5 Best Small Dehumidifier for Bathroom (Portable & Quiet)
A Bathroom with humidity levels above 60% can become the hotspot for dust mites, mold, and mildew. According to Environment Protection Agency, relative humidity levels between 30% and 50% are appropriate for a room. However, this is difficult to achieve in a bathroom.
In your entire home, a bathroom is a place where you’ll find high levels of humidity. It is due to the amount of steam that a hot shower or bath produces.
What’s the solution?
A dehumidifier can help significantly improve the air quality by removing moisture from the air, preventing the growth of mold and mildew. Also, if your bathroom has a poor ventilation system or no window to release the air, placing a dehumidifier will help.
Smaller Dehumidifiers are best for small spaces such as a bathroom, laundry room, or closet.
As said, bathrooms are generally small in comparison to living rooms so a low capacity model can easily manage the humidity levels. Besides, due to its portable nature, you can move it to another part of the house with ease. Sounds like a win-win device, Right?
When shopping for a small dehumidifier for your bathroom, you must consider some of the important factors before finalizing such as capacity, portability, noise level, purification, etc.
Below is a buying guide for picking the right dehumidifier for your bathroom.
Table of Contents
Best Small Dehumidifier for Bathroom Buying Guide
Water Tank vs Absorbing Capacity
The water tank inside a dehumidifier holds water by extracting it from the air. Every dehumidifier comes with a water tank that can hold a certain volume of water. For example, A dehumidifier of 16 Oz water tank can hold 500 ml of water.
On the other hand, absorbing capacity is the rate at which a dehumidifier can remove water particles from the air within 24 hours.
A rule of thumb is that a larger room space to dehumidify will require a larger absorbing capacity. Also remember, the more the water tank capacity, the more it will cost.
Bathrooms are generally small spaces in our home. A small dehumidifier with an absorbing capacity of 300 to 600 milliliters of water from the air (in 24 hours) is a suitable choice.
However, if you are dealing with larger space, go for high-capacity dehumidifiers. A High moisture absorbing capacity dehumidifier manages to handle an excessive amount of humidity in large spaces quickly.
Portability
You might not want your dehumidifier to be ideal in the bathroom only. Portable dehumidifiers come in handy when moving it to another part of the house.
Most cord-based dehumidifiers can be shifted from one place to another as it requires an outlet to be plugged in. Also, some models come with wheels and a handle to move around.
Another type of dehumidifier you might find is mini-dehumidifier. This cordless model is way smaller (size of a hand) and uses silica gel to trap water particles from the air. It is portable but not recommended as it won’t be effective in dehumidifying.
Noise Level
Dehumidifiers can be noisy sometimes. The main source of noise is its compressor, fan, and airflow (swirling sound). When picking a dehumidifier for your bathroom check whether it falls under recommended noise levels.
In general, a noise level between 53 dB and 57 dB is considered quiet (sounds like moderate rainfall). And below 53 dB is considered super quiet (sound of a refrigerator).
Here is a list of different noise levels of dehumidifiers to determine how noisy it can be:
- Loud dehumidifiers: Over 65 dB.
- Noisy dehumidifiers: Between 60 dB and 65 dB.
- Neutral dehumidifiers: Between 57 dB and 60 dB.
- Quiet dehumidifiers: Between 53 dB and 57 dB.
- Super quiet dehumidifiers: Below 53 dB.
Auto Shut Off & Defrost
You cannot always sit in the bathroom to check when the water tank gets full and needs to be emptied. Auto Shut off feature allows the dehumidifier to automatically turn itself off when the tank is about to overflow.
Besides, there is another feature called Auto-defrost. It ensures that your dehumidifier will work in low temperatures such as in winter or rainfall.
Drainage System
Mainly dehumidifiers have two types of drainage systems; sliding tray and sink/floor draining.
