RV camping is a very enjoyable outdoor activity. Whenever you are in the recreational vehicle, you should be comfortable and safer. This is the only way you will be able to have a memorable road trip.
There are instances that you may find yourself in the countryside or mountains, and you will appreciate the need to have the best RV dehumidifiers with you. Why? Well, the small space that the RV offers is often prone to condensation and dampness of the air when you cook or take a shower.
The humid air can damage your RV’s interior. Additionally, a lot of discomforts are often brought about by this kind of air. At times you can be forced to cut short a road trip if this condition becomes unbearable and uncomfortable. Worse still, you will be likely to develop breathing difficulties and other health problems if you are allergic or have asthma.
You, therefore, need to have the humidity levels within the recommended standards to avoid such complications. Get an RV dehumidifier before you leave for your next vacation. But what is the ideal product for your RV? How do these products operate?
You have just landed at the right place and just on time. This guide has all the answers to your questions; keep reading.
Best RV Dehumidifier Reviews
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In this section, we are going to look at the very best of dehumidifiers that will solve all your moisture issues. They have been tried and will never fail at any given time. We have carefully selected them based on customer reviews and feedbacks. The firsthand information from the user is more reliable than what the manufacturer has to say.
Here are the products:
1. Frigidaire 70-Pint RV Dehumidifier
If you are in indeed looking for a great performing dehumidifier, then Frigidaire 70-Pint is your perfect destination. It is capable of protecting your RV’s interior from molds and mildews that are usually a result of excess moisture in the air.
One of those features that make it the best is how it supports the elimination of bacteria that is in the air which in return reduces the chances of enduring breathing difficulties. If placed close to a suitable drain, you are likely to enjoy a continuous operation from the 70 pints per day product.
It has electronic controls that are ready-select and, therefore, easy to use. These controls feature digital humidity readout, control lock and an on/off timer that operates for 24 hours. With these controls, you can customize the favorable percentage of humidity that you need to have in the RV.
Its SpaceWise design makes it portable due to the top handle, caster wheels and the integrated side handles all of which make it easy to move from one room to the next. It operates under low temperatures of about 41o, therefore, saving a lot of energy. It has an Energy Star certification and is even UL listed.
Its high performance in terms of energy removal makes it energy-efficient as well. Still, on its design, it has a built-in glass ring which is clear and makes it easy to monitor the water level visually from the tank. And the readings displayed by this dehumidifier can be easily read in the dark.
The product weighs 47 pounds and has dimensions of 11.6 by 15 by 24.4 inches. It does not require any batteries to for its proper functioning. Take note that it is white. Other products included in the package are a washable filter and a manual.
It is backed by a warranty of one year on labor and parts plus a limited 5-year warranty on the sealed system.
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2. hOmelands 70-Pint RV Dehumidifier
hOmelands Dehumidifier is another great product that can help you a great deal in keeping the moisture levels in the RV under check. It is capable of removing 70 pints or 9 gallons of water from the air in a day just like our top pick only that it is available at a cheaper price.
It is a top performer that can function so well in the basement, large room or even cellar. Being that it has Energy Star certification, it will effectively and quickly absorb all the excess moisture from the air without raising your energy bills.
It has been designed with customer needs taking center stage. It has a clean look and is sleek which you will definitely like. It also has convenient handles and built-in wheels to make it easy to move from room to room. Its fan is so quiet that it won’t keep you distracted.
An ideal RV dehumidifier doesn’t need to be complicated; so is this product. You only have to set the moisture settings to your most preferred percentage then let the dehumidifier make a continuous run for 24 hours till the tank gets filled up. When the tank has been filled up, it will shut off automatically.
It also allows for the use of a drain hose outlet that is capable of ensuring a continuous draining process. Even though this hose is not included with the purchase, a 5/8’’ (diameter) garden hose with a female threaded end is ideal for that task. You can ensure it is tightly fixed by using a Teflon tape.
Apart from eliminating excess moisture from the room, it also reduces allergens and odors through the built-in pump compressor. The dehumidifier has been designed with a turbo mode that you can use to increase the speed of the fan to the highest possible speed for maximum performance.
Given that it will be emitting heat when operating, it is recommended that you don’t have it in the same room with an evaporation cooler. The product functions well in spaces ranging from 2500 to 4000 square feet with room temperatures of between 41oF and 950F. Its water tank has a capacity of 1.6 gallons (6 liters).
