When dealing with flood water damage, a typical residential dehumidifier won’t cut it.

I recommend a heavy-duty model designed to handle excess moisture fast. Through years of experience, I’ve tested the top dehumidifiers specifically for flood damage recovery, and these picks will help dry out your home quickly and efficiently.

Quick glance: My recommendations

Best dehumidifiers for flood damage

The first thing I advise homeowners to do after a flood is to use a dehumidifier. This will lift the moisture from your floors, walls, carpets, and furniture and help your home recover before mold growth starts to occur. 

Research from the IICRC has shown that the timely use of dehumidifiers can reduce the overall drying time by 30-50%,

ALORAIR Storm LGR Extreme

If you suffer from severe water damage, flooding, or high humidity regularly, you will benefit from the AlorAir Storm Extreme.

It doesn't just perform well; it stands up to heavy use and can be used in all kinds of environments. All of this adds up to great long-term value.

The Storm LGR Extreme is designed to operate continuously in high humidity levels. It can reduce moisture levels quickly and should be able to keep any room at an ambient humidity below 40%.

It doesn't cover as much space as the AlorAir Storm Ultra, but this one is designed for a more permanent setup, such as in a crawlspace.

It works quickly too, and when I last used it, it reduced the humidity from 62% to 43% in just 2 hours. It may take more time to work in a room with water damage, but it will start to dry out your home very quickly.

This portable model comes with a longer drain hose than most dehumidifiers of an impressive 14.7 feet, which is just slightly shorter than the Moiswell model I feature later on. 

This makes it easier to move it between rooms, and it’s particularly useful for homeowners without floor drains.

What I really like about this AlorAir model is that it's been designed for the long haul.

The parts are all high quality, with a tough outer shell and a unique coating on the coils, which prevents freezing. All of this prevents the dehumidifier from becoming damaged and increases the lifespan (and value) of the entire dehumidifier.

The design and operation are both impressive, and my only real criticism of the dehumidifier is that it’s not as compact as you might think, measuring 22.8" deep, 13.7" wide and 17.3" high.

It should still fit in most rooms, but it might not squeeze into very tight crawlspaces.

The AlorAir Storm Extreme is competitively priced and long-lasting. It offers some great value for money and is best for homeowners who need to use powerful dehumidifiers frequently.

Comparing dehumidifiers for water damage

Finding the right dehumidifier to help fix water damage

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the USA and causes severe damage to your home and belongings.

However, you can limit the long-term damage by drying out the space in the first 24-48 hours.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges all US residents to follow three steps to handle flooding:

You need to have the right dehumidifier to get the job done when it comes to water damage. 

Here I've included a basic guide to buying a dehumidifier. For more information, please see my detailed dehumidifier buyer's guide. 

Look for higher CFM for quick moisture removal

Dehumidifiers work by pulling humid air into the machine and pushing dry air back out.

The amount of air a dehumidifier can pull in is measured in CFM or cubic feet per minute. The higher the CFM rating, the faster the dehumidifier can pull in the air. 

This makes higher CFM dehumidifiers best for larger or more humid rooms.

Water damage restoration dehumidifiers need to act fast, and I would recommend getting a unit with a high CFM. 

This will allow it to draw air from any surface, wood, or carpet and reduce the water levels in the air.

Look for at least 200 CFM units so there's enough air movement.

Related article: What size dehumidifier do I need?

Higher moisture extraction capacity (PPD)

The capacity of a dehumidifier is how much water it can remove in 24 hours; this is usually measured in pints per day (PPD). 

The higher the PPD, the more moisture it can remove from the air.

A water-damage dehumidifier needs to have a higher capacity, and you should look for a model with at least 120 PPD.

Models made prior to 2020 will have a larger PPD listing, because testing conditions have since been updated. This data will help you determine compatible machines with today's PPD ratings: 

Low grain dehumidifiers (LGR dehumidifiers)

LGR dehumidifiers work slightly differently from conventional models because they pre-cool the intake air.

This cooler temperature makes the dehumidification more efficient and reduces the relative humidity more quickly.

All of the models on my list are LGR dehumidifiers, and I would recommend looking for an LGR appliance to help with faster water restoration.

Related article: How dehumidifiers work

Dehumidifiers should match the coverage area

The coverage of your dehumidifier will determine what size of room it can handle.

