While dehumidifiers can be a real lifesaver in controlling home moisture levels, they have a massive downside: they’re loud! We know as well as you do that the vast majority of these machines are rattly, racket-making monstrosities. They might take your moisture levels down a notch, but they’ll also leave your ears ringing and your head aching. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best quiet dehumidifiers.
We’ve gone on a hunt for the best quiet dehumidifiers on the market today. We compared decibel levels, as well as the overall quality of the noise. After all, there’s a big difference between a throbbing hum, which fades into the background, and an obnoxious rattle! We’ve also made sure that we haven’t sacrificed reliability or power in exchange for low noise levels.
Read on to find out which quiet dehumidifiers our experts currently recommend and to see why!
| Picture | Product Name | Pint Rating | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Danby DDR030BDWDB Energy Star 30-Pint Dehumidifier | 30 pints of moisture from the air per day | $ |
 | Danby Arctic Aire ADR30B1G 30-Pint Dehumidifier | 30 pints of moisture from the air per day | $$ |
 | Danby Arctic Aire ADR30B1G 30 Pint Dehumidifier | 70 pints of moisture from the air every 24 hours | $$$ |
Danby DDR030BDWDB Energy Star 30 pint Dehumidifier
This Danby DDR-series model is our top recommendation for dehumidifying quietly without making a big investment. It’s only suitable for small spaces, but it’s a real trooper. It isn’t quite as low-noise as the pricier Arctic Aire, but the difference isn’t all that significant. We think it’s worth spending more for the Arctic Aire if you’re able, but you can save quite a few dollars at the expense of just a couple decibels by choosing this one. It’s the quietest budget-priced compact model we’ve reviewed that can actually handle small spaces reliably. The competition are wildly underpowered and disposable. Not the Danby!
Danby Arctic Aire ADR30B1G 30 Pint Dehumidifier
The Danby Arctic Aire is the quietest small model we’ve reviewed that performs well enough to recommend. There are a few models that slightly edge it out in the noise department, but we’ve found that that’s mainly because they’re so darn underpowered. This is reliable and capable enough to handle smaller spaces without making more than 52 decibels. It’s also available in a 70-pint version. That’s our recommendation to folks who want to dehumidify medium-sized and larger spaces without spending an extra $50+ for the Honeywell.
Honeywell DH70W Energy Star 70-Pint Dehumidifier
This Honeywell is our recommendation to anyone who wants to dehumidify medium-sized and larger spaces without making more than a little noise. It comes in 50-pint and 70-pint models. Not only are they both more powerful than the smaller Danby’s, but they’re quieter! That’s the most impressive thing about the Honeywell. Even the 70-pint model makes 50 decibels–less than the 30-pint Arctic Aire! It’s by far the quietest in its size class that we’ve reviewed. At the same time, it does a great job. It can dehumidify comfortably right up to its space ratings (though we still recommend overshooting your needs).
Conclusion
Which of these quiet dehumidifiers should you buy?
The Danby DDR series is our recommendation to any buyers on a budget. It isn’t quite as reliable or quiet as the Arctic Aire version, and only comes in a 30-pint model. Still, for dehumidifying small spaces on a budget, it’s very quiet and serviceable.
The Danby Arctic Aire is a better choice for small spaces if you can afford the price bump. It also offers a larger 70-pint version that we suggest for dehumidifying larger spaces without paying a premium for the Honeywell below. This is as quiet/reliable as small machines get. However, the Honeywell is the better choice for medium and larger spaces.
The Honeywell is the best choice for dehumidifying medium-sized and larger spaces without making a racket. With 50-pint and 70-pint models available, there are options to suit all needs. We also like the 50-pint model for dealing with smaller spaces that have high ceilings which are a struggle for 30-pint models.
We’ve weighed everything up and decided that our top pick for the best quiet dehumidifier is the Honeywell DH70W Energy Star 70-Pint Dehumidifier – a strong contender which is capable of reducing moisture in mid to large sized spaces.
Buying Guide
Check Decibel Levels
Every company likes to say that their dehumidifiers are quiet. After all, that’s a massive selling point! You should approach quietness with an analytical eye, though. Noise can be measured objectively, so science is your best friend for determining which models are actually the quietest. Check for decibel ratings–nearly all machines will have them listed. You should make sure you know at what distance the ratings are given, since they differ from machine to machine. Most makers will list a couple of ratings at different distances. Remember that decibels are an exponential measure rather than incremental. In layman’s terms, that means that a small increase in decibels represents a big increase in actual noise. Every 10 decibels represents a doubling in the noise level.
Know Your Needs
There’s no point going to the trouble of finding a quiet dehumidifier if it’s not going to serve your needs. Underpowered machines will make a hell of a racket trying to keep up with a space that’s too large for them, even if they’re rated as quiet. Always know up front how much square footage you need to dehumidify. Remember that ratings are usually pretty optimistic on the part of the manufacturer, so give yourself some extra power to be safe. You should also consider that power ratings are based on square footage that assumes a standard ceiling height. If you have higher ceilings than is standard, remember to take that into consideration!
Think About Your Budget
We suggest that you plan on investing a bit more than usual if noise is a big priority. Making a quiet dehumidifier requires more effort in the design phase and heavier materials in the actual construction. Both of those things cost money. So, make sure you don’t cheap out! Our recommendations are a bit pricier than average for their coverage ratings, but that’s the premium you pay for keeping noise to a minimum.
Choose Extended Warranty Coverage
We always recommend that buyers opt for extended warranty coverage on any dehumidifier purchase. These appliances aren’t very reliable, even when it comes to the top-notch models. It’s worth paying a bit more for a plan from Square Trade or a similar provider to make sure you’re insured over the long term. Otherwise, you could be stuck with a frustrating manufacturer warranty, usually only lasting a year or so.
What’s Next
You can learn more about any of the models we’ve recommended above by clicking on the links in our reviews. That’s the easiest way to check current prices, see your options for coverage and size, as well as finding out about extended warranty policies available. Be sure to read our main buying guide, where you can see which dehumidifiers are the best , and read more helpful reviews, recommendations and buying advice covering all your dehumidification needs.