6 Best Dehumidifiers of 2026
We compared six portable compressor dehumidifiers on realistic capacity, coverage, drainage, efficiency and smart features.
By Daniel Brooks
Updated October 24, 2026
Damp air makes a home feel sticky, smells musty and lets mold and dust mites thrive. Our list of the best dehumidifiers compares six portable compressor models, from Midea’s innovative Cube to GE, Frigidaire, LG and Levoit units, on capacity, coverage, drainage, efficiency and smart features. To browse every model we cover, visit our Portable Compressor Dehumidifiers page.
Brands rate capacity under different test conditions, so we note the conditions behind each figure and weighed realistic ratings above hot-weather maximums.
All Products Compared
| Product | Best For | Capacity | Coverage | Tank | Drainage | Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea Cube 50 Pint Dehumidifier | Overall | 50 pints/day | Up to 4,500 sq ft | Extra-large, up to 3X | Bucket, hose | Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google |
| Frigidaire 35 Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier | Efficiency | 35 pints/day | Medium rooms | Front-loading bucket | Bucket, continuous drain | No |
| GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump | Basement pump | 50 pints/day | Up to 5,000 sq ft | 15-pint bucket | Bucket, 16 ft pump hose | No |
| LG PuriCare 50 Pint Smart Dehumidifier | Compact smart | 50 pints/day | Basements and large rooms | 14.3-pint bucket | Bucket, hose | LG ThinQ app |
| Levoit 25 Pint Smart Dehumidifier | Most Efficient smart | 25 pints/day (2019 DOE) | Up to 4,500 ft² | Bucket | Tank, gravity, garden hose, pump | VeSync app, voice |
| AIRPLUS 30 Pint Tall Dehumidifier | Budget | 30 pints/day (90F/95%) | Up to 1,500 sq ft | 1.5L | Tank, hose | No |
| Award | Product | WikiCooling Score About WikiCooling ScoreThe WikiCooling Score is our own rating from 0 to 10, based on the criteria described on our How We Review page. It reflects research, not laboratory measurement, and is never influenced by manufacturers, retailers, or affiliate commissions. Learn more › | |
|---|---|---|---|
Midea Cube 50 Pint Dehumidifier
|
Buy | ||
| Best Budget |
Frigidaire 35 Pint Energy Star Most Efficient
|
Buy | |
| Best Premium |
GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump
|
Buy | |
LG PuriCare 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier
|
Buy | ||
| Best Value |
Levoit 25 Pint Smart Dehumidifier
|
Buy | |
| Best Overall |
AIRPLUS Max 30-Pint Tall Dehumidifier
|
Buy |
Top 3 Dehumidifiers Reviewed
#1 Midea Cube 50 Pint Dehumidifier: Best Overall
Why We Picked It
The Midea Cube 50 is our top pick because it fixes the most annoying part of owning a dehumidifier: emptying the bucket. Midea says its tank holds up to 3X more than a conventional unit, so it runs up to 3X longer between trips to the sink. It removes 50 pints a day across up to 4,500 sq ft, is ENERGY STAR certified and works with Wi-Fi, Alexa and Google, and the body nests down for storage at the end of the season.
The Midea Cube rethinks the shape of a dehumidifier. Its square body nests into itself for storage and lifts and twists open to run, and Midea says the bucket holds up to 3X more water than a conventional unit, so it runs up to 3X longer between emptying. It removes 50 pints a day, covers up to 4,500 sq ft and holds a humidity setting from 35% to 85%. Wi-Fi lets you control it in the SmartHome app or by voice with Alexa or Google, and a drain hose is included for continuous draining. It is ENERGY STAR certified, auto restarts after a power cut and has auto defrost.
Key Specifications
- Capacity: 50 pints per day
- Coverage: Up to 4,500 sq ft
- Humidity Range: 35% to 85%
- Tank: Up to 3X a conventional bucket
- Smart Control: SmartHome app, Alexa, Google
- Certification: ENERGY STAR
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Things to Consider
The Cube trades the usual tall, narrow body for a wide square one. If floor space is tight, a standard Midea 50-pint is slimmer, and if you need to push water up to a sink, choose a pump model.
Best For
This dehumidifier is best for basements and large rooms where you want fewer bucket trips and smart control.
Check the current price and availability of the Midea Cube 50 Pint Dehumidifier on Amazon.
Read our full Midea Cube 50 Pint Dehumidifier review.
#2 Frigidaire 35 Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier: Best Energy-Efficient Pick
Why We Picked It
Frigidaire’s 35-pint carries the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient label, which marks the most efficient models certified each year. It pairs that efficiency with a splash-guard front bucket, custom humidity control and a continuous drain option.
This Frigidaire 35-pint carries the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient label, which marks the most efficient models certified each year. It is a classic Frigidaire: custom humidity control, a washable filter, a continuous drain option and automatic shutoff when the bucket is full. The front-loading bucket has a carry handle and a splash guard, so emptying it is less messy than with top-loading designs.
Key Specifications
- Capacity: 35 pints per day
- Efficiency: ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
- Bucket: Front-loading with handle and splash guard
- Drainage: Bucket or continuous drain
- Filter: Washable
- Weight: About 40 pounds
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Things to Consider
The listing is short on specifications such as coverage and noise, so treat it as a proven, efficient basic unit rather than a feature-packed one.
Best For
This dehumidifier is best for anyone who runs a unit all season and wants lower power bills.
Check the current price and availability of the Frigidaire 35 Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier on Amazon.
Read our full Frigidaire 35 Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier review.
