Finding the right dehumidifier can be intimidating at first since there are dozens of options from every manufacturer. When searching for the top option for you, you will need to think about whether you need a whole house dehumidifier, the best dehumidifier for your basement, or one for another area of your home. Consider the size of the area you want the dehumidifier to work in as well as the type of ventilation there, your budget, and what features you would like it to have. Then, you can start looking for the best portable dehumidifier or any other style you need.
Table of Content
Comparison chart of the best dehumidifier for basement
| Product image | Name | Suited for spaces up to | Water Tank size | Power consumption (watt) | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Frigidaire | 2500 sq. ft | Not listed | 745 Watt | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | Ivation | 4,500 Sq. Ft | 1.3 gallon | Not listed | $$$ | 4.4 |
 | Pro Breeze PB-02-US | 1,100 (Cubic Feet) | 16 ounce | 20 Watt | $$ | 4.3 |
 | Danby DDR60A2GP | Up To 3,600 Sq. Ft | 28.4 Litre | 600 Watt | $$ | 4.2 |
 | DeLonghi | Not listed | 7-liter | Not listed | $$$ | 4.1 |
 | Ivation GDM20 | 1,100 (Cubic Feet) | 20 ounce | 22.5 Watt | $$ | 4.0 |
 | Hisense | 1500 sq. ft | Not listed | Not listed | $$$ | 3.9 |
Independent review of whole house dehumidifiers
With the above considerations in mind, you can start looking for the best house dehumidifier and start living with cleaner air. To start off your search, here are some of the top options available.
#7 – 70 Pt. 2-Speed Dehumidifier With Built-In Pump
Made by Hisense, this dehumidifier is the same size as the previous models and while it may not be a best portable dehumidifier, you can move it around if you really want to. Instead, it does better in large areas like the basement. The built-in pump helps it work in areas as large as 1,500 square feet, more than enough for the average basement. To stand out from the crowd, this model has two speeds to choose from. Every 24 hours, it can remove as much as 70 pints of moisture from surrounding air. Like the previous product, this Hisense dehumidifier operates at an extremely low temperature, just 38 degrees Fahrenheit in this case. For convenience, there are three modes, including auto dry, continuous, and manual set. The electronical controls make it simple to control your home’s humidity levels.
#6 – Ivation GDM20 Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier, 1100 Cubic Feet
This is a unique product in that it is a best dehumidifier for basement and one of the best portable dehumidifier product available on the market. Like the Pro Breeze model, it can handle areas of 1,100 cubic feet and has an indicator light when the tank is full, alerting you to empty it. The tank holds 16 ounces and the air filter is washable. Because there are no moving parts, this is a nice, quiet product that will not disturb you and its compact size means it fits anywhere.
#5 – 45-Pint Dehumidifier
Among various products, this DeLonghi can be one of the best portable dehumidifier options or a best dehumidifier for basement. It will remove as much as 45 pints per day and relies on your standard 115-volt outlets. To make it much easier to maintain, you can empty the water tank manually or use the included 3-foot hose to do so passively. You will always know when the dehumidifier needs to be emptied since its 7-liter tank has an alarm and control system and the water level in the device is visible. Like many other products, this one also has electronic climate control and an LCD display for convenience.
#4 – Danby DDR60A2GP 60-Pint Dehumidifier
This is a more likely candidate for the best portable dehumidifier as its lower capacity means it weighs less and has smaller dimensions, making it easier to move around your home. It has a 60 pint capacity over the course of 24 hours. Impressively enough, even with its smaller size, this Danby dehumidifier can be one of the best whole house dehumidifiers as well as for basement as it can handle areas as large as 3,600 square feet given the right conditions. It features electronic controls for easy operation and uses environmentally friendly refrigerant. This model is also Energy Star compliant.
#3 – Pro Breeze Dehumidifier, 1100 Cubic Feet
This is truly a best portable dehumidifier since it is compact and portable in design. Pro Breeze created this product to work well in any area of the home such as the office, garage, basement, kitchen, or bedroom, and it can cover 1,100 cubic feet. It will remove as much as 9 ounces of moisture every day and the water tank holds 16 ounces. Since you may use it in your bedroom, this product uses Ultra-Quiet Peltier Whisper Technology. It also automatically shuts off and turns on the indicator light when you reach the maximum capacity.
#2 – Ivation 70 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifer
If you have read the full title of this particular dehumidifier from Ivation, you will get a feel for all it has to offer. It holds 70 pints of water and is a large capacity that can handle areas as large as 4,500 square feet. This makes it one of the best whole house dehumidifiers, although you can also use it in a basement if you want. The dehumidifier also has an automatic shut off and restart function and has a programmable humidistat. This particular product is designed to reduce moisture in the air, helping prevent mold and mildew. It can also reduce odors, allergens, and dust. To make it even more appealing, this Ivation best dehumidifier is simple to maintain as you just plug it in, select your settings, and empty the reservoir. It is Energy Star certified and has an automatic defrost as well as bright LED display so you know the settings you chose.
