One of the most insidious enemies of an RV is moisture, especially in cooler weather. And if you live or spend any time at all in an RV, it can be extremely difficult to avoid, unless you spend all of your time RVing in the Desert Southwest! Barring that, you’ll probably want to be looking for the best RV dehumidifiers available.
Every time you breathe, you release moisture into the air. Cooking and showering can generate a lot of moisture. And ambient humidity – either from precipitation or from the general climate in which you’re traveling (i.e., the southeast in the summer) – can bring loads of moisture into your RV. These are the reasons this post focuses on the best RV dehumidifiers on the market… to pull moisture out of your RV.
What is a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is an appliance that removes excess moisture from the air. This can be an electrical appliance or any type of device that pulls moisture from the atmosphere in your RV. Essentially, anything that dehumidifies (removes moisture from) the air does so by condensing the moisture into water, which is then contained in some sort of reservoir.
Why Would You Need a Dehumidifier In an RV?
Any buildup of moisture leads to mildew and mold development, and (along with rust, of course) there’s not much that will destroy an RV faster than that.
Also, an RV is a small living space. So every shower you take, every meal you cook, and every time you breathe, speak, sneeze, and sing, more and more moisture is put into the atmosphere inside the rig. The more that moisture accumulates, the greater the likelihood of mold and mildew developing. Especially when RVing in winter climates, since (1) your tendency will be to close everything up to retain heat and (2) thin RV walls allow cold air to come in close contact with the warm, moist interior air, resulting in condensation… even INSIDE the walls.
Whenever we cook, shower, or even breathe, we’re releasing moisture into the air, and that moisture builds up over time and can cause issues related to mold and mildew.
And finally, if you camp or live in a humid climate, you’ll want to dry out your RV by using a dehumidifier to avoid that dank, musty smell.
What Size is the Best RV Dehumidifier?
That depends, of course, on the size of the RV, but generally speaking you wouldn’t need a large humidifier for an RV because RVs have less square footage (and, therefore, a smaller volume of interior air space) to cover than most houses do, for example.
When looking to buy the best RV dehumidifier for your rig, you’d need to consider the size of your RV – and then look for a dehumidifier that’s rated to cover that amount of square footage. This could be anything from a small moisture absorber in a container (like DampRid), to a larger electrical appliance.
Most RVs don’t have a whole lot of square footage to cover, so there are several smaller dehumidifiers on the market that should work well for RVs of nearly any size.
What Is the Ideal Humidity Level In an RV?
Ideal humidity is between 30% and 50% and the best RV dehumidifiers will help keep levels down.
We’ve already discussed what humidity levels that are too high can do. Humidity levels that are too low can cause issues such as nosebleeds, shocks from static electricity, dry skin, and even sinus and respiratory issues.
Low humidity is usually less likely a problem in an RV, unless you primarily camp in desert climates.
How Do You Measure the Humidity In an RV?
To measure the humidity in an RV, you’d use a hygrometer (humidity monitor). Many indoor thermometers have hygrometers built-in.
This is an example of a digital hygrometer combined with a thermometer (temperature monitor).
- Wellness Indicator: This humidity meter with humidity level icon indicates air conditions - DRY/COMFORT/WET, allowing this humidity sensor to ensure...
- High accuracy and quickly refresh: Inside thermometer has high accuracy of ±2~3%RH and ±1°F, making it ideal for measuring fluctuating readings...
5 of the Best RV Dehumidifiers
Following are five of the best RV dehumidifiers available, for a variety of sizes of RVs.
DampRid FG50T Moisture Absorber
DampRid is a popular moisture absorber for RVs because it uses no electricity and does a fairly good job of absorbing moisture in very small environments, (depending on the ambient humidity in your location).
DampRid comes in a plastic bucket and is very easy to use. You simply remove the lid and set it out. The bucket contains absorbing crystals that dissolve as they absorb excess moisture.
The large buckets are noted by the manufacturer to be effective in spaces up to 1,000 sq. ft.
The 4 lb capacity buckets seen here are said to last up to six months, depending on the temperature and humidity in your location.
- DampRid Hi-Capacity Moisture Absorber Bucket attracts and traps excess moisture, eliminating musty odors from damp areas.
DampRid offers an easy, inexpensive way to dehumidify a small space without requiring electricity. Perfect for boondockers!
With nearly 10,000 Amazon reviewers giving DampRid an average of 91% 4- and 5-star reviews, this product may well be worth a shot for most RVers.
Eva-Dry E-500 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier
Another very inexpensive product is this mini dehumidifier from Eva-Dry. It weighs less than two pounds and is about five inches in length and width and 2 ½ inches tall.
The manufacturer gives Eva-Dry an average of a 10-year lifespan and states that this little humidifier is completely silent when in operation.
The Eva-Dry mini humidifier is cordless and doesn’t use batteries. You simply charge the device using a strip plugged into a wall outlet (those are the specific instructions!), and it should last up to four weeks before it needs to be recharged.
