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I live in a humid area, and a portable dehumidifier can't properly manage the indoor moisture levels. That's why I use a whole home dehumidifier instead.

Whole-home dehumidifiers aren't cheap, and it isn't easy to determine which model is best for your home. I wanted to make it simpler for homeowners and started researching, trying, and testing different models.

In this buyer's guide, I'll share what I've found and introduce you to the 9 best whole-house dehumidifier models on the market.

Our #1 Choice

Aprilaire 1830

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0


Our Score

3.0

Ducted Model

Aprilaire 1870 Pro X

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0


Our Score

3.0

Portable Model

TOSOT

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0


Our Score

3.0

9 Best Whole House Dehumidifiers Reviewed

Read my reviews of the best whole house dehumidifiers on the market.

I have added models that range in size, drainage type and price point so that all homeowners can find the best solution for their needs.

1. AprilAire E100C Pro - Editors #1 Pick

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3.0

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3.0


Overall Rating

3.0

If you need continuous, reliable protection from humidity across your entire house then the AprilAire E100C is the right choice. This is the dehumidifier I use in my home, and it will easily help you reach the desired humidity level in every room.

This 100-pint whole house dehumidifier unit is made to deal with a lot of moisture in thte air air. It's effective in humid crawl spaces or basements, but it's also powerful enough to control the humidity across your whole home. It works best if you attach it to an existing HVAC system, but it can also work on it's own. 

What I really like about this AprilAire whole home dehumidifier is the quality. AprilAire are a solid brand and you know you're getting a durable dehumidifier, but the internal components and outer casing were even tougher than I expected. 

This whole house dehumidifier is protected against corrosion and low temperatures too. This means you can run it year round for consistent protection. Even the air filter is durable and only needs to be changed once a year.

The intelligent features of this dehumidifier impressed me too. It comes with a sensitive and accurate humidistat which monitors the high humidity levels and controls the operation of the device. It also has a programmable timer and easy to use controls. This made is simple to keep my entire home protected, and increased the energy efficiency of the device. 

It is slightly disappointing that this dehumidifier has no pump drainage and it relies on gravity drainage. It does come with a drain hose but you'll need to position it above the floor drain outlet so the excess moisture can be properly removed from your home. 

However, this isn't a big issue, and it's still one of the best new whole house dehumidifier units on the market. It combines the power and durability of commercial units with the intelligent features of residential units, and it's easy to maintain. If you want a hassle free way to improve the indoor air quality across your entire home then this is the dehumidifier for you. 

Moisture Removal

100 PPD

Coverage

5500 square feet

Current Draw

6.9 amps

Max Air Flow

230 CFM

Drainage System

Continuous gravity drain

Pros

  • High quality and long lasting dehumidifier
  • Big area coverage
  • Intelligent sensors for efficient use
  • Can operate in cold conditions
  • 5 year warranty

Cons

  • No pump so it relies on gravity draining 

2. AprilAire E130 Pro - Best Ducted Whole House Dehumidifier

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0


Overall Rating

3.0

The AprilAire E130 is exactly what you need in a large home with a lot of humidity. This ducted dehumidifier will connect into an existing indoor air conditioning or HVAC system to give you complete control over your home environment. 

The AprilAire E130 is very similar to my top pick, the E100, but it has significantly more power. It's a powerful dehumidifier which can remove moisture quickly, and it's perfect for homeowners who need dehumidification over several floors at once. 

The E130 has all the quality you'd expect from AprilAire with commercial grade materials and components. It's simple to use and has intelligent sensors which basically let it run itself.  

I was slightly surprised by the energy efficiency of this central dehumidifier given the high PPD rating. It's energy star rated, but even so I expected it to cost more to run. I was happy to be wrong though, and it certainly offers some good value for money when you compare running costs vs performance. 

The best feature of the E130 is the noise level though. It operates at under 50 decibels which, for a whole home dehumidifier, is very quiet. This means you can leave it running constantly without any disruption. 

The only downside of these ducted whole house dehumidifiers is that they are more expensive than other models. The installation costs are also quite high if you don't have any existing ductwork in your home. 

However, this is one of the best ducted whole house dehumidifiers on the market and despite higher costs it offers good value for money. It's perfect for homeowners with a several stories that all need humidity control at the same time, and this smart dehumidifier will give you a lot of long term value. 

