A definitive guide for buying the best desiccant dehumidifier in 2024

Put up a good fight against allergic asthma.

Did you know? Over 90% of children and 50% of adults diagnosed with asthma suffer from the condition classified as allergic asthma. It means that the shortness of breath, respiratory tract inflammation, and wheezing you experience are triggered by allergens such as mold, mildew, dust mites, etc.

High humidity levels can breed allergens in your living space and work area, making it harder for you to breathe. Thus elevated moisture levels trigger asthma attacks.

One of the MOST effective ways to get rid of these allergens is by dehumidification. To breathe easy and live a healthy life, the moisture level in your homes must be maintained optimally. A good dehumidifier in a basement or any other room removes excess moisture levels in the air and helps families live in allergy-free environments. Click here to get straight to our table of 5 best desiccant dehumidifiers.

Drawbacks of a refrigerant dehumidifier

Refrigerant dehumidifiers are generally used in spaces where the humidity requirement is beyond 40% RH. It is widely used in domestic areas such as basements, crawlspaces, living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Refrigerant dehumidifiers with larger pint capacity are utilized in commercial environments such as storage spaces, data centers, substations, switchgear rooms, food and cloth drying plants, and swimming pools.

The major disadvantage of the refrigerant model is its low performance in COLD conditions below 37.4°F, with less than 40% RH. It also has ducting issues when the dehumidifier unit is smaller in size. The refrigerant dehumidifier cannot be used in explosive environments due to flammable refrigerant hazards. With large compressors and refrigerants, these dehumidifiers are heavy, noisy, and emit noxious gasses. The refrigerant dehumidifiers also have a shorter lifespan compared to the desiccant counterparts.

Signs You Need a Desiccant Dehumidifier

Do you suffer from frequent running nose, sneezing, and allergic reactions while inside your home? Then you most definitely need a dehumidifier. Apart from health issues, there are other signs that DEMAND the need for not just any dehumidifier, but a desiccant dehumidifier.
Here are some of the signs.

🔸Your area temperature dips to less than 37 degrees Fahrenheit
🔸Condensation on windows in certain parts of your home
🔸Rusting electronic appliances and gun safes
🔸Water stains, and black and green colored spots on walls and ceilings
🔸Rooms with poor ventilation
🔸Indoor laundry that does not dry
🔸Musty, damp smells in rooms
🔸Pest infestations
🔸Persistent water leakage
🔸Utility bills that are too high
🔸Inefficient working of air conditioner

The signs mentioned above clearly indicate the presence of excess moisture in your living space. As humidity levels vary according to seasons, weather, temperature, wind direction, energy use, air circulation, and other factors,  you need to measure the relative humidity level at home using a hygrometer.

Once you know the moisture levels in your space, you must make sure you invest in the best desiccant dehumidifier. This investment will resolve all humidity related issues by maintaining the ideal moisture level at around 45% to 50%.

Why desiccant dehumidifier is the best option?

Now dehumidifiers can be classified into three types, viz., Refrigerant or Compressor based, Desiccant, and Whole House dehumidifiers.

Wondering which type of dehumidifier will be economical and efficient at low temperatures and low moisture levels?

Without any doubt, the most viable option is to invest in the best desiccant dehumidifier. Desiccant based dehumidification systems are more cost-efficient and perform better than their refrigerant counterparts at colder temperatures and humid spaces. Since the desiccant dehumidifiers DO NOT HAVE COMPRESSORS or refrigerants, their noise levels are much less. The unit operates quietly and is ideal for the living room and bedroom areas.

Again because there are no compressors, the consumer-grade desiccant dehumidifier is lightweight and does not emit any harmful gases. The dehumidifying desiccant used in the dehumidifier plays a vital role in increasing performance efficiency. It helps dry and de-rust electronic equipment, gun safes, and home appliances in the shortest possible time.

Utilized for domestic and commercial applications from 45% RH to 1% RH, the desiccant dehumidifier comes with a laundry program designed to provide the right measure of dryness to indoor spaces. Drying clothes, upholstery, rugs, and curtains this way, works out much cheaper than a tumble dryer as it uses less electricity.

What more reason do you need to get a desiccant dehumidifier?

5 Best Desiccant Dehumidifiers (April 2024)

What is a desiccant dehumidifier, and how does it work?

Desiccant dehumidifiers are electrical appliances that absorb moisture from the environment using a desiccant. A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that dries out the environment in its vicinity.

A more familiar example of a desiccant is the small pack of crystals, labeled ‘silica gel’ that is found in packages that contain dry items. Desiccant dehumidifiers use commercial-grade and consumer-grade desiccants based on the purpose.

Wondering how a desiccant dehumidifier works?

Don’t sweat the details. We will break it down into nine simple steps.

👉The dehumidifiers’ desiccant absorbs the moisture from the air through a rotating wheel.
👉The ambient air is ducted through the rotor in one stream to be dried.
👉The rotor reactivates the desiccant and heats the air stream.
👉The moisture in the air is then expelled through the desiccant material as water vapor.
👉The vapor condenses in the collection tank and is automatically drained out through a hose.
👉Moist and warm air is ducted outdoors.
👉The air streams are directed to different directions.
👉The debris is blown away, cleaning the processed air.
👉Dried air with the targeted humidity level is circulated back into the living space.


Its that simple!

Five features you might want to look for while buying a desiccant dehumidifier

Desiccant dehumidifiers leverage chemical attraction to remove moisture from the air. The best desiccant dehumidifiers are quiet, easy to use, safe, and energy-efficient.
ENSURE you lookout for the following features while buying a desiccant dehumidifier. We did!

Moisture extraction: The larger the water removal pint capacity per day, the better its dehumidification capability.

Water tank and continuous drain facility: Desiccant dehumidifiers with a larger, sliding tank with a lid will facilitate mess-free, easy emptying. The hassle of emptying also can be eliminated once you attach a hose to the drainage port. The collected water will continuously drain through the hose into a sink or an outlet.

Automatic humidistat and shut down:  Constantly monitoring the moisture levels in the air, the automatic humidistat helps in turning the unit on and off. Once the condensed water fills the tank, the dehumidifier must automatically shut down to prevent spilling issues.

Washable filter: This feature makes the dehumidifier easy to use.  The dust filters must be removable and washable with soap and water, thus making the maintenance simple. It is even better if the unit possesses silver filters that kill bacteria upon contact.

Our Verdict

Here is the time for our big verdict.

1. Winner for the best desiccant dehumidifier to buy today:
Ivation 19 Pint Small-Area Desiccant Dehumidifier
2. Runner Up:
Ecor Pro EPD50 Desiccant Dehumidifier
3. Budget Pick:
Ivation 13-Pint Small-Area Desiccant Dehumidifier