A warm and humid environment provides a thriving breeding ground for mold spores and mildew. That is why bathrooms and basements seem to be the most affected. Mold causes hypersensitive reactions, such as wheezing, fever, shortness of breath, and itchy eyes and skin, and aggravates other respiratory infections like asthma. This review looks at the best dehumidifier for mold which can effectively reduce excess moisture from the air and restore optimal humidity levels.
We focused on the key features to consider when looking for the right dehumidifier. The dehumidification performance is obviously a prominent factor because you need a model that actually works. Next is the coverage area to match it with the space you intend to reduce excess moisture, and the dimensions and weight to ensure the unit fits in that space. Both the tank capacity and the continuous drain option matter because they extend the runtime and reduce or eliminate the need for frequent emptying. Other features we evaluated were the noise level for a quiet operation and the warrant for mitigation against any future malfunctions and damage. Based on these, our Editor’s Choice goes to the Vremi 22-Pint Dehumidifier .
Based on feedback from buyers and reliable review sites, we were able to compile a list of the models that make the best dehumidifiers for mold. For ease of navigation, we have included a comparison table that ranks the models according to their performance and a comprehensive buying guide that delves into the key features in detail. You will also find detailed reviews of each model, a helpful FAQ section, and a summary of our top three picks.
More features: 30 Pint 2012 DOE Standard, Turbo mode, removable water tank
Next is the Vremi 22-Pint Dehumidifier with coverage for medium to relatively large rooms. This option is efficient enough to eliminate 22 pints of moisture in the air per day and even manages to be energy star certified while doing so. As such, we noticed it doesn’t use up much energy.
The outlook of the Vremi is sleek and will probably look stylish in many room settings. Also, it doesn’t need to be installed in one room in the house. It comes with wheels and convenient handles so you can put it in whichever room needs it the most.
Additionally, the water tank in this option has a capacity of slightly over 100 oz. This is likely to fill up relatively quickly and, as a result, will need frequent emptying. The dehumidifier even turns off automatically whenever the tank is full.
However, you can also opt for the continuous drain option available in the machine if you’d much rather avoid the hassle. That said, the drainpipe is not a part of the initial purchase and will have to be bought separately.
Users can pick their most ideal moisture settings before leaving the device to work independently. Additionally, the device comes with a relatively quiet fan. However, there is an extra turbo mode that increases moisture removal and the machine’s efficiency by increasing fan speed.
More features: timer; 3 fan speeds; digital humidistat display
Sizeable coverage, continuous drain option, integrated humidistat with digital display, air filter, and power outage restart are features you will rarely find in the best dehumidifier for mold under $200. That is what makes this model so impressive. No wonder it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee; the seller is confident that we will love it, and the high ratings by awed customers who say they were pleased with the purchase and the performance show that they unanimously chose to keep it. You would, too.
It has a large water tank capacity which can hold 128 ounces of moisture extracted in rooms measuring up to 1,500 square feet. You can skip emptying the tank by connecting a ¾-inch garden hose for continuous drainage into an external drainage outlet using gravity.
The three fan speeds produce 48, 50 and 52 decibels on low, medium and high setting respectively.
The digital humidistat displays the current humidity levels while the timer allows you to schedule or set dehumidification to run at intervals of two or four hours. Once power is restored after an outage, this 30-pint dehumidifier resumes operation with the settings that were in place before the power outage.
Safety features include a full tank indicator and auto shut-off when the tank is full, and automatic defrost control which prevents ice build-up in low temperatures.
The UL-listed model comes with a filter which protects you against harmful airborne particles. A filter cleaning indicator light illuminates after 250 hours of usage to remind you to clean the filter.
There have been few reports of this dehumidifier warming the room a bit when running for an extended period of time.
More features: Energy Star certified; auto defrost; inbuilt humidistat
If you are experiencing itchy skin, red eyes, wheezing, and breathing difficulty you may be allergic to mold, mildew and other allergens which multiply in high humidity levels. People who are prone to hypersensitive reactions need the best dehumidifier for mold allergies which comes with a filter for extra protection. This model not only draws 50 pints of excess moisture in a day, but it also comes with a washable, eco-friendly air filter which captures allergens and reduces your maintenance costs because you can rinse and use it again. A filter alert reminds you when it is due for a cleaning.
You will also get an alert when the 166-ounce capacity water tank fills up, and the dehumidifier will automatically shut off to prevent the extracted moisture from overflowing. Alternatively, you can connect a hose to use the continuous drain option to divert the water to an external drainage system.
