# The Best 70-Pint Dehumidifiers (That Really Are 70 Pints)

> Since the 2019 test change, plenty of “70-pint” boxes hold 50-pint machines. These picks are rated for the real thing.

Canonical: https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-70-pint-dehumidifier/
Last updated: 2026-11-05
Published: 2026-08-22
Category: Size & Features
Publisher: Enthusiast Review

A **70-pint dehumidifier** is the biggest portable size most homes will ever need — the one for a damp basement, a musty utility room or a space that floods a little every spring. The trouble is that the label doesn’t always mean what it used to.

In 2019 the Department of Energy changed its test conditions from 80°F to a cooler 65°F, which produces lower numbers for the same machine. Many former “70-pint” units are now rated at 50 pints, and some still carry a 70 in their name or marketing. We only included models listed at 70 pints under the current standard, so you’re not paying for capacity you won’t get.

Here are the best picks, from a self-draining model for basements without a floor drain to a Wi-Fi unit you can check from your phone.

## Our top picks

- **Best overall:** GE APEH70LW — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=GE%20APEH70LW&tag=sktiger-20)
- **Best budget:** Honeywell TP70WK — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Honeywell%20TP70WK&tag=sktiger-20)
- **Best with Wi-Fi:** Frigidaire FGAC7044U1 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Frigidaire%20FGAC7044U1&tag=sktiger-20)
- **Best for moving between rooms:** Ivation IVALDH70PW — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Ivation%20IVALDH70PW&tag=sktiger-20)

The **GE APEH70LW** is the best 70-pint dehumidifier for most basements, because its built-in pump can push water up and out without a floor drain.

## 1. GE 70-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-In Pump (APEH70LW) — Best overall

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=GE%20APEH70LW&tag=sktiger-20)

**Pros**

- Built-in pump lifts water up to 16 feet
- Full 70-pint capacity
- Simple LED digital controls
- Competitively priced for a pump model

**Cons**

- Heavy to carry up and down stairs
- Pump hose needs occasional checks

**Why we picked it:** Most 70-pint jobs are basements, and many basements don’t have a convenient floor drain. The pump turns this from a bucket-hauling chore into a set-and-forget appliance.

**Performance:** GE lists the pump’s vertical lift at 16 feet, enough to send water up to a utility sink or out a window well from below grade. Coverage is generally listed at up to about 4,500 sq ft, similar to a 50-pint unit — the extra capacity shows up as faster drying in a genuinely damp space. Owners appreciate the hands-off draining and flag the usual pump upkeep: keep the hose free of kinks.

**Worth knowing:** See the rest of the lineup in our [best GE dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-ge-dehumidifier/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 70 pints/day |
| Drainage | Built-in pump (16-ft lift), bucket or hose |
| Coverage | Up to about 4,500 sq ft |
| Controls | LED digital |
| Best for | Basements without a floor drain |

## 2. Honeywell 70-Pint Dehumidifier (TP70WK) — Best budget

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Honeywell%20TP70WK&tag=sktiger-20)

**Pros**

- Lowest-priced pick here
- ENERGY STAR qualified
- Auto-sensing digital humidistat

**Cons**

- No pump
- Easy to confuse with the 50-pint TP70PWKN

**Why we picked it:** If you have a floor drain or don’t mind emptying the bucket, this Honeywell delivers big-unit capacity for less than the other picks.

**Performance:** Honeywell lists it as its 70-pint model, with a digital humidistat that senses room moisture and cycles the compressor to hold your setting. It drains by bucket or gravity hose, so place it near a floor drain if possible. The model name is the trap in this lineup: the similar-sounding TP70PWKN is a 50-pint (DOE 2019) unit with a pump.

**Worth knowing:** Our [Honeywell guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-honeywell-dehumidifier/) untangles the full model list.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 70 pints/day (manufacturer) |
| Drainage | Bucket or gravity hose |
| Coverage | Up to about 4,000 sq ft |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR |
| Best for | Basements with a floor drain |

## 3. Frigidaire 70-Pint Smart Dehumidifier (FGAC7044U1) — Best with Wi-Fi

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Frigidaire%20FGAC7044U1&tag=sktiger-20)

**Pros**

- Wi-Fi app and Alexa control
- Auto-restart after power outages
- Widely available from major retailers

**Cons**

- No pump
- App adds little if you check the basement daily

**Why we picked it:** If the basement is somewhere you’d rather not visit just to read a display, the app lets you check humidity and adjust the target from anywhere.