It weighs 40 pounds with dimensional measurements of 15.4 by 11 by 24.3 inches. It also comes with a washable filter. What’s more, it’s amperage rating is at 4.7 amps. In case the noise levels have started rising, you can minimize it by making sure the dehumidifier is placed on a level ground and unclog the air filter.
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3. Keystone KSTAD50B 50-Pint RV Dehumidifier
Here is a cheaply available dehumidifier that you can consider having for your RV as well. The Keystone KSTAD50B can remove up to 50 pints of moisture in a day from a room with an area of 3000 square feet.
It is designed with the user-friendly LED display, water level indicator which is transparent, 24-hour timer, full bucket alert and automatic shut off. All these make it easy to operate. Its dust filter is fitted with a clean-filter alert and is removable and easy to clean.
It automatically restarts in case of power outage. Whenever the power is back, it will automatically turn on. Besides, it is designed with 4 long-lasting rolling casters which make it easy to move to new locations. There is also a way in which you can ensure there is continuous draining using a standard garden hose though this is not included with the purchase.
The product includes normal, auto-defrost and turbo operating settings for better performance. Actually, the auto-defrost allows for the automatic removal of frost that accumulates on the coils of the evaporator. It is made of a white plastic material and weighs 36.3 pounds. It is Energy Star certified (2.0 EEV) and UL listed.
This dehumidifier operates quietly and has an amperage rating of 4.7 amps. Its dimensions are 15.4 by 10.8 by 23.2 inches. It has a warranty of one year on labor and parts plus a 5-year limited warranty on the sealed system. What’s more, it is strong and very fast in removing excess moisture from your RV.
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4. Ivation 70-Pint RV Dehumidifier
Ivation RV dehumidifier is the most expensive of them all but of great quality as well. Its dimensions of 15.4 by 10.8 by 23.2 make it fit perfectly well in your RV. Its 4 smooth-rolling and long-lasting caster wheels make it easily portable.
This dehumidifer’s two-fan settings (regular and turbo) can be well customized to provide maximum air regulation for effective excess moisture elimination in areas of up to 4,500 square feet. It has also been designed with a lot of creativity to prevent structural cracking, mold, and mildew. This, therefore, keeps you and your family free from asthma, allergens, and mites.
It can remove close to 70 pints of moisture in a day. There is a 1.3-gallon water reservoir that it also comes with to aid in the process of dehumidification. This tank features comfortable handles and a cover making its removal and carrying when full more convenient.
Once the reservoir has been filled, the machine will automatically shut off. You can always check the water level indicator or even allow for continuous draining by hooking up a standard garden hose to it.
Its simple LCD interface makes the process of controlling the room moisture a breeze. The interface makes it easy to adjust the speed of the fan, set the ideal humidity levels as well as program the 24-hour timer. You will in the process of its operation receive reservoir and filter alerts as well.
The filter is washable and can be recycled hence saves you some little cash. It is a small but very powerful RV dehumidifier weighing just 40 pounds. Its smart technology allows it to automatically power on after power outages. It has an auto-defrost setting that does the work of protecting evaporator coils as well as preventing energy wastage.
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How an RV Dehumidifier operates
All RV dehumidifiers, whether complicated, cheap or expensive, will remove excess moisture from the RV. And the mechanism through which the moisture is removed is more or else the same. This is how these products operate.
Air in your RV gets drawn into the dehumidifier using a vent. It then passes over the cold coils. In the process, condensation occurs on the cold coils when the warm air hits them.
The water that forms as a result of the condensation process drips down into a water reservoir or collection bucket. Once the bucket gets filled up, it can be emptied manually, or in some sophisticated models, some sensors are used to shut the dehumidifier off. Other models have a glass ring that is transparent for manual monitoring of the water level.
In some instances, the water can be drained away through a hose mounting or through a pump system. This eliminates the need to empty the bucket whenever it gets full manually. The pump allows for the pushing of the water further or even out of a window in cases where the emptying point or drain is higher than the dehumidifier or far away.
What should you consider before buying RV dehumidifier?
The process of buying the best RV dehumidifiers entails a lot of decision making. There is no way you will just get to the market and pick any product you come across and expect it to give you the best results. So what are these properties that will help you make the right decision? Check them out in this section.
a) Size and type of the dehumidifier
RV dehumidifiers are available in different sizes and types. To begin with, how big is your recreational vehicle? Remember, you need to buy a dehumidifier that will effectively cover your space to give the best results.
It shouldn’t be too small and too big at the same time, but given that RVs are not all of the same sizes, you have to go for something that will meet your needs. A large dehumidifier is a perfect fit for a huge RV and a small-sized one for a smaller RV.
