Bathrooms are subjected to a lot of humidity due to hot showers and baths and may cause mold, mildew, and musty smells. The answer is to get the most suitable dehumidifier to use in the bathroom in order to control moisture.
An effective bathroom dehumidifier will remove the excess moisture in the air within a short time and this will make your bathroom dry quicker and avoid the damage.
Here in this guide we have compiled the best 5 bathroom dehumidifiers; small ones to fit in a small half-bath and the larger ones to fit in a large spa-like bathroom.
We have selected the products of various sizes and features to fit any bathroom, so you can find the right size to fit your bathroom.
| Dehumidifier | Best For | Coverage Area | Moisture Removal | Tank Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eva-Dry EDV-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier | Small bathrooms & closets | Up to ~120 sq. ft. | 0.5 pint/day (8 oz) | 16 oz (0.5 L) |
| Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe Dehumidifier | Standard small-to-medium bathrooms | Up to ~300 sq. ft. | 1+ pint/day (16–20 oz) | 50 oz (1.5 L) |
| Tenergy Sorbi 1000ml Air Dehumidifier & Air Purifier | Quiet air cleaning in bathrooms | Up to ~200 sq. ft. | 1.5 pints/day (25 oz) | 34 oz (1.0 L) |
| Waykar 2000 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier (PD160B) | Large bathrooms & continuous use | Up to ~2000 sq. ft.* | 8.5 pints/day (AHAM) | 84 oz (2.5 L) |
| Midea 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Pump | Extra-large spaces / multi-room | Up to ~4500 sq. ft.* | 50 pints/day (max) | 1.6 gal (6.0 L) |
Coverage areas are estimates made by the manufacturers in perfect conditions. In practice, effective area can be less than the actual, particularly in very damp conditions.
#1 Eva-Dry EDV-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier – Best Mini Dehumidifier for Small Bathrooms
The Eva-Dry EDV-1100 is a very small, silent dehumidifier that is ideal in a small bathroom, a closet or any small area that is prone to humidity. It is thermo-electric (Peltier) based, so it has no noisy compressor, only a small fan and a cooling plate to condense moisture.
It is only approximately 6.5 x 5 inches in size with a weight of approximately 1 pound so it can be placed on a countertop or shelf without being obtrusive. Although it is small in size, the Eva-Dry is able to absorb moisture in a space of about 110-120 sq. ft., and is therefore suitable in a small bathroom or powder room.
Under warm, humid environments, this mini dehumidifier has the capacity to eliminate around 8 ounces of water daily (approximately 0.5 pint). It has a 16 ounces (0.5 liter) capacity of water and this implies that you will probably have to empty it after every few days in a moist bathroom.
Luckily, it comes with an auto shut-off that has an indicator light to inform you when the tank is full and you will not have to worry about overflows. It is so easy to operate, simply plug it in and switch it on. It has no settings to fiddle with, and that is fantastic when it comes to everyday use.
The quietness of the Eva-Dry EDV-1100 is one of the greatest benefits of this product. It can be called whisper quiet, and it only makes a slight hum (50 dB or less, like a computer fan).
This is why it can be used at night or in a place other than a bathroom (such as a bedroom closet) without being disturbed. It is also energy-saving, consuming only approximately 22 watts, so you will not have to increase your electricity bill by using it continuously in a small bathroom.
The primary drawback to remember is that this unit is intended to be used in a small space, as in a large or very wet bathroom, it will not be able to dehumidify the air fast. It is most effective as a maintenance dehumidifier to prevent small dampness and mildew.
On the whole, the Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier is an excellent low-cost solution to a small bathroom that requires some additional assistance in drying up.
#2 Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe Dehumidifier – Best Dehumidifier for Standard Bathrooms
Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe is a medium-sized tabletop dehumidifier that fits small and medium-sized bathrooms and other small rooms. It is a perfect compromise between size and performance: it is bigger and more powerful than ultra-mini units, but still very light and easy to transport.
The PureDry Deluxe has a 1.5-liter (50 oz) clear water tank and can remove approximately 500-600 mL of moisture per day (up to ~1720 oz in extremely high humidity conditions), and can therefore service bathrooms of approximately 200-300 sq. ft. in size. This qualifies it to fit most of the regular full bathrooms, laundry rooms or even RV bathrooms that may not be adequately covered by regular small dehumidifiers.
This Pure Enrichment dehumidifier has two fan settings (Standard and Turbo), thus, you can select a low-noise setting or a high-speed setting to remove moisture when necessary. It is not very loud even at its maximum level, and it is much quieter than any compressor-based model, so it would not interfere with the conversation or sleep when located close to a bedroom.
