Best Boat Dehumidifier in 2022 for Keeping Moisture and Mold at Bay

If there is one environment where you face a persistent battle against moisture and mold, it is on a boat. Actually, salt prevents rot, so it isn’t saltwater you need to worry about. But your vessel is subjected to plenty of freshwater in the form of condensation, precipitation, and your own efforts to rinse off your deck. That is why you need to find the best boat dehumidifier.

You might also be interested in: A Guide to Restoring a Fiberglass Boat

To help you find the right boat dehumidifier, we have put together this buying guide. Below, you can check out overviews for some products to think about. After that, you can read about the different types of boat dehumidifiers and some key features and considerations when you are comparing products.

Best Boat Dehumidifiers in 2022

Best low-maintenance option

1. Caframo Limited 9406CAABX Stor-Dry 9406 Dehumidifier

Low-maintenance solution for dehumidifying.

1. Caframo Limited 9406CAABX Stor-Dry 9406 Dehumidifier

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What we like

• Great quality materials.
• Low energy usage.
• Don’t have to worry about water draining.

What we don’t like

• Sometimes this product does not stand the test of time.

If you want a low-power, low-maintenance solution for dehumidifying up to 1,000 cubic feet, consider the Caframo Limited 9406CAABX Stor-Dry 9406 Dehumidifier.

This product uses heat and a blower to dry your air. It runs quietly, and with its low power output, you can have it on all the time without draining your wallet.

Pros

• The materials the dehumidifier is made out of do not corrode, which is essential for the appliance’s longevity and function.
• Running at 120V and 70 watts, this product is an excellent option for those looking to conserve energy.
• You do not have to worry about draining any water.

Cons

• Sometimes this product does not stand the test of time. It may occasionally quit within a year. Thankfully, there is a 2-year warranty to fall back on.

Best choice for going off the grid

2. Better Boat 4 Pack Boat Dehumidifier Moisture Absorber Hanging Bags

Excellent alternative that uses no electricity at all.

2. Better Boat 4 Pack Boat Dehumidifier Moisture Absorber Hanging Bags

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What we like

• Perfect for use in small spaces
• The odor-removing activated charcoal.
• Easy to replace.

What we don’t like

• Bags might leak.

Looking for a way to remove moisture from your boat without consuming any electricity at all? You might buy a 4-pack of Better Boat Dehumidifier Moisture Absorber Hanging Bags.

These bags contain desiccant beads that absorb moisture from the air. Over time, they fill with water and need to be discarded. So, consider them for short-term use, or for cramped or enclosed spaces you cannot dehumidify through other means (i.e. cabinets).

Pros

• These bags offer a simple, fast, straightforward solution. And since they are compact and you can hang them, you can squeeze them even into small spaces like cabinets in your cabin.
• Not only will your air be less damp with these bags hanging, but it should also smell better thanks to the odor-removing activated charcoal.
• You do not have to empty anything out. Just replace the bags when they are all used up.

Cons

• Once in a while, one of these bags may spring a leak. So, you should keep an eye on them. This is a rare occurrence, thankfully.

Most Effective; Overall a Good Boat Dehumidifier Option

3. Meaco Zambezi 8-Liter Desiccant Dehumidifier

An excellent ease-of-use option.

3. Meaco Zambezi 8-Liter Desiccant Dehumidifier

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What we like

• Lightweight and portable.
• Quiet operation.
• You support an NGO by making the purchase.

What we don’t like

• Some devices occasionally display an unknown error.

Another product worth considering for your boat is the Meaco Zambezi 8-Liter Desiccant Dehumidifier. With its digital display, this dehumidifier offers excellent ease-of-use. Not only does it pull humidity out of your air, but it also sterilizes it with an ionizer. A hose comes with your purchase so that you can set up the unit to drain continuously. You can expect this product to remove up to 17 pints of water daily from your air.

Pros

• This product is ridiculously lightweight and portable, making it easy to move in and out of your boat.
• You can use the Daily Run timer to program it to run and switch off as desired.
• This unit’s quiet operation makes it easy on the ears.
• The seller donates to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Elephant Orphanage in Zambia when you purchase one of these dehumidifiers.

Cons

• On occasion, one of these units will not last long before displaying a C1 error or malfunctioning in another way. Contact customer service right away if this happens.

Best coverage range

4. Ivation 14.7 Pint Compressor Dehumidifier

You can choose from a number of settings to create the ideal air quality.

