If you need a dehumidifier to help dry your clothes quicker and control the humidity in your laundry room, you must find the right size with a powerful fan. Since the laundry room typically occupies a small portion of the house, it needs a smaller dehumidifier. I picked five units that are perfect for different types of rooms. Keep reading to find which one is right for you.
You probably hardly spend time in the laundry room, maybe once or twice a week you’ll load your dirty clothes into the washing machine, then come back to hang your wet clothes. Washing and drying involve water, and when there’s too much water vapor in the air, humidity rises. You may not notice the signs of humidity right away, but if left for too long it can be quite damaging to your belongings, house structure, and at worst, your health.
The right dehumidifier will help prevent these problems by controlling the humidity in your laundry room while also speeding up the drying of your clothes. To find out more about how dehumidifiers work and what you should be looking for, first check out the list below.
Best Dehumidifier for a Laundry Room
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Editor's Choice  |
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Top 5 Laundry Room Dehumidifiers
Waykar PD160B
Waykar offers a variety of dehumidifiers for many different needs. One of these is this unit which removes a maximum of 34 pints of moisture per day in areas up to 2,000 square feet. Take note that some sites call this a 40-pint dehumidifier. This unit is commonly used in a small basement, laundry room, bathroom, living room and even a bedroom due to its low noise levels.
Set your desired humidity from 30% to 80% and the unit will automatically maintain this level. If you set the humidity to 30%, the unit will operate in Continuous mode. The Timer allows you to delay start or delay stop between one and 24 hours. The digital display will show the current humidity, selected fan speed, remaining time, and the indicator lights. The air outlet on top can be adjusted to dry your laundry quicker.
This portable dehumidifier has a small 0.66 gallon/2.5 L water tank with automatic shutoff and a “Full” indicator light. For automatic drainage via gravity, attach the included 6.56 ft drain hose to the outlet.
Like most compressor dehumidifiers, Waykar operates in temperatures between 41°F and 95°F (5°C and 35°C). In low temperatures, the unit goes in auto defrost mode to prevent frost buildup that may damage the machine. Additionally, this unit comes with an easily to remove washable filter for better air quality. It has an extendable top handle and four smooth-gliding wheels for easy movement. It’s a great dehumidifier for most any application in small spaces, but this Waykar unit is quite low in energy efficiency.
PROS
• Light and portable
• Quiet operation
• Continuous drainage with hose included
CONS
• Small tank
• Low energy efficiency
Vacplus VA-D1903
Hanging your clothes inside will no longer be a problem with this small Vacplus 30-pint dehumidifier. You don’t need a heater or tumble dryer since it has a Drying Clothes mode designed specifically for this job.
Set your desired humidity and the unit will automatically cycle on and off to maintain this level. When the room humidity is lower than your setting, the compressor will stop while the fan runs on low speed. The unit will sample the air every five minutes and resume operation when humidity rises.
To use the Clothes Drying mode press the mode function and the indicator will light up according to your chosen mode of operation. You can also program the timer to automatically turn on or turn off the dehumidifier after one to 24 hours. This can save you a lot of time and energy.
The Vacplus 30-pint dehumidifier has a 1.35-liter (2.8 pint) water tank. The unit will shut off automatically and the indicator light will turn on when the tank is nearly full. If you don’t want to manually empty the water, attach the included 1-meter hose to the drain outlet on the back of the unit. Direct the hose downwards to the floor drain or sink to allow gravity to pull the water down continuously.
This unit is powerful yet quiet enough for a small to medium sized bedroom or bathroom up to 1500 square feet. One downside is it’s not one of the most energy efficient options you can find in the market today.
PROS
• Small and portable for a 30-pint
• Drying Clothes mode
• Continuous drain option with hose included
CONS
• Low energy efficiency
• Small tank capacity
Inofia PD161C
Another small 30-pint dehumidifier option for your laundry room is this unit from Inofia. It is perfect for rooms up to 1500 square feet. Since it’s small and quiet, it’ll also be great for a bathroom or bedroom.
Despite this dehumidifier’s small structure, its digital display and controls are complete and easy to use. On the control panel, you can set a target humidity between 30% and 80% in the increment of 5%. It will automatically stop when your desired humidity level is reached and start when the humidity rises again.
