Dehumidifiers work to control mold and mildew which thrives where there is plenty of moisture. With the exception of whole house models, 70-pint dehumidifiers have the highest dehumidification rate on the market. These devices remove up to 70 pints of moisture in a day and can adequately cover more than 2,500 square feet, which makes it suitable for large rooms and entire homes.
We reviewed the fundamental features to consider when selecting the best 70-pint dehumidifier. We first evaluated the coverage area to ensure you get the right model that can adequately protect you and your family. Secondly, we considered the availability of a pump which provides efficient drainage and reduces the frequency of emptying the water tank. Our third assessment was the water tank capacity which determines how frequent you will need to empty it, overall runtime and the footage it can cover. Lastly, we looked at the dimensions to ensure the dehumidifier can easily fit in the available space.
Our research from various manufacturer sites and buyer experiences culminated in this resourceful review which includes a comparison table of the best 70-pint dehumidifier models as well as the detailed reviews of each of the models, including their pros and cons. Also included in this review is an informative buying guide with extensive details on essential features, tips on maintaining a 70-pint dehumidifier, and an FAQ segment. The review ends with a summary of our top three models.
More features: electronic controls with digital humidity readout; Energy Star-certified; three speeds
There are several features that make this model the best 70-pint dehumidifier for basements, such as the built-in pump which can be permanently connected to a drainage point for continuous emptying and the automatic defrost function which protects the unit from ice buildup. It also has the best price you can get on a Frigidaire 70 pint dehumidifier.
Another convenient feature for its suitability in basements is its operation in temperatures as low as 41 degrees Fahrenheit which also conserves energy. No wonder this unit is Energy Star-certified.
In case you do not intend to use the continuous drainage option, it also has a water tank with a capacity of 1.6 gallons which can dehumidify for a long period without requiring emptying.
There are programmable electronic controls that make this dehumidifier efficient; an integrated humidistat displays current humidity and allows you to set your preferred humidity level, auto-restart switches on the unit after a power outage, On/Off timer with control lock schedules dehumidification for a specific time, and you can choose among three fan speed settings. Operating the unit at high speed can increase the noise to 51 decibels.
The antibacterial filter increases your protection by trapping airborne allergens and saves you money on the replacement since it is washable.
Although it weighs 47 pounds, portability is improved by four caster wheels as well as a top and side handles. The only constant complaint is the inconvenience of having to remove the cover to connect a drain hose.
More features: two fan speeds; caster wheels; automatic de-icing system
This is the best rated Danby 70 pint dehumidifier with the best price on the market. It can effortlessly dehumidify an entire house measuring up to 4,500 square feet. It is useful in basements, too, because it has an automatic defrost system which prevents freezing of coils and can withstand temperatures as low as 41°F.
It is equipped to remove 70 pints of moisture from the atmosphere in 24 hours, which is then collected in a water tank with a high capacity of 1.6 gallons. The clear window allows you to keep an eye on the water level and, even if you forget to empty the reservoir, a full tank alert goes off to notify you when you need to do it.
Since it does not have a drain pump, the manufacturer recommends connecting a gravity-reliant hose to the outlet located at the back of the unit, then placing the hose near a drainage system. You can also place the unit on the counter for continuous drainage into a sink.
The touchscreen panel includes the fan button which allows you to choose between the two fan speeds which operate quietly at 50 decibels, a timer which schedules dehumidification, an auto/manual switch, and automatic restart feature in case of power failure.
Although it weighs 45 pounds, moving this dehumidifier is convenient with the included caster wheels. It also consumes 515 watts of power, which has earned it Energy Star certification.
More features: continuous mode; six settings; auto shut-off, defrost, restart and turbo mode
Wide coverage, high moisture removal rate and several customizable settings makes this unit one of the best 70-pint dehumidifiers on the market.
