Dehumidifiers are very important for basements because they remove moisture from the air, which prevents the growth of mold, mildew, and dust mites.
They achieve this by sucking the air then passing it through cold coils to condense the moisture. This moisture is trapped and stored in a tank or drained via tubing, then the air is directed towards warm coils to bring it up to room temperature before releasing it.
That said, these appliances come in different varieties and sizes. This review covers the best dehumidifiers for basements to help you pick the one that suits your needs.
What To Check Before Buying Dehumidifier for Basement?
1. Coverage Area of Dehumidifier
Given in square feet, this is the approximate area that the dehumidifier can serve. Generally, you need a unit that removes at least 25 PPD (Pints Per Day) for a space that is about 2000 sq. ft.
However, this is not standardized because some of these appliances have a high PPD value but the coverage is quite small. For instance, AlorAir’s Sentinel HDi90 can remove 90 PPD but has a coverage area of 2600 sq. ft.
It can handle a much larger area than this and therefore, it does have a slight edge over the others.
2. Standards
Another important factor to consider is the standard used to determine the PPD. Most dehumidifiers use the new 2019 DOE (Department of Energy) standard, in which the units are tested under two conditions: 65ºF room temperature and 60% relative humidity.
This classifies them mostly as 30, 50, and 70 PPD humidifiers. Before this, there was the 2012 DOE standard, which was based on a room temperature of 80ºF and 60% relative humidity.
There is also the AHAM rating (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers), which rates the PPD based on similar conditions as the old 2012 DOE standard, which is 80ºF and 60% relative humidity.
On the other hand, the saturation rating is based on 90ºF and 90% relative humidity, which represents very extreme conditions. Some units even have customized standard ratings based on different temperature and humidity conditions.
All in all, it can be really difficult to compare the products if they are based on different ratings. Therefore, you should consider buying dehumidifiers with either one of the three ratings (AHAM, 2012, or 2019 DOE) because these are trusted.
3. Drainage Options
There are two drainage options and the most common one is a water tank. This needs to be emptied once full and therefore, it is more convenient to have a larger tank because this means less frequent emptying cycles.
Continuous draining is more convenient because you don’t need to empty the tank every once in a while. Instead, a hose directs the condensed water outside or into the drains.
Some units have an internal pump to push the water over a vertical length and this is recommended for basements if you want to empty the water outside. For this, be sure to check out the Tosot GDN45BA-A3EBA2B.
4. Dehumidifier Noise Level
Dehumidifiers are not restricted to basement use where noise is not a big issue. Within the main house and especially in bedrooms, if it is too noisy, it might interrupt your sleep, and therefore, the quieter it is, the better.
That said, noise is measured in decibels and the lower it is, the better. For example, Inofia’s GA2 runs while producing less than 46 dB in noise. This is almost equivalent to the sound produced by moderate rainfall, which is silent enough for home use.
5. Extra Features
There are several convenience features that you should look for and the main one is auto-humidistat.
This is quite common, and it automates the moisture removal process by starting the condensation process when the humidity level goes above the set threshold. It then stops the process once the level is below the threshold.
Another important one is auto-defrost and this helps to protect the coils from freezing when the room temperature is very low. More includes a memory function and multiple fan speed settings.
6. Maintenance
Lastly, you need to check the maintenance process of the dehumidifier and the ideal one should have an easily removable and washable air filter.
10 Best Dehumidifiers for Basements Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 (Best Overall) |
|
 | 2. Honati B07WWFRG5R (Best Budget) |
|
 | 3. Aprilaire 1830 (Best Commercial) |
|
 | 4. Tosot GDN45BA-A3EBA2B (Best Large Capacity) |
|
 | 5. Keystone KSTAD504D (Multi-Speed) |
|
 | 6. Inofia GA2 (With Auto Defrost) |
|
 | 7. Ivation IVALDH70PW (Energy Efficient) |
|
 | 8. Vremi 52140000 (With Memory Function) |
|
 | 9. Friedrich D70BPA (Easily Portable) |
|
 | 10. HomeLabs HME020031N (Easy-to-Use) |
|
1. AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 – Best Overall
Photo: AlorAir
- Size: 90-pint
- Coverage Area: 2600 sq. ft.