On account of its 4-pint water reservoir, this is one of the smallest and lightest 30-pint dehumidifiers you can get. You can place it on top of a table or counter. Like most modern dehumidifiers, this small unit has a full tank alert, auto shutoff, auto restart and auto defrost feature. You can attach the 6.56-ft drain hose provided to allow continuous draining via gravity.
You can choose between two fan speeds to maximize moisture removal. At 112 CFM air power, it operates at a peak noise level of 46 decibels. Small, portable, quiet, yet powerful, it can handle any small room with moderate to severe humidity issues. Although it is not the most energy efficient 30-pint, it is one of the best-selling today.
PROS
• Small and portable
• Smart humidity control
• Continuous draining with drain hose included
CONS
• Small tank capacity
• Low energy efficiency
Pro Breeze Dehumidifier
For small laundry rooms or bathrooms with minimal moisture, a mini Peltier dehumidifier like this Pro Breeze unit is probably your best option. This Pro Breeze dehumidifier extracts up to 18 oz (500 ml) of excess moisture per day and holds 52 oz (1500 ml) in its water tank. This means you only have to empty it at least every two days. It is perfect for any space up to 2200 cubic feet or 250 square feet. For even smaller spaces, consider this more compact Pro-Breeze unit.
Like most Peltier units, this mini dehumidifier is incredibly easy to operate with just a single button for the power switch. One push and it will start dehumidifying, another and it will stop. It also has the auto shut-off feature with a “FULL” indicator light to alert you when the water tank is nearly full. To drain, simply remove the tank on the front of the dehumidifier, pull the plug out, then pour the water into the sink or drain.
Peltier dehumidifiers are nearly soundless since the only moving part is the fan, making them ideal for bedrooms and other small rooms. This lightweight and portable Pro Breeze unit can easily be placed on a countertop, table, or shelf. Running on 23 Watts, you’ll only consume about 0.5kW after 24 hours of use. That’s around the same amount you need to run a full-size dehumidifier for an hour and at least four times that is what you need to run a tumble dryer for an hour. One downside is, a Peltier dehumidifier operates best at temperatures from 59-86°F. It will not work below 41°F, so if it’s particularly cold and rainy where you live, this may not be the right choice for you.
PROS
• Small, lightweight, and portable
• Low energy consumption
• Whisper quiet operation
• Easy to use
CONS
• Small capacity and coverage
• Very limited operating temperature range
Ivation 13-pint Desiccant
This desiccant dehumidifier by Ivation is one of my most favorite to recommend for different applications. It’s small, light, and versatile, yet incredibly effective. Unlike compressor-based units, this desiccant dehumidifier removes up to 13 pints of moisture in high and low temperatures, from 33°F to 104°F. It works quietly and efficiently in any space up to 270 square feet.
This smart dehumidifier has an LCD display with touch buttons for easy control. You can adjust the humidity level from 35% to 85% in increments of 5%, and the unit will maintain the set humidity and conserve energy. The auto stop function prevents damage by automatically shutting off the unit during threat of tilt or water overflow. Auto restart saves your previous settings and resumes operation in case of a power interruption.
This Ivation dehumidifier is equipped with a rotating air vent so you can adjust movement of the air. You can also adjust the fan speed for faster moisture removal and drying. The timer lets you schedule start and shut off between 1 and 12 hours.
Since it doesn’t have a compressor, the Ivation desiccant dehumidifier is also perfect for a bathroom and bedroom. It features Sleep mode with low fan speed and dim screen. It also comes with a washable air filter and a small 3.8-pint tank with transparent level indicator and built-in handle. For continuous drainage, connect the included drain hose to the drain outlet.
This compact unit does a great job as a laundry room dehumidifier as well as a portable solution to humidity in a motorhome. If you want a versatile dehumidifier for your home, you can’t go wrong with this desiccant unit. Although, keep in mind that a desiccant unit is typically more expensive and consumes more energy than a similar sized compressor dehumidifier.
PROS
• Quiet desiccant operation
• Works in a wide range of temperatures
• Good for drying laundry
• Energy efficient
CONS
• Low capacity and coverage
• Higher costs
Do You Need a Dehumidifier in Your Laundry Room?
