5 Best Energy-Efficient Dehumidifiers — Perfect Humidity at No Extra Cost!

By
Carolina Evans
Carolina Evans
Research Writer
Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s ho read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Richard Powell
Richard Powell
Expert Consultant
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may read more
Last updated: August 27, 2023
HVACLifehack.com is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

As you’re now looking through this page, there’re chances that you’re currently in the market for a good dehumidifier to get rid of all the humidity and moisture in your home or office. You’ve made a good decision, but one thing you must also know is that while it’s important to buy a good dehumidifier, it’s even more important to buy the best energy efficient dehumidifier. Here, we’ve collected the most remarkable Energy Star-certified models.

With different powerful electronic units already installed in your home, it’d be wise to find a way to cut down on your monthly energy bills, which is where energy-efficient dehumidifiers come in. They won’t only dehumidify your space but will only do it in the most energy-efficient way possible. To make things straightforward for you, we’ve made a rundown of the top five energy efficient dehumidifiers on the market, with the hOmeLabs 70 Pint Dehumidifier being the best. With its large coverage capacity and high dehumidification performance, you can hardly argue.

To ensure we picked only the best models, we took some big factors into account, such as dehumidification performance, coverage area, and dimensions. Apparently, the dehumidification performance and coverage area are vital factors as they both determine the power and efficiency of the machine. We’ve also streamlined the article as much as possible, including a comparison table, a review section, and a buying guide that’s sure to enlighten you.

Quick Summary

Top 5 Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers Review 2024

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9891 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.8
1
Editor’s Choice

hOmeLabs 70 Pint Dehumidifier

Features
  • Dehumidification performance: 50 pints/day
  • Coverage area: up to 4,500 sq. ft.
  • Dimensions: 15.4 x 11 x 24.3 inches
  • Warranty: 2-year limited

More features: washable air filter; LCD interface

Most times, a great product can be identified with its appearance, so you don’t need to be told that the hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier is an excellent model worth your consideration. When you see it, you will surely realize. Apart from having sleek edges, it also features a great touch control panel that is certain to improve the aesthetics of any room. Featuring a nine-gallon capacity that allows it to cover a space of up to 4,500 square feet, it can also handle any room without any hassle. It doesn’t end there – the unit also has a 24-hour continuous operation, which makes it perfect for larger rooms.

The hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier is also very easy to use. It literally allows you to set and walk away as it has a very simple plugin. The applliance requires no additional or further steps when setting the device up. To match the large coverage space it already has, the machine also has an impressive dehumidification performance of 50 pints per day, which is only second on this list. In addition to that, there is also an inbuilt pump compressor, which helps reduce odors and allergens by extracting moisture and getting rid of fungi and bacteria.

In terms of smart features, this device has them aplenty. First, it has an auto shut-off function, which shuts off the machine when the tank is full. The machine also has an outlet for drain hose outlet for continuous draining. However, the hose isn’t included, so you’ll have to buy separately. There is also a turbo mode that increases the speed of the fan when required. For mobility, it’s also equipped with convenient handles and built-in wheels, and a quiet fan also means the machine won’t disturb your binge-watching obsession.

    Why are we impressed?
  • Large capacity
  • 24-hour continuous cycle
  • Auto shut-off off
  • Turbo mode
  • Easy to use
  • High dehumidification performance
  • Easy mobility
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • Doesn’t include a drain hose
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9547 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.6
Features
  • Dehumidification performance: 70 pints/day
  • Coverage area: up to 4,500 sq. ft.
  • Dimensions: 11.1 x 15.3 x 23.5 inches
  • Warranty: 1-year limited

More features: in-built pump; humidity sensor

If you have a large home, then you need a powerful dehumidifier that can efficiently handle all the dehumidification tasks in your home. In other words, you need a machine like the Ivation 4,500 Sq Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier. Produced by Ivation, this dehumidifier is certain to fit nearly anywhere, thanks to its powerful operation and its compact construction. Speaking about the construction, this unit only weights 45 pounds, which is impressive when you consider how powerful it is. Since it’s not heavy, you can easily move it around your house or office without much hassle.

Furthermore, the unit comes with stable-rolling caster wheels, which aids the transportation of the unit to your basement. Moving on, this energy-efficient machine comes with two fan speeds, which are – regular speed and turbo speed. There is also an LCD interface display, which displays relevant details about the filter or the reservoir. Some of the relevant details it displays are regarding the conditions of the filter or the reservoir. There is also a 2.25-gallon tank, which allows you to see a clear level line that indicates when it’s time to clean the machine. There’re also other smart features like an auto shut-off feature, an auto restart feature, and an auto coil defrost feature.

