If you live in a high humidity area then you're probably running your dehumidifier for hours at a time. The noise from the compressor and the fan can become annoying pretty quickly.
Fortunately there are some low noise dehumidifiers on the market at the moment that are surprisingly quiet. We’ve reviewed a few of the quietest dehumidifiers on the market.
We’ve also put together a handy buying guide that will walk you through all the key things to consider before you buy a quiet dehumidifier.
OUR TOP PICK
Now, this may not exactly be the quietest dehumidifier in our shortlist, but it is ultra quiet, and it comes with some really great features.
Let’s cover the sound first of all. There’s a day mode for strong dehumidifying, which has a noise level of between 35 and 45 decibels, which is pretty quiet, much lower than conversation levels, which would be 60 decibels.
But then, there’s also a night-time mode, which offers gentler dehumidifying, and is ultra quiet at less than 35 decibels. Perfect for when you really need to sleep.
But another great thing about this dehumidifier is that it can even be used in larger rooms of up to 560 square feet in size.
And it can absorb and collect up to 750 ml of excess water per day.
This is the manufacturer’s 4th generation of humidifier, and it uses upgraded thermoelectric cooling technology for quieter, more efficient dehumidifying.
We also love how it comes with a remote control, so if you’re dropping off to sleep, you don’t have to get up to switch it off or change the settings, just grab the remote.
The water tank is a whopping 71 ounces in size, so you won’t need to empty it very often. And when it reaches full capacity, 2 things will happen.
One, it will automatically shut off, saving precious electricity. And two, a red indicator light will come on to alert you that the tank is full. Very handy.
We also like how it features a dust-proof net, so that air released back into the room is free of both excess moisture and dust as well.
It has an integrated handle, and weighs under 5 pounds, so you can easily carry it from room to room, depending on where the most moisture is in the air.
It’s a bestseller with the leading online retailers, and has been met with excellent customer ratings and reviews.
And it comes backed by a lengthy 24-month quality guarantee.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular humidifier - simply click on “Check Price” to see if there’s a deal on now.
But even if you end up paying the full listing price, you still get excellent value for money.
Pros
- Quiet day mode & ultra quiet night mode
- Works in rooms up to 560 square feet in size
- Comes with an intuitive, easy to use remote control
- Large water tank capacity & automatic shut-off
- Indicator light to let you know water tank is full
- Very lightweight and easily portable
Cons
- It will stop working if the temperature drops below 41 degrees Fahrenheit
EDITORS CHOICE
If you’re looking for a quiet dehumidifier that will work in especially large rooms, or in open plan apartments, this would be the one to go for.
It can work in rooms of up to a whopping 1,500 square feet in size.
And while you would expect such a powerful dehumidifier to be fairly loud, it’s actually not that bad at all.
At its absolute loudest, it’s only 48 decibels in volume, which is significantly quieter than conversation levels.
It comes from a good, well-established brand that has been in the business for over 20 years now, and is one of the largest home AC producers in the world today.
What we love about this dehumidifier is that it comes with a built-in humidity sensor and humidistat.
That way you choose what level you want in the room, and the dehumidifier will work towards that level, automatically stopping when that level is reached. Perfect.
The humidity level is easy to program, and is clearly displayed on the top of the device. And you can either leave it running or set a timer.
This dehumidifier is available in different sizes of water tank, going from 20 pints up to 50 pints.
But whichever one you go for, there’s a handy indicator light to let you know when the tank is full. And it will automatically shut off when that level is reached.
Then you have a choice of drainage options, you can either simply empty the bucket, or connect up a drain hose.
We also love how it’s Energy Star certified, which is proof that the machine is energy efficient, and won’t drive up your electricity bills unnecessarily.
It’s a bestseller with the leading online retailers, and has been met with excellent customer ratings and reviews. And it comes backed by a 12-month quality warranty.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular humidifier - simply click on “Check Price” to see if there’s a deal on now.
But even if you end up paying the full listing price, you still get excellent value for money.
Pros
Works in rooms of up to 1,500 sq ft
Has a peak volume of just 48 decibels
Features a built-in humidity sensor
Works to your preferred humidity level
There are two options for drainage
Energy Star certified for energy efficiency
Backed by a 12-month quality warranty
Cons
Some customers have found this dehumidifier fairly heavy and not very portable
BEST VALUE
This dehumidifier is perfect for a damp basement and can work in rooms of up to 4,500 square feet.
As we mention in our buying guide, a little later, bigger dehumidifiers such as this one tend to be a little louder than their smaller counterparts.
