Best overallFrigidaire
Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Pump
In: Best Dehumidifiers for Basements
- 50-pint-per-day moisture removal, 4,500 sq ft coverage
- Built-in condensate pump for upward continuous drainage
Category guide
Dehumidifiers: Sizing and Choosing One for Damp Rooms and Basements
The right dehumidifier is sized for how damp the space is, not just how big it is. Get that right and the rest is about drainage and noise.
- 6 roundups · 4 reviews · 2 comparisons · 2 guides
- Updated
- No paid placements
Shop the shortlist
Top dehumidifiers we recommend
Standout picks from our best-of lists. Tap any product for features, pros and cons.
- Top pickMidea
Midea Cube 35-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Pump
In: Best Dehumidifiers for Small Bedrooms
- 35-pint-per-day rating, covers up to 3,500 sq ft
- Quietest compressor of the four models tested in independent lab comparisons
- Top pickVremi
Vremi 50-Pint Dehumidifier for 4,500 Sq Ft Spaces
In: Best Dehumidifiers Under $150
- 50-pint-per-day rating for spaces up to 4,500 sq ft
- 1.8-gallon tank with full-tank auto shut-off
- TOSOT
TOSOT 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Internal Pump
In: Best Dehumidifiers for Crawl Spaces
- 50-pint-per-day rating for up to 4,500 sq ft
- Internal pump lifts water up to 15 feet through a 19-foot hose
- Frigidaire
Frigidaire FFAD3534W1 35-Pint Dehumidifier
In: Best Dehumidifiers Under $150
- 35-pint capacity for medium rooms
- Continuous drain hose option
- ALORAIR
ALORAIR Sentinel HDi65S Crawlspace Dehumidifier
In: Best Dehumidifiers for Crawl Spaces
- Low profile fits tight crawl spaces
- Built-in condensate pump
- Frigidaire
Frigidaire FHDD3534Y1 35-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier
In: Best Dehumidifiers for Small Bedrooms
- Wi-Fi app control and alerts
- Energy Star certified
- hOmeLabs
hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
In: Best Dehumidifiers Under $150
- Energy Star certified
- Continuous drain option
Best by need
Best dehumidifiers for every buyer
Ranked shortlists for specific budgets and use cases. Start with the one that matches yours.
- Best Dehumidifiers for Basements: Top Picks for Damp, Musty SpacesThe best basement dehumidifiers ranked by pint capacity, pump options, low-temperature performance, and noise, covering 35 to 50-pint modelsSee the picks
- Best Dehumidifiers for Crawl Spaces: Low-Clearance, Continuous-Drain PicksThe best dehumidifiers for crawl spaces ranked by low-temperature operation, automatic continuous drainage, and durability in a tight, oftenSee the picks
- Best Dehumidifiers for Humid Climates: Built for Year-Round MoistureThe best dehumidifiers for genuinely humid climates ranked by continuous-run reliability, pint capacity, and drainage options, for homes in See the picks
- Best Dehumidifiers for Small Bedrooms: Quiet Picks That Won't Wake YouThe best dehumidifiers for small bedrooms ranked by noise level, compact footprint, and low-pint capacity sized for 200 to 500 square foot rSee the picks
- Best Dehumidifiers Under $150: Real Capacity Without the Premium PriceSee the picks
- Best Dehumidifiers Under $250: The Sweet Spot for Pumps and Smart FeaturesSee the picks
Know before you buy
About Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are rated in pints of water removed per day. A small, very wet basement can need more capacity than a large, slightly humid bedroom. Most homes are comfortable at 30 to 50 percent relative humidity.
Our lists cover compact bedroom units, large basement models and quiet options for living spaces.
How to choose a dehumidifier
Capacity
Under the current Department of Energy test standard, 20 to 35 pint models suit moderately damp rooms and 50 pint models suit wet basements. Buying slightly larger lets the unit run less often.
Drainage
Emptying a bucket daily gets old fast. A hose connection to a floor drain, or a built-in pump to lift water to a sink, allows continuous running.
Low-temperature operation
Cool basements can cause coils to frost. Check the minimum operating temperature and whether the unit has auto-defrost.
Humidistat accuracy
A built-in humidistat switches the unit on and off around your target. An inexpensive separate hygrometer helps you check it is reading correctly.
Noise and energy
Compressor dehumidifiers hum like a small fridge. Energy Star certified models remove more water per kilowatt-hour.
Research-based picks from specs, independent reviews and owner feedback.
No paid placements, ever.
Our methodologyQuick buying tips
What matters most in dehumidifiers
- Under the current Department of Energy test standard, 20 to 35 pint models suit moderately damp rooms and 50 pint models suit wet basements. Buying slightly larger lets the unit run less often.
