Head-to-head · Best Dehumidifiers for Basements

GE APER50LZ 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump vs Waykar 34-Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

GE APER50LZ 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Below-grade basements where the nearest drain sits above the unit, so a powered pump to push water up and out is the deciding feature. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Dehumidifiers for Basements

GE APER50LZ 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump

4.4

$239as of Jun 7

The GE APER50LZ is the strong-pump specialist for difficult basements. Its built-in pump and 16-foot hose push collected water up and out, the single most important feature when the nearest drain sits above the unit, which is common in below-grade basements. RTINGS named it a top basement pick, and owners rate it 4.5 stars. It is loud and GE has since superseded it, but as a dedicated pump unit for hard-to-drain basements it remains a clear pick.

Strengths

— Built-in pump with a 16-foot hose lifts water vertically out a window or up to a sink
— RTINGS' best-for-basements pick; strong 50-pint capacity for large, damp spaces
— Smart Dry auto-adjusts fan speed to the room's humidity

Watch-outs

— Loud, measured around 65 dB next to the unit
— GE has superseded this model, so stock can be intermittent
— Small bucket if you use it without the pump or hose

$239 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Dehumidifiers for Basements

Waykar 34-Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier

4.3

$104.53as of Jun 7

The Waykar 34-pint is the value pick for small to medium basements. It is Energy Star Most Efficient certified, runs at a whisper-quiet 33 dB on low, and costs far less than the 50-pint smart units here. Reviewers from Tom's Guide to Heating News Journal praise its efficiency and quiet. Its 34-pint capacity and lack of a pump make it less suited to very large or below-grade basements, but for a moderate, drainable space it delivers excellent value.

Strengths

— Energy Star Most Efficient certified, using about 45% less energy than conventional units
— Quiet 33 dB operation on low, the quietest figure in this roundup
— Best value here at around $169, well below the 50-pint smart units

Watch-outs

— 34-pint capacity is smaller, so it is slower in very large or very damp basements
— No built-in pump; gravity drainage only via the included hose
— Small 0.66-gallon tank fills quickly without a hose

$104.53 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

GE APER50LZ 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump

The dedicated pump unit here, matching the Midea Cube on lift distance but without the Cube's oversized reservoir or efficiency. It is louder than both the Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 and the Honeywell TP50WKN, and lacks the Wi-Fi smarts of the Frigidaire, but its pump makes it the simplest answer for a basement that drains upward.

Waykar 34-Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier

The smallest-capacity and cheapest unit here, the value alternative to the 50-pint Midea Cube and Frigidaire Gallery FGAC5044W1 when your basement is moderate in size. It is quieter than every other unit in this roundup, including the Honeywell TP50WKN, but lacks the pump of the Midea Cube and GE APER50LZ.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	GE APER50LZ 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump	Waykar 34-Pint Energy Star Most Efficient Dehumidifier
Capacity	50 pint/day	34 pint/day
Coverage Area	Up to 4,000 sq ft	Up to 2,000 sq ft
Noise (high)	65 dB	—
Energy Star	Yes	Most Efficient certified
Drain options	Built-in pump (16 ft lift), gravity hose, or bucket	Manual tank or continuous gravity hose
Defrost	Auto-defrost control	—
Fan speeds	3, with Smart Dry auto mode	—
Warranty	1-year limited	1-year (2-year on registration)
Noise (low)	—	33 dB
Tank size	—	0.66 gal
Filter type	—	Reusable, washable

← See the full ranking of best dehumidifiers for basements