However, most customers testify to just how very quiet it is (except at the turbo level).
This HomeLab dehumidifier is a powerful beast, with a 1.6 gallon water tank that can suck up to 50 pints of excess moisture per day.
There are two options for drainage, either simply empty the tank when full, or hook up a drainage hose.
It features an intuitive control panel on the top of the device with several different settings to choose from.
You can set it to simply filter the air, set it to continuously remove excess moisture from the air, set it on turbo speed for maximum moisture extraction, or set it on comfort mode, so you’re always at a comfortable level of humidity.
And it’s reasonably portable, there’s a built-in handle, and you can simply glide it along on its wheels to move it from room to room.
Pros
- Simply flying off the shelves!
- Customers confirm it’s very quiet
- Earned the title of Amazon’s Choice
- There are multiple drainage options
- Works in very large rooms & basements
- Can extract up to 50 pints of water per day
- Intuitive, easy to use control panel & settings
Cons
- Has to be wheeled around rather than picked up and carried
- Although you can buy it with a pump, it does not come with a hose
RUNNER UP
Now, this is hands down one of the most quiet dehumidifiers you can possibly get. And it’s quite affordable, too.
It’s ultra quiet, running at under 30 decibels volume, which is quieter than a whisper. You’ll probably forget that it’s even on.
This is significantly quieter than most other dehumidifiers on the market. It definitely won’t disturb anyone’s sleep.
We love how compact and portable it is, which means it’s great for taking from room to room, to absorb any excess moisture from the whole home. And it weighs less than 4 and a half pounds.
But despite being so compact, it can absorb moisture even in rooms of up to 250 square feet in size.
It can extract up to 18 ounces of water per day, and its tank has a large 52 ounce capacity.
But, if you forget to empty it, there’s no need to worry - it will automatically shut off when the tank reaches full capacity, so you don’t have to worry about any leakages or spills.
And the other thing we love about it is just how energy efficient it is. More so than other compact or conventional dehumidifiers.
It quickly, efficiently and strongly sucks moisture out of the air, while keeping your electricity bill to a minimum.
It’s had some great customer reviews, and has earned an average customer rating on Amazon of an impressive 4 and a half stars out of a possible 5.
It’s backed by not only a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, but also by a lengthy 2-year warranty, and lifetime customer support. How reassuring is that!
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular humidifier - simply click on “Check Price” to see if there’s a deal on now.
But even if you end up paying the full listing price, you still get excellent value for money.
Pros
Whisper quiet, at under 30 decibels!
Designed for rooms up to 250 sq feet
Very strong, powerful & energy efficient
Compact, lightweight, and portable
Excellent value for money
Cons
It will stop working if the temperature drops below 41 degrees Fahrenheit
RUNNER UP
This dehumidifier has two great selling points. One, it’s bargain, affordable price point, and two, it’s amazing energy efficiency.
But before we get onto that, let’s talk about the noise level. It’s whisper quiet. You can even set it up in a bedroom and still fall asleep ok.
It can remove excess moisture in rooms of up to 330 square feet in size, and it can extract up to 34 ounces of water per day.
And it has a water tank that can take up to 68 ounces at a time, so you’ll only need to empty it a maximum of once every two days.
It’s very energy efficient, and will only consume 1.1 kilowatts of electricity per day if left on continuously.
There are two options for drainage, either simply empty the tank when full, or hook up a drainage hose.
It’s compact enough to keep in your closet, and is very portable and easy to move around.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular humidifier - simply click on “Check Price” to see if there’s a deal on now.
But even if you end up paying the full listing price, you still get excellent value for money.
Pros
Bargain, affordable price
The volume is whisper quiet
Works in rooms up to 330 sq ft
It’s really energy efficient!
Very compact and portable
Cons
It will stop working if the temperature drops below 41 degrees Fahrenheit
RUNNER UP
Another well-respected brand with a vast range of dehumidifier products available, this particular Frigidaire model pulls in a healthy 50-pint capacity, with lower energy usage than some of its competitors.
This is another model that, like the hOmeLabs, has a very handy drain outlet- this time conveniently place at the side of the machine. It features a washable filter, comes on load-bearing casters so you can transport with ease, and is designed to tackle tough jobs like damp basements and high levels of humidity with its optional continuous drainage feature so you don’t need to worry about constantly emptying your machine or leaving it unattended.
Size-wise, it’s a little smaller than the hOmeLabs dehumidifier featured but both pretty much the same dimensions. The noise level on high is described as nothing more than a pleasant white noise whilst the low setting is barely noticeable, perfect if you keep it on during the nighttime.
