5 Best Desiccant Dehumidifiers — Reviews and Buying Guide

A list of desiccant dehumidifiers that excel at maintaining a perfect humidity level at your house.
By
Daniel
Daniel
Writer
Daniel is among our most talented writers: based on the dull expert reports he's able to make up a comprehensive, reader-friendly article which anyone can benefit from. Also read more
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Reviewed By
Tom
Tom
Tom
Expert Consultant
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known read more
Last updated: August 23, 2023
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Apart from making the allergy seasons more difficult for you, the extensive level of humidity also aid the growth of mold. Therefore, if you’re living in a too humid home, the right line of action is to get the best desiccant dehumidifier.

To help you make the best buying decision, we considered the water tank capacity. In general, you should opt for the larget, as it gets rid of the need to empty the water tank frequently. The dehumidification performance itself should not be overlooked, so if it’s possible, always choose a higher humidity removal capability than you actually required to take fluctuating air conditions into account. We considered more than 25 different models, but only 5 best ones made it to the list, and the Afloia X3 turned out to be our Editor’s Choice.

Quick Summary

Top 5 Desiccant Dehumidifiers Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 8396 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.6
9.8
Features
  • Water tank capacity: 4 pints
  • Dehumidification (pints per day): 14
  • Coverage area: up to 430 sq. ft.
  • Dimensions: 18 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches
  • Warranty: n/a

More features: 40-45 dB noise level, 24h timer, 6.56 feet drain hose, operating temperature 23-122ºF, wind adjust angle

This is a quiet desiccant dehumidifier for medium to large rooms. You can buy this product to control humidity in your house or recreational van in winter. It is very efficient against the problem of condensation in the windows. It’s small and compact, which means it’s easy to store.

This device can dehumidify the air to an optimal level, depending on the ambient temperature. It also lets you choose the humidity level that works best for you. So you can select between 35% and 80% and it stops when it is reached. The Afloia X3 also has a multiple-speed fan and a timer. The timer allows you to schedule its switching on and off as you wish to and according to current ambient air temperature.

This model has no Energy Star certification but the timer helps you save energy, ensuring you only use it when you need it. In addition, it is relatively quiet, which is generally well appreciated. The dehumidifier is whisper quiet. It doesn’t feature a compressor, which is the secret of its quietness. It operates well below 45 decibels and should not be a problem if you wish to use it at night. Hence, you can run the device all day and night.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Low noise level
  • Adjustable multiple speed fan
  • Ideal for medium to large rooms
  • Ideal for clothes drying
  • Size-efficiency ratio
  • Convenient timer
    What could be better?
  • Not Energy Star certified
  • Small tank
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6673 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.6
Features
  • Capacity: 750 grams
  • Coverage area: small spaces like gun cases, ammo storages, electronics, camera bags, tool boxes, cabinets, etc.
  • Runtime: depends on the humidity level
  • Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 6.5 inches
  • Warranty: not specified

More features: lid contains orange moisture indicating silica gel for a visual indication of when the unit needs to be reactivated

Looking only at its design, you would instantly figure out that the Dry-Packs Silica Gel Canister Dehumidifier was intentionally designed to be unique. For optimal moisture absorption, the unit features a large 750-gram volume, which means getting it filled will take more time. This should be the get-to-go choice for anyone looking for a model that effectively combines quality performance with longevity.

Also, this unit is different from the other models with excessive plastic construction, as it sports a sturdy aluminum canister. And its super portability means you can place it easily where you want.  It is surely one of the most versatile dehumidifiers on the market, and since it is simple to reactivate, you don’t have to buy a new unit every time. This one will also offer you a lifetime of gun protection, and you will only need to reactivate it when its full.

The dehumidifier features an indicator that signals when it has to be reactivated by turning from orange to dark green. You have to adhere to the provided manufacturer instructions as far as reactivation is concerned. Moreover, this machine comes in handy for other sorts of applications like craft supplies, storage binds, RVs, trailers, tackle boxes, drawers, tool boxes, shoes, cabinets, and gun cases. The best part about it is that it offers a lifetime of regular dehumidification.

