A musty basement, peeling paint, or condensation on your pipes all point to the same problem: too much moisture. A good dehumidifier fixes it. We compared 50-pint models on published capacity, drainage and coverage, here is what actually matters and what does not.
Last updated: April 2026 · By the CleanAirHomeLab team
Quick Picks
Short on time? Here are our picks by use case. Scroll down for full reviews with specs, noise, and drain options.
What Size Dehumidifier Do You Need?
Dehumidifier capacity is rated in pints per day using the DOE 2020 standard. Older ratings used a different test, a unit labeled “70-pint” before 2020 is now labeled “50-pint.” Same machine, different math. Use this table:
Moisture Level
Room Size
Capacity Needed
Slightly damp (musty smell in humid weather)
Up to 1,000 sq ft
20-30 pints/day
Moderately damp (damp spots on walls/floor)
Up to 1,500 sq ft
30-40 pints/day
Very damp (visible condensation, wet walls)
Up to 2,500 sq ft
40-50 pints/day
Wet (standing water, flooding history)
Up to 2,500 sq ft
50+ pints/day
Any condition
2,500-4,500 sq ft
50 pints/day
Any condition
Over 4,500 sq ft
Two 50-pint units pints/day
Our advice: just get a 50-pint unit. The price difference between 30-pint and 50-pint is $30-50, and the 50-pint runs at a lower speed (quieter) to hit the same humidity target.
Pump vs. Gravity Drain, Which Do You Need?
This is the single most important decision when buying a dehumidifier. Get it wrong and you end up emptying a bucket every 6 hours.
Gravity Drain
Water flows downhill through a hose to a floor drain or utility sink. Works great if you have a drain at or below floor level.
Cheaper ($200-250)
Nothing to break, no pump motor
Drain must be below the unit
Cannot push water uphill
Built-in Pump
An internal pump pushes water up to 15-16 feet vertically. Drain out a window, into a sink across the room, or into a standpipe.
Drain anywhere, uphill, across room, out window
No floor drain needed
Costs $50-100 more
Pump motor can fail (rare)
Our take: A built-in pump costs $50-80 extra. A separate external condensate pump costs $60-80 on its own. Just buy the unit with the pump built in unless you already have a floor drain right next to where the unit will sit.
What We Look For
Drain Setup
Pump or gravity? How long is the included hose? Can you route it to where you need? This makes or breaks the experience.
Noise at Normal Speed
Manufacturers report noise at the lowest speed. We note real noise on medium and high, because that is where these units spend most of their time.
Running Cost
A dehumidifier runs 8-16 hours per day for months at a time. A 100-watt difference adds up to $20-40/year. Energy Star matters here.
Reliability
Dehumidifier compressors fail. We track brand recall history and warranty coverage. A 5-year sealed system warranty is the minimum we recommend.
Full Reviews
#1 Best With A Pump
Frigidaire FHDP5033W1
Check current price
Current 50-pint Frigidaire with a built-in pump. Discharges upward into a sink or out of a window, so the drain does not have to sit below the unit.
Key Specs
Capacity
50 pints/day
Drain
Built-in pump, discharges upward to a sink or window
Low-temperature operation
Rated down to 41 F
Smart control
Frigidaire app, Amazon Alexa, Google Home
Production status
Current
What We Like
Built-in pump, so the drain can be above the unit
Rated to keep running down to 41 F, which matters in an unheated basement
Frigidaire app plus Alexa and Google Home
Currently in production, unlike the FFAD5033W1 it replaces
Continuous drainage means the bucket never needs emptying
What Could Be Better
A pump is one more component that can fail
Frigidaire does not publish a coverage figure or a noise rating we could verify
Costs more than an equivalent gravity-drain unit
Pump models are generally louder than gravity-drain models
We have no verified Amazon ASIN for this model yet, so its link is a search
Our Verdict
The FHDP5033W1 is the pump pick because it is currently manufactured and the pump is the feature that decides the purchase. If your basement has a floor drain below the unit you do not need it, and the Midea Cube is the cheaper answer. Frigidaire does not publish coverage or decibel figures on the pages we can read, so we do not quote any.
Current 50-pint Frigidaire with Wi-Fi and Energy Star certification. Gravity drain, no pump.
