Having a dehumidifier is essential for many homeowners dealing with a significant amount of moisture. However, dehumidifiers tend to be quite cumbersome. This might be challenging to find a suitable location or even impossible to use in small spaces.
Luckily, there’s an easy fix to this problem. Small dehumidifiers can be highly effective in small rooms such as laundry rooms or nurseries.
If you’re on the hunt for a small dehumidifier, you’ve come to the right place. Everything you need to know about buying the right size and model for you can be found here. We’ve got the best of the best small dehumidifiers on the market.
- Indicator lights
- User-friendly
- Portable and compact
- For small to medium-sized rooms
- Smart colorful LED lights
- Safety feature
- Excellent support
- Lightweight
- Easy to empty
- Fits on a small table
- Effective
- Quiet
- Compact and portable
- Nearly silent
- Easy to empty
- Translucent reservoir
- Energy-saving
- Excellent for small spaces
- Requires no batteries or power
- Color-changing
- Renewable
Why Choose a Small Dehumidifier?
Small dehumidifiers are obvious choices for small rooms and areas, but that’s not all they’re good for. Regular dehumidifiers can be expensive, large, heavy, and noisy. This could make them tricky to use while you’re in the room.
We prefer small dehumidifiers in common living areas due to the comfortable noise-level. What makes them quieter is the technology used, which is called Peltier. This is used instead of the usual compressor which makes a significant amount of noise.
Peltier technology is also referred to as thermoelectric. It works by absorbing heat on one side and then evaporating it on the other side. So one side heats up while the other stays cool. This temperature difference promotes dehumidification.
This technology is commonly used in devices that are too small for a compressor. It’s also a very reliable technology since there are no moving parts that could break. Compressors will usually cause vibrations and noise.
Despite this, small dehumidifiers also have a few downsides. One is that they generally don’t function as well in colder temperatures (below 41 degrees Fahrenheit). Another flaw is limited capacity — usually, reservoirs can hold anything under 20 ounces, depending on the device.
Finding the Best Small Dehumidifier for You
Living in a humid area can cause your house to feel and smell musty and damp. It can cause mold and mildew to grow and create the perfect environment for common allergy triggers like mites. Luckily, having a small dehumidifier can make a significant difference.
Finding the best small dehumidifier for your needs can be tricky with such a wide variety available on the market. So we’ve created a helpful buyer’s guide to point you in the right direction.
Size
We already know that we want a small dehumidifier, but the size is still something to consider. If you need a dehumidifier for your large basement, size might not matter. However, if you need one for your bedroom, bathroom or closet, space will be compromised.
Small dehumidifiers come in different sizes. Some are designed to easily be placed on a bedside table, while others stand subtly in the corner of a room.
Before choosing a unit, consider where you’d like to use it. A compact, lightweight dehumidifier is an excellent choice for mobile homes or offices. A slightly larger unit, on the other hand, is great in bedrooms, laundry rooms and bathrooms.
Room Coverage
Room coverage is an essential factor to look for when searching through possible dehumidifiers. It’s important to understand that due to the small size of these units, they won’t be able to cover large or open rooms.
Small dehumidifiers will usually cover up to 150 square feet, with slightly larger models covering a little over 200 square feet. This is nothing compared to large units that can cover areas of up to 2,000 or even 4,000 square feet. It’s essential to keep this in mind so you don’t end up disappointed.
Reservoir Capacity
Another thing to consider is the reservoir capacity; this is where all water vapors will be collected. Again, due to the small size, the tanks are on the small side, which we explained above.
When choosing a unit, consider how humid your home environment is. A small reservoir will need to be emptied often when used in a high humidity area. In this case, going for a larger reservoir would be more practical.
Safety Feature
As you’re looking at small dehumidifiers, you might notice how simple they are. Large units will usually come with an LED display with lots of modes, settings and options. However, most small dehumidifiers generally only feature an on/off button.
Take Note
The Best Small Dehumidifier of 2022
As we searched for the best small dehumidifiers, our expert team put each unit under a microscope to ensure effectiveness. We selected each of these seven products based on customer feedback and product specification.
1. Seavon Dehumidifier for Home 2200 Cubic Feet
Small Dehumidifier With Best Coverage
Just because a dehumidifier is small doesn’t mean it needs to be inefficient. The Seavon model is very efficient in that it covers a room up to 260 square feet. It extracts up to 300ml per day, which is quite the achievement for such a compact option.
If you’re looking for healthier air, then this is a great budget-friendly choice for your home. It’s also a pretty quiet option that doesn’t exceed 35 decibels. So you can take soothing naps with this item in the same room.
The Pros
Green Red Indicator Lights
The handy indicator lights can tell you what’s going on with the device. Firstly, there’s a green light that lets you know the unit is working. The red light means that the unit is full, and it will turn off automatically. This takes some of the guesswork out for you.
