Dehumidifiers have become a necessity for many basements. These devices can make your home comfortable by drawing moist air, minimizing musty odor and reducing the possibility of mold and mildew growth.
Using a dehumidifier is also a sure way to maintain your basement’s humidity levels below 50 percent, which keeps dust mites and other indoor allergens at bay.
The only problem with dehumidifiers is that some are way too noisy. And the sound they produce can become devastating especially if you want to concentrate, watch the TV or sleep, and combat sweaty, sticky, humid air at the same time.
What you need is quietest dehumidifier for basement. But that’s not only the feature you have to look for, you also must consider the amount of moisture it can absorb from the surrounding atmosphere.
In this dehumidifier review, we want to help you with your search for the best quiet dehumidifier. So, we have a list of ten top-rated dehumidifiers according to their decibel rating.
Top 10 Quietest Dehumidifier for Basement Reviews 2021
Last update on 2023-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Danby Energy Star 70-Pint Dehumidifier
- Portable dehumidifier removes up to 70 pints of moisture from the air per day
- For use in rooms up to 4,500 sq. Ft. Depending upon conditions
- 2 fan speeds (high/low) and 24-hour on/off timer
- Low temperature operation down to 41F
- Front access water tank with 12.7-Pint capacity and full-tank indicator light
Last update on 2023-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Danby DDR070BDWDB is a portable dehumidifier that frees the air around your home of up to 70 pints of moisture per day. It can dehumidify an area as large as a whole house or expansive basement of up to 4,500 square feet in just a few hours. And when the water tank gets full, there’s the indicator light to alert you to it.
The dehumidifier is extremely energy efficient, which means that it won’t cause your energy bills to spike, or trip your homes circuit breaker.
With its smart dehumidifying function, the unit factors in the ambient room temperature and automatically controls humidity, making the place comfortable to be in. It also boasts an automatic de-icing system that helps keep the coils free of ice.
Additionally, the dehumidifier has a low-temperature feature that allows it to operate seamlessly even at low temperatures of up to 41F. This two-fan moisture-removing machine operates at 50 decibels, which is just as quietly as a refrigerator.
The downside is the price, which is fairly on the higher side, and might be discouraging for shoppers on a tight budget.
Pros
- Quiet fan, even in high speed
- The unit is energy efficient
- Built-in caster wheels for easy mobility
Cons
- No drain pump
- Fairly expensive
2. Frigidaire FFAD7033R1, 70 Pint, Dehumidifier
This humidifier boasts effortless humidity control and works at a low temperature to save you money off your electricity bill.
With frost control designed for use at temperatures as low as 41 degrees, this dehumidifier not only removes excess moisture quietly from your home but efficiently; saving both energy and money.
The unit allows you to set the humidity to as low as 35% with either Turbo or Normal fan speed – all with a whisper-quiet motor that takes up to 50 pints of water suspended in the air per day. This leaves your apartment or office perfectly dry and comfortable to be in.
That the dehumidifier comes with casters to simplify mobility is the other good news you don’t want to ignore.
The appliance is also designed to shut itself off once the water tank is full, so you don’t have to worry about spills even when you let it run on its own.
The unit doesn’t have a pump, so you’ll have to empty the full tank every often manually. You can also use a low-level drain or garden hose, but you buy them separately at an extra cost.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Effortless humidity control
- Cost-effective
- Portable
Cons
- No built-in drain pump for continual water draining
- No auto defrost option
3. Keystone KSTAD50B High Efficiency 50-Pint Dehumidifier
- 35-PINT DEHUMIDIFIER: Quickly and efficiently remove up to 35 pints of moisture from the air per day in a space up to 3000 square feet to improve your air quality on many levels.
- RELIABLE, CONVENIENT & EASY TO USE: Our model has electronic controls with LED Display and a 24-hour timer. Settings include Normal, Turbo, and Auto-Defrost to keep you comfortable around the clock.
