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Summer kicks off next month, which means temperatures heat up and homes start cranking their AC units, which poses another problem many still have to battle: moisture. But as we try to get rid of the heat with air conditioning, we’re not necessarily addressing the humidity issue. “The problem is, a typical air conditioning system only dehumidifies when it’s on,” says Chris Koehner of Halo Heating & Cooling. “When you get in your car, you typically turn your air conditioner on and leave it on. You don’t switch it off and on but, unfortunately, that's exactly what a conventional heating and cooling system does in your home.”

SKIP AHEAD Best dehumidifiers | What to know before buying | How to buy a dehumidifer

The periodic blasts of cool air don’t address the rising humidity. And not only can this thick moisture in the air make us feel miserable — it can also do serious damage to our skin. From doors sticking and a musty smell to mold or mildew developing, this thick moisture in the air can be a serious problem if it’s not addressed. Aside from personal comfort, people use dehumidifiers for three main reasons, explains certified mold inspector Jennifer Nitrio of Mold Help For You.

In spaces that don’t equip newer AC systems with longer run cycles to pull humidity out of the air in addition to cooling, it’s time to turn to a reliable dehumidifier to help. But the space of dehumidifiers can be overwhelming. How should go about finding the best dehumidifier for you and where should you look? To help you prepare for and shop for the right dehumidifier, we got shopping tips and recommendations from experts.

From budget-friendly portable dehumidifiers to elevated units with added conveniences (and costs), here are some of the best dehumidifiers across categories to meet different needs and help you find the best one for you.

With a 1.8-gallon water tank, this relatively affordable dehumidifier removes up to 50 pints of moisture from the air per day. “It’s fairly quiet for its size and the 50-pint dehumidifier is actually known to be the quietest model on the market. Other stand-out features are that it's easy to move around, use the electronic display, and the water tank is very easy to operate,” says Nitrio. “And it has an auto restart, an auto shutoff and an auto defrost function.”

Designed for small spaces, this “whisper-quiet” dehumidifier holds up to 52 ounces of water. “That’s just incredible due to the small size of the device,” says Nitrio. “It’s portable and lightweight with an auto shut-off feature. Although it doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, it is a workhorse in small spaces with only minor moisture concerns.”

This Danby dehumidifier is the newer version of the brand's older and discontinued DDR070BDWDB 70-Pint model. It still includes the best caster wheels of all dehumidifiers, which made the older version Nitrio’s top pick for portable dehumidifiers. “In addition to outstanding portability, it’s also one of the most energy-efficient dehumidifiers on the market,” she said about the older model. This unit works in spaces greater than 3,000 square feet.

If you're on the lookout for a heavy-duty dehumidifier that’s worth the investment, then the BlueDri should be your top choice, according to James. “At a massive 225-pint capacity, there isn't a place this can't dehumidify,” he says. “It also comes equipped with temperature sensors, automatic water pumps and a high tech digital panel.”

Aside from the expert-recommended dehumidifiers above, here are some other highly rated options.

This Alrocket option is a bestseller on Amazon. Weighing in at 2.9 pounds, this mini dehumidifier is easily portable. It can hold up to 35 ounces of water to be used in rooms as big as 260 square feet. Additionally, it's quiet and features an automatic shutoff. More than 11,200 reviewers on Amazon left it with a 4.4-star average rating.

The Tosot 35-Pint Dehumidifier is fit for spaces as big as 3,000 square feet. It will automatically stop running once the water bucket fills up, as well as once you reach your target temperature. Additionally, it features a continuous or automatic drainage system for convenience (hose not included). And it's quiet and Energy-Star certified. You can also find it in a 20- and 50-pint option. More than 3,600 reviewers on Amazon left it with a 4.6-star average rating.

First, it’s important to understand humidity’s wicking effect. Although the problem may start with humidity in a bathroom, it could be wicking into your bedroom and closets too. “When you drop a paper towel onto a spill, it wicks the liquid, pulling it into the sheet,” explains Koehner. “That’s a great visual for how humidity works in your home — it doesn’t stay in one room.”

That’s why, before shopping for a dehumidifier, start by identifying the size and extent of your humidity woes. “Invest 20 bucks in a thermo hygrometer, which is a digital thermostat that measures temperature and humidity,” says Koehner suggests. “The goal is to average about 45 percent humidity in all rooms, all year round.” In addition to helping you identify the “problem rooms” and how far it’s spreading, this will also tell you how much fluid you’re going to need to remove.

Units that are too small can’t keep up, but units that are too large have a different problem: They cool too fast, making them shut off before dehumidifying enough. You get cold, damp air. That creates a recipe for mold.

Chris Koehner, Owner, Halo Heating & Cooling

“Do not guess the humidity level in your home or room. Human perception should never govern dehumidifier settings,” Nitrio advises. “An incorrect setting can actually lead to mold growth in the dehumidifier, in addition to not removing enough moisture or by removing too much moisture from the air.” Dehumidifiers are also sized by square footage and by how many pints of fluid they remove per day so knowing the size of the space you’re working with will help streamline your options.

According to the experts we consulted, a common mistake shoppers make is buying the wrong size unit. While some go with a smaller dehumidifier because it’s cheaper, they quickly learn that they need to invest in a second option in order to get the job done.

Then there are those who assume oversized units will give better results and go with one that’s too aggressive. “Units that are too small can’t keep up, but units that are too large have a different problem,” says Koehner. “They cool too fast, making them shut off before dehumidifying enough. You get cold, damp air. That creates a recipe for mold.”

Some dehumidifiers require considerably less maintenance than others given their features. “Ideally, shoppers should look for a model that has a built-in humidistat, which not only measures the relative humidity but also controls it automatically,” Nitrio says. “This takes the guesswork out of whether or not you need to turn your dehumidifier on or off.” In addition to a handy built-in humidistat, Nitrio recommends looking out for some other standout features:

Koehner also warns against any model that isn’t isn’t energy efficient, especially if you’ll be running it throughout the day and night. “Dehumidifiers can increase energy usage and drive your electricity bill up,” he says. “Make sure you choose a dehumidifier with the Energy Star seal of approval.”

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Lauren Levy is a contributor with work published on The Knot, PopSugar, CafeMom, Mom.com, Bridal Guide and Care.com.

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