User-Friendly
The one-button control makes this a super user-friendly device. There’s not a ton of different steps and buttons you need to press to turn on the unit. It’s super convenient and easy to use.
Portable and Compact
Move this compact unit from room to room with total ease, thanks to the portable handle design. The built-in handle makes it easy to move around without spilling any water.
The Cons
Not the Most Effective
Some customers found that this wasn’t effective enough. Even after running the dehumidifier for an entire day, there wasn’t that much water in the tank. Perhaps their homes weren’t that humid, but perhaps, compared to other options, this isn’t the most effective.
Cord Overheats
One safety concern is that a few customers found that the cord overheats sometimes. You may not want to leave the unit unattended.
Additional Specs
| Dimensions | 9.88 by 6.26 by 4.49 inches |
| Weight | 1.69 pounds |
| Recommended Room Coverage | 55-260 square feet |
| Moisture Removed Per Day | 27 ounces |
| Warranty | 12 months |
2. Seavon Small Dehumidifier
Best Reservoir Capacity
If you liked the first on our list but wanted something a little larger, this is it. This dehumidifier is small and compact, but not to be underestimated. It has a large reservoir that can hold up to 35 ounces of water vapor.
Consumers love how quietly it operates and how effective it is. It’s super simple to use and doesn’t contain a lot of complicated buttons.
Seavon has covered the dehumidifier with a one-year warranty.
The Pros
Excellent for Small to Medium-Sized Rooms
If you need a dehumidifier for small to medium-sized rooms, this is your guy. This is slightly bigger than the previous unit on our list and can remove up to 35 ounces of moisture per day. It’s excellent for living rooms or laundry rooms where dampens can cause trouble.
Quiet
This dehumidifier uses Peltier technology that won’t allow you grasping those earplugs. It’s ultra-quiet with noise levels below 30 decibels at low speed mode. You can even use it in a bedroom during the night or children’s room without noise complaints.
Safety Feature
We have to admit that it can be easy to forget to empty the dehumidifier tank. We all get busy in our lives, taking care of our family, jobs, and hobbies.
Luckily, this unit is equipped with an auto-shutoff function that prevents over flooding of the tank. Whenever the reservoir begins to fill up, the feature will turn the unit off and notify you at the same time. Once the tank is emptied, the unit will run as normal.
The Cons
Power Cord
The power cord gets warmer when used. This is a minor fault that some might not notice. They even have to put it on the notice but this is not alarming at all.
Additional Specs
| Dimensions | 6.3 by 6.3 by 10 inches |
| Weight | 2.19 pounds |
| Recommended Room Coverage | 285 square feet |
| Moisture Removed Per Day | 35 ounces |
| Warranty | 12 months |
3. Afloia Electric Portable Dehumidifier
Best Portable Small Dehumidifier
Operating a dehumidifier doesn’t get much easier than this. The Afloia dehumidifier is super simple to turn on and off since it only has one button.
It has a very sleek and modern look that suits any room and it’s available with a green or blue tank.
The compact size and ultra-quiet operation make it the perfect option for small rooms such as an office or nursery.
The Pros
Effective
This dehumidifier is equipped with a 24-ounce water tank and can remove up to 11 ounces of moisture a day. It works very quietly due to not having a compressor. You can easily use it in a bedroom, nursery, office, or other living areas without feeling bothered.
Lightweight
You can easily take this dehumidifier with you wherever it’s needed. It’s very lightweight, weighing only 2.67 pounds, so it’s a breeze to move between rooms.
Easy to Empty
A common problem with dehumidifiers is a tricky-to-remove reservoir. However, this tank is located at the back of the unit and is easily pulled out when emptying is needed. Once it’s empty, put it back in the same way without trouble.
Auto-Shutoff
If you’re a forgetful person, or worry about the tank over flooding, you’ll like this feature. The auto-shutoff will automatically turn the unit off when the tank reaches its full capacity. You’ll notice that the on/off button is turned off, indicating that you need to empty the tank.
Excellent Support
Afloia takes good care of its customers by offering two-year free replacements and lifetime support when needed. If anything were to malfunction or break, you could easily replace your unit.
The Cons
Slow
If you have a significant amount of moisture or dampness in a room, you shouldn’t expect results straight away. One thing customers noticed was that it requires a little while if there’s a lot of moisture in the air.
Additional Specs
| Dimensions | 6.42 by 4.21 by 10.51 |
| Weight | 2.67 pounds |
| Recommended Room Coverage | 250 square feet |
| Moisture Removed Per Day | 11 ounces |
| Warranty | 12 months |
4. Pohl Schmitt Mini Dehumidifier
Best Small Dehumidifier for Allergies
If you need a small dehumidifier for a compact space, this is it. This little device from Pohl+Schmitt is favored by many homeowners due to its size and efficiency.
