Mold Is No Joke: WIRED's Top Dehumidifier Picks to Reclaim Your Indoor Air

Whether you're battling summer humidity or winter dampness, excess moisture in your home is more than just uncomfortable—it's a breeding ground for mold. According to extensive testing by WIRED, the right dehumidifier can bring your home's humidity down to healthy levels. Their reviewers, including Lisa Wood Shapiro and Matthew Korfhage, put numerous models to the test in real-world conditions, from a damp cabin in Maine to mold-prone Portland, Oregon.

The Best Dehumidifiers, According to WIRED

Best Overall: Midea 20 Pint Cube Dehumidifier

The Midea Cube 20 earned the top spot for its impressive balance of power, design, and value. Priced at $168, this model is powerful enough for a 1,500-square-foot space and features a large 3-gallon tank. What truly sets it apart is its quiet operation. WIRED tester Lisa Wood Shapiro noted it hums along at a near-imperceptible 20 decibels (dB) on its lowest setting and around 40 dB at its highest. It combines an intuitive control panel with an easy-to-use smart app, though it does lack a dedicated laundry mode for drying clothes.

Best for Large Spaces: Dreo Smart Dehumidifier 711S

For larger areas like basements, you need serious power. The Dreo 711S is described as a 'total beast.' It can pull as much as 110 pints of water from the air per day while maintaining high energy efficiency. In one test, it took a small bathroom from 85% to 50% humidity in under 10 minutes. Its smart app is a key feature, allowing you to monitor and control the unit remotely—a boon since it's quite loud, hitting above 60 decibels at full power.

Best for Drying Laundry: GoveeLife Smart Dehumidifier

The GoveeLife Smart Dehumidifier introduces a compelling alternative to a traditional clothes dryer with its dedicated 'laundry mode.' A WIRED reviewer successfully dried two bath towels and several other items in just four hours on a day with nearly 80% humidity. This multi-functionality offers a significant boost in energy efficiency for households that frequently line-dry clothes. Like other smart models, it includes an app and a continuous drain hose for hassle-free operation.