7 Best Dehumidifiers for Allergies, COPD, and Asthma (2023 Reviews) (2023)

FAQs

What is the number 1 dehumidifier? ›

We selected the TOSOT 20 Pint 1,500 Sq Ft Dehumidifier as our best overall pick because it works for a variety of spaces and can remove a whopping 2.5 gallons of water from the air each day. Plus, it has plenty of features that make it easy to set up and program, including a moisture setting between 35 and 80 percent.

Using a dehumidifier cleans the air and reduces the number of asthma triggers through removing excess moisture in the air that is warm and humid, protecting and minimising exposure to the growth of allergens, bacteria and pollutants in the home.

Allergies: Humidifiers can add moisture to dry air that contains allergens and help you breathe easier by reducing sinus inflammation. They can even help with non-allergy sinus problems. Dehumidifiers can help dry excessively moist environments where allergens like dust mites and mold can thrive.

To determine the right size dehumidifier for your area, factor in the square feet. For example, a medium humidifier is the best fit for a 2000 square foot space. If the area is extremely damp, increase the pint capacity: 500 square feet or less: a small dehumidifier with a 12-pint capacity.

Dehumidifiers can create a healthier environment

Lower humidity levels may also benefit people who have COPD. If you live in a naturally humid climate, a dehumidifier can also cool off your home and reduce your air conditioner use.

Conclusion. Both air purifiers and dehumidifiers can help you alleviate allergy symptoms and improve the air quality in your home. Basically, it comes down to this; is the humidity in your home higher than 50%? You probably (and very likely) can benefit tremendously from a dehumidifier.

Indoor humidity levels are an important factor in keeping allergy symptoms at bay. If the indoor humidity is above 50%, it can encourage dust mites, cockroaches and even mold growth. These potent allergy triggers can be greatly reduced if humidity is kept below 50%.

Articles On Living With Allergies

Mold, mildew, and dust mites don't have to make you miserable. A home dehumidifier can help you breathe again. How? It can dry out your air, which keeps things that set off allergy symptoms -- called triggers -- at bay.

While they both have their merits, a good air purifier is the better solution when it comes to allergies. Humidifiers can alleviate symptoms and help your body cope during allergy season. Air purifiers, on the other hand, can actively remove allergens from the air you breathe at home.

What works better than a dehumidifier? ›

Which one should I buy? The humidity in most homes is between 30% and 50%. If your home is above 50% humidity then a dehumidifier is needed. However, if humidity levels are below 30%, a humidifier is needed.

#1 – The Best Overall – Frigidaire FFAD5033W1. Simply put, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is by far the best dehumidifier we've tested as of the writing of this guide in 2023. It is unequivocally the best dehumidifier on the market today.

Small 75-pint models cost between $800 and $1,200, while slightly larger 100-pint modes cost between $1,000 and $1,400. Meanwhile, high-capacity 130-pint models cost $1,700 to $2,000. Basements over 2,500 square feet require a dehumidifier that can handle at least 100 pints of water per day.

Designed and manufactured in the USA, an AprilAire dehumidifier comes equipped with a bold digital display and a 5-year warranty to help control excess moisture in your home.

Set the humidity level.

The optimal relative humidity level is between 30 and 50 percent, according to Energy Star (and 30 to 40 percent in colder areas during heating season). If the humidity is higher than that, it can breed dust mites, mildew, and mold, and trigger allergies.

You want to place your machine in an area where there is good air circulation so the unit can efficiently work. We do not recommend placing a dehumidifier directly against a wall or piece of furniture. Instead, put it at least six inches away from these vent-blocking surfaces.

Should a Dehumidifier Run Constantly? No, your dehumidifier should not have to run constantly to regulate the air humidity. An optimal humidity level to shoot for is between 30 and 50 percent. Your dehumidifier should reach this in 8 to 12 hours.

There are several factors you should consider when selecting your dehumidifier: The square-foot dimensions of the area you wish to dehumidify. The method you wish to use to remove the water collected by the dehumidifier (bucket/basin or pump) The energy performance of the unit.

Do use a humidifier. Humidifiers can be extremely helpful in eliminating the dryness in the air which can dry out the tissues in the bronchial. Moist air will help to loosen mucus making it easier to cough up.

What is the best humidity level for COPD patients? ›

Researchers have determined the ideal environmental conditions for COPD patients include an air temperature of 70 degrees and a humidity level of 40%. This combination can help airways stay relaxed, which minimizes the risk of symptoms.

Dehumidifiers are also said to clear up allergy mucous secretions faster. Again, it's important not to let the humidity in your home drop below 35% since other allergy symptoms can flare under these conditions.

