Best Basement Dehumidifier Picks for 2023

A basement dehumidifier can improve poor indoor air quality caused by a damp, musty basement. They remove excess moisture from the air and maintain optimal humidity levels to keep your basement dry and mold free. Here are our expert picks for the best basement dehumidifier.

Our Top Picks for Best Basement Dehumidifier

Here are our top expert picks if you’re seeking a dehumidifier to control your basement’s damp, moldy, or musty smell or need to replace your basement dehumidifier.

Finished vs. Unfinished Basement

If you have a finished basement, you’re already removing some moisture from the air through your HVAC system. Conditioned basements will often have low or medium humidity. A portable dehumidifier can help supplement your air conditioning system and regulate humidity between cycles or off.

Portable dehumidifiers have a collection bucket that you need to empty or drain hose to a nearby sink. Since a finished basement is easy to get into, this chore isn’t too hard. A bonus is you can move it out of the way when you have guests.

The downside is that these units do not perform well in the harsh conditions of an unfinished basement.

An unfinished basement does not have a heating or cooling system. These spaces often have medium to high humidity and need a commercial-grade dehumidifier built for these conditions. Commercial-grade dehumidifiers need to direct moisture to the floor drain or into a condensate pump and then to the outside.

The Best Dehumidifier for Low to Medium Humidity Levels

These dehumidifiers are best equipped to handle low to medium humidity levels in finished. Check out the high-humidity dehumidifiers by Aprilaire and Alorair below for unfinished basements.

hOmeLabs 3,000 SF Energy Star Dehumidifier

Our top pick for the best basement dehumidifier is the hOmeLabs 3000 SF Energy-Star rated dehumidifier. It’s best for low to medium humidity control in finished basements, removing up to 35 pints of water from the air daily.

It’s the perfect choice for any basement or large room. Plus, this model is Energy Star certified, so you can be confident that it will quickly and effectively absorb moisture without driving up your energy bill.

This modern dehumidifier has a sleek and clean look. It has caster wheels, handles for convenience, and a quiet fan, so you can still hear your show.

The dehumidifier is adjustable to the perfect moisture level for you and runs a continuous cycle. It also has a built-in drainage system that you can use with a hose (not included). We recommend using Teflon tape on the connection if you want extra security.

This portable dehumidifier has a built-in pump compressor that reduces moisture levels. It also has a Turbo mode that increases fan speed from Normal Air CFM 165 (cubic feet per minute) to High Air CFM 188 for maximum moisture removal and musty odors reduction.

Dehumidifiers give off heat as they work (by taking the moisture out of the air). You can’t use this product in the same room as an air conditioner. It’s meant for areas that are 1,500 to 3,000 square feet. The unit is 15.4 x 11 x 24.3 inches big and has a water tank capacity of 1.8 gallons.

The biggest drawback we found from unhappy customers is that the unit is louder than expected. Decibel levels tested out at 50 to 85 decibels, similar to a range hood.

This is not your best choice if you’re looking for a quiet dehumidifier for a bedroom. In basements and large rooms where noise is not a concern, it removes a lot of moisture from the air, which is its primary purpose.

This hOmeLabs dehumidifier is rated at #4 on Consumer Reports at the time of this writing.

The hOmeLabs 3000 SF is also Energy Star certified, meaning it will not increase your energy bill while it operates. This dehumidifier is perfect for basements, large rooms, or any other space where excess moisture can be a problem.

For more, see our list of the best whole house dehumidifiers.

Midea Cube 35 Pint Dehumidifier

The Midea Cube 35 Pint Dehumidifier is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality and versatile dehumidifier suitable for low to medium-humidity levels. It can cover up to 3,500 square feet and remove up to 35 pints daily.

The Midea Cube has a water tank that is three times bigger than similar dehumidifiers, so you won’t have to empty it as often. You can also use a hose to drain the unit into a sink or floor-level sewer drain.