It also has a timer (4 or 8 hours) which you can use to have it run at a specific time, useful when you only want it to turn on after showers or at specific times of the day. The transparent tank allows you to know the water level by a glance, and once it reaches the top, an auto shut-off will be activated to stop the overflow (an indicator light will tell you that it needs to be emptied). It is easy to empty the tank, simply slide it out, pour the water and slide it back in.
When used in the bathroom on a daily basis, the PureDry Deluxe will minimize condensation and even affect the surrounding spaces, you may notice that it will slightly reduce the humidity in the other rooms due to its good extraction rate. It is an Energy Star rated appliance, which implies that it does not consume a lot of electricity in removing moisture.
It is mostly plastic and therefore running it all the time in a wet area may reduce its life span slightly. It is very reliable and effective in a normal bathroom use a few hours a day. The Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe is a great option in case you want a small, quiet dehumidifier that will give you a step up in performance over the smallest ones, and you need it in your bathroom.
#3 Tenergy Sorbi 1000ml Dehumidifier & Air Purifier – Best Quiet Dehumidifier + Air Purifier Combo
Tenergy Sorbi 1000ml is a special 2-in-1 product which is a small dehumidifier and a True HEPA air purifier. It is therefore suitable in a bathroom where both humidity and air quality is an issue e.g. when you have musty smells, mildew or mold spores in the air.
Like other mini units, the Sorbi has the ultra-quiet Peltier dehumidification technology, with a fan that pulls air through a HEPA filter to capture dust and allergens. It has a rating of up to approximately 200 square feet, which is ideal in most bathrooms, and it has a capacity of up to 750 mL of moisture per day (approximately 25 ounces) in an extremely humid environment (80 percent humidity at 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
The removable water tank in this unit is 1.0-liter (~34 oz). Practically, it could be that you empty it daily or every two days when it is running continuously in a wet bathroom. It will automatically switch off when the tank is full and an LED indicator will be switched on like others.
The Tenergy Sorbi is unique in that it has the True HEPA filter – it traps 99.97 percent of air particles (down to 0.3 microns) such as mold spores, dust, and other allergens. This is an added advantage to make the air in the bathroom fresher and eliminate any musty odor that may be caused by constant moisture.
Remember that the HEPA filter will have to be changed after every 6 months or so (depending on usage) just like a normal air purifier.
In terms of noise, the Sorbi is quite quiet at 35-42 dB, which is quite low, almost a quiet library. You will hardly feel it running, even in comparison with the usual background noise.
It is also quite small, approximately 8.5 x 7.7 x 12 inches, and weighs approximately 7 pounds, so you can comfortably move it around the rooms in case you need to. It is sleek and modern in design and has easy touch controls of power and fan speed.
This dehumidifier has passed the ETL safety and energy efficiency test, and uses far less power than any compressor model. In general, the Tenergy Sorbi is an ideal product to use in case one wants to have a bathroom dehumidifier that is as quiet as a whisper and not only removes moisture but also cleans the air, which is also a good option to use in bathrooms that are likely to develop mold or in case one has allergies.
#4 Waykar 2000 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier (PD160B) – Best Dehumidifier for Large Bathrooms
In case you have a large bathroom, a bathroom that is attached to a dressing area or a bathroom that simply is subjected to extreme humidity, a larger compressor based dehumidifier such as the Waykar 2000 Sq. Ft (model PD160B) may become a game-changer.
This is a rather small but still powerful unit that is rated to cover up to 2,000 sq. ft. (not only bathrooms, but also basements or entire apartments). When used in a bathroom, this implies that it is more than sufficient to dry out a large master bath quickly or to deal with constant wetness caused by frequent showers. It can dehumidify as much as approximately 34 pints of water per day in very humid environments (under older 95 o F, 90 percent RH test standards), which is much more than can be done by smaller units.
The Waykar has a 0.66 gallon (2.5 liters) water tank. That tank would fill fast in a high-use situation, it may gather several pints of water out of the air in a few hours.
Fortunately, the unit comes with a 6.5 ft drain hose which you can connect to allow constant drainage. This is ideal to use in the bathroom: you can connect the hose to a floor drain or a shower drain so that the dehumidifier can run continuously and never have to empty the bucket.
It also has auto shut off when the tank is full in case you opt to use it without the hose. The in-built humidistat and touch control panel allow you to set a preferred level of humidity (e.g. 50% RH) and the machine will turn on and off to maintain it. It also has a 24-hour timer and two fan speeds, so you can either set it to run on a low setting or at specific times.
The Waykar PD160B is rather streamlined in comparison to the genuinely industrial dehumidifiers. It is a modern white design with caster wheels and inbuilt handles that makes it easy to move around considering that it is a unit of its size (approximately 24 lbs).
The noise is like a room air conditioner or vent fan, you will hear the compressor and fan when it is running but it is not too loud considering the amount of moisture it removes. Notably, this dehumidifier is Energy Star rated, thus it is efficient in its performance category (it removes a lot of moisture per watt of electricity consumed).