Dry, warm weather reduces joint pain. When the humidity is high and barometric pressure is low, particularly just before a storm, if you have arthritis you may feel increased pain or stiffness. If you live in a hot, humid climate, a dehumidifier in your home can help.

Next, Dehumidifiers can reduce the number of dust mites and mold spores in your home by eliminating excess moisture in the air. Dust mites can't survive without adequate levels of moisture in the air. We recommend keeping your relative humidity between 40% and 50%.

Get rid of mold in all parts of your home to help control your asthma attacks. Keep the humidity level in your home between 35% Page 6 and 50%.

Humidifiers, when used properly, can help maintain the perfect level of moisture in the air (between 30 – 50%), and particularly for anyone with a chronic lung disease, can foster eased breathing, reduced irritation of nasal passages, as well as the ability to more efficiently expel phlegm in coughing.

The bottom line. A small study suggests that the best room temperature for people with asthma is between 68 and 71°F (20 and 21.6°C). This air temperature is mild, so it won't irritate the airways. Additionally, an indoor humidity level between 30 and 50 percent is ideal.

The western United States is the best place to live for allergy sufferers. Arid and mountainous regions prevent the proliferation of airborne allergens. Dust mites are also sparsely found in the West. You may want to consider moving to cities like Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle.

In humid conditions, the air becomes populated by hydrogen and nitrogen as well as oxygen, and our lungs have to work harder to get oxygen from the air. This is part of the reason why we feel so lethargic in humidity, and why physical activity can be especially taxing.

How can I stop being allergic to humidity? ›

The key to keeping your allergies under control is finding the optimum humidity level for your home. According to Energy Star, the ideal humidity level is between 30 and 50 percent. Use ventilation fans in high humidity areas like the kitchen and bathroom to keep levels within the acceptable range.

Most dehumidifiers should not be operated in temperatures below 60° F, since the moisture removed from the indoor air can freeze when it condenses on the cooling coils, which can damage the unit.

Can you dehumidify too much? There is a chance of dehumidifying your home too much with a dehumidifier, especially if you are leaving your dehumidifier running for several hours on a timer unattended. Over-dehumidifying your home can lead to an increased chance of respiratory illnesses and dry and cracked skin.

Dust mites, like most other pests and allergens, want a damp environment. The AprilAire high-capacity, whole-house dehumidifier is the best choice to balance your home's excess moisture.

The answer is yes, air purifiers do work for asthma relief. In addition to taking care of asthma triggers around your home, air pollution and asthma are strongly linked. Fortunately, a healthy environment for asthma sufferers can be maintained by the use of an air purifier.

You want to place your machine in an area where there is good air circulation so the unit can efficiently work. We do not recommend placing a dehumidifier directly against a wall or piece of furniture. Instead, put it at least six inches away from these vent-blocking surfaces.

Look for a dehumidifier with a 10 pint removal capacity for a 500 square foot room. If your room exceeds 500 square feet, you want an additional 4 pints for every 500 square feet. If your room is 1,000 square feet, for example, you want at least a 14 pint removal capacity to maximize moisture removal.

May said that, as a guide, it's best to use a dehumidifier when your basement feels humid or when you've spotted some of the signs outlined above. Running a dehumidifier for around 12 hours a day will enable you to manage indoor moisture while ensuring your energy costs aren't too high.

For now, we leave you with this simple one: use a dehumidifier during the spring, summer and early fall to keep moisture at bay, but unplug and stow it away during the winter to prevent damage to your unit.

Where in basement should I place dehumidifier? ›

The best place to put a dehumidifier is in the location closest to the source of the moisture. In multi-level homes, this means that dehumidifiers should most often be placed in basements or upstairs close to the stairs to your basement. This is because the basement is the most humid place in your home.

But buying a dehumidifier isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. A model that's too small for your space may hardly make a dent in the moist air, while one that's too large may make the air excessively dry.

According to Becca Dodds from the Analox Group (opens in new tab) – a UK-based company that helps to ventilate spaces – yes: a dehumidifier can be too big for your space and the amount of humidity levels you are dealing with.

How long will it take to get the moisture under control? As long as the dehumidifier you choose is large enough for the area it is working in, and there are no specific damp problems, then a dehumidifier will normally reduce the humidity to the chosen level within a few days to a week.

Maintain Your Appliance

The lifetime of dehumidifiers usually ranges from five to 10 years. To maximize the lifetime, it's important to care for your dehumidifier. Be sure to regularly change the air filters, clean the condensing coils and exhaust grilles, and empty and clean the water bucket.