With the capability of removing up to 90 pints (AHAM) of moisture from the air per day, AlorAir’s Sentinel HDi90 takes the overall best spot because it is very quick. Additionally, in saturated conditions (90% humidity and 90ºF), it can remove 198 pints per day, which is very impressive.
This is made possible by a Hot Gas Valve defrosting system (HGV), which is quick and efficient and can work at extremely low temperatures of up to 33.8ºF.
An epoxy powder coating is applied to the coils for internal corrosion protection, which makes the dehumidifier’s durability. It prevents hydroxide and sulfide compounds from eating into the metal, which would cause Freon leakage.
You get a built-in heavy-duty condensate pump with a drain height of 14.7 ft., a remote-control option that is ideal for sound insulation and saving space, and a low sound pressure level of 58dB(A), which is equivalent to conversational speech.
The only problem is that the unit is very costly, but it is worth the price.
Pros:
- High 90 PPD moisture removal
- Efficient Hot Gas Valve defrosting system
- Epoxy powder coating for corrosion protection
- Built-in pump with a drain height of 14.7 ft.
- Remote control option
Cons:
- Expensive
2. Honati B07WWFRG5R – Best Budget
Photo: Honati
- Size: 1.6-pint
- Coverage Area: 269 sq. ft.
- Tank Capacity: 0.5 gal
For those looking to buy an affordable dehumidifier that is reliable and highly efficient, Honati’s B07WWFRG5R is the ideal choice to spend on. Though it has a small 0.5-gal tank, the unit is equipped with an automatic shut-off feature that prevents overflowing once full.
Apart from that, the product is powered by advanced technology without a compressor, which makes it run very quietly. It produces noise that is below 60 dB and this creates a quiet environment in your bedroom, baby room, RV, or basement.
Other features are a detachable and easy-to-clean filter, and easy one-button operation. On the downside, the unit can only remove 750 ml (1.6 pints) of moisture per day at 86ºF and 80% humidity. This makes it ideal for a small 100-269 sq. ft. space.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Automatic shut-off
- No-compressor design for quiet running
- Easy one-button operation
- Easy-to-clean filter
Cons:
- Small tank
- Low rate of moisture removal
3. Aprilaire 1830 – Best Commercial
Photo: Aprilaire
- Size: 70-pint
- Coverage Area: 3800 sq. ft.
Aprilaire’s 1830 is rated at 70 pints of moisture removal per day in a large 3800 sq. ft. area, which is ideal for commercial use in basements and crawl spaces. It can be used domestically for the whole house because it packs in quite a lot of power.
The humidifier is fitted with corrosion-resistant aluminum coils that prevent the refrigerant from leaking due to wear and tear. This enhances its durability for long-lasting use.
Aside from that, the unit does have a water tray for collecting the condensed water. It relies on a continuous drainage system, which requires you to hook it up to a hose to direct water outside to the drains.
This design makes the model fully automatic because you don’t have to empty the tray every once in a while.
Other features include leveling feet and inlet/outlet collars for connecting to air ducts for targeted dehumidification.
However, the product is quite expensive and it lacks a built-in pump for draining to a height above its placement.
Pros:
- Large 70-pint size and 3800 sq. ft. coverage
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum coils
- Easy-to-use continuous drainage system
- Includes inlet and outlet collars
Cons:
- Expensive
- Lacks a pump
4. Tosot GDN45BA-A3EBA2B – Best Large Capacity
Photo: Tosot
- Size: 50-pint
- Coverage Area: 4500 sq. ft.
- Tank Capacity: 2 gal
Tosot’s humidifier is equipped with a large 2-gallon bucket that allows it to run for a longer period without emptying.
On top of this, it has a continuous draining option for uninterrupted dehumidification, plus an internal pump with a drain height of 12-ft to push water out of the basement.
The unit has a real-time monitoring feature that you can use to automate the dehumidification process. You only have to set the target humidity level then leave it to work its magic.
You can set it to run non-stop, in which case it will only stop once the bucket is full or run continuously if the draining option is in use.