- ELIMINATES EXCESS MOISTURE FROM HUMID AIR: The Keystone portable dehumidifier can be placed in various locations throughout your home or apartment such as your attic, bedroom, basement, bathroom, garage, or any other environment.
- CONTINUOUS DRAINING OPTION: For extreme conditions, a continuous draining option is available using a low-level drain and a standard garden hose (hose not included) instead of emptying the bucket.
- REAP MANY BENEFITS: Protect your home and keep it safe from damage during wet, stormy weather. Whatever your purpose, this dehumidifier will help absorb extra water from your surroundings
Last update on 2023-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This Energy Star compliant dehumidifier removes up to 50 pints of moisture from a 3,000-square-foot area per day. As such, the dehumidifier can remove mold-inducing moisture much quickly from your home and make it healthier to live in.
With additional settings that include Normal, Turbo and Auto-Defrost, you get to choose your preferred humidity settings and just leave the device to do its work without input from you.
The removable, easy-to-clean dust filter of this unit has a clean-filter alert to call your attention whenever you need to address it. The auto-restart feature that saves your settings during a power outage also means that the dehumidifier will automatically restart with the previous function settings as soon as power is back. This keeps you from having to go over the setup process each time there is a power outage.
The dehumidifier has a small water-collection reservoir that requires to be emptied from time to time. You could, however, opt for a continuous draining hose that you can purchase separately. And that is an additional cost which you can save if you buy a unit with a draining pump.
Pros
- Portable
- Continuous drainage option
- Dehumidifies large areas in minimal time
Cons
- Small water collection reservoir
4. Powilling Smart Home Dehumidifier
Last update on 2023-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Powilling 5500 is a sleek, smart dehumidifier with an auto-control function, LED display and thermo-electric Peltier module technology that allow you to set your preferred humidity levels from an easy-to-use, intuitive digital interface.
This small and compact device removes up to 60 ounces of moisture per day, with the option of a large removable 106-ounces water reservoir to eliminate any traces of musty odor from your space and make it more conducive.
The unit comes with a 60-day money back guarantee and 12 months of limited warranty. More interestingly, the company offers 24 hours of active customer service, seven days a week; so they’re always available to assist with anything you may need.
In the event of a power outage, the smart dehumidifier is designed to intelligently save your settings and automatically restart with those settings you last entered into the control panel when power is restored. Thus you don’t have to go through the process all over again each time.
When the water collection tank is full, the humidifier shuts itself off automatically, so it won’t cause any messy spills or leakages.
Since the Powilling 5500 is a reasonably small thermoelectric dehumidifier, it requires more time to reduce the humidity compared to the traditional dehumidifiers that use compressors to do the same task.
Pros
- The unit has an auto-shutoff feature to prevent water spills
- Easy and intuitive operation
- Easy to set up
- Comes with 60-day money back guarantee
Cons
- Takes longer to dehumidify your space
5. KOLAMAMA Dehumidifier with Water Tank
Last update on 2023-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a portable dehumidifier that removes up to 6.4 pints (68oz) per day from your small room of approximately 323 square feet, with its 3-liter water collection tank. This means the humidifier is perfect for use in a basement, bathroom, kitchen or your bedroom.
The dehumidifier uses the latest intelligent Peltier technology with no compressor, which makes it very quiet. It produces no sounds that will disturb your sleep or work. With noise levels well below 40decibels, the dehumidifier can operate in your bedroom or office without you even noticing its presence.
Further, the gadget is equipped with an intelligent humidity detection chip that enables you to set your desired relative humidity level without much effort. The unit will then turn on automatically when relative humidity levels exceed the level you have set by a value of 5%. It equally turns off when the relative humidity levels go below your set level by about 5%.
Being small and slow in operation, the KOLAMAMA Dehumidifier is not suitable for use in larger spaces such as your living room.