    Why are we impressed?
  • Small in size
  • Handy to use
  • Ideal for small enclosed areas
  • Can last for a lifetime
  • Recharging indicator
  • Sturdy construction
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • It needs constant reactivating
  • Can’t be used for the entire room dehumidification
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9770 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.3
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.5
Features
  • Capacity: 4-6 oz.
  • Coverage area: up to 333 ft3.
  • Runtime: 20-30 days before renewing; up to 10 years
  • Dimensions: 2.8 x 9 x 8.3 inches
  • Warranty: 5-year limited

More features: requires no batteries; contains crystals that indicate when the unit reaches its capacity

Have you been recently worried about finding a way to protect your clothes and valuables from the harmful effects of moisture and mildew? You can finally breathe a sigh of relief as we introduce the Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier to you. Being a renewable model that is sufficiently durable to serve you for about ten years, this machine has been engineered for optimal moisture absorption from little spaces. Not only is it a highly efficient model, but it is also the best budget desiccant dehumidifier on our list.

Beside its renewable factor, the unit doesn’t require any electrical power, which means it can operate without batteries and cords. Just put it in a little enclosure like a closet, and it’ll start absorbing moisture. Further, located in the indicator window are moisture meter crystals, which help indicate when the unit requires to be renewed. The machine is capable of working incessantly for three to eight weeks, absorbing as much as possible moisture, based on the enclosed area’s humidity level. All absorbed moisture is at no risk of leakage or spillage since it is collected by a safe and odorless crystalized silica gel.

Renewing the mini dehumidifier doesn’t take much effort – just move it from its place and plug it in a power outlet and that’s all. However, there is a tendency that this unit will get hot when plugged, so you might want to consider that as well.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Long-lasting operation
  • No cluttered spills
  • Requires no power to operate
  • Children-friendly
  • Renewable
    What could be better?
  • Has a tendency of getting hot when plugged in
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 8625 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.1
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
9.2
Features
  • Water tank capacity: 3.8 pints
  • Dehumidification (pints per day): 13
  • Coverage area: up to 270 sq. ft.
  • Dimensions: 10.6 x 6.85 x 17.35 inches
  • Warranty: 1-year limited

More features: washable air filter; LCD interface; adjustable fan

Featuring all the bells and whistles you might be looking forward to in a desiccant dehumidifier, we proudly present the Ivation 13-Pint Small-Area Desiccant Dehumidifier to every lover of high-quality humidifiers. While this model is a desiccant dehumidifier, it has many advanced features typically found in electric units that utilize compressors. It’s specially designed for moving spaces, so it might be the best desiccant rechargeable dehumidifier for your van.

To prevent spillage or unintentional discharge while the vehicle is in motion, there is an anti-tilting auto shut-off feature that is activated by a sudden movement. Furthermore, the dehumidification rate of the unit is thirteen pints per day, which means it is an ideal dehumidifier for bathrooms that are as large as 270 square feet, even if the temperature drops in the region of 0.56 degrees Celsius. Besides, this unit has a 3.8-pint capacity water tank and a continuous drainage option, thanks to the included drain hose. Although, the unit might be a bit heavier than most other options, at 13.95 pounds.

The unit also has several settings which include a timer, screen brightness, variable fan speed, and a sleep mode which you can activate or adjust on the LCD panel. There is also an inbuilt humidistat that keeps a tab on humidity levels, although only at five percent increments while there is also an automatic restart feature which is usually useful after the occurrence of a power outage. The unit is also durable, operates quietly, and comes with a washable air filter.

