Muggy environments are the worst. In my opinion, of course. The air is oppressively thick with moisture, you’re sweaty and uncomfortable, and there’s this strong sense of impending doom. Lol. Ok, it’s not that bad. Especially if we have access to dehumidifiers to remedy the situation. Let’s talk about the best small dehumidifiers in the market – which are perfect for smaller spaces, and also don’t require too much energy to run.
Dehumidifiers help with reducing the moisture in the air. Humid spaces can be uncomfortable, yes, but prolonged humidity can also cause mold and mildew in the house. Which is bad for our health.
Dehumidifiers are effective devices to remove excess moisture from the air, but you don’t need to get a heavy-duty (read: expensive) dehumidifier straight off the bat. Small dehumidifiers can work very well for small spaces in your apartment, even in tandem with your eco-friendly air conditioning system or your eco-friendly space heater in winter. Plus, they’re portable, so you can move them from room to room according to your needs.
Psst, if you want to find out how to increase indoor humidity in winter, we have a post for that.
How Effective are Small Dehumidifiers?
Small dehumidifiers are perfect if you want to remove moisture within smaller spaces. How small, you ask? Think spaces such as your bedroom closet, or your bathroom, your car, or RV. Small dehumidifiers are portable and battery-operated, so you can imagine the extent of their effect. But within those constraints, they do work very effectively.
1 / Size Considerations
When considering which small dehumidifier to buy, look out for the size. After all, why go for a large one if you want it to work for small spaces? Make sure it’s lightweight and easy to carry around, and that the water canister is compact and watertight. Also, check up on what type of batteries are required, since you’ll be buying them again later.
If humidity is a regular occurrence in your house, consider opting for a whole-house dehumidifier, which works very well in spaces of up to 4,000 square feet.
If the space is much smaller, then first measure the area of the room. You will also need to have an estimate of the humidity in the room. You could measure it using a humidity meter, or you could just guesstimate it from the dampness in the walls and ceilings. Consider speaking to a professional at the store if you are unable to decide.
Now, on to the drying capacity of the dehumidifier. The drying capacity is rated as the amount of moisture it can remove from the air in a 24-hour period, and is measured in pints of water.
So, here’s a handy guide for you:
34–40-pint capacity dehumidifier can cover a 500-1,500 sq. ft. room
40–60-pint capacity dehumidifier can cover a 1,000–2,500 sq. ft. room
60+ pint capacity is used to tackle 2,500 square feet and above
2 / Humidity Levels
Go for a dehumidifier that has automated controls to monitor and set humidity levels. Humidity levels should optimally be between 40–50% in the summer and 30–50% in winter. Some dehumidifiers come with a built-in hygrometer that measures and displays humidity levels. Some have an adjustable humidistat that allows you to key in the desired humidity level to be automatically and constantly maintained.
3 / Water Storage & Tank Size
The dehumidifier’s tank capacity is an important factor to consider. Since we’re looking at small dehumidifiers, consider getting one that has continuous drainage. A small countertop dehumidifier with drain hose would be ideal. Some dehumidifiers have an energy-efficient heat pump that uses evaporation technology to solve this particular problem.
4 / Noise Levels
If you’re someone who is bothered by ambient noises, then consider small dehumidifiers that function at under 45 decibels. Fancier dehumidifiers come with functions such as auto shut off and smart features to control it through your Wifi.
5 / Warranty
And finally, check for a good warranty timeframe. Since the dehumidifier involves water and electricity, you need to have reasonable repair and replacement assurances.
Which are the Best Small Dehumidifiers?
Here, we have rounded up some of the best small dehumidifiers you can consider for your small space.
1 // Afloia Electric Portable Dehumidifier
Price: $56.99
70-ounce water tank | removes 26 ounces per day | weighs 2.67 pounds | auto-shutoff | two-year free replacements | lifetime support
It’s good looking, sleek, and has just one button, so it’s very foolproof. It can be used in a small bedroom, office, etc.
2 // Pohl Schmitt Mini Dehumidifier
Price: $27.99
17-ounce water tank | removes 10 ounces per day
It’s safe for your children and pets, and has been manufactured without harmful chemicals. It is super quiet and can be used in a small nursery, bedroom, etc. This is also among the best small dehumidifiers for allergy-sufferers.
3 // Pro Breeze Mini Electric Dehumidifier
Price: $69.99
52-ounce water tank | removes 18 ounces per day | auto-shutoff
This small dehumidifier is very convenient to move around to different spaces, and can handle rooms of up to 250 square feet. Plus, it’s extremely quiet since it’s been designed to work without a compressor. Perfect for bedrooms and nurseries, and even in your campervan or RV.
4 // Seavon Electric Dehumidifier
Price: $59.99
16-ounce water tank | removes 11.8 ounces per day | weighs 2.40 pounds | auto-shutoff | one-year warranty | Peltier technology
Quiet and effective, this small dehumidifier is also compact. Perfect for bigger rooms, and even more humid rooms (your laundry room!).
Best Budget Small Dehumidifier
Vavsea Small Dehumidifier
Price: $39.99
53-ounce water tank | weighs 3.30 pounds | auto-shutoff | noise < 30dB
If you’re looking for the best budget small dehumidifier, this is it. It can cover an area of up to 322 square feet. There’s just one button to deal with, it’s quiet, compact, energy-efficient, and gives you bang for your buck. It also looks cool thanks to its colored, translucent reservoir.
Best Eco-friendly Small Dehumidifier
Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier
Price: $16.00
Amazingly, the Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier requires no power to work. What is this sorcery?! Well, it’s filled with silica gel beads, which absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This device is great for very small spaces of up to 48 square feet.
So the way this works is quite cool. The silica gel beads will absorb moisture for up to 4 weeks (or less, depending on the humidity conditions). Once the beads have absorbed as much as it can, they change color from orange to green. This is the indicator that the beads cannot absorb more moisture. So, what do you do now? You plug the dehumidifier into an outlet in a well-ventilated room, where the moisture in the beads will be released into the ambient air. About 8-10 hours later, the beads are back to their orange color and ready to absorb moisture from your humid room.
How awesome is that??
Also, this set-up can last for about ten years – of orange to green to orange to green…without the beads becoming useless. It’s also safe to have in a household with children and pets. It comes with a 5-year warranty.
Any drawbacks? Oh yeah, it only works in tiny spaces: small bedrooms, cars, closets. But isn’t it wonderful?
Another renewable dehumidifier that you can check out is the Afloia Gun Safe Rechargeable Cordless Dehumidifier.
A great way to bring down humidity levels is to also incorporate dehumidifying indoor plants in your home – they look good and work great!
Where is the best place to put a dehumidifier in a house?
Place your dehumidifier unit in an area within your space that has good air circulation, close to the source of moisture, and close to somewhere to drain and refill water. It needs to be placed away from walls and furniture – i.e. away from anything that can block the vents of the device. A good rule is to place the device at least six inches away from anything that could block its vents.
One of the rooms that usually require a dehumidifier is the bathroom. Hot water, steam, moisture, and dampness: a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. The best small dehumidifier for the bathroom is the Afloia Dehumidifier. Similarly, the most suitable small dehumidifier for your car or camper is the compact and portable Pro Breeze Mini Dehumidifier.
Options for Dehumidifying Small Spaces
While these are some of the best small dehumidifiers currently in the market, there are others that may suit your specific purposes better. Take a look around, wait for a good sale, and make your purchase – especially keeping in mind the longevity of the device. We don’t want to buy something that will break apart after two summers.
If you need to humidify your indoor air, then we have a list of eco-friendly humidifiers for your home!
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