If you’ve used an RV, you would know that the vehicle, being exposed to the outdoor environment for long stretches, is extremely prone to high levels of humidity.
If you don’t invest in a dehumidifier, humidity can cause considerable damage to your vehicle, the extent of which would be spread over the entire structure.
This article will serve as the ultimate guide for buying a dehumidifier to protect your RV.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Dehumidifiers for RV
- OUR TOP PICK: Shinco SDO-40P
- RUNNER-UP: Shinco SDL-30P
- Inofia HD161A
Comparison of the Best RV Dehumidifiers
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Why Would You Want a New Dehumidifier for Your RV?
We’ve already said that RVs are prone to humidification a lot more than any other vehicle. But how exactly? An RV is basically a second home while you’re on the road. It’s a recreational vehicle where you’ll find yourself performing all of your day-to-day activities from cooking to bathing.
All such activities being performed in a closed vehicle would lead to eventual accumulation of water vapors within the RV. This happens a lot faster than you can imagine, given the smaller size of the vehicle.
All these accumulated vapors not only make breathing uncomfortable but also affect the soft furniture in your RV. Not to mention the problems that may arise with mold around the vehicle!
To avoid these problems, it is best to invest in a good dehumidifier. The device will save you from a number of issues and expenses that you may face later on without a dehumidifier.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
There are a number of dehumidifiers in the market, and a lot of good ones too. But not every good dehumidifier is going to work for you. There are some aspects that you need to carefully look at before you buy a dehumidifier for your RV.
Space in the RV
The foremost aspect to consider is the space in the RV that needs to be humidified. Once you’ve considered the space in the RV, you’ll have a general idea of what sort of dehumidifier you need to purchase because certain devices are designed to dehumidify smaller spaces while others work just as efficiently in larger areas.
Portability of the Device
It is also important to make sure that the model that you pick for your RV is portable. Since you’re always on the go in the RV, you might need to move around the device with not much energy to spare on such tasks. It is therefore crucial that your picked model is portable and convenient to handle.
Easy to Install & Control
The device that you pick also needs to be easy to install and control. If this aspect is overlooked, you might have a hard time setting it up, and all your dreams of using the device right out of the box will be long gone. You do not want to be stuck reading manuals when you need to be reading maps.
Review of the Best RV Dehumidifiers
Now that you’ve an idea of what you need to look at while buying a dehumidifier for your RV, it is time you start considering your options. To get you started right away, without wondering where to look, we’ve reviewed the best dehumidifiers that you could use in your RV.
Best Overall
Shinco SDO-40P
Product Ratings
Affordability:
Cost Efficiency:
Warranty:
Space Efficiency:
Portability:
How We Determined These Scores
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Quick Product Specs:
Pints (DOE): 40
Warranty Length: 1 year
Size & Weight: 11.5”x7.48”x19.73”; 27 lbs.
Tank Capacity: 2 Liters
Decibel Level: 48 dB
Review
Earning the top spot on the best dehumidifiers for RVs, the Shinco SDO-40P provides some of the best water absorptions in the space, offering a 5-star cost-efficiency rating to go along with a 4.5-star affordability rating. It’s also perfectly sized to fit into the nooks and crannies of your RV, while a set of four casters provides rotating action and the ability to park the unit right where you need it.
Bottom Line
Despite its casters and two handles, the weight of the Shinco SDO-40P gives it a 2.5-star portability rating, but it’s a mere scratch on an otherwise superior product. Add in its 4-star space efficiency rating to go along with its affordability and overall performance, and this Shinco dehumidifier checks all the boxes.
Pros
Covers 2,000 sq. ft.
Quick dryer for clothes
24-hour programmable timer
Casters for 360-degree rotation
Two drainage options depending on how you’re using it in your RV
Cons
Self-draining mechanism can get clogged
Some buyers say its too loud when sleeping
Runner-up
Shinco SDL-30P
Product Ratings
Affordability:
Cost Efficiency:
Warranty:
Space Efficiency:
Portability:
How We Determined These Scores
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Quick Product Specs:
Pints (DOE): 30
Warranty Length: 1 year
Size & Weight: 10.08”x8”x16.34”; 21 lbs.
Tank Capacity: 1.25 Liters
Decibel Level: 39 dB
Review
If you want a less humid RV but don’t want the noise of a dehumidifier, you can have the best of both worlds with the Shinco SDL.
The smaller sibling of the Shinco SDO-40P, the SDL offers similar performance, albeit with a half-star rating below the SDO in terms of space and cost efficiencies. However, it’s slightly lighter and smaller than the SDO, providing more versatility in terms of storage and placement, earning a 3.5-star rating in the portability category.
Bottom Line
If you want a high-quality efficient unit without the bulk or the need for a higher water absorption rate, the Shinco SDL should get the job done without a fuss. The main idea is whether you want 30 or 40 pints of water absorption, so in drier climates, this dehumidifier work and saves you a few bucks at the same time.
Pros
Covers 1,500 sq. ft.
Power outage auto restart
Two adjustable fan speeds
Super-quiet operation, ideal for RV bedrooms
A durable lift-up handle to conserve space and move with ease
Cons
Power cord and drainage hose are absurdly short
Problems with tube/automatic drainage getting clogged
Inofia HD161A
Product Ratings
Affordability:
Cost Efficiency:
Warranty:
Space Efficiency:
Portability:
How We Determined These Scores
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Quick Product Specs:
Pints (DOE): 30
Warranty Length: 1 year
Size & Weight: 12.2”x8.2”x17.3”; 25 lbs.