- Emptying a bucket daily gets old fast. A hose connection to a floor drain, or a built-in pump to lift water to a sink, allows continuous running.
- Cool basements can cause coils to frost. Check the minimum operating temperature and whether the unit has auto-defrost.
- A built-in humidistat switches the unit on and off around your target. An inexpensive separate hygrometer helps you check it is reading correctly.
- Compressor dehumidifiers hum like a small fridge. Energy Star certified models remove more water per kilowatt-hour.
Deep dives
In-depth reviews
- Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 Review: A 50-Pint Basement WorkhorseThe Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 is a 50-pint dehumidifier with a built-in pump, Energy Star certification, and a 41°F operating floor. Full review
- Midea Cube Dehumidifier Review: Smart Control in a Space-Saving DesignThe Midea Cube 35-Pint Dehumidifier pairs a lift-and-twist expandable tank with Wi-Fi and Alexa control, testing as the quietest and most po
- TOSOT 50-Pint Dehumidifier Review: Quiet and a Long Pump ReachThe TOSOT 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Internal Pump pairs a 4,500 sq ft rating with a 15-foot pump lift and a 52-decibel peak volume. Full rev
- Vremi 50-Pint Dehumidifier Review: The Budget 4,500 Sq Ft PickThe Vremi 50-Pint Dehumidifier covers up to 4,500 square feet with an Energy Star-certified compressor and a continuous drain hose option, t
Learn first
Buying guides & how-tos
- Buying guideDehumidifiers Buying Guide: Specs That Actually MatterA complete buying guide to dehumidifiers covering pint ratings, Energy Star certification, pump versus gravity drainage, humidistat accuracyRead
- Buying guideHow to Choose a Dehumidifier: A Room-by-Room Decision GuideA practical decision framework for choosing a dehumidifier, covering pint capacity by room size, pump versus gravity drainage, low-temperatuRead
- Buying guideDehumidifier Freezing Up: Why It Happens and How to Fix ItIf frost or ice is building up on your dehumidifier's coils, it's almost always a temperature or airflow issue rather than a defective unit.Read
- Buying guideDehumidifier Not Collecting Water: 6 Causes and FixesIf your dehumidifier is running but the bucket stays empty or barely fills, the cause is usually one of a handful of common issues. We coverRead
Answers
Dehumidifiers: common questions
What is the best dehumidifier to buy?
One of our strongest picks is the Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Pump, a standout in our Best Dehumidifiers for Basements list. The Midea Cube 35-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Pump is another excellent choice.
How do I choose the right dehumidifiers?
Start with your main use and budget, then compare our shortlists: Best Dehumidifiers for Basements, Best Dehumidifiers for Crawl Spaces, Best Dehumidifiers for Humid Climates.
What should I look for when buying dehumidifiers?
Under the current Department of Energy test standard, 20 to 35 pint models suit moderately damp rooms and 50 pint models suit wet basements. Buying slightly larger lets the unit run less often.
What size dehumidifier do I need for a basement?
For a typical 1,000 to 1,500 square foot basement with visible dampness or a musty smell, a 30 to 35-pint unit is usually enough. For basements over 1,500 square feet, standing water history, or noticeably high humidity, step up to a 50-pint unit rated for 4,000 to 4,500 square feet. Undersizing means the compressor runs constantly without ever pulling humidity down to a comfortable range.
Does a basement dehumidifier need a pump?
Not always, but it removes the most annoying part of ownership. Without a pump, you empty a 1.8-gallon bucket by hand, sometimes more than once a day in a damp basement. A built-in pump pushes the water up and out through a hose to a sink, floor drain, or window, so the unit runs continuously without anyone checking on it. If your basement has a nearby drain or a sink within hose reach, a pump model pays for itself in convenience within the first month.
Can a basement dehumidifier run in cold temperatures?
Standard dehumidifiers are rated to operate down to about 65°F and struggle or ice over below that. Basements often run cooler than the rest of the house, especially in winter, so look for a model specifically rated for low-temperature operation, typically down to 41°F. The Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 is rated to that lower threshold, which matters for an unheated or partially heated basement.
How long should I run a dehumidifier in a basement?
Most basement dehumidifiers are designed to run continuously, especially in humid summer months, and shutting them off overnight generally undoes a full day of progress in a damp space. Set a target humidity of 45 to 50 percent on the built-in humidistat and let the unit cycle on and off automatically rather than running it on a manual timer.
Do I need a special dehumidifier for a crawl space?
A standard basement-rated dehumidifier can work in a crawl space, but low-temperature operation and automatic drainage matter even more, since crawl spaces run cooler than basements and are rarely checked daily. A unit rated to operate down to 41°F and equipped with a pump or gravity drain hose is much more practical than one that needs manual bucket-emptying in a space you have to crawl into.