What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need?
For most basements and large rooms (1,000+ sq ft), you need a 50-pint dehumidifier. For bedrooms and smaller spaces under 500 sq ft, a 20–35 pint unit is enough. The key factors are your room's square footage, whether it's a basement or above ground, and how damp it actually is.
Important: The DOE changed how dehumidifiers are rated in 2020. A unit that used to be called “70-pint” is now rated at 50 pints. Same machine, different label. Every recommendation on this page uses the current DOE standard.
Not sure what you need? Use our calculator below — it takes 30 seconds.
Dehumidifier Sizing Calculator
Where is the dehumidifier going?
Best Dehumidifiers by Size
Every product uses the current DOE 2020 pint rating. Prices are approximate and may vary.
50-Pint Class — Large Basements, Whole Floors, Most Homes
MOST POPULAR
Midea Cube 50 Pint
Midea
Fastest moisture removal in its class, quietest 50-pint unit available, and a 4.2-gallon tank that lasts days between empties. This is the unit most people should buy.
- + 3x larger tank than competitors (4.2 gal)
- + Quietest 50-pint unit (~47 dB)
- + Wi-Fi with Alexa and Google support
- + Compact cube design saves floor space
- + Gravity drain hose included
- - No built-in pump
- - App can be buggy on first setup
GE 50-Pint with Pump
GE
The built-in pump pushes water up to 16 feet to a sink, window, or any drain. Set it and forget it. If your basement has no floor drain, this is the one.
- + Built-in pump drains up to 16 ft vertically
- + True set-and-forget operation
- + Sturdy, well-built construction
- + Easy-to-read display
- - No Wi-Fi or smart features
- - Louder than the Midea Cube (~52 dB)
- - Smaller tank (1.8 gal) if not using pump
Frigidaire Gallery 50-Pint
Frigidaire
Quietest 50-pint unit with a built-in air ionizer and excellent app experience. Worth the premium if you want the smartest, quietest unit available.
- + Very quiet operation (~48 dB)
- + Built-in air ionizer for odor reduction
- + Excellent Wi-Fi app
- + Continuous drain option
- + Sleek design
- - Most expensive in its class
- - No built-in pump
- - Smaller tank than Midea (2.5 gal)
hOmeLabs 50-Pint
hOmeLabs
Half the price of the Frigidaire Gallery and still gets the job done. The reservoir design is clunky and spill-prone, but for $180, it's hard to argue.
- + Lowest price for a 50-pint unit
- + Wi-Fi connectivity
- + Gets the job done on a budget
- + Turbo mode for fast dehumidification
- - Reservoir is awkward and prone to spilling
- - Louder than premium options (~52 dB)
- - Build quality is adequate, not premium
GoveeLife 50-Pint
GoveeLife
Energy Star Most Efficient certified with the lowest electricity cost over time. Good smart features at a mid-range price.
- + Energy Star Most Efficient certified
- + Lowest long-term electricity cost
- + Wi-Fi with Alexa and Google
- + Good price-to-performance ratio
- - Standard 1.8 gal tank
- - No built-in pump
- - Slightly louder than Midea (~50 dB)
Honeywell 50-Pint
Honeywell
Solid build quality from a trusted brand. Reliable and straightforward, but lacks smart features and is the loudest unit in this tier.
- + Strong build quality
- + Trusted brand with good warranty support
- + Simple, straightforward controls
- - Loudest in this tier (~55 dB)
- - No Wi-Fi or smart features
- - Standard 1.8 gal tank
35-Pint Class — Medium Rooms, Small Basements
Frigidaire 35-Pint
Frigidaire
Strong moisture removal, sturdy build, and a well-designed reservoir that doesn't spill when you carry it. The best mid-capacity dehumidifier available.
- + Well-designed, spill-resistant reservoir
- + Sturdy construction
- + Wi-Fi available as an option
- + Good for medium-sized spaces
- - Slightly louder than the Honeywell 30 (~51 dB)
- - Wi-Fi model costs more
Amazon Basics 35-Pint
Amazon Basics
Solid budget option at $50 less than the Frigidaire. Does what it needs to do without frills.
- + $50 cheaper than Frigidaire 35
- + Reliable performance
- + Simple operation
- - No smart features
- - Slightly louder (~52 dB)
- - Smaller tank (1.8 gal)
Honeywell 30-Pint
Honeywell
The quietest unit in this tier at 44 dB. A strong choice if the dehumidifier will live in a bedroom or living room.
- + Quietest in class (~44 dB)
- + Good for living spaces and bedrooms
- + Solid Honeywell build quality
- - Only 30 pints (slightly less capacity)
- - No smart features
- - Smaller coverage area (1,500 sq ft)
20-Pint Class — Small Rooms, Bedrooms, Apartments
Midea Cube 20 Pint
Midea
The 3x larger tank means you empty it once every few days instead of daily. Wi-Fi control lets you monitor from your phone. Quiet enough for a bedroom.
