The GE 50-Pint Dehumidifier Kept My Humid Basement Bone-Dry

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High humidity in the home can make a room feel stuffy and lead to mold and mildew issues. It can also cause bad smells, something that happens in my basement every summer. Luckily, running a dehumidifier, which pulls moisture out of the air, has been an easy remedy to this problem.

I recently tested some of the most popular dehumidifiers on the market. To do this, I set each dehumidifier in my basement, which experiences humidity levels ranging from 55 to 70 percent in the summer. Then I tested each model for ease of use, effectiveness, noise levels, and value, recording my results in a standardized rubric for comparison.

After testing, I tallied up the results, and the GE 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier with built-in pump was the clear winner. It kept my 1,008-square-foot basement dry, and since it can be emptied through a continuous drain hose, drain hose and pump, or its collection bucket, it’s a versatile pick.  

GE 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier with Built-In Pump: At a Glance

Rating: 4.8/5

SPECS

• Capacity: 50 pints
• Coverage: 4,500 square feet 
• Energy Star certified: Yes

WHAT WE LIKE

• Empties through drain hose or collection bucket
• 3 fan settings and a Smart Dry feature
• Easy to move and empty
• Works efficiently in large spaces

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• A little loud on highest fan setting

Get the GE dehumidifier at The Home Depot for $279. 

What is the GE portable dehumidifier?

The GE 50-pint dehumidifier can remove up to 50 pints of moisture from the air per day, keeping spaces up to 4,500 square feet dry. Like most portable dehumidifiers, it features a collection bucket that can be manually emptied when full. It also has a built-in pump and comes with a 16-foot drain hose for easy draining. Holding the “pump” button for 3 seconds initiates the dehumidifier to pump out water through its drain hose, which you can place in a floor drain or sink. For continuous draining, a garden hose can be connected to the side of the unit and run to a floor drain.

This dehumidifier has an adjustable humidistat, allowing users to set a target humidity level between 30 and 70 percent. It has three fan speeds and a Smart Dry feature that will auto-detect the humidity level and adjust the fan speed accordingly. Other features include a filter reminder, an empty bucket alarm, auto defrost, and an auto-start feature that will kick the unit back on in the event of a power outage. The caster wheels on the bottom and two pocket handles make it easy to move.

How hard is it to set up the GE dehumidifier?

The GE dehumidifier came with its wheels already installed, so all I had to do was remove the packaging and set it in my basement. Per the manufacturer’s recommendations, I put it on a level surface and ensured at least 18 inches of space on all sides for proper airflow. I wanted to test the pump feature, so I attached the included 16-foot drain hose and ran it to a floor drain in my basement bathroom.

When I initially set up the dehumidifier, the humidity levels in my basement were at 67 percent. I used the up and down buttons on the display to set a target humidity level of 40 percent, an ideal humidity level for the home. I also selected the Smart Dry feature, which automatically changed the fan speeds based on detected humidity. Within 3 hours, the humidity levels in my home were reduced to the mid 40s, and within 24 hours, my basement humidity levels were continuously in the low 40s.

Options abound for emptying the GE humidifier.

In the past, I’ve only used dehumidifiers with a collection bucket that had to be manually emptied. Since my basement is large and quite humid, I’d have to empty the bucket at least once daily, which was a hassle. The GE dehumidifier gave me more options, allowing me to pump the collected water via the drain hose, empty the bucket manually, or continually drain water through a garden hose connection.

I first tested this model’s pump feature, which drains the collected water through the included drain hose up to 16 feet away. Using this feature was easy, only requiring the push of a button. If there’s no drain nearby, no worries; the bucket can also be emptied manually by removing it from the unit and dumping it. I did this several times without issue. The collection bucket has a handle, which makes it easy to carry, and it didn’t feel very heavy when it was full.

A third draining option is through a garden hose hookup at the side of the unit, which will continuously drain the water and requires no intervention from the user. Hooking up the garden hose was easy, only requiring me to remove the bucket, attach the hose, replace the bucket, and direct the hose to a floor drain.

Is the GE dehumidifier worth the money?

At $279, the GE dehumidifier is a good value for its size. It’s not the cheapest model available, but it is also far from the most expensive. Since it can remove 50 pints of water from the air per day and treat spaces up to 4,500 square feet, it’s a great option for medium- to large-size homes or basements. 

There are no ongoing maintenance costs associated with this dehumidifier. It comes with a washable air filter, so there’s no need to purchase replacements. Instead, the filter indicator light will come on after 250 hours of use, reminding the user it’s time to clean it, which is easy to do with soapy water.

The GE dehumidifier also comes with a 16-foot drain hose for the pump. However, those who want to use the continuous drain feature will need to purchase a standard-size garden hose.

Is the GE dehumidifier right for your space?

The GE 50-pint dehumidifier efficiently regulates the humidity in spaces up to 4,500 square feet. It kept my 1,008-square-foot basement dry and eliminated the musty smell my home is prone to during the summer. The built-in pump feature was also a favorite. However, if you need to dehumidify a small space or don’t need the pump or continuous drain features, a smaller and less expensive dehumidifier will get the job done.

After researching and testing the best dehumidifiers, I would recommend the Vremi 22-pint dehumidifier for spaces 1,500 square feet or less. This model costs less than $200 and does a great job at reducing humidity. It can also be emptied via a collection bucket or drain hose (sold separately.) If you need to dehumidify a tiny space such as a closet or bathroom, the Eva-Dry  dehumidifier is a better option. It works slowly but is small enough to sit on a countertop or the bottom of a closet.

For those who have humidity problems, a dehumidifier is an investment worth making. These handy appliances will help prevent mold and mildew from overtaking your home and make the indoor air easier to breathe. 

Get the GE dehumidifier at The Home Depot for $279.

Meet the Tester

Katie Barton is a home and garden writer with over 10 years of experience. In addition to writing for BobVila.com, her work has also appeared on USA TODAY, Homefront, and Cabin Life. As a product tester, she aims to help readers find the best value for their money. She spends her free time fixing up her 1800s-style log cabin in rural Ohio.