Prone to flooding, dampness and excess humidity, basements often need a helping hand to remove excess moisture that can ultimately become a hazard to your home and your health. That’s why the best dehumidifiers for basements have a high moisture removal rate, convenient drainage options and smart features that help maintain ideal humidity levels. After evaluating top-rated models, the HomeLabs 32-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier emerged as our top pick, thanks to its hands-free operation, energy efficiency and ability to extract up to 80 pints of moisture per day. For those looking for a unit with a built-in pump and extra-long hose, we recommend the Vellgoo 100-Pint DryTank Dehumidifier With Pump for its 6.6-foot long hose and three drainage options.
Why We Named It Best Dehumidifier For Basements Overall
With over 28,500 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5-star rating, the HomeLabs 32-Pint Wi-Fi dehumidifier is praised across the board for its ability to remove extra moisture from the air—even in the most humid environments—despite its slim size. In spaces with an average 90% relative humidity level, this model can remove up to 80 pints of moisture, with its average being 47.7 pints in a normal environment. It can also operate in spaces up to 4,500 square feet in size, making it ideal for basements of all sizes.
Smart Features For Hands-Free Control From Anywhere
This HomeLabs model is Wi-Fi-enabled and compatible with the HomeLabs app, Google Assistant and Alexa. You can wirelessly set timers, monitor humidity levels, adjust settings and be alerted when the tank is full, saving you from frequent trips to the basement. Although the tank is on the smaller side, the model includes a hose that can be connected to the unit and placed in a floor drain for continuous drainage.
Why We Named It Best Dehumidifier For Large Basements
Designed to tackle up to 6,000 square feet at once, the Shinco 120-pint dehumidifier efficiently filters out 120 pints of water a day, easily adjusting the humidity from 80% to 30% in large areas. Given its high capacity, you can use this dehumidifier just about anywhere, including large basements. It’s also Energy Star certified, costing 30% less to operate than those that don’t have this distinction. And, with a 48-decibel peak, this device isn’t any louder than normal conversation.
Several Features That Promote Hands-Off Functionality
This model offers several functions that make it a low-maintenance model. It has a handy built-in drain port and pump so it can empty automatically. There’s also a sleep timer, so you can set the dehumidifier to flip on at a set time every day. If you prefer to have it consistently run, this model also has a continuous 24-hour cycle setting and will operate until the tank is full.
The LED screen is easy to read and shows your room’s current humidity levels, along with the set target level. You can also operate it via an app or smart home voice activation.
Why We Named It Best Quiet Dehumidifier For Basements
Dehumidifiers are not known for being especially quiet, and many models can make quite a racket. This dehumidifier operates at a mere 43 decibels on its lowest setting—akin to a quiet library or refrigerator hum—without sacrificing on functionality.
It removes 22 pints of water from the air each day and can easily accommodate a basement or other space up to 1,500 square feet. It’s also among the smallest and lightest models we’ve seen, weighing just 33 pounds. (It’s also especially easy to move around, thanks to its four casters and recessed side handles).
Multiple Settings For Customizable Operation
It includes three fan speeds and has an automatic shut-off when the 13.6-pint water tank is full. You can also configure it to drain continuously, though you’ll need to attach a hose and run it to a nearby drain.
There’s no pump built in, but that’s to be expected, given the unit’s low cost and small size. You can use the top-mounted controls to run it on a 24-hour cycle, adjust the desired humidity and choose a fan setting.
Why We Named It Best Smart Dehumidifier For Basements
Not only can the Dreo 110-Pint Smart Dehumidifier be controlled through an app, Google home assistant or Alexa device, it also features a precise (plus or minus 5%) humidistat. You can set desired humidity levels, schedule timers and see real-time stats, all without having to take a trip to the basement.
This model can also remove up to 110 pints of moisture a day in spaces as large as 4,500 square feet, and it has a large 16-pint tank, requiring less emptying. Though note that some reviewers report the handle on the tank easily popping out, sometimes causing spillage.
Energy Efficiency Goes Beyond Energy Star Standards
The Dreo has a higher moisture removal efficiency, lower average annual cost and lower hourly energy use than standards set by Energy Star in 2024. It also features other smart safety controls, like a 90-degree tilt waterproof design that automatically powers off when leaned too far to the left or right, thermal protection to prevent overheating and 15A overcurrent protection.