That will assist in controlling the cost of energy in case you have to use it frequently. On the whole, Waykar 2000 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier is one of the best choices in case of large bathrooms or even constant use in small bathrooms with severe moisture issues.
It provides the strength and capabilities (such as constant drain and automatic humidity control) to make large areas dry and comfortable.
#5 Midea 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Pump – Best High-Capacity Choice (Wi-Fi Enabled)
To get the best dehumidifier in the bathroom, particularly one that can be used in more than one area, the Midea 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier is a high-end product. It is a heavy duty, full size dehumidifier that can remove up to 50 pints of moisture out of the air per day (at saturation conditions).
It is rated at very large areas (up to 4,500 sq. ft.), so it will not be a problem to deal with a wet bathroom and a bedroom next to it or even a whole basement floor with a bathroom. The built-in pump is what makes this Midea unit particularly convenient to use in the bathroom.
This combined pump will enable you to automatically pump the water vertically using a hose, and thus you will be able to direct the condensed water to a sink, bathtub, or through a window.
Practically, it implies that you do not need to carry and empty the 1.6-gallon tank, and you are not restricted by the gravity to drain it (which is a great advantage in case your bathroom does not have a floor drain).
The Midea dehumidifier has also smart features such as Wi-Fi connectivity. It can be linked to the Midea app on your phone or be connected to Alexa/Google Assistant to change settings using voice or smartphone.
As an example, you might want to check the level of humidity or switch the unit on/off remotely. The unit itself has a clear digital display and an in-built humidistat. You are able to program your preferred humidity (e.g. 50%) and the Midea will automatically regulate its fan and compressor to keep it at that level.
You may run it in a bathroom after showers to get rid of steam quickly, and then allow it to shut off when the air dries up.
Being a high-capacity compressor dehumidifier, the Midea 50-Pint is expected to be bigger and slightly louder than the smaller ones above. It is approximately 2 feet high with caster wheels to move it (it weighs approximately 40 pounds).
The sound is similar to that of a room air conditioner, it is not too loud, but it is noticeable, particularly when used in short intervals. The first thing is that as with any strong dehumidifier, it will emit some heat into the room as it does its job (in other words, it is transferring heat generated in the condensation process into the air).
In a small bathroom you may feel the air getting a bit warmer as it runs a bit. The trade-off is that the drying is quite quick and efficient, though, a steamy large bathroom can be dried within minutes.
This Midea is Energy Star certified and has an auto-defrost mode to deal with cooler settings too.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Bathroom Dehumidifier
When choosing the most appropriate dehumidifier to use in your bathroom, you need to put into consideration the size of the area you are going to be dealing with, the amount of moisture you are likely to encounter, the level of noise you can put up with and the amount of energy you will be using.
These are the main factors that we are going to break down below to assist you in making the right decision:
Bathroom Size and Coverage
The first thing to consider is the size of your bathroom. There are dehumidifiers of different capacities, typically measured in the number of pints of water they can remove in a day or square footage they can serve.
A mini dehumidifier (such as the Eva-Dry EDV-1100 or other thermoelectric models) can usually be adequate in a small bathroom (less than 100 sq. ft.). These small units are able to gradually dehumidify small confined areas but they are not as fast as the larger ones.
In a medium bathroom (approximately 100 250 sq. ft.), consider mid-range models that dehumidify approximately 1 2 pints per day (such as the Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe). They possess larger fans and tanks to take care of that additional space.
In case you have a big bathroom (300+ sq. ft.) (such as a master bathroom with an adjacent closet or a bathroom that is a part of a basement), you will require a more powerful dehumidifier. Large bathrooms are suitable to compressor-based models in the 20-30 pint category (new DOE standards).
They are able to deplete humidity following extended showers and maintain pace with constant use. The Waykar 2000 Sq. is in our list. This category is Ft. In very large or constantly wet rooms (or in case your bathroom is more or less an apartment), a 50-pint dehumidifier such as the Midea may be justified to cover the area properly.
Keep in mind that the square footage ratings of manufacturers tend to be optimistic, under ideal circumstances. When used in practice, particularly in a very humid bathroom, it is prudent to select a unit with a higher coverage area than the size of your bathroom.
This will provide you with a margin and will not keep the dehumidifier on its maximum all the time.
Moisture Levels and Usage
Think about the level of dampness in your bathroom and how frequently. Is it only a little bit of humidity after one shower a day or is it a constant struggle with excessive condensation and mildew? In the former case, you can use a smaller dehumidifier and operate it on demand, e.g. switch it on during and after showers to clear the mirror fog and dry the room in a short time.