Meanwhile, the machine can cover a space of up to 4,500 square feet, which makes it perfect for any room size. Not only that, but it also has a dehumidification performance of 70 pints per day, which is the highest of any unit we reviewed on this list. To be honest, the ease of use of this machine is out of this world. Apart from being compact and easy to use, the unit also comes with an ergonomic handle, which allows you to carry it. The only thing we don’t like about it is its noisy operation.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Large coverage area
  • Compact and lightweight construction
  • Large-capacity tank
  • High dehumidification performance
  • Auto shut-off and auto restart features
  • LCD interface display
  • Caster wheels
    What is not ideal about it?
  • Noisy operation
Also Product Ranking:



?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4799 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.9
9.0
Features
  • Dehumidification performance: 30 pints/day
  • Coverage area: up to 1,500 sq. ft.
  • Dimensions: 13.5 x 9.4 x 20.1 inches
  • Warranty: 1-year limited

More features: washable air filter; LCD interface

Boasting a lot of impressive features, the hugely versatile SHINCO 30 Pint Dehumidifier is the next best dehumidifier on our list. While its 1,500 square feet coverage capacity isn’t close to being the highest on our list, this machine is still capable of efficiently dehumidifying small to medium spaces, including cellars bedrooms, bathrooms, classrooms, workshops, and garages. At just 37 pounds, the unit is incredibly lightweight. Not only that, but it also has a super-compact construction, which allows it to fit in most spaces.

Apart from being suitable for many places, the intuitive nature of the device also allows it to effortlessly pull out moisture from the atmosphere. Considering that it can only cover a space of up to 1,500 square feet, the machine only has a dehumidification performance of 30 pints per day. While this doesn’t seem much, it perfectly matches the coverage capacity of the device. It’s also worth mentioning that the dehumidifier is super-quiet and efficient in its operation. Like the other top models, this one also comes with smart features like the auto shut-off and auto restart functions.

Furthermore, the machine has a very simple design and is super-convenient to use. It has a washable and reusable filter too, which also aids ease of use. The dehumidifier boasts of a timer control system and an intelligent control panel, which allow you to program the results you desire. There’s also a LED display that visually displays present room humidity levels and the target humidity you desire. That apart, you can set a 24-hour sleep timer, adjust the fan speed, and auto defrost. It’s easy to move, but we must mention that the included handle isn’t as strong as it could be.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Intuitive settings
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Easy to set up
  • Washable and reusable filter
  • LED display
  • Many smart features
  • Quiet and efficient operation
    What is not ideal about it?
  • The handle isn’t strong
  • Low dehumidification performance
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9591 people in the past 30 days
8.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.3
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.5
8.7
4
Most Quiet Dehumidifier

Tosot 30 Pint Dehumidifier

Features
  • Dehumidification performance: 30 pints/day
  • Coverage area: up to 1,500 sq. ft.
  • Dimensions: 13.4 x 9.9 x 19.5 inches
  • Warranty: 1-year limited

More features: 52dB on highest speed; 24-hour timer

Deigned for medium of about 1,500 square feet, the TOSOT 30 Pint Dehumidifier is a machine that is perfect for storage spaces, basements, and large homes. To be honest, it performs quite admirably as it can remove up to four gallons of moisture from the atmosphere every day, and it does all this while being ultra-quiet below 50 decibels. Thanks to this, this machine doesn’t blend in with your environment only, but it also incredibly discreet. That apart, the unit is packed with helpful smart features like the auto restart feature, which automatically turns it on after a power outage with its previous settings.

This feature is particularly helpful when the machine is being used in the basement as it means you don’t need to run down to the basement to turn it on again each time there is a power outage. Your dehumidification can also be scheduled with two- and four-hour delay times. The machine comes with other smart features like an auto shut-off feature, a digital humidistat display, a 24-hour timer, and an automatic coil defrost. The first one kicks in when the reservoir is full while the second one is usually helpful in cold conditions. There is also an indicator that informs you when the bucket is full while there is another one when it’s time to change the filter.

