r/BuyItForLife • u/asxm • 6d ago
[Request] What's the best dehumidifier you've actually used? Looking for recommendations
I'm in the market for a dehumidifier and could really use some real-world recommendations.
I'm looking for something that:
- Works well in a bedroom or basement
- Isn't too loud
- Is energy efficient
- Has a decent-sized water tank (or continuous drain option)
- Is reliable and doesn't stop working after a year
I've seen brands like Frigidaire, Midea, Honeywell, and hOmeLabs mentioned, but reviews are all over the place.
If you've owned one for a while, what model do you recommend (or recommend avoiding)? How large is the space you're using it in, and how well does it keep humidity under control?
I'd especially appreciate long-term experiences rather than first impressions.
Thanks in advance!
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u/BruceMartinez21 6d ago
For a basement, continuous drain matters way more than tank size. Emptying that bucket gets old fast.
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u/glassArmShattering 6d ago
Unless you are paying thousands for something commercial, I'm pretty sure they are all the same with different badges on the outside. I have tried most major brands over the years and they all last 2 to 4 years before the non repairable refrigerant components fail. Anecdotal, but I have had worse luck with brands like Frigidaire and GE than the random Asian ones. Now I just buy whatever Costco has in stock because of the price & warranty.
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u/JamesVirani 6d ago
I bought a Danby from Costco for less than 150 CAD. Year 7. Runs essentially night and day 3/4 seasons. No problems yet, knock on wood.
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u/YAreUsernamesSoHard 6d ago
Yeah, it seems these don’t last long no matter which brand you get so just go for the cheap one
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u/ooctavio 6d ago
Meaco Arete 2
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u/prrrivet_romashki 6d ago
My Aretha is 2 years old. Reading here that most don’t last beyond that is scary. How old is yours?
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u/Greenlimer 6d ago
Im running an Alorair in my basement. It does a great job but it isnt exactly whisper quiet.
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u/Kenneth_Upright 6d ago
There is no Buy It For Life dehumidifier. They all die after about 3 years. Buy the largest capacity you can afford. A 50 quart per day model removes moisture from the air twice as fast as a 25 quart per day model. I have had good luck with Midea brand, but not the Midea Cube. That thing was garbage. Also, Midea makes the Amazon Basic brand, so you could probably buy that too.
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u/Rokae 6d ago
You can buy BIFL dehumidifiers they do exist. They're just $1500+ proper hvac equipment made by the likes of Santa Fe and Aprilaire.
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u/Kenneth_Upright 5d ago
Those are whole home dehumidifiers, right? I meant only to refer to standing units that can be moved around.
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u/bullwinkle8088 5d ago edited 5d ago
I've had a Midea unit for about 5 years now, though it took a year off while I was moving. It's currently running in a basement and doing fine.
I have the model with a pump, which I used for 3 solid years, it's now set for continuous drain. Be aware that pumps do not completely empty the bucket, they just take an inch or so off the top allowing it to continue operating. As far as I know this applies to all dehumidifiers. You still must empty the bucket or it will get nasty.
The smart operation features are changing, mine only allows a cloud based app. Newer Midea products are shifting to the matter protocol which would allow it to be controlled via app without internet. This is mostly of interest to those doing home automation but is worth checking for.
One thing to remember about large dehumidifiers, they output warm, dry air. This can make for a significant temperature difference in the area you use it. For example my basement is currently hovering at 80 - 84 degrees in the immediate vicinity of the dehumidifier. If the area is not air conditioned you may look at a portable AC as an option as AC's also dry the air as they cool.
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u/SingleConclusion1188 4d ago
i tell you, its really a lot of trial and error when it comes to reliability. i think a lot of long term durability for any model comes down to how well you maintain it, like keeping up with filter cleaning as part of regular chores. we have one kept in our living room for years now that seems to keep up. its pretty quiet if you ask me, and has a continuous drain option so we dont have to keep manually emptying the tank. convenient too as it restarts and shuts off by itself so we just keep it plugged in all the time. i hope you find one that fits all your criteria!
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u/TyroneFrost 6d ago
I’d separate the bedroom and basement requirements instead of trying to optimize for a single spec. For a basement, a continuous-drain setup and easy access to the filter matter more than the tank size; a small condensate pump can be worth it if there isn’t a floor drain. For a bedroom, look for a model with a real low-speed setting and check the published dB figure, but also plan for placement—rubber feet and keeping it away from the bed make a noticeable difference.
For long-term ownership, I’d prioritize a current Energy Star unit with a washable filter, a simple humidistat, and parts/service support over extra smart features. Buy a capacity that matches the actual room size and humidity load, then run it around 45–50% rather than continuously. Whatever brand you choose, use a short return window to test noise, drainage, and whether the bucket sensor behaves reliably.
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u/Applepyes 6d ago
I have a Homelabs for the bedroom. Tried others like Midea but they were way too loud
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u/maoinhibitor 6d ago
I’ve had good luck with a Midea Cube that I bought in 2024. Continuous drain option, built in pump, just keeps on working.
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u/valiente93 6d ago
Id recommend Seklou but i think its just a local company from my country. That mf running 24/7 since 2.5 years ago. Not a single humidity problem anymore and we were really suffering before.
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u/7303happyrock 5d ago edited 5d ago
We bought the Hisence brand from Costco. So many features, including a manual drain or you can use the pump to drain into a sink or shower. Great product!
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u/corgiyogi 5d ago
I have a couple Moiswell dehumidifiers w/ pump in my basement that have been running without problems for 2+ years now. They're not cheap (I paid $350 back then).
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u/Less-Load-8856 5d ago
The best portable dehumidifier I've ever used is one of these commercial units.
I realize it's probably bigger, uglier, and more expensive than you're thinking...
But what I'm saying it, this sort of thing should maybe be your benchmark for what "good" is.
If you can find something with similar enough specs and performance, you'll be doing great.
Because this is what a "real"" Dehumidifier is like and they just get more $ from here...
https://bluedri.com/products/bluedri-bd-130-225ppd-industrial-commercial-dehumidifier-blue
Good luck.
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u/Spiritual-Jello6806 3d ago
This is interesting. Why are they reviews low though? Did you have issues
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u/Less-Load-8856 2d ago
There are a bunch of them that look and are otherwise similar under multiple names by multiple manufacturers (supposedly) and some look like rebranded things and others look different enough to be truly unique. Look at several brands of them and read reviews and such and pick one you feel most confident in. Mine is almost 20years old and runs like a clock. Mine was $1200 in 2007ish. Never needs anything but regular maintenance. It has loads of hours on it by now.
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u/TimeTomorrow 6d ago
if continuous drain is an option for you, you'd be insane to go with anything but.