Those that live in humid climates know the importance of a great dehumidifier. Typically, running a dehumidifier all day long is necessary to keep your home comfortable. And, since you ideally spend eight hours a day sleeping, dehumidifying while you sleep is even more critical.
While dehumidifiers remove excess moisture (humidity) from the air and reduce impacts of allergens, mold growth, and asthma flare-ups, if they are too loud, they could keep you awake at night.
If you're looking for a quiet dehumidifier to use while you sleep or watch TV, you've come to the right place. This thorough guide reviews the top five best quiet dehumidifiers on the market.
Disclosure: We may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. This does not impact our reviews and comparisons. All opinions are our own. We pride ourselves on keeping our articles fair and balanced. For more info see our disclosure statement.Quietest Dehumidifier Quick Comparison Table
Use the chart below to compare the top options of quiet dehumidifiers quickly.
If you want in-depth details on the features of each dehumidifier, scroll past the chart to read the individual reviews.
What We Look For in a Quiet Dehumidifier
We thoroughly test, research, and review every dehumidifier before recommending them to you. We evaluate several features, benefits, and other essential factors. Here are our top considerations for the best quiet dehumidifiers.
Noise level (db)
Using a dehumidifier helps keep your home comfortable, especially if you live in a very humid climate. But did you know that keeping the humidity level between 40% to 60% can also mean better sleep? Unfortunately, if your dehumidifier is too loud, it can keep you awake or disrupt your REM sleep.
Note: The perfect balance is a dehumidifier that reduces moisture to comfortable levels and creates minimal noise.
While we focus on how dehumidifier noise can affect your sleep, that's not the only consideration. Ever try to hold a conversation next to loud noises? How about while you watch TV, play a video game, meditate, or read a book? A noisy dehumidifier can hinder or ruin your activities in all these examples.
Capacity and Purpose
Another important aspect we consider for dehumidifiers is their capacity and purpose. Capacity is how much moisture the dehumidifier can hold. Dehumidifiers with a smaller capacity tank mean you will have to empty it more frequently, especially if your home is extremely humid.
For convenience, many dehumidifiers have a continuous drain option. This feature allows you to connect a hose or tube and divert the water it collects directly down the drain! With this setup, you sidestep the chore of emptying the tank.
Coverage Area
The dehumidifier's coverage area is also essential. Dehumidifiers that only cover 50 to 100 square feet won't be that useful in a bedroom or shared living area. As such, this is something we keep in mind.
Smaller dehumidifiers are obviously designed for small spaces. However, some people falsely think that small dehumidifiers can work in a large room and just take longer. But they're wrong. Small dehumidifiers don't process enough air to significantly impact a large room's humidity levels. Trust us; we've tested this.
Certifications
Energy efficiency is becoming more of a concern for people nationwide. And since all dehumidifiers run on electricity, you should, as much as possible, look for an energy-efficient one to keep operating costs down.
Luckily, there are ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers out in the market today. With this certification, a dehumidifier can operate nearly 15% less energy compared to non-certified counterparts.
Note: Most dehumidifiers use compressors with low energy usage while removing large amounts of moisture from the air. However, they are a few "bad seeds" energy suckers that we will never recommend to you.
Quietest Dehumidifier Reviews
Without hearing each dehumidifier in person, it can be challenging to tell which ones make the least amount of sound. That is why we did hours of research and testing to find the best dehumidifiers that are quiet as a whisper.
That way, you don't have to play the game of Russian roulette of buying a dehumidifier without hearing it first!
Also Available on Amazon Also Available on AmazonSpecification Comparison Table
Quiet Dehumidifier Buying Guide
Much like humid air is filled with moisture, the market is saturated with thousands (or more) models of dehumidifiers. Since there are so many out there, it is very challenging to find a good one, let alone a good and quiet dehumidifier.
We put together a comprehensive buying guide that focuses on what matters most when you're shopping for the quietest dehumidifier of your dreams.
Noise
Of course, if a dehumidifier is too loud, it will affect your normal daily tasks. For example, if you are sleeping, reading a book, having a conversation, watching a movie, or listening to music, these activities can all be disrupted by a loud dehumidifier.
Usually, 50 decibels or lower are acceptable, but some people prefer even quieter.
Besides the intensity of the sound, you should consider the type of sound the dehumidifier makes too. A well-running and high-quality dehumidifier will create a constant purr that doesn't vary much in pitch or tone.
This type of low hum is not bothersome to most people. In fact, it is relaxing to many and helps with their sleep!
On the other hand, dehumidifiers that sound like trash disposals or locomotive trains (lots of sudden and sharp sound variations) will be distracting and an annoyance.
Coverage
You will need to purchase a dehumidifier that has the correct coverage area. For example, if you plan to use it in your 12×12 foot bedroom, you will need a dehumidifier with at least 144 square feet coverage area. If you get one that has a large capacity, that is fine. But you will be paying extra, so keep that in mind.
Note: Purchasing a dehumidifier with a 3,000 square foot coverage area for your 144 square feet area bedroom doesn't make much sense. However, a dehumidifier that covers 300 square feet or even 500 square feet for the same room wouldn't be scoffed at.
Tank Size
The size of the dehumidifiers tank is something you should keep in mind. If the tank is tiny, you will have to empty it frequently. With a large tank, you will have fewer trips to the sink to unload, but it could get heavy if it is too big.
Drainage Type
Along with an integral tank, some dehumidifiers come with a continuous drain hose. Instead of emptying the tank, all you have to do is connect the drain line to a drain in your home. This convenience is a deal-breaker for many homeowners.
Cost
The price of a dehumidifier can greatly influence your decision on which model to purchase. If your desired model is outside your budget, you can wait until it goes on sale. Or you can find a similar one that will work in your home.
If you need to choose a lower-cost model, consider which features are most important to you. Then find the unit that fits your "must-haves" the best while staying within your budget.
A Quiet Conclusion
Dehumidifiers are perfect devices for increasing your home's comfort and indoor air quality. They prevent gold and mildew growth and reduce asthma flare-ups. And with a quiet dehumidifier, you can enjoy all these benefits without a nuisance.
If you're still up in the air on which dehumidifier to buy, consider where you will use it, how large of a space you need to dehumidify, and other features/configurations that appeal to you.