Too damp under the house? A crawl space dehumidifier is the easiest, most reliable way to hold humidity near ~50% RH—right where the EPA recommends for a healthy home.
To make choosing simple, we break down the best crawl space dehumidifiers by:
- Space size (up to 1,000 sq ft, 1,200–1,800 sq ft, 2,000–2,600+ sq ft)
- Low-height/compact installs
- Built-in pump (set it, forget it)
- Wi-Fi/app control
- ENERGY STAR® efficiency
All picks below are current 2025 models from our lineup—chosen for performance, durability, and value you can actually buy today.
How We Picked (Quick and Honest)
- Right-size coverage: We looked at the square-foot guidance and AHAM capacity (the realistic rating at ~80°F/60% RH).
- Airflow (CFM) & layout: More CFM helps move air in long or partitioned crawls.
- Height & footprint: Low-profile chassis that fit tight clearances.
- Drain options: Gravity drain vs. built-in pump.
- Efficiency & control: ENERGY STAR, Wi-Fi/app, duct-ready options for even coverage.
- Price & warranty: Fair pricing and solid support from our U.S. team.
Best Overall (Most Homes up to ~1,300–1,500 sq ft)
AlorAir Sentinel HD55 / HD55S
Why it’s great: Compact, proven, and powerful enough for most sealed or semi-sealed crawl spaces.
- Coverage: up to 1,200–1,300 sq ft (HD55 Blue up to 1,200; HD55S up to 1,300)
- Capacity (AHAM): ~55 PPD (approx.)
- Airflow: 120–130 CFM (model-dependent)
- Height: only ~13.3 in (HD55S)—fits low clearances
- Drain: Gravity (HD55/HD55S); Pump version available—see HD55P
- Good for: average dampness, efficient drying, tight installs
Step-Up (More margin / mild partitions): Sentinel HD55P
Same core chassis with a built-in pump and a bump in airflow—ideal when the drain is higher or farther away.
- Coverage: up to 1,500 sq ft
- Airflow: ~153 CFM
- Built-in pump: yes
Best for Tight, Low-Height Crawl Spaces (Up to ~1,000 sq ft)
Sentinel HS35 (gravity) / Sentinel HD35P (built-in pump)
Why it’s great: Our most compact chassis—slides into the tight spaces other units won’t.
- Coverage: up to 1,000 sq ft
- Dimensions (L×W×H): 15.35" × 11.2" × 11.4" (super low profile)
- Airflow: ~115 CFM
- Drain: Gravity (HS35) or built-in pump (HD35P)
- Good for: small/short crawl spaces, condos/townhomes, budget installs
Best Energy-Efficient Pick (~1,800 sq ft)
Galaxy 60 (ENERGY STAR®)
Why it’s great: ENERGY STAR certified efficiency in a true crawl-space form factor.
- Coverage: up to 1,800 sq ft
- Efficiency: ENERGY STAR® certified (U.S./Canada)
- Airflow: ~165 CFM
- Drain: Gravity (Galaxy 60) or built-in pump (Galaxy 60P)
- Good for: energy-savvy homes, long runtimes in humid regions
Best High-Capacity (Large Spaces ~2,000–2,600+ sq ft)
Sentinel HD90 / HDi90 (duct-ready)
Why it’s great: Big airflow and capacity for larger footprints or tougher moisture loads; ductable to reach far corners.
- Coverage: up to ~2,600 sq ft
- Capacity (AHAM): about 90 PPD (198 PPD at saturation)
- Airflow: ~210 CFM
- Drain: Gravity (HD90) or built-in pump (HDi90)
- Good for: long crawl spaces, partitioned layouts, hot-humid climates
Bigger still?
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HDi100 / HDi120 scale up to ~2,900–3,300 sq ft with very high capacity and pump standard—great for estates or multi-zone crawls.
Best With Built-In Pump (Set-and-Forget)
- Small spaces (≤1,000 sq ft): HD35P → tiny chassis, factory pump, easiest drain setup.