Note that the manufacturer states that this little unit is “ideal for closets, under sinks, cabinets, pantries, cars, boat cabins, bathrooms, and safes”, protecting up to 500 cubic feet (that’s very different from square feet! 500 cubic feet is the amount of air enclosed by a 10’ x 10’ square that’s 5’ high), and will absorb up to 6 to 8 ounces of moisture from the air.
What all of this means is that if you choose this little dehumidifier, you may need more than one to absorb the moisture in your RV. Reviewers note using them with success in RV bedrooms, bathrooms, in cars, and even in a refrigerator.
The unit has more than 6,500 reviews on Amazon, but we suggest selecting the most recent reviews to read because the unit has been upgraded and older reviews may refer to a different unit.
- RECHARGEABLE GUN SAFE MOISTURE ABSORBERS: This renewable dehumidifier is perfect for gun safes, closets, boat cabins, RVs, and more. It effectively...
- LESS WASTE | LASTS FOR YEARS: The E-500 is a renewable dehumidifier that lasts up to 10 years, providing long-lasting moisture control without the...
Afloia Q10 Dehumidifier and Air Purifier
This unit from Afloia is a dehumidifier and a True HEPA air purifier in one, and the two functions can be used together or separately.
It’s marketed as “ultra-quiet” and as covering up to 160 sq. ft. (air purifier) and 215 sq. ft. (dehumidifier) of space. (After watching a Vine Voice review on Amazon we’d say it’s not ULTRA quiet but also not obnoxiously loud, and certainly quieter than a typical dehumidifier.)
The Afloia Q10 uses 45W of 120V AC power and is chemical-free. It stands around 12 1/2 inches tall and is 8 ½ inches wide at its widest point, and weighs just under six pounds. It comes in either black or white.
An LED indicator light notifies the user that it’s time to empty the tank or replace the air filter. When the water tank is full, the unit automatically turns off.
81% of Amazon reviewers give this product 4 or 5 stars.
- Air Purifier Dehumidifier 2 in 1: Afloia Q10 combines the functions of a dehumidifier and air purifier. These 2 functionalities can be used separately...
- Efficient Filter: The filtration system effectively traps large pollutants, such as dust, pet dander, and smoke. Almost no pollutants can escape from...
Yaufey 1,750 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier
The largest dehumidifier on our list, the Yaufey covers 1,500 – 1,750 sq. ft. of living space. This is actually a home dehumidifier but can be used in a larger RV as well.
This unit has a drain hose for automatic draining and a tank for manual draining. The tank can remove up to 32.7 pints of moisture per day.
The Yaufey dehumidifier stands nearly 19 inches tall and is just over 12 inches wide at its widest point. It weighs almost 24 pounds and sits on wheels.
91% of around 5,300 Amazon reviewers give this unit 4 or 5 stars, though reviewers frequently mention the need to empty the water tank frequently if not using the 2-meter drain hose.
The Yaufey offers automatic humidity control, automatic restart after power outages, auto on and off, an auto-defrost feature, and the ability to set a 24-hour timer.
The specs state that the unit is rated at 200W. According to reviewers, the unit uses 200W of power when running on high, and 100W running on low.
- PROFESSIONAL AND EFFICIENT DEHUMIDIFICATION- With removal capacity of up to 32.7 Pints (under 95°F,90%RH condition) of moisture per day. (Please...
- CONVENIENT AND SIMPLE TO USE. Home appliances never need to be complicated. It features a light-touch intelligent control panel, which let you see the...
Do You Need a Humidifier In an RV?
Depending on where you camp and where you live, you may not need a dehumidifier. But if you’re having issues with moisture in your rig, it’s a good idea to get something to take care of that issue.
With that said, if you don’t need or don’t choose to use a dehumidifier, remember to always run a roof vent fan, in all types of weather. (You can inexpensively purchase and install a roof vent fan cover that will allow you to run your fan in any weather, rain included, without getting water inside your RV.)
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Kate Hyland
Wednesday 7th of January 2026
I have a small camper. Escape 17B. The interior is apx 14 feet long.
It is in enclosed storage in Arkansas for the winter. It can get surprisingly humid here in the winter! The humidity level in the camper was high - really high.
What do you think of the Air-Dryr 1000?
I just purchased one and set it up.
Since the storage unit is about 10 miles away the humidifier I use when camping - an Ivaton 14.7 Pint Compressor Dehumidifier - would need the tank emptied unless I set it up to use the drainage hose. I don't know if I want to drain it into the grey tank as the water may freeze.
Anyway - I digress.....
Back to my question! What do y'all think of the Air-Dryr 1000?
Love you guys and your advice.
Happy Trails. Kate
TheRVgeeks
Friday 9th of January 2026
Hi Kate! Good question... but we don't really have experience with that kind of device. We know they're quite popular for use on boats to help keep condensation from forming... and since the Escape trailers are made of fiberglass much the same way a boat hull is made, you'll likely be just fine! We're just not sure how well it would fare in a more traditional RV... with multilayer walls where the condensation can form and grow mold (INSIDE the walls!).
We certainly understand the concern of running the traditional dehumidifier and having it drain into the gray tank, which COULD cause trouble with the water freezing in pipes, etc.