Bathrooms are the easiest room in the house to grow mildew in: every shower adds a burst of water vapor, the room is small, and if there is no window or a weak exhaust fan, that moisture sits on tile, grout and ceiling paint. The first fix is always ventilation. A dehumidifier for bathroom use is the second line of defense, and the right choice for a bathroom without a vent or window.
A portable dehumidifier for bathroom use sits outside the shower area; there is no safe "shower dehumidifier" that goes inside the shower itself. There are three ways to do it, and they differ a lot in how much water they actually remove:
| Type | How much water | Needs power | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small compressor dehumidifier (20 to 22 pint) | About 20 to 22 pints a day (DOE rating) | Yes, outlet | Larger or windowless bathrooms, especially with daily showers |
| Mini thermoelectric (Peltier) | Ounces a day (Tenergy rates its Sorbi at about 25 oz at 86F and 80% humidity) | Yes, outlet | Small half baths and powder rooms |
| Cordless renewable (Eva-Dry) | A few ounces, then recharge | Only to recharge | Cabinets, linen closets, under sinks |
| Moisture absorber (DampRid) | Slow, passive | No | Closets and cabinets; supplements, not a fix for a steamy room |
Best bathroom dehumidifiers compared
| Pick | Capacity | Coverage | Pump | Noise | ENERGY STAR | Price tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best small dehumidifier for bathroom Midea Cube 20 | 20 pints/day (DOE) | Up to 1,500 sq ft (maker claim); Sylvane suggests about 300 sq ft | No | Not published by Midea for this SKU | Yes | $$$ | Check price |
| Best with Wi-Fi Midea 22 | 22 pints/day (DOE) | Up to 1,500 sq ft (Amazon listing) | No | Not published | Yes | $$ | Check price |
| Best value Frigidaire 22 (Wi-Fi) | 22 pints/day (DOE) | Not stated | No | Not published | Yes | $$ | Check price |
| Best mini with HEPA Tenergy Sorbi | See notes | Up to 200 sq ft (maker) | No | Not published | No | $$ | Check price |
| Best budget mini Pro Breeze mini | See notes | Listings claim 150 to 215 sq ft | No | Quiet fan only; no compressor | No | $ | Check price |
| Best cordless Eva-Dry E-500 | See notes | Spaces up to 500 cubic feet | No | Silent (no fan or compressor) | No | $ | Check price |
| Best bathroom moisture absorber DampRid refillable | See notes | Not stated | No | Silent | No | $ | Check price |
| Best hanging absorber DampRid hanging bags | See notes | Not stated | No | Silent | No | $ | Check price |
Best small dehumidifier for bathroom
Midea Cube 20 Pint Smart Dehumidifier
Best for: windowless full bathrooms and en-suites.
For a full bathroom with daily showers and no window, a small compressor unit is the only portable option that keeps up. The Midea Cube 20 is ENERGY STAR certified at 20.16 pints a day and its expanding bucket holds 3.2 gallons, so it can run through a steamy morning without filling up. It also has Wi-Fi, so you can set it to switch on when humidity climbs.
| Model number | MAD20S1QWT |
|---|---|
| Type | Compressor (portable) |
| Capacity (current DOE test, 65F) | 20 pints/day |
| Coverage | Up to 1,500 sq ft (maker claim); Sylvane suggests about 300 sq ft |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | Yes |
| ENERGY STAR | Yes |
| Noise | Not published by Midea for this SKU |
| Bucket / capacity | 3.2 gal (12 L) expandable bucket, per the user manual |
| Warranty | 1-year limited (Sylvane listing) |
| ENERGY STAR test data | 20.16 pints/day, IEF 1.70 L/kWh, about 249 kWh/yr (record for MAD20S1QWT) |
| Price tier | Mid (about $200 to $400) |
Pros
- Real compressor capacity
- Large bucket for its size
- App control
Cons
- Needs floor space outside the splash zone
- Not silent
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Midea US product page MAD20S1QWT; Sylvane listing (suggested room size, warranty); User manual (capacity, tank); ENERGY STAR certified product record (MAD20S1QWT).
