The best dehumidifiers of 2026 for basements, bathrooms, and bedrooms

Key Takeaways

• The Frigidaire FHDP5033Y1 removes about 50 pints a day and has a built-in pump, so it can drain into a sink or out a window.

• The AprilAire E080 is a whole-basement unit rated at 65 pints a day on the DOE whole-home test, sold through HVAC pros.

• For a bathroom or small bedroom, the Frigidaire FHDD2233Y1 handles about 22 pints a day at a published 47.5 dBA on low.

• All five picks are on ENERGY STAR's current certified list, and the EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%.

Choosing a dehumidifier by room

A musty basement and a steamy bathroom need different machines. The basement wants capacity and a way to drain without emptying a bucket, while a bedroom unit has to be quiet enough to sleep beside. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%, and a dehumidifier is the usual fix when a room sits above that.

We ranked five models on capacity in pints per day, bucket size against continuous drain, published noise, and ENERGY STAR certification. Capacities are ENERGY STAR's measured figures under the 2019 DOE test. That test runs at 65°F instead of 80°F, which is why a unit sold as 70 pints before 2020 is often labeled 50 pints today. We haven't tested these ourselves, and noise figures are the makers' own.

Five dehumidifiers at a glance

1. Frigidaire FHDP5033Y1

This 50-pint Frigidaire has a built-in pump that pushes water up and out to a sink or a window, so it works in basements with no floor drain. It also takes a standard drain hose and has a 1.9-gallon bucket for rooms where neither option works. Frigidaire lists it at 49 dBA on low and 51.5 dBA on high, and it's ENERGY STAR certified.

Best for: Basements without a floor drain.

2. Midea Cube 50

The Midea Cube 50 removes just under 50 pints a day by ENERGY STAR's measure, and Midea rates it for spaces up to 4,500 sq ft. The standard version drains through a gravity hose, and a pump version (MAD50PS1QWT) is sold for basements that need to push water upward. Midea doesn't publish noise or tank figures for either.

Best for: Large basements with a floor drain nearby.

3. AprilAire E080

The E080 is a whole-basement unit sold through HVAC contractors. AprilAire markets it as an 80-pint dehumidifier under the AHAM test, and ENERGY STAR measures it at 65 pints a day on the DOE whole-home test, with an efficiency rating high enough to earn its Most Efficient label. There's no bucket; it drains by gravity to a floor drain.

Best for: Finished basements that stay damp year-round.

4. Midea Cube 35

The smaller Cube removes about 36 pints a day and is rated by Midea for up to 3,500 sq ft. It drains through a gravity hose, which suits a laundry room or any room with a floor drain. Like the Cube 50, it's ENERGY STAR certified, and Midea doesn't list a noise figure.

Best for: Large bedrooms and laundry rooms.

5. Frigidaire FHDD2233Y1

At about 22 pints a day, this Frigidaire is sized for a single room. Its 0.85-gallon bucket needs emptying more often than the larger units, though you can connect a hose. Frigidaire lists it at 47.5 dBA on low and 49 dBA on high.

Best for: Bathrooms and small bedrooms.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dehumidifier drain on its own?

Yes, if it has a hose connection. A gravity hose needs a drain lower than the unit, while a built-in pump can push water up to a sink or out a window.

Why do new dehumidifiers have lower pint ratings?

The DOE test changed in 2019. Portable units are now tested at 65°F instead of 80°F, which produces a lower pint figure for the same machine.

Do ENERGY STAR dehumidifiers save money?

Yes. ENERGY STAR says certified models use about 20% less energy than standard ones.