The Smart Control feature allows you to preset the water level and receive full-water alerts. When Midea Cube Air App is installed on your Android phone or tablet, you may track the real-time dehumidification condition (water levels and humidity levels) of the Midea Cube wherever and whenever.

The extendable design offers unparalleled flexibility, and the auto restart function ensures that your chosen settings are engaged as soon as power is restored.

You can operate it in extended or nested mode, depending on your needs. With its compact nested design, finding a place to store the unit when the space becomes dry is easy. Just extend it to its total capacity whenever you need it for maximum efficiency.

The Midea is a top pick on Consumer Reports as the only dehumidifier with a score over 90. On Amazon, it has a 4.4-star rating on maneuverability, a 4.2-star rating on energy efficiency, and a 3.9-star rating on the noise level. The Midea Cube 35 Pint Dehumidifier is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quality dehumidifier.

Humilabs 22 Pints Dehumidifier

The Humilabs dehumidifiers effectively remove a lot of moisture from the air daily. You can adjust the humidity to be anywhere from 30% to 80%. This energy-saving dehumidifier is perfect for basements.

The drying mode is excellent for wet weather or seasons. It can remove a lot of moisture from clothes and keep them clean and dry. You can choose between two different fan speeds to meet your needs.

The low-noise design keeps the noise down so you can sleep or study in peace. You can set a 12-hour timer to fit your lifestyle, and the auto defrost function prevents the machine from being damaged by frozen water.

This basement dehumidifier is easy to operate! The 3.3ft drain hose is connected to the drain pipe hole, so you can drain water continuously without emptying the tank multiple times. If the water tank reaches its maximum capacity, the dehumidifier will stop operating, and the “tank full” warning light will illuminate until it is removed. There are no concerns about overflowing water.

This dehumidifier is aesthetically pleasing and easy to move with its 360° rotatable wheels and built-in grip. You don’t have to worry about the floor; the design prevents scratches. The filter is also detachable and washable, so you can use it for a long time without having to replace it often.

The digital display can provide convenient and correct humidity measurements. You may adjust the dehumidification requirements (30% to 80%) according to your demands. It also features three color lights that automatically show the environment’s humidity: Blue, Green, and Red. When the container is full, it will automatically shut off and turn on again when the bucket is empty.

At 22 pints of water, it’s great for low to medium humidity finished basements. It has a 5-star rating for small spaces on Amazon and 4.7 for energy efficiency, 4.6 for maneuverability, and 4.6 for ease of use.

Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier

This is the little brother to the Midea Cube 35 Pint dehumidifier. It’s best used in smaller basements with low to medium humidity levels.

The Midea Cube’s water tank is up to 3X larger than a conventional dehumidifier, so you won’t have to empty it as often. The included drain hose also allows you placement without worrying about spills.

You may adjust the water level and get a full-water warning when it is full. When Midea Cube Air App is installed on your smartphone, you can keep track of the current dehumidification status (water levels and humidity levels) of Midea Cube at all times.

The world’s first extendable dehumidifier offers unmatched flexibility – operates in extended or nested form. The nesting feature allows you to store the unit taking minimal space when not needed, and extend it whenever you want to use it at full capacity.

We offer a dehumidifier that can collect 20 pints of water daily and regulate humidity from 35% to 85%, making it ideal for basements, bathrooms, bedrooms, or crawlspaces. The auto defrost function keeps the collected water from freezing and harming the machine.

The Best Dehumidifiers for High Humidity Levels

These dehumidifiers are suited for finished and unfinished basements with chronically high humidity levels.

Aprilaire E70 Pro 70 Pint Dehumidifier

The Aprilaire E70 Dehumidifier is the ideal high-capacity dehumidifier for dehumidifying larger basements, removing up to 70 pints of water per day. Moisture is removed from inside basements up to 2,800 square feet.

The control panel is mounted on the front of the unit for easy accessibility. It has leveling feet for stability on uneven basement floors. The dehumidifier has an interactive display that makes set-up easy.

Additionally, it requires low maintenance with no messy water tray to empty and only needs the filter cleaned or replaced once a year.