Plus, for those prioritizing a quiet dehumidifier, the Dreo operates at a lower-than-average 46 decibels.
Why We Named It Best Dehumidifier With An Extra-Long Hose
If you’re in the market for a unit with an extra-long hose, this pick from Vellgoo comes with one that’s 6.6 feet long, plus a garden hose adapter if you need even more length (though, a garden hose will need to be purchased separately).
It also features a built-in pump that uses an electric motor to empty collected moisture into outlets higher than the dehumidifier, like windows and sinks. The Vellgoo can remove up to 100 pints of water per day, making it ideal for spaces up to 5,000 square feet in size.
Three Options For Easy Drainage
While the 11.6-pint water bucket isn’t the biggest we’ve seen on this list, it does have the benefit of an ergonomic handle for easy transport and emptying. And thanks to the built-in pump and extra-long hose, you shouldn’t have to rely on the tank for drainage as long as you have a window, sink, tub or floor drain nearby. You can use the hose for continuous drainage into a floor drain or rely on the built-in pump to push water up and out (unlike non-pump dehumidifiers which rely on gravity to move water downwards).
Furthermore, you’ll enjoy extra features that make the Vellgoo easier to use, like built-in spinning wheels, a handle, a child safety lock, a washable reusable filter and automatic restart and defrost.
Why We Named It Best Small Dehumidifier For Basements
Not every situation calls for a high-capacity dehumidifier, and you can save a lot of money by buying a more modestly powered model. This Ivation dehumidifier is an excellent portable appliance that checks virtually every box: It’s easily programmable, shuts off when the built-in water tank fills and can automatically restart when needed. It’s also portable, thanks to a carry handle and lighter 14-pound frame.
Ideal For Compact Spaces With All The Necessary Functions
Ivation offers this dehumidifier in various sizes, but it’s the 13-pint model we’re recommending for smaller spaces up to about 270 square feet. It has an easy-to-empty 4-pint water tank and a drain hose hookup, though no pump—so you’ll probably need to run the water to a floor drain or bucket.
While the Ivation isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing dehumidifier on the market, it offers clear digital controls on top, with the ability to set the desired humidity level, enable the 12-hour timer, choose between two fan speeds and check the filter status.
Why We Named It Best Portable Dehumidifier
With recessed handles, four caster wheels and a top-lift tank, this Hisense model is easier to move around and empty manually than any other dehumidifier on this list. Although the unit is capable of continuous drainage and comes with a built-in pump, our tester says the 18-pint, top-lift tank is the most convenient drainage option. “I like that the top-lift bucket makes it super-easy to just lift and dump the water,” says our tester. “It also comes with a drainage tube, but I’m not using it because dumping the bucket is so easy.”
Three Convenient Fan Speeds That May Be Noisy
The Hisense Top Lift Dehumidifier can be set to three different speeds—high, medium or low—using the on-unit control panel or an app. However, our tester noted that the unit is not the quietest; she compares it to the noise level of a window AC unit, which may bother some. On the other hand, if the unit is in a basement, then a higher noise level may be ok. “It’s definitely not a silent experience, but not overwhelmingly loud either,” she says.
How We Chose The Best Dehumidifiers For Basements
When selecting our top dehumidifier picks for basements, we made sure to include a wide variety of models that work for different uses, spaces and budgets. Our team considered the following:
- Top-selling, highly reviewed models from our most trusted home brands, which include HomeLabs, Dreo and Frigidaire.
- The value of each dehumidifier based on these criteria: size, ease of use, tank capacity, drainage style, coverage area, energy efficiency, noise and price.
- Real-world testing insights from our team members for certain models, including the Hisense Top Lift 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Pump.
- Buyers’ ratings and reviews, which provide a view of how these appliances perform in real-world spaces (we only evaluated dehumidifiers with an average 4-star rating or higher).
- Input from two trusted home appliance professionals to help us break down how basement dehumidifiers work and the most important features shoppers should keep in mind.
What To Consider With The Best Dehumidifiers For Basements
As you shop for a basement dehumidifier, it’s important to consider key factors like the size and dampness of your space, plus unit features like drainage style, energy efficiency, fan speeds and noise level.
