We all know that 30% to 50% humidity in the environment is good for us but what if the humidity level rises? High humidity levels can become a breeding ground for different pests and lead to mold and mildew.
And speaking of humidity, you can make your basement one of the most thermally comfortable spaces with a dehumidifier. How? Because basements have relatively lower temperatures than the rest of the house, you can make it cooler by removing extra moisture.
In addition to removing excess moisture, dehumidifiers filter out the contaminants in the air. Statistics by Aviva Health show that up to 50% of children suffer from allergies because of contaminated air.
In short, dehumidifiers are important for your basement hygiene and good health.
So, this article will tell you about the five best dehumidifiers you can buy for your basement. Let’s get to it:
Top Best Dehumidifiers for Basement
- Best Overall: FRIGIDAIRE Energy Star 50-Pint Dehumidifier
- Runner Up: hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
- Best for Small Basements: GE 22 pt. Dehumidifier for Rooms up to 500 sq. ft.
- Best for Large Basements: Ivation 4,500 Sq Ft Large-Capacity Dehumidifier
- Best Value: Black+Decker 4,500 Square Foot Dehumidifier
Best Overall: FRIGIDAIRE Energy Star 50-Pint Dehumidifier
Moisture Removal: 50 pints| Room Size: Up to 1,500 square feet| Energy Star Certified: Yes
Noise Level: 47 – 51 decibels|Dimensions: 15.96 by 24.25 by 12.19 inches | Bucket Capacity: 16.9 pints
What We Like
- It covers a large area
- Affordable unit
- It also offers continuous drainage
- Slim and sleek footprint
What We Don’t Like
- You need to buy a separate drain hose
Due to its balance of control, effectiveness, and user-friendly functions, the FRIGIDAIRE is the winner of our guide.
The 50-pint capacity of this small unit makes it suited for rooms up to 1,500 square feet. There is a 24-hour programmer installed, as well, so that it can resume the power itself in case of power interruption.
In addition, you can also control the airflow with a three-speed fan. And yes, the dust and dust mites are trapped by a washable filter.
You will also adore the 16.9-pint bucket that has a handy carry handle and is front-mounted for easy access. The bucket has an automatic shut-off exists to stop overflowing.
You can also take advantage of its continuous drainage with a built-in pump. However, you will need a separate hose.
And last but not least, it has castors to make moving it simply, and at 42 pounds, it’s not too hefty to carry around.
Runner Up: hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
Moisture Removal: 50 pints| Room Size: Up to 4,500 square feet|| Energy Star Certified: Yes
Noise Level: 58 – 59 decibels|Dimensions: 15.4 x 11 x 24.3 inches| Bucket Capacity: 1.6 gallon
What We Like
- It covers a massive area
- A budget-friendly option
- Come with a continuous drainage facility
- User-friendly
What We Don’t Like
- The plastic interior might not be very durable
A low-cost option for basements up to 4,500 square feet is the hOmeLabs humidifier. With a 24-hour cycle, spill prevention, auto-resume, and a removable air filter, it includes numerous functions you might expect from a high-quality appliance.
A turbofan and defrost feature are also included to enhance humidity evacuation. hOmeLabs has added a “Comfort” button to its dehumidifier to make it as user-friendly as can.
When adjusted to the appropriate humidity level, the gadget will keep that equilibrium throughout its continuous operation or until the container is filled. Constant drainage is a choice, but hoses are not included.
There are 1.6 gallons of capacity in the bucket. However, this humidifier outperforms in functionality but is not durable due to its plastic interior.
Best for Small Basements: GE 22 pt. Dehumidifier for Rooms up to 500 sq. ft.
Moisture Removal: 22 pints| Room Size: Up to 500 square feet|| Energy Star Certified: Yes
Noise Level: 48.5 decibels|Dimensions: 13.23 x 19.41 x 9.88 inches| Bucket Capacity: 8.5 pints
What We Like
- Compact footprint
- It works quietly
- Three different fan speeds
- The alarm warns when the bucket is full
What We Don’t Like
- It does not cover much of the space
If you have a smaller basement that needs to be dehumidified, then this 22-pint GE humidifier is the way to go. While this dehumidifier might seem small, it does not compromise any features.
Moreover, the LCD panel can adjust the humidity level and powering timer. In addition, the Smart Dry feature enables the dehumidifier to run automatically to adjust the humidity level.
And the best thing is the three-speed fan that lets you increase airflow. Plus, it also has a filter to remove the dust, and you can easily wash it.
Moreover, the auto restart operation lets you run the dehumidifier even if the power interrupts.
Although most buckets include an overflow valve, the GE humidifier’s front-mounted bucket has a helpful alarm that will notify you when it is overloaded. About the bucket capacity, the 8.5 quarts can fit inside.