Pros
- LED display for easy operation
- Very quiet
- Displays real-time humidity levels
- Fairly cheap and cost-effective dehumidifier
Cons
- Small and unsuitable for larger spaces
- Slower compared to traditional compressor-using humidifiers
6. Eurgeen Portable Touch-Screen Dehumidifier
This portable, touch-screen dehumidifier can remove up to 50 pints of water per day from humid air (86℉, 80-percent relative humidity) to keep your mid-sized room or office dry and healthy. Its 2.5-liter water tank is large enough to collect water from your kitchen, bedroom, cabinet, closet and even restroom without needing frequent replacement.
It has an auto-off feature, a safety system that will shut off the dehumidifier once it reaches the maximum water level, so it does not cause any spills or leakages which could expose your family to the risk of electric shock.
The unit is compact and lightweight, which means that moving it around or from room to room is a breeze.
With a noise level of 50 decibels, the unit is whisper-quiet, so it will not disturb your sleep or distract you while working.
Some units break down within two years and may cause issues outside the one-year limited warranty period, so you may want to take an extended warranty to be safe.
Pros
- Whisper quiet, with a decibel rating of 48
- Fast operation
- Portable
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- May require extended warranty
7. Whynter RPD-503SP Portable Dehumidifier with Pump
This portable, 50-pint dehumidifier has an integrated humidistat that turns it off when the desired humidity has been reached. This auto-shut-off feature is a perfect addition that helps prevent energy waste.
The appliance features an auto restart feature that ensures the unit will resume its operation in the event of a power shortage.
There is also auto defrost feature that ensures there is no frost build up in the coil to damage the dehumidifier. As such, your Whynter RPD-503SP dehumidifier will operate at low temperatures without presenting you with costly, frost-induced breakdowns.
You’ll love the fact that the unit has a drain option to automate water drainage from the collection tank as it collects it from the air. Besides, the machine has a drain pump built into the unit to help you empty the collected water seamlessly through the long hose that comes with the appliance.
The dehumidifier has received a significantly large number of negative customer feedback on Amazon.com and offers only two choices of operational speeds – which makes it less versatile
Pros
- Energy efficient
- Has drainage pump built-in
- Has a filter that effectively retains impurities trapped from the air
- Has automatic defrost feature to prevent frost from building up within the unit
Cons
- Has few (only two) operational speed choices
- Pricey
8. Frigidaire FAD954DWD Dehumidifier, 95-Pint
Last update on 2023-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
95-Pint dehumidifiers are usually huge and therefore loud machines, but the Frigidaire FAD954DWD is an excellent exception to that rule. The huge dehumidifier produces noise output of about 55 decibels, making it the loudest in our list, but the quietest among its peers which typically produce 57 decibels of noise on average.
The machine boasts extra-long 6 feet three-prong power cord that saves you from having to invest in extension cords at an added cost. And since the dehumidifier will continuously drain the water it collects from the air, you do not have to empty the water bucket yourself.
The dehumidifier has full-function electronic controls that make it effortless to set your desired humidity levels. It also features an easily accessible collection container with a level indicator to keep you aware of the water level at all time, and a washable filter designed to reduce room odors, bacteria, and other airborne particles.
Selling at around at over $350, the high cost of this dehumidifier may be a deal breaker for many homeowners.
Pros
- Continuous water drainage
- Suitable for large rooms or spaces
- Frees the air of up to 95 pints of water per day
- Portable design that includes caster wheels and integrated side handles.
Cons
- Expensive
- Slightly noisy for smaller spaces such as bedrooms
9. Ivation Energy Star Dehumidifier with Pump
- This Compressor Dehumidifier Keeps Spaces Up to 4,500 Sq. Ft. Cool & Comfortable by Removing 50 Pints of Moisture/Day (70 Pint according to the old DOE [Department of Energy] standards, in 2019 this was classified as 70 pint and it now needs to be classified as 50 pint but IT REMOVED THE SAME MOISTURE AS THE OLD 70 PINT)
- Built-In Humidity Sensor - The LCD accurately displays the current humidity level in the room, enabling you to set your ideal levels for automatic moisture control
- Built-In 16W Pump Delivers Worry-Free Use w/Continuous Upward Water Drainage Out of Basement Window or Into Sink
- Bright LED Display Indicates Humidistat & Setting, Fan Speed, Timer, Filter Alert & More
- Highlights Include Eco-Efficiency (ENERGY STAR Certified), Casters, Auto-Defrost, & Auto-Restart
Last update on 2023-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This 70 Pint Dehumidifier from Ivation is great for use in large spaces. It will pull up to 70 pints of moisture from the air in a 4,500 square feet space over the course of 24 hours. This offers the much-needed relief from the heat during humid months.
