Best dehumidifiers for basements and drying out after water damage (2026)

After a leak, a backed-up drain or a flooded basement, speed matters: EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and to keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent. A dehumidifier is how most homes do that, alongside fans and open windows when the air outside is drier. This page compares dehumidifiers from 20 to 50 pints a day on DOE's rating, bucket size and whether they can drain continuously or pump water up to a sink. We haven't tested them ourselves.

By Tom Calder · Updated November 9, 2026 · 9 products, all price-tracked

Dehumidifiers compared for US households

Our picks

Best basement dehumidifier 4.6

50 pints a day: wet basements and drying out

Photo: Amazon

Midea Cube 50 Pint

50 pints/day · 4,500 sq ft · 4.2 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes

A large basement or wet space

Researched

$239.91 at Amazon

as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

In stock

Check price →

Best small dehumidifier 4.5

Under 30 pints a day: a damp room

Photo: Amazon

Midea Cube 20 Pint

20 pints/day · 1,500 sq ft · 3.2 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes

A small basement room, bathroom or crawlspace

Researched

$191.26 at Amazon

as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details

In stock

Check price →

Best mid-size dehumidifier 4.5

30 to 40 pints a day

Photo: Amazon

Midea Cube 35 Pint

35 pints/day · 3,500 sq ft · 4.2 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes

A medium basement with a hose to a drain

Researched

$249.99 at Amazon

as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details

In stock

Check price →

All 9 compared

Show

Dehumidifier	Capacity (DOE 2019)	Area (maker)	Bucket	Drain	ENERGY STAR	Price
1. Midea Cube 50 Pint Dehumidifier for Basement, 4,500 Sq. Ft Best basement dehumidifier 50 pints/day · 4,500 sq ft · 4.2 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes A large basement or wet space 4.6	50 pints/day	4,500 sq ft	4.2 gallon	Gravity hose	Yes	$239.91 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 50-pint Cube with a 4.2-gallon tank and a drain hose in the box, rated for 4,500 sq ft. The listing shows a separate with-pump style; this one drains by gravity. Best for A large basement or wet space Good 50-pint class with ENERGY STAR badge Drain hose included Large tank Worth knowing No pump in this style Same 4.2-gallon tank as the 35-pint Cube Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your floor drain is above the unit.
2. Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier for Basement, 1,500 Sq. Ft Best small dehumidifier 20 pints/day · 1,500 sq ft · 3.2 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes A small basement room, bathroom or crawlspace 4.5	20 pints/day	1,500 sq ft	3.2 gallon	Gravity hose	Yes	$191.26 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 20-pint dehumidifier with a 3.2-gallon tank and a drain hose in the box. Midea says the 20-pint rating is similar to a 30-pint rating under the old DOE test, which is the same relationship ENERGY STAR publishes. It is rated for 1,500 sq ft. Best for A small basement room, bathroom or crawlspace Good Drain hose included Large 3.2-gallon tank Wi-Fi and auto restart Worth knowing 20-pint class is for small spaces No built-in pump Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need to dry a large or very wet basement.
3. Midea Cube 35 Pint Dehumidifier for Basement, 3,500 Sq. Ft Best mid-size dehumidifier 35 pints/day · 3,500 sq ft · 4.2 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes A medium basement with a hose to a drain 4.5	35 pints/day	3,500 sq ft	4.2 gallon	Gravity hose	Yes	$249.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 35-pint Cube with a large 4.2-gallon tank and a drain hose in the box, rated for 3,500 sq ft by Midea. The maker compares the rating to 50 pints under the old test; ENERGY STAR's table puts old 50 pints nearer 30 pints, so judge it as a 35-pint unit. Best for A medium basement with a hose to a drain Good Drain hose included 4.2-gallon tank Wi-Fi with Alexa and Google voice control Worth knowing No built-in pump Maker's 'similar to 50 pt' comparison is generous Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need a pump to lift water out of a low basement.
4. Frigidaire 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Wi-Fi (ENERGY STAR 2026) 50 pints/day · 2.7 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes A large damp basement or crawlspace with app control 4.4	50 pints/day	—	2.7 gallon	Gravity hose	Yes	$304.86 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 50-pint ENERGY STAR model with Wi-Fi and a 2.7-gallon tank, with a continuous-drain option for a hose to a floor drain. The listing doesn't state a room size in square feet or a pump. Best for A large damp basement or crawlspace with app control Good 50-pint class, ENERGY STAR per listing 2.7-gallon tank Wi-Fi and programmable Worth knowing No built-in pump Room size not stated Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your drain is higher than the unit; you would need a pump model.
5. GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Pump and Hose, 5000 Sq Ft 50 pints/day · 5,000 sq ft · 15 pint · Built-in pump A basement where the drain is above the unit 4.4	50 pints/day	5,000 sq ft	15 pint	Built-in pump	—	$282.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched The pump version of GE's 50-pint model: it lifts water up to 15 feet vertically and includes a 16-foot hose, so it can drain to a sink or a drain above the unit without emptying a bucket. Rated for 5,000 sq ft by GE; the listing doesn't mention ENERGY STAR. Best for A basement where the drain is above the unit Good Built-in pump lifts 15 ft 16 ft hose included Rated for 5,000 sq ft Worth knowing ENERGY STAR not stated More to go wrong than a gravity drain Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have a floor drain next to the unit; the standard model is simpler.
6. Frigidaire 35 Pint Dehumidifier for Home, Bedroom and Medium Rooms 35 pints/day · 1.7 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes A bedroom, bathroom or medium room 4.3	35 pints/day	—	1.7 gallon	Gravity hose	Yes	$217 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 35-pint ENERGY STAR model with a 1.7-gallon tank and a continuous-drain option. The listing doesn't give a room size or a pump. Best for A bedroom, bathroom or medium room Good ENERGY STAR per listing Continuous-drain option Programmable Worth knowing 1.7-gallon tank fills faster Room size not stated Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to leave it unattended for days in a very wet space.
7. Midea 50 Pint Dehumidifier for Basement, 4,500 Sq. Ft 50 pints/day · 4,500 sq ft · 1.6 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes A large space where you will hook up a hose 4.3	50 pints/day	4,500 sq ft	1.6 gallon	Gravity hose	Yes	$219.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 50-pint model rated for 4,500 sq ft with a smaller 1.6-gallon tank, so it is best run with a hose to a drain (hose not included). It shuts off when the tank is full and restarts after you empty it. Best for A large space where you will hook up a hose Good 50-pint class, ENERGY STAR in title Auto shutoff and restart Quiet at 49 dBA low by the maker Worth knowing Small 1.6-gallon tank for its size Hose not included Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you plan to empty a bucket by hand in a very wet basement.
8. GE 50 Pint Dehumidifier for Basement, Bedroom, Bathroom, 5000 Sq Ft 50 pints/day · 5,000 sq ft · 15 pint · Gravity hose A large space where you can run a hose downhill 4.3	50 pints/day	5,000 sq ft	15 pint	Gravity hose	—	$278 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 50-pint GE rated for 5,000 sq ft with a 15-pint bucket and a connection for a gravity drain hose (hose not included). The listing says outright that it has no pump and doesn't mention ENERGY STAR. Best for A large space where you can run a hose downhill Good Rated for 5,000 sq ft Bucket-full alarm Washable filter Worth knowing No pump, hose not included ENERGY STAR not stated Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need to move water uphill; take the pump model.
9. Midea 22 Pint Dehumidifier for Basement, 1,500 Sq. Ft 22 pints/day · 1,500 sq ft · 0.8 gallon · Gravity hose · Yes A small room where you will empty the tank or run a hose 4.2	22 pints/day	1,500 sq ft	0.8 gallon	Gravity hose	Yes	$194.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 22-pint model rated for 1,500 sq ft with a small 0.8-gallon tank, so plan on a hose to a drain for continuous use (hose not included). Midea says it runs at 47 dBA. Best for A small room where you will empty the tank or run a hose Good ENERGY STAR in the title Wi-Fi and Alexa Quiet at 47 dBA by the maker Worth knowing Small 0.8-gallon tank Hose not included Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want it to run for days without emptying or hooking up a hose.

