Best Dehumidifiers in 2023 as reviewed by Australian consumers

What is a dehumidifier used for?

A dehumidifier is a household appliance that is designed to make air in your home less humid. It does this by using a built-in fan to suck air into the unit. Moisture is then removed using either a refrigerant compressor or a desiccant wheel. The dehumidified air is then released back into a room, often via an air filter that removes dust, pollen, mould spores and bacteria. This makes a dehumidifier great for mould.

The moisture extracted from humid air collects inside a dehumidifier's water tank, which needs to be removed and emptied when full.

Pros

Great for high humidity climates.

Suitable if your home has poor ventilation.

Prevents condensation build-up if you don't have an extraction fan in the bathroom or an exhaust hose in the laundry for your dryer, especially heat pump dryers.

Stops mould and mildew from growing on walls, furniture, clothing and other belongings.

Prevents timber from cracking and warping, and metal from rusting.

Helps alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms, as mould and dust mites can be caused by high humidity.

Prevents musty smells.

Can help lessen stains caused by mild water damage.

Cons

Dehumidifiers can be expensive - the cheapest models start at around $200.

These appliances can be loud - operating at higher than 50dB.

Dehumidifiers leave a room warmer, which could be frustrating in hot weather.

The Dry Mode/Dehumidifying Function on your air conditioner, common in split system ACs, may be just as effective.

Types of Dehumidifiers

Desiccant Dehumidifiers

Also called absorption dehumidifiers, these work by drawing air over a rotating desiccant wheel inside the appliance. The desiccant on the wheel absorbs the moisture. The desiccant is a drying agent such as silica gel (like in those little packets of gel balls you find in shoeboxes). The air that is vented into the room is drier, and the damp part of the wheel is also dried out using an internal heating element. Excess water is collected in the tank.

Due to the heating element in the dehumidifier, a desiccant dehumidifier can make a room around 10-12°C warmer than it was to begin with. As a result, they're better suited to cold climates.

Compressor Dehumidifiers

These are also named refrigerant dehumidifiers, or mechanical dehumidifiers. They draw in moist air and run it over refrigerated cooling coils. The coils separate water vapour into two parts, water and drier air. Drier air re-enters the room, and water is collected in the dehumidifier's water tank.

Since compressor dehumidifiers contain a refrigerant, they need to be colder than the temperature outside the unit to work effectively. That's why they are suited to hotter climates.

Which dehumidifier is better, compressor or desiccant?

Factor	Desiccant dehumidifier	Compressor dehumidifier
Climate	Better for cold, damp climates consistently under 20°C - but they can still operate in both hot and cold climates effectively.	Suitable for hot, humid climates with above-20°C temperatures.
Temperature	Warms up the room temperature by 10-12°C.	Makes air around 1-2°C warmer.
Build	Smaller, lighter and easily portable (the wheel and heater are typically lighter than a compressor).	Bulkier and heavier, due to the compressor.
Size	Correctly sized and cost-effective for smaller rooms.	More options for larger rooms and open-plan spaces.
Noise level	Quiet than compressor models, starting at around 35dB.	Noisier to operate, typically starting at 50dB.
Availability	Less commonly available to buy.	Many more compressor models on the market.

Other factors to consider when buying a dehumidifier

Size

Dehumidifier manufacturers will state the right room size for a particular model, in square metres or cubic metres (which is a more accurate measure if your room has high ceilings). It’s advisable to measure your room to make sure a dehumidifier is the correct size. It’s better to get a dehumidifier that’s slightly larger or overpowered, rather than underpowered.

The size of a dehumidifier also affects its water removal rate. As an example, here are the sizes of Ausclimate dehumidifiers. Ausclimate currently takes out all Top 5 spots in the Dehumidifiers category on ProductReview.com.au.

Dehumidifiers Size Guide

Small: 12-16 L (For rooms 20-25m²)
Medium: 20-25L (30-38m²)
Large: 35 - 50 L (50msq-105m²).

Ease of use

This is influenced by a number of factors, including:

Portability: How heavy is the dehumidifier? If it’s a larger model, make sure it’s a portable dehumidifier equipped with castor wheels and a carry handle so you don’t strain your back.
The water tank: Check how easy this will be to empty and to clean, especially if the tank is small and you have to do it frequently.
Air purifying filters: These should also be easy to remove and clean, as a clogged filter can affect air quality and the overall appliance performance. Washable filters are convenient and cost-effective.
Controls: All controls should be clearly labeled and easy to navigate through.

Price

Dehumidifiers range in price from around $200 - $1, 000. On the lower end of the spectrum you’ll find small desiccant dehumidifiers, and on the more premium end, large compressor models.

The initial investment in a dehumidifier can seem expensive. It’s worth noting though that if you live in a high-humidity climate, a reliable dehumidifier can save you time and money in the long-run; avoiding problems caused by mild damp, mould, and mildew... and sometimes even your sheets being so soaked you can’t get into bed.

Features

Humidistat: This lets you set a target for the humidity level. The optimum humidity level in a room is 50%, but anywhere between 40-60% is healthy.
Water tank: A small water tank can be around 2 litres; a medium-sized one 4 litres; while larger model is 8 litres or so. Its size determines how frequently you’ll need to empty the tank before the dehumidifier can continue running.
Continuous drainage: This feature uses a hose to convey condensed water straight into a drain, rather than into the water tank. It’s handy if you’re using the dehumidifier mainly in one room, or for extended periods of time.
Filters: Most dehumidifiers have air filters for trapping airborne contaminants, and some premium models have UV filters for removing bacteria. This makes them work like a dehumidifier and air purifier in one.

Do dehumidifiers help with flooding?

When a dehumidifier can help with flooding

You’ve had the water pumped out of your house using a water extraction service or system.
You've had a water leak, and have identified and patched up the source of the leak.
A dehumidifier can remove moisture lingering in the air, even after flood water has been removed. If light moisture has collected on drywalls, wood, and is on the surfaces of carpets and walls, a dehumidifier can remove it.

When a dehumidifier can't help with flooding

A dehumidifier unfortunately can't do the following:

Stop flood water from entering a house.
Prevent water leaks from happening.
Remove dampness if carpets or furniture are already severely water damaged.
Get rid of rising damp, or moisture that’s seeped into the foundations of a building.

Best Dehumidifiers

Price (RRP) $399.99

Price (RRP) $299.99 to $729.99

RRP $429 to $649$342Bing Lee

Price (RRP) $449 to $599

Price (RRP) $299

Price (RRP) $319.89 to $349.89

RRP $499 to $649$599Bing Lee

RRP $349.95 to $679$469Billy Guyatts

RRP $649$599Bing Lee

Price (RRP) $649

Price (RRP) $449

Price (RRP) $429

Price (RRP) $199

$1,299Bing Lee

Price (RRP) $359

Price (RRP) $408.18

Price (RRP) $95

Price (RRP) $129.89