Other features include a washable air filter, automatic resumption in case of a power failure, and a wide coverage area of 4500 sq. ft. However, inlet/outlet collars are not included for targeted dehumidification.
Pros:
- Large 2-gallon bucket
- Continuous draining option with an internal pump
- Real-time humidity level monitoring
- Washable air filter
- Automatic resumption after power failure
Cons:
- Lacks inlet/outlet collars
5. Keystone KSTAD504D – Multi-Speed Dehumidifier for Basements
Photo: Keystone
- Size: 50-pint
- Coverage Area: 4500 sq. ft.
- Tank Capacity: 1.6 gal
This dehumidifier gives you 3 fan speed options to choose from to suit different humidity levels in different rooms. These include turbo, normal and auto-defrost, with the turbo being ideal for quick moisture removal.
An easy-to-use digital control panel is included at the top of the unit and it contains a fan button for making these speed adjustments, up/down buttons for timer setting, and a continuous draining option to switch between draining in the 1.6-gallon bucket or hose draining.
That said, the unit is designed to remove 50 pints of moisture from the air per day, which is also equivalent to 70 PPD as per the 2012 DOE standard. This enables it to have a wide coverage area of up to 4500 sq. ft.
The only issues are that it lacks an internal pump for draining water over a vertical length and a draining hose is not included.
Pros:
- 3 fan speed options
- Easy-to-use digital control panel
- Built-in timer for controlled dehumidification
- Bucket and continuous draining options
Cons:
- Lacks an internal pump
- No draining hose
6. Inofia GA2 – Basement Dehumidifier with Auto Defrost
Photo: Inofia
- Size: 30-pint
- Coverage Area: 1056 sq. ft.
- Tank Capacity: 0.5 gal
Inofia’s GA2 features an auto-defrost operation that protects it against cold conditions, which allows you to use it at low temperatures of up to 41ºF. This operation helps to minimize its maintenance requirements while also enhancing its durability.
Other than that, the product has a power outage restart function, in which it is designed to restart having the same settings in the event of a power outage.
You get other smart features such as auto-stop when the humidity level reaches the set figure and auto-restart that powers it back on once the moisture level rises again.
More features include two speed settings (high and low) and low noise operation where it produces less than 44 dB at low speed and less than 46 dB at high speed.
On the downside, the unit has a small 0.5-gallon tank, but you can use the continuous draining option to avoid frequent emptying. However, this has to be via gravity because there is no internal pump.
Pros:
- Auto-defrost operation
- Power outage restart function
- Two-speed settings
- Low noise running (less than 46 dB)
Cons:
- No internal pump
7. Ivation IVALDH70PW – Energy Efficient
Photo: Ivation
- Size: 50-pint
- Coverage Area: 4500 sq. ft.
- Tank Capacity: 1.3 gal
With a power rating of 6.9 Amps/ 720W, Ivation’s IVALDH70PW is quite energy-efficient. It is energy star certified, which means it is tested and found to be eco-efficient.
That said, the unit still offers impressive performance because it can remove 50 pints of moisture from the air per day. It was rated at 70 PPD in the old 2012 DOE standards, which was measured at 80ºF and 60% humidity.
The appliance is very easy-to-use because it has a plug-n-play design and requires very low maintenance. Additionally, it has a digital control panel with a bright LED display for adjusting the fan speed, timer, filter alert, and many other settings.
You also get a frost sensor, a washable air filter, a removable 1.3-gallon tank, and a hose hook up for continuous drainage. However, the drainage hose is not included in the set.
Pros:
- Energy-star certified for eco-efficiency
- Easy-to-use plug-n-play design
- Built-in frost sensor
- Washable air filter
Cons:
- Hose not included
8. Vremi 52140000 – Best with Memory Function
Photo: Vremi
- Size: 50-pint
- Coverage Area: 4500 sq. ft.
- Tank Capacity: 1.8 gal
Vremi’s 52140000 packs in a memory function that stores all the settings in case of a power outage. As such, when the power supply is restored, the unit picks up from where it left off, which is very convenient.
