Choosing the Best Dehumidifier for Basement

At the change of seasons, we might be more prone to notice dampness and mold in our homes. Basements in particular, in their stations of in-ground dwelling, see more than their fair share of mold and mildew. While it may seem like a hopeless cause, there is hope in the war against basement dampness.

That hope comes in the form of a dehumidifier for basement, which is the type of dehumidifier this article is focused on. In this article, we’ll look at what dehumidifiers do, how they work, what to consider when buying one, and then review ten of the best dehumidifiers for the basement on the market today.

What Does a Dehumidifer Do?

Simply put, a dehumidifier captures excess water (e.g., dampness or moisture) in an environment and thus prevents the growth of mildew and mold. In particular, a dehumidifier for basement is a typical dehumidifier that comes better equipped with features to efficiently perform its dehumidification in severe conditions, such as some basements tend to produce.

How Does a Dehumidifier Work?

Essentially, a dehumidifier draws in warm, moist air with a fan. The moist air then crosses over refrigerant cooled coils, which makes the moisture in the air condense onto the coils within the machine. The condensation in the machine drops into a drip pan or removal bucket or some sort of device that can then be emptied. When air cools, it can hold less moisture, so this now-cooled air passes back over the dehumidifier’s warm motor to reheat the air before it is sent back out into the basement.

What to Consider when Buying a Dehumidifier for Basement

When you’re looking to buy a dehumidifier for basement, you’ll want to consider model specifications to meet your basement’s needs. Some questions to ask and consider include the following:

• What are the unit’s dimensions? How much does it weigh? Is the unit portable?
• How loud is the unit?
• What room size is the unit designed for dehumidifying?
• How large is the drain tank? Is there a continuous drain option, such as a hose drain outlet?
• How much electricity does the dehumidifier use?
• Is it programmable? Is there an auto-humidistat?
• Is there an internal pump?
• Is there a filter indicator?
• What room temperatures does it work well in?

Our Top 3 Basement Dehumidifiers

1. Friedrich 70 Pint Dehumidifier with Built-In Drain Pump

This Energy Star-rated dehumidifier plugs into a standard 115v electrical outlet and has a sleek, modern design. The Friedrich’s continuous drain operation makes it a favorite among basement dehumidifiers, as the built-in drain pump allows condensation to be pumped vertically or horizontally up to 15 feet, in addition to the continuous drainage option made available by the rear drain outlet.

The Friedrich’s top-mount digital display shows room temperature and humidity level, and you can set the humidity levels anywhere from 30% to 90% RH. Caster wheels on the bottom of the unit allow for easy mobility and portability, ideal for a basement setting. The model includes a 24-hour on/off timer. Other features include an easy-to-slide-out washable filter, a 6-foot power cord, and auto-restart should the power go out.

2. Ivation 70-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier

This large capacity yet compactly designed dehumidifier for basement works in spaces up to 4,500 square feet. The Ivation is a compressor dehumidifier that comes with a programmable humidisat to remove 70 pints of moisture every day when needed (easily gauged via a transparent water tank). This level of effectiveness is a powerful combatant against mold, mildew, dust, allergens, and odors, which in turn results in healthier air for healthier inhabitants.

The Ivation is a low-maintenance and easily operable model, requiring little more than plugging in the unit, selecting from two fan settings (turbo or regular), and then emptying the 1.3-gallon reservoir when required. Smooth-rolling casters allow the unit to be placed precisely where you want it. The model also comes with a hose connector, if you prefer to drain water via gravity. A bright LED display shows the humidistat and selected setting, the fan speed, a timer, and a filter alert. Also included are auto shutoff/restart, auto-defrost, casters, and an easily removable and washable air filter.

3. Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 70-Pint Dehumidifier

This Energy Star-rated dehumidifier for basement protects your in-ground living area from mold and mildew with capacity to remove 70 pints of moisture per day. A space-wise portable design includes a top handle, integrated side handles, and caster wheels. The Frigidaire unit includes a front pull-out 13.1-pint tank with a handle, along with a splash guard, full tank alert, and auto shut-off so the efficient unit doesn’t keep dehumidifying until there is space in the tank to catch the moisture.

