AprilAire E100C Pro

If you need continuous, reliable protection from humidity across your entire house, then the AprilAire E100C could be 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 the air.

AprilAire has rated the E100C Pro for up to 5500 square feet. In reality, it will better serve homes in the 3000 square foot range. For larger homes, I recommend looking at my number two choice, the AprilAire E130 Pro. 

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.

HVAC expert Rick Sun from New Balance AC agrees, saying, "I particularly recommend AprilAire for whole-home systems, as their units are durable and energy-efficient."

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. 

AprilAire E130 Pro

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 E100C Pro, but it has significantly more power, removing up to 130 pints of moisture per day. 

The online rating for this AprilAire model is 7200 square feet, but once again, that's a bit of a stretch. I recommend this model for large homes of up to 4500 square feet for the best results. 

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. 

Jeffrey Chase from HVAC Express Contracting agrees, saying that "My usual choice for heavy-duty alternatives for spaces like basements is AprilAire. They are workhorses, designed to withstand increased moisture content with ease."

However, this is one of the best ducted whole house dehumidifiers on the market and despite higher costs it offers good value for money, and ensures excellent air quality. 

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. 

AprilAire E080 Pro

At this point, it’s hard to argue that AprilAire hasn’t completely cornered the market when it comes to the best whole house dehumidifiers.

The E080 Pro is another solid option in their Pro range, and while it shares many of the strengths of its larger siblings, it’s best suited for smaller homes.

This unit is officially rated for spaces up to 4,500 square feet, but—like the other AprilAire contenders—I think that’s a bit of a stretch.

In real-world conditions, especially in humid climates, the E080 Pro is better suited for areas up to 2,500 square feet. That makes it my go-to recommendation for smaller homes that still need serious, whole-house moisture control.

The build quality is exactly what I’ve come to expect from AprilAire: tough, dependable, and made for continuous operation. This model fits seamlessly into an existing HVAC system but can also be used as a standalone unit if needed.

It’s rated to remove 80 pints of moisture per day, which is more than enough for moderately sized homes. Like other models in the line, it’s Energy Star certified, which helps keep running costs manageable.

AprilAire throws in an extra MERV 11 filter, which is a welcome bonus and saves you some maintenance costs during the first year.

However, this model doesn’t come with a drain hose, so you’ll need to factor in the cost of buying that separately.

It also relies entirely on gravity drainage, so if your setup requires moisture to be pumped upwards or over a distance, you’ll need to look elsewhere—something like the ALORAIR Sentinel HD55, which includes a pump, would be a better fit in that case.

What I really appreciate about the AprilAire E080 Pro is the 5-year warranty. That’s a big reassurance in a category where many brands only offer 1–3 years of coverage.

It’s also worth mentioning that this unit is low maintenance. The internal filter only needs to be changed once a year, and the controls are simple to operate with a reliable humidistat to keep things on target.

If you want a high-quality, compact whole house dehumidifier that’s built to last—and you’re working with a smaller space—this is a fantastic option. Just make sure your drainage setup can handle gravity flow, and budget a little extra for the hose.

Santa Fe Ultra 155

The Santa Fe Ultra 155 is a 155 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 391 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 155 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. Sante Fe units 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.

Commercial and portable dehumidifiers provide less permanent options

The next several options offer something similar to whole home dehumidifiers, but slightly different. These are often used in flooded houses, basements, warehouses and commercial spaces.

ALORAIR Storm LGR Extreme 

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, quickly.

This continuous drain system comes with a 20-foot hose and drains with the help of an pump. The pump has a 15-foot drain height so that you can put this little guy almost anywhere on any floor of your home.

If your area is within a flood zone, 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.

SAHAUHY 

Tough jobs need tough equipment, and dehumidifiers don't come much tougher than the SAHAUHY.

This commercial grade 158 pint dehumidifier is great for those with older homes that suffer from moisture, or those living in very humid environments.

The wheels and handle make it very easy to move around, especially since it weighs 75 lbs even before collecting water. I recently put this model to the test in a public library whose central AC was being replaced. 

The SAHAUHY performed beautifully and I was able to use the gravity drain to keep it running long after the staff went home. 

RIMKMO 

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. 

This dehumidifier is perfect for larger homes and can even be used on construction sites and warehouses. I have seen grocery stores use this exact model.

It's one of the more expensive portable models, but offers some great value for anyone looking to manage a lot of humidity, fast. 

hOmeLabs (Portable model)

For those who are not ready to commit to a full home setup, or especially those in rentals, I recommend portable dehumidifiers like this model from hOmeLabs. 

This portable model is aesthetically pleasing and will fit in anywhere within your home. It can still remove an impressive 50 pints of moisture per day.

The downside with portable models is that they either need to be connected to a gravity drain (sold separately for this model), or be emptied often. This hOmeLabs model has a tank size of 13.6 pints. 

For those who need continuous drainage, though, this smart dehumidifier is also available with a built-in pump for about $60 more.

Can you get a portable whole house dehumidifier?

Technically, no. A whole house dehumidifier is a fixed appliance which is connected to ducts across your entire home, so it can't be portable.

However, there are some powerful portable dehumidifiers which are suitable for dehumidifying a small home or apartment and can therefore be used as a portable whole house dehumidifier. 

How long do whole house dehumidifiers last?

With proper installation, care and maintenance, whole house dehumidifiers can easily last 10 or more years. Portable units may not last as long, with 3 to 5 years being average.

How much do whole home dehumidifiers cost?

Whole home dehumidifiers will generally cost $500-$2000 depending on the size and capacity. Installation costs can be significantly more depending on whether you have existing ductwork or not. 

Should a whole house dehumidifier run all the time?

No, whole house dehumidifiers should run long enough to maintain humidity levels based on your settings but not all the time. Once the humidity level is reached, the machine will shut off until the humidity rises again.

Where is a good place to buy whole home dehumidifiers?

The best places to buy whole house dehumidifiers are online, though Amazon or Sylvane. These two companies have great deals and extensive inventories.