It has a water tank with a capacity of 1.6 gallons and a high dehumidification rate of 70 pints in a period of 24 hours, which can conveniently cover houses that measure 2,500 to 4,000 square feet with the temperature between 41°F and 95°F. Its ability to operate in such temperatures has earned this model an Energy Star certification for low energy consumption. An automatic defrost feature protects the unit from freezing even if it’s used in a basement or crawl space.
Other convenient features included on the touchscreen panel are a timer for scheduling dehumidification, an auto shut-off function which saves energy and protects the unit from damage, a built-in humidistat with programmable humidity levels, full tank alert, and an auto-restart feature in case of power failure. Moreover, there are two fan speed options, including Turbo mode.
Caster wheels provide smooth mobility, and the handles improve portability while the filter can be removed for washing, thus saving on replacement costs. The manufacturer recommends monthly washing of the filter and every fortnight for the water tank.
This dehumidifier does not have a pump. Instead, it has an outlet that allows for continuous drainage once the unit is located above a sink or a floor drainage hole.
More features: two fan speeds; built-in relative humidity timer; six-foot cord
Unlike the other models in our review, this dehumidifier has a smaller water tank capacity at 1.3 gallons, but it makes up for that with a built-in pump and lighter weight at only 40 pounds. That’s the reason for this model being one of the best 70-pint dehumidifiers for basements because the integrated pump will continuously drain the tank so you do not have to babysit it, while the small, compact size of the unit can fit in basements with limited spaces. There is also a hose connector option although you have to buy the hose separately. Furthermore, the high dehumidification rate of 70 pints in a day makes it ideal for basements which are prone to high levels of moisture, and subsequent proliferation of mold and mildew.
Any area measuring up to 4500 square feet will benefit from this model which has a built-in timer for scheduling moisture removal process and two adjustable fan speeds: regular and turbo. Don’t worry about energy consumption even at the highest setting: this model is also an energy efficient dehumidifier which is approved by the Energy Star certification it has.
A user-friendly LCD display features an integrated humidistat, auto shut-off feature to prevent water overflow, auto-defrost sensor, a filter alert, and an auto-restart function. Not only does it weigh less than other models on the list, but also its mobility is enhanced by four caster wheels. Even if you intend to move it away from the electrical outlet, don’t fear as the dehumidifier boasts a long power cord of six feet.
More features: settings include normal, turbo and auto-defrost; auto-restart function
In addition to having the best price, this 70-pint dehumidifier is designed to remove moisture from areas measuring up to 4500 square feet. A water tank with a capacity of 1.6 gallons equips it to remove 70 pints of moisture from the air in 24 hours and reduces the rate of refilling. Although the unit does not have a built-in pump, there is a drainage outlet on its back where you can connect a hose at lower level for continuous drainage into a sink, for instance. The hose has to be acquired separately, though.
You can schedule the unit to dehumidify in your absence using the timer function on the LED display and select your preferred humidity with the programmable humidistat. Other electronic functions include auto shut-off which prevents water overflow and saves energy once the set humidity level has been achieved, auto-defrost which prevents ice buildup on the coils, and auto-restart in the event of power outage.
There are indicator lights to notify you when the water tank is full and when the filter is due for cleaning. The dust filter is washable and reusable, which cuts down on replacement costs.
Noise output depends on the selected fan speed, with normal mode being quieter than the 55 decibels produced at Turbo speed mode.
As promised, we are going to break down the essential features of the best 70-pint dehumidifier, provide you with tips on how to take care of your dehumidifier, and answer some of the most common questions.
A 70-pint dehumidifier is designed for large areas which require a high moisture removal rate. The stakes are higher than when shopping for a model designed for a small room. This is why it is necessary to get it right. The following features will guide you on how to do it.
This refers to the amount of space in square footage that the dehumidifier can adequately remove moisture from the air. Since dehumidifiers are designed to cover specific sizes, knowing its coverage area prevents you from wasting your money on a unit designed for smaller spaces will not work effectively in a large area. Manufacturers indicate the designated coverage area for their models. Like the powerful, heavy-duty whole house dehumidifiers, most of the models in our list can cover up to 4,500 square feet. In case your home is of a bit smaller size, consider getting a 50-pint dehumidifier. If, however, the area you need to dehumidify is much larger, probably you need a commercial dehumidifier that can cover around 7,000 square feet.
