7 things to look for when choosing a dehumidifier for your bedroom, according to experts

A dehumidifier isn’t a one-size-fits-all appliance and choosing a dehumidifier for your bedroom is going to be very different to choosing one for a kitchen or utility room.

The best dehumidifiers all promise to reduce moisture, and condensation and often keep damp and mould at bay. However, choosing a dehumidifier for your bedroom will require you to take things such as noise, size and some other factors you haven't considered into account.

We've tested many different dehumidifiers at different price points, so along with our reviewer's experience and some words of wisdom from industry experts we've rounded up the best tips and tricks to help you buy a dehumidifier for your bedroom that offers value for money and works well with your room.

How to choose a dehumidifier for a bedroom 

‘Reducing the humidity level in your bedroom can help you to sleep better at night and allow you to wake up without condensation on your windows,’ explains Chris Michael, Founding Director of Meaco. To ensure you’re buying the right dehumidifier for a bedroom, there are certain things that you need to consider. 

Chris Michael

Chris has been advising on humidity solutions and dehumidifiers since 1991 and is well known within the dehumidifier industry across the world as a lead on innovation and sustainability. Since the mid-90s Chris has been a guest speaker at numerous conferences to teach museum conservators how to measure relative humidity. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Chris is committed to helping provide low-energy and low-noise solutions appliances that improve the lives of customers.

1. Measure the humidity

There are so many benefits of having a dehumidifier in the bedroom. Not only does it help to reduce condensation on windows, but it can also help you wake up feeling refreshed. There’s no use buying a dehumidifier for your bedroom without first measuring the humidity in that room, though. 

It’s very easy to check the humidity in your bedroom, and you can do so using a hygrometer - like this ThermoPro TP49 Small Digital Hygrometer from Amazon. In the bedroom, you should aim to have a humidity level of around 40% - 60%. If the humidity level of your sleeping space is higher than that (which is particularly common when you have an en-suite), you definitely need to buy a dehumidifier for the bedroom. 

2. Choose the right type

There are three types of dehumidifiers to choose from, although compressor and desiccant are arguably the most common in the UK. While desiccant dehumidifiers are perfect for those who want to keep colder rooms, such as garages and conservatories at the ideal humidity, compressor dehumidifiers are considered to be a better choice for bedrooms.

Of course, this is assuming that your central heating is working as it should, as compressor models are most efficient at an ambient temperature of around 20°C. They’re also much cheaper than desiccant models, so that will also work in your favour. 

3. Choose the right size

Houses come in all shapes and sizes, and so do dehumidifiers. That’s why it’s important to understand how big of a dehumidifier you need. When searching for the best dehumidifier, pay attention to the specifications - including its maximum room size and the extraction rate.

Of course, you should only choose a dehumidifier that can tackle the size of your bedroom. Marc Duckworth, Product Manager for Russell Hobbs at Product Care Group, explains, 'A more compact air purifier will be suited to smaller rooms of up to 15m2, whilst larger bedrooms will require a larger model to ensure it performs to the best of its ability.' So, make sure you read the specs of each dehumidifier to see how they'd fare against the size of your bedroom.

4. Research noise levels

While there are many people who love to use sounds to improve sleep, there are others who need silence to fall asleep.  If you’re someone who likes a quiet sleeping space, buying a dehumidifier for your bedroom becomes a little more difficult. As they are working appliances, dehumidifiers will make a noise if you keep them on at night. 

Don’t let that stop you from buying one, though. Chris says, ‘Look for dehumidifiers that have won the Quiet Mark award for low noise. These dehumidifiers typically have a night or quiet mode, where the fan operates at its lowest speed, so even if your unit is removing water from the air overnight, it shouldn't disturb you.’

5. Look into additional features

Nowadays, dehumidifiers do so much more than pull excess moisture from the air. So many of them are decked out with additional features that make them the perfect addition to your bedroom, whether that’s the inclusion of air-purifying qualities, laundry drying modes, Wi-Fi connectivity, and more. 

When choosing the best dehumidifier for a bedroom, double-check the additional features available and see if they will benefit your sleeping space. In our opinion, buying a dehumidifier with a sleep mode (which normally reduces the fan speed, turns off any bright lights, and makes it much quieter) is a must. Of course, this will depend on your own personal needs. 

6. Consider aesthetics

While it’s always best to consider the practicality of a dehumidifier rather than the aesthetics, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be a little picky. Peter Clayton from Trade Plumbing suggests, ‘By choosing a slim and compact design, the dehumidifier will be less noticeable and not ruin the look of your bedroom. In addition, this is particularly helpful at night when you may get out of bed, as a big bulky machine can be a trip hazard.’ 

It’s also a good idea to check the control panels before buying a dehumidifier for a bedroom. The last thing you want is a Christmas-tree-style control panel that will serve as a bright nightlight while you’re trying to sleep. So, try and choose one that isn’t overrun with bright lights and buttons or one that dims during the night. 

7. Take into account the cost

In a cost-of-living crisis, buying another electrical appliance that you have to run multiple hours of the day sounds like a nightmare for your bank account. Ignoring the excess moisture in your home could ultimately cost you more money in the long run, though.

Running a dehumidifier will no doubt cost you money. How much it will add to your energy bill specifically will depend on how much you use it, the appliance itself, and energy bills as a whole. To help you get a more accurate read on how much it will cost to buy a dehumidifier for your bedroom, we’ve put together a handy guide on how much it costs to run a dehumidifier. This guide is constantly updated based on the current Energy Price Cap. 

The best dehumidifiers for a bedroom - our top picks

At Ideal Home, we’ve tested the best dehumidifiers on the market. In our humble opinion, these options are the best dehumidifiers for a bedroom. 

FAQs

Hopefully, we’ve covered everything you could possibly need to confidently choose the best dehumidifier for a bedroom.