It has a built-in 16-watt water pump that delivers continuous upward drainage of water, so you don’t have to trouble yourself with emptying the tank from time to time. All you have to do is channel the hose to a basement window or sink and leave the machine alone to do its work.
With the bright LED display on this humidifier, you can set everything to your preference. You can set the desired humidity at which the humidifier will automatically shut off to save energy and utility costs even if you are away.
The appliance also features a removable filter that traps particles, preventing them from reaching and damaging the fan.
At slightly over 52 decibels of noise, some people find the humidifier to be quite loud for them, even though most humidifier users are much comfortable with the noise level.
Pros
- Washable air filter to protect coils
- The auto-defrost feature prevents wasted energy
- Auto restart upon power outage
- Optional hose connection and the built-in pump allows continuous draining
- Auto shutoff when the reservoir is full
- User-friendly
Cons
- Fairly pricey
- Some people find it noisy
10. Kenmore 55550 Dehumidifier
The Kenmore KM50 is the one medium-capacity dehumidifier that received Consumer Report’s “excellent” rating for energy efficiency, which means it will save you tons of cash on your utility costs.
It has an accurate humidistat that delivers accurate humidity readings and control, ensuring that your room is in perfect condition for your health.
With its 19.2-pint bucket capacity, the humidifier removes up to 50 pints of water from the air around your room within 24 hours, every day. Added to the built-in timer control and drain hose option, you can set the device to drain out water continuously without requiring you to empty the full bucket from time to time.
The machine also has an auto-defrost feature that enables it to work in low temperatures without risking to damage the coils with frost.
This model, however, falls short of the bells and whistles that are characteristic of its peers. It has no auto-restart feature, so you’ll have to start it up again each time manually.
Pros
- Draws up to 50 pints of moisture from the air per day
- Quiet operation
- Extremely energy efficient
- Very accurate humidistat
Cons
- No auto restart option
How To Choose The Best Quiet Dehumidifier For Basement
Most people relate discomfort while basement with heat, but did you know that the real troublemaker is humidity? Humid air is a major problem in areas that experience significant strings of warm, rainy days. In addition to clamminess, musty odors, and damp spots around the room, excessive dampness can also trigger allergies, respiratory problems, and other health issues.
Thankfully, dehumidifiers exist to pull moisture from the air in your living or working space. A dehumidifier sucks in damp air, passes it through a condenser to remove the moisture which collects in a removable tank, then redistributes the drier air back into the room with its fan. If your space is prone to getting overly stuffy in the summer, a dehumidifier is an absolute must-have.
As with buying most special-use items, however, getting the dehumidifier that will perfectly suit your room is not entirely straightforward. Among the numerous factors to consider when shopping for one is noise output. These little machines can get pretty loud, and this means that if you need one for your bedroom or even other areas of your home, a quiet dehumidifier is undoubtedly the way to go.
To help you find the ideal quiet dehumidifier, we have put together a comprehensive guide that offers all the information you need to make the best decision. Not only will you get the scoop into buying silent dehumidifiers, but also learn the most important features to look for, how to choose the right size and placement, how to set the right humidity level, how to drain the water safely and reliably, and other noteworthy tips and tricks to guarantee reliable, long-term service from your new equipment.
Why Are Dehumidifiers Noisy?