However, the one-gallon tank that comes with this machine is rather small, especially for a unit that removes 30 pints of humidity from the air per day. Nevertheless, it makes up for that with its continuous drainage feature. it also features a wide range of humidity, and is capable of working from 35 percent up to 80 percent humidity. The fans also come in three different settings – high, medium, and low. Lest we forget, this unit is quite heavy and if you are physically disabled in any way, you should give it a second thought.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Ultra-quiet operation
  • Filter indicator
  • Decent coverage capacity
  • Digital humidistat display
  • 24-hour timer
  • Auto-restart and auto shut-off
  • Continuous drainage
    What could be better?
  • Small tank
  • Heavy construction
Also Product Ranking:

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3402 people in the past 30 days
8.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.2
8.6
Features
  • Dehumidification performance: 30 pints/day
  • Coverage area: up to 2,000 sq. ft.
  • Dimensions: 14.2 x 10.2 x 20.1 inches
  • Warranty: 1-year limited

More features: auto restart and auto shutoff; handles and caster wheels

Since different houses usually have different-sized rooms, then it’s logical for different people to be looking for different requirements when in the market for the best dehumidifiers for their needs. If you think a 30-pint capacity will be perfect for your space, then you can’t look beyond the Whynter Energy Star 30 Pint Portable Dehumidifier. It’s capable of covering a space of up to 2,000 square feet, but that’s only enough for medium-sized rooms. One of the most outstanding features on this unit is its auto restart feature. This feature allows the machine to restore the previously input settings after a power outage.

On top of that, it also features an automatic shut off, which shuts the device down when the reservoir is full. These features enable the machine to function excellently without being constantly supervised. The way dehumidifiers accumulate frost is a pain that most folks are aware of. To prevent users from dealing with this problem, this machine also comes with an automatic defrost function, which disallows the frost from accumulating. For easy mobility, the machine includes handles and caster wheels, allowing you to move it effortlessly from one room to the other.

Additionally, even though the unit comes with an inbuilt container, it also allows you to use the continuous or manual drainage option. Besides, you can wash and reuse the air filter, and for its gravity drain function, the machine comes with a three-inch drain hose. The only issue we encountered on this machine is its humidity sensor that jumps when you change the humidity setting

    Why did it make our list?
  • Auto shut-off and auto restart features
  • Easy mobility
  • Automatic defrost function
  • Washable and reusable filter
  • Continuous drainage option
  • Gravity drain function
    What is not ideal about it?
  • Inaccurate humidity sensor
Also Product Ranking:

Things to Consider

As it’s rightly said, no man is truly a sea of knowledge. With this in mind, it’s important to gather all the details and information you can before going to shop for the right dehumidifier for your needs. Below, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that’s certain to help you in your search for the ideal dehumidifier.

Benefits of a dehumidifier

Truly, dehumidifiers offer many benefits. However, most buyers are unaware of all their advantages, so we have compiled the most important ones here for some much-needed motivation.

Helps reduce allergies – Many allergy and allergens triggers, like mold, dust mites, and mildew, usually favor humid environments. Rooms with poor air circulation or rooms where water is usually used, such as laundry rooms, basements, and bathrooms, may be particularly prone to allergy-causing substances, which are usually quick to spread throughout the house. Fortunately, a dehumidifier is capable of helping to reduce the moisture that aids the growth of allergen, thereby improving the quality of air and helping to prevent some sorts of virus and bacteria growth also.

Reduces pest-related issues – Allergens are not the only unpleasant things that humidity favor. Many pests like roaches and spiders usually enjoy living in moist environments. If you have been seeing some creepy guests in your room, a dehumidifier may prevent their visits. Ensure you are paying attention to the places where you usually find the most pest activity. If those rooms are spaces where humidity is high or you usually use water, then that may be the roof of your pest problem.

5 Best Energy-Efficient Dehumidifiers — Perfect Humidity at No Extra Cost!Controls humidity levels – High moisture levels can, over time, lead to structural problems in a home. Condensation can accumulate, which may cause the development of mold and mildew, as well as deterioration and warping. Due to decreased air flow, homes that are properly sealed for energy efficiency can have the worst issues. If you notice wallpaper or paint peeling, a moldy or musty odor, or unusual stains, then you may require a dehumidifier to help stop further damages.

Improves comfort – Generally, homes with good humidity levels are more comfortable, which can be particularly detectable in muggy or tropical climates. Most times when you use a dehumidifier, the quality of the indoors air improves, and the air remains cooler.

Reduces energy costs – Another advantage of a dehumidifier is that it may help reduce energy costs by allowing your AC unit to function more efficiently. Since a dehumidifier operates to get rid of the moisture in the atmosphere, it means your AC unit likely does not need to work too hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. Therefore, this will help save energy usage and wear and tear on your AC unit. Make sure you look for ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifying units as they provide more energy savings since they utilize a whole 15% to operate.

Features to consider when choosing an energy-efficient dehumidifier

There are many factors you need to take into consideration when buying an energy-efficient dehumidifier, some of which we have listed below.

