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Buying Guide Dehumidifiers

How to choose a dehumidifier (2026): what to check before you buy

Quick answer

Size: 35–50 pints per day (2019 DOE standard) suits most basements. Drainage: a pump or continuous drain hose saves emptying the bucket.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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The checklist

  • Size: 35–50 pints per day (2019 DOE standard) suits most basements.
  • Drainage: a pump or continuous drain hose saves emptying the bucket.
  • Efficiency: ENERGY STAR models cost less to run all summer.

Set your budget

The dehumidifiers we researched sell for $39 to $329. Decide how you will use it first; the priciest model is often a skip for everyday needs.

US buyer tip

Keep basements at 30–50% humidity to prevent mold; a hygrometer helps you check.

Ready to buy?

Jump to our buy-or-skip list of dehumidifiers.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before buying a dehumidifier?

Size: 35–50 pints per day (2019 DOE standard) suits most basements. Drainage: a pump or continuous drain hose saves emptying the bucket.

What size dehumidifier do I need?

About 35 pints for damp rooms and 50 pints for wet basements, under the 2019 DOE ratings.

Does a dehumidifier cool the room?

No, it warms it slightly while drying the air.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Before you buy a dehumidifier: the essentials

Buying a dehumidifier is easier once you know which three or four specs actually change your experience and which are just marketing. This guide covers exactly that for dehumidifiers sold in the US, plus the budget to plan for, the local quirks to watch and the models we would buy today.

The checklist

Size: 35–50 pints per day (2019 DOE standard) suits most basements. Drainage: a pump or continuous drain hose saves emptying the bucket. Efficiency: ENERGY STAR models cost less to run all summer.

What to spend

The dehumidifiers we checked sell for $39 to $1,499. Below that range you usually lose durability or a key feature; above it, make sure you will really use the extras. Today the Midea Cube 50-pint is the safest buy, and the Midea Cube 20-pint is the cheapest one we would still recommend.

US buyer tip

Keep basements at 30–50% humidity to prevent mold; a hygrometer helps you check.

Quick answers

What size dehumidifier do I need? About 35 pints for damp rooms and 50 pints for wet basements, under the 2019 DOE ratings. Does a dehumidifier cool the room? No, it warms it slightly while drying the air.

Our calls at a glance

Midea Cube 50-pint ($229–$299): buy, most people.

Frigidaire 50-pint with Built-in Pump ($249–$329): buy, pump.

hOmeLabs 35-pint ($169–$219): buy, mid-size rooms.

Midea Cube 35-pint ($199–$249): buy, medium basements.

hOmeLabs 50-pint with Pump ($249–$299): buy, pump on a budget.

Midea Cube 20-pint ($159–$199): buy, small rooms.

Aprilaire 1830 Pro 70-pint ($1,199–$1,399): consider, crawl spaces.

Santa Fe Compact70 ($1,299–$1,499): consider, commercial-grade.

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