This is a great option to use as a good garage dehumidifier.
PROS:
Drainage outlet at side of the machine
Removable filter
Multiple modes to adjust noise and power
Splash guard so you can carry your tank to the sink without water splashing all over you
Modern design
Suitable for even the most humid of houses and temperatures
Very powerful so you can turn it off quicker!
Very energy efficient for the power provided
CONS:
Still quiet but slightly louder than the hOmeLabs alternative
No hose included
Filter removal is a bit trickier and relies on the use of ‘clicking’ plastic tabs that could break over time
RUNNER UP
With a great small and portable design, this dehumidifier would be better suited to slightly smaller rooms than the previous two models.
That being said, it still has a massive impact- being able to reduce humidity from 85% to 45% and has a handy auto-defrost feature that prevents the buildup of ice from affecting your machine or causing damage.
This machine might not be the most mighty but is whisper quiet with a maximum volume of 51dB (roughly equivalent to a quiet refrigerator hum) so if you’re looking for something that you can leave on all day to minimize humidity without really noticing it at all, the Midea will probably be your best bet.
You can also reuse the water filter to minimize waste and it also has that all-important drainage outlet for attaching a standard hose for water disposal. Midea is one of the world’s largest dehumidifier brands so you can know you’re using a trusted brand that has years of experience and plenty of help on hand for troubleshooting.
PROS:
Seriously quiet noise even on maximum settings
Still able to handle a high level of humidity
Energy-efficient and Energy star certified
Auto defrost feature to protect your machine
Reusable filter
Super-sleek design and portable smaller size
CONS:
Smaller container size means more emptying
Not as powerful as competitor models
Not suitable for rooms larger than 300sq ft
RUNNER UP
This is a sleek bit of kit coming in at just over 11x11x25in but delivers very satisfactory results even in big, damp spaces like basements, lounges, or musty attics. The Waykar comes with multiple modes, an impressive-looking touchscreen, and a backlit display that looks super sleek and stylish.
It can remove up to a whopping 70pints of water from the air in one day and has several handy features that push it a little above the rest. The first is that it comes with a hose- the downside is this hose isn’t very long and unfortunately, the outlet is not compatible with a regular garden hose.
The smart screen lets you input your desired humidity level and the machine will automatically adjust to your settings, turning off and on as needed so you can walk away and let it do its thing. It is also another quiet model with many customers saying it sounds more like white noise on the loudest setting but with the option to put it down to a quiet humming with the lower fan settings.
This dehumidifier comes with wheels for convenience and has the bonus of handles so you can easily transport your device and pop it wherever you need it in your home.
PROS:
- Ergonomic handles for easy moving
- Comes with a hose for easy drainage
- Smart screen
- Beautiful, sleek design
- Able to adjust humidity from 85% to 30%
- 4 separate air outlets for quick dehumidifying
- Automatic shut off when the bucket is full, automatic turn on when emptied
CONS:
- Flimsy hose attachment
- The touch screen can be broken, though this is under warranty
- Gallon per day promise is a bit higher than some customers say it is
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking for something that looks a little different than the classic white appliance, this sleek grey model might take your fancy. Looking more like a computer processor than a dehumidifier, if the idea of a big white box doesn’t appeal to you this might be a better call.
This 50 pint a day dehumidifier has an inbuilt pump, eliminating the need to constantly check your water levels and the need to empty a hefty water container every day.
Like the Waykar, this has a handy alert when the bucket is full or missing and a clean filter alert so you can know when it’s time to give it a good go over. It has sleek pocket handles for good mobility and a great 16ft hose that means you can plug it in immediately.
This dehumidifier comes with three fan speeds, an auto-restart feature after power outages, and auto defrost so you’re always getting the most out of your machine. This machine is also capable of dealing with rooms that aren’t just damp but WET.
Finally, the GE dehumidifier is quiet, though it does have a few alarm sounds, which whilst useful might be a little annoying if you’re sensitive to sounds.
PROS:
Built-in pump
Purpose-built 16 ft hose included
Suitable for sodden houses
Heavy-duty design
Sleek, dark grey look to blend into your home
Multiple fan speeds
CONS:
Color might not be to your taste
A few alarm sounds that might be annoying
A bit more pricey than others in this size range
RUNNER UP
If you’re not in the market for a massive machine, or you only have a tiny space that needs a dehumidifier such as a bathroom or an RV, this nifty little portable model could suit your needs perfectly!
