Choosing the Perfect RV Dehumidifier: An In-Depth Buyer’s Guide

| Last Updated: January 31, 2024

Choosing the Perfect RV Dehumidifier: An In-Depth Buyer’s Guide

Humidity during the summer months can be unbearable especially in the great outdoors, so getting the best RV dehumidifier will make the world of difference.

Traveling in your RV during summer is a great adventure, and being able to relax on the open road and visit all those places you’ve always wanted to experience, is the best experience.

But you settle down for the night and try to get some sleep, but with no success, because the humidity is too much to bear.

If only you had a portable dehumidifier to get rid of any moisture in the air. Well, of course, there are some top quality products that will ensure the environment in your RV is always comfortable.

If you’re new to RVing, or want to upgrade your RV dehumidifier, we have put our expert knowledge together with all reviews on the Internet and come up with what we think are the best RV dehumidifiers on the market.

After each review, we go into more detail about RV dehumidifiers with a Buyer’s Guide, and answer any FAQs that regularly crop up on. You can jump straight to the RV Dehumidifiers Buyer’s Guide by clicking the link.

RV dehumidifier

RV Dehumidifiers Reviewed

Now on to the best part, this is when we bring together all the information you need to know about each of the best RV dehumidifiers on the market. Take into account the features we spoke about above and hopefully by the end of this review you have a better understanding.

hOmeLabs 4000 Sq Ft Dehumidifier 70 Pint Energy Star

hOmeLabs 4,000 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier with Pump – Ideal for Bedrooms, Basements, Bathrooms, and Laundry Rooms – with Digital Control Panel, 24 Hr Timer, and Overheat Protection

A strong contender for the number one spot, this RV dehumidifier is a worthy match with its 1.6 gallon water storage capability, it also removes up to nine gallons of moisture a day.  

This unit is great for larger RV’s that have plenty of space to dehumidify. A good added benefit is that it won’t cost you any more money to run than the previous portable dehumidifier, and this product is so quiet you can hardly hear it running.

You can set the humidity you want your room to be and won’t have to worry about it until its full but not for a full 24 hours. Of course, no one wants to be constantly emptying out the liquid from the storage tank, and this RV dehumidifier has a hose attachment so you can continuously drain any fluid.

The hose, of course, doesn’t come with it, but the company does recommend “a ⅝ diameter garden hose with a female threaded end, and optionally Teflon tape for extra security.”

This unit also has a neat added feature called ‘Turbo mode’ which makes the fan speed increase from 165 cubic feet per minute to 188 CFM for maximum moisture removal and odor reduction.

Bottom Line

This model is up there with the best RV dehumidifiers. It has a great 24-hour operation life until it fills up. That said, if you want it to be on constantly without having to empty it, you could just set up the hose to drain continuously.

The turbo mode is something that makes it stand out from the crowd, this thing truly is a beast at dehumidifying the air. The only downside we see to this model is its size. The RV dehumidifier is pretty big and wont easily blend into the background. And depending on the size of your RV, you might be better looking for something smaller.

Pros

  • Noise-Free
  • Continuous Drainage Ability
  • Added Features like ‘Turbo Mode’
  • Takes Roughly 24 Hours to Fill the Water Tank

Cons

  • Harder to Blend in with the Surroundings Due to its Size
  • Takes up a lot of space

Vremi 30 Pint Portable Dehumidifier

Vremi 22 Pint 1,500 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier Energy Star Rated for Medium Spaces and Basements

This portable dehumidifier can hold up to four gallons and is certified to absorb moisture fast and effectively with minimum energy consumption. This gadget is best used in medium to large sized RV’s.

If you want a mix of high performance and portability, this is the dehumidifier for you. Easily moved about with the addition of some wheels, and again, this dehumidifier will get rid of all that moisture and humidity without any irritating noises.

