Best Basement Dehumidifier Reviews for 2020
When it comes to using a dehumidifier for the basement, you know that you need to tackle multiple problems. They can tackle problems with humidity, with odors, condensation or even with cracked walks which might signal the lack of proper ventilation. It is thus recommended to use a proven dehumidifier which can tackle most of these problems. With improved results in terms of managing humidity and odors, a dehumidifier in the basement can come with impressive results if you manage to find a solution powerful enough for your basement’s size. In this guide we help you find the Best Dehumidifier For Basement.
Top 5 Dehumidifiers For Basements
| ① Friedrich 70 Pint Dehumidifier - TOP PICK |  |
| ② Frigidaire 70 Pint Dehumidifier |  |
| ③ hOmeLabs 9 Gallon Dehumidifier |  |
| ④ Danby 70 Pint Dehumidifier |  |
| ⑤ EdgeStar 70 Pint Dehumidifier |  |
The Problems of Humidity in a Basement
When it comes to the humidity in a basement, it is important to know that you may encounter different problems. They are specific to this low ventilation environment and it can represent one of the important areas when it comes to long-term results as improving the air quality in this setting can prove a long process. But how do you know that you have high humidity in the basement?
Check Humidity Level
One of the simplest ways to look for signs of humidity is to simply measure it. A Hygrometer is highly affordable and it can offer you the readings you need to determine if your humidity level is above 55 percent.
To make a reading with a hygrometer you will need just a few seconds and it might be a good idea to measure it in different days as well to see if the humidity level is constant or if fluctuates which can be the case if you have a broken pipe for example. It is also important to take immediate action if your readings are a matter of concern as it will take time to see real improvements.
Odors
One of the definite signs of humidity problems in the basement comes with odors. There are different types of odors in the basement and it is important not to mistake them with a lack of ventilation. But you can use ventilation to your advantage to help you establish if you have humidity problems. This is where you will be able to look for a way to improve ventilation for a few days by opening a window. If the odors are still present after a few days, it might be a sign of humidity problems in which case you will need to take the appropriate measures such as using a dehumidifier.
Odors can also be a sign of mold and this should be easier to find. You will need to look at the areas which get the least ventilation such as corners or areas behind furniture or a washing machine. This is where it might be easier to spot mold and in many cases, getting rid of it will require extensive action with humidity reduction.
Rot or Decay
One of the clear signs of humidity comes with rot or decay. It can be one of the main areas you need to consider when it comes to establishing the air quality in your basement. It means that you should also have the ability to work with solutions which allow you to establish this and in many cases, it might not be as visible as you’d think.
A good place to start is to look behind or under wooden furniture. You can also check a washing machine or a dryer for visible signs of rust and in most cases, it will first appear in the lower part of the machines. If these machines also have peeling paint, it might also be an early sign of humidity problems.
Decay can also intervene with in other areas of the basement due to high humidity levels. For example, you can see it on a wooden staircase. But it can also be seen in the objects you store in the basement. For example, if you find that you have clothes stored in boxes, they might also show signs of decay and this will most likely be due to the high humidity levels.
Paint Peeling
One of the visible signs of high humidity comes with paint peeling. It represents a great overall solution to determine your problems. With a better orientation towards the visible signs, you will find it easy to establish if this problem is also your problem.
The paint can include all types of surfaces. It can come off walks, furniture or electronics. This is why it is important to look for these signs and not dismiss them as they can come with serious damages and most importantly, you may also have humidity damages which might not be as visible. At the same time, the air in the basement could end-up in the house as well and this is where you could inhale it exposing your lungs to various health problems.
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Dampness
Dampness or humidity can often be spotted in the air. It can be similar to the humidity you have when you are taking a shower in the bathroom or it could be at a lower level. In some cases, it may even fog-up certain surfaces like mirrors or glass surfaces. A thorough inspection on the different surfaces on the furniture you have in the basement should help you establish if this is the case.
In other instances, you can accidentally discover signs of dampness and condensation on certain surfaces and it will require immediate action as well.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are present in most homes and keeping a humidity level below 50% is required when you want to improve air quality. This is why it is worth considering the actions you can take to immediately reduce dust mites in your home and in your basement. Since the basement is also much colder than the rest of the house, it might also be indicated to look for signs of icing as this will indicate possible humidity problems which can be made even worse by lower temperatures. You should not try to physically remove signs of icing when you see them but to rather let increased temperatures slowly make its impact.
