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 a 70-pint unit that offers an instant solution to excess moisture, mold, mildew, and bacteria in your recreational vehicle or travel trailer. It’s engineered with a SpaceWise portable design, including a top handle, side handles, and caster wheels for portability. It has a 24-hour timer, but can run continuously when positioned next to a drain. 

The unit features an Effortless Humidity Control setting that lets you filter out a certain percentage of humidity from the air. Inside the collection tank, there are visible built-in clear glass rings that let you keep track of the water level. It also has electronic controls that display the humidity readings and are readable in the dark. This unit works well in low temperatures and uses a standard 115-volt electrical outlet.            

The condenser isn’t protected from rust, and rusty water may start to collect in its water reservoir after a few months. It’s also not designed to be long-lasting. It may start to show “FO” error codes after only a year, and if that happens you may have to unplug the unit and plug it back in; the buttons don’t function when there’s an error. It’s also not energy efficient due to its high moisture extraction rate.

The Eva-Dry Mini Dehumidifier doesn’t require long power cables or batteries as it uses silica gel technology to suck moisture out of the air. It has a working perimeter of 333 cubic feet and a capacity of 6 ounces. The unit can last for at least 20 days before renewal and will give you at least 10 years of service life. It has a small, lightweight design that can be directly plugged into a wall socket.

The dehumidifier has no buttons but has crystal beads (silica gel) that change color from orange to green, depending on the amount of vapor in the air. The crystals turn green when it’s at capacity, and it needs to be plugged in (renewed) for about eight hours until the crystals turn orange. That’s when you can unplug it and return it to the place where it was absorbing moisture. The silica gel is odorless, non-toxic, and safe. The dehumidifier leaves the room humid and mold-free.

A downside of this dehumidifier is that eight hours is too long to wait for the beads to dry. It may take longer for the beads to change color as the unit gets older. The air will be full of humidity by the time you get to use it, and you may have to buy an extra model for alternating use. Moreover, the device may heat up when charging, and you have to use a cloth to unplug it. 

The Pro Breeze Electric Mini dehumidifier is a small and lightweight humidity-control device featuring a 16-ounce water tank. An LED light turns on when the water tank is full, and the unit automatically shuts off until the tank is drained. It filters out about 9 ounces of moisture a day and has an operating range of 150 square feet.

The air intake compartment is located at the front and features built-in ThermoElectric Cooling Technology for quiet operation. This dehumidifier works within temperatures of 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. It only weighs 2.4 pounds and is portable enough to be used in RVs, bathrooms, kitchens, basements, garages, and bedrooms.

However, this Pro Breeze model may start to break down after only six months of use. In less than a year, it may run louder and heat up, which is unsafe when used in an enclosed space like an RV. It’s not recommended to leave it plugged in when you plan to be away for a long time. Moreover, it filters out moisture much slower than high-end humidifiers. It also won’t work well at temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Let your RV dehumidifier operate efficiently and effortlessly while you enjoy the outdoors and plug in the Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe Dehumidifier. This sleek device is lightweight and slim, designed to fit in spaces that are out of your way, but it’s also powerful. It can pull humidity of the air in spaces up to 160 square feet, and its 1.5-liter capacity holds plenty of water. You’ll get two speed settings to choose from, plus two auto shutoff options and timer settings so you can control how long it operates without interrupting your day. When the tank is full, the device automatically turns off to prevent overheating, too. You’ll also enjoy the whisper-quiet operation, which lets you forget the humidifier is even on and running. And one of the best benefits is the five-year warranty, which ensures you’ll get a good lifespan out of your dehumidifier.

The one potential drawback is the high price. This dehumidifier is a bit more expensive than other options. But its ease of use makes it a worthwhile investment that’ll last.

As energy-efficient as it is quiet, the Pro Breeze 17 oz Portable Mini Dehumidifier allows you to pull moisture out of the air without noise interrupting the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. This compact dehumidifier carries a 17-ounce water tank and can remove up to 8 ounces from the air per day in spaces of up to 215 square feet. And its small size makes it easy to stash out of the way inside your RV’s available space. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, and it boasts ultra-quiet operation — you might even forget it’s present. However, with an auto shutoff feature, this device will turn off as soon as its tank is full. It’s convenient to use when you’re hoping to run for hours on end, too, thanks to this peace of mind.

However, while this RV dehumidifier is quiet and blends right into the background, it does work slowly. It’s not as speedy or as powerful as other devices, and it can take quite a few hours to make a noticeable difference in the humidity level inside your RV.

When it comes to small dehumidifiers, the Eva-Dry EDV-1100 Petite Dehumidifier is a great choice. It’s so small that it stands just 8.5 inches tall and fits seamlessly on countertops and tabletops, making it a fantastic fit for any RV or camper. It offers a 16-ounce water collection tank, and it pulls up to eight ounces of water out of the day at a temperature of 86 degrees and a humidity level of 80 percent. But to add to its benefits, this dehumidifier is also low on power consumption, a perk that’s great for RVs. With no compressor too, this device is also wonderfully quiet as it works. The addition of features like automatic water level detection and automatic shutoff when full are also quite handy.

The only downside is the small water tank. If you’re dealing with a whole lot of moisture or humidity, this device may not be powerful enough or large enough to hold all of the liquid it captures. 

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.