It works very quietly and is hardly noticeable, making it an excellent choice for bedrooms or nurseries.
The light design also makes it easy to move around to where it’s most needed.
The Pros
Fits on a Small Table
Thanks to the compact design, this dehumidifier is easily located anywhere needed. It fits perfectly on any small bedside or coffee table without trouble. It’s also lightweight and is a breeze to carry around, so you can enjoy less humidity in every room.
Effective
Despite the small size, this dehumidifier is highly effective. It’s equipped with a 17-ounce tank and will remove up to 10 ounces of moisture a day. It will effectively keep mold, mildew and dust mites at bay by creating an environment that doesn’t support these allergy-triggers.
Quiet
You can easily use this compact device in your bedroom during the night without compromising a good night’s rest. It doesn’t have a compressor, which makes the operation ultra-quiet for an even more comfortable atmosphere.
Safe
This dehumidifier is an excellent choice for a family with small children. The Pohl+Schmitt team carefully manufactured the unit without any harmful chemical substances.
The Cons
Slow
If there’s a lot of moisture or dampness in a room, this tiny unit will need some time to fix it. It works efficiently but is best in smaller rooms.
Additional Specs
| Dimensions | 11.18 by 6.38 by 5.2 inches |
| Weight | 2.53 pounds |
| Recommended Room Coverage | Small rooms |
| Moisture Removed Per Day | Not specified |
| Warranty | Not specified |
5. Pro Breeze Mini Electric Dehumidifier
Most Convenient Small Dehumidifier
One brand that’s often mentioned when it comes to small dehumidifiers is Pro Breeze, and it isn’t difficult to see why.
This compact unit was designed to be convenient and easy to take wherever needed. It can handle rooms of up to 150 square feet. Plus, it will remove a significant amount of moisture during each cycle.
The Pro Breeze is also equipped with an auto-shutoff to prevent water from overflowing when the reservoir is full. It will quickly turn the unit off when the tank becomes full.
The Pros
Effective
Despite the small size, this dehumidifier packs a big punch. It will effectively remove up to 9 ounces of moisture per day.
Pro Breeze recommends that it’s used in a room of up to 150 square feet with a temperature between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The reservoir has a capacity of 16 ounces, which isn’t the biggest but impressive for such a small unit.
Nearly Silent
This dehumidifier was designed using a built-in thermoelectric cooling technology, also known as Peltier. This enables the unit to effectively draw moisture from the air without a compressor.
Because there’s no compressor, the unit is ultra-quiet and can easily be used in a bedroom or nursery without causing trouble.
Easy to Empty
One thing we dislike about dehumidifiers is how tricky it can be to remove and replace the reservoir.
However, Pro Breeze has made it a literal breeze to empty by placing the reservoir at the front of the unit. You can easily slide it out when it becomes full and slide it right back into place when empty.
Compact and Portable
The Pro Breeze can easily be placed on a small table or countertop. It can even be used in an RV, boat or your office. Not only is the design compact, but it’s also lightweight, clocking in at only 2.4 pounds.
The Cons
Fills Up Fast
Unfortunately, due to the small reservoir, it tends to fill up rather quickly. This does, however, depend on how humid the area is.
Additional Specs
| Dimensions | 7 by 6 by 11 inches |
| Weight | 2.4 pounds |
| Recommended Room Coverage | 150 square feet |
| Moisture Removed Per Day | 9 ounces |
| Warranty | 12 months |
6. Vavsea Energy Dehumidifier
Best Budget Small Dehumidifier
If you’re on a budget, this dehumidifier will suit you just fine. It’s light and compact and fits in any small room or area.
The Vavsea is super simple to operate since there’s only one on/off button. The tank is easily removed by sliding it out.
When the tank is getting full, a light on the display will notify you that it’s time to dump the contents.
The Pros
Compact and Quiet
The size of this dehumidifier is what makes it so special. It’s compact and lightweight, yet durable and efficient. You can easily move it from room to room where it might be needed, and it fits in any tight spaces.
Another benefit of this unit is how quiet it is. It doesn’t have a compressor and is, therefore, super quiet. You can use it during the night in your bedroom or even at the office without worrying about noise.
Energy-Saving
Thanks to peltier technology, this dehumidifier is also energy efficient. It uses minimum energy as it operates, so you won’t have to worry about it showing up on your bills.
Excellent for Small Spaces
This dehumidifier is best used in small rooms of up to 215 square feet. It’s equipped with a 17-ounce reservoir and will collect up to 17 ounces of water a day.
Translucent Reservoir
Knowing when to empty the tank can be tricky. Luckily, the Vavsea dehumidifier is equipped with a colored, translucent tank that helps you to see when it’s full. In case you don’t notice it, the device will automatically turn off when full thanks to the auto-shutoff function.
