Buying guide for best dehumidifiers under $100
Whether you live in a humid area, have a home prone to dampness, or suffer from allergies, a dehumidifier can help you with your problems. If you're on a budget, you'll be pleased to know there are some excellent dehumidifiers available for under $100. The right dehumidifier can prevent your clothes from turning musty, help your laundry dry more quickly, combat mold issues in the home, and more.
As you’re shopping, however, it can be tough to sort the good budget dehumidifiers from the not-so-good budget products out there. Read on for our full guide to dehumidifiers under $100; we’ll show you what to look for and point you in the direction of some excellent and affordable options.
Key considerations
Should you get a compressor, desiccant, or thermo-electric dehumidifier?
Traditionally, the majority of dehumidifiers were compressor or desiccant models. However, with newer technology, a large portion of dehumidifiers under $100 are thermo-electric. Let’s take a look at all three types.
Compressor dehumidifiers create a cold surface inside. Warm air turns into water droplets via the process of condensation. The water then drips into the collection tank and is later emptied. Compressor dehumidifiers tend to be affordable, but they can be noisy, and they don't work at lower temperatures.
Desiccant dehumidifiers contain an absorbent material that soaks up water from the air. An internal heater dries out the absorbent material, the water from which drips into the tank. Desiccant models are effective even at low temperatures, but they tend to be pricey, so you'll find few desiccant dehumidifiers under $100.
Thermo-electric dehumidifiers condense moist air into water using a Peltier module rather than a compressor, which makes them extremely quiet. However, they generally take only eight to 20 ounces of water out of the air each day. Lots of dehumidifiers under $100 are thermo-electric models.
What is your room size and relative humidity?
Most manufacturers provide the room size that a given product is capable of dehumidifying. However, you should know that this is only an estimate. Your actual results depend on the relative humidity of the room. For example, a dehumidifier might be able to reduce the humidity to 50% in a room of 250 square feet if the relative humidity started out at 60%. However, if the relative humidity started at 80%, that same unit might only be effective in a room of 100 square feet.
The majority of dehumidifiers under $100 are capable of effectively removing moisture from compact spaces only. The maximum is generally between 100 and 300 square feet.
"According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, you should keep the relative humidity in your home below 50% to reduce allergens. "
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How much water can the dehumidifier hold?
The water capacity of a dehumidifier is the amount of water it can hold in the container tank. Once the tank is full, the unit will shut off. Dehumidifiers under $100 tend to have a maximum water capacity of between 25 and 85 ounces. Of course, how quickly the tank fills up depends on how much water your chosen dehumidifier is capable of absorbing each day, plus the relative humidity of the room.
Does the dehumidifier offer humidity control?
Some dehumidifiers let you adjust the humidity setting depending on your needs. For instance, you could adjust the unit so it brings the relative humidity of the room down to 50%. Or, if you like drier air, you could choose to adjust it to 40%. However, the majority of dehumidifiers under $100 don't offer this feature. Some may have low, medium, and high settings, but many are either on or off, so you'll need to manually switch them off once your room has reached the desired humidity level.
Features of dehumidifiers under $100
Washable filters
A large number of dehumidifiers have filters that trap dust and other impurities in the air. These filters generally need to be replaced after a month or two of use. However, some models have washable filters. You can remove, wash, and replace these filters rather than buying new ones each time. Not only does this save money, it's also more environmentally friendly.
Defrost function
As we mentioned, compressor dehumidifiers don't usually function in low temperatures. Often, any temperature under 60°F will prevent a compressor dehumidifier from working properly. However, some models have a defrost function or are rated for use in lower temperatures.
Continuous drainage system
In lots of dehumidifiers, you must manually empty the tank. But if emptying the tank sounds unappealing, you might want to consider a dehumidifier with a continuous drainage system. This is a pipe that fits to the unit to drain water as it's collected. You'll need to route the pipe straight into a sink or drain. Not many dehumidifiers under $100 offer a continuous drainage system, but some do.
Dehumidifiers under $100: prices
We're focusing on dehumidifiers under $100, so obviously all the models we've researched cost less than this. However, there are still several price brackets to choose from.
Basic dehumidifiers cost between $20 and $40. These tend to have small water capacities and can't take much water out of the air with each cycle. Mid-range models cost roughly $40 to $60. These have larger capacities and tend to be more effective overall. However, if you want the most powerful dehumidifiers under $100, you'll need to opt for a model in the $60 to $99 price range.
Did you know?
Some dehumidifiers have an auto-restart feature which prompts the unit to turn itself back on after a power outage.
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Tips
- Plan where you will place your dehumidifier. You need to choose an appropriate model for your space and your level of humidity or dampness.
- Consider how easy (or difficult) a given dehumidifier would be to empty. A dehumidifier with a tank that slides out the front tends to be easy to empty.
- Check how energy-efficient your chosen dehumidifier is. Some have an energy-efficient certification, so you can tell they use little power and won't leave you with a sky-high electricity bill.
- Find out the external dimensions of any dehumidifier you're considering. This is particularly important if you want yours to fit in a compact space, such as a closet.
FAQ
Q. How can I tell if I need a dehumidifier?
A. If you notice issues with mold or damp, suffer from environmental allergies (such as hay fever), have condensation forming on the inside of your windows, have a bathroom without ventilation, or dry your clothes indoors, you might benefit from a dehumidifier.
Q. Can I really buy an effective dehumidifier for under $100?
A. You won't be able to find a dehumidifier capable of dehumidifying your entire house or large rooms for under $100, but you can find models effective for small or mid-sized rooms, boats, tiny homes, RVs, and areas of comparable size.
Q. Where should I position my dehumidifier?
A. Place your dehumidifier in the area where you've noticed issues with humidity. Or, if you're buying a dehumidifier to help with allergies, place the dehumidifier in the area of your home where you spend the most time. The majority of dehumidifiers require a little space around them to work effectively, so position it at least six inches from the wall or other solid obstacles.