Most importantly, this thing is whisper-quiet, coming in a 40dB meaning you could pop it in a baby room with no discomfort or have it next to you without worrying about an annoying hum or whirring sounds.
Its tiny size means it’s super portable and allows you to easily travel with it- great if you find yourself suffering when staying in a hotel or away in your campervan.
With its super small size and whisper quiet sounds, it does lack power especially compared to the much more heavy-duty models shown above. This dehumidifier is only suited to spaces up to 215sq ft (about the size of a double garage).
This small dehumidifier uses a Peltier heater which means there is no buzzing noise or refrigeration coils which is why it is so quiet. This device has a cool LED light display, 360 dehumidifier technology, which means you won’t just need to point it in one direction and comes with an easy-to-remove water bucket.
This tiny size does only pull just under a pint of water out of the air a day but also is super energy efficient. So if you don’t have a super damp or humid house and just want to adjust a small room’s humidity to comfortable levels this might be the right choice for you.
PROS:
Super small size
Peltier heating technology
Ultra-quiet dehumidifier
Portable design
Energy-efficient design
CONS:
Not suitable for large spaces
Not suitable for very damp rooms
Only pulls in a small amount of water per day- less than a pint
RUNNER UP
Still using the ultra-quiet Peltier heating system, this Letsport dehumidifier is more powerful than the tiny Trudin and offers a happy medium of both power and whisper-quiet sound.
It can remove up to 2 pints of water per day and is less than 40dB, roughly the same as a whisper from five feet away. It comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind too, like the others shown on this list.
Unfortunately, it is not recommended to run this dehumidifier at temperatures below 15 degrees celsius (59 Fahrenheit) so this would only be suited to summer use in some countries. It has a small handle on top for ultra-portability and is super light.
This does mean of course that it’s not quite as hardy as some of the bigger models but certainly packs a punch if it’s put in a small room. It is suited for up to 480 sq ft, so perfect for a bedroom or camper and still small enough that you can travel with it for maximum comfort on the go.
PROS:
Tank is super easy to clean when full
Lightweight design
Ultra-quiet technology
Energy efficient
CONS:
Not suitable for large homes
Not suitable for use under 59 degrees Fahrenheit
Not as sturdy as larger models
Only pulls in a small amount of water- 2 pints per day
Quietest Dehumidifier Buying Guide
As promised, here’s your buying guide. Let’s walk you through some of the key points to consider before you buy.
Size of the Room it’s Intended For
Dehumidifiers have a limited ability to remove excess moisture from the air. The bigger the room the dehumidifier is in, the more powerful a dehumidifier you will need.
You should measure the size of the room that you want the dehumidifier for, and buy accordingly.
But, a heads-up, dehumidifiers intended for larger rooms tend to be bigger and less portable than those for smaller rooms.
How Quiet Is It?
The volume of sound is measured in decibels. The higher the number of decibels, the louder the sound.
A normal conversation takes place at about 60 decibels, so you definitely don’t want your dehumidifier to be louder than that.
In fact, the lower it is below 60 decibels, the better. A whisper is about 30 decibels, so anything around that mark would be the best you can hope for.
But, a heads-up, bigger dehumidifiers tend to be louder, whereas smaller, portable ones are often much quieter.
Capacity
Different dehumidifiers have different capacities, that is they differ in how much water they can hold.
The more water they can hold, the less often you’ll have to empty the water out.
Energy Efficiency
Electric dehumidifiers can really add to your utility bills if left on for hours at a time. So, the more energy efficient your dehumidifier is, the better.
Automatic Shut-Off When the Tank is Full
When the dehumidifier’s tank is full of water, and it has no room for more, you need it to shut off.
But if you’re not in the room at the time, you will need it to shut off automatically. Luckily, most of the dehumidifiers on the market at the moment have this function.
Drainage Options
Most dehumidifiers simply feature a water tank that you can empty when it’s full.
But you can also get ones that allow you to attach a drainage hose, which is especially handy in very damp conditions.
Most of the dehumidifiers that made our shortlist have this feature.
Additional Special Features
Many dehumidifiers also offer a few extra features.
For example, the Seavon Dehumidifier we showed you earlier comes with a remote control, an indicator light to let you know when the tank is full, and a dust-proof net to boot.
Or, alternatively, what about a dehumidifier with a built-in humidity sensor and humidistat, that way you choose what level you want in the room, and the dehumidifier will work towards that level, automatically stopping when that level is reached.
If that sounds good to you, we can recommend the TOSOT 20 Pint Dehumidifier that we showed you earlier.
