1. AlorAir Storm Ultra - My Top Pick

If you have suffered serious water damage, then I would recommend the AlorAir Storm Ultra.

This beast of a machine removes water extremely quickly, and during testing, it was able to reduce the high humidity in the air from 76% to under 50% in just 12 hours. This dehumidifier will help you quickly dry out your home and belongings and remove moisture you didn't even notice.

The AlorAir Storm Ultra is one of the easiest units to set up with a single connection to your outlet. It comes with a built-in pump, too, so it can drain water even if you don't have floor drainage. Plus, it's surprisingly quiet, so you can use it in living rooms without causing too much disruption.

This model does have a control panel on the front, but it also comes with an app.

I'm a big fan of using modern technology with appliances, so I couldn't resist trying out the app. It was a little difficult to connect to the dehumidifier at first, but once I had it set up, I was really impressed. It gives you full control over the operation and the humidity level, and you can even use it to empty the dehumidifier tank. Plus, it displays error codes if the appliance stops working. 

The design, features, and technology are what stood out for me about this dehumidifier, and it’s why I would recommend it for water damage restoration. It is more expensive than other dehumidifiers, but you get a lot for the price.

2. AlorAir Sentinel HD55 - Best Budget Option

Water damage restoration dehumidifiers are generally quite expensive, but the AlorAir Sentinal HD55 is a more affordable choice. I usually see it listed at around $575, and often even lower.

However, despite the lower price tag, it doesn't underperform, and it's one of the most complete that I've tested.

It has a good capacity and can reliably remove around 90 pints a day from the affected areas. I did find that after 2-3 days of running, the capacity decreased very slightly, but not enough to worry me about the overall performance. It only has basic controls, but you can still set the target humidity and then leave it to manage the water damage.

What really stood out for me about this dehumidifier was how well it coped in extreme conditions. It works even in humidity levels above 80%, and the defrost feature means it will keep running in very cold conditions. This makes it perfect for basements, laundry rooms, crawl spaces, or more exposed parts of your home.

I also appreciated just how low maintenance this dehumidifier was. The built-in filter protects the internal components, and I don't think you'll need to check on this model more than once or twice a year.

The only real criticism I had of this dehumidifier is the weak outer casing. I managed to drop the dehumidifier, and it left a very noticeable dent. It didn't impact the performance, but it's an indicator of the overall quality, and I wouldn't expect this model to last more than 3-5 years.

However, given the competitive price tag, excellent features, and good capacity, this option still offers a lot of value. I would recommend it to any homeowners on a budget who need humidity protection year-round.

3. COLZER 232 PPD - Quick Moisture Removal

If you have a severely flooded basement, then the COLZER 232 is the right dehumidifier for you. It's got an extremely powerful fan, and it's one of the fastest-acting dehumidifiers I've ever used.

The features within the COLZER dehumidifier make it perfect for basement use. It has an internal humidistat, an auto restart feature, and auto defrost functionality. Basically, it will keep running no matter what, so your basement is continually defended.

This dehumidifier is one of the best air movers I've seen. With a CFM of 353, it draws in moist air quickly and pumps out dry air very quickly. This is exactly what you need after water damage, and during the testing, it was able to reduce the relative humidity in the air from 72% to 50% in just a few hours.

The whole appliance performs very well, but I found the size and weight slightly challenging with this dehumidifier. This is not a compact machine, and even with the swivel wheels, it can be a struggle to get it in the right place. The hose included with the machine is short, too, so you might be a bit limited in where you can place it.

I recommend this dehumidifier for any homeowners dealing with water damage in the colder parts of their homes. It's well made, extremely tough, and does the work of several dehumidifiers in one. It will work best in larger homes and can manage humidity levels across a wide area.

4. Abestorm 120 PPD - Energy-Efficient Dehumidifier

Energy bills are high right now, so I was keen to include an energy-saving model that's cheaper to run. The Abestorm 120 PPD offers cheaper water damage restoration, but it still gives commercial-grade performance. It's a good option for homeowners that are conscious about electricity bills but still want protection in their basement, garage, crawl spaces, or other spaces in their home.

This unit is designed for constant use in homes with large amounts of water. I've found that it's most effective in smaller spaces with less air, but even in a medium-sized room, it should easily maintain a humidity of around 50%. If you push the fan speed and settings, it should be able to reach as low as 36% too.

The whole unit is easy to use with clear and basic controls, but what I like most about the Abestorm is just how low maintenance it is. It has continuous drainage, auto-restart, and defrost functionality. It even has a specific alloy tube evaporator that protects against corrosion. All of this means that it can run continuously without any manual input.

