Danny as been writing about air purifiers for 10+ years. He is a major fan of home technology, which makes him the perfect person to test and evaluate products for HouseFresh
Having a basement can be a great addition to your home. There’s all that extra storage space or you could convert it into a bedroom, living area, or den. Unfortunately, however, basements often get very little sunlight, if any at all which makes them a breeding ground for moisture, dampness, and humidity.
It may not be immediately apparent that your basement is suffering from excess humidity but common signs include:
- Persistent coughing or increase in allergies
- Visible mold and mildew
- Damp or musty smells
- More spiders, silverfish, and moths
The right dehumidifier can significantly reduce these problems, improving the health and wellbeing of you and your family. They work by drawing in warm currents of air via a fan, which then goes through refrigerated coils. Any condensation is kept inside the unit and cool, dry air is released back into the room.
When picking out our top choices, we considered such things as weight and tank size. We also chose a variety of units for different room sizes. For example, the Aprilaire 1830 Pro Dehumidifier is designed for rooms up to 3,800 square feet. But if you’re on the lookout for something to use in a smaller basement, the Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier is ideal and covers 150 square feet.
To ensure we found the best basement dehumidifiers to meet your needs, we used consumer reports analysis to remove any fake reviews. This meant that all our recommendations came from genuine people like you who have used these models. Have you considered an air purifier to help with these issues in the basement? Check out our other articles: the 8 Best Air Purifiers for Mold and the 8 Best Air Purifiers for Basements to guide you in the right direction.
1. Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier
When you’re in the market for a unit that has a smaller footprint, the Pro Breeze Dehumidifier can fit on a desk or be tucked away neatly into a corner. This makes it particularly useful in basements that often fall victim to high moisture. Despite its size, it can still perform admirably, extracting around 9 ounces of water daily. To perform at its best, it is recommended to use it in temperatures that are above 59°F.
It is also a worthwhile dehumidifier to run 24/7 if need be. This is because it’s backed by thermoelectric (Peltier) cooling, which makes the unit more energy efficient. More so, the dehumidifier will automatically shut itself off the moment the reservoir tank is filled. There is an LED light that turns on to indicate it’s time to empty the tank.
Using the unit is simple as well. There are no extra bells and whistles as you merely click it on and off with a single button. It’s a helpful unit for anyone who needs to manage average humidity levels from time to time.
- Capacity: 16-ounce
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
- Room Size Suitability: 150 square feet
- Special Features: LED indicator light
What we love
- Nearly silent operation
- Its compact size makes it easy to move from room to room
- User-friendly design for quick setup
- Creates a noticeable difference in humidity levels in a short amount of time
We don't like this as much
- Water drains out of a small hole, so it can be time-consuming to empty
- As the tank isn't large, you may need to empty it frequently
2. Waykar Dehumidifier
The Waykar Dehumidifier gives you more control over your home’s humidity levels. With the auto control, you can pre-set humidity levels, and the machine will maintain that by turning on and off as needed. This dehumidifier will also automatically shut off once the bucket is filled. It won’t turn back on until you empty the water. There are two ways to drain it too: manually or automatically with the included drain hose.
It works to dehumidify the room at a quick pace thanks to the four air outlets on the unit rather than just having one on a single side. There’s a 24-hour timer function so you can control when the unit runs. This may also save on energy consumption. It’s easy to set the timer too via the touch control panel on top of the unit. Moving the unit around is simple too due to the built-in rolling wheels and handle.
Additionally, you can control the speed of the fan, turn off the LED panel, and even lock the control panel so it’s safe from tampering by pets and children. Other safety aspects include the power outage restart and the water full alarm.
- Capacity: 9 gallons
- Weight: 28 pounds
- Room Size Suitability: 4,500 square feet
- Special Features: Touch control panel | Built-in wheels | Auto on/off
What we love
- Sleek and stylish design so it won't stand out against your décor
- Accurate humidity level sensor
- Easy to remove the reservoir tank
- Simple to maintain as it wipes clean well
We don't like this as much
- Takes some practice to replace the water bucket smoothly
- It would help if the drainage hose was a bit longer
3. hOmeLabs Dehumidifier
With its larger size, the hOmeLabs Dehumidifier can contain humidity levels in spacious areas of your home including the basement and within open floor plans. Uncomplicated in its design, the unit has a few simple controls. There’s an optional 24-hour timer so it can run as briefly or as long as needed. You can even crank it to Turbo Mode for those higher moisture areas.
Otherwise, you can set the Comfort Mode option that will automatically set the recommended humidity levels so the unit can maintain those for you. For a completely worry-free operation, you can set the dehumidifier to run on a continuous drain via a drainage hose so you don’t have to empty the bucket. To ensure the high functionality of the unit, it’s recommended to clean the air filter every 30 days.
Additional features include an auto-defrost system and an automatic mode. If you have it set so that you manually empty the bucket, it will shut off once it reaches capacity. There’s also an auto-restart system within the device for your convenience. This will ensure that if your home experiences a power outage, the unit will turn back on, picking up from where it left off.
- Capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Weight: 40 pounds
- Room Size Suitability: 3,000 square feet
- Special Features: Defrost function | Auto on/off | Comfort Mode
What we love
- Features rolling wheels for better portability
- The control panel is simple to read
- Straightforward to attach the drain hose
- The reservoir drawer slides out easily
We don't like this as much
- Humidity gauge could have better accuracy
- Can create noticeable sound when running
4. Ivation Compressor Dehumidifier
The Ivation Compressor Dehumidifier has a small footprint and, paired with the four rolling caster wheels, it’s easy to slide the unit out of the way. It even has a 6ft extra-long cord for better positioning where you need it. Further convenience is found with the built-in handles on the reservoir tank for easier carrying.
You can program this dehumidifier to suit your home’s needs too with the 24-hour timer. There’s a regular fan speed and a turbo fan speed for varied performance, and with the humidity level sensor, you’ll know if the room needs more or less power. Once the reservoir tank is filled, the dehumidifier will automatically shut off. If there’s ever a power outage while it’s running, it’ll even restart itself.
Using the unit is straightforward too with the easy-to-read LCD control panel. Besides the timer and fan controls, the panel also shows the filter alert and the frost sensor. This auto-defrost system makes for a more eco-efficient unit as it prevents energy waste. It will also protect the evaporator coils so the dehumidifier may last longer.
- Capacity: 7.2 gallon
- Weight: 39.7 pounds
- Room Size Suitability: 4,500 square feet
- Special Features: Built-in humidity sensor | 2 fan speeds | Frost sensor
What we love
- No leakage from the drain hose
- Performs well in both warm and cooler environments
- Features a washable filter
- Includes the water hose connector to set up the drainage system
We don't like this as much
- Must take care when removing the bucket to avoid water spillage
- Instructions could be clearer on how to set desired humidity levels
5. Aprilaire 1830 Pro Dehumidifier
The Aprilaire 1830 Pro Dehumidifier is built for long-term use since it can be installed directly into the duct unit, making it ideal for basement use. This can withstand heavy, frequent use too thanks to the corrosion-resistant aluminum coils. With such performance, it not only reduces and controls moisture levels in the basement but can also better control humidity throughout the home.
Maintaining the unit is simple too. There’s no water tray to empty. Merely connect a hose to the corresponding spot or set up the dehumidifier directly over a drain making sure the unit is leveled. All of the collected water will continuously drain out so you don’t have to keep checking up on a reservoir tank. The unit’s display is also very convenient as you can mount it on the front or the top of the unit for easier access no matter how you install the unit.
What further makes this a set-it-and-forget-it type of dehumidifier is the humidity sensor. The unit will automatically begin dehumidifying the room once it detects that the levels are beyond the target zone. It will keep running until it reaches the level, and once it does, the dehumidifier will automatically shut off.
- Capacity: 9 gallons
- Weight: 67 pounds
- Room Size Suitability: 3,800 square feet
- Special Features: Drain hose design | Interactive display
What we love
- Features user-friendly instructions
- Compatibility with a remote control allows for seamless monitoring and control
- Includes duct collars for easier installation
- Robust fan so it can dry up an area fast
We don't like this as much
- Releases some heat so it can warm the room it's installed in
- The sound produced by the unit is noticeable if there's no other noise in the house
6. TOSOT 50 Pint Dehumidifier
The TOSOT 50 Pint Dehumidifier is an Energy Star rated unit that pulls in moisture from humid basements without raising your energy bill to outrageous rates. If you want to save on time, you can use the drain hose so that it runs continuously and automatically empties. Otherwise, you can always run it manually using the removable water bucket.
This unit offers real-time monitoring of humidity levels too. Through the control panel, you’ll notice the current humidity levels. Once you set a target level, the dehumidifier will kick on if it detects the moisture levels to be too high. It’ll subsequently power off the moment it reaches your target zone. However, you can always set the unit to run regardless of humidity levels. This way, it’ll turn off when the bucket is full.
Emptying the bucket is made simpler with the swivel handle design along with the spill-resistant baffles. An additional component of the unit is the washable air filter. You don’t have to guess when it’s time to clean it either since a filter indicator light will turn on via the control panel.
- Capacity: 5.2 gallons
- Weight: 50.9 pounds
- Room Size Suitability: 4,500 square feet
- Special Features: Auto drain system | Light-touch control panel | Real-time monitoring
What we love
- The water storage bucket is large so you don't have to empty it that often
- Pulls in a lot of water at a quick pace
- Beeping alert so you know when the reservoir is full
- The fan is relatively quiet on low speeds
We don't like this as much
- Works best on hard floors as it can be cumbersome to move on carpet
- Since it produces a lot of warm air, it may be more comfortable to use it in a spacious basement
7. Vremi 50 Pint Dehumidifier
The Vremi 50 Pint Dehumidifier is a sleek, streamlined unit that boasts a quiet fan so it can run in the background without disturbing anyone who may be in the basement. Using it is straightforward. You can set your ideal humidity level and let it run on its continuous 24-hour cycle. This will go until water fills the capacity line in the tank, and from there, it will auto shut-off.