The size doesn’t just stop at the physical dimensions; even the tank’s size should be another important aspect to consider. The tank sizes are usually given in units like pints and gallons. A huge RV will most likely contain so much moisture and hence the need for a large tank. Such will not subject you to frequent emptying.
Now onto the types; there are two types of RV dehumidifiers. These are the desiccant and refrigerant dehumidifiers.
These are filled with water-soaking materials which are what pull moisture from the air without the need for a power source. In fact, they don’t require regular emptying as well. These are the models that have color changing features or indicator lights to inform you that the reservoir is full of water.
Desiccant dehumidifiers operate optimally in cases where there are particular areas in the RV that have moisture problems. They are usually smaller in sizes and cannot, therefore, be used for the entire RV. If you want to keep excess moisture out of your RV in entirety, then you will need several desiccant models.
They are, however, cheaper, lighter and quieter than the refrigerant models. They perform so well if you are tight on space.
These are the most common types of dehumidifiers. They make use of cold coil technique and fan to cool the warm air and form water droplets. This is what you will find in most homes as well.
b) Noise
The noise level of the dehumidifier is another factor that you need to look at seriously. What is the amount of noise that it will produce during its functioning? The noise levels are usually indicated in decibel (dB); be sure to check on such specifications.
Higher dB means that the unit will produce a lot of noise which will be accompanied with an uncomfortable RV. The best dehumidifier should produce the least amount of noise that won’t distract your sleep after a long day of hiking, for instance.
Some models have been designed with smart and innovative technologies to promote whisper-quiet operations. You can have such appear top of your wish list.
c) Area to dehumidify
What is the amount of space that you need to dehumidify? You need to know this before making a purchase so that you actually buy a unit that will comfortably cover such areas. Knowing the area makes it possible to know the capacity of the dehumidifier to buy.
The capacity of the dehumidifiers are usually measured in pint and is the amount of moisture content that your chosen dehumidifier unit can clear within 24 hours. Your choice has to be designated for the kind of space you have for the best results.
d) How is it powered?
RV dehumidifiers can be powered using electricity or using the RV deep cycle batteries. Well, even the RV generators can perfectly power the unit. Those that have electric hookup options are the best for use in areas that are connected to the grid.
Battery-powered types are just meant for short road trips. But if they are rechargeable batteries and you have the means to charge them in the wilderness, then you can still enjoy an extended camping experience.
e) Reservoir/Tank Size
The RV dehumidifiers have different tank sizes to hold the water formed from condensation; some being large while some have small capacities. Actually, you need to decide on this depending on the duration you will be at a campground.
If your camping trips do last for a week or less, you can go for the small tank capacity models. But these are usually not ideal for camping trips that go for more than a week as you will have to contend with frequent emptying of the tank. Large capacities that can hold more water will be so ideal in this case.
f) Additional Features
You have to go through everything that the dehumidifier has. One feature that is usually important is the humidistat. This will help you monitor the humidity levels of your room the entire day. Once the optimum levels are reached, the dehumidifier will automatically switch off.
Some dehumidifiers are also designed together with laundry settings. These settings, through the continuous operation of the unit, will fasten the time your clothes would have taken to dry up. Such features are also great as you will be saving some money that you could have spent buying other standalone units.
g) Controls
Do you need analog or the digital controls? Whichever control you like in a dehumidifier, make sure that they are user-friendly. The controls should allow you make set your preferred humidity levels in percentages.
The controls should allow for adjustments whenever necessary.
h) Portability
An ideal dehumidifier should have handles and easy-rolling wheels to make its transportation from place to place easier. There are instances that you won’t be camping in an RV and you will be longing to use the machine at home. Only under such circumstances will you appreciate the importance of a portable dehumidifier.
i) Ease of installation
You don’t require much effort to have your unit running, but there are instances that you might be forced to go out of your way to have a better drain in place. If it is a unit that you will be using so often then you need to make sure that it will be easy to set up.
Conclusion
A comfortable and safe living space is essential for the human life regardless of the place you are in. To maintain the wellness you enjoy at home during the road trip, you need an RV dehumidifier to ensure that the air you will be breathing will be healthy and of great standards.
Frigidaire 70-Pint RV Dehumidifier beats them all as, besides removal of excess moisture, it also eliminates bacteria from the air. It is energy efficient with user-friendly controls. We can, therefore, confidently recommend it to you as one of the best RV dehumidifiers to consider buying.
Has this piece been of help to you? Is there an area that you feel we haven’t addressed fully? Let’s compare notes.