    What do we love it for?
  • Operates quietly
  • Can dehumidify an entire RV
  • Has a washable air filter
  • Sleep mode and timer
  • In-built humidistat
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Humidistat measures only to nearest five percent
  • A bit heavy
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5361 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.5
9.0
Features
  • Capacity: 40 grams; absorbs 15% of its weight in 2 hours
  • Coverage area: up to 3 ft3. of enclosed space
  • Runtime: not specified
  • Dimensions: 4 x 2 x 0.5 inches
  • Warranty: not specified

More features: comes with a colored indicator that shows you when they need to be reactivated

To humidify a little-enclosed area of around three cubic feet, the Hydrosorbent Dehumidifiers Desiccant Dehumidifier is your get-to-go model. This small unit is the ideal option for dehumidifying small spaces like your camera box, tool boxes, and telescope cases. In addition, this product doesn’t need any power source to operate, which means it can work without a battery or cord. You only need to put it where you want it to dehumidify, and it will go on about its task.

This dehumidifier from Hydrosorbent comes with an inbuilt recharge indicator. The indicator is originally orange in color, but it turns itself clear when it requires a reactivation. Surprisingly, the silica gel utilized in the unit lasts you for an entire lifetime, which is unlike other silica gel-based units. All you just have to do is to reactivate it in the oven. Fortunately, the reactivation process as a whole is straightforward and simple.

The silica gel used in the dehumidifier contains no cobalt, which is why it has no proneness to any kind of spoilage. Perhaps, the only shortcoming that can be attributed to this product is its ineffectiveness in large spaces. Besides that, it will amaze you with its host of functionalities.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Small construction
  • Easy to use
  • Perfect for small enclosed areas
  • Recharge indicator
  • Doesn’t require any power
    What is not ideal about it?
  • Ineffective in large areas
  • Needs to be recharged from time to time

Things to Consider

Desiccant dehumidifiers aren’t really what we can regard as standard products, which means a lot of people don’t even know many things about them. If you are looking to buy a desiccant dehumidifier for the first time, you need to equip yourself with every necessary information, which is what we aim to help you with here.

How do desiccant dehumidifiers work?

These types of dehumidifiers operate by using desiccant material. Simply put, desiccant substances like the silica gel bags usually found in clothes or electronic boxes are very magnetic to water, and they basically strip humidity from the atmosphere. The desiccant material is hung on a pivoting disc. The air from the room blows on to one portion of the disc, thereby absorbing moisture. Then, the disc pivots until it’s exposed to a warm blast of air, which gets rid of the humid, where it’s collected in the auto-drain pipe or in the tank. With this, the desiccant material is reactivated and the procedure cycles regularly in this way.

Features to consider while choosing a desiccant dehumidifier

Before deciding to select a particular model, there are some essential factors you must think about. Below are some of the most important factors a buyer must take into consideration:

Water tank capacity/volume of the absorbent

One of the most critical factors you must consider when buying a desiccant dehumidifier, or even any dehumidifier, is its water tank capacity. In general, the higher the moisture extraction’s rate, the more the water the tank will be able to contain. A larger capacity gets rid of the need to empty the water tank frequently. In addition, a larger capacity means the desiccant dehumidifier will have a larger coverage most times.

Coverage area

Another important feature you must look before making your purchase is the coverage area of your intended unit. In order to get the ideal unit for your space regarding coverage area, simply calculate the size of where you intend to be using it, and find a model that can process of air volume in that space effectively so that you don’t end up choosing an underperforming model. Manufacturers usually indicate the coverage area of their products.

Dehumidification performance

Best Desiccant HumidifierAlso called moisture extraction capacity, the dehumidification performance is quantified by the amount of moisture the machine is capable of removing from the atmosphere in a day. This should be one of your determining factors when choosing the right model for your needs. If there is a very high level of humidity at your home, we recommend you to choose a unit with a high dehumidification rate, like the Afloia X3 which absorbs fifteen pints of humidity from the atmosphere daily.

If it’s possible, always choose a higher humidity removal capability than you actually required to take fluctuating air conditions into account.