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The honest bit

Pint ratings changed in 2020. ENERGY STAR explains that DOE now tests in cooler, basement-like conditions, so a model sold as 70 pints before 2020 works out to about 40 to 45 pints on today's rating, and an old 50-pint model to about 30. Compare like with like: every figure on this page is a current rating as the listing gives it. After a real flood, a dehumidifier is one part of drying out; if the damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, EPA says to call in a professional who has experience with it. For a damp closet, a cheap moisture absorber may be enough.

Before you buy

Size it with ENERGY STAR's table.

For a space under 2,000 sq ft, ENERGY STAR suggests 20 to 30 pints a day if it's slightly to moderately damp, 25 to 40 if very damp, and 30 to 50 if wet. ENERGY STAR also says it's better to oversize than undersize.

Compare current DOE ratings.

DOE changed the test in 2020, so older or imported listings quoting much bigger pint figures, or figures 'at 95°F, 90% RH', aren't comparable.

Think about the water.

A bucket fills fast in a wet basement. Every unit here can drain continuously through a hose to a floor drain; GE's pump model can push water up to 15 feet to a sink or drain, which helps where there's no floor drain.

Check the temperature it works in.

ENERGY STAR notes that if the space is usually below 65°F, you may want a model specified for lower temperatures, because frost can build on the coils.

ENERGY STAR models use less power.

Most units here carry the label; it matters for a machine that may run for weeks.

How we choose

We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Read our full methodology →

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Common questions

How fast do I need to dry things out after a leak or flood?

EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth; in most cases, mold will not grow if materials are dried in that time.

What humidity should my home be?

EPA advises keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent, and using air conditioners and/or dehumidifiers when needed.

What size dehumidifier do I need for a basement?

ENERGY STAR's guide suggests 30 to 50 pints a day for a wet space under 2,000 sq ft, and 50+ for larger wet spaces. For a very damp space it suggests 25 to 40 pints under 2,000 sq ft and 40+ above.

Why do new dehumidifiers have smaller pint ratings?

DOE changed the test in 2020 to cooler, more realistic conditions comparable to a basement, which ENERGY STAR says is why rated capacities dropped. An old 50-pint unit is about a 30-pint unit on today's rating.

Do I need a dehumidifier with a pump?

Only if you can't drain by gravity to a floor drain. A pump model, like GE's here, pushes water up through a hose to a sink or drain, so it can run for days without emptying a bucket.

Sources (3)