A damp home breeds mold if moisture goes unchecked. Consumer Reports rated dehumidifiers on water removal, noise, and efficiency to find six top picks
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Dehumidifiers pull excess moisture from indoor air, protecting homes from mold, mildew, and structural damage. They work in basements, crawl spaces, and other rooms where moisture builds up. Rising energy costs have made efficiency a priority, pushing buyers toward models that pair strong water removal with low power draw.
Consumer Reports tested dehumidifiers on water removal, energy efficiency, and noise to find the models that deserve a recommendation.
Credit: Midea
At $245, the Midea MAD35S1QWT earned an overall score of 90 in Consumer Reports' testing. Its 37-pint tank holds more water than most medium-capacity models, which means fewer trips to the drain. CR found that it meets its 35-pint-per-day removal claim with top-level marks, and it scored excellent for energy efficiency. The unit also registered very low noise levels in its size class, according to CR's measurements.
Credit: Midea
Costing $204, the Midea MAD20S1QWT also scored 90 overall in Consumer Reports' ratings, tying the MAD35S1QWT. Its 28-pint tank is generous for a small-capacity model, meaning owners empty it far less often than competing units require. Consumer Reports gave it peak scores for water removal, convenience, and humidistat accuracy, noting that the built-in pump lets owners route water directly to a drain. CR's noise testing confirmed it runs very quietly compared with other small-capacity dehumidifiers in the lineup.
Credity: Honeywell
Consumer Reports awarded the Honeywell $HON TPFIT50AWK an overall score of 88, ahead of every other large-capacity model. Priced at $300, the unit claims a 50-pint-per-day removal rate and delivered on that figure in CR's water removal tests. CR's lab results confirm strong efficiency scores and especially low noise output for a unit of this size. The 15-pint tank is small relative to capacity, though a drain hose is included for continuous operation.
Credit: TCL
Priced at $160, the TCL TDW20E20 costs less than any other recommended model in Consumer Reports' dehumidifier ratings. It scored 85 overall and earned full marks for both water removal and energy efficiency in CR's testing. The manufacturer rates it at 20 pints per day, and CR confirmed the unit lives up to that claim. Its seven-pint tank is on the smaller side, but owners can attach a drain hose for uninterrupted use.
Credit: Midea
The Midea MAD35C1AWS carries a $195 price tag and scored 78 overall in Consumer Reports' evaluation. Its manufacturer rates it at 36 pints of water removal per day, and CR's tests placed it near the top mark for meeting that claim. Consumer Reports noted the unit runs very quietly and draws very little power, with a filter-cleaning alert that helps maintain long-term performance. CR found no notable flaws in its performance testing, though its humidistat accuracy rated only average.
Credit: Midea
Selling for $244, the Midea MAD50PS1AWBL earned a 72 overall score from Consumer Reports, placing it at the lower end of this list. The large-capacity unit claims 50 pints of daily water removal and performed reasonably well against that benchmark in CR's tests. Consumer Reports praised its excellent humidistat accuracy and energy efficiency, and the built-in pump provides a hands-free drainage option. CR noted that the 13-pint tank fills quickly given the unit's capacity, so continuous drainage through the included hose is the practical setup.