Sound level for larger models

Noisy machines can be very disturbing, particularly if its located close to a bedroom. These units operate without remigration systems and compressors, which makes them perfect for people in search of quiet-operating units. They absorb excess humidity from the atmosphere by extracting water molecules into a desiccant material which draws water.

It is vital to keep in mind that large desiccant dehumidifiers usually provide you with the choice to switch to a lower mode making the noise level even lower.

Dimensions and weight

The weight and size of a desiccant dehumidifier ought to be determined by the level of humidity and the area to be covered. Portable models are usually compact and lightweight, which makes them easy to transport and install in confined spaces. Also, the weight and size of a unit can point to its type, its coverage area, and its water tank capacity. Desiccant dehumidifiers are usually lighter and smaller than compressor models since the compressor-based models usually feature extra mechanical components.

Warranty

Get yourself acquainted with warranties offered by various companies and additional incentives. You can get all those details from verified buyers online as well as authoritative reviews like this one. Backed by a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, the model with the most extended warranty on our list is the Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier.

Extra features

You can also look for models that come with extra fancy features like LED/LCD/color indicators, auto shut-off, speeds, and controls, among others. However, keep in mind that the lack of these features doesn’t mean a model will be less efficient. They are just convenient options designed to make things easier, and they usually mean you will have to pay extra.

Tips on how to maintain your dehumidifier

Best Desiccant HumidifierTo take full advantage of your dehumidifier, it is very crucial to observe the appropriate precautionary measures whilst using them. Also, you have to regularly carry out the essential maintenance to ensure your desiccant dehumidifier provides ideal functionally for a lot of years.

Properly read the user manual

The first and most important thing you need to do before making use of your new unit is properly going through the accompanying user manual. You have to ensure you’re wholly acquainted with the whole processes of the dehumidifier put forward by the makers before you attempt to run it. Else, you might wind up damaging the machine beyond any repair.

Properly set up the dehumidifier

After you have consulted the manual, it’s now time to set your dehumidifier up. You have to be painstaking when following the steps of assembly listed in the user manual to make sure that the product is properly set up.

Regularly empty the water tank

Periodically cleaning the condensate tank is very vital to ensure your dehumidifier lives a very long life. Not attending to the condensate tank for a long period of time may prompt the growth of various kinds of mildew and mold in the long run.

Keep the unit away from gas storages or flammable liquids

While setting your desiccant dehumidifier up, it is vital to ensure that there are no gases or flammable liquids around the device. You don’t want to fall victim to a critical domestic accident, so you must keep this in mind at all times.

Keep the cords in check

Desiccant dehumidifiers usually consume a significant amount of electric current. Thus, it is vital to consider the condition of the power cords. We strongly recommend you to inspect them regularly and replace them as required.

FAQ

How to renew a portable dehumidifier?

Just place the whole unit in the oven at 250 degrees for about two and a half hours. Allow the unit to cool very well so that you will be able to handle it, and then take it back to its spot. Keep in mind that once renewed, the indicator will slowly turn to its initial color.

Is one small dehumidifier enough for my whole van?

This actually depends on how small the dehumidifier is and how large your van is. Small, renewable models usually only suit enclosed areas like closets, gun safes, and cabinets. For a van it’s better to go for a model with at least 150 square feet of coverage area.

What to do if I need to dehumidify my whole home, not just one room? Can I buy only one, powerful unit for this purpose?

Yes, none of the models reviewed in this article is powerful enough to dehumidify an entire house. If you need a super powerful model, consider buying a whole house dehumidifier.

Our verdict

Overall, the uniquely designed one is Dry-Packs Silica Gel Canister Dehumidifier. Durable, practical, versatile, and portable are some of the most suitable superlatives we can find for this unit. Besides, the model is capable of lasting you for a lifetime – just make sure you are reactivating it constantly.

Our next spot goes to the budget-friendly Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier. Despite being the cheapest model on this list, it manages to radiate a high-performance level seamlessly. Since it is a renewable model, it is also capable of serving you for a lot of years.

9,8
Total Score
Afloia X3 -
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