Best Crawl Space Dehumidifiers (for dry, mold-free homes)
How I researched
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I compared specs, warranty terms, and dimensions from manufacturer pages for AprilAire, Santa Fe, AlorAir, BaseAire, and Dri-Eaz.
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I cross-checked real-world coverage guidance from contractor resources and hands-on roundups.
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I used EPA/Building Science targets for recommended humidity levels and best practices.
Top picks
1. AprilAire E080 — Best for most sealed crawl spaces
If you want a balanced, set-and-forget whole-home style unit, the E080 hits the sweet spot: efficient 80-pint class capacity, corrosion-resistant aluminum coils, flexible ducting options, and a 5-year warranty. It’s designed for basements/sealed crawl spaces and sized well for many installs up to ~2,800 sq. ft.
- AprilAire Dehumidifier Bundle: More for same price! Includes all the dehumidifier accessories you will need. Our Aprilaire E080 comes with a drain hose, 2 Filters, a set of AprilAire dehumidifier risers and all the standard accessories.
- Set & Forget: There is no messy water tray to empty and set up is simple. Set the target humidity and smart sensing technology automatically starts dehumidification when humidity above target is sensed for convenience and peace of mind
- Energy Efficient: This ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certified dehumidifier removes up to 80 pints (10 gallons) of moisture per day in homes up to 4,400 sq. ft. using less energy, reducing the impact on your energy bill and the environment
Pros
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Efficient 80-pint capacity with ENERGY STAR recognition
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Corrosion-resistant aluminum coils; made in the USA
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Simple onboard digital controls
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Includes duct collars; flexible install options
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5-year warranty
Cons
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No built-in pump (use gravity drain or add a condensate pump)
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Cabinet is larger than 55-pint class units
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2. Santa Fe Compact70 — Best for low-clearance & filtration
This is the crawl-space classic for tight joist bays: only ~12″ tall with a rotatable discharge, MERV-13 filtration, and a standout 6-year warranty. It’s purpose-built for low-temperature operation and sized for roughly 1,800–2,600 sq. ft. depending on sealing.
- Auto restart allows the dehumidifier to automatically restart after a power outage
- Unmatched 6-year warranty
- Engineered for low temperature operation and the air flow issues that crawl spaces present
Pros
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Compact footprint (≈12″ H) fits tight crawl spaces
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MERV-13 filter standard (great dust control)
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Rotatable outlet + ducting options for divided spaces
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Industry-leading 6-year warranty
Cons
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No built-in pump (optional kit available)
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Premium price vs. budget 55-pint units
Who should skip -
If you absolutely need an integrated pump out of the box, look at the AlorAir HDi90.
3. AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 — Best if you don’t have a floor drain (built-in pump)
The HDi90 folds in a heavy-duty condensate pump and low-temp hot-gas defrost. It’s a workhorse for ~2,600 sq. ft. sealed spaces when gravity drain isn’t an option, and carries a 5-year limited warranty.
- Remove 90 pints per day at AHAM condition, 198 Pint at saturation, up to 2,600 sq. ft, fit for any basement, crawl space, storage areas, garage, large room, or commercial use
- Heavy Duty Condensate Pump: When removing large amounts of moisture, the condensate pump keeps the dehumidifier running smoothly and efficiently by continuously pushing collected water out of the area. Optional Remote Control – This professional dehumidifier is designed with the remote monitoring function, making this unit ideal for places where remote sensing and controlling are required. It is also a good choice for sound insulation and saving space usage
- 5 Years Limited Warranty and safety tested - Our crawlspace dehumidifier is fully compliant with the electrical safety ETL. Every AlorAir crawl space dehumidifier comes with a 5-year limited warranty with a professional customer support team ready to assist at any time
Pros
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Built-in pump for hands-free drainage
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Designed to run in cooler crawl spaces
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Optional remote/Wi-Fi variants for easier monitoring
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Widely available; 5-year limited warranty
Cons
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Louder than some 70–80 pint residential units
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Basic MERV-1 filter (less fine filtration than Santa Fe)
Who should skip -
If ultra-quiet and top-tier filtration matter more than a pump, go Santa Fe Compact70; if you want higher efficiency and no pump, stick with AprilAire E-series.