#1 – 70-Pint Dehumidifier With Effortless Humidity Control
This particular product is from Frigidaire and is one of the best basement dehumidifier options or can work for the whole house. Backed by the Frigidaire brand means you are getting a machine that is known for being high quality. Like the previous model, it has 70 pints per day and it relies on a standard 115-volt electrical outlet so you don’t need to buy any fancy connections. It has a low temperature operation (at 41 degrees Fahrenheit) so you save energy, helping the planet and your electricity bill. Like all other of the best dehumidifier for basement options, this one will protect against mildew and mold due to excess moisture and eliminate bacteria within the air. There are Ready-Select electronic controls that give you a digital humidity readout, a control lock, and a 24-hour on/off time.
Features to look in the best dehumidifier for basement
- Air Quality
There are several ways your air quality can be suffering but humidity can be at the top of the list for non-desirable effects. If this is left unchecked, you can end up with a range of problems in your home including warped wood, musty odors, paint peeling and mold. These issues can decrease the value of your home and even cause health problems. If you are breathing in mold spores, you are more likely to have trouble with allergies and or asthma. Moisture trapped in your carpet and padding will develop into mold and these spores get released into the air when you vacuum or walk across the carpet.
One of the quickest ways of dealing with too much humidity in your home is to get a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will not only decrease the excess moisture in your home, it can also serve to decrease the allergens found in your air. When you are shopping for your whole house dehumidifier, consider what kind of filtering system it has and opt for the best available to improve the air quality of your home. One of the biggest reasons homes have odors is because of too much moisture in the air. With a high-powered dehumidifier removing moisture from the air, you will see an improvement in the smell of your home. This will be because there is less mold, allergens and other issues in the air.
- Size of your Dehumidifier
There are many different ranges of dehumidifiers. You can opt from sizes that are easily portable, a unit for one room, or a solution to cover your entire home. A dehumidifier that is large enough for your entire home is often part of your HVAC system, though you can find variations. Simply set your dehumidifier to the appropriate level and when moist air is moved over the coils by the fan it will be condensed into water and collect in the pan or drain away. If you aren’t sure how much of a problem humidity is in your home, you can get a humidity gauge or hygrometer that will help you decide what kind of dehumidifier is necessary.
- Determine How Big the Problem Is
Do you experience too much humidity in just one area of your home such as the basement? Is there a problem with moisture throughout the house? How large of a problem you have will also determine what kind of solution you need. If just the basement is getting too much moisture, you can opt for something on the smaller size. If you are shopping for the best dehumidifier for basement you will need one that is larger one. This often means you will need to be able to hook it up to your HVAC system as well as a drain, sump pump or outdoor access. If you select one that is hooked up to your HVAC, you likely will need a professional to hook it up.
- Find Your Square Footage
Before you get carried away with the largest dehumidifier, calculate the square footage of what you need it to cover. Many dehumidifiers will have similar designs, while offering different capacities. This means you can get one that covers 500 square feet but only holds 4 pints of water. It is best to get one that has a ten-pint capacity for a 500-square foot space and add 4 pints for every 500 square feet added on. For 1000 feet, you need a 14-pint capacity. If you don’t know the square footage of you home, there are online calculators that can help you determine this.
- Efficiency
You are also going to want to shop for a dehumidifier that is efficient. Getting one that is energy Star-certified can mean that you use up to 15-percent less energy than other units not rated. In the long run, this dehumidifier can save you close to $175.00 over the life of the machine. It can also help you avoid close to 2,800 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions during the course of its use.
- How the Water is Removed
Another key factor to consider when shopping for the best dehumidifier for basement is how the water is removed. Depending on how much space you are using it for and how much humidity is in the air, can influence the type of water removal you are dealing with. If you are doing a large home, then you will want a machine that can be hooked up to a drain that flows into your drain or outside. If this is not an option, you will need to be prepared to empty the drain pan often. If you are doing a smaller space or confined by where the water can run off to, then you will need one with a pan. Depending on how often you can empty the pan or how much moisture is in your home you may need to opt for larger capacity.
- Final Considerations
Once you have looked at how large of a humidity problem you have and decided the size of dehumidifier you need among other details, you will want to think about your budget. If you can budget for a larger dehumidifier than you think you need, do so. This can help insure you have a home that isn’t damaged by moisture. While shopping machines, also consider warranties and satisfaction guaranteed policies. This will help you in the even that there is trouble from humidity after you have been using the dehumidifier. They can also be helpful in the event your machine brakes after little use.
Conclusion
Now that you have a better idea of which are the best whole house dehumidifier options and which ones are ideal for other areas of your home, you are ready to start shopping. Any of the above products will do an excellent job zapping the humidity in your home. You just need to figure out which one best meets your requirements. Check your budget, and your square footage and you’re ready to get shopping.
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