The Best Dehumidifiers For Basements To Keep Your Home Healthy And Dry

Moisture removal rate: 50 pints | Bucket capacity: 34 pints | Coverage: 4,500 square feet | Dimensions: 14.5 x 14.8 x 14.6 inches | Noise level: 42 decibels | Energy Star rating: Yes | Drainage type: Continuous, bucket (with pump)

Pros:

• Large reservoir and moisture-removal capacity
• Compatible with voice assistants and smart devices
• Built-in pump can empty vertically
• Very quiet operation

Cons:

• No wheels makes it difficult to transport when full
• Pump is more efficient with floor drainage than upward drainage

This uniquely designed dehumidifier from Midea made the top of our list because its features meet most needs, but it doesn’t come with a large footprint or super-high price tag. This model covers up to 4,500 square feet and extracts 50 pints of water (a whopping 4-plus gallons) from the air every 24 hours. Its flexible “lift and twist” design is also helpful if you need to dehumidify a smaller space or lack storage space. If you need your machine to work a little harder during select hours of the day, its smart features and automatic shut-off come in handy.

The machine has a removable, washable mesh filter for easy, low-cost maintenance. It also has a built-in pump with a 16-watt drain hose that can pump water upward (think window or sink) 16 feet. Even better, The Cube dehumidifier operates at a noise level that doesn’t surpass 42 decibels—much quieter than comparable models. It is also Energy Star certified for efficiency, which won’t make your utility bill skyrocket.

Moisture removal rate: 52 pints | Bucket capacity: 11.2 pints | Coverage: 4,500 square feet | Dimensions: 14.4 x 8.6 x 24.1 inches | Noise level: 48 decibels | Energy Star rating: Yes | Drainage type: Continuous, bucket, hose (with pump)

Pros:

• Comes with a 6.6-foot hose for easier continuous draining
• Includes a hose attachment for use with garden hoses
• Equipped with 360-degree wheels for portability

Cons:

• Bucket has a slightly smaller capacity than comparable models

For a dehumidifier that’s only available for purchase on Amazon, Vellgoo’s 52-pint unit thoroughly impressed us with its plethora of excellent features (it’s not surprising that it has garnered a 4.6-star average rating). Vellgoo’s machine, which is Energy Star rated, can remove up to 52 pints of water per day and tackle spaces of up to 4,500 square feet. Plus, while the 11.2-pint water bucket isn’t the biggest we’ve seen on this list, it does have the benefit of an ergonomic handle for easy transport and emptying. Another thing that makes up for its smaller water tank is the fact that the Vellgoo comes with a 6.6-foot drain hose for continuous draining. If you need a longer hose, the company also includes a free hose adapter that lets you connect your own garden hose to the machine. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy extra features that make the Vellgoo easier to use, like built-in spinning wheels, a handle, a child safety lock, a washable reusable filter, and automatic restart and defrost.

Moisture removal rate: 120 pints | Bucket capacity: 8.8 pints | Coverage: 6,000 square feet | Dimensions: 13.5 x 9.5 x 20.2 inches | Noise level: 48 decibels | Energy Star rating: Yes | Drainage type: Continuous, bucket, hose (with pump)

Pros:

• Reviewers say it’s easy to set up and intuitive to use
• Quiet operation
• Includes continuous draining option

Cons:

• Users say drainage tubing could be longer
• Tank is smaller than others on this list (requires more frequent emptying)

The Shinco 120-pint dehumidifier is the ultimate hands-off machine. It has a handy built-in drain port and pump so it can empty automatically. There’s also a sleep timer, so you can set the dehumidifier to flip on at a set time every day. (However, you can run it all day if you like—it has a continuous 24-hour cycle setting and will operate until the tank is full.) The LED screen is easy to read and shows your room’s current humidity levels, along with your target.

This machine efficiently filters out 120 pints of water a day, easily adjusting the humidity from 80% to 30% in up to 6,000 square feet. Given its high capacity, you can use this dehumidifier just about anywhere, including large basements. It’s also Energy Star certified, costing 30% less to operate than those that don’t have this distinction. And, with a 48-decibel peak, this device isn’t any louder than normal conversation.

Moisture removal rate: 50 pints | Bucket capacity: 14.3 pints | Coverage: 4,500 square feet | Dimensions: 11.6 x 15.8 x 24.8 inches | Noise level: 48 decibels | Energy Star rating: Yes | Drainage type: Continuous, bucket, drainage hose (with pump)

Pros:

• Has caster wheels and recessed handle for portability
• Pump and hose attachment make emptying easy
• Can be controlled remotely via app or voice

Cons:

• Many reviewers say it can be quite noisy

If you don’t like going down to the basement to check on your dehumidifier, consider Black +Decker’s 50-Pint option. This Wi-Fi–equipped model connects to a mobile app for iPhone or Android; you can remotely turn the appliance on or off, adjust the desired humidity level, set the fan speed, set a schedule and get notified when the water bucket needs to be emptied.

Aside from the high-tech Wi-Fi feature, there are plenty of other highlights: Black+Decker’s dehumidifier can remove up to 50 pints of moisture from the air each day and is equipped with a 14.3-pint water bucket; and, this particular unit comes with a 16.4-foot hose that, alongside the built-in pump, gives you the option to drain up to 16 inches upward into a sink or elsewhere. (Not to mention, the continuous gravity feed drain that is accompanied by a 3.3-foot hose and also works with a regular garden hose.) Plus, this unit offers the added perks of bottom caster wheels and recessed handles that make it a cinch to move around the house.

Moisture removal rate: 35 pints | Bucket capacity: 12.8 pints | Coverage: 3,000 square feet | Dimensions: 15.4 x 11 x 24.3 inches | Noise level: Not listed (around 55-59 decibels) | Energy Star rating: Yes | Drainage type: Bucket, continuous (no hose)

Pros:

• Wheels and light weight make it easy to transport
• Sleek, unobtrusive design
• Simple to set up and use

Cons:

• Lack of built-in pump can make upward draining difficult
• A bit noisier than some others on this list

The Homelabs 35-Pint Dehumidifier is a superb middleweight dehumidifier that can handle about 3,000-square-foot spaces. It includes a removable 12.8-pint water tank and can be set to run continuously until the tank is full, at which time it’ll shut down automatically. Alternately, you can connect a drain hose for continuous draining, though there’s no integrated pump, which might limit your drainage options (meaning you can’t run the hose upward to a sink or window, for example).

This dehumidifier is a “fire and forget” model, though the top of the case has a digital humidity display and a row of buttons for configuring operations. Need to increase the moisture removal for short periods? A turbo setting kicks up the fan speed from 165 to 188 cubic feet per minute. Unlike many competing models, this is an appliance you don’t need to consign to the basement; its simple style and clean lines won’t look out of place in a more elegant room that needs moisture removal. Mounted on wheels and weighing just 40 pounds, you can move it around easily, though there’s no carrying handle on top.