The Midea 22-pint compressor dehumidifier is the best overall pick for anyone shopping the best dehumidifiers under $200 in 2026. It pulls 22 pints of water a day out of up to 1,500 square feet, runs at a published 47 dBA, carries an ENERGY STAR certification, and adds app control on top of a 35% to 85% humidity range. No machine at this price point gives you all four.
I logged a lot of hours on budget dehumidifiers before narrowing this list to eight. The pattern that surprised me is how little separates the top of this price tier from the middle. Three brands pack a compressor, a humidistat, a drain port and a timer into machines that differ mostly in tank size and noise floor.
That sameness is the whole story of buying a dehumidifier under $200, so this guide leans into it. Instead of pretending these machines are night and day, I show you where each one genuinely fits, where the published numbers stop matching real rooms, and when a cheap machine is simply the wrong tool. Prices and ratings were checked on our list in October of 2026, and every unit here carries an ENERGY STAR label or sits below it deliberately.
If your problem is a damp basement rather than a closet, our basement dehumidifier guide covers the larger capacity class. Bedroom-only situations are covered in our bedroom dehumidifier picks.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Budget Dehumidifier Picks for 2026
AIRPLUS Max 30 Pint Dehumidifier
- 30 pints per day
- Drain hose included
- 1500 sq. ft.
- Sleep mode
BEDRED 95Oz Thermoelectric Dehumidifier
- Thermoelectric cooling
- 95 oz tank
- 1000 sq. ft.
- Under 6 pounds
The Midea is the pick when you want app control and a proven service record. The AIRPLUS is the one to buy when you want maximum extraction per dollar and a drain hose in the box. The BEDRED thermoelectric machine is for small, warm, enclosed spaces where a compressor model would be overkill.
All Eight Dehumidifiers Under a 200-Dollar Ceiling Compared for 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Midea 22 Pint Dehumidifier |
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| BEDRED 95Oz Dehumidifier |
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| AIRPLUS Max 30 Pint Dehumidifier |
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 Waykar 34 Pint Dehumidifier |
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 teanews 34 Pint Dehumidifier |
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 AEOCKY 50 Pint BOREAS-001 |
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 SEAVON 21 Pint Dehumidifier |
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 GoGuess 21 Pint Dehumidifier |
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Two columns in that table deserve a warning label. The coverage figures come from manufacturers testing in sealed conditions, and owners across the review base repeatedly report that real-world results land well short of the headline square footage on every machine in this group. Treat coverage as a ceiling, not a promise.
1. Midea 22 Pint Dehumidifier – Best Overall
- Most-reviewed machine in the group with 7187 ratings
- ENERGY STAR certified with 31% energy savings
- Only pick here with Wi-Fi and voice assistant control
- 35%-85% humidity range with auto defrost and auto restart
- Drain hose sold separately
- 33.5 pounds is heavy to move between rooms
- Tank needs manual emptying without continuous drainage
This is the machine I keep coming back to because it is the only one in the group that does not force a trade-off. Twenty-two pints per day at up to 1,500 square feet is enough capacity for a mid-size bedroom, a walk-in closet, or a small basement section, and the 35% to 85% humidity range is the widest here.
The 47 dBA figure is published rather than inferred, and it makes this unit viable in a bedroom where a compressor hum would otherwise be a dealbreaker. Midea also added auto defrost and auto restart after a power outage, both of which matter in a basement where a tripped breaker or a cold snap can otherwise leave a machine useless.
The app support is the real separator. Alexa and Google Assistant work alongside the SmartHome app, so you can check the tank status and current humidity from a phone without walking down two flights of stairs. Among budget compressors, that is unusual.
Two practical complaints come up again and again. The drain hose is not in the box, and at 33.5 pounds this is the heaviest machine on the list, so it wants a permanent spot rather than a portable role. Set it up once near a drain or a laundry sink and neither issue matters.
Where the Midea earns its place
Pick it for a conditioned basement, a main-floor bedroom, or any space where you want to check readings remotely. The 0.8-gallon tank holds roughly 8.5 liters, which is a full day’s output at average humidity and a full day’s lift when it fills.
The ENERGY STAR certification matters more than the sticker price suggests. The brand claims 31% less energy than a traditional dehumidifier, which across months of continuous basement operation adds up to real savings on top of a purchase already near the ceiling of this budget.
Where it disappoints
The honest weakness is physical effort. 33.5 pounds plus a full bucket means roughly 42 pounds of awkward carry if you do not run a hose, and most buyers end up buying one within a month anyway.