What to Look for in a Dehumidifier for the Basement
One of the interesting functionalities of a basement dehumidifier comes with the defrost mode. This allows you to concentrate on a fully operational machine which can remove frost which is caused by the lower temperatures than in the rest of your home. Together with the auto-restart mode, it can be at the foundation of the best dehumidifiers. Even more, a good dehumidifier should also be up to date with the latest digital technologies which mean that you have easier access to all of the configurations of the machine and improved overall reliability as the digital display can make exact humidity readings. A good machine should also be chosen by its dehumidifying capacity in a day. With an alternation between 16 to 20 pints performance, there are many great designs to choose from. But the basic requirements of a modern dehumidifier also include:
Defrost Mode
With the ability to influence temperature, it represents one of the great functionalities you can consider when looking for an up to date solution. Even more, it is also recommended for you to choose a machine which can do this in different steps so according to your temperature in the basement, you can control frost with a lower or a higher intensity.
The defrost mode is thus a first step towards a lower humidity. It will also remove frost from some of the important elements in the basement such as furniture or various appliances. This is why it represents such an interesting functionality which is easy to work with and which allows you to tackle even the most hostile environment which can come with some basements.
Drainage
One of the essential areas of a basement dehumidifier comes with the drainage. It is here that you will need to look carefully at the options you have. If you are a fan of hose drainage, you may even need to purchase the hose separately as not many manufacturers offer a long-enough option.
But the decision will ultimately be up to you and this is where you will need to decide on the right approach. For the best results, it is important to know that you should use the facilities in your basement. For example, you can use the drainage in the floor if you have one either placing the dehumidifier closer to the spot or by purchasing a hose if you want to move the dehumidifier from location to location.
It is also recommended that you keep your floor free of any hazards and the drainage hose can be one of these hazards. When you consider that you can even have reduced light in the basement, it is important to keep yourself and your family members safe and mounting the hose in a way which allows this is always a priority. The great news is that many manufacturers start to offer complete instructions and this is why it can be worth investing in a solution which even guides you through the best practices, as using the dehumidifier in the basement can be a long process.
Pump Drainage
One of the practice alternatives is to use pump drainage. This can be achieved with various methods but the good news is that you can focus on improved overall results when you have an automatic system. There are dehumidifiers which work great with built-in pumps. Other options don’t come with a built-in pump but you could even purchase one separately.
If you are looking to purchase your first basement dehumidifier, it is recommended to go for a solution which is up to date from this perspective. This is where a built-in pump design might cost more in advance but it will also ensure that you are able to use the machine for longer with no need to upgrade. Even more, it is also recommended to look for solutions which allow you to improve your overall efforts from other perspectives as well. This is why added functions such as a digital display can mean that you will use a future-proof solution. In many cases, this should be the only approach you take, especially if you have a large basement. Even more, it is also important to consider that a good dehumidifier should also be covered by good warranty as simply stacking it with technologies will not make it a good product.
Tank Size
One of the main concerns of a dehumidifier comes with the tank size. It can be emptied either automatically or manually and its size will determine the number of times per week you need to empty it.
With modern dehumidifiers, there are no safety concerns at least. This means that when a tank is full the dehumidifier will automatically stop. This is why it is important to know that you can trust your machine even when you are not at home and this functionality should be mandatory as most people do not have the time to actually check water levels every day. For most dehumidifiers, this seems not to be a problem anymore and you are advised to avoid the solutions which do not offer this functionality. Even more, it is also recommended that you include this auto switch-off function on the list with other important characteristics.
Auto Restart
One of the important characteristics of a dehumidifier comes with the auto restart functionality. Made to tackle the loss of power, this function will automatically restart the dehumidifier every time the power is back on. This means that you do not need to manually start the machine again and that it can continue to dehumidify the basement even without your supervision. Power outages seem to be rare these days but it is important to know that the dehumidifier can work when you want it to and that it can do it by surpassing some of the typical problems which can occur in most households.
When it comes to making the right decision with the dehumidifier, it is important to know that you can see many great benefits and it is also recommended to look for a solution which is also durable as you should not look to upgrade the machine anytime soon. With a good reliability, you can use a dehumidifier to significantly reduce the humidity in a difficult environment such as a basement. Here are the top solutions to consider:
Top 5 Dehumidifiers For Basements
| ① Friedrich 70 Pint Dehumidifier - TOP PICK | |
| ② Frigidaire 70 Pint Dehumidifier | |
| ③ hOmeLabs 9 Gallon Dehumidifier | |
| ④ Danby 70 Pint Dehumidifier | |
| ⑤ EdgeStar 70 Pint Dehumidifier | |
① Friedrich 70 Pint Dehumidifier with Built-In Drain Pump
The Friedrich 70 Pint Dehumidifier with Built-In Drain Pump is one of the modern solutions you can use it for any basement. It comes with a great versatility and you can even set the humidity level anywhere between 30 and 90%. It has a long power cord and a simple slide-out system for the condensation bucket which can hold up to 16 pints of water. With the possibility to add the continuous drainage outlet, it represents a practical solution which can easily be included in most modern homes as it is up to date with many of today’s requirements.