#3 GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump: Best Dehumidifier with Pump
Why We Picked It
GE’s 50-pint with pump is the pick for below-grade basements. Its pump lifts water up to 15 ft through a 16 ft hose, it covers up to 5,000 sq ft, and Smart Dry adjusts the fan to the room’s humidity.
GE’s 50-pint with pump is built for below-grade basements. The pump moves water up to 15 vertical feet to a sink or drain through the included 16 ft hose, so you can run it without emptying a bucket. It covers up to 5,000 sq ft, and GE’s Smart Dry adjusts fan speed to the room’s humidity to avoid over-drying and save electricity. You can set humidity from 30% to 70%, and a 10-second alarm sounds when the 15-pint bucket is full or missing.
Key Specifications
- Capacity: 50 pints per day
- Coverage: Up to 5,000 sq ft
- Pump: Up to 15 ft vertical, 16 ft hose
- Humidity Range: 30% to 70%
- Bucket: 15 pints
- Feature: Smart Dry fan control
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Things to Consider
This version has no Wi-Fi. If you want app control and can drain by gravity, the GE 50-pint Wi-Fi model is the better fit.
Best For
This dehumidifier is best for basements without a floor drain.
Check the current price and availability of the GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump on Amazon.
Read our full GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump review.
Other Models Worth Considering
LG PuriCare 50 Pint Smart Dehumidifier. LG’s PuriCare 50-pint is compact, ENERGY STAR certified and controlled through the LG ThinQ app.
Levoit 25 Pint Smart Dehumidifier. Levoit’s smart dehumidifier is ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 with a removable pump and app control.
AIRPLUS 30 Pint Tall Dehumidifier. AIRPLUS’s 30-pint tall unit is a low-cost choice for bedrooms and RVs up to 1,500 sq ft.
What to Expect from Dehumidifiers
A portable compressor dehumidifier works like a small refrigerator: a fan draws damp air over cold coils, water condenses and drips into a bucket or out through a hose, and the dried air passes back into the room. It suits bedrooms, bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms, and most units have a humidistat that holds the humidity at a level you set.
Compressor models remove far more water than small thermoelectric units, but they are heavier, hum while they run and lose capacity in cold rooms. Expect to empty the bucket regularly unless you use a drain hose or a built-in pump.
For more options, see our guides to dehumidifiers for basements and dehumidifiers with pump. The product cards show the current price for each dehumidifier.
How to Choose a Dehumidifier
Understand Pint Ratings
Capacity is quoted in pints of water removed per day, but brands test under different conditions. The current DOE test runs at 65 degrees F and 60% humidity, which produces the lowest numbers. Older 2012 ratings were measured at 80 degrees F, and many budget listings quote a maximum at 90 or 95 degrees F and 90% humidity, which produces the biggest numbers. Compare units rated under the same conditions.
Match Capacity to the Space
Small units suit a bedroom, bathroom or closet. Mid-size units handle a damp bedroom, a living room or a small basement. Large units are for full basements, laundry rooms and spaces that smell musty or show condensation. When in doubt, a slightly larger unit running on low is quieter and more efficient than a small one running flat out.
Plan the Drainage
Every unit here has a bucket that shuts the dehumidifier off when it is full. For a damp basement, continuous drainage saves daily emptying: a gravity hose works when a floor drain sits lower than the unit, and a built-in pump pushes water up to a sink or out of a window when it does not.
Look for ENERGY STAR
Dehumidifiers often run for months at a time, so efficiency matters. ENERGY STAR certified models remove more water per kilowatt-hour than standard units, and the Most Efficient label marks the best performers each year. The savings add up over a humid summer.
Set the Right Humidity
Most homes are comfortable between 45% and 55% relative humidity. Above 60% mold and dust mites thrive, and very dry air feels uncomfortable. A built-in humidistat holds your target by switching the compressor on and off.
How We Evaluate Dehumidifiers
We rank dehumidifiers on manufacturer specifications and listing details: rated capacity and the test conditions behind it, coverage, drainage options, efficiency, controls and noise. For this list we kept only new, in-stock compressor units and left out renewed listings, thermoelectric mini units, commercial crawl space models and listings with too little data. We weighed realistic capacity, coverage and drainage first, then efficiency, controls, noise and brand support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size dehumidifier do I need?
A small unit suits a bedroom or bathroom, a mid-size unit a damp living area or small basement, and a large unit a full basement. Compare capacity under the same test conditions.
Should a dehumidifier run all the time?
No. Set the humidistat to around 45% to 50% and let the unit switch itself on and off.
Where is the best place for a dehumidifier?
In the dampest area, a few inches from walls, with doors and windows closed.
Do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?
They draw more than a fan but less than an air conditioner. ENERGY STAR models remove more water per kilowatt-hour.
For a closer look at individual models, read our full Midea Cube 50 Pint Dehumidifier review, Frigidaire 35 Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier review, GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump review and LG PuriCare 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier review.
Final Verdict
The Midea Cube 50 Pint Dehumidifier is the best dehumidifier for most homes, with a bucket up to 3X larger than usual and Wi-Fi control. For the lowest running costs, choose the Frigidaire 35 Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier. For a basement without a floor drain, the GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump pumps water up to 15 ft.
About the author
Daniel Brooks is a home cooling editor at WikiCooling, covering window, portable, through-the-wall and mini-split air conditioners, fans, and dehumidifiers. He researches cooling capacity, energy efficiency, noise levels, installation requirements, and buyer feedback to help homeowners choose the right unit for their room size, climate, and budget.