Like the hOmeLabs 4000 Sq Ft Dehumidifier above, this dehumidifier has a turbo mode that will increase your fan speed from a standard setting of 129 CFM to a boosted speed of 138 CFM for maximum effect. You can also choose the humidity on it, and keep it on continuously to drain the liquid so you can have it running 24/7, all you need is a standard gardening hose with a female threaded tip.

Bottom Line

This handy portable dehumidifier is easily one of the better versions on the market. It’s portable with the help of some wheels, it gives you the option to attach a hose for continuous usage, and uses minimum amounts of power even when turbo mode is switched on.

The only real downside to this product is that although it is a portable dehumidifier, it’s still a bit chunky and it could be hard to find a decent spot for it to blend in.

Pros

  • Portable
  • Silent Fan
  • Turbo Mode
  • Continuous Drain
  • Minimum Energy Consumption

Cons

  • Despite its Portability, it is Still Quite Chunky

Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier, 1200 Cubic Feet

Pro Breeze Dehumidifiers for Home, 225 sq ft Mini Dehumidifier, Compact Portable 17oz Capacity for High Humidity in Home, RV, Bedroom, Bathroom, Basement, Kitchen, Laundry or Closet

The best-rated RV dehumidifier on Amazon at the moment, the reviews reflect on how reliable this dehumidifier is. Small and compact, this portable dehumidifier can remove up to nine ounces of water per day with a storage capacity of 16 ounces.

This model will automatically shut off when full and will need to be emptied, it doesn’t offer a continuous drainage option like most of its competitors.

Thanks to its size, the device will easily blend into its surroundings. Actually, it’s about the same size as your average plant pot and looks just like an air freshener. Another added bonus for this portable dehumidifier is that it’s silent and doesn’t give off any irritating noises.

Judging by the reviews on Amazon, this product is one of the favorites for any RV/Caravan owners, mainly because of its size, but still getting the job done effectively.

Bottom Line

It’s easy to see why this product is the best-reviewed portable dehumidifier on Amazon. One of its best features is its small and compact size, making it incredibly easy to blend into the background. As well as being quiet when switched on, this RV dehumidifier is a simple solution to your humidity problem.

It might be reliable, but it does have a minimal amount of features. It has to be drained manually every two days, which might seem decent but it does only collect 9 ounces of moisture per day. Not the most advanced model, but if you want something simple and does its job, this might be the gadget for you.

Pros

  • Small, Easy to Blend in
  • Doesn’t Give Off Any Noise
  • Most Popular Reviewed on Amazon

Cons

  • No Humidity Setting
  • Has to be Emptied Manually
  • Doesn’t Collect Much Moisture

Ivation 11 Pint Small-Area Compressor Dehumidifier

This is the best and most compact RV dehumidifier on the market at the moment, it has everything the previous dehumidifier was missing. It can remove up to 11 pints of water per day with a storage capacity of 2 liters. Even though it fills up fast, you won’t have to drain it manually as it comes with its own automatic drainage hose so it can work around the clock.

The smart technology built into the portable dehumidifier allows you to not only view the current humidity in your RV but also set it to your desired level. This model will enable you to set a time up to 24 hours away so you can just leave it and let it do its thing throughout the day.

Not only is this a fantastic dehumidifier, but it also has a built-in Ionizer, which purifies the air around you, leaving you feeling all energized.

Bottom Line

A small and reliable unit that has plenty to offer, the automatic drainage allows you to run the dehumidifier regularly without having to worry. An added bonus is that it already comes with its own hose and bucket, so there’s no need to buy your own, a rarity for most portable dehumidifier units.

The built-in humidity settings allows you to choose the level of humidity you want, the same goes for the timer. Not only can this dehumidify your RV but it also cleans the air around you with its top of the range Ionizer.

The only real downside to this unit is that its small, but not small enough for those hard to reach places. Mold and dampness can be anywhere, a closet, for example, might be hard to reach and could warrant the use of an even smaller dehumidifier.