Value for Money
You won’t believe how much dehumidifiers can vary in price! You can get super cheap ones that cost about $30 or so, and you can get high-end basement dehumidifiers that can cost over $1000.
The biggest factor influencing the price of a humidifier is the size of the room it’s intended for.
Dehumidifiers intended for larger rooms are generally both bigger in size and more expensive.
Moral of the story? It’s always best to check prices as you go along.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, our list has given you a better idea of the kinds of dehumidifiers available with the quietest noise levels. For more information on dehumidifiers, the kinds of technology used in dehumidifiers, and the kinds of things to look out for when making your purchase, read on!
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about dehumidifiers so you can get all your information in one place.
What are dehumidifiers for?
Dehumidifiers are electrical appliances used to reduce or maintain the level of air humidity, this is usually for comfort or health reasons and to prevent the growth of mold and mildew by extracting moisture from the air. Dehumidifiers can be used in both commercial and household settings.
Why are Dehumidifiers so noisy?
There are 4 types of different dehumidifiers- all using different processes to pull moisture out of the air. Some are more effective than others, and some are far noisier than others. It’s a good idea to have a grasp of the different types of dehumidifiers so you know what to look for when shopping for a good one to suit your needs.
Here’s a brief overview of some different types of dehumidifiers and the technology they use to get the job done-
- Electric Refrigeration- these are the most common types of dehumidifiers and work by drawing the moist air through the dehumidifier by a fan over a refrigerated evaporator (basically a device that cools the water in the air and collects it) before rewarming the now ‘moisture free’ air and pumping it back into the room.
- Conventional Air Conditioner (compressor type) - this is the same principle as electric refrigeration, but instead of rewarming the air, the cooled-down air gets pumped directly into the room. There are ways to make a compressor quieter but it's not really practical in a dehumidifier unit.
- Spray dehumidifiers- Water is chilled below the temperature where it would naturally evaporate, and is then sprayed with air to capture atmospheric moisture. This also collects pollutants and is often referred to as ‘air washing’.
- Thermoelectric dehumidifiers- These use a special kind of heater called a ‘Pelteir’ heater to transfer heat from one side of a plate leaving the other side cool enough to condense water from the air. This design is much simpler than the more generic refrigeration-based coolers and can be less noisy. Since the heater uses electricity, it can be very costly to run and usually is only available for much smaller domestic appliances.
The fan in the dehumidifier is generally one of the biggest sources of dehumidifier noise. There are ways to make a fan quieter but with a dehumidifier your best bet is to get one with variable fan speeds so you can use the lower, quieter, setting when the humidity isn't too high.
Can you get quiet dehumidifiers?
Absolutely. As you’ve seen above, the quietest dehumidifiers are ones that use Peltier heaters instead of refrigeration coils. But if you want an almost silent dehumidifier, you’re not going to get the same sort of usability as a bigger, slightly more noisy model.
The trick is to balance out what’s the most essential thing for you- a device that is so good you don’t mind a tiny bit of noise, or something you have to run for longer or constantly that doesn’t emit any noise.
Placing the dehumidifier on anti-vibration pads could also help reduce dehumidifier noise.
The list above has a good mix of both, whilst still only showing models that are all quieter or the same as a normal volume conversation. For some people, that’s fine if it gets the job done efficiently, or it might be too much for you to bear if you can hear anything at all from your machine.
You could also soundproof the room that you keep the dehumidifier in.
What decibel is a quiet dehumidifier?
We’ve mentioned decibels or dB quite a lot in our reviews, but what do they mean, and what is considered a loud noise? When it comes to devices in our house, we want the lowest dB possible without affecting performance.
As there are already so many noises in our lives when we add them up we can be overwhelmed with the background noise in our home. A sound's loudness is measured in decibels (dB).
A normal conversation next to you would weigh in at about 60dB, a loud lawnmower would be roughly 90dB and a large rock concert or show would be around 120dB if you were pretty near the front.
Anything above 85dB for a long period is considered harmful to our ears, but this varies a little from person to person and depends if you’re wearing ear protection or not.
A super quiet sound like leaves rustling or a whisper would be around 30dB, usual background noise in a home would be 40-50dB, and an average conversation as around 60dB. When looking for a quiet dehumidifier, you’ll want to search for anything under 55dB preferably, if you want something that is considered to be quiet by industry standards.
You’re not likely to find anything superpowered that is much lower than 50dB, but there are examples like the last two on our list that are both super quiet, but this does come at the cost of maximum functionality.