Keep your bathroom free of mildew, mold, and dust mites by using a dehumidifier. Lowering the amount of moisture in the air can help you breathe better and make your home cleaner. Less humidity means you feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
There are three main types of dehumidifiers on the market. It may be a little hard to choose between them. We’ll review the top five portable models so you can find the best inexpensive solution that suits your home’s bathroom.
Types of dehumidifiers
There are three main types of dehumidifiers. Two use electricity and one uses a desiccant, or substance that removes moisture from the air without needing a power source.
Desiccant
Have you seen little sealed bags marked “do not eat” inside the container when you buy vitamins or leather goods? Items that should not be exposed to high humidity often come packaged with a small sack of desiccant. Most of the time this desiccant is silica gel. It absorbs water from the air.
Dehumidifiers like DampRid use materials like silica gel to absorb moisture. Depending on the amount of humidity, the ambient temperature, and the size of the desiccant container, you may have to replace it every week or every couple of months.
Desiccant dehumidifiers work better in small, enclosed spaces like closets. Their advantage lies in the fact that they don’t require any power source. Their disadvantage is that they don’t actively draw air in so they may not be as efficient at removing moisture in a room.
Mechanical or refrigeration dehumidifiers
A mechanical or refrigeration-type dehumidifier can actually warm your home. It pulls room air over a cold, refrigerated coil. The water in the air condenses on the coil and drips down, or is pumped, into a collection container or runs out a hose placed into a drain. The dry air that leaves the dehumidifier is usually warmer than room air.
The advantage of this type is that it actively draws in damp air so the room’s air circulates and humidity levels drop faster. One disadvantage is that it needs electricity to operate. Another is that it uses a compressor and fan so it makes noise. Finally, ice may build up on the coil. The warm air put out by the dehumidifier may also be a disadvantage if it conflicts with air conditioning.
Peltier or thermoelectric dehumidifier
A Peltier heat pump cools a collector surface to encourage water in the air to condense. Unlike a refrigeration or mechanical dehumidifier, there is no pump or compressor, and no moving parts.
The advantages of this type are that it’s quieter and usually lasts longer before breaking down than a mechanical dehumidifier. One disadvantage is that it can only handle treating small rooms, RVs, or mobile homes. Another is that ice may build up on the collector surface. It also needs electricity to run.
The 5 best dehumidifiers for your bathroom
| Picture | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
 | Eva-Dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier | Peltier technology |
 | Ivation GDM20 Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier, 1100 Cubic Feet | Peltier technology |
 | Premium Dehumidifier by Pure Enrichment | Peltier technology |
 | Frigidaire FAD504DWD Energy Star 50-pint Dehumidifier | Compressor/refrigeration technology |
 | DampRid FG01K Refillable Moisture Absorber, Fragrance Free, 10.5-Ounce | Desiccant |
Now that you’ve taken a peek at what kinds of dehumidifiers are available, let’s take a look at the best small models that will be perfect for keeping your bathroom dry.
Eva-Dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier
Uses Peltier technology
Our top pick is the Eva-Dry EDV-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier. It’s small enough to stick in a corner out of the way, but powerful enough to take care of an average size bathroom even after multiple showers on a rainy day. The 1100 in the product name means it treats up to 1100 square feet.
This dehumidifier uses Peltier technology, which is preferable because it’s quiet and energy-efficient. It draws in the humid air and makes the moisture in the air condense inside. The water from the condensation drains into a 16-ounce container.
The container is clear so you can see when it’s time to empty it out. If you forget, the Eva-Dry shuts itself off automatically and shows a “full” indicator light.
Ivation GDM20 Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier, 1100 Cubic Feet
Uses Peltier technology
You might be thinking that the Ivation GDM20 looks a lot like the Eva-Dry EDV-1100. You’d be right. They are practically the same except for the branding on the outside. This means you’ll get the same efficient and quiet performance from either one.
The Ivation GDM20 holds up to 16 ounces of water and also sports a washable air filter. If you let the reservoir fill completely, the dehumidifier shuts down and warns you with an indicator LED. It may take two days to fill the container if it’s 86-degrees F with 80% humidity.