Pros

  • Timer
  • Has an Air Purifier
  • Small Yet Effective
  • Built-in Humidity Setting
  • Automatic Drainage

Cons

  • Won’t Work in Smaller More Confined Areas

Ivation IVADM35 Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier

Ivation IVADM35 Powerful Mid-Size Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier - Quietly Gathers Up to 20 Ounces of Water Per Day - for Bath Room, Basement, Attic, Boats, Rv Ect - for Spaces Up to 2,200 Cubic Feet

Just like the smaller version we spoke about previously, this 12v dehumidifier has no moving parts and is nice and quiet. The unit can bring in a maximum of 20 oz of water a day with a total capacity of 68 oz, at which point it will shut off automatically.

Unlike the smaller model, this unit doesn’t come with a hose, bucket or an automatic drainage option, meaning that you’ll need to do it manually. This isn’t too much of a problem as it usually take three days to fill. You have the option of choosing the humidity setting you’d like, and once this has been reached, the device will automatically shut off.

Bottom Line

Taking up to three days before filling up, the RV dehumidifier certainly does its job collecting up to 20 oz of water per day. No more sleepless nights and no dealing with a noisy machine, this unit has no moving parts, and thanks to its in-built humidistat you have control over the humidity setting.

These are the best features of this portable dehumidifier. And despite not having the ability to drain like the company’s smaller model automatically, it still packs a punch and can be relied upon. One complaint that cropped up a few times on Amazon was about the power cable. Apparently, it’s easily broken and can be heavy when trying to move about.

Pros

  • Humidity Setting
  • Quiet, no Moving Parts
  • Takes Roughly Three Days to Fill

Cons

  • Heavy

Tosot 70 Pint with Internal Pump 4500 Sq. Ft.

TOSOT 50 Pint with Internal Pump 4,500 Sq Ft Dehumidifier Energy Star - for Home, Basement, Bedroom or Bathroom - Super Quiet (Previous 70 Pint)

A large unit, this electric RV dehumidifier sits at a whopping 51 pounds, so it’s safe to say that it can take a hit or two. Despite its weight, it can be moved about easily on its four wheels. And for something so big it’s not too noisy either, as the noise proof components help it blend perfectly into RV life.

The smart panel allows you to change a few details such as the humidity setting. Other features include a timer of up to four hours and the continuous draining option.

The dehumidifier removes up to nine gallons per day and has a bucket capacity of 160 ounces. To get continuous drainage, just connect a standard ¾ inch hose to the unit, then the other end to a drain and select the non-stop setting.

Bottom Line

The good outweighs the bad on this portable dehumidifier, as it works effortlessly to bring in up to nine gallons per day, all the while nice and quietly. The timer and humidity settings are also a useful feature, the only downside about the timer is that you can only set a maximum of four hours.

Other than that, if you decide to carry your portable dehumidifier somewhere and for some reason, the wheels aren’t working, it can be heavy for some.

Pros

  • Noise Proof
  • Draining Setting
  • Great Moisture Intake
  • Moves with Wheels
  • Timer and Humidity Setting

Cons

  • Heavy to Carry
  • Can Only Select a Timer of up to Four Hours

hOmeLabs 30 Pint Dehumidifier

hOmeLabs 1,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier for Medium to Large Rooms and Basements

This portable dehumidifier can absorb up to four gallons of moisture per day, which is perfect for RV life It won’t cause too much of an energy crisis when the electricity bill comes through as it is Energy Star certified. Built for a sleek, clean look, it blends seemlessly into the background of your RV without causing too much of an eyesore.

The built-in wheels and handles allow you to move it around with ease, the almost silent fan is a standard addition that should be expected on all modern portable dehumidifiers. The unit can run for a full 24-hour cycle, and if you don’t want to keep draining it, you could buy and attach a hose for continuous drainage. This would be a ⅝ inch diameter hose with a female thread tip.

Bottom Line

This is a reliable piece of hardware for any RV owner. It’s fast, effective and does exactly what it says on the box. The company designed this dehumidifier to be portable and easy to move about considering it isn’t the smallest of units. The dehumidifier is also Energy Star certified, so there’s no need to worry about racking up a massive electricity bill.

