Condensing from atmospheric water vapor on surfaces is a sustainable approach to addressing the potable water crisis. However, a comprehensive study of the drainage rate and mechanism is required to enhance the energy efficiency of the atmospheric water generator. During condensation from humid air, non-condensable gases offer thermal resistance to vapor diffusion from bulk air to the liquid–air interface. Here, we show the effect of the wettability of the condensing surface and condensing air conditions by altering the relative humidity on the water collection rate. A Peltier device maintains the condensing surface below the dew point temperature. The water collection rate is measured from the collected pure water at the end of each experiment. Commercially available superhydrophobic Glaco coating is used to alter the wettability of polished aluminum surface. The water drainage periodicity on the hydrophilic surface decreased with increased humidity. The low contact angle hysteresis feature of the Glaco-coated aluminum surface resulted in the least drainage periodicity with a higher water collection rate. The water collection rate from a hydrophilic condensing surface increased by 72%, and production cost was reduced by 240% by increasing the relative humidity of the condensing air. Using superhydrophobic coating at a relative humidity of 90% increased the water collection rate only by 43%. This study’s findings confirm the impression that superhydrophobicity has a clear edge over hydrophilic surfaces for water collection rate from atmospheric air.