# The Best 22-Pint and 25-Pint Dehumidifiers

> The small-room size class, explained — and the compact dehumidifiers that keep a bedroom, office or laundry room comfortably dry.

Canonical: https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-22-pint-dehumidifier/
Last updated: 2026-11-05
Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Size & Features
Publisher: Enthusiast Review

A **22-pint or 25-pint dehumidifier** is the right tool for one damp room: a bedroom that feels clammy in July, a home office below grade, a laundry room where towels never quite dry. It's small enough to carry from room to room and cheap enough to run all summer, yet it pulls more water than you might expect from the number on the box.

That's because today's ratings come from the Department of Energy's 2019 test, run in cooler 65°F air. A modern 22-pint unit removes roughly what a 30- to 35-pint model did under the old labels, which is why so many shoppers end up buying more machine than they need. We compared models on DOE capacity, ENERGY STAR listings, humidistat controls, drainage and noise, and read owner reviews for reliability problems.

If you're still deciding between sizes, our [dehumidifier size guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/) walks through every tier.

## Our top picks

- **Best overall:** Midea MAD22C1AWS — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NRDBBH5?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best 25-pint:** Hisense 25-Pint — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWFVMHZK?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best smart pick:** Midea Cube 20 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZMY8BC8?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best for quiet bedrooms:** TCL TDW20E20 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FKMLZBR?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best if you're between sizes:** Honeywell TP30AWKN — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085NYKWTQ?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

For most single rooms, the **Midea 22-Pint ENERGY STAR (MAD22C1AWS)** is the one to buy: efficient, easy to carry and right-sized for bedrooms, offices and laundry rooms.

## 1. Midea 22-Pint ENERGY STAR Dehumidifier (MAD22C1AWS) — Best overall

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NRDBBH5?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- ENERGY STAR certified
- Right-sized for a bedroom, office or laundry room
- Light enough to carry between rooms
- Gravity-hose option

**Cons**

- Too small for a wet basement
- Small bucket fills fast in humid weeks

**Why we picked it:** This compact Midea is the textbook 22-pint dehumidifier: enough capacity for a moderately damp room, ENERGY STAR efficiency for season-long running, and a size you can carry home and set up in minutes.

**Performance:** It's rated at 22 pints a day under the 2019 DOE test — roughly a 35-pint unit on older labels — and holds a set humidity without fuss. Owners typically use it in bedrooms, offices and laundry rooms, and the main complaint is the bucket filling quickly during muggy stretches. Connect a hose to a floor drain or sink and that problem disappears.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 22 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Type | Compressor |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR |
| Drainage | Bucket or gravity hose |
| Best for | Bedroom, office, laundry room |

## 2. Hisense 25-Pint ENERGY STAR Dehumidifier — Best 25-pint

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWFVMHZK?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- A little extra headroom over 22-pint models
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Bucket or gravity-hose drainage

**Cons**

- Too small for a basement
- No pump or smart features

**Why we picked it:** If your room is on the damp side or a bit larger than a typical bedroom, three more pints a day buys useful breathing room. Hisense's 25-pint model gives you that margin while staying compact and efficient.

**Performance:** Hisense rates it for spaces up to 1,500 square feet, though in practice it's best in a single room or small suite. ENERGY STAR certification keeps summer running costs in check, and a hose connection lets it run continuously next to a drain. See the rest of the lineup in our [Hisense dehumidifier guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-hisense-dehumidifier/).

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 25 pints/day |
| Coverage | Up to 1,500 sq ft (maker's claim) |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR |
| Drainage | Bucket or gravity hose |
| Best for | Damp bedrooms, offices |

## 3. Midea Cube 20-Pint Smart Dehumidifier (MAD20S1QWT) — Best smart pick

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZMY8BC8?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Wi-Fi app and voice-assistant control
- Big base reservoir for its size
- Compact cube looks at home in living spaces
- Lowest rated energy use of any Cube

**Cons**

- Slightly less capacity than a 22-pint
- Efficiency sits right at the ENERGY STAR line

**Why we picked it:** The Cube 20 is the small dehumidifier for people who want to check humidity from their phone and empty a tank less often. Its stacked design puts the water reservoir in the base, so it holds more than a typical small-unit bucket.

**Performance:** ENERGY STAR lists it at 20.16 DOE pints a day, 1.70 L/kWh and 249 kWh a year. That's a hair under a 22-pint unit, which rarely matters in a bedroom or office. App control lets you set a target and see how long it takes the room to get there. It also anchors our [best small dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-small-dehumidifier/) picks.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 20.16 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR, 1.70 L/kWh |
| Drainage | Base reservoir or gravity hose |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi app, Alexa, Google |
| Best for | Bedroom, office |

## 4. TCL 20-Pint Dehumidifier (TDW20E20) — Best for quiet bedrooms

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FKMLZBR?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Rated as low as 49 dB on its lowest fan speed
- Digital humidistat and 24-hour timer
- Shuts off automatically when the bucket is full
- Casters for moving between rooms

**Cons**

- 7.4-pint bucket needs frequent emptying
- One-year warranty

**Why we picked it:** In a bedroom, noise matters as much as capacity. The TDW20E20 pairs a real set-a-number humidistat with a quiet low fan setting, so it can hold the room near 50% overnight without becoming the loudest thing in the house.

**Performance:** TCL rates it for roughly 1,500 square feet, which in practice means a damp bedroom or small living space. The 7.4-pint bucket fails safe by shutting the unit off when full, but in a muggy room you'll empty it daily. Owner reviews generally describe it as quiet and dependable. More options are in our [best TCL dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-tcl-dehumidifier/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 20 pints/day |
| Humidistat | Digital, set % target |
| Drainage | 7.4-pint bucket |
| Noise | Rated from 49 dB |
| Best for | Bedrooms |

## 5. Honeywell TP30AWKN 30-Pint Dehumidifier — Best if you're between sizes

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085NYKWTQ?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- More headroom for damp or larger rooms
- Digital controls with a humidity setting
- Bucket or hose drainage

**Cons**

- Bigger and heavier than a 22-pint
- More than a dry-ish bedroom needs

**Why we picked it:** If you're torn between a 22-pint and something bigger — a large bedroom, a damp den, a small finished basement room — the TP30 is the sensible step up without jumping to a full 50-pint machine.

**Performance:** At 30 pints a day, it handles rooms where a 22-pint unit would run almost nonstop. It uses a conventional compressor design with digital controls, and you can drain it to a hose for continuous running. Compare it with other models in this class in our [best 30-pint dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-30-pint-dehumidifier/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 30 pints/day |
| Type | Compressor |
| Drainage | Bucket or hose |
| Controls | Digital |
| Best for | Large or damp single rooms |

## What "22 pints" really means

- **65°F** — Test temperature under the 2019 DOE procedure, down from 80°F
- **30–35** — Old-label pints a modern 22-pint unit roughly matches
- **2.75 gal** — Water a 22-pint unit removes per day at rated conditions

Cooler test air holds less moisture, so the same machine earns a smaller number under the new rules. When you see a listing claiming 30 or 35 pints for a compact unit, check whether it's quoting the old standard. Our explainer on [how a dehumidifier works](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/how-does-a-dehumidifier-work/) covers why temperature changes the math.

## How we pick 22-pint dehumidifiers

We don't lab-test. We compare capacity under the 2019 DOE procedure, ENERGY STAR efficiency data, manufacturer manuals for humidistat range, drainage and auto-restart, and published noise ratings where available. Then we read owner reviews for recurring problems — leaky buckets, sensors that drift, compressors that fail after one season — and check the CPSC recall database.

For this size class we weighted efficiency and noise more heavily than raw capacity, because small units usually live in bedrooms and offices and run all summer.

## What to look for in a 22- or 25-pint dehumidifier

- **A DOE 2019 rating:** Make sure the pint figure is from the current test, or you can't compare models fairly.
- **ENERGY STAR certification:** A small unit can run hundreds of hours a season, so efficiency adds up. See our [energy-efficient dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-energy-efficient-dehumidifier/) picks.
- **A set-percentage humidistat:** Dial in 45–50% and let the unit cycle off, rather than running on continuous.
- **Drainage you'll actually use:** Small buckets fill fast. A gravity-hose port lets you skip the daily trip to the sink when the room is near a drain.
- **A quiet low setting:** If it's going in a bedroom, look for a published decibel rating or a sleep mode. Our [quiet dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-quiet-dehumidifier/) guide goes further.

