6 Best Small Dehumidifiers of 2026
We compared six small compressor dehumidifiers on capacity, size, drainage and controls.
By Daniel Brooks
Updated October 24, 2026
A small compressor dehumidifier keeps a bedroom, bathroom, closet or apartment dry without taking over the floor. Our list of the best small dehumidifiers compares six compact 20 to 25-pint models on capacity, size, drainage and controls. To browse every model we cover, visit our Portable Compressor Dehumidifiers page.
These are compressor units, which remove far more water than palm-sized thermoelectric dehumidifiers.
All Products Compared
| Product | Best For | Capacity | Coverage | Tank | Drainage | Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier | Overall | 20 pints/day (2019 DOE) | Up to 1,500 sq ft | Up to 3X larger | Bucket, hose | Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google |
| Frigidaire 22 Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier | Smart | 22 pints/day | Small and medium rooms | Bucket | Bucket, continuous drain | Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google |
| BLACK+DECKER 22 Pint Portable Dehumidifier | Honest ratings | 22.27 pints/day | 1,500 sq ft (2012 DOE) | 6.8-pint bucket | Bucket, 3.2 ft hose | No |
| Keystone 22 Pint Dehumidifier | Quiet Energy Star | 22 pints/day | Up to 1,500 sq ft | Bucket | Bucket, garden hose | No |
| RCA 20 Pint Portable Dehumidifier | Timer | 20 pints/day | Large areas | Bucket | Bucket, garden hose | No |
| GE 25 Pint Small Dehumidifier | Smart Dry | 25 pints/day | Up to 1,500 sq ft | 8.5-pint bucket | Bucket, 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 › | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Value |
Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier
|
Buy | |
Frigidaire 22 Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier
|
Buy | ||
| Best Budget |
BLACK+DECKER 22 Pint Portable Dehumidifier
|
Buy | |
| Best Premium |
Keystone 22 Pint Dehumidifier
|
Buy | |
| Best Overall |
RCA 20 Pint Portable Dehumidifier
|
Buy | |
GE 25-Pint Small Dehumidifier
|
Buy |
Top 3 Small Dehumidifiers Reviewed
#1 Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier: Best Overall
Why We Picked It
Midea’s Cube 20 is our top small pick. It is rated at 20 pints a day under the current DOE test, which Midea says matches a 30-pint rating on the older standard, its bucket is up to 3X larger than usual, and it nests down to store. Wi-Fi and voice control are included.
The Cube 20 brings Midea’s extendable cube design to a smaller unit. It collects 20 pints a day under the current DOE test, which Midea says is similar to a 30-pint rating on the older 2012 standard, and covers up to 1,500 sq ft. The bucket is up to 3X larger than a conventional unit, the body nests down for storage, and a drain hose lets it drain continuously into a sink or floor drain. Wi-Fi, voice control, auto restart and auto defrost are included.
Key Specifications
- Capacity: 20 pints per day (2019 DOE)
- Coverage: Up to 1,500 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 20 is a bedroom, bathroom or small basement unit. For a large basement, look at the Cube 50.
Best For
This dehumidifier is best for bedrooms, closets and small basements.
Check the current price and availability of the Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier on Amazon.
Read our full Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier review.
#2 Frigidaire 22 Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier: Best Small Smart Dehumidifier
Why We Picked It
Frigidaire’s 22-pint Wi-Fi model is ENERGY STAR certified and works with the Frigidaire app, Alexa and Google Home, with filter-clean alerts and a continuous drain option.
This Frigidaire 22-pint adds Wi-Fi to a small, ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier. The Frigidaire app, Alexa or Google Home control it from anywhere. It offers a bucket or continuous drain, automatic shutoff when the bucket is full, a washable filter with clean-filter alerts and efficient low-temperature performance for cooler rooms.
Key Specifications
- Capacity: 22 pints per day
- Smart Control: Frigidaire app, Alexa, Google Home
- Certification: ENERGY STAR
- Drainage: Bucket or continuous drain
- Filter: Washable with alerts
- Best For: Small and medium rooms
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
For a basement, a 35 or 50-pint unit removes more water. This one suits a bedroom, bathroom or small apartment.
Best For
This dehumidifier is best for apartments and smart homes.
Check the current price and availability of the Frigidaire 22 Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier on Amazon.
#3 BLACK+DECKER 22 Pint Portable Dehumidifier: Best for Honest Ratings
Why We Picked It
BLACK+DECKER’s 22-pint lists coverage under both standards, 1500 sq. ft for the 2012 test and 280 sq. ft for the 2019 test, and includes a drain hose.
BLACK+DECKER’s 22-pint extracts up to 22.27 pints a day. Unusually, it lists coverage under both standards: 1500 sq. ft under the 2012 DOE test and 280 sq. ft under the 2019 DOE test, which shows how much the test conditions change the numbers. It has a 6.8-pint bucket, a 3.2 ft drain hose, an adjustable humidistat and LED display, and it is ENERGY STAR 6.0 and UL certified with R32 refrigerant.
Key Specifications
- Capacity: 22.27 pints per day
- Coverage: 1,500 sq ft (2012 DOE), 280 sq ft (2019 DOE)
- Bucket: 6.8 pints
- Drain Hose: 3.2 ft included
- Certification: ENERGY STAR 6.0, UL
- Refrigerant: R32
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
The 2019 coverage figure is the realistic one for very damp rooms, so size up if your space is large.
Best For
This dehumidifier is best for buyers who want realistic sizing.
Check the current price and availability of the BLACK+DECKER 22 Pint Portable Dehumidifier on Amazon.
Other Models Worth Considering
Keystone 22 Pint Dehumidifier. Keystone’s 22-pint is ENERGY STAR certified, rated at 51dB and covers up to 1,500 sq ft.
RCA 20 Pint Portable Dehumidifier. RCA’s 20-pint is a simple unit with a 24-hour timer, auto restart and garden hose drain.
GE 25 Pint Small Dehumidifier. GE’s 25-pint brings Smart Dry and a 30% to 70% humidistat to rooms up to 1,500 sq ft.
What to Expect from Small 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 bedrooms and dehumidifiers for bathrooms. The product cards show the current price for each dehumidifier.
How to Choose a Small 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.
Check the Noise Rating
Compressor dehumidifiers hum and blow air, and noise ratings are usually quoted at the lowest fan speed. For a bedroom, look for a sleep mode that slows the fan and dims the display, and place the unit where the airflow is not aimed at the bed.
How We Evaluate Small 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. For small units we weighed realistic capacity and footprint first, then drainage, noise and controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are small dehumidifiers worth it?
Yes, for bedrooms, bathrooms and closets. For a damp basement, choose a larger unit.
What is the difference between compressor and thermoelectric?
Compressor units remove much more water and work in larger rooms. Thermoelectric minis are quieter but tiny.
Can a small dehumidifier run all day?
Yes, but connect a hose if the room is very damp so a full bucket does not stop it.
Where should I put a small dehumidifier?
In the room that needs it, with the door closed, and away from walls.
For a closer look at individual models, read our full Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier review.
Final Verdict
The Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier is the best small dehumidifier, with an extra-large bucket and Wi-Fi. For app control from a big brand, choose the Frigidaire 22 Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier. For honest sizing, the BLACK+DECKER 22 Pint Portable Dehumidifier lists both coverage standards.
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.