Simplicity is further found in the control panel and how easy it is to read. It has a filter indicator light so you know when it’s time to clean the air filter. There is also a comfort mode button, a timer function, a turbo mode, and the continuous mode button.
If you don’t want to worry about manually emptying the unit, you can use the built-in drain hose outlet for continuous draining. For those of you that don’t mind, it’s a simple matter to empty the storage bucket. You don’t have to guess whether the tank is filled either as it has a visible water level that you can measure at a glance.
- Capacity: 5.2 gallons
- Weight: 41.6 pounds
- Room Size Suitability: 4,500 square feet
- Special Features: Auto-defrost | Continuous mode | Built-in wheels and handles
What we love
- Caster wheels roll smoothly on carpeted and hard floors
- Handy cord wrap feature allows for better storage when not in use
- Carrying handles makes it simple to move
- Memory feature so it can pick up where it left off if the power fails
We don't like this as much
- The humidity sensor may measure humidity levels slightly lower than what they are
- As the air intake is in the back, the unit can't be placed too close to walls
8. Honeywell TP30WKN Dehumidifier
The Honeywell TP30WKN Dehumidifier is designed for smaller to mid-sized basements. It features smart digital controls that provide all of the options needed to properly control the unit and maintain comfortable humidity levels. There’s a 24-hour energy-saving timer, low-temperature operation, and even a sleep mode setting.
Its smooth gliding wheels let you maneuver the unit around with ease. A handle even lifts on the top of the unit so it’s easier to push. There’s another handle found on the bucket so you can carry it with a reduced chance of any spillage. Additionally, there are anti-spill tank guards for more peace of mind when moving a filled bucket.
For unattended operation, you can attach a hose to the drain outlet. Not only does this lower moisture levels, but with the filter, it also cuts down on airborne dust. This makes it easier to breathe over time. When you want to put the unit up, there is a cord winder so that the cord stays up and out of the way.
- Capacity: 2.08 gallons
- Weight: 14 pounds
- Room Size Suitability: 1,500 square feet
- Special Features: Tank full alert | Splash guards | Gliding wheels
What we love
- The shape of the water tank makes it easy to empty in a sink
- Reduces mold and mildew odors fast
- Clear digital display screen
- Filter washes well
We don't like this as much
- The frontal digital display light remains on when the unit is in Night Mode
- Shorter cord so it must be close to an outlet or extension cable
FAQs About Dehumidifiers for Basements
What do dehumidifiers do?
Put simply, a home dehumidifier removes both moisture and humidity from the air. To do this, the dehumidifier will suck in warm air with its fan, and as that warm air goes through the refrigerated coils in the unit, it contracts.
This process leaves behind condensation that will collect at a steady rate over time, falling into an attached collection bin on the dehumidifier. From there, the unit will then release cooler and drier air from a different side.
Besides the moisture, humidity is cut down as well. This is because the dehumidifier minimizes water vapor, and since humidity is the measure of the airborne water vapor, its levels should be reduced.
Do dehumidifiers remove mold and mildew?
Since a dehumidifier can remove or reduce moisture in the air, it can help prevent mold and mildew from growing in the first place. However, if you already have these issues in your home, a dehumidifier is unable to remove them. Instead, they can control the growth so that it doesn’t spread at a fast rate before you’re able to remove it yourself.
Dehumidifiers can reduce mugginess in the air, making it easier to breathe overall. By doing this, not only does the chance of mold and mildew growth reduce, but it can also cut back on allergens and any household pests like silverfish that thrive in high-moisture environments.
What are the signs that I may need a dehumidifier?
Detecting higher moisture levels aren’t always simple unless you purchase a device like a hygrometer that measures humidity levels. Without that, there are several factors to look out for that can indicate a dehumidifier will benefit your home:
- Visible mold growth throughout the home (e.g. on furniture, floors, walls)
- Musty or mold odor in the basement
- Freshly washed clothes smelling and feeling damp
- Increase in pests such as spiders, silverfish, and moths
- Noticing visible mugginess in the air
- Watermarks along the floor
- Walls feel damp to the touch
- Increase in allergy or asthma-related symptoms
- Persistent respiratory illness such as coughing
Which Dehumidifier is Best for You?
It could be the changing of weather or you’ve recently experienced heavy rainfall, but no matter the cause, excessive moisture in the air can be damaging to your home and health. A dehumidifier can put the air in your home back on the right track.
By reducing moisture and humidity levels, there’s less of a chance mold and mildew can grow and wreak havoc on your items and health. It can also help cut back on the invasion of unwanted small pests like various insects that need high moisture areas.
Choosing the right dehumidifier doesn’t have to be a chore thanks to this list of our favorite eight products. We went through the process of reviewing each one in-depth so that you are armed with all the information needed to come to a decision. Not every dehumidifier works the same, so it’s important to find the one that best suits your home’s needs.
If you need a quick rundown than our reviews, check out our top three picks for our favorite budget-friendly dehumidifier, our top mid-range unit, and our go-to high-end dehumidifier.
- Best Budget Option – Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier
- Best Mid-Range Option – Waykar Dehumidifier
- Best High-End Option – Aprilaire 1830 Pro Dehumidifier