What’s more, if the Frigidaire is placed near a suitable drain source, you have the option to run the unit continuously. Furthering the energy efficiency, a low-temperature option (41 degrees) is cost-effective. The model is designed to be easily usable, with ready-to-select electronic controls that include a digital humidity readout, a 24-hour on/off timer, and a control lock.

Other Great Options for Dehumidifier for the Basement

Ivation 50-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier

This compressor dehumidifier services spaces up to 3,000 square feet, and is designed to be discreet in most spaces. It removes 50 pints of moisture per day with an 0.8-gallon reservoir to help prevent mold, mildew, allergens, odors, and more from your basement. This Ivation model includes an LED display that shows a programmable humidistat (which gauges the level of humidity in a given space), the two-option fan speed, a timer, and a filter alert. The unit also has casters, a hose connector, a washable filter, and auto shutoff/restart capacity.

hOmeLabs Energy Star Dehumidifier

This is very likely the largest model of dehumidifier for basement on the market today, working effectively in spaces up to 4,500 square feet by removing up to 50 pints of moisture from the air per day. It’s the perfect solution for large and/or very moist spaces. You can select your preferred moisture settings. It has a sleek design that is aimed at the more modern aesthetic. Casters make portability easy and convenient. It has an automatic shut-off feature when the tank reaches capacity, or you can use the gravity-fed drain hose outlet.

Frigidaire FAD504DWD 50-Pint Dehumidifier

This Frigidaire dehumidifier is designed to remove up to 50 pints of moisture from the air per day in a space up to 1,000 square feet. Its design involves a front pull-out collection container, 16.3-pint capacity with a level indicator, with a handle and splash guard to keep the water in the tank and not spilling out everywhere. An electronic control panel allows you to set the fan speed (two options) and see digital humidity readout. Its Energy Star rating allows for efficient dehumidification, which also translates to less money to run the unit. This model can also run continuously when connected to a hose.

hOmeLabs Energy Star Dehumidifier, Medium to Large Rooms and Basements

With a capacity to serve 1,500 square foot spaces, the hOmeLabs medium- to large-room capacity dehumidifier removes up to 22 pints of moisture daily from the air. It is specially designed for the modern home, with its sleek, clean look that includes a touch control panel as well as convenient built-in wheels and handles. A quiet fan is also key to its success. To operate this hOmeLabs model, simply adjust the unit to your ideal moisture setting (out of six options) and the timer, then let it run until the 1-gallon tank is full (about 24 hours), until automatic shutoff. Empty the tank or attach a standard garden hose to the unit for continuous drain options. Also comes with a change-filter reminder.

TOSOT Energy Star Dehumidifier

Designed for rooms up to 1,500 square feet, the quiet TOSOT dehumidifier is designed to make quick use of the basement’s excess moisture. It peaks at 48 decibels, which means you’ll hardly know it’s running. This 30-pint machine is great for smaller spaces, being able to remove up to 4 gallons of moisture. It comes with a gravity drain hose connection to empty water in a sump pump for floor drain, eliminating the need to empty water by hand. Comes with a built-in continuous drainage option, a washable air filter, and 30-pint drain bucket. Its Energy Star rating allows you to save money on your monthly utility bill. The TOSOT will also reset automatically in the event of a power outage.

Keystone High Efficiency 50-Pint Dehumidifier

This dehumidifier is designed to remove up to 50 pints of moisture per day in a space up to 3,000 square feet. The Keystone has three settings: normal, turbo, and auto-defrost. It includes an easily removable dust filter that is also easy to clean, along with an alert when the filter needs to be cleaned. A continuous draining option is also available with a hose attachment at the back of the unit.

We hope that as you research the best dehumidifier for basement needs, to keep your basement free from damp air and mold, this article has been helpful in your considerations.

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