Tank Capacity: 1.89 Liters
Decibel Level: 46 dB
Review
As the only non-Shinco product on this list, the Inofia HD161A has some mighty big shoes to fill, but it does so with aplomb. Though it comes with a higher price tag (but still with an above-average 4-star affordability rating), the Inofia earns its ranking with a slew of top-notch features. Thanks to auto-defrost, quiet operation, and even an audible alert to remove the tank, it adds a touch of flair to the more stripped-down Shinco lineup.
Bottom Line
Earning just a 2.0-star rating for space efficiency due to its relatively small dehumidification area, the Inofia HD161A isn’t quite the value of the Shinco brands listed above. Nevertheless, if you want to make sure to always empty the water tank, the audible ding and the extra features should put this unit on your shortlist.
Pros
Covers 1,056 sq. ft.
Auto-stop and auto-restart features
Audible alerts to empty the water tank
Auto-defrost to avoid damage to the unit
One of the quietest RV dehumidifiers available
Cons
Some buyers claim that it doesn’t work up to 1,056 sq. ft., but may not be a problem in an RV
Shinco SDZ1-50P
Product Ratings
Affordability:
Cost Efficiency:
Warranty:
Space Efficiency:
Portability:
How We Determined These Scores
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Quick Product Specs:
Pints (DOE): 50
Warranty Length: 1 year
Size & Weight: 13.5”x9.4”x20.1”; 33 lbs.
Tank Capacity: 4 Liters
Decibel Level: 48 dB
Review
Surprise! Another Shinco makes its appearance on the list, but this time it’s the larger SDZ1-50P. With a 50-pint capacity, this unit is larger than some other available options, giving it a strong 4.5-star rating for cost efficiency.
It’s also Energy Star certified, giving it the power of some other units but without draining your battery or power source. And if you’re an avid hiker or cyclist when you’re rolling out in your RV, the quick-drying feature is ideal for getting rain-soaked clothes wearable again.
Bottom Line
While the larger capacity can remove more water from the air, that’s the top-of-the-line feature for the Shinco SDZ1-50P. It suffers from some issues in terms of portability, earning 0.5 stars courtesy of its 33-pound construction, as well as a low affordability rank of 2.5 stars because of its larger pint capacity. Still, if you’re looking for pure power and the most water absorption, the SDZ1-50P might just fit the bill.
Pros
Energy Star Certified
2- or 4-hour sleep timer
Covers up to 3,000 sq. ft.
Auto restart after a power outage
Quick-drying feature that’s perfect for clothes
Cons
Humidistat can be off by about 10%
Some users report that it’s louder than advertised
Shinco SDZ1-30P
Product Ratings
Affordability:
Cost Efficiency:
Warranty:
Space Efficiency:
Portability:
How We Determined These Scores
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you
Quick Product Specs:
Pints (DOE): 30
Warranty Length: 1 year
Size & Weight: 13.5”x9.4”x20.1”; 28 lbs.
Tank Capacity: 4 Liters
Decibel Level: 48 dB
Review
Similar to the SDL, the SDZ1-30P offers 30 pints of water-absorbing power, keeping the interior of your RV as dry as possible. A 3-star affordability rating means that the unit isn’t quite the bargain buy as some of its siblings, but it’s still not a bad purchase when the SDL isn’t available.
Bottom Line
Despite its 30-pint absorption, it’s not as powerful as other units, earning it a mere 1-star rating for space efficiency. It’s also 28 pounds, which is quite some weight for a 30-pint unit, which led to its 2-star portability rating. But these issues aside, the SDZ1-30P remains a top choice for RV owners with an affordable price tag and some other nice features.
Pros
Sleep timer
Covers 1,500 sq. ft.
Energy Star certified
Adjustable fan speeds
Easy-to-read LED control panel screen
Cons
Contains only a 2-foot hose
Some problems with the auto-defrost feature, according to some buyers
Types of RV Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are mainly of three kinds, but only two of them are suitable for use in RVs. This is because compressor-based dehumidifiers are too big and too noisy to be appropriate for use in an enclosed space like a vehicle. The other two types of dehumidifiers are absolutely perfect for use in an RV.
Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier
As the name suggests, this device uses a thermo-electric system that sucks the excessive moisture out from the air in the room. What really makes this ideal for use in an RV is their smaller size which doesn’t occupy much space and also proves to be easy to move around.
The small size has no effect on the efficiency, however, and they are perfectly capable of eliminating just as much moisture from the air as any other device.
Desiccant Dehumidifier
A desiccant dehumidifier is similar to the thermo-electric in terms of its size and efficiency. It is compact and highly functional, putting it on par with all other dehumidifiers.
What’s different between these dehumidifiers and the thermo-electric ones is their mode of functioning. These units use a moisture-absorbing substance that absorbs the excessive water vapors from the air and decreases the level of humidity.
Conclusion
An RV is a second home that is constantly on the move, and given all the activities that go on inside this closed space makes it extremely prone to excessive humidity. If not dealt with properly with a good dehumidifier, this may affect not only your breathing but also the structure of your vehicle. So save yourself from a number of future expenses and invest in a good RV dehumidifier that’ll help you in the longer run.
