Keeping the inside of your RV dry and mold free is harder than you might think. Keep the dreaded damp out with an RV dehumidifier.
We’ve tried numerous RV dehumidifiers to find the best ones out there.
You most definitely don’t want too much moisture in your RV as that can cause lasting damage. Not to mention the smell. My top pick to keep your RV dry and smelling fresh is the PureGuardian Small Space Dehumidifier.
RV Dehumidifier Top Picks
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Best RV Dehumidifiers Reviews
PureGuardian Small Space Dehumidifier – Best Overall
The PureGuardian dehumidifier is specifically designed for smaller spaces and specifically RVs and boats.
This dehumidifier is small but mighty! It is a little workhorse and will continue to remove the water from the air until the tank is full and the automatic cut off turns it off when the tank is full.
It’s super lightweight and portable at only 5lbs so it can fit into the smallest corners of your RV and not take up much space.
It has Peltier technology, which transfers heat from one end of the device to the other making it really energy efficient and quiet.
To make this even better there are no filters needed which makes it pretty much maintenance free, you just need to empty the tank (outside).
Crane Dehumidifier – Best for Mold and Mildew
The Crane dehumidifier is another one that’s specifically designed for RVs and campers.
At 8.5lbs it’s still compact and portable and won’t take up much precious space in your RV, it will remove up to 600ml of moisture per day and hold half a gallon.
This is a great dehumidifier if you have mold, mildew or allergies as it has an anti-microbial material that reduces mold and bacteria growth by up to 99.96%.
It also features a timer and an automatic shut off so you don’t need to worry about it overflowing or overheating.
It has lots of raving reviews, you can’t go far wrong with this little dehumidifier in your RV.
Mini Eva Dry Dehumidifier – Best for No Power
If you want a dehumidifier that doesn’t need a power source then this is the best option.
This dehumidifier works differently to the others as it’s full of a desiccant – silica gel – that absorbs the moisture.
It doesn’t need any power to work, as the gel will naturally soak up the moisture in the atmosphere.
It is designed for very small spaces, so depending on the size of your RV you may need to get more than one. However one of these managed to dry out a flooded compartment (including a rug) under an RV overnight, so they are quietly powerful.
When the dehumidifier is full (soaked up as much moisture as possible) the indicator will turn pink. Then plug it in at home until the indicator turns blue and it will be as good as new.
The average lifespan is about 10 years so you will get plenty of use out of it. It will also last about a month without needing to be plugged in so that’s plenty of time for an RVing trip.
SEAVON Electric Dehumidifiers – Best for Price
If budget is a main priority but you don’t want to compromise on features then this SEAVON dehumidifier is great value.
This compact dehumidifier has a shut off function and an LED that turns red when the tank is full so you don’t need to worry about it overflowing.
It also uses the Peltier technology so you don’t need to worry about power consumption or noise as it’s energy efficient and quiet.
Specially designed for small spaces it will work well in your RV or camper.
The drawback to this is that it only works in temperatures above 59 degrees Fahrenheit, which isn’t too much of a problem as it’s not really humid in temperatures that low.
All in all it’s great value for money, and works a treat.
Donatello Dehumidifier – Best for Drain Hose
This is a little powerhouse of a dehumidifier, although it doesn’t have as many settings as some of the others in this review it is well built and will last you for years to come.
The main benefit to this dehumidifier is that it has a draining hose that can be sent directly out of the window or into a larger container. This stops the tank getting full and the dehumidifier turning off, so you can run this for 24 hours 7 days a week.
Its a great little unit and will be more than adequate for all RVs, motorhomes and campers. It does have a bigger footprint than some of the others but it’s still compact and lightweight enough to not take up too much space.
You can have it on a standard day mode setting or night mode for a quieter setting so you can sleep better whilst it’s still on.
If you want a dehumidifier that will work 247 then this is the best option.
Afloia Dehumidifier – Best Looking
This dehumidifier looks awesome, so if style is your number one preference then get this one! It comes in 5 different designs that all look great.
Just because it looks good doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great little RV dehumidifier. It has the Peltier technology so is really energy efficient and quiet, which is exactly what you want in your motorhome.
For a little dehumidifier it can remove a huge 750ml of water per day in a humid environment. It works best at temperatures between 55 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but will work at temperatures down to 41 degrees.
It only weighs 5.3 lbs so you can move it around easily and it won’t take up much precious space.
It also has an automatic shut off so you don’t need to worry about it overheating or the water tank overflowing.
Why Use An RV Dehumidifier?
Because RVs are so small it’s easy for damp to occur, especially if you’re in a humid campsite. Even having a shower can fill the whole RV with damp humid air.
A dehumidifier will reduce and maintain the level of humidity in your RV and keep it comfortable and dry.
If you struggle with dampness, have allergies or breathing problems like asthma, then a dehumidifier is an essential bit of kit for your RV.
The RV dehumidifier helps to prevent mold, mildew and allergens. Whilst it won’t remove them it will help stopping mold and mildew developing in your RV and will purify the air.
How to pick the best RV dehumidifier for you – Buying Guide
There are a few things to consider before purchasing a dehumidifier for your RV. The best one for you will depend on your RV, location and your needs.
In this buying guide we will look at the most important considerations when buying an RV dehumidifier.
What type of dehumidifier is best for your RV?
There are two main types of RV dehumidifiers – desiccant or refrigerant.