The reservoir can be drained via a hose pipe, meaning that it can run 24/7 while draining water. The only two complaints are that it doesn’t already come with a hose like some of their competitors. And although it’s portable, you might still need to sacrifice vital space in a smaller RV. Therefore, it’s probably best used in medium to large RV’s.

Pros

  • Energy Efficient
  • Fast and Effective
  • Portable and Easy to Use
  • Continuous Drainage Feature

Cons

  • Doesn’t Come with a Hose
  • Best Used in Medium to Large Sized RV’s

New and Improved Eva-dry E-333 Mini Dehumidifier

Using no batteries or fancy flashing lights, this portable RV dehumidifier is 100% renewable unit that uses silica gel technology. The fancy little dehumidifier can be placed in any small rooms and is fit for even a bedroom of an RV or any area up to 333 cubic square ft.

It will slowly absorb moisture and ensure you’re nice and comfortable. Using the moisture indicator window, the crystals will turn from Orange to Green at which point it has reached its capacity. The whole process should take roughly four weeks to absorb 6 oz of water.

To empty the unit, simply plug into the nearest socket for approximately 10 hours. It works by heating up the device which also dries out the silica and then you’ll be able to start using it again.

Bottom Line

This is the most simple version of a dehumidifier on our list, offering the same service but just in a different method. 100% renewable and extremely easy to use that ultimately saves you a lot of hassle and energy.

It doesn’t offer you the same advanced features or technology as the previous units have, but if you need something for a space like a small RV bedroom, this is a great starter unit.

Pros

  • 100% Renewable
  • Extremely Easy to Use
  • Perfect for Hard to Reach Areas
  • Requires Bare Minimum Electricity

Cons

  • No Added Features, Bare Minimum
  • Not the Most Advanced Technology
  • Not ideal for large areas

Vremi 1 Pint Dehumidifier

Vremi 1 Pint Compact Portable Dehumidifier

This small but handy RV dehumidifier is perfect for your average sized trailer. With a moisture capacity of 1.5l it’s perfect for those smaller compartments like a bathroom or your bedroom.

One of the main benefits of this product is that it’s completely silent when switched on, a huge problem for many large and irritating dehumidifiers. It will shut off automatically once full, at which point it will activate an LED light to let you know.

This brand of portable dehumidifier comes in larger sizes like the 30 pints and the 70 pint versions, and any can also be hooked up to a hose and drained continuously while still being used.

Bottom Line

This is the overall best small dehumidifier you can get for using in an RV. It’s portable and works well in any standard sized RV, and its so quiet you won’t even know it’s on. Even better is that it can be drained continuously using a hose attachment and still dehumidify all at the same time.

As small as your average vase, this thing blends perfectly into the background, making it incredibly hard to notice. The only downside to this product would be the limit on how much fluid it can store. That said, you could always go for a bigger size up. Other than that, it works like a charm.

Pros

  • Silent
  • Portable and Easy to Store
  • Great for Average Sized RV’s
  • A Hose can be Attached for it to be Continuously Drained

Cons

  • Only Carries 1.5 L of Fluid
  • Automatically Shuts Off when Full

Buyer’s Guide

So, you’ve read the review, but you still need more information on RV dehumidifiers? Here we offer all the necessary info needed, such as what makes one product stand out from the other. Also, we look at the different types of dehumidifiers, so you can understand exactly which one will be the best for you.

And if you have any unanswered questions, we end the guide with an FAQ section on all things RV dehumidifiers. Enjoy!

What Makes The Best RV Dehumidifier?

Like all products we buy, there’s always one with unique features that makes it stand out from their competitors, something that gives it an extra advantage. The same goes for RV dehumidifiers. Features such as continuous drain capabilities, anti-frost technology, auto settings and a timer all would give any dehumidifier an advantage over their competitors.

Constant Drain Facility

This feature allows you to have your portable dehumidifier on 24/7 without having to empty it once full. A hose can be connected to your dehumidifier which can then be connected to a compartment within your RV or just a simple box where the excess fluid will end up.