Best bathroom dehumidifier with Wi-Fi
Midea 22 Pint Smart Dehumidifier
Midea's 22 pint unit (MAD22C1AWS on Amazon) is certified at 22.31 pints a day and 1.70 L/kWh, with continuous drain and app control. It is a little more capacity than the Cube 20 in a more conventional shape.
| Model number | MAD22C1AWS |
|---|---|
| Type | Compressor (portable) |
| Capacity (current DOE test, 65F) | 22 pints/day |
| Coverage | Up to 1,500 sq ft (Amazon listing) |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | Yes |
| ENERGY STAR | Yes |
| Noise | Not published |
| Drain | Bucket or continuous drain hose (Amazon listing) |
| App | Wi-Fi, works with Alexa (Amazon listing) |
| Sibling model | MAD22S1WWT, sold elsewhere, has the identical ENERGY STAR result |
| ENERGY STAR test data | 22.31 pints/day, IEF 1.70 L/kWh, about 278 kWh/yr (record for MAD22C1AWS) |
| Price tier | Value (about $100 to $200) |
Pros
- 22 pints/day
- Wi-Fi
- ENERGY STAR
Cons
- Standard bucket, not the Cube's expanding one
- Not silent
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Amazon listing B07NRDBBH5 (Item model number MAD22C1AWS); Midea US product page MAD22S1WWT (sibling); Walmart listing MAD22S1WWT; ENERGY STAR certified product record (MAD22C1AWS).
Best value bathroom dehumidifier
Frigidaire 22 Pint ENERGY STAR Dehumidifier with Wi-Fi
The Frigidaire FHDD2234W1 is a straightforward 22 pint ENERGY STAR unit with Wi-Fi, a 1.7 gallon bucket and a continuous drain option. If there is a floor drain in a basement bathroom, a hose means you never empty it.
| Model number | FHDD2234W1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Compressor (portable) |
| Capacity (current DOE test, 65F) | 22 pints/day |
| Coverage | Not stated by maker |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | Yes |
| ENERGY STAR | Yes |
| Noise | Not published |
| Low-temperature operation | Down to 41F (Amazon listing) |
| Bucket / capacity | 1.7 gal (Amazon listing) |
| App | Frigidaire app, Amazon Alexa and Google Home (Amazon listing) |
| Drain | Bucket or continuous drain hose |
| Filter | Washable, with clean-filter alert |
| ENERGY STAR test data | 22.57 pints/day, IEF 1.70 L/kWh, about 283 kWh/yr (record for FHDD2234W1) |
| Price tier | Value (about $100 to $200) |
Pros
- 22 pints/day
- Continuous drain option
- Wi-Fi (Frigidaire app, Alexa, Google Home)
Cons
- Standard bucket
- Noise not published
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Amazon listing B0DFZHBSZX (Model Name FHDD2234W1); ENERGY STAR certified product record (FHDD2234W1).
Best mini dehumidifier for bathroom
Tenergy Sorbi Dehumidifier with HEPA Air Purifier
For a half bath or small powder room, a mini unit is enough and takes far less space. The Tenergy Sorbi is a thermoelectric (Peltier) dehumidifier with a built-in HEPA purifier. Tenergy rates it at about 750 ml (25 oz) a day at 86F and 80% humidity, with a 1 liter tank, for rooms up to 200 sq ft.
| Model number | Sorbi 1000ml |
|---|---|
| Type | Thermoelectric dehumidifier + HEPA purifier combo |
| Coverage | Up to 200 sq ft (maker) |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | No |
| ENERGY STAR | No |
| Noise | Not published |
| Bucket / capacity | 1 L removable tank |
| Water removal | 750 ml/day (about 25 oz) at 86F and 80% humidity (maker) |
| Filter | Maker claims a True HEPA filter (99.97%) |
| Price tier | Value (about $100 to $200) |
Pros
- Compact
- Also filters air
- Quieter than compressor units
Cons
- Ounces, not pints, per day
- Maker figures only
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Tenergy product page.
Best budget mini
Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier
The Pro Breeze mini is a common budget choice. Be realistic: independent reviewers (Top Ten Reviews, RTINGS) report about 9 oz a day of removal, and RTINGS rates its dehumidifying very low. It can take the edge off a small bathroom; it will not dry a steamy one.
| Model number | PB-02-US |
|---|---|
| Type | Thermoelectric (Peltier) mini |
| Coverage | Listings claim 150 to 215 sq ft |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | No |
| ENERGY STAR | No |
| Noise | Quiet fan only; no compressor |
| Bucket / capacity | About 16 oz |
| Real-world removal | About 9 oz/day (Top Ten Reviews and RTINGS); RTINGS rates its dehumidification very low |
| Technology | Thermoelectric (Peltier), no compressor |
| Price tier | Budget (under about $100) |
Pros
- Cheap
- Small and light
Cons
- Very low capacity in independent tests
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): RTINGS review PB-02; Top Ten Reviews PB-02-US; Maker manual.