Key Specs
Capacity
50 pints/day
Drain
Gravity hose, no pump
Smart control
Frigidaire app, Wi-Fi
Energy Star
Yes
Production status
Current
What We Like
Currently in production
Wi-Fi with the Frigidaire app for humidity control and scheduling
Energy Star certified
Custom humidity setpoint with auto shut-off
Cheaper than the pump model when you do not need a pump
What Could Be Better
No pump, so a continuous drain has to run downhill
Frigidaire does not publish a coverage figure we could verify
No published decibel rating we could verify
App-dependent for scheduling
Bucket needs emptying if you cannot run a hose
Our Verdict
The FHDD5033W1 is the smart pick that is actually still made. It replaces the GE ADEL50LZ in that slot, which GE states is no longer manufactured. Choose it over the pump model only if your drain sits below the unit.
50-pint dehumidifier with a built-in pump that pushes water up to 16 feet. No floor drain needed. Set it and forget it.
Key Specs
Capacity
50 pints/day (at 65°F, 60% RH per DOE standard)
Coverage
Up to 4,500 sq ft
Tank Size
1.6 gallons (auto shutoff when full)
Drain
Continuous gravity drain via included hose (NO built-in pump)
Noise Level
51 dB
Energy Star
Yes
Dimensions
15.4 x 11.0 x 24.3 inches
Weight
44 lbs
Warranty
1 year parts + labor, 5 year sealed system
What We Like
Built-in pump pushes condensate up to 16 feet — drain into a sink, out a window, or uphill
50 pints/day handles basements up to 4,500 sq ft
Energy Star certified — runs about $5-7/month on average
Continuous drain option via gravity hose (included) or the pump
Quiet at 51 dB — about as loud as a refrigerator hum
What Could Be Better
Pump hose connection is on the back — hard to reach once placed against a wall
No WiFi or app — you have to walk to the unit to change settings
The bucket is only 1.6 gallons — fills fast if you skip the drain hose
Plastic housing feels average — not cheap, not premium
Auto-restart after power outage works, but resets to default humidity level
Our Verdict
The Midea MAD50S1QWT is our top pick for most basements. The built-in pump solves the main problem with dehumidifiers: where to drain the water. Route the hose to a sink, utility drain, or uphill to a window, and you never touch the bucket again, so the basement hits your target humidity every day without any maintenance routine. At $280, it costs less than most pump models and still hits 50 pints per day. The only real downside is no app control. If you want to set it from your phone, look at the GE or Midea Cube instead.
DISCONTINUED. LG's own product page marks this model discontinued, and the UD501KOJ5 that replaced it is discontinued too. Listed here for owners who already have one. 50-pint dehumidifier with a built-in pump and LG ThinQ app. The quietest unit in its class at 44 dB on low.
Key Specs
Capacity
50 pints/day (DOE standard)
Coverage
Up to 4,500 sq ft
Tank Size
1.6 gallons (auto shutoff)
Drain
Gravity hose + built-in pump (16 ft lift)
Noise Level
44-51 dB
Energy Star
Yes
WiFi
LG ThinQ (2.4 GHz)
Dimensions
15.0 x 11.6 x 24.8 inches
Weight
48 lbs
What We Like
44 dB on low speed on the manufacturer's published figure
LG ThinQ WiFi app lets you monitor humidity and control from anywhere
Built-in pump with 16-foot vertical lift for flexible drain placement
Dry+ boost mode drops humidity fast after flooding or heavy rain
LG compressor quality — same brand that makes reliable commercial HVAC
What Could Be Better
At $370, it costs $90 more than the Midea with the same pint rating
ThinQ app requires account creation and can be slow to connect
Bucket removal is awkward — pull from the front, easy to spill
Weighs 48 lbs — heavy to carry down basement stairs
The humidity sensor can read 3-5% higher than a standalone hygrometer
Our Verdict
The LG PuriCare is the best dehumidifier if you care about noise or want app control. At 44 dB on low, you can run it in a bedroom or home office without noticing. The ThinQ app works well enough to check on it remotely. The question is whether those extras are worth $90 more than the Midea. If your dehumidifier sits in a basement you rarely visit, save the money. If it runs in living space, the LG is worth it.
#5
Frigidaire FFAD5033W1
Check current price
SUPERSEDED. Frigidaire has replaced this model with the FHDD5033W1 and FHDP5033W1. Listed here for owners who already have one. 50-pint gravity-drain dehumidifier, no pump.
