The Best Dehumidifiers for 1,000 Square Feet

Experts say to buy the highest capacity you can afford, which for most homes means a 50 pint unit. One guide says a roughly 1000 square foot apartment that rarely goes above 60% humidity can use a 20 or 35 pint unit, though it will run longer. The compact units on this page list 1000 square feet but are far smaller than those pint sizes, so they suit one damp room.

None of the expert guides we read rank brands by long-term reliability. They say larger units that run for shorter periods are more efficient and more dependable. The top-rated models were compressor units from established appliance brands such as Frigidaire and Midea, and none of the brands on this page appear in those guides.

The expert guides we read favor 50 pint compressor models. One names the Midea Cube best overall, after it lowered a room from 90% to 40% humidity faster than any other unit it tested. Another picks the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1 as best for basements, and a third picks the Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5045W1 for collecting the most water. The compact units on this page were not covered in those reviews.

For a large or unfinished basement, experts favor a 50 pint compressor unit with a big tank and strong airflow. These also tend to exhaust warm air and can be noisy. A compact unit from this page suits a small damp pocket such as a closet or storage nook. If you want one, the Onsekin with its drain hose avoids tank trips.

In an apartment that rarely gets very humid, an expert guide says a 20 or 35 pint unit can be enough. If your problem is one damp bedroom or bathroom, a compact unit can work. The NineSky is our top pick, and the ToLife has a sleep mode listed under 30 dB. For the whole apartment, look at a larger compressor unit instead.