5 Best Energy-Efficient Dehumidifiers — Perfect Humidity at No Extra Cost!Dehumidification performance

Your dehumidifier’s performance level has to be determined by your home’s level of humidity. If the level of humidity in your home is high, then you’ll need a model that is capable of removing a lot of moisture every day, such as the Ivation 4,500 Sq Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier. However, if the humidity level in your home is mild, then you can go for models with lower dehumidification performance. In fact, some people are fine with 30-pint models, so it all depends on the humidity level of your home.

Coverage area

One of the first things you must consider has to be the amount of space the machine you want to buy is capable of dehumidifying at once. To do this, you have to determine the size of your space, and then find a model that can effectively process the air volume in that area. This’ll prevent you from buying a device that just won’t be enough. Since most manufacturers often specify the rated coverage area of their products, you aren’t likely to have any issue here. Both the Ivation 4,500 Sq Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier and the hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier are the best in this regard, with both being rated to cover up to 4500 square feet.

Continuous drain option

The chief function of the continuous drainage is to determine whether you need to empty the tank manually or not, or if you can connect the tank to another outlet, for it to autonomously drain itself. This way, you won’t need to be performing maintenance regularly. Besides, continuous drain will hugely depend on if it’s connected to an outlet or a drainage system so that the water collected can be disposed. If you can find a model with this feature, it will be a massive plus, especially if you use the device a lot.

Drain bucket capacity

5 Best Energy-Efficient Dehumidifiers — Perfect Humidity at No Extra Cost!The tank’s capacity will be one of the factors that determine the amount of humidity you can eliminate from the atmosphere every day. If your tank is too small, then it will be a lot of stress as you will be needing to be emptying the tank every now and then, which surely won’t be convenient. If you don’t see yourself enjoying this task of emptying tanks frequently, then you should go for a model with a larger container tank.

Dimensions

The truth is that the size of the room you want to dehumidify will determine the size of dehumidifier you will need to be looking at. Obviously if you want to dehumidify a small room, then you can go for a smaller and more compact model. However, if you are intending to use it in a larger space, then you should go for a larger unit, as larger sizes usually come with higher performances.

Weight

You also need to consider the weight of the unit you want to buy. In most cases, the weight doesn’t have a direct effect on the performance of a dehumidifier, but you still need to consider it for another important reason, which is mobility.

If you intend to be moving the device a lot from one room to another, then you will be better off with a lightweight model as heavier models will quickly wear you thin. If you won’t be moving the device, then you may not care about the weight as much.

Warranty

Whenever you’re buying anything, it’s important to check if it has a warranty. When it comes to dehumidifiers, different manufacturers usually offer different warranty lengths and terms, so you need to be very careful here. Our Editor’s choice, the hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier, is the model with the longest warranty length on our list, but that shouldn’t be surprising. It’s backed for a period of 24 months.

FAQ

How loud are dehumidifiers?

While loudness is subjective, typically, the average dehumidifier isn’t as noisy as a portable or window air conditioner. A dehumidifier, however, will produce some noise while operating. As a reference frame, the average dehumidifier is rated to produce between 55 to 60 decibels, which is not louder than a normal conversation.

How much energy do they consume?

The amount of energy your dehumidifier consumes depends significantly on its humidity settings and the time spend operating. Sometimes, your dehumidifier can have a higher energy consumption than your refrigerator, so these devices are quite energy-consuming. That’s why we advise you to go for one of the models on our list as they have been designed to be energy-efficient.

How to maintain a dehumidifier?

To properly maintain your dehumidifier, ensure you do the following things. Replace the Air Filter
  • Clean the container frequently.
  • Avoid short-cycling the compressor.
  • Inspect the condenser coils for ice or frost build-up.
  • Clean the exhaust grilles and air intake.
  • Ensure the unit is properly placed

Our verdict

The best dehumidifiers are about the most efficient performances and the most powerful operations. The best model has to be a combination of both and there is no model that does that better than the hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier. Apart from covering up to 4500 square feet, which is the highest on this list, this model also has a beautiful design, which allows it to improve the interiors of any space. While it’s not far ahead of the model that comes second, this model is the best energy efficient dehumidifier on our list.

At second spot, the Ivation 4,500 Sq Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier narrowly missed out on the number one spot. In fact, perhaps, it could take the number one spot on a different day, thanks to its varieties of smart features and a powerful performance. It has the highest dehumidification performance and the joint-largest coverage capacity, which should tell you something about this machine.

Our third-placed model is the SHINCO 30 Pint Dehumidifier, which although not spectacular in performance, won our hearts with its versatility. If you are looking for something to use for small spaces, you can’t go wrong with this one.

9,8
Total Score
hOmeLabs 70 Pint Dehumidifier - Editor’s Choice
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

X