My only criticism of this dehumidifier is the casing. It seemed to be fairly fragile, and it can dent quite easily. This shouldn't impact the operation, but overall, I wouldn't expect the Abestorm 120 PPD to last as long as the others on this list.

However, at this price point and with the low running cost, it still offers good value for money, and it's the right dehumidifier for homeowners who want to set it up and forget about it. It will dehumidify floors, furniture, and surfaces and leave you with drier conditions in just a few hours.

5. RINKMO 296 PPD - Largest Capacity Dehumidifier

If you suffer from severe flooding, then you need the RINKMO dehumidifier. It has a huge capacity, which means it can remove gallons of water quickly from the air. This eliminates mold and mildew spores as they try to spread, helping to preserve your home and belongings.

Aside from the capacity, I was also impressed by the quality of this unit. The RINKMO dehumidifier is built to last, and all of the components are premium. It is heavy, but the wheels on the bottom of the appliance make it reasonably easy to move.

Sometimes, industrial-grade models can be a bit rough around the edges, but what surprised me most about this dehumidifier was how accurate it was. The humidistat and control panel on the device are extremely precise, and you can choose the exact level of dehumidifying in an area. The appliance will then cycle in 10-minute bursts until that exact humidity is reached.

While I did value the precision, what I value most about this dehumidifier is the power. It’s like having 3 separate dehumidifiers in one, with all the benefits that come with that. The only slightly frustrating thing is that there’s no built-in pump, so you have to rely on gravity draining to get rid of all the water it gathers.

One other thing to be aware of with this RINKMO dehumidifier is that it is loud. It's not too surprising, given the power, but it could cause a lot of noise throughout your house. I would recommend only using this particular model away from bedrooms and living areas.

This dehumidifier is industrial-grade and probably overkill for most homeowners. However, if you have a serious water problem in a larger home, this is the unit for you.

6. Moiswell 232 PPD - Easy Set Up

Want a dehumidifier that just works? You need the Moiswell 232 PPD. It’s a plug-and-play dehumidifier with one of the simplest setups I’ve ever seen. It’s the easy way to get effective dehumidification without the fuss and start drying out the air in your home quickly.

Moiswell is a sub-brand of COLZER, a humidifier and dehumidifier specialist brand founded in 2015. COLZER is considered one of the best home appliance brands (and a COLZER model already features on this list), so you know it's a company you can trust.

With an impressive capacity and powerful fan, it can absorb moisture very quickly. It can protect your home from very high humidity, and it's built for prolonged, intense use. It's quiet too, much quieter than I expected, given the high capacity, so it should be suitable for use in any part of your home. 

What I really liked about this dehumidifier was how simple everything was. Even though it's commercial-grade, it feels like it's been designed for your average homeowner. The setup is straightforward, it's portable for easy moving or storage, and the drain line is simple to attach.

Even when it's running, it's low maintenance. You can program it using a timer or a humidistat (I prefer a humidistat after a water leak) and keep it running until the air reaches the target humidity level.

This model is best for homeowners with limited experience with residential or commercial dehumidifiers. It doesn't require any knowledge of the appliances, and it will get to work instantly, giving you an easy way to protect your home from water, mold, and mildew.

7. AlorAir Sentinel HD55 - Best Value Performer

If you suffer from severe water damage, flooding, or high humidity regularly, you will benefit from the AlorAir 180 PPD. It doesn't just perform well; it stands up to heavy use and can be used in all kinds of environments. All of this adds up to great long-term value.

The AlorAir 180 PPD is designed to operate continuously in high humidities. It can reduce moisture levels quickly and should be able to keep any room at an ambient humidity below 40%.

It works quickly too, and when I tested it, it reduced the humidity from 62% to 43% in just 2 hours. It may take more time to work in a room with water damage, but it will start to dry out your home very quickly.

This portable model comes with a longer drain hose than most dehumidifiers and has a built-in pump. This makes it easier to move it between rooms, and it’s particularly useful for homeowners without floor drains.

What I really like about this AlorAir model is that it's been designed for the long haul. The parts are all high quality, with a tough outer shell and a unique coating on the coils, which prevents freezing. All of this prevents the dehumidifier from becoming damaged and increases the lifespan (and value) of the entire dehumidifier.

The design and operation are both impressive, and my only real criticism of the dehumidifier is that it’s not as compact as you might think. It should still fit in most rooms, but it might not squeeze into very tight crawlspaces.

The AlorAir 180 PPD is competitively priced and long-lasting. It offers some great value for money and is best for homeowners who need to use powerful dehumidifiers frequently.