The 4 Best Dehumidifiers For Basements - Fall 2024

The best dehumidifier for a basement we've tested is the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1. This 50-pint unit provides excellent dehumidification, making it a great choice for larger dens. It has three fan speed settings, generating between 275 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) and 179 CFM of air movement, making this unit especially flexible in basements where the ambient humidity and temperature vary daily. Not only does it feature a fairly large 2.2 gal (8.3 L) water tank, but you can also connect a hose to its drain port for continuous drainage or use its built-in pump to have it drain into a faraway spot. It's also impressively energy-efficient, with an Energy Star rating of 1.9 L/kWh, so you won't notice too big a hit to your energy bill, even if you leave it running for extended periods.

With all that said, it's worth noting that this dehumidifier makes a lot of noise at its highest fan speed and produces a fair amount of heat, so you might want to keep it far away if you use it in a finished basement where you watch TV or entertain guests. While this dehumidifier isn't the largest 50-pint model on the market, you can look at the Midea MAD50PS1QWT if you want something a little smaller but with the same capacity. Just be aware that it's even noisier than the Frigidaire and generates more heat.

If you're shopping at a mid-range price point and have a smaller basement that doesn't require as big a machine, the Midea MAD35S1QWT is among the top dehumidifiers for basements we've tested. It's outgunned in terms of raw capacity when compared to 50-pint models like the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1, and it has a harder time clearing out moisture in big, open-concept dens, though it'll still do fine in medium-sized basements. Its two fan speeds also provide a smaller spread of air when compared to the Frigidaire dehumidifier's three fan speed settings, making it a little less flexible in different ambient conditions. While its collapsible design saves on space when the unit isn't in use, this is still a pretty bulky machine when fully deployed, especially compared to other 35-pint models. Its 4.2 gal (16.0 L) water bucket gets pretty heavy when filled, too, making it a nuisance to empty.

That said, if you'd rather drain it into a sink in a furnace room or faraway floor drain, you can detach it from its water bucket, hook up a hose to its drain port, and activate the built-in pump. This device is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to operate it remotely through the MSmartHome smartphone app. You can also use voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Just ensure your basement has good Wi-Fi connectivity if you want to operate it remotely.

Our best budget pick is the Waykar PD160B. This model is fairly compact, making it a good option for smaller basements. Besides, it has a relatively small 8.5-pint capacity, so it'll struggle to remove moisture from larger rooms. It doesn't make a lot of noise, which is great if you use your basement as a bedroom, and it also generates very little heat. You can set your desired humidity level and let the unit adjust its fan speed automatically, so you don't have to constantly fiddle with the settings while it runs. It lacks a built-in pump to drain the water into an elevated receptacle, but it does have a hose for continuous drainage. Unfortunately, the display is rather dim, and its poor viewing angles make it almost impossible to see unless you're directly above it.

If you only need a dehumidifier for pulling the moisture from a small space in your basement, like a storage closet under your stairs, the ProBreeze PB-03 is worth a look. It's a much different proposition than the other, more conventional models on this list; its dehumidification capacity is downright pitiful even when compared to the Waykar PD160B's already modest performance. Of course, it isn't intended for the same purpose—the ProBreeze's highly compact size makes it a cinch to fit in tight spaces. If you stick it in an enclosed room or semi-enclosed area, it'll be almost inaudible, as it emits only 44.6 dBA of noise while running. Its heat output is also practically negligible.

This dehumidifier has a very small water tank and lacks a port for continuous drainage. However, since its dehumidification rate is so slow, neither of those things is a significant concern, as you'll only really need to empty the tank every week or so. Besides, it shuts off automatically when the tank is full, so there's no need to worry about overflow.