Best Dehumidifiers Under $250
Snag a lower-priced but still highly rated dehumidifier to keep your space's humidity in check
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The old adage "you get what you pay for" doesn’t necessarily apply to dehumidifiers. Some of the highest-rated models in CR’s tests cost less than $250.
Dehumidifiers are simple but important appliances that can draw excess moisture from the air. That helps to prevent the spread of dust mites and various other allergy triggers that can be found around your home. It can also rid a space of musty odors while deterring a host of potential health problems that can arise from high levels of humidity. A number of models in our dehumidifier ratings deliver that kind of performance without large price tags.
But which model should you buy? When shopping for a dehumidifier, let your room’s square footage serve as a guide. In our lab tests, we divide dehumidifiers into three categories based on how much water each model is supposed to remove from the air in a day. For example, a small-capacity dehumidifier can remove up to 30 pints of moisture per day, while a large model can handle 40 or more pints per day.
Our experts suggest that you consider buying a dehumidifier with a larger capacity than you might technically need. It will dry your room faster, and you won’t have to empty the tank as often. Read our sizing guide to determine the right humidifier for your space.
Below is CR’s roundup of the best dehumidifiers for under $250, including models of all sizes. We’ve noticed that many recommended models in our ratings aren’t available at retailers at this moment, so in this article we’re showcasing only highly rated dehumidifiers currently available online. For example, while we recommend several Honeywell dehumidifiers, we are not seeing them in stock at any retailers. Honeywell is currently experiencing delays in the production and shipment of dehumidifiers, according to CR market analyst Marion Wilson-Spencer. We will update this article as availability changes, and CR members with digital access can see all of the dehumidifiers we test in our comprehensive dehumidifier ratings. Also, check out our picks of the best dehumidifiers as well as our dehumidifier buying guide, which offers insights into how CR tests dehumidifiers, the dehumidifier features that matter most, and what to consider when shopping for a dehumidifier for your home.
Best Large-Capacity Dehumidifiers for Under $250
A large-capacity dehumidifier can easily cost over $300. (The most expensive dehumidifier we tested in this category is actually priced close to $800.) But it’s possible to get a relatively inexpensive large-capacity dehumidifier that also performs well. The Midea MAD50PS1AWBL is one such model. It’s advertised to be able to remove 50 pints of moisture from the air per day, and it’s decent at meeting that claim. Its 13-pint tank, however, is on the smaller side relative to its capacity. But you might not have to worry about having to empty the tank frequently because it comes with a hose that can drain the water into a sink or outside a window.
This dehumidifier scores well in our tests for energy efficiency and is also fairly quiet. As a brand, Midea’s dehumidifiers receive a favorable rating for reliability and a midlevel rating for owner satisfaction in CR’s member surveys.
Best Medium-Capacity Dehumidifiers for Under $250
The medium-capacity Midea MAD35S1QWT is the highest-rated model in all of our dehumidifier ratings. This top performer, which can remove 35 pints of moisture from the air per day, hits our water removal, energy-efficiency, and convenience tests out of the park. It also earns an excellent score for noise, making it one of the quietest in its category. It has a digital display, a built-in water pump, a drain hose, and a timer. Its very large 37-pint tank holds more than many of the large-capacity models.
The Midea MAD35C1AWS offers great performance at a budget-friendly price. This medium-capacity model should be all you need for a typical room because it pulls more than 30 pints of water per day, earning a stellar rating for water removal. The machine is also very quiet, though its humidistat accuracy is only so-so. The dehumidifier has an Energy Star certification and also scored well in our energy-efficiency tests. It doesn’t come with a hose, but its 14-pint tank is relatively large for its capacity, meaning you won’t have to empty the tank frequently.
Best Small-Capacity Dehumidifiers for Under $250
Our top-scoring small-capacity dehumidifier is the Midea MAD20S1QWT. This model earns standout ratings for water removal, noise, convenience, and humidistat accuracy in CR’s lab tests. It’s also relatively energy-efficient, comes with a drain hose, and features some nice bells and whistles, such as a timer and an auto-restart feature that turns the machine back on to its prior settings after a power outage. It has a 28-pint tank, which is fairly large for this category.
If noise is a concern, the small-capacity TCL W25D92 is for you. It scores very well for its quietness and also nabs near top level for water removal and energy efficiency in our tests. It is claimed to remove 25 pints of water from the air per day and has a tank size of 7 pints. The dehumidifier comes with convenient features, such as a timer that lets you set when you want your dehumidifier to turn on and off. TCL dehumidifiers, as a brand, earn very good ratings for reliability and midlevel ratings for owner satisfaction, based on our surveys.
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