# The Best Dehumidifiers for 1,500 Square Feet

> At 1,500 square feet you sit right on the line between a mid-size and a full basement unit. Here's how to tell which side you're on.

Canonical: https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-1500-sq-ft/
Last updated: 2026-11-05
Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Size & Features
Publisher: Enthusiast Review

Shopping for a **dehumidifier for 1,500 square feet** puts you in an awkward spot on most sizing charts. It's the upper edge of what a 35-pint unit can handle and the lower edge of where a 50-pint basement model becomes the obvious choice. Pick wrong in one direction and the unit runs all day without reaching your target; pick wrong in the other and you've paid for capacity you don't use.

The tiebreaker is almost never the floor area. It's how damp the space is, whether it's one open room or several closed ones, and whether there's a drain nearby. A 1,500-square-foot finished lower level that just smells a little stale is a very different job from a 1,500-square-foot unfinished basement where the walls sweat every July.

Below, we lay out the sizing math from our [dehumidifier size guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/) for 1,200 to 1,500 square feet, then match five Amazon-available dehumidifiers to the situations you're most likely to have.

## Our top picks

- **Best overall for 1,500 sq ft:** Midea Cube 50 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL7B1FC8?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best for a moderately damp 1,500 sq ft:** Midea Cube 35 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL7QLD49?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best with a pump:** Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP2VXZ2B?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best budget 50-pint:** Honeywell TP50AWKN — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFQTLVSC?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best for a whole 1,500 sq ft house:** Aprilaire E080 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQRYS6N1?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

For most 1,500-square-foot basements, the **Midea Cube 50** is the best fit: a full 50 pints a day under the current DOE test, a big base reservoir and a humidistat that cycles off once it reaches your target.

## 1. Midea Cube 50-Pint Dehumidifier — Best overall for 1,500 sq ft

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL7B1FC8?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Full 50 pints a day under the DOE 2019 test
- Large base reservoir empties far less often
- Wi-Fi app and voice-assistant control
- ENERGY STAR certified

**Cons**

- More capacity than a mildly damp space needs
- Bucket or gravity hose only — no pump

**Why we picked it:** Most 1,500-square-foot spaces that need a dehumidifier are basements or lower levels, and those usually land in the very-damp tier. The Cube 50 gives you enough headroom to pull a muggy basement down quickly and then cycle gently, rather than grinding away at full power all summer.

**Performance:** It's rated at 50 pints a day under the current DOE test, with an ENERGY STAR efficiency of about 2.01 liters per kWh. The water collects in a stacked base tank that holds far more than a typical bucket, and a garden-hose port lets it drain continuously to a floor drain. Midea lists coverage up to 4,500 square feet, a figure that assumes mild dampness; at 1,500 square feet it has comfortable margin. See its siblings in our [best Midea dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-midea-dehumidifier/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 50 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Coverage | Up to 4,500 sq ft (Midea) |
| Drainage | Base reservoir or gravity hose |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR, about 2.01 L/kWh |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi app, Alexa, Google |
| Best for | 1,500 sq ft basement or lower level |

## 2. Midea Cube 35-Pint Dehumidifier — Best for a moderately damp 1,500 sq ft

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL7QLD49?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Right-sized for musty but dry-looking spaces
- Humidistat adjusts from 35% to 85% in 5% steps
- Compact cube shape suits finished rooms
- Same app and voice control as the Cube 50

**Cons**

- Runs out of headroom in a wet basement
- Smaller reservoir than the Cube 50

**Why we picked it:** If your 1,500 square feet is a finished lower level, a large open-plan main floor or a 1,200-square-foot basement that's only musty, a 35-pint unit is enough — and it's smaller, quieter and cheaper to run than a 50.

**Performance:** It's rated at 35 pints a day under the DOE 2019 test, which our size guide pegs as the right capacity for a very damp space between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet and generous for a mildly damp one. The cube design keeps the tank in the base and has a gravity-drain option. Midea markets it for up to 3,000 square feet, but treat that as a best case.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 35 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Humidistat | 35–85% in 5% steps |
| Drainage | Base tank or gravity hose |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi app, voice assistants |
| Best for | 1,200–1,500 sq ft, moderately damp |

## 3. Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-In Pump (FFAP5033W1) — Best with a pump

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP2VXZ2B?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Built-in pump lifts water to a sink or window
- 50-pint capacity for damp basements
- Use the pump, a gravity hose or the bucket
- Digital humidistat holds a set percentage

**Cons**

- Costs more than the non-pump version
- No Wi-Fi

**Why we picked it:** A damp 1,500-square-foot basement can produce enough condensate to fill a bucket more than once a day in peak season. If there's no floor drain where the unit needs to sit, the pump is what turns it into an appliance you can forget about.