- Most homes (≤1,500 sq ft): HD55P → compact, more airflow, 19.6-ft lift spec on pump.
- Large spaces (≤2,600 sq ft): HDi90 → high CFM, duct-ready, pump built-in.
When is a pump worth it?
If the drain is higher than the unit, far away, or you just want a cleaner run without worrying about slope, a built-in pump saves time.
Best Wi-Fi / App Control
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HD55 Blue Wi-Fi (up to 1,200 sq ft) → manage set point, alerts, and runtime from your phone.
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HDi65S Black Wi-Fi (up to 1,300 sq ft) → compact chassis + app control for small/medium crawls.
One-Look Comparison (Use This Table)
Need / Space |
Pick |
Why it stands out |
Tight, low height ≤1,000 sq ft |
HS35 / HD35P |
|
Best overall ≤1,300 sq ft |
HD55 / HD55S |
|
With pump ≤1,500 sq ft |
HD55P |
|
Energy-efficient ≤1,800 sq ft |
Galaxy 60 |
|
Large / long spaces ≤2,600 sq ft |
HD90 / HDi90 |
|
Very large ≤3,300 sq ft |
HDi120 |
Sizing Tips (So You Pick Once)
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Start with square footage, then step up if the crawl is vented/leaky, very damp, hot-humid climate, or chopped-up with piers.
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If you’re between two sizes, it’s safer to go slightly larger—it will run fewer hours to hold ~50% RH.
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For long or partitioned crawls, a duct-ready model (HDi series) helps get dry air to the perimeter.
For a deeper walkthrough, see our full sizing guide on the blog (and then come back to this list to choose).
Placement & Drain (3 Rules)
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Central, clear airflow—don’t jam it in a corner; leave air inlets/outlet open.
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Level riser—keep the unit off soil and away from puddles; use blocks or a pad.
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Reliable drain—either a steady downhill gravity line to a drain/sump, or a built-in pump model.
Why “ENERGY STAR” Matters
ENERGY STAR dehumidifiers remove moisture with less electricity, helpful in long summer seasons. Our Galaxy 60 is ENERGY STAR certified (U.S./Canada)—ideal when you’ll run the unit many months each year.
What Humidity Should I Set?
Aim for around 50% RH year-round. The EPA advises staying below 60%, ideally 30–50% for health and durability. Most crawl spaces are stable at 45–55%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dehumidifier good for a crawl space?
Yes. It’s the most reliable way to keep RH in the target range and prevent musty odors, mold risk, and wood moisture problems. Fans only move air; a dehumidifier removes water from the air.
What size dehumidifier for my crawl space?
- ≤1,000 sq ft: HS35/HD35P
- ~1,200–1,300 sq ft: HD55/HD55S
- ~1,500 sq ft with pump: HD55P
- ~1,800 sq ft: Galaxy 60
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~2,000–2,600+ sq ft: HD90/HDi90
Step up if the crawl is leaky/vented, very damp, or hot-humid.
Is 60% humidity OK for a crawl space?
It’s the upper limit. Keep RH below 60%; ~50% is a smart everyday set-point per EPA guidance.
How to quickly dry out a crawl space?
Fix bulk water (gutters, grading, sump), lay/repair the vapor barrier, then run a properly sized dehumidifier 24/7 until RH holds near 50%. For long spaces, use a duct-ready model to push dry air to the perimeter.
The Bottom Line
Pick by space size, height, and drain style. For most homes up to ~1,300 sq ft, the HD55/HD55S is the sweet spot. Want plug-and-play drainage? Choose HD35P/HD55P/HDi90 with built-in pump. Need efficiency near ~1,800 sq ft? Galaxy 60 (ENERGY STAR). Big, long, or partitioned crawls? HD90/HDi90 (ductable) or HDi120 for max coverage. Set ~50% RH and enjoy a dry, healthy crawl space.