Best Dehumidifier for Cold Basements 2023

Basement is one of the most essential places of every house. Unfortunately, that is also the place where moisture tends to build up the most. This dampness makes an attractive niche for molds and insects.

Besides, the high humidity could also lead to a proliferation of rust and corrosion, damaging valuables, tools, and other electronics there. Dampness in closed areas like basements also results in foul odors.

That’s why you should choose the best dehumidifier for cold basements to make them less hospitable to allergens like molds and insects. It will also enhance the life of your household.

List of Best Dehumidifiers for Cold Basements

Image	Product	Price
	hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier	Check Latest Price
	Midea 4,500 Sq. Ft. Energy Star Certified Dehumidifier	Check Latest Price
	TOSOT 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Internal Pump	Check Latest Price
	Vremi 50 Pint 4,500 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier	Check Latest Price
	Yaufey 1750 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier for Basements	Check Latest Price
	Inofia 30 Pints Dehumidifiers for Home Basements	Check Latest Price

How Does a Dehumidifier Work?

A dehumidifier is an electric gadget that removes moisture from the air. It is a bit like a vacuum cleaner that reduces the moisture content in the air of a room. This machine works in one of two ways—either by refrigeration or by absorption. However, the overall job is the same for both.

It uses a fan to suck air from the room at one end over the refrigerated coil. This coil helps remove the moisture from the air and collects the water in a tank. The dry air is then blown outside back again. You need to empty the tank filled with the collected moisture from time to time.

A dehumidifier for a basement is the same as any regular dehumidifier, except that it has a certain feature that makes it more efficient in the basement. Usually, dehumidifiers only equipped to work above ground sometimes aren’t that well-equipped to handle the high moisture content of a basement.

When to Use a Dehumidifier in the Basement?

If you’ve ever described your basement with words like sticky, cold, soggy, damp, or smelly, then it is time to put a dehumidifier there. Too much moisture content in an enclosed place makes the air damp and musty smelling.

Experts say that the relative humidity in a basement should not be higher than 55 percent. Because when the humidity exceeds this amount, it breeds mold, mildew, dust mites, and other allergens, causing many health problems.

If you’ve been suffering from frequent allergies or sneezing for some time, maybe there is a problem of too much humidity in the house.

Below is a list of several points that are caused due to excess moisture in basements. If you see any or multiple of them happening, you have to buy a dehumidifier for the cold basement.

• Tangibly Damp Feeling

You can feel and smell whenever there is not much moisture in the air. This change in the air can readily be felt when you walk into the basement from above ground. So, if the basement feels damp on the skin, it can be assumed that the humidity there is higher than it should be.

• A Strong and Musty Odor

High moisture in places like the basement intensifies all kinds of odors. Since mold and mildew growth increases in humid conditions, they also produce a musty smell. You can easily identify the presence of mold in the air and on the wall due to the presence of little dark spots.

• Condensation

Another good symptom of high humidity in the basement is condensation on various cold surfaces. You’ll notice the basement windows looking foggy due to this contestation. If the situation gets worse, you might see such condensation on walls and floors as well.

• Rot and Decay

Rot can manifest in various ways. But the most prominent one is that of wood. Whenever you see any wooden surface appearing profusely cracked, it means the wood had started rotting due to exposure to moisture for a long time.

• Peeled-Off Paint

High moisture content in the air also loosens the glue between the paint and the wall surface. The paint starts to peel, blister or crack when the air is humid for a long time. Once the place has been dehumidified, the paint has to be removed. It is also imperative to repaint the wall also

Benefits of a Dehumidifier

There are some noteworthy factors you need to put in mind before purchasing the best basement dehumidifier. Following are some of the major benefits a dehumidifier is supposed to provide:

• Humidity Maintenance

A good dehumidifier in the basement will help maintain an ideal humidity level. When you properly install it, the machine will work to improve the overall air quality of that space. Since a basement serves as a base for the entire house, its good maintenance eventually leads to better maintenance of the home.

• Reduction of Allergens

Molds and mildews are the major allergens in any home, and their growth in the basement will lead to many health problems like allergies. Since they tend to grow mostly in humid conditions, a dehumidifier will help stop their growth by creating a drier environment.

• Odor Elimination

Good riddance of mold and mildew also leads to the elimination of a musty smell in the air that is created by those allergens. Besides, since the air is less humid, other types of smells cannot intensify either.

• Protection of Family Health

Installing a high-performance dehumidifier for cold temperatures help alleviate allergy since it creates a hostile environment for mold and mildew growth. These molds produce microscopic spores into the air, triggering many health problems.

Effective dehumidifying not only make the space more comfortable but also protects the family’s health with its drying power.

• Protects Your Belongings

Basements are used by many as a storage place for various furniture and other belongings like clothes, machines, and other utensils. A basement filled with humid air, molds, mildews, and dust mites leads to deterioration of both the structural elements like the wood and your belongings.

When the basement is clean without excessive moisture content with a cold dehumidifier, your belongings are protected and saved from the vulnerable effects of moisture.