It also cannot follow you between rooms the way a small thermoelectric machine can. If your moisture problem is a closet or an RV rather than a room, this is far more machine than you need.
2. BEDRED 95Oz Thermoelectric Dehumidifier – Best for Closets and RVs
- Weighs under 6 pounds so one person can move it easily
- Sleep mode dims lights and lowers noise
- 95 oz tank is large for the size
- Automatic shutoff when the tank fills
- 7-color ambient light
- Thermoelectric extraction is far below compressor models
- No continuous drain hose option
- Output drops noticeably in cool rooms
This machine uses semiconductor cooling rather than a compressor, which is the single decision that defines it. That means no refrigerant circuit, no loud compressor cycle, and a body light enough to lift with one hand at 5.9 pounds.
It is the right pick for a walk-in closet, a camper, a boat cabin, or a small bedroom where the humidity problem is mild. The 7-color ambient light and sleep mode exist because buyers use it in bedrooms, and the auto shutoff means you can leave it running without checking.
The 95-ounce tank is generous for the class. On a modest moisture load that gives you roughly a day between emptyings, and the full-tank sensor stops the unit rather than letting it overflow.
What you give up is extraction rate. The listing does not publish a pints-per-day figure, and that absence is the point: thermoelectric output scales with the temperature difference across the cold plate, so performance collapses in a cool room. In a damp basement this machine will disappoint you.
Where the BEDRED earns its place
Buy it for enclosed, warm, small spaces where portability matters more than gallons. Reviewers frequently use these in RVs and campers for exactly this reason, and the manufacturer lists bedrooms, bathrooms, basements and RVs as intended spaces.
The square footage claim of up to 1,000 feet is the softest number in the group. Treat that as a comfort zone in mild conditions, not a rating you can plan a room around.
Where it disappoints
There is no drain port. You are lifting a bucket every time, and there is no way to run this hands-free, which rules it out for any long-term setup.
At higher fan settings owners report noticeable noise in a quiet bedroom, which partly defeats the purpose of choosing a silent technology in the first place. If the room is genuinely quiet, sleep mode is the mitigation.
3. AIRPLUS Max 30 Pint Tall Dehumidifier – Best Value
- Highest extraction rate in the sub-130 tier of this roundup
- Drain hose included in the box
- Drying
- Raining and Sleep modes with 45% and 50% defaults
- 24-hour programmable timer
- Quiet at maximum fan speed per owners
- Owners report real coverage closer to 500-1000 sq. ft.
- 1.5 liter tank needs one to two emptyings a day
- Tank and filter are both rear-mounted
Thirty pints per day is more extraction than most of the machines above it in this list, and the drain hose is included. Those two facts alone make this the strongest value pick in the roundup, because the Midea sells you capacity and control while this sells you capacity and a complete drainage setup.
Maximum output is measured at 86°F and 80% relative humidity, which is a realistic test condition for a Gulf Coast summer. Buyers in humid climates report stable readings in the 45% to 55% band once the machine is properly sized.
The mode set is unusually useful. Drying mode runs continuously for laundry and basement work, Raining mode targets a higher threshold, and Sleep mode quiets the fan with sensible defaults at 45% and 50%. The 24-hour timer lets you schedule around the day.
Owners in genuinely humid regions, Florida and Houston come up repeatedly in the reviews, describe the machine as near-silent even on high. Four casters and a side carry handle make repositioning simple.
Where the AIRPLUS earns its place
Pick it when extraction per dollar matters more than app control, and when you want a machine that ships ready to drain. The included hose removes the single most common reason owners give up on manual tank emptying.
It is also a solid choice for a laundry room or a garage, where the drying mode and the 30-pint rate do real work and nobody is judging the control panel.
Where it disappoints
The honest weakness is the gap between the rated coverage and observed coverage. Multiple owners report that 500 to 1,000 square feet is the realistic range rather than the advertised 1,500, so do not buy this to treat a large open basement.
The 1.5 liter tank is small for a machine pulling 30 pints a day. Without a hose running, you are emptying it one to two times daily, and putting the tank, filter and intake all on the back panel makes that job awkward.
4. Waykar 34 Pint ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Dehumidifier – Best for Basements
- 2025 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification
- Lowest published noise floor at 38 dB
- Owners report basements moving from 75-80% RH to 45-50%
- Compact body for a 34-pint machine
- Support experiences described as responsive
- 0.62-gallon tank fills quickly without continuous drainage
- Included 3.3 ft hose is short
- Auto defrost reported to stop below roughly 60F
This is the machine I would put in a finished basement. Thirty-four pints per day at 95°F and 90% relative humidity is real basement capacity, and the 2025 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification is a step above the standard ENERGY STAR label most competitors carry.