The refrigerant dehumidifiers are plugged in and have cold coils inside that turn the moisture from the warm air into water. The water then drips off the coils into a water collection bucket that can be easily emptied.
The desiccant dehumidifiers are plugged in, but use less power. They have a desiccant material inside that absorbs the water from the air.
A fan draws the air into the dehumidifier and into a rotating wheel of the absorbent which draws the water out of the air. The part of the wheel not being used is heated to draw the water back out, so you don’t need to replace any desiccant materials.
You can also buy desiccant dehumidifiers that are not plugged in, which is essentially a pot of the absorbent material that draws the moisture from the air that hits it.
Desiccant dehumidifiers work best at lower levels of humidity (60% or less), but can work at any temperature. Whereas the refrigerant dehumidifiers are more effective and work well at most humidity levels.
Dehumidifier Size
Even if you have a huge RV you don’t want a massive dehumidifier taking up space and acting as a trip hazard.
The dehumidifier must be small enough to be portable and fit into a small enough space to not be too noticeable.
The good news is that because RVs are small (even the big ones) a small dehumidifier will be more than enough to keep the moisture out.
Energy Usage
You want the dehumidifier to be as energy efficient as possible. Power is a valuable resource in an RV, especially if you’re camping off grid.
You need to make sure that adding a dehumidifier won’t overload your RV battery and drain it flat.
A dehumidifier that can change its power settings during the day is best, as it can adapt to the environment as the humidity level changes in the RV. An automatic shut off is also a great option to save power.
Noise Level
You don’t want a dehumidifier that sounds like heavy machinery in your RV, it’s ok if it’s in the basement of your house but it’s hard to shut out noise in an RV.
The thin walls won’t stop the hum of a dehumidifier getting through, so a quiet dehumidifier is essential for an RV.
Luckily all the dehumidifiers in this review are pretty quiet so they shouldn’t bother you too much when you’re trying to get some shut eye.
Just make sure that you check the noise level before buying.
Capacity
The capacity is the amount of water that the dehumidifier can remove from the air in your RV per day.
As most RVs have a small area, a large capacity dehumidifier is unnecessary. Most of the bigger RVs are still less than 50 square feet, so a dehumidifier designed for a large house will be too much.
Measure the square footage of your RV from there you will have a solid area so you can choose a dehumidifier that can cover that area.
You’ll also need to factor in the humidity of the environment that you’re in, a higher humidity location will need a higher performing dehumidifier.
Dehumidifier Settings
Like mentioned in the energy use section, it really is great if you can have automatic settings on your dehumidifier. It will save power and give you piece of mind if you can just set it and forget it.
Installation
The hardest part of the installation of an RV dehumidifier is finding where to put it. All you really need to do then is plug it in and adjust the settings.
Some models do have an ‘overflow’ hose, if you want to just let the water drain into a bucket, outside or into the gray tank. This will take some setting up but is really simple, and you don’t need to worry about emptying the water container.
RV Dehumidifier Tips
To get the best out of your RV dehumidifier:
- Make sure your RV doors and windows are shut when it’s running.
- Check that the RV is at the right temperature for the dehumidifier to work, usually between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Keep the dehumidifier in an open space so air can easily pass through.
- Pour the water tank outside when full or not in use.
RV Dehumidifiers FAQs
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about RV dehumidifiers so you won’t be left wondering.
What’s the difference between an RV Dehumidifier vs. Household Dehumidifier?
The most noticeable difference is that RV dehumidifiers are smaller and portable, where household dehumidifiers are larger and designed to stay in one place or have wheels to move around.
Using a household dehumidifier in your RV is inconvenient and will use up a lot more energy so will be a lot more expensive in the long run.
An RV dehumidifier will be 12 volts and designed specifically for RVs so will have special features like a non-slip base.
Where is the best place for my RV dehumidifier?
The best place to put the dehumidifier is really personal preference and depends on the layout of your RV.
Most people put their dehumidifier in the area they spend the most time so either the living room or the bedroom is the best option.
Can empty the dehumidifier into my RV’s grey water tank?
Because of the bacteria the dehumidifier water will contain, that it’s pulled out of the air, it’s not advised to empty this into your grey water tank.
The bacteria can multiply in the tank and is difficult to remove once there, so it’s best to empty the dehumidifier water outside.
Should I get a dehumidifier in my RV?
A dehumidifier for your RV is always a good idea. Especially if you can feel dampness in the RV or smell it.
Can I run my dehumidifier 24 hours a day?
Most dehumidifiers are designed to run constantly, if you can get one with settings and an automatic shut off if you’re worried.
Make sure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions before you leave it running constantly and that the dehumidifier that you have can handle it.
RV Dehumidifiers Recap
PureGuardian Small Space Dehumidifier – Best Overall
Crane Dehumidifier – Best for Mold and Mildew
Mini Eva Dry Dehumidifier – Best for No Power
SEAVON Electric Dehumidifiers – Best for Price
Donatello Dehumidifier – Best for Drain Hose
Afloia Dehumidifier – Best Looking
Final Thoughts
Any dehumidifier from the review will work well in an RV or camper, so it really depends on what your personal preference is.
Our choice is the PureGuardian Small Space Dehumidifier as it’s a great all rounder and well built so will last you for years and keep your RV damp free.
We do recommend that every RV owner has a dehumidifier as damp and mold are all too easy to get and difficult and harmful to remove. Prevention is cheaper (and easier) than the cure.