This is closely linked to PPD, but the coverage area is usually displayed in square feet on the dehumidifier packaging.

Make sure you measure the room accurately and look for an appropriate unit. Trust me on this one. 

If you must use a smaller unit, you'll need to move it around the room often.

And if you're in an area that often sees flooding and water damage, then consider getting a whole house dehumidifier. 

Al Fagundes, Founder of A. Fagundes Plumbing & Heating, says, "Whether you need a standalone unit or want to integrate it into your HVAC system, the Bryant DEHXX is incredibly versatile. It's easy to use and maintain, with advanced features like programmable settings and automatic humidity control."

Drainage options: Automatic is preferred

Dehumidifiers collect moisture from the cool air, and this needs to be removed from your home.

There are two main options:

If you’ve been reading closely, you’ll see that all of the models I chose for this list have automatic drainage. 

Operation temperature requirements

A desiccant dehumidifier can operate at any temperature, but refrigerant dehumidifiers can freeze over if there's not enough heat.

Most refrigerant dehumidifiers can't operate in temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so you need to be aware of the heat levels.

If you are dehumidifying in your basement, garage, or other rooms with cooler rooms, I recommend you purchase a dehumidifier with an automatic defrost feature that can withstand those temperatures.

You can heat the room separately with a space heater (or other equipment), but the electricity cost can be high to heat a large space.

All of the models I've included on my list have a relatively large operating temperature, to ensure moisture removal in many conditions. 

Noise levels must be minimal

The average residential dehumidifier will produce 50-60 decibels.

This isn't enough to damage your hearing, but much louder than that can be disruptive in your home.

Water-damage dehumidifiers are usually more powerful and can be a lot louder. This can be a real issue in a compact home.

If you are concerned about noise levels, then I would recommend looking for quiet dehumidifiers which are under 50 decibels.

A durable dehumidifier to last long

A dehumidifier should last 5-10 years, but only if you have well-made and durable equipment.

I would suggest looking for reputable brands like ALORAIR and AbeStorm, which have a good range of products.

Physical dimensions and weight

The physical dimensions of your dehumidifier will determine where you can use it.

Measure the space in your home carefully and select equipment that can fit within it.

I recommend looking for a unit under 75 pounds, so it's easier to move and install , especially if you'll be maneuvering it into smaller spaces like crawlspaces.

Related article: The best crawl space humidity levels

Additional features to consider

Related article: Recommend dehumidifier and air purifier combo units

Pricing and your budget

For flood damage dehumidifiers, you need a powerful model, and you should expect to spend $700-$1500.

Restoration companies tend to have the most expensive models, so you can also consider having professionals do the job. 

John Wilson of Wilson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling says, "For flood damage, I rely on the Dri-Eaz F413 Revolution LGR. It’s strong and removes moisture quickly, making it ideal for tough restoration jobs. It’s durable and works well for severe water damage." 

Super powerful models like the Dri-Eaz retail for around $2600. 

Tips for using your new dehumidifier

Set the right humidity level

After flooding, the humidity level in your home can spike to over 70%. If you are returning after an evacuation, the EPA warns against starting cleanup before authorities have cleared the area for safe entry.

You need to try and get this excess moisture below 50% to reach ambient conditions and limit any dust, mold, and mildew building up. 

Start by setting your dehumidifier to 50% relative humidity and then adjust as needed.

Related article: Dehumidifier setting options

Choose the right place

You should try to position your dehumidifier on stable surfaces as close to the moisture as possible.

Humidity can rise, so elevating your dehumidifier will mean it can reduce the moisture levels more quickly too.

Use heaters and fans

Heaters and fans will help to dry out the room following flooding and encourage humid air into the dehumidifier.

The heat will limit condensation and help to dry out the room much more quickly.

Seal the space

Dehumidifiers work best in a closed environment without fresh air flowing.

By closing the windows and doors, you create a smaller space for the dehumidifier to work in, limiting the evaporation and condensation forming.

This will allow the appliance to reduce the relative humidity more quickly.

The following data shows how well different capacities work in an unsealed versus a sealed environment.

So which is the right dehumidifier for flood damage?

I have tried and tested all the dehumidifiers on the list, and I know they are all up to the task. However, I recommend the AlorAir Storm LGR Extreme to most homeowners. 

It's powerful, fast acting, and built to last. It offers good value for money and should help to protect your floors, walls, furniture, and belongings from water damage.