Best for Large Basements: Ivation 4,500 Sq Ft Large-Capacity Dehumidifier
Moisture Removal: 70 pints| Room Size: Up to 4500 square feet | Energy Star Certified: Yes
Noise Level: 56 decibels | Dimensions: 15.4 by 23.2 by 10.8 inches | Bucket Capacity: 1.3-gallon
What We Like
- An efficient device for large spaces
- Come with a continuous drain hose
- It features the defrost setting
- Portable dehumidifier with caster wheels
What We Don’t Like
- Bucket capacity is not much
The Ivation 70-Pint Dehumidifier is one of the best dehumidifiers for basements because it has numerous amazing features. With its adjustable fan speed, user-friendly LCD, and the capacity to keep pre-selected moisture levels in big areas, you can efficiently dodge humidity issues in the basement.
We choose this model as the best dehumidifier for large basements, given its 70-pint capacity. Moreover, it is simple to move around this machine thanks to its 40-pounds of weight and caster wheels below it.
You can also set the machine to turn on at specific times and check the exact humidity level. The Ivation has a 1.3-gallon tank that is simple to empty and an optional hookup, though you have to buy the hose separately.
Some individuals might consider that the bucket capacity is not much considering the 70-pint dehumidifying operation. And best of all, it contains a sensor that recognizes the accumulation of frost and switches the device off to let the crust thaw before powering it back up.
Best Value: Black+Decker 4,500 Square Foot Dehumidifier
Moisture Removal: 50 pints| Room Size: Up to 4500 square feet | Energy Star Certified: Yes
Noise Level: 51 decibels | Dimensions: 15.75” x 11.61” x 24.80” | Bucket Capacity: 14.3 Pints
What We Like
- Reasonably priced unit
- Come with a built-in continuous drain hose
- It has minimum noise
- Energy Star certified
What We Don’t Like
- Bucket capacity is not much
This dehumidifier from Black+Decker outperforms because it includes features that work with your dehumidifying needs at a reasonable price. The system can handle most basements because it removes 50 pints of moisture every 24 hours and can serve an area of up to 4,500 square feet.
The 24-hour timer can also set distinct intervals when your device is required to perform harder. Additionally, it is Energy Star certified, so you won’t need to worry about your electricity costs soaring.
This dehumidifier features a 16.4-foot drain hose and an integrated pump. Additionally, it has a washable, detachable net filter that you may keep using.
An electronically controlled panel with a readable LED digital display contains the entire system. And an added benefit is that the machine runs quietly, with no more than 51 decibels of noise.
Although it may sound like a faint hum rather than a loud bubbling, you can still hear it operating.
How to Find the Best Dehumidifier for the Basement {A Buying Guide}
If you are still perplexed to get the best dehumidifier for your basement then read our buying guide. You will get the idea to choose the best dehumidifier for your basement.
Below are the factors to consider when buying a dehumidifier for your basement.
Size:
How big or small your dehumidifier is must depend on the size of your space and its moisture. Depending on how many pints of humidity they can extract each day, dehumidifiers are scaled.
Your device will need to be stronger as your space gets bigger and moist. For instance, a 70-pint dehumidifier may dry 1,200 square feet that are only mildly damp or 700 square feet that are extremely damp.
Remember that the dehumidifier will eliminate less humidity if the space is cooler (like a basement), as colder air has less humidity than warm moist air.
Hose connection:
Choosing a dehumidifier with a hose connection might prevent you from getting constantly draining the device if you’ll be utilizing a large-capacity dehumidifier for a pretty wet operation.
Auto-humidistat
An auto-humidistat can detect the air’s humidity and automatically shut off when the required level is achieved.
-temperature setting and auto-defrost:
These features are useful if the dehumidifier is placed in a cool location as they guarantee the appliance will function effectively in cooler temperatures.
Noise
Dehumidifiers produce a noise resembling the hum of a window-mounted air conditioner; the noisier the unit, the more capacity it has. Manufacturers are not required to indicate the noise levels on their products.
However, most dehumidifiers create between 53 dB, which is equal to a typical chat, and 65 decibels, which is equivalent to the noise of street traffic.
The easiest way to judge how loud a dehumidifier will be is to check customer reviews. Another method to lessen noise is to place the device on a level surface.
Dehumidifier FAQs
What is a dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers aid in drying out the air’s extra moisture. If your home has lately had water leakage, or if you live in a humid region, this is very useful. Air that is too humid can encourage the growth of dust mites and mold in your house, resulting in allergic reactions and exacerbating asthma symptoms.
How does a dehumidifier work?
A dehumidifier functions by using a fan to suck warm air flow into its coils. Moisture absorption is left within the dehumidifier as a result of the warm air condensing as it passes through the machine’s refrigerated coils.
This condensed water gathers and falls into a storage container that is connected to the dehumidifier. The other end of the device then releases colder, drier air directly into your dwelling.
Your dehumidifier ought to be able to reduce the humidity of the air to between 30 and 50 percent. Many dehumidifiers have a gauge that determines the relative humidity in the area of your residence where they are installed, and you can adjust the humidity to the desired percentage.
What size dehumidifier for the basement is good?
To effectively remove the extra amount of moisture from the atmosphere in a severely damp basement, the dehumidifier’s capacity may need to be increased.
For a 500 square foot space, get a dehumidifier that contains 12 pints of water; for each extra 500 square foot, add 5 pints.