The brand claims 50% less energy use than traditional models, and the 190-watt draw backs that up. It is also the quietest machine here on paper at a 38 dB minimum, which is remarkable for a compressor unit of this size.
Owners credit the rotary compressor upgrade for fitting that capacity into a body measuring just over 19 inches tall. The pure copper high-tooth internal threading and washable filter are build details you would not expect at this price.
Control coverage is broad: DEHU, DRY and continuous modes, two fan speeds, a 30% to 80% humidity range, overload and overheat protection, power outage memory, tank-full shutoff, auto defrost and a child lock. The warranty is one year plus an additional year on registration.
Where the Waykar earns its place
A damp basement that reads 70% relative humidity or worse is exactly the job. Reviewers describe taking finished spaces from the 75% to 80% range down to the 45% to 50% range once it runs continuously.
It suits a finished room where the low noise floor matters and where you would rather not run an appliance-sized machine. The DOE and TUV certifications add a layer of verification that most budget listings lack.
Where it disappoints
The 0.62-gallon tank is the weak point. In a real basement the machine can produce 34 pints a day, so without a hose you will be emptying that small reservoir many times over.
Two other warnings matter for cold climates. The included hose is only 3.3 feet, which limits where the drain can go, and owners report the auto defrost failing to engage below roughly 60°F, where compressor icing becomes the more likely failure. If your basement is unheated in winter, keep the space above that threshold.
5. teanews 34 Pint 2500 Sq.Ft Unit – Best for Tight Basement Corners
TEANEWS 2500 Sq.Ft Max 34 Pint Dehumidifier for Basement with Drain Hose
- Compact body for 34 pints of capacity
- Quiet operation owners compare to a desktop fan
- 2.3 liter tank holds roughly a full day of output
- Top-mounted humidity readout
- 2-year warranty
- Owners still report two to four emptyings a day
- Manual is awkwardly written
- Some reports of frost buildup and units stopping after seconds
Where most manufacturers spread capacity across a wider body, this one folds 34 pints per day into a cabinet measuring 17.5 inches tall. That matters in a finished basement where the mechanicals are already crowded.
The 2.3 liter tank is a real advantage over the small-reservoir machines in this list. Owners report roughly a full day of extracted water before an emptying, which makes bucket mode genuinely workable for short bursts.
Four operating modes cover DEHU, Turbo, Sleep and continuous work, with three fan speeds and a 30% to 80% setpoint. The color-changing LED humidity indicator stays readable from across a room, and the top-mounted display shows live readings rather than making you crouch.
Noise sits at a published 40 dB floor with display lights off in sleep mode, which owners describe as comparable to a small desk fan. Continuous drainage runs through the included 3.28 foot hose and the rear port keeps routing tidy.
Where the teanews earns its place
Choose it when space is the constraint: a low-ceiling crawl space, a tight utility room, or a basement corner already crowded with ducts and shelving. Long-term owners in basements, boats and humid climates report steady extraction.
The 2-year warranty is among the longer commitments offered at this price, and the full feature set includes auto defrost, auto restart after an outage, overload protection, a child lock, a timer and a washable filter.
Where it disappoints
The one-star share of reviews runs higher than on the two picks above, and the complaints cluster around hardware rather than performance. Reports include units dead on arrival, compressors stopping after a few seconds, and frost buildup on the coil.
The manual is poorly written and the mode descriptions are confusing, which means setup takes longer than it should. Warranty experiences are also inconsistent across reviews, so keep the packaging and your purchase record.
6. AEOCKY 50 Pint BOREAS-001 – Best for Large Areas
AEOCKY 50 Pint/Day, 3500Sq.Ft Ultra-Quiet 40dB Dehumidifier with Drain Hose
- Highest extraction capacity in this roundout at 50 pints per day
- Owners confirm the advertised 40 dB at full output
- Includes 2 m drain hose plus a garden hose adapter
- 3-year machine warranty
- Intelligent auto defrost for cooler spaces
- 0.8-gallon tank fills in roughly 12 hours
- 380 watt draw is the highest power consumption here
- Requires a 24-hour upright stand before first use
This is the most capable machine available at this ceiling. Fifty pints per day at 95°F and 95% relative humidity, rated coverage up to 3,500 square feet, and the 3-year machine warranty is the longest commitment any pick here carries.
The quiet claim is the one owners verify most often. The dual-chamber acoustic design holds roughly 40 dB at maximum output, and reviewers repeatedly measure it against noisier competitors before confirming the number.
