Dehumidifiers

What decides it

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.

The models we would buy

Start with the Midea Cube 50-pint: compact, quiet design with a big bucket that stacks inside. The Frigidaire 50-pint with Built-in Pump is the better buy if you want to drain into a sink or out of a window. Usual prices run from $39 to $1,499. See the full buy-or-skip list or the head-to-head Midea Cube 50-pint vs Frigidaire 50-pint with Built-in Pump.

Buying dehumidifiers in the US

Keep basements at 30–50% humidity to prevent mold; a hygrometer helps you check. Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

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.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.

How we make the call: we read spec sheets, manuals and warranty terms, check long-term owner feedback and US support, and track the usual Amazon.com price. A product gets “Buy” only if we would tell a friend to buy it at that price. Brands cannot pay for a verdict.