The RHT meter displays the current humidity level, and the programmable humidistat allows you to set your preferred one. You can also set the timer for the unit to run at a convenient time to save energy, and alternate between regular and turbo fan speeds according to your humidity needs. These settings are accessed on a user-friendly LCD interface.
An extra-long six-foot power cord is included with this Energy Star certified model for more placement options.
It is undoubtedly the best dehumidifier for mold under $200, covering up to 3,000 square feet of space regardless of temperature. The auto-defrost feature allows operation in low temperature and protects the coils from ice build-up.
The only issue we came across is that some owners struggle with placing the water tank back into the unit after emptying.
More features: low temperature operation; 3 fan speeds
If you have a large room or plenty of humidity, then this would be the best dehumidifier for your bathroom, basement, and mold. It is equipped with a large tank that can hold up to 210 ounces of the drawn moisture and a full tank alert to notify you when it is due for emptying, and in case there is a lot of moisture which will need constant emptying, the continuous drainage option comes handy. This option is what makes this dehumidifier very suitable for basements. You can just attach a hose to the unit, position the dehumidifier near an external drainage and forget about it.
Another feature that proves its aptness for basements is the low-temperature operation which enables this dehumidifier to maintain top performance while preventing ice build-up on the coils and reducing your energy bill.
The electronic controls allow you to set the timer for the unit to run for your preferred duration, and adjust both the humidity settings and the three fan speeds. The dehumidifier is integrated with a digital humidity readout which displays the current humidity levels. Some owners reported inaccuracies with the humidistat, though.
To improve mobility and portability from one room to another, the 47-pound unit features caster wheels, side handles, and a top handle. It also generates little noise, peaking at 51 decibels on high speed.
More features: operates at 35dB in sleeping mode
Generally, mini dehumidifiers are designed to remove excess moisture in small spaces like cabinets, wardrobes, closets, bedrooms, nurseries, small bathrooms, or in a car. This is why most of them do not offer the continuous drainage option since the tank will not fill up with moisture quickly. The water tank in this model has a capacity of 23.7 ounces. An LED indicator light turns red when the tank is full, and the dehumidifier shuts off automatically to prevent water from overflowing.
You can opt between two modes, normal and sleep, depending on your humidity needs and the level of quietness you prefer. Since this model uses Peltier technology which does not consist of a compressor, it runs quietly on both settings, producing only 35 decibels on sleep mode. The lack of a compressor also makes it compact and light enough – it weighs a negligible 1.2 pounds – to install on a nightstand, under closet shelves, or virtually any tight spaces.
In addition to preventing mold, the highly rated dehumidifier also eliminates musty odor using a patented Energy Recycle System technology.
Customers who have purchased this model consider it the best mini dehumidifier for bath mold and mildew. They love its low energy consumption and its compactness and quietness, comparing its normal mode to the lowest setting on other dehumidifiers. A few noted heating of the part that connects to the wall socket.
This guide looks at the dangers that mold and mildew pose to us, our belongings and our surrounding, so you can understand why it is vital to get the right features in your intended model. We have also analyzed these key features in detail, including examples of models from our list above of the best dehumidifier for mold.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source Facts about Stachybotrys chartarum - CDC Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds may cause health symptoms that are nonspecific. It is not necessary to determine what type of mold you may have growing in your home or other building. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal. www.cdc.gov , exposure to mold can cause hypersensitive reactions like wheezing stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin, or severe reactions like fever and shortness of breath. It may also lead to the development of asthma.
Other issues include headaches, nosebleeds, memory problems, and mood swings.
California Department of Public Health Trusted Source Mold and Dampness - CDPH We know that dampness and mold cause health effects both in allergic and non-allergic people. If you can see mold, water damage, or moisture, or smell mold, there is at least some increased health risk. The more extensive or severe the dampness and mold, the greater the risk of health effects. We do not know whether specific types of mold are responsible, or whether bacteria or chemical emissions related to dampness also cause some of the health problems. www.cdph.ca.gov lists the health effects most associated with dampness and mildew as:
Generally, your reaction to mold will be determined by the type of mold, the level of exposure and your susceptibility to it.
The following features will ensure you get the best protection and the utmost convenience from your dehumidifier for mold.
This is important to ensure you get a dehumidifier that will sufficiently optimize the humidity levels in your intended room without getting overwhelmed. Measure your space, including the height, to match it with the model designed for that size of coverage.
If you are unsure, always go for a dehumidifier with a larger coverage than your room because it will be better equipped to handle any drastic changes in humidity levels.