Drainage is well thought out for a budget machine. The 2-meter hose and a 3/4 inch GTH garden hose adapter ship in the tank, so you can run it to a floor drain, a utility sink, or a garden hose without buying a part.
Build details run above the tier average: 7 mm high-tooth inner-threaded pure copper tubing with hydrophilic fins, ETL, RoHS, REACH and NRCan certification, a 24-hour timer, a child lock and switchable ambient humidity lighting. Net weight is 25.3 pounds with 360-degree casters.
Where the AEOCKY earns its place
Large basements and garage conversions are the obvious case. Owners report holding salons, gyms and basements near target humidity with this machine running continuously, which is the workload a 20-pint compressor cannot absorb.
Because a single high-capacity machine can outperform two cheaper small ones in one space, this is also the pick if you would rather run one appliance than juggle a pair.
Where it disappoints
The 380-watt draw is the highest here by a wide margin. If your goal is minimizing running cost rather than maximizing extraction, a 190-watt or 80-watt machine will cost meaningfully less per hour.
Two more frictions: the 0.8-gallon tank fills in roughly 12 hours, so continuous drainage is effectively mandatory, and the manufacturer instructs you to stand the machine upright for 24 hours before first use to let the compressor oil settle. Accessory setup for the drain also takes a little practice.
7. SEAVON 21 Pint Dehumidifier – Best for Low Power Draw
SEAVON 1500 Sq.ft Dehumidifier for Basement with Drain Hose, 21 Pint, Quiet
- Low 120 watt draw for a compressor machine
- Smart Comfort
- Laundry Dry and Continuous modes
- Includes 3.4 ft drain hose with washable filter
- Digital display
- 24-hour timer and child lock
- 0.41-gallon reservoir is the smallest in this roundout
- Lowest average rating here at 4.2 stars
- Coverage claim of 1500 sq. ft. is optimistic for 21 pints
At 120 watts, this machine extracts 21 pints a day while drawing less than a third of what the AEOCKY needs for 50. If your dehumidifier runs continuously through a humid season, that gap shows up directly on the electricity bill.
The mode set is the best of the sub-130 machines. Smart Comfort Mode holds a 45% to 55% band automatically through the sensor, Laundry Dry Mode boosts the fan for clothes, and Continuous mode targets basements and other high-moisture zones.
You get a 3.4 foot drain hose, a removable tank, a washable filter, a digital display, a 24-hour timer and an integrated child lock. Auto defrost, auto restart and overheat protection round out a solid feature list.
The machine itself is compact at just under 16 inches tall and about 6.85 inches deep, with wheels and a handle for moving it between a bedroom and a laundry room.
Where the SEAVON earns its place
Pick it for a medium bedroom, a laundry room, or an apartment where power cost is the binding constraint. The low draw makes continuous operation affordable, and the sensor removes the need to babysit a humidistat dial.
Laundry Dry Mode is a genuine convenience if you dry clothes indoors, which is common in humid climates where outdoor drying is impractical.
Where it disappoints
The 0.41-gallon reservoir is the smallest in the group, and it is paired with a machine that can remove 21 pints a day. Without the hose attached, that is an emptying several times over.
The 4.2-star average is the lowest here, with roughly one in ten reviews at one star, and the sales rank indicates less proven demand than the other models. Owners also report extraction falling short of the stated 1,500 square feet, so size it down accordingly.
8. GoGuess 21 Pint Dehumidifier – Best for Bedrooms and Studios
GoGuess 1600 Sq.Ft Compressor Dehumidifier for Basement, Max 21 Pint/Day
- Highest average rating in the roundup at 4.5 stars with 80% five-star reviews
- Very low 80 watt draw for a compressor machine
- 2.3 liter tank lasts about two days in a studio
- 40 dB quiet running
- 2-year warranty
- Stated coverage of 1600 sq. ft. is optimistic in practice
- Smaller review base than the other models here
- Some reviews note awkward maintenance access
This is the pick I would hand someone in a studio or a small bedroom. The 4.5-star average is the highest of any machine here, 80% of ratings sit at five stars, and only about 6% land at one star, which is the cleanest distribution in the roundup.
It also pairs an 80-watt draw with a 2.3 liter tank. Owners report emptying roughly every two days, which is unusual at this price point and removes the most common annoyance of budget ownership.
DEHU, Turbo and Sleep modes run across three fan speeds, and the intelligent humidistat cycles the compressor at your chosen setpoint from 30% to 80%. The color-changing LED indicator stays readable even when the machine is off.
Continuous drainage is handled by an included 3.28 foot hose, and the rest of the safety set is complete: overload protection, tank-full shutoff, auto defrost, auto restart, a child lock, a washable filter and a programmable timer. The warranty runs two years.
