Even though I’ve spent the better part of my life living in humid New York City, I never owned a dehumidifier. I never had a basement, and I was ignorant of the benefits of a portable dehumidifier.
I’ve been lucky in that I haven’t had or at least known about a mold issue where I live. I use an air conditioner in the hotter months, and that mitigates the moisture to some degree. But last spring I found myself on dehumidifier TikTok and decided to take my indoor air quality up a notch.
This past summer, I lived in a damp cabin in Maine where the humidity level was often at 80 percent, according to my air quality monitors. It was time for a dehumidifier. I wanted good air by all metrics—not just looking at PM 2.5 or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but low moisture, too. I also wanted a good hair day. And so these are the best models out of the many we tested, from our best for basements pick, the Honeywell Smart Portable Dehumidifier ($270), to our best portable version for travel or small spaces, the Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier E-333 ($25).
Updated October 2025: We've ensured accuracy of links and prices and added new helpful content to aid in your purchasing decision, including FAQs, WIRED/TIREDs, and a comparison table. We are currently testing Dreo's 110-pint 711S.
For more ways to improve your indoor quality, check out our guides to Best Air Purifiers, Best Air Quality Monitors, Best Window Air Conditioners, Best Space Heaters, and Best Fans.