Anti-Freeze Technology

Because of the cold air and moisture running through the device, the coils might freeze over. This is more of a problem for refrigerant models rather than desiccant ones.

Auto Humidistat

Being able to set what humidity you want in your RV and leaving it on throughout the night is a life-saver. With a regular dehumidifier, you’d need to keep getting up throughout the night to switch it on again. This auto setting will keep the humidity to a pre-selected level.

Timer

The timer on a portable dehumidifier is a neat feature that you can use to make heading to bed more comfortable. Just turn your dehumidifier on and set the time to an hour or so and you’ll fall asleep like a baby. If you want it running for only a few hours to save on power, you can set it to switch off roughly two or three hours after you expect to be asleep.

a portable dehumidifier is great for small RV

Types of RV Dehumidifiers

Below are the two main types of portable dehumidifiers you may want to consider adding to your RV:

Desiccant

These types of dehumidifiers are filled with a water absorbing material that will extract any moisture from the air that passes through the device. This type of unit doesn’t need a power source or to be emptied regularly. Once they’re full either a small light or change in color of the crystals will let you know it’s full. Plugging it into a socket will dry it out via the heat created by the electricity. When empty, it will return to the original color.

Refrigerator

Air filled with moisture is sucked into the dehumidifier and passes over a cold coil. Then the air is condensed on the coil which then turns into water droplets, which collect in the water tank. The same air then heads over a hot coil, which in turn is sent out of the unit, producing dry air.

An RV Dehumidifier – A Necessity in Summer

There are some great RV dehumidifiers on the market at the moment. Many are similar with some minor variations in size and subtle features that can make or break the quality of any device.

Some are too big for closets or bathrooms, some are too small for bedrooms and main living rooms. This review has covered all the basic understandings of portable RV dehumidifiers, and below are some of the more FAQs.

People Also Ask – RV Dehumidifier FAQs

How does a dehumidifier work?

Assuming you have a refrigerator unit (most popular), it works as follows: moisture filled air passes into the unit and then heads over a refrigerated coil (cold coil). The same moisture filled air then condenses on the coil turning into water droplets, which then fall into the reservoir. The moisture free air is then passed over a warm coil and out the other end resulting in dry, clean air.

How do I lower the humidity in my RV?

To lower the humidity in your RV without the use of a dehumidifier, there are a few tips you should follow. Keep a few windows open, don’t air dry clothes, increase the temperature inside the RV, turn on the exhaust fan whilst showering or cooking. Other than this you could use Damp Rid. The last resort if you really are struggling with the humidity is to just buy a portable dehumidifier.

What should I set my RV dehumidifier to?

If your dehumidifier has a smart humidistat it will let you see what the current humidity is, and it should also let you set the humidity level. If you can do this, it’s recommended that you set it between 30% and 50%

What’s the best location for a dehumidifier inside an RV?

It all depends on the size of your dehumidifier and the space of your RV. If you have a portable, compact or large unit it can be used in either the main living area or your bedroom – both of which will likely be the largest areas. If you have a small unit, the best place is either near your bed or wherever you need to get rid of dampness, etc.

How do you know if you need a dehumidifier?

You might need an RV dehumidifier for a number of reasons, such as being able to smell dampness, mold. You’ll know if you need one if you feel struggle getting to sleep at night due to the warm moist air, this usually feels like a sticky sensation on your skin.

Is it safe to leave a dehumidifier on all the time?

Any electronic appliance should be used with caution, especially if left out overnight. Portable dehumidifier manufacturers understand people are expecting to use these throughout the night and have implemented certain safety features into the units. However, always check the manual to ensure this is the case as you can’t run the risk of just assuming.

Can you drain a dehumidifier into the gray water tank of RV?

No! Water from dehumidifiers should never be used to fill your grey water tank. This water isn’t clean and will have multiple types of harmful bacteria lurking within. The unit converts polluted air into water and should be poured away and never consumed.

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