**Performance:** It’s rated at 70 pints a day under the DOE 2019 test, with coverage generally listed up to about 4,500 sq ft. Auto-restart brings it back to your settings after a power cut, so humidity doesn’t quietly climb overnight. Drainage is by bucket or gravity hose. More connected options are in our [best Wi-Fi dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-wifi-dehumidifier/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 70 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi app, Alexa |
| Drainage | Bucket or gravity hose |
| Coverage | Up to about 4,500 sq ft |
| Best for | Remote monitoring |

## 4. Ivation 70-Pint Dehumidifier (IVALDH70PW) — Best for moving between rooms

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Ivation%20IVALDH70PW&tag=sktiger-20)

**Pros**

- Built-in casters roll easily
- Washable air filter
- Programmable humidistat with auto restart

**Cons**

- Priciest pick here
- Model name resembles a recalled unit

**Why we picked it:** If you move your dehumidifier with the seasons — basement in summer, garage after a storm — casters and a washable filter make it the easiest of these to live with.

**Performance:** Ivation rates it for spaces up to about 4,500 sq ft. The programmable humidistat, auto shutoff when the tank is full and auto restart after an outage round out a full feature set. Note that its model number is one character away from an Ivation model recalled in 2021; our [Ivation guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-ivation-dehumidifier/) explains which units are affected.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 70 pints/day |
| Drainage | Bucket or gravity hose |
| Coverage | Up to about 4,500 sq ft |
| Filter | Washable |
| Best for | Seasonal relocation |

## 70-pint dehumidifiers, by the numbers

- **65°F** — Test temperature under the DOE 2019 standard, down from 80°F
- **~4,500 sq ft** — Typical coverage listed for a 70-pint unit — similar to many 50-pint models
- **16 ft** — Vertical lift of the GE APEH70LW’s built-in pump

That middle number surprises people. A 70-pint unit doesn’t necessarily cover a bigger room than a 50-pint one; it pulls water out faster in a space that’s actively damp. Some retailers even list former 70-pint models as “50 pint (previously 70 pint).”

## How we pick 70-pint dehumidifiers

We don’t lab-test dehumidifiers. We started from DOE 2019 capacity ratings and ENERGY STAR listings, then checked manufacturer spec sheets and manuals for drainage, low-temperature operation and features. We cross-referenced CPSC recall records and read owner reviews for recurring problems such as failing pumps, icing coils and leaking buckets.

We excluded units whose “70-pint” label reflects the old test, and gave extra weight to drainage options, since a 70-pint machine in a damp basement can fill a bucket several times a day.

## What to look for in a 70-pint dehumidifier

- **The DOE 2019 rating:** Check the spec sheet or EnergyGuide label, not the model name. A 70 in the name doesn’t guarantee 70 pints today.
- **A drainage plan:** No floor drain nearby? Choose a pump model. Have one? A gravity hose saves money. Our [drain hose picks](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-with-drain-hose/) cover the options.
- **Real need for the capacity:** If your space is merely damp rather than wet, a [50-pint dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier/) may be all you need.
- **Cold-basement performance:** Below about 65°F, compressor units lose capacity and can ice up. Look for auto-defrost if your basement is chilly.
- **Mobility:** These units are heavy. Casters and solid handles matter if you’ll move it.

## The 70-pint naming trap, by brand

If you’re shopping a specific brand’s 70-pint model, here’s what to know before you buy.

| Brand | What to watch for |
| --- | --- |
| Honeywell | TP70WK is listed as the 70-pint model; TP70PWKN is a 50-pint (DOE 2019) unit with a pump |
| Frigidaire | FGAC7044U1 is rated at 70 pints under DOE 2019; older models like the FAD704DWD were rated under the pre-2019 test |
| GE | APEH70LW pairs 70-pint capacity with a built-in pump |
| hOmeLabs | Some listings now read “50 pint (previously 70 pint)” for older SKUs |
| Aprilaire | The E070 is a 70-pint installed crawl-space unit, not a portable |

> **Buying an older 70-pint unit?:** Check the model and manufacture date against CPSC recalls before you buy secondhand. Several 70-pint models sold between 2009 and 2017 were part of the 2021 New Widetech fire-hazard recall.

