Cheapest ENERGY STAR Dehumidifier for a Basement (2026)
The cheapest ENERGY STAR dehumidifier that is big enough for a basement is the Kesnos 25-Pint ($179.99 on November 11, 2026). ENERGY STAR certifies it at 24.93 pints a day, inside ENERGY STAR's 20 to 30 pint range for a slightly to moderately damp basement under 2,000 sq ft. The Waykar sold as "34 pints" is certified at 10.16 pints a day and is not a basement unit. If the basement is very damp or wet, the Midea 50 Pint ($219.99) is certified at 49.74 pints.
Cheapest that fits a basement
Kesnos 25-Pint (JD025N-80)
$179.99 on Amazon
Check price on Amazon- ENERGY STAR certifies it at 24.93 pints a day on the DOE test (65°F, 60% humidity). ENERGY STAR sizes a slightly to moderately damp basement under 2,000 sq ft at 20 to 30 pints. The box says 80 (an easier test than the DOE one).
- The cheapest ENERGY STAR dehumidifier certified for 20 pints or more that Amazon.com sells today. ENERGY STAR product id 4005584.
- Yearly power: 299 kWh, about $48 at 16 cents per kWh.
Other picks
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$219.99 on AmazonIf the basement is very damp or wet
Midea 50 Pint (MAD50C1AWS-A) · 49.74 certified pints a day · box says 50 · 2.01 L/kWh
Certified at 49.74 pints a day, about twice the top pick, for $40 more. ENERGY STAR sizes very damp at 25 to 40 pints and wet at 30 to 50. Product id 4512375.
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$229.99 on AmazonENERGY STAR Most Efficient, 25 pints
AEOCKY RHEA-RCS25(Y)-N4-3-25 · 24.5 certified pints a day · box says 80 · 1.86 L/kWh
On ENERGY STAR's Most Efficient list at 1.86 liters per kWh, certified at 24.5 pints. Sold by AEOCKY's own store. Product id 3994318.
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$119.99 on AmazonCheapest ENERGY STAR of any size
DR.PREPARE DDH12LA · 9 certified pints a day · box says 38 · 1.93 L/kWh
Certified at only 9 pints a day. That suits a closet or bathroom, not a basement. Product id 4611894.
Prices are Amazon's on November 11, 2026. Pints, liters per kWh and the Most Efficient flag are from the ENERGY STAR list; yearly cost uses 16 cents per kWh.
01 / The record
How many certified pints a basement needs
The Waykar listed on Amazon as "34 Pints" ($165.97) is certified at 10.16 pints a day on the DOE test. That is a bathroom-size unit, not a basement unit. The box number comes from an easier test.
ENERGY STAR's sizing table, for spaces under 2,000 sq ft, is below. Compare it to the certified pints in the table, not the box.
| How damp | Pints, small space | Pints, large space | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slightly to moderately damp | 20–30 | 30+ | Feels damp, musty smell now and then. 50–75% humidity. |
| Very damp | 25–40 | 40+ | Always feels and smells damp; damp spots on walls and floor. 75–90% humidity. |
| Wet | 30–50 | 50+ | Walls or floor sweat, or water seeps in; laundry drying. 90–100% humidity. |
02 / Before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Certified pints, not box pints. The DOE test uses 65°F and 60% humidity. Many boxes quote an easier test, so the same machine prints a bigger number.
- Cost per certified pint. A cheaper unit that removes less water costs more for each pint. The table shows dollars per certified pint.
- Check the ENERGY STAR id. Each certified unit has a product id on the ENERGY STAR list. Look the model up there before you buy.
- Plan the drain. A basement unit runs best on a hose to a floor drain. A built-in pump lifts water up to a sink. Units without either need emptying a bucket.
03 / The full list
10 ENERGY STAR dehumidifiers sold on Amazon today
| Product | Certified pints | Box says | Price per certified pint | ENERGY STAR id | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR.PREPARE DDH12LAsold by Amazon | 9 | 38 | $13.33 | 4611894 (Most Efficient) | $119.99 | Buy |
 Kesnos CTH30Bsold by Amazon | 9.2 | 30 | $15.22 | 4429398 | $139.99 | Buy |
 Waykar PD160B-PROsold by Amazon | 10.16 | 34 | $16.34 | 4511319 (Most Efficient) | $165.97 | Buy |
| Kesnos 25-Pint (JD025N-80)sold by Amazon | 24.93 | 80 | $7.22 | 4005584 | $179.99 | Buy |
 Waykar 25-Pint (JD025CE-80)sold by Amazon | 24.93 | 80 | $8.38 | 4005582 | $208.96 | Buy |
| Midea 50 Pint (MAD50C1AWS-A)sold by Amazon | 49.74 | 50 | $4.42 | 4512375 | $219.99 | Buy |
| AEOCKY RHEA-RCS25(Y)-N4-3-25 | 24.5 | 80 | $9.39 | 3994318 (Most Efficient) | $229.99 | Buy |
 Levoit 25-Pint with Pump (LDH-H251S)sold by Amazon | 24.54 | 84 | $9.37 | 4682794 (Most Efficient) | $229.99 | Buy |
 Waykar 24-Pint (YDZ-80)sold by Amazon | 24 | 80 | $11.33 | 4510153 | $271.99 | Buy |
| Midea 50 Pint with Pump (MAD50P1AWS-A)sold by Amazon | 49.74 | 50 | $5.56 | 4512376 | $276.70 | Buy |
Certified pints, id and the Most Efficient tier are from the ENERGY STAR list. Box is the largest pint number on the Amazon listing. Prices read live November 11, 2026.
04 / Questions
Frequently asked
- What is the cheapest ENERGY STAR dehumidifier?
- By price alone, the DR.PREPARE DDH12LA at $119.99 on November 11, 2026, but it is certified at only 9 pints a day, which is too small for a basement. The cheapest one certified for 20 pints or more is the Kesnos 25-Pint (JD025N-80) at $179.99.
- How many pints do I need for a basement?
- ENERGY STAR says that under 2,000 sq ft you need 20 to 30 pints if the space is slightly to moderately damp, 25 to 40 if very damp, and 30 to 50 if wet. It also says it is better to oversize than undersize.
- Why does the box say 34 or 80 pints when the certified number is smaller?
- Many boxes quote a test at a warm, humid 80°F or 90°F. The current DOE test uses 65°F and 60% humidity, like a basement. Cooler air holds less water, so the certified number is smaller. Shop by the certified figure.
- What does ENERGY STAR Most Efficient mean?
- It marks the top group of ENERGY STAR dehumidifiers for water removed per kilowatt-hour. A certified unit uses about 20 percent less energy than a standard one.
References
Sources
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