A dehumidifier can help clear out moisture in any room in your home, but basements are likely to benefit most, as they can get pretty damp. A couple of features make or break a dehumidifier for basement use. Good dehumidification capacity is a must, as is a wide range of fan speed settings. Drain pumps are another helpful addition, as they eliminate some of the daily maintenance by directing any accumulated moisture to a distant floor drain or sink. Wi-Fi connectivity and a companion app are nice extras to look for, too, since nobody wants to trek down to a cold, damp basement every time they want to nudge the humidity settings.
You'll also want to find a model with a good range of fan speed variance. We investigated airflows' relation to dehumidification efficiency and found that running your dehumidifier at a lower fan speed can more efficiently clear moisture in certain situations, while larger rooms benefit from higher fan speeds to effectively circulate air and ensure effective dehumidification. Read about our findings to learn more about how your dehumidifier's fan speed impacts its ability to pull moisture from the air.
We've tested 20 dehumidifiers, and below are our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers for basements. We base our picks on their dehumidification performance, price, and feature sets. For more options, check out our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers, the best small dehumidifiers, and the best dehumidifiers for bedrooms.
If you don't know where to start, deciding between dehumidifiers can put a damper on your day. Luckily, we've streamlined the process, buying and testing 20 dehumidifiers from major retailers; no cherry-picked models. Our lab team then measures airflow, capacity, and more to ensure you have the data you need to make a buying decision. If you're still between models, you can compare them directly, side by side.
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Best Basement Dehumidifier
Basement8.4Capacity8.5Temperature Stability5.1Noise5.0See all our test resultsTested Dehumidification Capacity32.0 PPD (15.1 LPD)The best basement dehumidifier that we've tested is the GE APYR50LC, especially if you're dealing with a larger or very damp basement and want something that can pull moisture out of the air quickly without needing constant attention. Its 50-pint capacity is more than enough for the basements of all but the largest homes, and its strong airflow helps it handle bigger open spaces more effectively than smaller residential units. It also includes a built-in pump and drain hose, allowing for continuous drainage into a floor drain, sink, or utility tub, which is especially convenient if you plan on running the unit for long periods in humid conditions. If continuous drainage isn't an option, its 1.7-gal (6.6 L) internal tank is large enough to support roughly two days of operation before needing to be emptied manually. There's also a built-in moisture sensor that automatically adjusts fan speed depending on current humidity levels, so you don't need to constantly monitor or adjust the unit yourself.
That said, the trade-off for its high capacity is that it's a large, fairly intrusive appliance. It produces a noticeable amount of fan noise at higher settings, roughly the volume of a normal conversation, so it's not something you'd want running in the background of a work call or while watching TV in the same room. It also releases a considerable amount of heat while running, which can make an already stuffy basement feel warmer than you'd like in the summer months. It also lacks a companion app or Wi-Fi connectivity, so you need to adjust settings directly on the unit instead of remotely from your phone. As a result, it's much better suited for unfinished basements, laundry rooms, or larger utility spaces than smaller finished rooms where noise, heat, and day-to-day convenience are more noticeable concerns.
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Best Mid-Range Basement Dehumidifier
Basement7.6Capacity7.2Temperature Stability7.0Noise6.6See all our test resultsTested Dehumidification Capacity21.0 PPD (9.9 LPD)The Midea MAD35S1QWT is a good choice for people with smaller or medium-sized basements that don't need the high moisture-removal capacity of the GE APYR50LC or don't have the space for its larger footprint. While it can't pull moisture from the air as aggressively as the GE, it's noticeably easier to live with day to day. It runs quieter, releases less heat during operation, and includes Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to monitor humidity levels or adjust settings remotely through the MSmartHome app. It also supports voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices, which is convenient if you already use smart home devices throughout your house. Just note that you'll need reliable Wi-Fi coverage in your basement if you plan on using these remote features regularly.
That said, there are a few trade-offs. This dehumidifier only has two fan speeds, so it isn't quite as flexible in changing humidity conditions as some alternatives. Its collapsible design helps save storage space when the unit isn't being used, but it's still fairly bulky once fully assembled, especially compared to other 35-pint models. Its large 4.2 gal (16.0 L) bucket also becomes pretty heavy when full, which can make manual emptying awkward if you have mobility issues. While it supports continuous drainage using an included hose, it lacks a built-in pump, so you'll need to position the unit near a floor drain or elevate it if you want water to drain into a sink. Unfortunately, finding this model new can also be somewhat difficult, though it's still available through retailers like Home Depot and other vendors listed on Midea's website.
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Best Budget Basement Dehumidifier
Basement6.9Capacity6.1Temperature Stability8.0Noise7.9See all our test resultsTested Dehumidification Capacity6.0 PPD (2.8 LPD)For finished basements used as bedrooms or family rooms, the budget-friendly Waykar PD160B is a strong pick when noise and comfort matter as much as moisture removal. Its compact size makes it easier to tuck into tighter areas than bulkier 50-pint models, and it runs quietly enough that it won't constantly compete with conversations or TV audio while operating in your family den. It also generates very little heat, which makes it noticeably more comfortable to live with in finished spaces where larger dehumidifiers can quickly make the room feel stuffy or overly warm. While its smaller 8.5-pint capacity means it isn't the best choice for large or especially damp basements, it's more than capable of keeping humidity under control in smaller areas.
The Waykar also offers a fairly hands-off user experience for a budget-friendly unit. You can set a target humidity level and let the dehumidifier automatically adjust its fan speed as conditions change, so you don't need to constantly tweak settings throughout the day. It doesn't include a built-in pump for draining water into elevated containers or distant sinks, but it does support continuous drainage using the included hose if you have access to a nearby floor drain. Unfortunately, the display is dim and hard to read from an angle, so if the unit sits on the floor or a low shelf, you'll find yourself crouching down every time you want to check the settings. There's also no companion app, meaning you can't check air quality, schedule run times, or adjust fan speed without walking over to the unit.
Notable Mentions
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GE ADHL35LA:
The GE ADHL35LA is a 35-pint dehumidifier. It's smaller than the Midea MAD35S1QWT and will have a slightly lesser impact on a room's ambient temperature. Its water tank doesn't hold nearly as much water, but it's much easier to empty than the Midea's bucket. The Midea runs quieter, has a built-in drain pump, and features Wi-Fi connectivity.
See our review -
ProBreeze PB-03:
The ProBreeze PB-03 is a compact dehumidifier, intended for use in very small spaces. It can be an option if you need to pull a bit of moisture out of an unfinished basement closet and the like, but it offers far less capacity than even a relatively small full-room unit like the Waykar PD160B.
See our review
Recent Updates
May 28, 2026:
We verified availability across all picks and updated the recommendation boxes with clearer usages and everyday context.
Apr 27, 2026:
We removed the Whirlpool WHAD50PCW from the Notable Mentions due to current availability. We also made minor text adjustments to clarify product details.
Mar 27, 2026:
We replaced the Midea MAD50PS1WS with the GE APYR50LC as the 'Best Dehumidifier For Basements' pick due to current availability. We removed the ProBreeze PB-03 from the main recommendations and added it to the Notable Mentions.
Nov 07, 2025:
Replaced the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1 with the Midea MAD50PS1WS as the 'Best Dehumidifier For Basements' pick due to current availability.
Apr 15, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock, but our recommendations haven't changed.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are some of the top basement dehumidifiers for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
That said, no single best option will suit everybody; your needs will depend on your budget, the size of your basement, your tolerance for operating noise, and whether you like having a device with convenience features like Wi-Fi connectivity or a drain pump. If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our dehumidifier reviews.