Sliding trays or tanks are common in most dehumidifiers; you have to slide the tray and empty the water collected in it. On the other hand, some use a drainage hose attached to the sink or drain that carries water out of the machine.
Built-in Humidistat Tool
Some dehumidifier models come equipped with a humidity measurement tool called a humidistat. It shows the moisture levels in the room and ensures whether an appropriate RH level is maintained inside.
5 Best Small Dehumidifier for Bathroom
SEAVON Electric Dehumidifier
Water Tank Capacity: 16 Oz (500ml) | Working Efficiency: 300 ml/day | Dehumidification Range: 2200 sq feet | Noise Level: 30 dB (Super Quiet) | Drainage Type: Sliding Tank
The SEAVON electric dehumidifier is one of the most affordable options on the list, the device comes in a compact size, which makes it easy to move from one room to another.
If your bathroom’s dehumidification range lies between 2000-2200 sq feet, you can consider using this dehumidifier. The device is capable of extracting 300 ml of water in 24 hours and can hold 500 ml of water in its tank.
Moreover, the device automatically shuts down when the water tank is full and needs draining. There is a LED light that blinks RED when the water tank reaches its maximum capacity, indicating you to empty the tank.
In terms of noise, the SEAVON Electric Dehumidifier produces a low amount of sound (30 decibels). With built-in Thermoelectric cooling technology, this electric dehumidifier makes no noise (sound like a whisper).
As said earlier, due to its compact size, it is perfect for various home locations such as bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and even your office. Overall, an affordable and eco-friendly dehumidifier that provides significant air quality.
Midea 2019 DOE
Water Tank Capacity: 100 Oz (3 liters) | Working Efficiency: 24 liters/day | Dehumidification Range: 4500 sq feet | Noise Level: 51 dB (Super Quiet) | Drainage Type: Sliding Tank + Draining Hose
The Energy Star Certified Midea 2019 DOE model uses a more efficient compressor, coil, and fan inside to maintain appropriate humidity levels of 45%-55% in the room. The device can effectively cover an area of 4500 sq feet for dehumidifying the environment.
With portability in mind, the brand has included 4 wheels and a handle to move it freely around the rooms. Apart from the bathroom, you can place it in the bedroom, office, kitchen, or crawlspace where RH levels are high.
Talking about the water extraction capability, the Midea 2019 DOE is capable of extracting 24 liters of water from the air. The included tank is capable of holding 3 liters of water and automatically shuts off when the tank is about to overflow, thanks to the auto shut-off feature.
Many dehumidifiers get disrupted by power outages. To solve this issue, Midea has included an Auto-restart feature that restarts the device when power is back. Moreover, you can also enable continuous dehumidification mode to operate constantly, instead of switching on or off.
The Midea 2019 DOE is quiet with a noise level of 51 dB that sounds more like a whisper. It gets completely dissolved into the surrounding sound, so you’ll barely notice any noise. Overall, its energy star certification and advanced features make it worth investing in.
SEAVON Dehumidifier (4th Gen)
Water Tank Capacity: 61 Oz (1.8 liters) | Working Efficiency: 750 ml/day | Dehumidification Range: 510 sq feet (small rooms) | Noise Level: 39 dB (Super Quiet) | Drainage Type: Sliding Tank
The SEAVON 4th gen dehumidifier covers a range of 510 sq feet which makes it suitable for small bathroom spaces. Its water tank can hold up to 1.8 liters of water whereas the dehumidifier can remove 750 ml of water moisture from the air in 24 hours.
Like previous models, the auto shut-off feature manages to turn the dehumidifier off automatically, saving water from spilling off. For you to notice, the LED light turns red when the water tank is full and needs to be emptied.
Unfortunately, the device lacks gravity-draining support. You have to slide the water tank to make it empty. At this price, adding a socket for a draining hose would have been worth it.
This model from SEAVON comes with a remote for contactless operation such as switching the device on/off or changing working modes. The working modes consist of two modes; strong and sleep. Strong mode sets the fan at maximum speed to reduce humidity quickly whereas night mode sets the fan to a suitable speed for better sleep at night.