Any appliance with a fan is bound to produce some level of noise, and the higher the fan setting, the louder it gets. A dehumidifier uses an inbuilt fan to pull in moist air, and release is back to your environment after drying it. And, if that wasn’t already enough disturbance, it also uses a compressor for cooling, which, when paired with a suitably rated fan, can up the noise level significantly.
When operational, most of the noise coming from a dehumidifier in good condition will come from the exhaust. Fortunately, newer dehumidifiers are exhausted much quieter than older ones. The noise can compare favorably to white noise when running of low settings. Of course, higher gears mean more noise and possibly disturbance, regardless of the unit you get.
Like most other appliances that can get loud during regular operation, dehumidifiers often come with a decibel rating displayed or listed on the manual. For comparison, normal human breathing is rated at 20dB, a refrigerator is usually about 50dB, and your kitchen blender’s rating is 80dB.
Also, bear in mind that commercial-grade dehumidifiers are louder than single-room dehumidifiers. They are best suited for basements, indoor pool areas, and industrial settings, where noise is not a top concern.
How to Get the Quietest Dehumidifier
Save for the tiny moisture-absorber types that are best suited for small spaces like cupboards and wardrobes. It is impossible to find a quiet dehumidifier. Nonetheless, desiccant units come remarkably close, thanks to the absence of a compressor.
Desiccant dehumidifiers can get pricey, and because they usually have 10% to 15% of the capacity of bigger compressor-type units, they are not efficient for large spaces or high humidity levels. On the upside, most desiccant dehumidifiers come with variable speed control that can let you decide when you want to prioritize dehumidifying over low noise.
If your aim is to dehumidify a large, highly humid area, you will need a compressor-type dehumidifier. Compressors are generally noisy, but as our list of the best quiet compressors reveals, even this category has large variations in the noise produced per model. However, such dehumidifiers are best suited for apartments.
The first step towards getting the least noise from a dehumidifier is to match it as accurately as possible to the size of space it will be dehumidifying. Industrial-size units typically run louder than smaller-scale types. Still, a dehumidifier that is too small for your room’s size or humidity levels will need to run for longer and at higher, noisier settings to achieve the desired humidity.
A dehumidifier’s capacity is measured by the amount of water it can remove from the air in a day. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is responsible for setting sizing standards to match homeowners’ needs, and most manufacturers print an easy-to-follow guide on the packaging to help you pick the right size. If your outdoor climate is typically humid, however, you may want to choose a higher capacity unit than what the manufacturer’s guide indicates.
Other Factors to Consider
Quiet dehumidifiers still serve the one purpose of reducing moisture levels in ambient air. So, while your unit of choice may have ticked the first box, it pays to consider other factors as well.
- Automated Controls
Most newly-released dehumidifiers come with automated controls for monitoring and varying humidity levels, and you must not settle for anything less. Choosing a unit with a built-in electronic hygrometer to measure and display relative humidity will make setting the right humidity level quick and easy.
If a dehumidifier with automated controls is a little too expensive for your budget, or you are perhaps skeptical because of prior negative experience with them, you can invest in a separate hygrometer to place next to the dehumidifier. Standard digital hygrometers range in price from $10 to 60$.
- Bucket Size
Dehumidifiers come in varied water capacity ratings. For the same area size, a unit with a larger tub or drip pan will need to be emptied less often than one with a smaller bucket. Of course, expect to pay more for the convenience. The rule of thumb in the market is that the more water the dehumidifier can hold, the more it is likely to cost. Dehumidifiers with front-loading buckets make emptying easier, while those with automatic shutoffs can turn off when the tub is full. Unsurprisingly, these useful niceties come at a higher price.
Most portable dehumidifiers with pump for basement are designed to be self-draining and can be connected to a drain-hose, but you will need to place your self-emptying unit in a location with a drainage provision.
For the most convenience, you can opt for a unit that uses evaporation technology to get rid of the water. These options are limited and on the pricier end, but they can dispose of as much as 100 pints of water a day, and because they use heat pump technology, they can double as air conditioners.