Key Specs
Capacity
50 pints/day (DOE standard)
Coverage
Up to 4,500 sq ft
Tank Size
1.6 gallons (auto shutoff)
Drain
Gravity hose only (no pump)
Noise Level
52 dB
Energy Star
Yes
Dimensions
15.5 x 11.2 x 24.4 inches
Weight
42 lbs
Warranty
1 year parts + labor, 5 year sealed system
What We Like
At $230, it is the cheapest reliable 50-pint unit from a major brand
Continuous gravity drain with included hose — no bucket emptying if drain is below unit
Simple push-button controls — no app, no WiFi, nothing to break
Frigidaire appliance quality — compressor and coils are solid
Washable filter snaps out easily — no replacement filters to buy
What Could Be Better
No built-in pump — gravity drain only, water must flow downhill
No WiFi or smart features — manual control only
52 dB on high — louder than the LG by about 8 dB (noticeable difference)
1.6 gallon bucket fills quickly — use continuous drain if you can
Casters feel cheap and struggle on uneven basement floors
Our Verdict
The Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is the right pick if you have a floor drain or utility sink below the unit. Gravity drain works great in basements. Just run the hose downhill, so you never empty a bucket and the basement stays at your target humidity without any weekly maintenance. You save $50-150 by skipping the pump. But if your drain is higher than the unit or across the room, the pump on the Midea is worth the extra money.
#6
GE ADEL50LZ (DISCONTINUED)
Check current price
DISCONTINUED. GE states this model is no longer manufactured; remaining stock is clearance. Listed here for owners who already have one. 50-pint smart dehumidifier with WiFi, built-in pump, and voice control.
Key Specs
Capacity
50 pints/day (DOE standard)
Coverage
Up to 4,500 sq ft
Tank Size
1.6 gallons (auto shutoff)
Drain
Gravity hose + built-in pump (15 ft lift)
Noise Level
47-54 dB
Energy Star
Yes
WiFi
SmartHQ (2.4 GHz), Alexa + Google Home
Dimensions
15.3 x 11.4 x 24.5 inches
Weight
45 lbs
What We Like
WiFi built in — monitor and adjust humidity from the SmartHQ app
Works with Alexa and Google Home voice commands out of the box
Built-in pump with 15-foot lift for drain flexibility
Turbo mode ramps to max speed for fast humidity recovery
LED display shows current humidity and target clearly
What Could Be Better
SmartHQ app is slow and sometimes drops the WiFi connection
At $330, you pay a premium for smart features over the Midea ($280)
15-foot pump lift vs 16 feet on Midea and LG — minor, but noted
54 dB on high — the loudest unit in our lineup
Only 2.4 GHz WiFi — won't connect to 5 GHz networks
Our Verdict
The GE ADEL50LZ is the right pick if you already use Google Home or Alexa and want your dehumidifier in the smart home ecosystem. The app lets you see your basement humidity from bed. But the SmartHQ app gets mediocre reviews, and you are paying $50 extra vs the Midea just for WiFi. If app control is a must, the LG ThinQ app is more reliable. The GE wins only if you need voice assistant integration.
#7 Best Value Pump
Tosot 50-Pint with Pump
Check current price
Budget pump dehumidifier from a Gree subsidiary. Internal pump pushes water up 15 feet. Surprisingly quiet for the price.
Key Specs
Capacity
50 pints/day (DOE standard)
Drain
Built-in pump
Not Verified
Tosot publishes no reachable specification sheet for this unit. Coverage, decibels, tank size, dimensions, weight and Energy Star status are therefore NOT stated here rather than estimated. Check the listing before buying.
What We Like
At $260, it is the cheapest 50-pint dehumidifier with a built-in pump
Gree-manufactured compressor — Gree is the world's largest HVAC maker
Internal pump lifts water up to 15 feet vertically
49 dB on low — quieter than the Frigidaire and GE
Auto-restart after power failure remembers your last settings
What Could Be Better
Tosot is less well-known in the US — some people hesitate on brand trust
No WiFi or app control — buttons and a basic LED display only
Pump hose included is short (5 feet) — you may need to buy a longer one
The instruction manual is poorly translated and confusing
Bucket is slightly smaller at 1.5 gallons — fills even faster without drain hose
Our Verdict
The Tosot is a sleeper pick. It is made by Gree, which also manufactures units for other brands. You get a pump dehumidifier for $20 less than the Midea, with slightly lower noise. The tradeoff is a less familiar brand name and a bare-bones feature set. If you want a pump, need to save every dollar, and do not care about WiFi or brand prestige, the Tosot gets the job done.
All five units are Energy Star certified. Real running costs depend on how wet your space is and how many hours per day the compressor runs. We estimate based on 10 hours/day at the national average of $0.16/kWh.
Model
Wattage
Monthly (Low)
Monthly (High)
Annual Est.