Best Dehumidifier for Cold Basement

While there are so many options for dehumidifiers on the market, it can be quite hard to pick the specific one for your moist and humid basement. However, we’ve done the homework for you and handpicked only six of the best units available now.

1. hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier

This hOmeLabs dehumidifier has a great bright look with a white exterior. Its clean and neutral shade allows it to fit into any type of setting seamlessly. There is a white rounded top and a filter section in the back.

It also has two built-in handles on each side to help you hold it while moving. Speaking of moving, this dehumidifier also features four caster wheels on the bottom, making it easy to move around.

The 4,500 sq. ft. hOmeLabs dehumidifier offers a terrific value in terms of the price. Depending on the humidity and size of the space, it can remove as much as 50 pints of moisture from the air any single day.

There is a turbo feature that lets you increase the fan speed from 165 CFM to 188 CFM for maximum moisture removal and odor reduction. As for the sound created by the fan, it produces almost 59.3 dB at high speed, which isn’t too much annoying and not too silent either.

Designed with modern consumers in mind, this machine has a good user-friendly interface and control. The operation is very simple when you read the manual. You can adjust the moisture setting as you like and run for the whole day or less.

One great feature is that it can automatically find a healthy and efficient humidity level in the room’s current temperature. This ‘Comfort Feature’ takes all the guesswork out of the setting and makes it stand out among the best dehumidifier for basement.

2. Midea 4,500 Sq. Ft. Energy Star Certified Dehumidifier

The powerful and reliable Midea dehumidifier sucks all the undesired moisture from your basement with a subtle hiss offering you a clean and warm breeze to inhale.

It features a rectangular body with a simple and smooth front. With an attractive color and superb finishing, this dehumidifier goes well with any modern décor.

Apart from the looks, Midea also brings some outstanding features. For one, it has an Energy Star certification, which means it is 15% more efficient than regular machines.

This 50-pint dehumidifier can collect around 1.6 gallons of water per day from the environment. If your basement humidity level is over 80, this is the best option to choose.

The dehumidifier performs quite well in very cold temperatures without even producing much sound. Its noise level doesn’t go over 51 dB even in turbo mode. This noise level is so low that you can even use it in your bedroom at night.

Working in very cold basements might develop frosting on the coil, and Midea’s defrosting feature prevents the machine from working under efficiently. Whenever there is defrosting, the units shut off except the fan. It blows air continuously till the icing is removed from the coils.

You can also use the timer function to set this dehumidifier on or off, even if you’re away from home. And if there is any power outage, Midea can turn itself back on automatically, restoring your previous configurations.

The Turbo Mode is also beneficial to remove moisture more efficiently and quickly. And while working for weeks on end, if the coil gets dirty, this dehumidifier will even indicate you to clean the filter.

A nice addition to the machine is its transparent strip on the tank that tells you the tank’s water level at any time.

3. TOSOT 50 Pint Dehumidifier with Internal Pump

The 50-pint humidifier from TOSOT is one of the best low-temperature dehumidifiers you can get in the market. It offers great performance and reliability at a very competitive price.

TOSOT features a bulky size made of sturdy and durable white plastic. Its ventilation occupies a large portion of the front space, and the rest is the bottom bucket. The height and size are almost similar to a tall night table.

Being a solid moisture removal machine, TOSOT is equipped with a tank that can hold 9 gallons of water and features three adjustable fan speeds. Its capacity is enough to cover an enclosed space up to 4,500 sq. feet.

As for the bucket where all the water is collected, it is very easy to remove, empty, and put back. If the bucket is missing for more than 3 minutes, an alarm will start beeping. The machine also shows an indicator light when the bucket is full or not inserted correctly.

Removing the bucket, you’ll find a washable air filter tucked inside. Usually, after 250 hours of use, the humidifier will notify you to clean the filter. With this filter, you won’t ever have to worry about buying another replacement.

The greatest advantage of this unit is the internal pump feature with a dedicated button. In the back, you’ll find a plug for drainage access. The gravity pump will start working when you hold the button for 3 seconds after connecting the drain hose to the outlet.

A great feature of the TOSOT dehumidifier is the low noise output at all speed levels. Besides, it also has a reliable auto defrost setting that will not let the unit freeze up even at very low temperatures, making it the best low temperature dehumidifier.

There are also a total of 7 buttons with a display screen on the top with self-explanatory indicators.

4. Vremi 50 Pint 4,500 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier

The Vremi humidifier flaunts a pleasantly aesthetic design with slim stature. This unit takes less space in the room than the previously mentioned three units. Its white body complements any décor settings and is easy to the eye.

Ideal for medium to large living rooms as well as basements, this 50-pint Vremi humidifier is also rated by Energy Star, which means it will save your money on bills. It also has ETL certification, ensuring durability and good versatility with an accurate hygrometer.

Vremi features two humidification modes that maximize its ability to remove moisture from the air. The unit runs continuously till the optimal RH level has been reached. It automatically deactivates at this point, saving power.

Besides, Vremi also notifies you when the 1.8-gallon water tank becomes full at the same time shutting off the dehumidification process. Additionally, the auto-defrost mode also works to thaw out frozen coils, ensuring smooth operation. You could almost say the Vremi 50 pint dehumidifier is a smart unit amongst others.