Coverage Area
“Most dehumidifiers measure their workload in square footage, so make sure the square footage of your basement area falls within the range listed on the unit’s specifications,” says Mallory Micetich, a home appliance expert formerly with Angi.
Every dehumidifier should have a specific coverage size listed; this figure can range from 1,000 square feet to 4,000-plus square feet. At the top of that range, for example, is the Shinco 120-Pint, our large-capacity pick that covers rooms up to 6,000 square feet.
Moisture Removal Rate
The moisture removal rate indicates the amount of moisture the unit can remove from the air in 24 hours. This is typically measured in pints, and most residential machines capture between 30 to 70 pints in a day. If you have a high level of moisture in your basement, opt for a dehumidifier with a higher moisture removal rate.
“You have to consider the square footage of your basement and how damp it tends to get. The wetter the space, the more powerful the dehumidifier you’ll need,” explains Jake Erichsen, team training lead at Thrasher Foundation Repair, a contractor services company. “It’s better to size up than down.”
Tank Capacity
All the moisture that’s removed from the air is captured in the bucket of the dehumidifier. If you’re dehumidifying a large, damp room, consider a unit with a higher bucket capacity, especially if you opt to manually empty it. That way, you won’t have to empty it as often (and the machine will run for longer stretches of time without shutting off due to a full tank).
Drainage
Dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air, then have to store or drain the collected moisture. The right drainage style for you ultimately comes down to your time, drain access and budget.
- Tank: All dehumidifiers feature a built-in tank where collected moisture is retained. You can depend solely on a tank to collect the moisture pulled from the air, but it will require you to manually empty it when it’s full. Luckily, many dehumidifiers also feature alarms that alert you when the tank is full and automatically shut off to prevent overflow.
- Hose: In addition to a tank, some dehumidifiers include a hose and hook up on the machine that allows collected moisture to continuously drain so that the tank never becomes full (and you won’t have to empty it). The machines rely on gravity to drain the moisture through the hose into a floor drain or tub.
- Pump: While typically more of an investment, dehumidifiers with built-in pumps allow continuous drainage without the need to rely on gravity to move the water. An electric pump pushes collected moisture from the machine on the ground through a high window or a high-mounted sink. This can be especially valuable in a basement that doesn’t have floor drains.
Energy Star Rating
“If you want to reduce your energy consumption, consider switching to an Energy Star-certified dehumidifier, which uses 15% less energy than traditional units,” Micetich recommends. An Energy Star rating ensures that your device won’t suck up unnecessary power, saving you money in the process. Some units also have energy-saving options like automatic and eco modes to help cut down on energy usage.
Fan Speeds
A dehumidifier’s fan speed dictates how much air the machine can suck in and, consequently, how quickly it can work. Ideally, a dehumidifier has at least two fan speeds. If you need to lower the humidity fast, set your speed to a higher level. Once the moisture level has fallen, you’ll be able to swap it to a lower—and more energy-efficient—setting.
Noise Level
Dehumidifiers can be noisy, which might not be an issue if you’re tucking your machine away in a basement that you never use. But if you plan to spend time around it, it may be something to consider.
Many dehumidifiers don’t advertise their sound level at all, but they typically clock in around 50 to 61 decibels, which is about the level of a quiet conversation. However, there are a few that operate in the mid-40s—a similar level to a refrigerator hum. The Frigidaire 22-Pint is an example with its relatively low operation range of 43 to 49 decibels.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted’s home team collectively has decades of experience evaluating, testing and reporting on heaters and coolers, dehumidifiers and other home devices that help make your space more comfortable.
- Co-author and Forbes Vetted commerce writer Fran Sales has over five years of home reporting and testing under her belt. In addition to her coverage of the best dehumidifiers and air purifiers, Sales has also extensively reviewed robot vacuums, refrigerators and robotic pool cleaners.
- Kelly O’Sullivan is this article’s co-author and former home editor for Forbes Vetted. She has covered a variety of home and lifestyle products, including tower fans, portable ACs and robot vacuums.
- We review and refresh this story regularly for timeliness, accuracy and product stock; it was last updated in June 2026 by home and kitchen commerce writer Kathleen Knowles, who has over eight years of experience writing service-driven home content.
Our Experts
- Jake Erichsen, team training lead at contractor services company Thrasher Foundation Repair
- Mallory Micetich, home appliance expert who was formerly with Angi