Typical 50-pint Energy Star unit, low draw
500 W
$4
$7
$45-85
Typical 50-pint Energy Star unit, mid draw
600 W
$4
$8
$50-95
50-pint unit with a built-in pump
700 W
$5
$9
$55-105
*Costs assume 10 hours a day of active dehumidifying at $0.16/kWh. Your electricity rate, your humidity level and how often the unit cycles will all shift these numbers. These are draw bands rather than per-model figures: manufacturers in this category rarely publish a wattage, and we would rather give you a range we can stand behind than a per-model number we cannot source.
Noise Level Comparison
Noise matters if the dehumidifier runs in a living space or bedroom. In a basement you rarely visit, skip this section.
We removed the decibel chart that used to sit here. It ranked five units to the decibel, but three of those models are out of production and none of the figures could be traced to a manufacturer specification. Midea, Frigidaire and GE do not publish a decibel rating on the product pages we can read, so any chart we drew would be inventing precision.
What is safe to say: compressor dehumidifiers in this class generally sit in the high 40s to low 50s dB range at full speed, which is roughly a refrigerator hum, and a model with a built-in pump adds the pump cycling on top of that. If quiet operation decides your purchase, check the manufacturer's specification sheet for the exact model and year before you buy, because it varies between revisions of the same model name.
Maintenance Tips
1
Clean the filter every 2 weeks
All five models have a washable mesh filter. Rinse it under the faucet. A clogged filter makes the compressor work harder, burns more energy, and shortens the unit's life.
2
Check the drain hose monthly
Algae and mineral deposits can clog the hose over time. Run a cup of white vinegar through it once a month to prevent buildup.
3
Give it 12 inches of clearance
Dehumidifiers need airflow around the intake and exhaust. Pushing it flush against a wall blocks airflow and can trigger the compressor to short-cycle.
4
Pair it with a hygrometer
Built-in humidity sensors can be off by 3-5%. A $12 standalone hygrometer (like the ThermoPro TP50) tells you the real humidity so you can calibrate your target setting.
Common Questions
What size dehumidifier do I need for my basement?+
For a damp basement under 1,500 square feet, a 30-pint unit works. For a wet basement or any space over 1,500 square feet, get a 50-pint unit. A 50-pint running at medium speed uses barely more electricity than a 30-pint running at max. The 50-pint model gives you headroom and runs quieter because it does not need to work as hard.
Do I need a dehumidifier with a pump?+
If you have a floor drain or utility sink below the dehumidifier, a gravity drain is fine. Route the hose downhill and you are done. But if your drain is across the room, higher than the unit, or if you want to push water out a basement window, you need a pump. A built-in pump saves $60-80 over buying a separate condensate pump.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?+
A 50-pint Energy Star dehumidifier uses about 500-700 watts while actively dehumidifying. In a typical basement running 8-12 hours per day, that is $5-10 per month depending on your electricity rate. The unit cycles on and off once it hits your target humidity. In winter, it may barely run at all.
What humidity level should I set my dehumidifier to?+
Set it between 45% and 55% relative humidity. Below 45% and the air gets uncomfortably dry, your skin cracks and wood furniture can split. Above 60% and mold can grow. The sweet spot for most basements is 50%. If you see condensation on windows or pipes, drop it to 45%.
Can I use a dehumidifier in a crawl space?+
Yes, but get a unit with a pump and continuous drain. You do not want to crawl under the house to empty a bucket. Make sure the crawl space is sealed, vapor barriers on the dirt floor and sealed vents. An unsealed crawl space brings in more moisture than any dehumidifier can handle.
How long do dehumidifiers last?+
Most dehumidifiers last 5 to 10 years with basic maintenance. Clean the filter every 2 weeks during heavy use. Keep the coils dust-free. Run the unit in a spot with at least 12 inches of clearance around it for airflow. The compressor is the part that fails first, the 5-year sealed system warranty on most brands covers this.
The Bottom Line
For most people, the Midea MAD50S1QWT is the best dehumidifier to buy right now. It has a built-in pump, pulls 50 pints per day, and costs $280. Set the target humidity to 50%, route the pump hose to a drain, and stop thinking about it.
If the dehumidifier will run in a room where you spend time, upgrade to the LG PuriCare for the lower noise. If you have a floor drain right next to the unit, save $50 with the Frigidaire.
Specifications on this page are taken from the documents below, on the dates shown. We do not physically test products; read our methodology. Page last reviewed .
Two models that previously held top recommendation slots on this page are out of production: LG states the UD501KOG5 is discontinued, and GE states the ADEL50LZ is no longer manufactured. They remain listed below, labelled, for readers who already own one.