## Is a 22-pint dehumidifier big enough?

For a single room, usually yes. The bigger question is how damp the space is, not just its square footage.

| Space | Moderately damp | Very damp or wet |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bedroom or office (under 300 sq ft) | 20–22 pints | 22–25 pints |
| Large bedroom or den (300–500 sq ft) | 22–25 pints | 30–35 pints |
| Small apartment or open living area | 25–35 pints | 35–50 pints |
| Basement | 35 pints and up | 50 pints and up |

*Rough guidance for DOE 2019 ratings; musty smells, condensation or standing water mean size up.*

If your space lands in the right-hand column, look at our [best 35-pint dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-35-pint-dehumidifier/) picks instead. For a basement, a [50-pint dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier/) is almost always the better buy.

## Other 22- and 25-pint models you'll see

Search for this size and you'll run into plenty of familiar names. Frigidaire's FFAD2233W1 22-pint and its 25-pint models, GE's 20-, 22- and 25-pint portables, Whirlpool's 25-pint, Danby's 22-pint and the Comfort-Aire BHD-22A all target the same rooms as our picks. Several are older listings, so before you buy, confirm the unit is rated under the 2019 DOE test, check it isn't part of a past recall, and read recent owner reviews rather than ones from years ago.

> **Check for recalls:** Millions of older small dehumidifiers from several brands have been recalled for fire risk over the years. Search the model number at CPSC.gov before buying used or older stock.

## The bottom line

For most bedrooms, offices and laundry rooms, the **Midea MAD22C1AWS** is the 22-pint dehumidifier to buy: efficient, portable and right-sized. Choose the **Hisense 25-Pint** if your room runs damper, the **Midea Cube 20** if you want app control and a bigger reservoir, the **TCL TDW20E20** for a quiet bedroom, and the **Honeywell TP30AWKN** if you're genuinely between sizes.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best 22-pint dehumidifier?

The Midea MAD22C1AWS is our pick for most rooms: ENERGY STAR certified, rated at 22 pints a day under the 2019 DOE test, and easy to move. The Midea Cube 20 is the smart alternative with app control.

### What's the difference between a 22-pint and a 25-pint dehumidifier?

About three pints a day of extra capacity. A 25-pint unit gives more headroom in a damp or slightly larger room, while a 22-pint is plenty for a typical bedroom or office. Both are single-room sizes.

### Is a 22-pint dehumidifier enough for a basement?

Usually not. Most basements are larger and damper than a 22-pint unit can handle efficiently. Start at 35 pints for a small, moderately damp basement and 50 pints for a large or wet one.

### Is the Frigidaire 22-pint dehumidifier any good?

Frigidaire's 22-pint FFAD2233W1 is a popular single-room model in the same class as our picks. If you're buying one, confirm it's new stock rated under the 2019 DOE test and read recent owner reviews; otherwise the Midea MAD22C1AWS is an easy alternative.

### How much water does a 22-pint dehumidifier remove?

Up to about 22 pints, or 2.75 gallons, a day at the DOE test conditions of 65°F and 60% humidity. In warmer, damper rooms it can remove more; in cool, drier rooms, less.

### Was a 22-pint dehumidifier called something else before?

Yes. Before the 2019 DOE test change, a unit like this would typically have been sold as a 30- or 35-pint dehumidifier. The machine didn't shrink; the test conditions got cooler.

## Related guides

- [The Best Small Dehumidifiers for Small Rooms, Closets and Bathrooms](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-small-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best 30-Pint Dehumidifiers for Bedrooms, Offices and Small Spaces](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-30-pint-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best 35-Pint Dehumidifiers for Large Rooms and Damp Spaces](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-35-pint-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best Quiet Dehumidifiers for Bedrooms](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-bedroom/)
- [What Size Dehumidifier Do You Need?](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/)
- [The Best Midea Dehumidifiers: Every Cube Model Ranked](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-midea-dehumidifier/)

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*Enthusiast Review researches products against DOE ratings, ENERGY STAR data, manuals, CPSC recalls and owner reviews; it does not run a test lab. Amazon links are affiliate links (tag sktiger-20).*