Keep Your RV’s Humidity Under Control with One of the Best Dehumidifiers

In order to choose the best dehumidifiers available for RVs, I took a look at the different options available, focusing on those that were compact and travel-ready, with low power consumption and great efficiency. An RV needs a dehumidifier that can operate in the background without taking up valuable space. All of my picks are compact and road-ready, suitable for the power systems of RVs of varying sizes and made to sit out of the way. Plus, these devices can effectively tackle humidity, pulling significant amounts out of the air and keeping your camper’s interior feeling comfortable (and free of all of the damage-causing moisture that may linger). To assess this, I considered user reviews and the pros and cons mentioned for each machine.

The Frigidaire Dehumidifier is the best overall RV dehumidifier, thanks to its portable design and powerful ability to pull up to 70 pints of water out of the air every day. If you’re looking for solid efficiency and good value, the Eva-Dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier is another great option that’s affordable and able to work without any electricity required at all.

An RV dehumidifier might not seem like an essential camper accessory, but when moisture begins to build inside, it can wreak havoc. That’s why you’ll want to keep these key details in mind as you weigh the pros and cons of different dehumidifiers. 

Desiccant models are rechargeable and are ideal for enclosed spaces such as closets. They help reduce mold problems. They typically have low noise levels, a lightweight profile, and work just as efficiently when temperatures drop below 33 degrees Fahrenheit. They also keep the RV warm by blowing out warm air. However, you may need more than one desiccant model to solve the humidity problem in your RV, and they are expensive.

Refrigerant or compressor units are cheaper than desiccant models, have lower power consumption, and have a high extraction rate. You only need one refrigerant model to keep your entire RV humidity- and mold-free. However, they aren’t efficient when temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and are noisier than desiccant models.

The capacity of a humidifier or its ability to remove water in a given range is measured in “pints of moisture.” A unit with a 30-pint extraction rate can remove moisture within a range of 300 square feet. A 50-pint dehumidifier has an operating range of about 700 square feet, and a 70-pint dehumidifier has a high operating range of up to 1,500 square feet. 

Do you plan to have the dehumidifier as a permanent accessory in your RV or would you prefer to move it into your house and back? A unit under 20 pounds with wheels and a handle is easy to carry around from your basement to the RV. However, portability isn’t an issue if you want the dehumidifier in your RV all year long.

A humidistat regularly measures the level of humidity in the RV and automatically shuts off the dehumidifier when the air attains an optimal water vapor level. A timer comes in handy when you are away. You could set the unit to extract the vapor at a predetermined amount of time to reduce power consumption but keep the air humidity free.

Most dehumidifiers will cost less than $50, and the options within this price range are small and ideal for small travel trailers and enclosed spaces such as closets. However, they may not come with extra features like wheels or handles for transportation, and they have a low extraction capacity. If you spend over $50 on an RV dehumidifier, you can get a larger dehumidifier with an extraction capacity than can cover a large RV. Anything smaller isn’t worth purchasing unless it’s energy-efficient and you don’t mind buying two. 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.