Best Dehumidifier For Basement Use

Basements are underground and as a result, are typically cool and damp. These are the perfect conditions to promote the growth and spread of mold and mildew. Not only does this have an effect on the health of those living in the home, but it can also cause other problems.

A cool and damp basement presents the right environment for rot, the infestation of insects, and other pests and can result in structural damage to the home. To reduce the risk of these potential problems, a dehumidifier can work to remove the dampness in your basement.

Why Do I Need A Dehumidifier In My Basement?

A whole basement dehumidifier will work to regulate the humidity in the low-temperature damp environment, but it will do much more. With a built-in air purifier using a HEPA filter, it will trap airborne mold spores stopping them from spreading throughout the damp space.

A carbon filter will also absorb odors leaving a clean scent. This is especially important if your basement is an extension of living space or if the crawlspace is used for storage.

Basement Dehumidifier Comparison Guide

In our table below, we outline:

• Our picks of some of the best basement dehumidifiers on the market
• Images, as well as make and model
• Most important features
• Prices – these are the averages of price ranges that you will see on Amazon –
  • $ = under $100
  • $$ = $100-$500
  • $$$ = $501-$1000
  • $$$$ = more than $1000
• Customer ratings – these are the averages of customer ratings that you will see on Amazon, which can be very helpful in making your decision.

Model	Evaporation Capacity / Coverage	Dimensions / Weight	Warranty	Rating	Price & More Info
AlorAir Basement / Crawlspace	90 Pints / Day 2600 sq.ft.	15.8 x 24.8 x 13.8 inches 78.3 pounds	Please contact the seller directly.	5.0 out of 5 stars	$$$$
Frigidaire 60-Pint Dehumidifier	60 Pints / Day	18.78 x 14.72 x 24.6 inches 61.9 pounds	1 year manufacturer.	4.5 out of 5 stars	$$
Keystone KSTAD50B	50 Pints / Day 3000 sq.ft.	10.8 x 15.4 x 23.2 inches 36.3 pounds	1 year warranty & 2-5 year warranty on the sealed system (the compressor, condenser, evaporator and tubing)	4.2 out of 5 stars	$$
Ivation	30 Pints / Day 2000 sq.ft.	14.2 x 9.9 x 20.1 inches 25 pounds	Please contact the seller directly.	4.4 out of 5 stars	$$
Pro Breeze Electric	18 Ounces / Day 2,200 ft3	12.9 x 9 x 6.6 inches 5.2 pounds	Please contact the seller directly.	4.2 out of 5 stars	$

How Do You Know If You Need A Dehumidifier In Your Basement?

There are several signs to watch for that will tell you that a dehumidifier is needed in your basement. These include:

• mold growth on walls
• clammy air
• the smell of mold or mildew
• walls that feel damp
• Rust and corrosion appearing on metal objects
• moisture rising from the floor, and
• items stored there that smell moldy or bad.

A basement dehumidifier is designed to tackle all of these conditions and restore the area to a safe, dry, and healthy living or storage area. Since the air circulates around your whole home, reducing the dampness in your basement removes mold and mildew which can have an effect on the air you breathe elsewhere in your home.

What Is The Ideal Setting For A Dehumidifier In A Basement?

High humidity levels in a basement can lead to several problems related to damp conditions. However, keeping the moisture level too low can also be an issue. We have already discussed what can happen if the conditions are too damp, however, if you use your basement as a living space, with dry conditions other problems develop including dry, itchy, and cracking skin on the lips and hands.

The solution is to keep basement humidity levels “somewhere in the middle”, although the rest of your home will likely have a different humidity level than in your basement or crawlspace. Generally speaking, the house humidity would be slightly lower than that of the basement of the same home.

What Is The Ideal Humidity Level For A Basement?

As for actual Relative Humidity levels, a basement can tend to already be very damp. This means that it is often advisable for the moisture content to be somewhat controlled. As a general guide, the basement should not exceed 65 percent humidity.

Compared to the rest of your home, the average room humidity should be between 30 and 50 percent. You will be removing water – possibly up to 100 pints daily – with the majority of that coming from basement air.