Ivation says their model measures 5.75 by 5.32 by 8.78 inches. It’s very portable so you can move it from room to room or take it with you in the RV. It runs off household electricity with a 9-volt DC adaptor.
Premium Dehumidifier by Pure Enrichment
Uses Peltier technology
Pure Enrichment offers their Premium Dehumidifier that holds up to 27 ounces of water. With Peltier technology, it can pull out up to ten ounces of water a day from room air. Keep an eye on the transparent collection container to see when it’s time to empty it. If you forget, it shuts down by itself and the “full” light turns on.
Like the previous two dehumidifiers, this one is very quiet. We also like the sleek design of its exterior.
Frigidaire FAD504DWD Energy Star 50-pint Dehumidifier
Uses a compressor/refrigeration technology
If you have a large bathroom, a serious problem with humidity, or prefer a humidifier you can use all around the house, the Frigidaire FAD504DWD may be just what you need. It uses a mechanical refrigeration compressor to condense humidity from the air into water. It holds up to 16.3 pints of water collected from the air and can process up to 50 pints total each day.
This dehumidifier uses a fan to pull air across a refrigerated coil. The condensed water collects in the large container at the front. If you have access to a drain, you can connect a hose and let the FAD504DWD run continuously. Otherwise, you’ll need to empty the collection bucket or the unit will shut down by itself once it’s full.
This dehumidifier has a washable filter to cut down on dust, odors, and bacteria in the air. The two fan speeds let you control how fast it works. It makes more noise than the small Peltier dehumidifiers described above, but it can treat a much larger space. Please do note that you cannot use an extension cord to run the FAD504DWD and you’ll need a grounded (three-prong) outlet for it. It has a 6-foot power cord.
The FAD504DWD is much larger than the Ivation, the Pure Enrichment, and the Eva-Dry dehumidifiers. Fortunately, it has a handle and wheels to make it easy to move around the house.
DampRid FG01K Refillable Moisture Absorber, Fragrance Free, 10.5-Ounce
Desiccant
Finally, we’ve reached the best solution if you can’t tolerate noise or don’t have a spare electrical outlet. DampRid is a desiccant with crystals that trap moisture from the air. This 10.5-ounce size can dry the air in a small bathroom. It works best if it is placed where there is some air circulation.
One container can last up to 45 days depending on the amount of moisture in the air. The crystals eventually dissolve as they soak up humidity. When they are completely dissolved, you can toss the container’s contents into the toilet and flush it away.
The container has a tamper-resistant lid to protect against pets and children because it’s not very safe for them to ingest the crystals. Regular DampRid is odorless, but it also comes in fresh and lavender vanilla scents.
Other ways to cut down on humidity in the bathroom
Try these other tips for keeping your bathroom dry.
- Open a window and leave the door to the bathroom open after a shower or bath.
- Use a space heater to warm the air and a fan to circulate it.
- Use a towel or squeegee to remove as much water as possible from walls and mirrors after you’ve finished a bath.
- Don’t leave wet towels or clothing in the bathroom.
- Take quick baths or showers with less water—turn off the water to soap up, then turn it back on for a brief rinse.
- Use cool water instead of hot to release less water vapor into the air.
- Make your own dehumidifier with rock salt.
Why too much humidity isn’t good for your home
Too much humidity can do a lot more damage than a bad hair day. Damp air makes wood warp and paper and clothes musty. Mildew and mold are obvious signs that there is too much moisture in the air.
But did you know that critters like dust mites, termites, silver fish, and wood lice love moist environments? Dust mites are microscopic but they can cause big respiratory problems. The other bugs can destroy the structure of your home and its contents.
High humidity causes respiratory problems, skin problems, and general discomfort because sweat builds up on your body and doesn’t evaporate properly. If you can lower your home’s humidity levels to between 25 to 60%, both you and your house will be in better shape.
While you wait for your new dehumidifier to arrive
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We hope these reviews of the best bathroom dehumidifiers helped you find the best one for your home.
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