- + 3x larger tank than competitors (3.2 gal)
- + Wi-Fi with Alexa and Google
- + Quiet enough for bedrooms (~45 dB)
- + Compact cube design
- + Gravity drain hose included
- - Higher price than basic 20-pint units
- - Cube shape takes more floor space
Frigidaire 22-Pint
Frigidaire
Quietest unit in the 20-pint class. A solid pick if noise is your top priority for a bedroom or nursery.
- + Quietest in class (~44 dB)
- + Reliable Frigidaire build quality
- + Simple, intuitive controls
- - Small tank (1.6 gal) needs frequent emptying
- - No Wi-Fi or smart features
BLACK+DECKER 22 Pint
BLACK+DECKER
The cheapest option that still performs well. Basic and reliable for small rooms and apartments on a budget.
- + Lowest price in the 20-pint class
- + Reliable performance
- + Compact and lightweight
- - Loudest in class (~48 dB)
- - Small tank (1.6 gal)
- - No smart features
70-Pint & Commercial — Severe Moisture, Crawl Spaces, Very Large Spaces
Shinco 70-Pint
Shinco
High capacity at a reasonable price. A good option for very large basements where you need maximum moisture removal on a budget.
- + 70-pint capacity at a reasonable price
- + Continuous drain option
- + Handles very large spaces
- - Louder than 50-pint units (~56 dB)
- - Tiny tank (1.6 gal) if not draining continuously
- - No smart features
AEOCKY 80-Pint
AEOCKY
Highest capacity at the lowest price in this tier. Built-in pump is a bonus at this price point. A strong pick for very large or very wet basements.
- + 80-pint capacity (highest available)
- + Built-in pump included
- + Wi-Fi connectivity
- + Great price for the capacity
- - Lesser-known brand
- - Long-term reliability unknown
- - Standard 1.9 gal tank
AlorAir Sentinel HD55
AlorAir
Purpose-built for crawl spaces and harsh environments. Operates down to 36°F, metal construction, continuous drain only. This is what restoration professionals use. 5-year warranty.
- + Works down to 36°F (most units stop at 41°F)
- + Metal construction survives harsh environments
- + Continuous drain only (no bucket to empty)
- + 5-year warranty
- + Auto-defrost for cold environments
- - Expensive ($800)
- - No portable tank option
- - No smart features
- - Overkill for standard rooms
Whole-Home Ducted Systems
For homes over 2,500 sq ft or where humidity is a whole-house problem, a portable unit may fall short. Whole-home ducted dehumidifiers tie into your HVAC system and run $1,500–$3,500 installed. Santa Fe and AprilAire are the leading brands. Professional sizing and installation is recommended.
Quick Reference: What Size Do You Need?
| Space | Dampness | You Need | Top Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom / small room (under 500 sq ft) | Moderate | 20-pint | Midea Cube 20 (~$180) |
| Apartment (500–1,000 sq ft) | Moderate | 35-pint | Frigidaire 35-Pint (~$220) |
| Finished basement (under 1,000 sq ft) | Moderate to damp | 50-pint | Midea Cube 50 (~$260) |
| Finished basement (1,000+ sq ft) | Damp | 50-pint | GE 50-Pint w/ Pump (~$280) |
| Unfinished basement / crawl space | Very damp to wet | 50–70 pint | AlorAir Sentinel HD55 (~$800) |
| Whole floor or large open area | Moderate | 50-pint | Frigidaire Gallery (~$350) |
| Bathroom / laundry room | High humidity events | 20-pint | Midea Cube 20 (~$180) |
| RV / boat | Varies | 20-pint (compact) | Midea Cube 20 (~$180) |
| Whole home (2,500+ sq ft) | Persistent | Ducted system | Santa Fe / AprilAire (pro install) |
Everything You Need to Know About Dehumidifier Sizing
What do the pint ratings actually mean?
A 50-pint dehumidifier removes 50 pints (about 6.25 gallons) of water from the air per day under DOE test conditions (65°F, 60% RH). In very humid conditions, actual removal may be higher. In mild conditions, it cycles on and off as needed. Think of the pint rating as the maximum capacity, not what it removes every single day.
Why did dehumidifier sizes change? (The DOE 2020 standard explained)
In 2020, the DOE changed the test conditions from 80°F/60% RH to 65°F/60% RH. This is more realistic — most basements and rooms aren't 80 degrees. The result: a unit formerly rated at 70 pints is now rated at 50 pints. Same machine, same performance, different number on the box. Every recommendation on this page uses the current (2020) DOE standard. If you're comparing with older reviews that mention “70-pint” models, those are equivalent to today's “50-pint” units.
Can a dehumidifier be too big?