The Cons
Must Be Used in Closed Areas
This dehumidifier is most effective when in a closed, small room. So if your home is designed with open rooms and areas, it might not work as efficiently.
Additional Specs
| Dimensions | 6.06 by 5.11 by 8.58 inches |
| Weight | 1.06 pounds |
| Recommended Room Coverage | 215 square feet |
| Moisture Removed Per Day | 17 ounces |
| Warranty | 1 year |
7. Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier
Best Non-Powered Small Dehumidifier
If you’re looking for a dehumidifier that can be used in small rooms and requires no power outlet to work, this is it. The Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier requires no batteries or electricity to work. You simply place it in an area and it will work.
It’s filled with silica gel — what we usually find in product packages to keep moisture at bay. The beads won’t spill or leak, so it poses no risk for danger in a family home. We love that it can be renewed, so you don’t have to purchase refills.
This mini dehumidifier will only work in areas of up to 48 square feet. You shouldn’t expect it to work in larger rooms. We highly recommend it be used in small bedrooms, closets, cars or RVs.
The Pros
Requires No Batteries or Power
This mini dehumidifier is a bit different from regular dehumidifiers; it uses no batteries or power whatsoever. It works using silica gel that effectively absorbs moisture when in a humid area. Depending on the conditions, the silica gel will work for up to two to four weeks.
Color-Changing
Because this dehumidifier doesn’t use batteries or any power, there’s no light indicator of when the silica gel needs renewal. However, the crystals will change color from orange to green. So you’ll have to check the beads through the transparent part of the device.
Renewable
Unlike other similar mini dehumidifiers, this one is renewable. That means you won’t have to purchase expensive refills. All you have to do is keep an eye on the color of the beads; once they change to green, it’s time for renewal.
You do this by plugging it into an outlet in a well-ventilated room. It will take between eight and 10 hours for it to renew. Once the beads have changed back to orange, it’s ready to be used again.
Long-Lasting
You might think that this process can’t go on for long before the beads won’t be able to renew. But think again, the Eva-Dry silica gel can repeat its renewal process for up to 10 years. This does depend on environmental conditions and if the device is used correctly, but you can trust that it will last you for years to come.
Safe
If you have small children or pets, using a device with silica gel might seem worrisome. However, the Eva-Dry won’t leak or spill, even when at full capacity. Every drop of water vapor the gel catches will be trapped within the beads, unable to escape until it’s renewed.
The Cons
Only for Small Spaces
Although this dehumidifier works efficiently, it will only do so in small areas. These include spaces such as a closet, bedroom or even car. You shouldn’t expect it to make much of a difference in large or open areas.
Additional Specs
| Dimensions | 9 by 8.25 by 2.88 inches |
| Weight | 1 pound |
| Recommended Room Coverage | 48 square feet |
| Moisture Removed Per Day | Not specified |
| Warranty | Five-year warranty |
| Product | Best | Dimensions | Weight | Recommended Room Coverage | Moisture Removed/ Day | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seavon Dehumidifier | Best Coverage | 9.88 x 6.26 x 4.49″ | 1.69 lbs | 55 – 260 sq ft | 27 oz | 12 months |
| Seavon Small Dehumidifier | Reservoir Capacity | 6.3 x 6.3 x 10″ | 2.19 lbs | 285 sq ft | 35 oz | 12 months |
| Afloia Electric Portable Dehumidifier | Portable | 6.42 x 4.21 x 10.51″ | 2.67 lbs | 250sq ft | 11 oz | 12 months |
| Pohl Schmitt Mini Dehumidifier | Allergies | 11.18 x 6.38 x 5.2″ | 2.53 lbs | Small rooms | N/A | N/A |
| Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier | Convenient | 7 x 6 x 11″ | 2.4 lbs | 150 sq ft | 9 oz | 12 months |
| Vavsea Electric Dehumidifier | Budget Pick | 6.06 x 5.11 x 8.58″ | 1.06 lbs | 215 sq ft | 17 oz | 12 months |
| Eva-Dry Renewable Dehumidifier | Non-Powered | 9 x 8.25 x 2.88″ | 1 lb | 48 sq ft | N/A | 5 years |
Small but Mighty
Dehumidifiers are generally quite cumbersome, difficult to move around, noisy and not to mention expensive.
Luckily, there’s a solution for anyone seeking a dehumidifier that’s affordable, quiet, easily portable, and effective. The best small dehumidifiers will work efficiently at keeping moisture and dampness at bay, creating a comfortable environment.
When searching for the best small dehumidifer for you, you must consider your needs. If you’re often bothered by high humidity levels, a unit with slightly bigger capacity will be beneficial. However, if you need a dehumidifier for the car, RV or small room, a smaller capacity will be adequate.