One thing to note here is if the room temperature falls below 59 degrees Fahrenheit, the dehumidification won’t perform and the device stops working on temperatures below 49 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is rated ultra-quiet with a noise level rating of 39 dB. Therefore, In my opinion, if you are looking for a quiet dehumidifier for small spaces which improve the air quality, then the SEAVON 4th gen dehumidifier.
Ivation Dehumidifier
Water Tank Capacity: 67 Oz (2 liters) | Working Efficiency: 7 liters/day | Dehumidification Range: 270 sq feet (small rooms) | Noise Level: 30 dB (Super Quiet) | Drainage Type: Sliding Tank + Draining Hose
For pretty small bathrooms, we highly recommend Ivation dehumidifier, covering a range of 270 sq feet. It can absorb up to 7 liters of moisture from the air within 24 hours. And hold up to 2 liters of water in its tank.
More importantly, the auto shut-off feature works fine when water is about to overflow. You can use either the sliding tank or hose as this gives you the freedom to empty the tank based on your preference.
Its compact design features a handle to move from one room to another, which makes it highly portable.
Instead of a compressor, it uses a new technology called the Desiccant rotor, which provides fast, quiet, and improved dehumidifying performance. Even if you want to use it in low-temperature seasons like winter, it won’t show any issues.
On top of it, you will find advanced LCD control to adjust humidity levels, switch different modes, schedule timers, adjust the movement of air, and control the intensity of LED light.
This multipurpose dehumidifier fits perfectly for small rooms and works effectively in removing moisture, preventing mold growth, eliminating odor, and improving air quality.
Orfled Dehumidifier
Water Tank Capacity: 30 Oz (860 ml) | Working Efficiency: 300 ml/day | Dehumidification Range: 240 sq feet (small rooms) | Noise Level: 39 dB (Super Quiet) | Drainage Type: Sliding Tank
The Orfled dehumidifier is another affordable option in this list after SEAVON Electric Dehumidifier. With a portable design, the device weighs near 2 pounds, which makes it light enough to be carried to another part of the house.
It gives you the power of double dehumidification by offering you a small hand-sized mini dehumidifier that you can place near your wall cabinet, wardrobe, or cupboard.
For working efficiency, Orfled dehumidifier can extract 300 ml of moisture per day, suitable for small spaces such as bathrooms. With 860 ml water tank capacity, it continuously dehumidifies your bath space for three days straight without filling the tank.
Being an affordable dehumidifier, the brand has not compromised with features such as auto shut off, working modes, LED light reminders, etc. Auto shut off works when the tank is full, working modes control the airflow speed, and LED reminders show when the tank is full.
Its 39 dB noise level rating resembles the sound of a whisper. You won’t notice as it gets fades into the background noise.
In my advice, if you’re looking for an affordable option for your small bath space, not compromising with performance and features, the Orfled dehumidifier will be the right pick.
FAQs: Small Dehumidifier for Bathroom
Do Dehumidifiers Work in Bathrooms?
Since bathrooms are the hotspot for moisture, it is likely to cause humidity-related issues such as the growth of dust mites, mold, and mildew. Placing a dehumidifier will work effectively to improve air quality by removing moisture.
How Does A Dehumidifier Work?
A fan inside the dehumidifier pulls the moist air over two sets of coils; cool and warm. The cool coil causes the moisture in the humid air to condense into the water which drips into a bin, then the air passes over the warm coil and flows back into the room. When the bin is full, the fan and compressor turn off. Once the bin is empty, the process repeats.
Where Should A Dehumidifier be Placed In a Bathroom?
Cord-based dehumidifiers require an outlet to be plugged in. Therefore, you’ll be placing your dehumidifier near the electric outlet of the bathroom. If the device has a good wire length, then you can move a few distances away from the outlet.
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