- Automatic Defrost
Dehumidifiers operating in low-temperature environments often malfunction as a result of frost build-up on the condenser coils. So, unless your climate is warm all-year-round, consider a unit that comes with an automatic defrost feature, particularly one with that is Energy Star certified to 40 degrees or thereabout.
Although automatic defrost will bump up the overall price of your unit, it will spare you the hassle of regularly cleaning off frost from the condenser or, worse, the cost of replacing a dehumidifier damaged from iced coils.
- Mobility
Do you intend to use your dehumidifier in more than one location? Well, ensure your dehumidifier comes with casters so that you can roll it from room to room. You can also get one with a long power cord, or perhaps an appropriately rated extension kit so that you can put your unit anywhere you want.
- Whole-Home Systems
If you already own a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System, you might want to consider installing a dehumidifying solution that will work for your entire home. These elaborate systems connect to existing HVAC ductwork to reach damp areas and redistribute the air throughout the house.
Whole-home units don’t come cheap, but they offer the best efficiency and noise levels you can get, especially for their size. You can keep the unit as far away from your living space as possible and enjoy clean, dry air without any disturbance. If you can invest, you will be rewarded with a lifetime of value, especially if most, if not all the rooms in your house need dehumidification.
How To Keep Your Dehumidifier Silent In The Long Run
Dehumidifiers are machines, and like all machines, they need a certain degree of continuous care to provide reliable long-term service. According to a study by the National Association of Home Builders, the average lifespan of a dehumidifier is a modest eight years and consistently used residential units last a mere three to five years under normal operating conditions.
A quiet dehumidifier probably won’t be the most high-maintenance appliance you own, but if you intend to keep it running smoothly for as long as possible, it pays to know the best practices right off the bat. Here’s some expert advice on how you can get the most from your new dehumidifier.
1. Pick A Suitable Spot
A dehumidifier is most effective when the spot it is located allows enough room for air to flow freely. The manual will have specifics for your model, but ideally, it is best to keep your new unit’s inlet, and exhaust at least 6 inches from nearby walls and all doors and windows shut tightly during operation.
It is also an excellent idea to deaden the unit’s area of operation by reducing or eliminating vibrating surfaces that make physical contacts with it, such as wooden floors and loose appliance panels. Even better, consider placing the dehumidifier on top of a rug to make the sound as less intrusive as possible.
2. Have The Right Unit Size
As we mentioned earlier, it is crucial to buy the right size dehumidifier. A unit that is too small for the room will be working harder than necessary to achieve the humidity level you need, which means it won’t take long to start clunking away.
3. Set the Optimal Humidity Level
All dehumidifiers have a humidistat to control the amount of moisture removed from the air. Ideally, the amount to aim for is between 45 and 50 percent, so that the air retains only half of the total moisture it can hold. Setting the humidity level too low will require your dehumidifier to work overtime, which will not only increase the noise output and the overall degradation rate of the unit but also cost you significantly in energy bills.
4. Inspect and Clean Focus Parts Regularly
The water container, air filter, condenser coils, and inlet and exhaust grilles are sensitive parts of any dehumidifier. They must be inspected regularly as per the manual to ensure long-term service. Frequently checking for buildup or damage on the filter, for instance, gives you clean and healthy dehumidified air while keeping the internal components of the unit well protected.
5. Avoid Short-Cycling
Turning a dehumidifier on and off in quick succession leads to inefficiency because the appliance is not given enough time to evaporate excess moisture fully. It can also cause overheating, which negatively affects the lifespan of your unit. To avoid the problems that come with short cycling, look for a dehumidifier that features an automatic delayed start function.
Conclusion
Finding the right dehumidifier is no walk in the park, but it gets even more challenging when you limit your options to the quietest of the bunch. Nevertheless, if you know what to look for, you can give your living or working space a unit with the excellent build quality and efficient working parts that won’t distract you in the office or keep you awake all night.