If you are unsure of the humidity levels within your home and basement, you can always monitor it. To make accurate humidity readings you should use a hygrometer.

How Do I Prevent Mold In My Basement?

Water is the cause of mold in your basement so in order to prevent further spread you must locate the source of the moisture. If there is a plumbing leak or water coming through a crack in the foundation, you will need to have these problems professionally repaired.

For more information on why you might need a basement dehumidifier, make sure to check out the short video below. In the video, Tom talks about the Sante-Fe compact dehumidifier. While we have not reviewed this specific dehumidifier model, the video still provides some useful information. As well as this, the AlorAir 90-pint dehumidifier below does a similar job to the one mentioned in the video.

If the mold is created by high moisture content in the air in the basement or crawlspace, your best remedy is to install a dehumidifier. There are several types and styles to choose from.

Here is a look at our picks of five of the best dehumidifiers for basement use:

AlorAir Basement/Crawlspace Dehumidifiers (90 Pint with Pump)

If you need a large basement dehumidifier, this could be the one you are after… That’s because it has the capacity to remove 90 pints of water per day.

The unit is designed for use in tight spaces such as a crawlspace or basement and can cover an area up to 2,600 square feet. This also makes the AlorAir Dehumidifier a good choice for use in garages, cellars, and various storage areas.

The design features include an automatic humidistat control, a sensor to let you know when it is full of water and there is a timer for ease of unattended operation.

For more information on the AlorAir Basement/Crawlspace Dehumidifier, click the button below.

Frigidaire 60-Pint Dehumidifier

This is one of the best dehumidifiers for basement use as it will remove up to 60 pints of water per day. Plus, it uses a standard electrical power outlet.

Other features include low-temperature operation which will save you on the cost of energy use and as a result, this product is Energy Star Certified.

The easy-to-use controls include a digital humidity readout, a 24-hour on/off timer, and a control lock.

For more information on the Frigidaire 60-pint dehumidifier, click the button below.

Keystone KSTAD50B 50-Pint Dehumidifier

For a best-rated dehumidifier for basement use, this is an excellent choice. It removes up to 50 pints of moisture from the air per day and can be used as a whole basement dehumidifier as it has a coverage area of 3,000 square feet.

It qualified for an Energy Star rating in 2014 which tells you it has an efficient operating system that won’t blow your utility bill budget.

There are settings that are self-explanatory (Normal, Turbo, and Auto-Defrost) and when you add a hose it has continuous draining capabilities.

The dust filter is easy to remove and clean and this unit will also alert you when the filter requires cleaning.

For more information on the Keystone KSTAD50B Dehumidifier, click the button below.

Ivation 30 Pint Dehumidifier

You could call this a cheap dehumidifier for basement use but it does a lot for the price. It will remove up to 30 pints of water per day and is promoted by the manufacturer as being a “powerful dehumidifier.”

It comes with easy-to-operate controls and features a low-maintenance design where all you basically have to do is plug it in, select the settings, and let it run.

The reservoir holds 1.3 gallons of water. The humidistat and all other controls (fan speed, timer, filter alert) are visible with a bright LED display. There’s also an auto-defrost and auto-start function.

It has an Energy Star certification and sits on casters.

For more information on the Ivation 30 Pint Dehumidifier, click the button below.

Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier

This portable unit can remove up to 18 ounces of moisture per day and has a 52-ounce water tank capacity. Rated for use in spaces up to 2,200 cubic feet, the manufacturer says this model is a high-efficient and lightweight dehumidifier.

There is no compressor as it uses Peltier Technology and thermal-electric cooling. With an automatic shut-off and a light to tell you when the tank is full, this is a great little product.

It is described as being effective in controlling humidity in kitchens, bedrooms, basements, and RVs.

For more information on the Pro Breeze Dehumidifier, click the button below.

Last Words On Choosing The Best Dehumidifier For Basement Use…

With health concerns at the forefront and potential structural and destructive issues resulting from a damp basement or crawlspace, a dehumidifier is your best solution.

Even if you don’t have space or budget for a larger whole basement dehumidifier with a pump option, you have many other alternatives to choose from here. So make sure that you check out the options mentioned above, and pick the best basement dehumidifier for your specific situation.