidifiers since 2017. Before joining BrasQ, she spent five years as a test coordinator at a national consumer advocacy group. She studied industrial design at Ohio State and lives in Columbus with her family and a long-haired cat.
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