A number of models, such as Frigidaire FFAP7033T1 and Ivation 70 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier have built-in pumps which provide more draining options like uphill drainage which is not possible with gravity-reliant drainage. This is convenient in basements and other areas with high moisture levels because it can remove large amounts of moisture without the risk of water overflowing and without the need to mount in on an elevated surface. Simply attach a hose to drain into an external drainage and let the pump do the rest of the work.
Almost all dehumidifiers include a water tank where the removed moisture is collected. A tank with a high capacity can hold more water over a long period of time which reduces the frequent need for emptying. With the exception of Ivation 70 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier with Pump which can hold 1.3 gallons, the rest of the dehumidifiers in our list feature water tanks with a capacity of 1.6 gallons which is convenient in large areas. The reservoirs can be easily removed for emptying, with some having handles.
Moisture removal rate
This refers to the amount of moisture that a specific dehumidifier can remove from the atmosphere in a period of 24 hours. The models in our list remove 70 pints of moisture in a day.
Large areas and rooms with high moisture levels require dehumidifier with a high rate to effectively regulate the air to ideal humidity levels. The high moisture removal rate also saves energy because it takes less time to achieve optimal levels.
Fans draw air into the dehumidifier where moisture is removed. Look for a model with multiple speed and modes like turbo and eco-mode which allow you to select the right setting for your dehumidification needs and save energy. Low fan speed is also known to reduce the amount of noise output.
Continuous drain optionDehumidifiers include a drainage option, with drain hose attachment being the most common for continuous drainage option. This eliminates the need for regular removal of the collected moisture which is ideal for low maintenance. The drain hose is attached to the unit and placed on a lower level to use gravity for drainage. Other models have pumps integrated in the unit to automatically drain water at any level, including uphill.
The size of a dehumidifier normally matches the amount of square footage in which it can effectively reduce moisture level. This makes units designed for large areas bigger and heavier.
The right weight and dimensions will depend on the amount of space available for its storage and whether you will set it up in one place permanently or use it in different rooms. Majority of the models will include caster wheels and handles for smooth mobility.
Since dehumidifiers use fans to draw air into the unit, they can be noisy, with the level varying from one model to another, and from one speed setting to another. The level of noise is measured in decibels. The average noise output of dehumidifiers is 40 to 50 decibels at a high-speed setting, which is equivalent to the sound made by a refrigerator. Frigidaire FFAP7033T1 produces 51 decibels on high speed while Danby DDR070BDWDB operates at 50 decibels.
Energy Star certification
Dehumidifiers with this certification have efficient coils and fans which are designed to consume 15% less energy than models that do not bear this certification. Look for this certification when shopping for the best 70-pint dehumidifier to save more on energy bills.
Consider the warranty duration of your intended purchase, availability of replacement parts and situations that could void your warranty.
Frigidaire FFAP7033T1 was a clear winner because it blends all the features that make a dehumidifier effective for large rooms and basements such as a built-in pump for continuous drainage, automatic defrost to prevent ice buildup while it works at temperatures as low as 41°F, and a high 1.6-gallon water tank capacity which matches the high moisture removal rate of 70 pints in 24 hours.
Danby DDR070BDWDB covers a wide area of up to 4,500 square feet and features a user-friendly touchscreen interface with a programmable timer, an auto/manual button, an automatic restart feature, and adjustable fan speed. This allows you to customize the settings to your liking.
hOmeLabs 70 pint Dehumidifier is certified by Energy Star, which makes sense with its energy-saving auto shut-off and auto-restart functions and the built-in humidistat with programmable humidity levels. It is also equipped with a full tank indicator light and a washable filter while the handles and wheels are convenient for mobility and portability.