**Performance:** It shares the 50-pint compressor platform of Frigidaire's FFAD5033W1 and adds a condensate pump that pushes water up and out to a laundry sink or through a window. Owners consistently say the pump is the feature that made dehumidifying stop being a daily chore. Set the humidistat to 45–50% and let it cycle. More self-draining options are in our [best 50-pint dehumidifier with pump](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier-with-pump/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 50 pints/day |
| Type | Compressor |
| Drainage | Built-in pump, gravity hose or bucket |
| Humidistat | Digital, set % target |
| Best for | Basements with no floor drain |

## 4. Honeywell TP50AWKN 50-Pint Dehumidifier — Best budget 50-pint

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFQTLVSC?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- 50-pint class for less money
- Simple digital controls
- Auto-restart after a power cut
- Washable filter

**Cons**

- No pump or app
- Plain bucket design

**Why we picked it:** If your 1,500-square-foot basement has a floor drain and you just want a dependable box that holds a humidity level, this Honeywell covers the essentials without paying extra for smart features.

**Performance:** It's a straightforward 50-pint-class compressor unit with a digital humidistat, a washable filter and automatic restart after an outage, which matters for a basement unit you may not check for days. Owners like the sturdy bucket handle and easy controls. Raise it on a block so the drain hose runs downhill and it can run all season without emptying.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 50-pint class |
| Type | Compressor |
| Humidistat | Digital |
| Drainage | Bucket or gravity hose |
| Best for | Basements with a floor drain |

## 5. Aprilaire E080 Pro Dehumidifier — Best for a whole 1,500 sq ft house

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQRYS6N1?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Dries the whole house through your ductwork
- ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
- Bucketless, continuous drainage
- Five-year warranty

**Cons**

- Needs professional installation in most homes
- Far pricier than any portable

**Why we picked it:** A portable dries the room it sits in. If your problem is a whole 1,500-square-foot house that feels clammy — closed bedrooms included — a ducted unit is the only single machine that holds every room at the same setpoint.

**Performance:** Aprilaire rates the E080 at 80 pints a day under AHAM conditions with coverage up to about 4,400 square feet, so a 1,500-square-foot home is well within its range, and it can also run freestanding in a basement. It earned ENERGY STAR Most Efficient recognition and drains continuously, with no tank to empty. Installation details are in our [whole-house dehumidifier installation](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/whole-house-dehumidifier-installation/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 80 pints/day (AHAM) |
| Coverage | Up to about 4,400 sq ft |
| Install | Ducted or freestanding |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR Most Efficient |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## What size dehumidifier do you need for 1,500 sq ft?

Our size guide uses AHAM and ENERGY STAR sizing guidance, converted to current DOE 2019 pint ratings. A 1,500-square-foot space sits in the 1,000–2,000 column, and dampness decides the row:

| Condition | What you see | Capacity for 1,200–1,500 sq ft (DOE 2019) | Our pick |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Moderately damp | Musty smell, no visible moisture | 25–30 pints | Midea Cube 35 |
| Very damp | Condensation on walls, windows or pipes | 30–40 pints | Midea Cube 35 or Cube 50 |
| Wet | Seepage, damp patches, standing water | 40–50 pints | Midea Cube 50 or Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 |

*Starting points for 8-foot ceilings. Move up a tier for tall ceilings or a laundry, shower or hot tub in the space.*

- **1,500 sq ft** — Where our size guide's room chart switches from 30–35-pint to 50-pint units
- **25–50 pts** — The range of capacity a 1,500 sq ft space can need, depending on dampness
- **45–50%** — The humidistat setting most basements should hold in summer

## How we pick dehumidifiers for 1,500 sq ft

We don't lab-test. We compared current DOE 2019 capacity ratings, ENERGY STAR efficiency listings and manufacturer manuals for humidistat range, drainage and coverage claims, checked the CPSC database for recalls and read owner reviews for recurring problems such as failing pumps, leaking buckets and sensors that read well off a separate hygrometer.

Because 1,500 square feet sits between two size tiers, we deliberately chose one strong pick on each side — a 35-pint unit for moderately damp spaces and 50-pint units for damp basements — plus a pump model and a ducted option for whole-house problems. Every pick is available on Amazon.

## What to look for in a 1,500 sq ft dehumidifier

- **A DOE 2019 rating, not a marketing number:** Labels like “for up to 4,500 sq ft” or saturation pints inflate capacity. Compare current DOE pints across brands.
- **A set-percentage humidistat:** The unit should stop at your number. That's what lets a 50-pint machine work in a space that only sometimes needs 50 pints.
- **A drain plan:** A 1,500 sq ft basement in July can outpace any bucket. Run a gravity hose to a floor drain or buy a pump model.
- **Efficiency:** A unit holding 1,500 square feet can run hundreds of hours a season. ENERGY STAR models cost less over the years.
- **A layout check:** One open rectangle suits one unit. Closed rooms off a hallway may need two units or a ducted system.

## 35 pints or 50 pints for 1,500 square feet?

If you're torn between sizes, four quick questions settle it. Answer yes to two or more and buy the 50-pint unit.