## Getting the most from a 70-pint dehumidifier

1. Set the humidistat to 45–50% rather than running it on continuous — it will cycle off once the space is dry and save energy.
2. Keep it at least a foot from walls and furniture so air can reach the intake and exhaust freely.
3. Close basement windows and doors to the outside while it runs; otherwise you’re drying the neighborhood.
4. Clean the filter every couple of weeks during heavy use. A clogged filter cuts airflow and capacity.
5. In a cool basement, watch for frost on the coils and raise the room temperature or use defrost mode if it appears.

A big unit running much of the summer adds noticeably to your power bill. Our guide to [how much electricity a dehumidifier uses](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/how-much-electricity-does-a-dehumidifier-use/) shows how to estimate the cost, and ENERGY STAR models keep it down.

## The bottom line

The **GE APEH70LW** is the best 70-pint dehumidifier for most basements thanks to its built-in pump. Choose the **Honeywell TP70WK** to save money if you have a floor drain, the **Frigidaire FGAC7044U1** for app control, and the **Ivation IVALDH70PW** if you’ll roll it between spaces. Always confirm the DOE 2019 rating — and if even 70 pints isn’t enough, look at a [whole-house dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-whole-house-dehumidifier/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best 70-pint dehumidifier?

The GE APEH70LW for most homes. It has a built-in pump with a 16-foot lift, so it drains without a floor drain. The Honeywell TP70WK is the budget pick and the Frigidaire FGAC7044U1 adds Wi-Fi.

### Is a 70-pint dehumidifier the same as it used to be?

Not always. The 2019 DOE test runs at 65°F instead of 80°F, so many older “70-pint” models are now rated at 50 pints. Check for a DOE 2019 rating on the spec sheet or EnergyGuide label.

### Is the Frigidaire 70-pint dehumidifier worth it?

The FGAC7044U1 is a good choice if you want app and Alexa control with genuine 70-pint capacity. If you need hands-free drainage without a floor drain, a pump model like the GE APEH70LW is more convenient.

### What’s the difference between the Honeywell TP70WK and TP70PWKN?

Despite the shared “70,” the TP70PWKN is a 50-pint (DOE 2019) unit with a pump, while the TP70WK is listed as Honeywell’s 70-pint model without one. Always check the rated capacity, not the name.

### Is the Aprilaire E070 a 70-pint dehumidifier?

Yes — it removes 70 pints a day, but it’s a permanently installed, bucketless unit for sealed crawl spaces rather than a portable. See our [Aprilaire guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-aprilaire-dehumidifier/) for details.

### What size space does a 70-pint dehumidifier cover?

Most are listed for up to about 4,500 sq ft, similar to many 50-pint models. The extra capacity removes moisture faster in a very damp space rather than covering a much bigger area. Our [size guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/) helps you decide.

### Is a 70-pint dehumidifier too big for my space?

Not usually. With a humidistat, a larger unit simply reaches your target faster and cycles off. It’s only a poor fit for small, mildly damp rooms, where a 30- or 35-pint unit costs less and takes less floor space.

## Related guides

- [The Best 50-Pint Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best Basement Dehumidifiers for Mold, Damp and Musty Smells](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-basement/)
- [The Best Dehumidifiers with a Built-In Pump](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-with-pump/)
- [The Best GE Dehumidifiers, From the APYR50LC Down](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-ge-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best Honeywell Dehumidifiers for Your Home](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-honeywell-dehumidifier/)
- [What Size Dehumidifier Do You Need?](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/)

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*Enthusiast Review researches products against DOE ratings, ENERGY STAR data, manuals, CPSC recalls and owner reviews; it does not run a test lab. Amazon links are affiliate links (tag sktiger-20).*