4. Ivation 14.7 Pint Compressor Dehumidifier

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What we like

• Great mobility.
• A bright, simple to read display.
• Hose drainage system.

What we don’t like

• Has occasional issues with level reading accuracy.

We wanted to include at least one compressor dehumidifier in this list and ended up going with the Ivation 14.7 Pint Compressor Dehumidifier. It is suitable for removing moisture from up to 320 square feet, and can extract 14.7 pints from the air daily.

Pros

• You will have no difficulty moving this lightweight unit around.
• The LED display and simple controls make it easy to monitor your humidity levels and make adjustments.
• Maintenance is easy thanks to a hose for draining and a reservoir that you can easily pullout to empty. There is a filter you sometimes need to wash, but you can remove it for easy access.

Cons

• Sometimes the readings on humidity levels appear to be a bit inconsistent. So, there might be some problems with accuracy.

Preferred reusable choice

5. Eva-Dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier

This dehumidifier can be conveniently placed anywhere.

5. Eva-Dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier

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What we like

• Reusable.
• Practically maintenance-free.

What we don’t like

• High temperatures may cause it to melt.

Like the desiccant bags, we shared earlier, but prefer something you can reuse? The -Dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier 2-Pack fulfills the same dehumidifying function in cramped spaces on your boat. But unlike the bags, you can use them repeatedly. There is also no accumulation of water or potential for leaking.

Pros

• You can use these over and over again for up to a decade and they will continue to do a great job.
• There are no moving parts and these dehumidifiers do not require any power to operate (but you do need to plug them in to dry them out again).
• Since you do not have to empty any water out, they are close to maintenance-free. Plugging them in is fast and easy.

Cons

• Watch out for high heat when you plug these in to renew the desiccant beads. Seriously—some melting can sometimes even occur on the surface.

What to Look for When Choosing a Boat Dehumidifier

Not sure what features and considerations are important when you are shopping for a boat dehumidifier? Read on to learn more about choosing the best dehumidifier for boats.

1. The right type of dehumidifier for your needs

First of all, there are a few different types of dehumidifiers for boats. You need to shop for the type that is right for your needs.

• Compressor: Compressor dehumidifiers use condensation to pull moisture out of the air. The condensation either goes into a reservoir that you need to periodically dump out or drains through a hose.
• Thermo-electric: This type of dehumidifier makes use of what is called the “Peltier Effect” to remove humidity from the air. It can be a good option for running quietly with minimal maintenance.
• Desiccant: These products feature desiccant chemicals that suck moisture from the air. They can either do so passively or with the aid of a fan. They can be disposable or reusable. You have to dry out the desiccant chemicals, however, before they can absorb more moisture.

2. Stability

Many people get dehumidifiers for boats specifically for winterizing purposes. Over those winter months, the boat is not in use, and may even be on dry land. But some people use dehumidifiers in their boats while they are out on the water, subject to wind and currents.

Should that be the case for your intended use, be sure to pick a boat cabin dehumidifier that you can secure in place when the boat rocks.

3. Options for draining or release

Some types of dehumidifiers do not require any sort of draining. For those that do, you can either go with a unit that includes a reservoir that you manually need to empty, or a boat dehumidifier with drain hose. Continuous draining is usually easier if you can manage it since you do not need to empty the reservoir yourself. But if you have nowhere for a hose to drain, you will need to go with a reservoir.

4. Power draw

Marine dehumidifiers may draw very little power or a great deal. There are also some desiccant products that require zero energy.

5. Capacity

How much moisture can the dehumidifier you are thinking of getting remove from the air each day, and in how large a space can it function effectively? Make sure you are getting something that is suitable for the cubic feet you need to dehumidify. In some cases, you may need to combine multiple solutions, especially if you have any enclosed spaces to dehumidify as well.

6. Operating temperature

Pay close attention to the operating temperature range for the dehumidifier for the boat you are contemplating getting. Boat cabins can get very hot or very cold, and you need a product that can handle all conditions.

If you want to prepare your boat for the winter, take a look at: A Guide to Winterizing Your Pontoon Boat

Remove Moisture and Protect Your Boat Against Mold With a Quality Boat Dehumidifier Now

With a quality marine dehumidifier, you can prevent dry rot, keep your windows clear of condensation, and enhance the overall quality of your air. Click on any of the links in this post to get the best boat dehumidifier now.