Moisture Removal

130 PPD

Coverage

7200 square feet

Current Draw

7.2 amps

Max Air Flow

310 CFM

Drainage System

Continuous gravity drain

Pros

  • Effective humidity control across multiple floors
  • Easy to use and low maintenance
  • Automatic defrost feature
  • Energy efficient
  • Quiet operation

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Relies on gravity draining which can limit placement

3. Santa Fe Ultra Vertical Whole House Dehumidifier

Ultra-Aire 120V Vertical Whole House Dehumidifier

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0


Overall Rating

3.0

When space is limited, or you know exactly what you need and where it goes, the Santa Fe Ultra is the best vertical ducted whole house dehumidifier. With plenty of capability, this unit will install in less than an hour and pull more moisture than you can imagine.

The most significant factor here is the positioning. Most ducted dehumidifiers are horizontal. This machine has a vertical position with both inlet and outlet air ducts mounted on top of the unit. It cannot function lying down.

Now for the bad news. This ducted dehumidifier requires a controller for operation, and there isn’t one included. However, it is compatible with many models, including Honeywell and, of course, Santa Fe Ultra (DEH3000). It also doesn’t include a pump for water removal. You can rely on gravity to drain as the outlet is at the bottom of the unit, but a pump would wok a lot better.

There is an external pump kit made for this unit, but again, it isn’t included and must be purchased and installed separately. However, once you have all of that figured out, you can set the unit, turn it on and forget all about it.

It will run as needed to maintain the desired humidity level across your entire house and will shut off if there are any issues. In the event of a power outage, the auto-restart will kick in, and the unit will continue to operate as programmed before the power loss.

Moisture Removal

124 PPD

Coverage

3000 square feet

Current Draw

5.8 amps

Max Air Flow

445 CFM

Drainage System

Continuous drain (pump optional)

Pros

  • 6-year warranty
  • Auto-restart function
  • MERV-13 or 14 filter compatible

Cons

  • No low temp operation
  • Controller and pump not included

4. Santa Fe Ultra - Top Of The range

Ultra-Aire 180 Pint Whole House Split Dehumidifier

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0


Overall Rating

3.0

The Santa Fe Ultra SD12 is a 180 PPD dehumidifier with a whole house install that will have your home at optimal humidity levels in no time at all. Once running, this unit will run as long as needed to get the job done.

With 406 CFM airflow, you know that there will be some moisture removal. Designed as the top of the range model, this ducted dehumidifier will remove an incredible 180 PPD of moisture to help you reach the desired humidity level quickly. The controls are all manual, which keeps things simple.

However, there is one downside. This unit must be professionally installed. If it is not, your warranty is immediately void. The warranty itself runs for 6 years. The first 2 years cover the labor and the entire 6 years cover all the parts.

It uses a continuous drain system but the hose isn't included, so you will need to buy a drain hose or standard garden hose to connect it to your outlet. There isn’t a pump kit compatible with it, so you must rely on gravity to empty the system as it removes moisture from your indoor air.

This is one of the best whole house dehumidifiers for quiet running. With decibels in the sub-45 range, it is easily the quietest ducted whole house dehumidifier on the market. After install and at full speed, you won’t even notice it running. What you will notice is the lack of humidity in your whole house.

Moisture Removal

180 PPD

Coverage

4000 square feet

Current Draw

9.7 amps

Max Air Flow

406 CFM

Drainage System

Continuous gravity drain

Pros

  • 6/2-year warranty (parts/labor)
  • Long power cord
  • Simple manual controls
  • Extremely quiet operation

Cons

  • Must be professionally installed
  • Not Energy Star rated

5. ALORAIR Storm LGR Extreme

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0


Overall Rating

3.0

Not to be outdone, the Alorair Storm is a waterproof dehumidifier that is compact as it is powerful. No matter the situation, whether commercial, industrial, or residential, this is one of the best whole house dehumidifiers for removing moisture with ease.

The bright yellow case is quite eye-catching, but it is what is under and inside the case that matters the most. This continuous drain system comes with a 20-foot hose and drains with the help of an pump. The pump in question has a 15-foot drain height so that you can put this little guy almost anywhere on any floor of your home.

The bottom layer is rubber and sealed, protecting the board and allowing the unit to be waterproof. This means you can set it down in the work site or wet basement and not worry if there is a puddle nearby.

It utilizes many features, too, including the all-digital touch-sensitive display and HGV defrost cycle. It can run in low temp settings without having to monitor it continually. The MERV-8 filter needs to be cleaned every 8 months but has an easy access slide out for quick changing.

