How to Select a Large Dehumidifier

The best large dehumidifier is one that fits your specific needs and can extract moisture at the appropriate rate for your space. That’s why it’s important to determine the square footage of your space and the relative humidity level-you can do this with a simple hygrometer (typically included in a home inspector’s kit) or by eyeballing the water spots on the walls and ceilings-to find a unit that will work well for you. If you’re looking for a device to dehumidify your whole home, consider a thermo-electric model that operates like an air conditioning system. Otherwise, a refrigerant or desiccant model is ideal for all-year use and will work great for industrial spaces or major leaks and floods.

When selecting a large dehumidifier be sure to look at the pints per day rating for the device-this will help you figure out how often it needs to be emptied. Typically, the larger the dehumidifier, the more pints it will be able to remove per day-the BlueDri BD-76P removes an impressive 150 ppd at 65deg F and 40% RH while the Dri-Eaz LGR 3500i pulls a whopping 170 ppd.

Additionally, be sure to look for a device with continuous drainage functionality. A number of the dehumidifiers in our top picks feature this, allowing you to connect a hose for continuous drainage and removing the need to empty the bucket manually. The GE DHW20XPA is the best option in this category as it allows you to connect a hose for continuous draining and also features a clear bucket that makes it easy to see when it’s time to empty it. large dehumidifier