1. **Is it below grade?** Basements pull moisture through the foundation all season.
2. **Do you see condensation?** Sweating pipes, damp concrete or fogged windows mean you're in the very-damp tier or worse.
3. **Is there a dryer, shower or sump in the space?** Each adds a steady moisture load.
4. **Is the ceiling taller than 8 feet, or the space open to a stairwell?** More air volume means more water to remove.

Sizing up costs less than you'd think. A larger unit reaches the target faster and then cycles off, so its total runtime can be shorter than an undersized unit that never quite catches up — provided its humidistat works. Our [best 50-pint dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-50-pint-dehumidifier/) guide covers more options in that class.

### What about a 1,200 sq ft basement?

Our size guide uses exactly this example: a 1,200-square-foot basement with condensation on the foundation walls needs 30–40 pints, so the Cube 35 is a good fit. Add a dryer venting into the space and step up to a 50-pint unit.

## A 1,500 sq ft house or crawl space

A whole 1,500-square-foot house is a different job from a 1,500-square-foot basement. A portable dehumidifier can only dry air that reaches it, so bedrooms with closed doors stay humid while the room with the unit is dry. In a humid climate, a ducted unit like the Aprilaire E080 — or simply letting your central AC run longer cycles — is usually the better answer. For the trade-offs, see our [best whole-house dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-whole-house-dehumidifier/) guide.

Crawl spaces need a purpose-built unit with low-temperature defrost and a pump, not a portable. Recent residential codes size dehumidifiers for unvented crawls at 70 pints a day per 1,000 square feet, which works out to about 105 pints for a 1,500-square-foot crawl. Our [encapsulated crawl space dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-encapsulated-crawl-space-dehumidifier/) guide walks through that math.

> **About those “1,500 sq ft” labels:** Coverage claims on listings assume mild dampness and ideal airflow. A unit sold for “1,500 sq ft” may be undersized for a damp basement of that size. Check its DOE pint rating against the chart above instead.

## What it costs to run a dehumidifier for 1,500 sq ft

Running cost depends on how long the unit runs, which depends on dampness and your humidistat setting more than on square footage. ENERGY STAR estimates the Cube 50 uses about 515 kWh a year; at roughly 18 cents per kWh, that's in the neighborhood of $90 a year under its assumptions. A unit cycling to hold 50% in a moderately damp space will use less; one running continuously in a wet basement, more. Our [electricity use guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/how-much-electricity-does-a-dehumidifier-use/) shows how to estimate your own bill.

## The bottom line

Decide how damp your 1,500 square feet is before you decide how big a dehumidifier to buy. For most basements and lower levels, the **Midea Cube 50** is the right call. If the space is only musty, the **Midea Cube 35** is enough. Choose the **Frigidaire FFAP5033W1** when there's no floor drain, the **Honeywell TP50AWKN** to save money, and the **Aprilaire E080** when the whole house needs drying. Smaller or larger space? See our [1,000 sq ft](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-1000-sq-ft/) and [2,000 sq ft](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-2000-sq-ft/) guides.

## Frequently asked questions

### What size dehumidifier do I need for 1,500 square feet?

Between 25 and 50 pints a day under the current DOE rating, depending on dampness: about 25–30 pints for a musty space, 30–40 for one with condensation and 40–50 for seepage or standing water. Most 1,500 sq ft basements do best with a 50-pint unit.

### Is a 35-pint dehumidifier enough for 1,500 sq ft?

For a moderately damp, open space such as a finished lower level, yes. For an unfinished basement with condensation or seepage, step up to 50 pints so the unit can reach your target and cycle off.

### What size dehumidifier do I need for 1,200 sq ft?

Roughly 25–30 pints if it's only musty and 30–40 pints if you see condensation. A 1,200 sq ft basement with a dryer or shower in it should get a 50-pint unit.

### Can one dehumidifier handle a 1,500 sq ft house?

Only if the space is open enough for air to reach the unit. A portable won't dry closed bedrooms down the hall. For whole-house humidity, consider a ducted unit such as the Aprilaire E080.

### What size dehumidifier for a 1,500 sq ft crawl space?

Use a crawl-space unit, not a portable. Recent codes call for 70 pints a day per 1,000 square feet of unvented crawl, or about 105 pints for 1,500 square feet; manufacturer ratings for tightly sealed crawls are more generous.

### Is the Midea Cube a good dehumidifier for 1,500 sq ft?

Yes. The Cube 50 suits damp 1,500 sq ft basements, and the Cube 35 suits moderately damp spaces of that size. Both have set-percentage humidistats, base reservoirs and gravity-drain options.

## Related guides

- [What Size Dehumidifier Do You Need?](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/)
- [The Best Dehumidifiers for a 1,000-Square-Foot Space](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-1000-sq-ft/)
- [The Best Dehumidifiers for 2,000 Sq Ft](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-2000-sq-ft/)
- [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 Whole-House Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-whole-house-dehumidifier/)

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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).*