Which is bigger, air conditioner or dehumidifier?

Air conditioner is 1.8× dehumidifier on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

How do air conditioners and dehumidifiers compare on typical lifespan?

Air conditioner: 8–20 yr. Dehumidifier: 5–12 yr. Air conditioner is 1.5× dehumidifier on typical lifespan.

How do air conditioners and dehumidifiers compare on typical cost?

Air conditioner: 180–1,200 $. Dehumidifier: 130–600 $. Air conditioner is 1.8× dehumidifier on typical cost.

Air conditioner vs Dehumidifier

Air conditioner vs dehumidifier

Air conditioner is larger on weight

Air conditioner is 1.8× dehumidifier on weight.

An air conditioner and a dehumidifier can be compared on 5 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
	Air conditioner	Dehumidifier
Weight	15–60 kg	8–26 kg
Typical lifespan	8–20 yr	5–12 yr
Typical cost	180–1,200 $	130–600 $
Loudness	50–70 dB	42–58 dB
Power draw	400–1,800 W	200–800 W

What the numbers say

Air conditioner is 1.8× dehumidifier on weight.
Air conditioner is 1.5× dehumidifier on typical lifespan.
Air conditioner is 1.8× dehumidifier on typical cost.
Air conditioner is somewhat greater than dehumidifier on loudness — about 1.2×.
Air conditioner is 2× dehumidifier on power draw.

Weight compared.

Air conditioner 15–60 kg

Dehumidifier 8–26 kg

Air conditioner

A refrigeration circuit that moves heat out of a room, in a window box, a split system or ducted central plant.

Dehumidifier

A refrigerated coil that condenses water out of room air into a tank or a drain hose.

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, air conditioner or dehumidifier?: Air conditioner is 1.8× dehumidifier on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do air conditioners and dehumidifiers compare on typical lifespan?: Air conditioner: 8–20 yr. Dehumidifier: 5–12 yr. Air conditioner is 1.5× dehumidifier on typical lifespan.
How do air conditioners and dehumidifiers compare on typical cost?: Air conditioner: 180–1,200 $. Dehumidifier: 130–600 $. Air conditioner is 1.8× dehumidifier on typical cost.

Sources

Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place
What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Public domain (US Government))
ENERGY STAR Product Specifications — US Environmental Protection Agency (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked