Do you need a dehumidifier that you can run both in warmer and colder months? Are you looking for a quiet unit without a compressor?
Buy a desiccant dehumidifier!
Read this post to learn more about desiccant dehumidifiers and to find out what are the five best models currently available on the market.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers-Information And Buying Guide
What Are Desiccant Dehumidifiers?
Desiccant dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air by trapping the water molecules from the air on the surface of a chemical substance with a high affinity for moisture. The chemical substance will either dissolve from the moisture or it can be renewed by heat.
Types Of Desiccant Dehumidifiers
There are several types of desiccant dehumidifiers for sale. Disposable desiccant dehumidifiers can be used only once because the absorbing substance melts from moisture. Renewable desiccant dehumidifiers mostly use silica beads that can be redried after saturation. Full-size consumer-grade desiccant dehumidifiers are most similar to compressor units. There are also industrial grade desiccant-type dehumidifiers for larger dehumidifying jobs.
Advantages Of Desiccant Dehumidifiers
One of the most important advantages of the desiccant dehumidifier is the consistent efficiency of dehumidification in the operating temperature range. Because they do not use a refrigerant, they are more environmentally friendly than compressor units. They are also quieter, lighter, and more portable.
Disadvantages Of Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Compared to compressor dehumidifiers, desiccant dehumidifiers have a much lower capacity, they are more expensive and can occasionally emit an unpleasant smell. Most of the consumer-grade desiccant dehumidifiers can remove the maximum of 20 pints of water a day. The compressor unit in the same price grade can remove up to 70 pints.
Where To Buy A Desiccant Dehumidifier?
You can find disposable desiccant dehumidifier in every bigger supermarket. If you need a rechargeable or full-size unit take a look at home improvement stores. If you prefer to do your shopping from your couch, check out online retailers such as Amazon where you can score free shipping or special discounts.
5 Best Desiccant Dehumidifiers For Sale
Best Commercial Desiccant Dehumidifier
Ebac DD300 Desiccant Dehumidifier
Stainless Steel Casing
Ebac dehumidifier is constructed from high-quality stainless steel. Stainless steel housing makes this dehumidifier applicable even in harshest conditions without the fear of rust forming on the unit. Long time use of this unit is guaranteed.
PPS Silica Gel Rotor
Inside this desiccant dehumidifier is a patented PPS rotor. PPS rotors contain a high percentage of active silica gel for optimal dehumidifying performance. In this case, the rotor consists of 82% active silica gel. Because of this highly effective rotor, this unit can remove 70 pints of water at AHAM.
Effective In Subzero Temperatures
Because of the desiccation principle of dehumidification and no water accumulation during the dehumidification process, this dehumidifier can be used even in subzero temperatures, down to -4°F. The efficiency of dehumidification is constant during the entire operating temperature range due to the PTC heater.
Hours Run Meter And Ammeter
Incorporated hours run meter and ammeter help you monitor the operation and efficiency of your unit. Hours run meter shows you how long has the unit been running. The ammeter is used to monitor how effective is the drying process of the unit.
Optional Remote Humidistat
There is the option of buying a remote humidistat. Connecting the remote humidistat to your dehumidifier enables automatic control. That way you can monitor and control the dehumidification process more easily. The manual control also works great if you do not want to invest in the remote humidistat.
- removes 70 pints a day at AHAM
- stainless steel housing
- PPS rotor
- works in temperatures down to -4°F
Best Small Desiccant Dehumidifier
HYDROSORBENT OSG-40 Silica Gel Dehumidifier
Small Space Dehumidifier
This dehumidifier contains 40 grams of silica beads in an aluminum container the size of a deck of cards. It is intended for use in enclosed spaces up to 3 cubic feet. It is ideal for toolboxes, camera and telescope cases, instrument cases, and other small spaces.
Color Change Indicator
The container of this dehumidifier has a built-in indicator to inform you that the beads need reactivation. Silica beads in this desiccant dehumidifiers are colored orange when they are dry and have the full dehumidifying capacity. When they get saturated with moisture they will turn colorless.
Rechargeable For Indefinite Use
When the silica beads turned colorless it means it is time to recharge them. Simply put the dehumidifier in your oven at 300°F for 3 hours or until the beads turn back orange. Your dehumidifier can now be reused. This way you can reuse and recharge the dehumidifier indefinitely.
No Electricity Needed
Hydrosorbent dehumidifier does not need electric energy to function. Because of that, it is ideal to use in enclosed spaces that do not have access to electricity. It is ideal to use in portable cases to protect your valuables or your equipment.
