There's something in the air — and it's not just abundant moisture, but a pleasant waft of dehumidifiers on sale this Black Friday. Too much moisture present in your home can pose health risks to you and your family, and if left unchecked can cause damage to your property. In fact, a quality dehumidifier is considered essential in many homes, especially for those with large families. They have even been found to help reduce snoring.
Of course, these machines are still not your everyday household appliance, so cannot usually be purchased cheaply. It's a breath of fresh air, therefore, that the Live Science team has found so many dehumidifiers on sale this Black Friday. Ranging in price from as low as $100, to more than $500, there are dehumidifiers to suit many budgets, to get your air crisp and healthy in no time.
Related: Best air purifier deals
Primarily, dehumidifiers are best at getting rid of excess damp, and its resulting odor, that can be found almost anywhere, but most commonly in kitchens and bathrooms. However they have also been found to tackle serious health issues, for example asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). These, as well as certain allergies caused by dust mites, can be triggered by too much damp being present in your home's atmosphere — dehumidifiers can drastically reduce this risk.
There are lots of causes for dampness in a house and one of the biggest side effects is mold, which can eventually lead to health issues. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that spaces indoors keep humidity levels between 30 and 60% — dehumidifiers can be a fantastic solution to help your home stay within these safe levels, and fight against mold.
- Discover great deals on dehumidifiers at Walmart
- Shop Best Buy's Black Friday dehumidifier deals right here
- Target has some great discounts on dehumidifiers
Dehumidifier deals
Which dehumidifier is best for you?
The range of dehumidifiers on sale can be rather overwhelming so it's useful to know what features are available, and what distinguishes one model from the next.
The first place to start is with size. Think first about the size of the room which the dehumidifier will be in- dehumidifiers on sale are classified according to the size of the room or by pints, which refer to the number of pints of water they extract every 24 hours.
As a rough rule of thumb, a 30 pint model will work in a smaller space such as a closet or bedroom up to about 1500 sq. ft.. For a medium space (a living room or playroom up to around 3,000 sq. ft.), 50 pints would be sufficient. A larger space (a full sized basement up to 4,000 sq. ft.) would require a 70 pint model. The dimensions of the appliance itself may be a guiding factor for you, too, depending on how much space you have to put it in.
• Related: Are dehumidifiers good for asthma?
Some dehumidifiers require you to empty the tank manually, but you can also find models that drain continuously through a hose or tube (you need a drain, outlet or shower tray for it to drain into and may need to buy a hose separately). Some dehumidifiers are fitted with a pump, which saves you all the hard work. If you have to empty it manually, the size of the tank is an important factor as it will dictate how often you need to empty it - a big chore if you're having to trek down to the basement each time.
If energy efficiency is important to you because of your budget or planet-saving concerns, look for one with an energy star.
If you're going to keep it in a bedroom or living space, you may also need a dehumidifier that runs quietly. Finally, techy types might opt for a smart dehumidifier that can be controlled remotely via an app.
Dehumidifiers on sale
Honeywell TP50WK Energy Star Dehumidifier deals
This dehumidifier may be mid-range in price, size and looks, but it excels in energy efficiency with a planet-friendly energy star. It runs pretty quietly, so would work well in a bedroom or living room - one reviewer said they kept checking it was still working as it was so silent (although a few complained it was louder than expected).
You can adjust the humidity, which is a useful feature if you live somewhere with fluctuations in humidity levels, and there's an easy-to-read display that enables you to see the humidity level without standing right next to it.
The main drawback is the size of the collection tank. Reviewers complain of having to empty the tank multiple times a day and there are some grumbles about the continuous flow tube, which ostensibly operates less than perfectly.
GE Dehumidifier APER50LZ deals
This is by no means the cheapest dehumidifier out there, but if you can find one on sale, it's worth snapping up. Its big advantage is the pump that saves you from running to and fro constantly emptying the tank. The 77% of reviewers who award it five stars (it rates an impressive 4.6 overall) find it efficient and greatly appreciate the pump function.
Most find it tolerably quiet and like the fact that the tank is a capacious 15 pints (particularly useful for those who can't connect the pump). There are occasional gripes about the pump's reliability, but most users are happy with it.
The main downside to this model is that it generates quite a lot of heat, which isn't great if you're using it during a steamy summer in high temperatures. It could be just the thing for a cold, clammy basement, though.
Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 deals
"Alexa, turn on the dehumidifier!" If you're fond of smart devices, this is the dehumidifier for you. Controlled via an app, Alexa or Google Assistant, you can switch it on and off and change the humidity settings, and you'll get an alert on your phone when the tank is full.
The voluminous tank holds 16.9 pints, and you can attach a pipe for continuous drainage. One user suggests that a garden hose is more sturdy than the Frigidaire one (which you have to buy separately - it would be nice if it were included), but most users are happy with it, and it scores 4.6 stars on Amazon. The washable filter is another popular feature.
There are a few niggles. It's worth checking that the system is compatible with your phone, and there are some complaints about connectivity - one user describes it as "smart most of the time". Overall, though, it is an efficient dehumidifier with features that add to its convenience.
LG Puricare 50-pint dehumidifier deals
In the five years leading up to 2018, dehumidifiers caused more than 500 fires in the US (usually the result of overheating) and created $20 million of damage as a result. Although the risk of your dehumidifier catching fire is very small, if you want to be on the safe side opt for this dehumidifier, designed with safety in mind. It has a safety standby mode to prevent overheating, and its internal components are made of thermally resistant materials within a steel structure.
Beyond the safety elements, it's a pretty sleek-looking appliance that does its job efficiently (earning itself an energy star). It features a washable filter, shuts off automatically when the tank is full and has a clever humidity auto control.
It's certainly not cheap, so look out for dehumidifiers on sale, and it's disappointing that the drainage hose isn't included in the price. Like many dehumidifiers, it emits a fair amount of heat, but on the other hand it works well in lower temperatures. Some reviewers grumble a little about the heat and noise, but most are content - as one puts it, "Minimal noise, very efficient, has ability to use continuous drain, it's sleek and nice looking, it is very easy to remove and return the bucket that holds the water and it is easy to roll around. It is definitely worth the money!"
hOmeLabs 1,500 sq.ft dehumidifier deal
For a no-frills dehumidifier at a decent price, you can't go far wrong with this model (which comes in a variety of sizes). It has most of the features that you'll find in more expensive dehumidifiers, such as adjustable humidity settings, washable filter, automatic turn-off when the tank is full and optional continuous drainage (you have to provide your own hose). It's also portable, with wheels so you can move it around easily.
Although the manufacturers describe it as quiet, there's no official decibel rating. Customers' own decibel measurements vary wildly, so it's hard to say exactly how noisy it actually is. There are a few complaints about noise in the reviews but most customers agree that it runs pretty quietly.
This Amazon bestseller scores an unusually high 4.7 stars on Amazon and 80% of reviewers awarding it five stars. The most common complaint relates to the continuous drainage mechanism. Some customers have had issues with water pooling around the hose inlet and others with setting it at the right angle to let the water flow away (there's no pump). Others have had issues with leakage, and thread tape is recommended. The other main grumble is that, in common with many dehumidifiers, it emits a lot of heat. On the whole, though, reviewers are delighted by how well and efficiently it works. As one happy customer says, "For the first spring in 18 years my 120 year-old house doesn't smell musty when it rains!"