A dehumidifier can help clear out moisture in any room in your home, but basements are likely to benefit most, as they can get pretty damp. A couple of features make or break a dehumidifier for basement use. Good dehumidification capacity is a must, as is a wide range of fan speed settings. Drain pumps are another helpful addition, as they eliminate some of the daily maintenance by directing any accumulated moisture to a distant floor drain or sink.
You'll also want to find a model with a good range of fan speed variance. We investigated airflows' relation to dehumidification efficiency and found that running your dehumidifier at a lower fan speed can more efficiently clear moisture in certain situations, while larger rooms benefit from higher fan speeds to effectively circulate air and ensure effective dehumidification. Read about our findings to learn more about how your dehumidifier's fan speed impacts its ability to pull moisture from the air.
We've tested 20 dehumidifiers, and below are our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers for basements. We base our picks on their dehumidification performance, price, and feature sets. For more options, check out our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers, the best small dehumidifiers, and the best dehumidifiers for bedrooms.
If you don't know where to start, deciding between dehumidifiers can put a damper on your day. Luckily, we've streamlined the process, buying and testing 20 dehumidifiers from major retailers; no cherry-picked models. Our lab team then measures airflow, capacity, and more to ensure you have the data you need to make a buying decision. If you're still between models, you can compare them directly, side by side.
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Best Basement Dehumidifier
Basement8.4Capacity8.5Temperature Stability5.1Noise5.0See all our test resultsTested Dehumidification Capacity32.0 PPD (15.1 LPD)The best basement dehumidifier that we've tested is the GE APYR50LC. This full-size unit has a substantial 50-pint capacity, more than enough for most homes. It also features a drain spout and a pump, so you can have it set up to drain continuously in either a floor drain in an unfinished area, or within a sink or tub. That said, if those options aren't available to you, do note that its water tank has a capacity of 1.7 gal (6.6 L), which should be enough for roughly two days of operation. There's also a built-in moisture sensor, allowing the GE to automatically adjust its fan speed setting depending on current humidity levels.
Unfortunately, there's no getting around the fact that this is a very bulky, noisy unit that releases a lot of heat while running. If you have a smaller basement, it's likely to be oversized for that type of application.
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Best Mid-Range Basement Dehumidifier
Basement7.6Capacity7.2Temperature Stability7.0Noise6.6See all our test resultsTested Dehumidification Capacity21.0 PPD (9.9 LPD)If you're shopping at a mid-range price point and have a smaller basement that doesn't require as big a machine, the Midea MAD35S1QWT is among the best dehumidifiers for basements we've tested. It's outgunned in terms of raw capacity by the GE APYR50LC above and has a harder time clearing out moisture in large, open-concept dens, although it'll still perform well in medium-sized basements. This device is Wi-Fi enabled, so you can operate it remotely through the MSmartHome smartphone app. You can also use voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Ensure your basement has reliable Wi-Fi connectivity if you plan to operate it remotely.
This dehumidifier features two fan speeds, which makes it slightly less flexible in varying ambient conditions compared to some alternatives. While its collapsible design saves space when the unit isn't in use, it remains a bulky machine when fully deployed, especially when compared to other 35-pint models. Its 4.2 gal (16.0 L) water bucket gets pretty heavy when filled, too, making it a nuisance to empty. That said, if you'd rather drain it into a sink in a furnace room or a faraway floor drain, you can detach it from its water bucket, hook up a hose to its drain port, and activate the built-in pump. Again, finding this model can be tricky, but it's available from Home Depot. You can also check out the manufacturer's website for an up-to-date list of vendors.
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Best Budget Basement Dehumidifier
Basement6.9Capacity6.1Temperature Stability8.0Noise7.9See all our test resultsTested Dehumidification Capacity6.0 PPD (2.8 LPD)Our best budget pick is the Waykar PD160B. This fairly compact model has a relatively small 8.5-pint capacity, so it'll struggle to remove moisture from larger areas, but it's a good option for smaller basements. Additionally, it produces minimal noise, which is ideal if you use your basement as a bedroom, and it generates very little heat. You can set your desired humidity level and let the unit adjust its fan speed automatically, so you don't have to fiddle constantly with the settings while it runs. It lacks a built-in pump to drain the water into an elevated receptacle, but it does have a hose for continuous drainage into a floor drain or similar receptacle. Unfortunately, the display is rather dim, and its poor viewing angles make it almost impossible to read unless you're directly above it.
Notable Mentions
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Whirlpool WHAD50PCW:
The Whirlpool WHAD50PCW is a full-size 50-pint dehumidifier. It provides a similar dehumidification capacity to the GE APYR50LC. That said, availability is quite limited.
See our review -
GE ADHL35LA:
The GE ADHL35LA is a 35-pint dehumidifier. It's smaller than the Midea MAD35S1QWT and will have a slightly lesser impact on a room's ambient temperature. Its water tank doesn't hold nearly as much water, but it's much easier to empty than the Midea's bucket. The Midea runs quieter, has a built-in drain pump, and features Wi-Fi connectivity.
See our review -
ProBreeze PB-03:
The ProBreeze PB-03 is a compact dehumidifier, intended for use in very small spaces. It can be an option if you need to pull a bit of moisture out of an unfinished basement closet and the like, but it offers far less capacity than even a relatively small full-room unit like the Waykar PD160B.
See our review
Recent Updates
Mar 27, 2026:
We replaced the Midea MAD50PS1WS with the GE APYR50LC as the 'Best Dehumidifier For Basements' pick due to current availability. We removed the ProBreeze PB-03 from the main recommendations and added it to the Notable Mentions.
Nov 07, 2025:
Replaced the Frigidaire FFAP5034W1 with the Midea MAD50PS1WS as the 'Best Dehumidifier For Basements' pick due to current availability.
Apr 15, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock, but our recommendations haven't changed.
Mar 17, 2025:
We've edited our text for clarity, and verified our recommendations are available and represent the best choices.
Feb 06, 2025:
Minor in-text adjustments to better convey product details.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are some of the top basement dehumidifiers for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
That said, no single best option will suit everybody; your needs will depend on your budget, the size of your basement, your tolerance for operating noise, and whether you like having a device with convenience features like Wi-Fi connectivity or a drain pump. If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our dehumidifier reviews.