The 3 Best Small Dehumidifiers - Fall 2024

The best small dehumidifier we've tested is the ProBreeze PB-03. It's a fraction of the size of most full-size dehumidifiers, so you can easily squeeze it onto a shelf in your closet or any other tight space. It also generates very little heat, so you won't notice any real impact on the temperature of your room, even if you leave it running all the time. Its power draw of only 37W is pretty minimal, which is great if you plan on having it run overnight often, but its poor capacity means it isn't an energy-efficient option either.

It also doesn't offer anywhere near the dehumidification capacity of a full-size machine. As a result, it'll be very slow in removing moisture from even modestly sized rooms. The ProBreeze also has a tiny water tank, though since its dehumidification rate is so low, it still takes quite a while to fill up. Thankfully, it has an automatic shutoff feature, so the tank won't overflow if you leave it unattended.

If you want to spend less on a compact dehumidifier, consider the ProBreeze PB-02. In terms of capability, it falls even further behind the ProBreeze PB-03, meaning that it's only really suited for the smallest of spaces, like a closet, and won't do much to clear humidity from even a modestly-sized room. That said, it's also even cheaper and even more compact, to the point where you can set it up on a nightstand, dresser, or shelf with room to spare.

Its water tank is pretty small, but like the PB-03, it'll take a fair amount of time to fill up. Like its larger stablemate, it also automatically shuts off once the tank is full, so you won't need to worry about the tank overflowing if you leave it alone for a while.

If you need a dehumidifier with more capability than the countertop options listed above for use in an actual living space but don't necessarily want to step up to a full-size unit, the Waykar PD160B is a great choice. Its 8.5-pint capacity is substantially greater than compact models like the ProBreeze PB-02 or ProBreeze PB-03, and it won't have too much trouble removing moisture from small to medium-sized rooms. There's little need to interact with its controls, too: you can set your desired humidity level, and the Waykar will adjust its fan speed setting as needed. If you're close to a floor drain or sink, you can also configure it to drain continuously using the provided hose, though it lacks a drain pump.

It's a great option for use in bedrooms since it produces little more than a quiet hum even at its highest fan speed, and it won't wake you while running. It generates little heat, too, so you can position it near your bed without feeling a constant flow of warm, dry air against your face. Its display is rather dim: while this can be a nuisance when trying to operate the machine, it also doesn't emit a harsh light that'll disturb your sleep.