It has 2 other key convenience features, which are auto shut-off that pauses the condensation process once the 1.8-gallon tank is full and auto defrost, which prevents the coils from freezing.
That said, the water tank has a narrow transparent strip that shows the water level at a glance and there is the more convenient option of continuous draining using a hose. However, the dehumidifier does not have an internal pump and the hose is not included.
Other features include a removable, washable filter and handles for easy portability.
Pros:
- Memory function for restoring settings after an outage
- Auto shut-off once the tank fills up
- Auto defrost
- Washable filter
- Built-in handles for easy carrying
Cons:
- No internal pump
- Hose not included
9. Friedrich D70BPA – Easily Portable Basement Dehumidifier
Photo: Friedrich
- Size: 70-pint
- Coverage Area: 2500 sq. ft.
- Tank Capacity: 2 gal
With 8 caster wheels in sets of two, Friedrich’s D70BPA is easily mobile from room to room, and this helps you to dehumidify the entire house, including the basement, quickly.
While doing so, the unit displays the humidity level and room temperature on the top-mounted control panel, and it allows you to adjust the humidity level to the required figure from a range of 30-90%.
A 24-hour on/off timer is built-in and this can be adjusted on the same control panel to automate the dehumidification process to occur at different times of the day.
The condensed moisture is kept in a 2-gallon tank, but there is the option of continuous draining, which is more convenient. For this, a drain pump is built-in and it has a drain height of 15 ft.
On the downside, this D70BPA cannot be connected to air ducts for targeted dehumidification because it lacks inlet/outlet collars.
Pros:
- 8 casters wheels for easy mobility
- 24-hour on/off timer for automated dehumidification cycles
- Large 2-gallon tank
- Built-in pump for a continuous draining option
Cons:
- No inlet/outlet collars
10. HomeLabs HME020031N – Easy-to-Use Basement Dehumidifier
Photo: HomeLabs
- Size: 50-pint
- Coverage Area: 4500 sq. ft.
- Tank Capacity: 1.8 gal
HomeLabs’ HME020031N features a touch control panel that is very easy to use. This panel allows you to make various adjustments such as setting to continuous mode, adjusting the 24-hour timer, and setting the fan speed, just to name a few.
That said, when set to continuous mode, the unit deactivates the humidistat and runs until the 1.8-gallon tank fills up. There is also a continuous draining option for easier use but with this in use, the dehumidifier can run non-stop in continuous mode.
Other features include auto-defrost for protecting the coils from cold weather, a washable air filter, wheels and built-in handles for easy movement, and a UL & Energy Star rating for eco-efficiency. On the downside, the required draining hose is not included.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use touch control panel
- Adjustable 24-hour timer
- Tank and continuous draining options
- Auto-defrost
- Wheels and built-in handles
Cons:
- Draining hose not included
Conclusion
In conclusion, AlorAir’s Sentinel HDi90 takes the overall best dehumidifier for basements slot because it has a high moisture removal rate of 90 PPD, an efficient defrosting system, and an internal pump for vertical length draining.
On the other hand, Aprilaire’s 1830 has a wider coverage area rating of 3800 sq. ft. plus a relatively high removal rate of 70 PPD and inlet/outlet collars, which make it suitable for commercial use.
These two are quite expensive though. If you are looking for an affordable high-quality dehumidifier, check out the Honati B07WWFRG5R.
In this post:
- What To Check Before Buying Dehumidifier for Basement?
- 10 Best Dehumidifiers for Basements Reviewed
- 1. AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 – Best Overall
- 2. Honati B07WWFRG5R – Best Budget
- 3. Aprilaire 1830 – Best Commercial
- 4. Tosot GDN45BA-A3EBA2B – Best Large Capacity
- 5. Keystone KSTAD504D – Multi-Speed Dehumidifier for Basements
- 6. Inofia GA2 – Basement Dehumidifier with Auto Defrost
- 7. Ivation IVALDH70PW – Energy Efficient
- 8. Vremi 52140000 – Best with Memory Function
- 9. Friedrich D70BPA – Easily Portable Basement Dehumidifier
- 10. HomeLabs HME020031N – Easy-to-Use Basement Dehumidifier
- Conclusion