The Aprilaire E70 is made in the United States and designed to last. Aprilaire uses corrosion-resistant aluminum coils, high-quality manufacturing techniques that prevent leaks, and sturdy housing for harsh environments like unfinished basements.

Compatible with 110V AC to 120V AC single phase 60 Hz power sources, this dehumidifier helps prevent mold, termites, structural wood rot, and odors in sealed crawlspaces. It is also helpful for damp carpeting and furnishing, as well as mold, mildew, and smells in basements or whole homes.

There’s no messy water tray to empty, and it’s easy to set up – simply place the hose (included) directed to a condensate pump or floor drain.

It comes with a 5-year warranty as an added measure of security. The dehumidifier is built to last and manufactured in the USA by Aprilaire, the leader in indoor air quality solutions.

You can also use the Aprilaire dehumidifier in a crawl space. For more, see our list of the best crawl space dehumidifiers.

ALORAIR 55-Pint Dehumidifier

The Alorair commercial dehumidifier is a great choice for removing moisture issues from damp, musty basements without using too much energy. It will be the best basement dehumidifier you’ve ever used. At AHAM condition, it removes 55 pints daily and 120 pints at saturation in finished and unfinished basements up to 1300 sq ft.

The defrosting process is quick and efficient, allowing the dehumidifier to work in low temperature operation mode as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit. If frost is detected on the coils, an automatic defrost cycle runs to avoid buildup, leading to lasting damage. This makes the unit work continuously and efficiently without periodic stopping during defrosting, saving energy and making it run for more extended periods.

In dehumidification applications, there’s always oxide, hydroxide, or sulfide formation. Conventional coils corrode and leak freon quickly. This dehumidifier has aluminum coils that prevent corrosion and ensure heat transferability.

This professional dehumidifier is specifically for your satisfaction and ease of use. With superior features like a defrosting system, remote control access, MERV-8 filter, and low-temperature operation, it’s easily the best choice for basements.

The sentinel HD55 dehumidifier complies with all ETL’s electrical safety requirements. AlorAir includes a 5-year warranty with a customer support team available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.

What Features to Look for When Buying a Basement Dehumidifier

Humidity in your basement can be a never-ending problem. You might think it’s under control, but then all it takes is one rainstorm for the moisture to return and create an environment where mildew and mold can thrive. Using a dehumidifier can help manage moisture in a damp, musty basement.

You should look for some features when choosing the best basement dehumidifier. These features may not be in every model, but if you plan to use the dehumidifier for a long time, it’s essential to have some of them. The following characteristics often affect how well the dehumidifier works.

Dehumidifier Size

Dehumidifiers come in different sizes based on PPD (pints per day), which is how many pints of water it removes daily from the air. The best basement dehumidifier depends on the square footage and humidity level.

You’ll need a dehumidifier with a higher capacity to remove moisture in very damp basements. Here’s a handy humidity table

Low humidity is less than 40%
Medium humidity is 40% to 60%
High humidity is 60% or higher

Dehumidifier Size PPD	Low Humidity	Medium humidity	High humidity
40 PPD	1000 to 1500 SF	500 to 1000 SF	500 SF or less
55 PPD	2000 to 2500 SF	1500 to 2000 SF	1000 to 1500 SF
70 PPD	2500 to 3000 SF	2000 to 2500 SF	1500 to 2000 SF
100 PPD	3000+ SF	2500 to 3000 SF	1500 to 2000 SF

Humidistat

A digital humidistat measures the air humidity and tells the dehumidifier when to turn on and off based on the desired setting. For example, if you set the humidity level to 45%, the humidity drops below 45%, the unit will turn off, and if it is higher the 45%, it will continue to work until the 45% humidity level is reached.

The humidistat keeps you from wasting energy by running when you don’t need it to work. The dehumidifier’s onboard sensors will then monitor the air quality in your home continuously. If the humidity level goes above the upper limit, the dehumidifier will turn on and stay on until the humidity falls below the lower limit.

