Does your house feel damp and sticky in the summer? Do you still smell musty odors, even after installing a water drainage system and a sump pump in your home? These are signs that you need to take an additional step to reduce the humidity in your home. The best way to do that is with a dehumidifier.
Acculevel has been waterproofing homes since 1996 and has installed water drainage into thousands of homes. Many of these installations have included whole-house dehumidifiers; we exclusively install Aprilaire brand dehumidifiers. Aprilaire is well-known throughout the industry for their healthy home solutions, and the products they make to solve everyday problems.
The benefits of a dehumidifier are detailed in our article on whole house dehumidifiers. There you’ll also learn how to determine the proper size you need to buy.
But if you aren’t convinced you need a professional grade residential dehumidifier, or you are a diehard DIY fan, you may want to install a dehumidifier yourself. If so, then this is the article for you! We have compared dozens of models, verified reviews from customers and consumer groups alike.
Our Criteria
For the purposes of this article, we have only included residential products sold to consumers, with a capacity above 50 pints. This is the highest capacity needed for the average 2500 square foot home. The top 5 options are listed below in order of price, lowest to highest.
All of the models listed meet the following criteria:
- They are available at home improvement stores.
- They have a rating of 4 stars or more.
- Offer a drain hose connection. They also offer an auto option, so that they can turn themselves on and off as needed to maintain the humidity level you’ve chosen. Please note that you may need additional hoses, connections, or accessories to use the drainage line option.
The Best Dehumidifiers for 2020
| Model | Brand | Capacity | Mobile App | Warranty | Price |
| RPD-702WP | Whynter | 70 pint | No | 1 | $240 |
| IDM70-SE | Impecca | 70 pint | No | 2 | $272 |
| IVALDH70PWWPWH | Ivation | 70 pint | No | 1 | $291 |
| DH7019W1WG | Hisense | 70 pint | Yes | 2 | $300 |
| FGAC7044U1 | Frigidaire | 70 pint | Yes | 1 | $309 |
Whynter RPD-702WP
Featuring an internal condensate pump, this unit is specifically designed for high volume usage without having to worry about interrupted operation. This dehumidifier can be continuously operated with 3 drainage options; manual drain, gravity drain and condensate pump drain.
Impecca IDM70-SE
Continuously auto-drain your dehumidifier without emptying the water bucket with an optional external hose hookup. Save money with the Impecca Portable Dehumidifier using energy efficient technology that improves your home environment and keeps air healthy and smelling fresh.
Ivation IVALDH70PWWPWH
A smart Ivation design lets you control moisture levels with a simple LCD interface. Check the humidistat, set your ideal levels, adjust fan speed, program the 24-hour timer, and receive important filter and reservoir alerts for no-hassle operation.
Hisense DH7019W1WG
This 2-speed dehumidifier quietly collects water into the slide-out internal bucket, or can discharge the water via connecting a garden hose (not included) through the side of the cabinet. This dehumidifier also features the ability to control it from anywhere using the HiSmart app.
Frigidaire FGAC7044U1
This unit comes equipped with a continuous drain option so you don’t have to worry about emptying the water bucket and a number of innovative features. Control your dehumidifier from anywhere at your convenience with Frigidaire’s Smart Appliances app; turn the unit on or off, change humidity levels, and get notified when the water bucket is full.
This photo was taken by a crew member after encapsulation. The dehumidifier is installed and the drain hose runs directly to the sump pump.
Would You Like to Have a Dehumidifier Installed for You?
Maybe you need a larger capacity dehumidifier, or you don’t want to go the DIY route.
Acculevel provides free estimates for large capacity dehumidifiers that can manage the humidity level for up to a 5000 square foot home. We install Aprilaire brand dehumidifiers and service these products for 5 years. These are super durable and reliable, with rust-resistant aluminum coils. These dehumidifiers are larger than the models routinely sold to homeowners, removing 95 pints per day. Aprilaire is an American brand and its products are made in the USA.
The full cost of this installation is $1600-$1800 and is usually completed within a few hours. The drainage line for the humidifier will be run directly to your sump pump pit, and we will set the desired humidity level for you. This unit will then run automatically whenever the humidity goes above your settings, and shut itself off when it’s not needed.
If you don’t live in our service area, we recommend that you find an experienced local foundation company or plumber, and make an appointment. Before you sign a contract for any service, you should always verify the company is reputable, insured, and accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
If you’d like more information about the waterproofing process, we have more to share with you! We’ve detailed the process and costs for waterproofing both basements and crawl spaces.
If you have noticed other issues with your basement, crawl space, or foundation, you are welcome to use our free symptom checker for help diagnosing potential concerns.