A small unit of 0.5-1 pint/day may be able to cope with the everyday moisture in a bathroom with reasonable ventilation. Conversely, in case your bathroom is characterized by chronic moisture (e.g. lack of ventilation, several people taking showers one after the other, or a plumbing leak that makes the area damp), you will be better off with a bigger dehumidifier that can operate all the time.
A bigger capacity unit with ideally a continuous drain option is required to operate 24/7 should the need arise in high-moisture environments.
Also, consider the way you are going to operate the dehumidifier. There are individuals who just operate their bathroom dehumidifier after taking a bath, say an hour a day. Others may have a small unit that is left to run continuously to control mold.
A unit with a timer (such as the PureDry Deluxe with 4 or 8-hour timer) or one that operates fast (a compressor unit) is convenient when you need to use it occasionally and in a short period of time. To ensure 24-hour protection, ensure that the model you are using has an auto shut-off to avoid overflow, or install it with continuous drainage.
A model that has an in-built humidistat will come in handy in this situation, it will automatically regulate the desired humidity level without you having to switch it on and off. Simply put, size and functionality of the dehumidifier should be matched to the moisture patterns of your bathroom: the more moisture and the more you use it, the higher the capacity and the more automated it should be.
Noise Level
Noise can also be a key factor since bathrooms are usually close to bedrooms and living places. Dehumidifiers are different in terms of noise. Thermoelectric (Peltier) dehumidifiers (such as Eva-Dry, Pure Enrichment, or Tenergy Sorbi) are extremely quiet, usually between 30-50 decibels, or about the same as a computer fan or a low-level conversation.
These are hardly audible beyond the room and even in the bathroom they will not be distractive. These almost silent models are perfect when you intend to operate a dehumidifier in a bathroom or close to a bathroom overnight.
On the contrary, compressor-based dehumidifiers (such as the Waykar and Midea) contain a compressor motor and a bigger fan, which is louder. They are like a window AC or a bathroom ventilation fan when they are running.
Most of them have several fan modes, thus you can use them on low mode to make them operate quietly when necessary.
When selecting a bathroom, you should consider the time of the day and duration you will be using it. A louder unit may not be a problem to you (behind a closed door), especially when it is only during the day or in short bursts after a shower.
However, when you require near-silent operation, then you should stick to the smaller Peltier units. Noise level specs are often given in dB: to give some idea of what this means, ~30 dB is whisper quiet, 40-50 dB is a gentle hum, and 60+ dB is roughly the level of a normal conversation.
All the products we have mentioned are at a reasonable noise level to use at home, even the bigger ones, but the mini units certainly win in being almost silent.
To conclude, when noise is a primary consideration, choose a smaller dehumidifier or one that is explicitly mentioned as being quiet or use features such as lower fan speeds or timers to reduce noise when necessary.
Energy Efficiency
It is true that running a dehumidifier consumes electricity, so energy efficiency is not a bad idea, particularly when you plan to use the unit frequently or over long hours. Small Peltier dehumidifiers are low power consuming (usually 20-40 watts), so they are only a few pennies a day to operate.
Nevertheless, remember that they also evaporate less moisture per hour than bigger units. Bigger compressor dehumidifiers consume more power (anywhere between ~200 and 500+ watts depending on size and settings), but they pull out a lot more moisture per watt of power.
In efficiency comparison, seek an Energy Star certified model under the compressor category. Energy Star dehumidifiers are also designed to use the minimum amount of electricity to extract as much moisture as possible.
Both of the Waykar and Midea units that we recommended are Energy Star certified, which may save you money in the long run in case you use the dehumidifier on a daily basis.
When it is used on a rare or temporary basis (such as simply drying out a bathroom after a shower), there is little difference in energy consumption, and even a high-powered unit used 15-30 minutes a day will not make much difference in your bill.
However, when you require constant dehumidification, efficiency is of greater concern. Then, a bigger unit capable of achieving the target humidity in a shorter time and then shutting down would consume less energy than a small unit that would be forced to run continuously.
In addition, the wasteful operation can be avoided by the use of such features as a humidistat and timer. As an example, you can adjust a dehumidifier to 50 percent humidity; it will not turn on until it is above that level.
In general, check the Energy Factor (pints per kWh) or seek the Energy Star label to know that it is efficient. And don’t forget that to dehumidify, you should keep the door of the bathroom closed, otherwise it will take longer and will be less effective, as you are not trying to dehumidify the entire house.
Taking into account the size of your bathroom, the level of moisture that is characteristic of it, the level of noise that you can tolerate, and the energy preferences, you can reduce the number of dehumidifiers that are available to the one that will best fit your needs.
It can be a small, quiet-as-a-mouse model to serve a small half-bath or a powerful smart dehumidifier to serve a large master bath, but the correct selection will help you to keep your bathroom dry, comfortable, and mold and mildew-free.