Defrost Protection

Most dehumidifiers use a refrigerated coil to change the humidity in the air back into the water. These units can get very cold on the inside and can freeze if the conditions are right. Defrost protection detects ice crystals on the coil and will warm the icy coil to keep your unit running smoothly.

Ice crystals can form other internal components if too much moisture is in the air, making the dehumidifier inefficient. You can use dehumidifiers with defrost mode in basements with an average temperature below 65 degrees F.

Low-Temperature Setting

If you use your new dehumidifier in freezing temperatures, you may need a dehumidifier with a low-temperature operation setting. This allows the dehumidifier to work in a basement lower than 41° F without the risk of freezing.

Most people will not find these settings beneficial because they use their dehumidifier during the warmer, more humid months of the year. People who live in places like the Pacific Northwest, where winter months bring extra humidity, will benefit significantly from this feature as the weather gets colder.

Timer

Timers let you set how long your dehumidifier will run. You can set timers from 1 to 8 hours. It’s also helpful if you only want your dehumidifier to work when you’re not home and can’t hear it.

Dehumidifiers can be pretty noisy when running, which can be a problem if you need to place them near a bedroom or office. If this is the case, a built-in dehumidifier timer can be helpful.

Discharge Drain Hose Outlet

A discharge drain hose is a hose connection port for condensation from the dehumidifier. These are commonly found on commercial dehumidifiers that do not have collection tanks and are generally placed in unfinished basements and crawl spaces.

The drain hose removes moisture without you having to empty a collection bucket. This prevents moisture buildup inside the dehumidifier. This is done using a gravity drain that flows from the unit to a condensate pump, a floor-level sewer drain, or a sump pump system.

Condensate Pump

Basements without a floor-level sewer drain and other unfinished high-humidity areas will probably need a condensate pump to remove water discharging from a compact dehumidifier. A condensate pump helps remove and direct water discharge outside and away from the house.

If you find that your unfinished basement area needs a more robust system to dehumidify it, you will need a commercial-grade dehumidifier that can handle a more harsh environment.

What To Consider Before Buying a Basement Dehumidifier

There are several things to consider before purchasing a particular basement dehumidifier model.

When choosing a dehumidifier for your basement, you should think about where you will use it and how big the space is. You should compare different models and choose one with the features you care about most.

Large dehumidifiers are not always better. There’s no reason to buy a larger dehumidifier when a small dehumidifier works fine. They may have a bigger tank but can be noisy when operating. Large machines can also cycle on and off more frequently, which can cause them to wear out faster.

You need to choose an appropriately sized dehumidifier, or you’ll need to buy and maintain multiple dehumidifiers.

You also need to think about whether you want a machine that needs to be empty or one that drains to the outside.

• A portable dehumidifier is best in conditioned and small spaces but requires you to empty a tank or use a drain hose to a sink.
• A commercial dehumidifier works best in unconditioned and larger spaces but requires a gravity drain or a drain pipe to a condensate pump, sump pump system, or floor drain.

Room Size and Average Humidity

You should only need one dehumidifier in your basement unless you have several segmented rooms or closed-off areas. However, if the dehumidifier is underpowered or lacks adequate capacity to meet the demands of the space it is placed in, it will be ineffective. Thinking about your basement size is critical before choosing a particular dehumidifier type.

You must know the basement square feet to determine how well your unit deals with moisture. You can do this by multiplying the basement’s width by the length. Once you have that total, you need to compare it to the typical amount of moisture that the room usually receives.

If you have a 2000 SF unfinished basement with high humidity, a 70-pint dehumidifier would be best. However, if you have a 2000 SF finished basement with low humidity, a 35-pint dehumidifier would be sufficient. See our humidity and square footage chart above.

Noise Level

Dehumidifiers can be louder than other appliances. The fan quality inside the dehumidifier is where most of the noise originates. You should consider where you want to put your new dehumidifier and whether the noise it makes will bother you. If it will, try to find a quiet model that operates at 40 decibels or less.

