Best-Rated Dehumidifiers

How we rate dehumidifiers

Our review compares dehumidifiers on customer satisfaction, so you can discover what other Kiwis think about our compared dehumidifiers brands before you go ahead and make a purchase. Think of it like asking hundreds of your closest friends, family and colleagues which dehumidifiers they think are best!

• Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.

De’Longhi

Ratings Results

This is the first year that the Italian brand De’Longhi has won our Dehumidifiers Award, and it does so on the back of an impressive set of ratings from Kiwi consumers.

Across six of our seven award categories, De’Longhi earns top 5-Star ratings from its customers, including for Value for Money, Performance and Effectiveness. For Quietness it has a great 4-Star rating.

Editor’s Notes

De’Longhi’s Tasciugo dehumidifier range covers five models, ranging in price from around $550-$950:

• 14l AriaDry Multi
• 16l AriaDry Multi
• 21l AriaDry Pure with air purifier
• 25l AriaDry Multi
• 30l AriaDry with pump, which expels collected water

Tasciugo dehumidifiers feature a laundry-drying setting, air filtration and the 16l-30l models have wi-fi connectivity, enabling you to control them with your voice or via the De’Longhi app.

Mitsubishi Electric

Ratings Results

Placing second on our award table, Mitsubishi Electric receives predominantly 4-Star ratings from its dehumidifier customers. It achieves its best score, 5 Stars, for Quietness.

Editor’s Notes

Mitsubishi Electric sells three models in its Oasis range. The Oasis Classic is available in two different moisture removal capacity sizes (16l or 22l per day), while the Oasis Pure model can remove 38l per day. Prices range from around $830 to $1600, and features include:

• Ability to operate in temperatures as low as 1C
• Automatic humidity level setting that adjusts operation accordingly
• High humidity indicator
• Laundry mode
• Mildew guard mode automatically lowers humidity levels to 40-50% once a day, for up to four hours, to halt mildew spore production

Panasonic

Ratings Results

Panasonic’s dehumidifiers receive a mix of ratings from consumers. The brand achieves a great 4-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction, plus a 5-Star score for Quietness.

Panasonic earns its lowest ratings, two 3-Stars, for Effectiveness and Functionality. However these are by no means bad scores. Rather, they indicate that Panasonic dehumidifier buyers are happy with the way their purchases perform across these two categories.

Editor’s Notes

Panasonic’s range of dehumidifiers has three different models to chose from: 17l, 27l and 33l, priced from around $600-$1100.

Its most expensive model has a 5.2l tank capacity and can remove 33l of moisture per day from the air, it also features:

• Automatic on-off to maintain ideal humidity
• Digital display
• Laundry mode to dry and deodorise laundry
• Nanoe air-purifying system
• Two-, four- and eight-hour timer

Other dehumidifier brands

Not all dehumidifier brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.

• Dimplex
• Goldair
• Sheffield

DIMPLEX

Editor’s Notes

Dimplex offers two dehumidifier models: a 25l capacity unit with 3.4l tank (approx $520) and a 50l machine with a 6.5l tank (approx $740). Both of these units feature preset modes, continuous drainage and a clean filter reminder.

GOLDAIR

Editor’s Notes

Goldair has a range of six refrigerant and desiccant model dehumidifiers (see below for difference) to suit all budgets and room sizes. Its cheapest 10L model has a 2l tank plus a timer and retails for around $300.

Goldair’s largest model (approx $700) is a 40l dehumidifier that is wi-fi enabled, meaning it can be controlled using your phone, Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

SHEFFIELD

Editor’s Notes

Sheffield is a Kiwi-owned brand that retails a range of household appliances, including three budget-friendly dehumidifiers:

• Small 2-in-1 dehumidifier and air purifier (approx $179): removes 750ml of moisture per day, 1l tank
• 12L model (approx $249): removes 12l of moisture per day, air-purifying filter, 2l tank
• 25L model (approx $379): removes 25l of moisture per day, air-purifying filter, 4l tank

What a dehumidifier can prevent in your home

A dehumidifier can be an essential appliance in the home, and can help prevent or alleviate:

• Dampness: a perennial problem in many NZ homes
• Mould: a damp home creates the perfect conditions for mould and mildew to form, but they struggle to form in less than 50% humidity
• Dust mites: these are invisible occupants of your bedspreads, mattresses, curtains, carpets, etc. While they can live in dry homes, they prefer damp conditions. And when they multiply, they can trigger allergic reactions
• Musty smells: these can be caused by the growth of mould and mildew
• Condensation: foggy windows can damage wooden window frames and lead to damp patches on walls and peeling wallpaper

Types of dehumidifier

Refrigerant dehumidifier

Works by condensing moisture out of the air. Damp air is sucked into the dehumidifier and is cooled to below its dewpoint temperature using the same processes as a fridge. This causes condensation to drip into a water-holding pan, which can either be emptied manually, or automatically through a hose. These are the most common types of dehumidifiers. They work better in higher temperatures and at increased humidity levels, although can be noisier than desiccant dehumidifiers.

Desiccant dehumidifiers

The humid air moves over a rotating wheel made of a water-absorbing material. The dry air is blown back into the room, while the water-absorbing material is heated, causing it to release its water into a collection tray. Absorption models are more complicated in their design and can be less energy efficient. However, absorption dehumidifiers work better at lower temperatures, which make them a good option for use in colder climates.

Tips for buying and using a dehumidifier

Buying a dehumidifier:

• The best models have a digital humidistat, which his like a thermostat for humidity
• Check for literage, the amount of water the dehumidifier can remove from the air over 24 hours. The bigger the number, the more effective the machine
• Look for a good Star Energy Rating – it will cost you less to run
• Don’t buy a machine unless you’ve heard it running and are happy with its noise level

   Using a dehumidifier:

• Wash air filters once a month to help the fan operate efficiently
• Keep an eye on temperatures. Most dehumidifiers operate less efficiently when the temperature falls below 18C
• Maintain good air-flow. Keep your dehumidifier away from the wall for good air circulation

About the editor of this page

Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery puzzle book 5 Minute Murder.