Yes. An oversized unit costs more upfront, uses more electricity, and cycles on and off more frequently (which can reduce its effectiveness and lifespan). Buy for your actual conditions.
Do I need a built-in pump?
If your dehumidifier will sit in a basement without a nearby floor drain, yes. A built-in pump pushes collected water up to 16 feet to a sink, window, or drain. Without a pump, your only options are emptying the bucket by hand or gravity draining via hose to a floor drain (requires the drain to be lower than the unit). For set-it-and-forget-it basement operation, a pump is worth the extra $30–50.
What about continuous drain vs. pump drain?
Continuous drain (gravity drain) means you attach a hose and water flows downhill to a floor drain. Simple and free, but only works if you have a drain lower than the unit. Pump drain means water is pumped upward through a hose. Works even if the nearest drain is above the dehumidifier. More expensive but much more flexible. Some units include both options.
How loud are dehumidifiers?
Most modern 50-pint units run 47–55 dB. For reference: 45 dB is a quiet library, 50 dB is moderate rainfall, 55 dB is a normal conversation. If the unit will be in a living space or bedroom, prioritize models under 50 dB. In a basement, noise barely matters.
Should I get a smart dehumidifier?
If you're putting it in a basement or crawl space you don't visit daily, yes. Wi-Fi models let you check humidity levels, get alerts when the tank is full, and adjust settings from your phone. If it's in the same room as you, smart features are nice but not essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size dehumidifier do I need for my basement?
Most basements need a 50-pint dehumidifier. For small basements under 500 sq ft that are only slightly damp, a 35-pint unit may suffice. For large, wet basements or crawl spaces, consider a 70-pint unit or a dedicated crawl space dehumidifier like the AlorAir Sentinel HD55.
What size dehumidifier do I need for 1,000 square feet?
For a moderately damp 1,000 sq ft space, a 50-pint dehumidifier is the standard recommendation. If the space is above ground and only slightly damp, you might get away with 35 pints.
What's the difference between a 35-pint and 50-pint dehumidifier?
A 35-pint unit removes about 4.4 gallons of water per day; a 50-pint removes about 6.25 gallons. The 50-pint covers larger or damper spaces and is the right choice for most basements. The 35-pint is better for bedrooms, apartments, and smaller above-ground rooms.
Is a 50-pint dehumidifier the same as an old 70-pint?
Yes. In 2020, the DOE changed the testing conditions, which lowered the rated capacity of all dehumidifiers by about 30%. A "50-pint" dehumidifier today is the same machine as a "70-pint" dehumidifier before 2020.
What size dehumidifier do I need for a crawl space?
Crawl spaces need heavy-duty units rated for low temperatures and high humidity. The AlorAir Sentinel HD55 is purpose-built for this. It operates down to 36°F, has no bucket (continuous drain only), and has a metal casing for harsh conditions. Standard consumer dehumidifiers are not designed for unfinished crawl spaces.
Do I need a dehumidifier with a pump?
If the dehumidifier is in a basement without a floor drain nearby, a built-in pump is highly recommended. It pushes water up to 16 feet to a sink, window, or any drain. Without a pump, you'll need to empty the bucket manually or run a gravity drain hose to a lower drain.
What humidity level should I set my dehumidifier to?
Between 30% and 50% relative humidity. Most people find 45–50% comfortable. Below 30% and the air feels too dry. Above 60% and you risk mold growth. Most dehumidifiers have a built-in humidistat that automatically cycles the unit on and off to maintain your target.
How much electricity does a dehumidifier use?
A typical 50-pint Energy Star dehumidifier uses about 500 watts. Running it 12 hours a day costs roughly $1–$2 per day depending on your electricity rate. Energy Star certified models are 15–20% more efficient than non-certified units.
Can I use a dehumidifier instead of AC?
No. Dehumidifiers remove moisture but actually generate a small amount of heat as a byproduct. They make the air feel less muggy, but they don't cool it. In humid climates, using a dehumidifier alongside your AC is the right approach.
What's the best dehumidifier brand?
Midea delivers the best overall performance with innovative design. Frigidaire is the quietest and most reliable long-term. GE has the best built-in pump option. Honeywell offers strong build quality. For crawl spaces and commercial use, AlorAir is the professional standard.
When should I run my dehumidifier?
Run it whenever indoor humidity exceeds 50%. In most climates, that means spring through fall. In humid climates like the Southeast, you may need it year-round. Most modern units have auto mode — set your target humidity and let the unit cycle on and off as needed.
How do I know if I need a dehumidifier?
Signs include: condensation on windows or pipes, musty smell, damp feeling on skin or clothes, visible mold or mildew, water stains on walls or ceiling, warping of wood floors, and allergy symptoms that worsen indoors. A $10 digital hygrometer can confirm — if relative humidity is consistently above 55–60%, you need a dehumidifier.