However, you can disregard this consideration if you don’t mind the noise from your dehumidifier. Remember that a noisy dehumidifier can pose an issue if you need to use it in another area besides your basement.

Room Temperature

The temperature of your room can affect how well your dehumidifier works. Some models only work efficiently between 41 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you want to use your dehumidifier in a basement or space that is less than 65 degrees F, get a heavy-duty unit with low-temperature settings and defrost features. This will help ensure your dehumidifier stays working in cold weather.

How Does A Dehumidifier Work?

Dehumidifiers convert water vapor from the air and turn it into liquid water so that you can remove it. Newer dehumidifiers usually use a refrigerant or desiccant method to take in humid air and convert it into the water for removal.

How Dehumidifiers Collect Water

There are two types of dehumidifiers; those that use a refrigerant and those that use a desiccant. Both of these have different efficiency rates and internal temperatures. Make sure you know which is before you buy to get the most efficient dehumidifier for your basement.

If you are not sure about exactly what dehumidifiers are, do not worry. You are not alone. Many people do not know that there is more than one way for dehumidifiers to remove excess humidity from the air.

Refrigerant

The most popular refrigerant dehumidifiers have an average extraction efficiency rating. The water is collected by drawing humid air over a cold internal coil, causing the water to condense and fall into the collection tank.

Refrigerant dehumidifiers draw humid air from the basement and force it across a metal plate cooled by nearby coils.

As the air passes over the cooling plate, the moisture in the air condenses and drips into a water tank or hose drain outlet. The dry air is then released back into the room, reducing humidity and creating a new, odor-free basement.

Desiccant

Desiccant dehumidifiers use silica gel material that absorbs moisture from the air when exposed and dries itself out over time. Small silica gel packets with certain items are among the most popular kinds of desiccant-based dehumidifiers.

Desiccant dehumidifiers have an internal rotor covered in absorbent materials, such as silica gel. This directly captures the water vapor in the air.

Desiccant dehumidifiers are often utilized in cold climates because refrigerant-based dehumidifiers may freeze. They don’t freeze nearly as often and perform exceptionally well in lower temperatures.

However, the efficiency loss is significant. It’s worth noting that the material used to absorb moisture may take some time to dry thoroughly, and desiccant-based drying systems can burn a lot of power.

When to Empty a Dehumidifier Tank

Most dehumidifiers do not need a lot of work from you. But you will need to empty the water collection tank, or the dehumidifier will stop working. Look at the size of the collection bin and compare it against the number of pints of moisture removed per day.

The capacity of a dehumidifier is how much water it can hold. This differs from how much moisture the unit can take out of the air daily. You should know this to determine how capable a dehumidifier will be in your basement.

Dehumidifiers in low humidity areas may only need emptying every few days, while in high humidity, you may need to empty them several times daily.

What Size Dehumidifier Do You Need For Your Basement?

A dehumidifier size can refer to two things:

1. the dehumidifier’s physical dimensions
2. how much water can it remove from the air daily

The amount of water it removes from the air daily is most important when speaking of basements.

If your basement has a lot of humidity, you may need a bigger and more powerful dehumidifier. These dehumidifiers can often dry out a damp basement in 8 to 10 hours. Once dry, the dehumidifier will cycle on and off to maintain lower humidity levels.

How Long Will a Dehumidifier Last?

A portable dehumidifier will last about 3 to 5 years on average. These units often have cheap plastic parts that break easily. Most portable dehumidifiers only have a 1-year warranty, so routine cleaning is essential to longevity.

A commercial-grade dehumidifier can last 5 to 10 years if properly maintained. These units have a filter that needs cleaning or replacing every six months. You can do this yourself or hire a service contractor to do this. You’ll need to clean the internal parts and replace dirty filters.

All dehumidifiers need routine service. Check out this video for some great tips for extending the life of your basement dehumidifier.

https://youtu.be/MuzPfiUIc14

Basement Dehumidifier FAQs