4. AlorAir Sentinel HD55 — Best budget pick for small crawl spaces (≤~1,200 sq. ft.)
For smaller, sealed crawl spaces, the HD55 is a value leader: about 53 pints/day at AHAM, compact (≈19.2×12.2×13.3″), operates down to near-freezing, and carries a 5-year limited warranty. It’s a pragmatic, low-cost way to knock RH under control.
- Our advanced auto-defrosting system continuously monitors the ambient temperature using built-in sensors.
- MERV 8 Filter for Crawl Space & Basement Dehumidifiers Sentinel HD55S, Dimensions: 17.2 × 8.8 × 0.4,
Pros
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Affordable entry into true crawl-space units
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Low-temp auto defrost keeps it running in cool spaces
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Compact cabinet that’s easy to place
Cons
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Smaller capacity; can struggle in leaky or >1,200 sq. ft. spaces
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No built-in pump (gravity drain unless you add a pump)
Who should skip -
If your crawl space is larger/leakier, step up to an 80–100 pint unit (AprilAire E080/E100 or AlorAir HDi90).
5. Dri-Eaz Revolution LGR (F413) — Best for flood-prone or fast drying
When you need rugged, restoration-grade drying with a built-in pump and very small vertical clearance, the Revolution LGR shines. It removes roughly 80 pints/day at AHAM, runs from near-freezing to hot conditions, and packs into a 12.5″×17.6″×21.5″ shell—great for tight crawl spaces after water events. (It’s louder and not the most efficient choice for 24/7 continuous duty, but it dries fast.)
- Dehumidifies areas up to 7,000 square feet
- Built-in humidistat, plus displays temperature and humidity conditions
- Easy to transport; Multiple units can be moved on a standard handtruck
Pros
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Built-in automatic pump and hot-gas defrost
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Very compact, tough rotomolded cabinet
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Proven LGR performance for rapid drying
Cons
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Costly vs. residential-focused models
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Higher noise; not ENERGY STAR oriented
Who should skip -
For everyday RH control, I’d pick AprilAire/Santa Fe; choose Dri-Eaz for flood recovery or intermittent heavy drying.
Buying guide
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Target humidity: Keep crawl-space RH under 60% (ideally 30–50%). Anything above that invites mold and wood rot.
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Capacity & sizing:
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≤1,200 sq. ft. (sealed): a ~55-pint (AHAM) class unit is often enough.
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1,200–2,800 sq. ft. (sealed): step up to an 80-pint class.
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Very large or leakier spaces: 90–100+ pint class (and/or air sealing).
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Drain plan: Gravity drain to a floor drain or sump when possible (simplest/quietest). Choose a built-in pump only when you can’t maintain a continuous downward slope.
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Low-temp operation: Crawl spaces run cold; look for auto-defrost and reliable performance near ~34–40°F.
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Filtration: If dust/sawdust makes it down there, a higher-grade filter (e.g., MERV-13 on Santa Fe) helps keep coils clean and protects indoor air when ducted.
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Seal & condition the space: A vapor barrier, air sealing, and either supply air or dehumidification are code-aligned approaches for “conditioned” crawl spaces. Size the dehumidifier to actually hold RH <50%.
FAQs
Q: What RH should I set in the crawl space?
A: I set 45–50% as a starting point; staying under 60% is the key threshold for mold prevention.
Q: Do I need a pump?
A: Only if you can’t run a continuously sloped drain line to a floor drain/sump. Pumps add cost and noise but solve uphill runs.
Q: My space is 1,000 sq. ft. but leaky—what size?
A: Treat leaky like “bigger.” Either air-seal/encapsulate first or size up to an 80-pint class so the unit isn’t running flat-out.
Q: Why pick a crawl-space-specific unit versus a portable dehumidifier?
A: Crawl-space units are horizontal/low-clearance, ductable, built for low temps, and drain continuously—far better for 24/7 duty under a house.
Q: Is an ENERGY STAR model worth it in a crawl space?
A: Yes—these often run many hours per day; the efficiency adds up. Look for AprilAire E-series or similar with ENERGY STAR recognition.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.