What’s more, this dehumidifier also has one of the quietest operations on the market. You’ll find its hum unobtrusive even in the bedroom.

Vremi’s see-through water level indicator also shows you how much water has been accumulated without even opening it. Detaching, cleaning, and readjusting it is also a simple task. The metallic filter screen is also easily removable as well as washable.

5. Yaufey 1750 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier

Yaufey makes it their mission to provide houses with a more comfortable and relaxed environment. One of their well-designed, high-quality, and user-friendly home appliances is the Yaufey 30 Pint Dehumidifier.

This surprisingly robust and full-featured medium-sized dehumidifier is well designed with sleek lines and simple black and white colors. It helps the unit to blend into the background well.

Amongst the units on this list, Yaufey is the smallest in size. Despite that, it can remove up to 4 gallons of water in a day effectively and quickly. However, it works best in a medium-sized area up to 1500 sq ft, achieving the desired humidity within a satisfactory time.

You can specify an ideal humidity percentage in the setting, and it will run till that mark is achieved before shutting off for power saving. It also features a humidistat to know the humidity level in the room.

Unfortunately, the reservoir size of this unit is small. With 30 pint capacity, you’ll find yourself having to empty the tank manually a couple of times a day. But there is a gravity drainage hose you can make great use of to get rid of constantly having to babysit the machine.

Again, the drain portal is located at the top of the water tank. So, it has to be filled up before any drainage starts. It is a small thing, but we would’ve preferred the port in the bottom portion of the tank.

On the bright side, Yaufey 30 Pint Dehumidifier has a surprisingly advanced and easy-to-use control system with an intelligent control panel.

6. Inofia 30 Pints Dehumidifiers for Home Basements

This small basement dehumidifier is a stunning device that provides you with quality air. Although the smallest on the list, Inofia still manages to control the humidity level in the air accurately.

Used in an area under 1056 sq. ft., Inofia has been integrated with a high potent pump compressor. This feature helps the machine to efficiently remove no less than 30 pints of water per day.

With a built-in 1.8 L water tank inside the device, Inofia also offers you continuous drainage of the moisture through the drainage port. You could also choose to empty the water reservoir manually without any problem. This unit features an alarm to notify you when the tank is full and needs to be emptied.

Additionally, these humidifiers also use ultra-silence technology to avoid the frustrations of noise while operating. There is also a time that you can mute during sleeping hours.

Inofia dehumidifier is very efficient and consumes less power in comparison to others. It has been designed to save power with a timer that turns the machine on or off when necessary. With such energy-efficient technology, you won’t have to worry about ever-increasing electric bills.

Perhaps the nicest feature of this unit is its unique and extremely user-friendly functionality. It has a clear LED display showing you necessary information like humidity value at present. There are also easy settings for controlling airflow speed as well as automatic defrosting.

All in all, Inofia is one of the best small space dehumidifiers that you can use in your home, bathroom, and moist basements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I maintain my dehumidifier?

Humidifier maintenance is necessary if you want to get benefitted from its service for many years. The best way to take care of it is to perform regular checkups by following the manufacturer’s tips in the user manual. Still, some of the most important points of maintenance are:

• Turn off and unplug before maintenance
• Clean the filter when they get dirty
• Keep the basement airtight as much as possible
• Drain the water tank after each use
• Clean the machine and the water reservoir regularly

2. How do I make sure the basement is ready for a dehumidifier?

There are few considerations you should check before installing a dehumidifier in the basements, and those include:

• Create proper sealing and provide an enclosed space for the machine to operate in. If outside air keeps entering, it will absolutely diminish its efficiency.
• Remove the perpetual source of humidity like standing water in the basement. It will just keep sourcing moisture in the air no matter how much the dehumidifier removes them.

3. What is the ideal humidity level in a basement?

When the dampness in the basement air is more than 70%, the moist air is felt easily. This high moisture content creates many problems, including damage to wooden things, clothes, formation of mold, mildew, and mites.

That is why in a basement, the ideal humidity level should be below 50% to eliminate all these problems.

4. Where should I place the basement humidifier?

The best location for a humidifier is the middle of the basement so that it can intake and distribute air evenly on all sides. This position gives the machine enough space for air circulation, reducing energy consumption. It also increases the efficiency of the dehumidifier.

5. Do humidifiers kill mold?

Although many people believe it does, a humidifier doesn’t actually kill mold. However, it helps inhibit the growth of mold and mildews by lessening the humidity level in the room.

Our Verdict

Although we’ve reviewed some of the best basement dehumidifiers on the market, we have preferences among these as well. Our verdict goes to TOSOT’s 50-pint dehumidifier mainly due to its built-in pump which is compatible with any type of drain hose.

We should also give props to the Yaufey dehumidifiers for their beautiful design, small footprint, and ease of operation.

Final Words

A dehumidifier is a handy appliance in balancing humidity levels in an enclosed space. If your house has an overly humid basement, it will eventually damage wooden materials by rotting them. The best dehumidifier for cold basements helps solve the complication to a great extent.