- for 3 cubic feet spaces
- built-in orange-to-colorless indicator
- rechargeable
Best Electric Desiccant Dehumidifier
Ivation 13-Pint Desiccant Dehumidifier
Lightweight And Powerful
Ivation desiccant dehumidifier is a lightweight unit that can dehumidify up to 270 square feet of space. It removes up to 13 pints of moisture per day at the conditions of 68°F and relative humidity of 60%. It operates within the temperature range of 33°F to 104°F which makes it ideal for spaces that are occasionally colder, such as boats, garages, and basements.
Dimmable LCD Screen
It is quite simple to control this unit thanks to the electronic controls and a big LCD screen. Simply turn the unit on and off, adjust humidity from 35 to 85, or choose the desired mode. Set the shut-off timer and vent swing, and adjust the brightness of the screen to your preferred level.
Easy Maintenance
Maintaining the unit in pristine condition is super easy. It has a removable and washable filter which means no replacements. You can dispose of the water removed from the air in two different ways. You can let it accumulate in the 3.8-pint tank with a practical bucket or hook up the included hose for continuous draining in a nearby drain.
Airflow Control
With the swing feature, you can direct the airflow of the warm air from the air outlet. Adjust it anywhere from 0 to 120°. This feature can be really useful for drying clothes or areas that have suffered different water damages. Dry out your space and prevent the mold formation on your belongings.
- for spaces up to 270 sq ft
- 13 pints at 68°F/60%
- big LCD screen
- swing airflow control
Best Gun Safe Desiccant Dehumidifier
SnapSafe 75902 Safe Dehumidifier
Small And Lightweight
This canister is 4-inch high and has a 5-inch diameter which makes it compact enough for most smaller enclosed spaces for which it is intended. It is suitable for the dehumidification of spaces 60 cubic feet in volume. It will surely fit in your gun safe and keep its contents moisture free.
Prevents Rust And Mildew On Your Firearms
High moisture content in the air for a prolonged time will undoubtedly lead to the formation of rust or mildew on your firearms. Keep this effective desiccant dehumidifier inside your gun safe to prevent that kind of problem in the long run.
Color Changing Silica Beads
The inside of this compact cylinder is filled with moisture adsorbing silica gel beads. They change color according to the amount of moisture they adsorbed. If they are completely dry they are dark blue. When they reached full moisture capacity they are pink in color.
Lifetime Use
This gun safe silica gel dehumidifier can be easily recharged after saturation. Place the cylinder in your oven preheated to 325°F for approximately 2 hours. The silica beads inside will dry out and turn back blue which means they are ready to be reused.
- for 60 cubic feet of space
- lifetime use
- color-changing silica beads
Best Residential Desiccant Dehumidifier
EcoSeb DD122EA-CLASSIC Desiccant Dehumidifier
Electronic Control Panel
EcoSeb Classic desiccant dehumidifier has electronic controls. But unlike the most dehumidifiers, it does not have a display. The controls are depicted as symbols so you will have to carefully read the instruction manual to learn how to operate it efficiently. It features on/off button, buttons for an ionizer, timer, louver position, and operation modes.
Auto Toggle Power Saver
This dehumidifier has an integrated humidistat which enables the Auto Toggle Power Saver mode. With this mode on, the dehumidifier senses the room humidity and automatically switches between the modes for optimal dehumidification at the lowest energy consumption.
Ionizer For Cleaner Air
The Ionizer feature of this unit turns this dehumidifier to an air purifier. By turning on the ionizer while the dehumidifier is running you can purify your air with negative ions and silver ion filtration. Negative ions make breathing easier and have a normalizing effect on the body.
Tilt Protection And Auto Restart
This unit comes with some useful safety features. The Tilt Protection feature automatically shuts down the dehumidifier when it senses a sudden movement or tilt. The Auto-Restart feature is really useful. In case of a power outage, this feature will automatically restart the unit with the same settings when the power is restored.
Tank Or Drain
With this unit, you can choose from two water removal options. There is an integrated water tank with 4.2-pint capacity. It has splash guards and a handle for convenient emptying. If you do not like manually discharging the tank, you can drain it continuously using the included hose.
- 15 pints at 68°F/60%
- integrated ionizer
- dual drainage options
- Auto Toggle Power Saver
Conclusion: Two Best Desiccant-Type Dehumidifiers
It seems to me that the HYDROSORBENT OSG-40 Silica Gel Dehumidifier and EcoSeb DD122EA-CLASSIC Desiccant Dehumidifier are the best desiccant dehumidifiers in their own group. Hydrosorbent is an excellent dehumidifier for small enclosed spaces and it is renewable so it can last a long time. The EcoSeb full-size dehumidifier is a great room dehumidifier that offers a lot of different features such as an ionizer that purifies the air.
To learn more about dehumidifiers air purifiers read this review of best dehumidifiers air purifiers. If you are looking for a dehumidifier for your gun safe, find one in this post with the best gun safe dehumidifiers. Check out this post with mini dehumidifiers to find a small dehumidifier for you.