The best dehumidifiers of 2026 for basements, mould and drying laundry

In unheated rooms, garages or any space kept below about 15°C, such as a cold basement, a desiccant dehumidifier is usually the better choice. Compressor models lose much of their efficiency in the cold and can ice up, while desiccant units keep extracting water and give off gentle warmth, which helps when drying laundry. In a heated home kept around 18 to 21°C, a compressor model removes water for less electricity. Check the operating temperature range on the spec sheet before buying.

Often yes, especially compared with a standard vented or condenser dryer, though a heat pump dryer can be just as frugal. Work it out: a 250 W compressor dehumidifier running for 6 hours uses 1.5 kWh, about 15¢ at an example rate of 10¢ per kWh; a 650 W desiccant model uses 3.9 kWh, about 39¢. Compare that with your dryer's energy use per load, which you'll find on its spec sheet or in the manual. Close the door, use laundry mode and space the clothes out.

For a damp bedroom or small apartment, a 10 to 12 L/day model is usually enough; for a larger house, a basement or regular laundry drying, go for 20 L/day or more. Extraction rates are measured in warm, very humid lab conditions, often 30°C and 80% humidity, so expect less in a cool room or basement. A continuous drain hose saves emptying the tank, and a built-in humidistat set to around 50% stops it running needlessly.

It will cut condensation and stop new mould spreading, but it won't remove mould that is already there. Wipe existing patches with a mould remover, keep humidity between 40 and 60%, and run the dehumidifier in rooms where the windows drip with condensation in the morning. If mould keeps returning, look for a cause such as a leak, poor ventilation or a cold wall. If you rent, raise it in writing with your landlord or property manager as a repair issue.

Most often the room is too cold for a compressor model, or the air has already reached the humidity you set. Below about 15°C a compressor unit can ice up and spend much of its time defrosting. Check the humidistat setting, vacuum the air filter and make sure the tank float isn't stuck. If the fan runs in a warm, damp room and still nothing drips, the refrigerant circuit may be at fault, so contact the retailer or manufacturer about a warranty repair.