Dehumidifiers are a useful tool to air dry your clothes fast while also keeping the room fresh. They are easy enough to use, most of them with set it and forget it type of controls. They come in a variety of sizes with many different features for your specific needs.
After washing your clothes, you would want to take them out and hang them out to dry. However, if it’s raining or snowing, or you just don’t have the space to dry your laundry outdoors, then you have no choice but to hang and dry them inside. The water in your clothes evaporates into the air, thus contributing to the humidity. Meanwhile, the more humid the air is, the longer it will take for your clothes to dry completely.
When humidity levels are too high, you’ll notice damp, heavy air, and a sticky feeling in your skin. Due to the stagnant air, the musty smell will cling to your damp clothes and it will be hard to get rid of. In more extreme cases, you’ll see condensation on windows, floors, walls, and ceilings, as well as wood rotting and visible mold growth on any moist surface.
While there are other alternatives, a dehumidifier is the best solution to excess humidity. It reduces the amount of moisture in the air and effectively keeps the room dry and fresh.
Is a Dehumidifier Better Than a Dryer?
A tumble dryer is also commonly used for drying laundry, but how does it compare to a dehumidifier? It usually costs around the same as a dehumidifier of equivalent capacity. However, a dryer costs a lot of electricity. It draws about 2500 Watts per hour, which is at least five times that of a 30-pint to 35-pint dehumidifier. Although you may use the dryer for a shorter period than a dehumidifier, you’ll definitely notice the difference in your monthly bills.
On one hand, a tumble dryer will work faster since it was designed only for this specific task. On the other hand, it’s wasteful of space and energy since you’ll only need to use it a few hours every week.
Additionally, using a dryer regularly can have a negative effect on the fabric of your clothes. Since it uses heat, a dryer can shrink clothes by about 2-5% every time they are washed and dried. Your clothes may also come out rough and creased, requiring more ironing.
A dehumidifier will supply drier and fresher air to help dry your clothes faster while also preventing the negative effects of high indoor humidity. You basically get two functions in one small device while also conserving energy.
What to Consider When Buying a Dehumidifier for Your Laundry Room
Moisture Removal Rate
This is the maximum amount of moisture that a dehumidifier can remove from the air in 24 hours. If you have a big laundry room and plenty of clothes to dry, you may need a device with a more powerful dehumidification performance. For a small room with minimal moisture, a mini Peltier dehumidifier may be enough.
Coverage Area
The area of the room also plays a huge role in how efficient your dehumidifier will be. Standard 30-pint units like the ones above can cover up to 1500 square feet. Peltier dehumidifiers can cover a much smaller space from 150 to 450 square feet. Multiply the length and width of the room to get the square footage and compare this with the recommended area for each model.
Tank Capacity
Dehumidifiers use a tank to hold the collected moisture. If you do not have the time to check the water tank and manually drain it, you may choose a dehumidifier with a bigger capacity. Note that a larger reservoir also takes up a bigger space. Alternatively, you can use the continuous draining option. However, since you’ll probably only use the laundry room a few hours a week, using the tank may be more convenient.
Portability
To save on costs, look for a dehumidifier you can use in different parts of your house. For easy movement, you want a unit as small and compact as you can get. Portable dehumidifiers are built with wheels and a handle for easy movement. When you don’t need it in the laundry room, you can use your dehumidifier in a bathroom, bedroom, or even a basement.
Other Features and Functionality
The Timer feature can be very useful in a laundry room dehumidifier. After washing and hanging your laundry you can leave your dehumidifier to run for a set time then come back to fully dry and fresh clothes. It’ll be ideal to choose a dehumidifier with a special Laundry mode or Clothes Drying mode so that the unit won’t cycle on and off if the humidistat is set to a specific humidity level. You may also want to consider the different fan speeds and other extra features for each unit before you make a purchase.
Summary
Although it’s most ideal to dry your laundry in the sunny and airy outdoors, not everyone is capable of doing this all the time. A dehumidifier can be used to air dry your laundry inside no matter the weather outside. While a tumble dryer works faster, a dehumidifier is more efficient in the long run. Look for the right unit considering the size of your laundry room, the ambient temperature and humidity levels. For most types of rooms, any of the 30-pint units mentioned above will be great. But for colder areas, I recommend the Ivation desiccant unit. Ultimately it’s up to you to judge which dehumidifier is best for you.
