Models in this guide
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Frigidaire
Frigidaire FHDP5033Y1
A 50-pint portable dehumidifier with a built-in pump, for a basement without a floor drain nearby.
- ENERGY STAR capacity
- 49.95 pints/day (DOE test)
- Efficiency (IEF)
- 2.01 L/kWh
- ENERGY STAR ID
- 4497024
- Drainage
- Bucket, gravity hose or built-in pump
- Pump limit (manual)
- 16.4 ft distance and rise
- Operating range (manual)
- 41–89°F
- Electrical (manufacturer)
- 115 V, 8.8 A, 3-prong plug
A space that stays between 41°F and 89°F, the range in Frigidaire's manual, and a sink, drain or window within the pump's 16.4-foot limit.
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LG
LG DT501BKR0
A 50-pint portable dehumidifier without a pump. LG lists it as working down to 38°F, which suits a cool basement with a floor drain.
- ENERGY STAR capacity
- 49.81 pints/day (DOE test)
- Efficiency (IEF)
- 2.01 L/kWh
- ENERGY STAR ID
- 4572921
- Drainage
- Bucket or gravity drain hose
- Pump
- None described by LG
- Operating range (manual)
- 38–90°F
- Electrical (manual)
- 120 V, 60 Hz
A floor drain or sump pit at least 4 inches below the drain connection, because there is no pump, and a space between 38°F and 90°F.
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Know the humidity you are aiming for
- Below 30%Drier than the ideal range
- 30–50%EPA's ideal range
- 50–60%Still below 60%
- Above 60%EPA advises lowering it
A dehumidifier has one job. It pulls water out of the air until the space reaches the humidity you set. So start with the target. EPA advises keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, and ideally between 30 and 50 percent. ENERGY STAR names the same 30 to 50 percent range.
Measure before you buy. A small humidity meter, called a hygrometer, left in the basement for a few days tells you how damp the air really is. Write down the readings. They help you size the unit and check later whether it is doing its job.
Look for water as well as damp air. Seepage or a wet floor means water is getting in. EPA calls moisture control the key to mold control, and advises fixing water problems. Sweating walls can also be condensation, which EPA notes can be a sign of high humidity. A dehumidifier helps with that damp air.
Every ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier has a built-in humidistat. You set a level, and the unit switches on and off to hold it.
Size it by how damp the space is
Recommended capacity, pints per day
Scroll sideways to compare room sizes.
| Space without a dehumidifier | Under 2,000 sq ft | Over 2,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Slightly to moderately damp50–75% humidity, musty at times | 20–30 | 30+ |
| Very damp75–90%, damp spots on walls or floor | 25–40 | 40+ |
| Wet90–100%, walls sweat or seepage | 30–50 | 50+ |
ENERGY STAR sizes portable dehumidifiers by two things: the floor area and how damp the space is without a dehumidifier. For a space under 2,000 square feet it suggests 20 to 30 pints per day when the space is slightly to moderately damp, 25 to 40 when it is very damp, and 30 to 50 when walls or floor sweat or seepage is present.
Bigger spaces need more. Over 2,000 square feet, the same three conditions call for more than 30, 40 and 50 pints per day.
A basement that feels and smells damp most of the time fits the very damp row. Sweating walls or seepage point to the wet row. Both models in this guide are rated at about 50 pints per day, the top of ENERGY STAR's chart. If the chart points you to less, a smaller certified unit may fit better; we have not compared those here.
Replacing an old unit? ENERGY STAR suggests judging by how much water you empty each day. It also says oversizing is better than undersizing.
Read the pint rating the right way
Pint ratings changed in 2019. The Department of Energy test now runs portable dehumidifiers at 65°F instead of 80°F. ENERGY STAR explains that this better reflects a basement. Cooler air holds less water, so the same kind of machine reports a smaller number.
ENERGY STAR gives a rough conversion. A unit rated 50 pints under the old test is about 30 pints under the new one. An old 70-pint rating is about 40 to 45 pints now. Actual models vary.
Product names do not always use the DOE figure. AprilAire, for example, sells the E080 as an 80-pint unit, measured at 80°F. Its ENERGY STAR record lists 65 pints per day. To compare models fairly, use the capacity in the ENERGY STAR record. Our comparison does.
The record also lists an energy factor, called IEF. It is the liters of water removed per kilowatt-hour of electricity, so a higher number means a more efficient unit.
Check how it copes with a cold basement
Basements are often cooler than the rest of the house. ENERGY STAR warns that frost can form on the coils when the air drops below about 65°F. The compressor may then cycle on and off without removing much moisture.
If your basement is regularly below 65°F, look for a model the manufacturer specifies for lower temperatures. Some units have an anti-frost sensor or an automatic defrost cycle.
Check the manual for the lowest operating temperature. Our comparison shows what each manufacturer states.
Plan the drain before you buy
Most portable dehumidifiers collect water in a bucket and switch off when it is full. In a damp basement that means emptying it by hand, or the unit stops drying until you do.
A drain hose avoids that. Some units accept a hose that runs to a floor drain or sump pit. This works by gravity, so the drain has to be lower than the hose connection on the unit.
No drain nearby, or only a laundry sink higher up? Then a built-in pump helps. It pushes the water up and along a hose. Each manufacturer states how high the pump can lift water, so check that figure against your route.
- Is there a floor drain or sump pit lower than the unit's drain outlet?
- If not, how high and how far does the water have to go?
- Is there a suitable outlet close to where the unit will sit?
- Can you reach the filter and bucket for regular cleaning?
Compare the documented specifications
Capacities come from each model's ENERGY STAR record. Drain and temperature details come from the manufacturer. These are models to check against your space, not a ranking from our own tests.
| Dehumidifier | Check your setup | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire FHDP5033Y1 | A space that stays between 41°F and 89°F, the range in Frigidaire's manual, and a sink, drain or window within the pump's 16.4-foot limit. | The manual says not to use an extension cord, and to clean the filter, bucket and pump filter every two weeks. |
| LG DT501BKR0 | A floor drain or sump pit at least 4 inches below the drain connection, because there is no pump, and a space between 38°F and 90°F. | LG's manual says to clean the pre-filter monthly and not to clean the heat exchanger yourself. The humidity setting runs from 30 to 70 percent. |
Sources behind this guide
- ENERGY STAR: Dehumidifiers: sizing, drainage and humidity guidanceUS government guidance · Checked November 1, 2026
- ENERGY STAR: Dehumidifier testing and capacityUS government guidance · Checked November 1, 2026
- ENERGY STAR: Certified dehumidifiers (model list and test data)Certification data · Checked November 1, 2026
- US EPA: A brief guide to mold, moisture and your homeUS government guidance · Checked November 1, 2026
- Frigidaire: FHDP5033Y1 use and care manualManufacturer documentation · Checked November 1, 2026
- Frigidaire: FHDP5033Y1 specification sheetManufacturer documentation · Checked November 1, 2026
- LG: DT501BKR0 50-pint dehumidifier product pageManufacturer documentation · Checked November 1, 2026
- LG: DT50 series dehumidifier owner's manualManufacturer documentation · Checked November 1, 2026