Water tank capacity often corresponds with the size of coverage. Models with extensive coverage feature large water tanks which can accommodate the large amount of excess moisture removed from the air. If your room has high humidity levels, you will need a spacious water tank to collect the high volume of drawn moisture. Otherwise, you will have to empty the tank frequently. One way you can get around this is by purchasing a model with continuous drain option.
This is one of the most convenient features in a dehumidifier for mold, especially where there are high levels of humidity which subsequently produce large amounts of extracted moisture. In the absence of this option, you would be forced to empty the rapidly-filling water tank numerous times. The Ivation 50-Pint Dehumidifier, Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier, and Tosot 30 Pint Dehumidifier feature continuous drainage option which lets you connect a hose to the dehumidifier, and then divert the water to an external drainage system like a sink or sewage. Since these models do not have pumps, you have to position the dehumidifier at an upper level to the drainage system so the water can drain using gravity.
Dehumidifiers use fans which are responsible for the noise produced. That is why changing the speed of the fan to a lower setting generates a quieter sound.
For example, the number of decibels produced by Tosot 30 Pint Dehumidifier reduces from 52 to 50 to 48 decibels as the fan speed decreases from high to medium to low respectively.
Dehumidifiers with pumps and compressors are louder than those which use thermoelectric or Peltier technology, such as OXA Smart Mini Dehumidifier, because of the additional buzz and vibration.
You will obviously need a dehumidifier that will fit into your intended room and one that can be easily moved from one room to another if the need arises. There’re many types and sizes of these appliances available. Crawl space dehumidifiers are designed compact yet powerful to cover large spaces. RV dehumidifiers are usually tiny and are unable to cover more than 200 square feet.
Size also matters because it is an excellent indication of the dehumidifier coverage area. Models designed for usage in small rooms are compact and portable so they can fit in tight spaces such as closets, cabinets, and cars. Larger areas require massive water tanks to collect a large amount of extracted moisture, which makes those units big in size. The best demonstration of this is OXA Smart Mini Dehumidifier with dimensions of 5.9 x 7.1 x 7.1 inches versus Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier which measures 24.5 x 15 x 11.7 inches.
If the unit is fairly large and bulky, manufacturers often add handles and wheels for smooth mobility.
Look for a warranty that will shield you from future malfunctions and damage for a long time. Check out for extra incentives like the 30-day money back guarantee offered for the Tosot 30 Pint Dehumidifier.
Identify situations that may void your warranty, such as using a hose drain for a model with no continuous drainage option.
LED/LCD indicators: They display warnings and reminders, such as full tank indicator light and filter cleaning reminder.
Controls: They allow you to select and switch settings. Most of the models in our review have multiple options which can be selected on a digital screen.
Speeds: Variable speed gives you more control on the level of output and the noise generated.
Auto shut-off: The dehumidifier automatically switches off to avoid accidental overflowing when the tank is full.
Humidistat: It displays the current humidity level and can be programmed to your preferred humidity settings.
Filter: Filters clean the air of impurities and protect the dehumidifier from damage from obstruction by debris. A washable and recyclable filter, as seen in Ivation 50-Pint Dehumidifier and Tosot 30 Pint Dehumidifier, will save you money on replacement costs.
Auto-defrost: These are sensors which prevent the ice build-up in coils that occurs in very low temperature.
Timer: It lets you schedule both the start time and the duration for moisture removal, thus saving energy.
Automatic restart after a power outage: Tosot 30 Pint Dehumidifier has this capability where it resumes operation with the settings saved prior to the power outage.
Industrial certifications: This includes Energy Star for Ivation 50-Pint Dehumidifier and UL-listing for the Tosot 30 Pint Dehumidifier, among others.
Our top pick is the Vremi 22-Pint Dehumidifier. It is an efficient and stylish option for eliminating moisture in the air. It is easy to use and maintain, and its water tank holds a decent amount of water. The machine also has a quiet fan and a turbo mode for increased efficiency.
The Tosot 30 Pint Dehumidifier is an excellent dehumidifier with many features that are rare in models under $200. It is perfect for larger rooms up to 1,500 square feet and has a continuous drainage option to make emptying the tank unnecessary. With three fan speeds, a digital humidistat, and automatic defrost control, this dehumidifier is sure to meet your needs.
And last but not least is the Ivation 50-Pint Dehumidifier. It has a filter to capture allergens and a washable, eco-friendly air filter. Additionally, it has a programmable humidistat and timer. And it is Energy Star certified, making it one of the best dehumidifiers for mold.