Best battery operated dehumidifier for bathroom
Eva-Dry E-500 High Capacity Renewable Dehumidifier
There is no true battery-powered dehumidifier that dries a bathroom, but a cordless renewable unit like the Eva-Dry E-500 works well in the bathroom cabinet or linen closet. It covers up to 500 cubic feet, absorbs about 6 to 8 oz, and you recharge it by plugging it in somewhere dry for a few hours. That also makes it the best cordless dehumidifier for bathroom cabinets, because nothing electrical stays near the water.
| Model number | E-500 |
|---|---|
| Type | Renewable desiccant (cordless) |
| Coverage | Spaces up to 500 cubic feet |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | No |
| ENERGY STAR | No |
| Noise | Silent (no fan or compressor) |
| Bucket / capacity | Absorbs about 6 to 8 oz before renewing (retailer listing) |
| Time between renewals | About 30 to 60 days, depending on humidity (retailer listing) |
| Size | About 8 x 2.25 x 5.25 in |
| Price tier | Budget (under about $100) |
Pros
- Cordless in use
- Silent
- Reusable
Cons
- Small capacity
- Needs recharging every 30 to 60 days
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Zoro listing E-500 (500 cu ft); SupplyHog listing (30 to 60 days); BuyDig listing (6 to 8 oz).
Best bathroom moisture absorber
DampRid Refillable Moisture Absorber
DampRid's refillable cup uses calcium chloride crystals that pull water from the air and collect it as brine. Listings say one fill lasts up to 45 days. It is the best moisture absorber for bathroom cabinets and the area behind the toilet, but it removes moisture slowly, so pair it with a fan or dehumidifier for shower steam.
| Model number | Refillable cup + 44 oz refill |
|---|---|
| Type | Disposable / refillable moisture absorber (no power) |
| Coverage | Not stated by maker |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | No |
| ENERGY STAR | No |
| Noise | Silent |
| Bucket / capacity | 10.5 oz cup; refills sold in 42 to 44 oz bags |
| How long it lasts | Up to 45 days per fill, depending on temperature and humidity (retailer listing) |
| How it works | Calcium chloride crystals pull water from the air and turn into liquid brine you pour away |
| Price tier | Budget (under about $100) |
Pros
- No power
- Cheap refills
Cons
- Slow
- Brine must be poured away; keep away from kids and pets
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Lowe's listing (cup size, up to 45 days); Walmart listing 44 oz refill.
Best hanging absorber
DampRid Hanging Moisture Absorber Bags
DampRid's hanging bags are listed to last up to 60 days and hang from a hook or towel bar in a linen closet or a bathroom without floor space.
| Model number | Hanging bag (14 to 16 oz) |
|---|---|
| Type | Disposable / refillable moisture absorber (no power) |
| Coverage | Not stated by maker |
| Built-in pump | No |
| Wi-Fi / app | No |
| ENERGY STAR | No |
| Noise | Silent |
| Bucket / capacity | Bags listed at 14 oz or 16 oz depending on pack |
| How long it lasts | Up to 60 days, depending on conditions (retailer listing) |
| Price tier | Budget (under about $100) |
Pros
- Hangs anywhere
- No power
Cons
- Disposable
- Slow
Spec sources (checked 2026-11-12): Home Depot listing (up to 60 days); DampRid 14 oz hanging bag listing; Amazon listing B09QXT95G6 (DampRid 16 oz hanging, 3 pack, FG86FFESBAM).
Dehumidifier vs bathroom exhaust fan
| Exhaust fan | Dehumidifier | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Sends humid air outside | Pulls water out of the air and keeps it in a bucket |
| Best at | Clearing shower steam fast | Keeping humidity low between showers |
| Needs | A duct to the outside | An outlet and floor space |
| Cost to run | Low | Higher |
| Verdict | Use it every shower if you have one | Add it if there is no fan or the room still stays damp |
If you have a fan, run it during the shower and for 15 to 20 minutes after. If you do not, or it vents into the attic instead of outside, a dehumidifier is the fix. Bathroom condensation dehumidifiers work best when the door is closed for the first half hour after a shower.
Safety: electricity near showers
- Plug electric units into a GFCI-protected outlet (bathroom outlets built to modern code already are).
- Keep the unit outside the splash zone: never inside a shower, next to a tub, or where it can be sprayed.
- Do not use an extension cord unless the manual allows it; never run a cord across a wet floor.
- Put the unit on a stable, dry surface so it cannot fall into water.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to put a dehumidifier in a bathroom?
Does a dehumidifier help a bathroom with no window?
Dehumidifier or exhaust fan, which is better?
Sources
- EPA Mold Course, Chapter 2: indoor humidity guidance
- ENERGY STAR: Dehumidifiers buying guidance and sizing chart
- ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifiers dataset (data.energystar.gov)