Pros
- 16 pints bucket
- Possibility for continuous hose drainage
- Digital display
- Allows you to set humidity percentage
Cons
- Hose not included in the pack
The machine can be one of the great solutions when it comes to improved overall results with humidity levels and air quality in the basement. It allows you to focus on the best results when it comes to improved air quality and with controls which are as good as they get even from the digital perspective, it represents a solution which is easy to work with and which allows you to fully focus on reduce overall humidity levels.
② Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier with Effortless Humidity Control
The Frigidaire 70 Pint Dehumidifier with Effortless Humidity Control is a powerful solution. It can work to a high degree every day as it can drain up to 70 pints of water every day. Even more, it comes with a practical design which means that it will work well in many situations around the home and this includes the basement. Since it works at low temperatures, it can also work for long periods of time. With a digital display and controls, it allows you to set your desired performance every time.
Pros
- 70-pint capacity per day
- Added versatility with the digital display and controls
- Low-temperature operation
- 24 hour on/off timer
Cons
- Humidity sensor placement can be improved
The machine manages to offer one of the best solutions when it comes to improved health as it also reduces bacteria from the air. It works to a high standard every day and since it can deliver up to 70 pints of water every day, it can be one of the recommended solutions for basements. But the machine is also a practical design and for this purpose, it works well with its digital display to offer a user-friendly solution.
③ hOmeLabs 9 Gallon (70 Pint) Dehumidifier
The hOmeLabs 9 Gallon (70 Pint) Dehumidifier can cover up to 4000 square feet which makes it a good solution for most basements. It is great for basements and for this purpose, it manages to work very well with its added advanced functions. It even comes with the auto restart functionality and it also has the defrost function which is great for the lower temperatures of the basements. With a 70-pint capacity, it works great when it comes to improved overall results.
Pros
- 70 pints capacity each day
- Made for spaces between 2.000 and 4.000 square feet
- Works well with low temperatures
- Auto-restart and defrost modes
Cons
- Could use better instructions
The dehumidifier is one of the great overall solutions when it comes to a top performer. It has everything you need at this level and with the included defrost mode, it works very well when it comes to tackling the colder months of the year which can come with different problems in time due to the extra humidity. With a large space capacity, it works well in most home basements.
④ Danby DDR070BDPWDB 70 pint Dehumidifier Vertical Pump
The Danby DDR070BDPWDB 70 pint Dehumidifier Vertical Pump is one of the leading solutions when it comes to performance. It manages to be at the same level with the competition with its 70 pint per day capacity. With the benefits of added portability, you can move it from place to place in the basement. Even more, it also works great when it comes to controls with its full digitized panel situated at the top of the dehumidifier.
Pros
- 70 pints per day capacity
- Works with spaces of up to 4.500 square feet
- Front-access tank
- Digital controls
Cons
- Pump sealing can be improved
The machine manages to offer one of the great solutions when it comes to a modern dehumidifier. It works well with all types of basements of up to 4.5000 square feet. Even more, it also represents a solution which is easy to use with its digitized controls. See more on the Danby 70 Pint Dehumidifier.
⑤ EdgeStar DEP701WP 70 Pint Portable Dehumidifier
The EdgeStar DEP701WP 70 Pint Portable Dehumidifier is made with an internal pump and this means that you can leave it to dehumidify the air for long periods of time. Even more, it is also worth noting that you can improve your overall results simply by allowing the machine to work to its 70 pints per day capacity. With a design made for small basements, it is up to date with the latest technologies on the market.
Pros
- 70 pints per 24 hour cycle
- Portable design
- Easy to configure
Cons
- Results up to 1500 square feet
The dehumidifier is one of the great options when it comes to improved performance. It even works well when you consider that it has all the technologies it needs. Even more, it is a solution which can prove its reliability even with first-time users. See more on the EdgeStar 70 Pint Dehumidifier here.
Conclusion
Finding the best Dehumidifier For Basement proves to be one of the important aspects of healthy living and an environment free of humidity. For many people, making the right choice can come with added pressure but if you choose a complete design, then the rest should be easy to achieve.
Most basements will benefit from the Friedrich 70 Pint Dehumidifier with Built-In Drain Pump (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). With a built-in pump, it allows a continuous effort which is connected to a drainage hose. With an impressive 70 pints per day performance, it manages to offer one of the solutions which are easy to work with and which allow you to considerably reduce the humidity in your basement. The lowest configuration can go to 30% humidity which is more than enough for most basements.
About Christian Reynolds
Christian is the chief reporter, editor, and webmaster at Cleveland Leader. An aspiring news anchor, his hobbies outside of investigative reporting are golf, martinis, and adventure travel. If you have a scoop on any developing story, please contact him on this page.