On top of all that, you get a 1/3/5-year warranty that covers the parts and labor, refrigeration system, and compressor and evaporator, respectively. If your area is prone to flooding, or you have a wet basement and need to remove a lot of moisture in a large space, this is one of the best whole house dehumidifiers to consider.

Moisture Removal

85 PPD

Coverage

2300 square feet

Current Draw

5.62 amps

Max Air Flow

210 CFM

Drainage System

Continuous pump drain

Pros

  • Touch-sensitive LCD panel
  • Waterproof design
  • 1/3/5-year warranty
  • Quick connect hose

Cons

  • No wheels for transporting
  • Humidistat may not be accurate

6. SAHAUHY - Best Commercial Grade Whole Home Dehumidifier

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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Overall Rating

3.0

Tough jobs need tough equipment, and dehumidifiers don't come much tougher than the SAHAUHY. This commercial grade 158 pint dehumidifier is great for homeowners with older homes that suffer from moisture, or those living in very humid environments.

The massive capacity of this whole will make short work of any indoor humidity no matter how much moisture you're dealing with. It can handle humidity levels of over 95% (which is a lot!) and in my basement it brought the indoor humidity down to under 50% in just 24 hours when I used the maximum fan speed. 

It also has a lot of different settings and features. The programmable timer, automatic humidistat, and different fan speed settings let you control the humidity levels accurately so you can use the device to suit your needs. The SAHAUHY dehumidifier even has handy wheels so you move it between homes or sites as needed.

What I really liked about this dehumidifier was how tough it was, and the fact it just keeps working in any conditions. It has an automatic restart after a power outage, and auto defrost function so it can work in cold climates. It's also extremely durable. All of this means it can provide consistent, powerful dehumidification with no interruptions- perfect for high humidity areas. 

One limiting factor of this dehumidifier is that the water tank is quite small so it would have to be emptied several times a day. This wasn't a problem for me because I hooked it up to my floor drain, and I'd definitely recommend connecting it to your drain rather than trying to stay on top of emptying the water reservoir. 

However, despite some small issues, this dehumidifier will definitely be able to manage your indoor humidity. It's the best dehumidifier for homes with poor insulation, and those who suffer from very high indoor humiditiy. 

Moisture Removal

158 PPD

Coverage

6800 square feet

Current Draw

8.17 amps

Max Air Flow

320 CFM

Drainage System

Continuous pump drain or tank

Pros

  • Removes a lot of moisture, fast
  • Continuous operation in any conditions
  • Several programmable settings
  • Can handle humidity levels above 95%

Cons

  • Small water tank - only really suitable to drain connection
  • Less energy efficient than other models

7. RIMKMO- Largest capacity whole house dehumidifier

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0

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3.0


Overall Rating

3.0

If you have a large home then your standard whole home dehumidifier isn't going to cut it - you need more coverage. The RINKMO is an extremely high capacity whole home dehumidifier which is specifically designed to manage humidity levels over a wide area. This makes it one of the best dehumidifiers for large spaces.

This 296 pint dehumidifier has an efficient compressor which allows it to remove almost double the amount of moisture of other whole home dehumidifiers. 

Despite the power, it has a slim design so it can be positioned in most rooms. It is quite heavy (107lbs) but it has wheels on the base to make it easier to transport. 

What I liked most about the RINKMO dehumidifier, other than the huge capacity, was the fan speed. The fan operates at 353 CFM and can draw in the moist indoor air very quickly. This makes it a useful model for any homeowners battling a lot of damp. 

The only drawback with this model is that there's no pump and it relies on gravity draining. This means you have to place it somewhere above your floor drain and can limit where you're able to place it. 

This dehumidifier is perfect for larger homes and can even be used on construction sites. It's one of the more expensive models, but offers some great value for anyone looking to manage a lot of humidity, fast. 

Moisture Removal

296 PPD

Coverage

8000 sq ft

Current Draw

9.6 amps

Max Air Flow

353 CFM

Drainage System

Continuous gravity drain

Pros

  • Dehumidifies a very large area
  • Easily transports on 4 caster wheels
  • Simple controls
  • Auto shut off and auto restart
  • Fast fan speed

Cons

  • Relies on gravity drainage
  • Limited programmable settings

8. ALORAIR 120 PPD - Best Compact Whole Home Dehumidifier