Where the GoGuess earns its place
Small rooms, studios and bedrooms where noise and appearance both matter. At 40 dB with the display lights off in sleep mode, it runs quieter than a conversation and is easy to live with at night.
It is also the most efficient compressor machine here on paper: 21 pints per day from 80 watts. If you want capacity without the running cost of a 380-watt machine, this is the trade.
Where it disappoints
The 1,600 square foot claim is optimistic in practice, the same complaint that appears across nearly every machine in this price band. Plan on a smaller area.
The review base of 944 ratings is the smallest here, so the 4.5-star figure rests on fewer experiences than the picks above. Some reviewers also find maintenance access awkward, and the wheels suggest mobility while the unit is really built to stay in one spot per season.
What a 200-Dollar Ceiling Buys You and What It Skips
Being straight about this saves you from buying twice. At this ceiling you get a genuine compressor machine with a humidistat, a timer, auto defrost, auto restart and a drain port. That is the feature floor, and every pick in this roundup clears it.
What you skip is anything built to last or to service. None of these machines has a sealed-system design, none offers parts availability, and the compressor is the part that fails. If a machine dies, the realistic path is a replacement rather than a repair.
You also skip built-in condensate pumps. Every unit here drains by gravity, which means the drain outlet must sit higher than the water level in the tank. If your only drainage option is below that line, you need a pump-equipped model from the next tier up, and our whole-house dehumidifier guide covers that class.
One more thing this ceiling does not buy is honest coverage. The gap between rated square footage and reported real-world square footage appears on every machine we reviewed, from the 1,000-foot claim on the thermoelectric BEDRED to the 3,500-foot claim on the AEOCKY. Size for roughly half the number on the box, and buy the next capacity up if you are near the edge.
How to Pick a Budget Dehumidifier in 2026
Start with moisture load, not square footage. A coastal basement that sits at 80% relative humidity needs a different machine than a conditioned bedroom with a mild problem, and the same pint rating performs very differently in each. Owners who complain about undersizing describe the same failure: the compressor runs continuously, never holds a setpoint, and eventually wears out.
Next, separate pint capacity from tank size. This is the most misunderstood specification in the category. A pint is how much water the machine removes in 24 hours under standard test conditions; the tank is how much water physically sits in the bucket before you carry it out. A 30-pint machine with a 50-ounce tank needs a hose, and a 21-pint machine with a 2.3 liter tank can sometimes get by without one.
Drainage strategy matters more than most buyers expect. Gravity drainage through the standard barb fitting is the norm at this price, and it works well when you can run the hose to a floor drain, a utility sink, or a standpipe above the tank line. The hoses included with these machines run 3.3 to 3.4 feet, so plan your layout before you buy.
Noise figures deserve one caveat: they are measured at minimum fan speed, not at maximum. The Waykar’s 38 dB and the 40 dB figures on the GoGuess, teanews and AEOCKY describe their quietest setting. Treat them as a floor, not a running average.
Screen for duds before you order. In this category a useful baseline is that roughly 8% to 12% of dehumidifiers fail within the first year, and budget machines sit at the higher end of that range. In the review data, one-star complaints cluster around dead-on-arrival units, compressors that stop within seconds, and units that run but never collect water. Read the one-star reviews rather than the five-star ones, and look for a repeated failure mode in the same model.
Watch for the compressor that runs but collects no water. That is almost always a seized fan motor or a drifted humidity sensor rather than a refrigerant problem, and it is fixable. Clean the intake filter, confirm airflow at the outlet, and if the fan is turning but the reading never moves, the sensor is the suspect.
Finally, run the numbers on power. Listed wattage multiplied by daily hours gives your running cost, and the spread across this roundup is wide: 80 watts for the GoGuess, 190 watts for the Waykar, 380 watts for the AEOCKY. Over a multi-year ownership period that gap usually outweighs the sticker price difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dehumidifier for value for money?
The AIRPLUS Max 30 Pint is the strongest value pick in this roundup. It delivers 30 pints per day at 86F and 80% RH, ships with a drain hose included, and adds a 24-hour timer plus Drying, Raining and Sleep modes. For pure capacity per dollar with a complete drainage setup, it beats machines that cost considerably more.
What is the cheapest way to dehumidify a basement?
A compressor dehumidifier sized correctly and set up to drain continuously is the cheapest practical route, since electric dryers and desiccant units cost far more to operate. Before buying a machine, fix the actual moisture source: a leaking water line, a failed sump pump, a cracked foundation wall, or unvented bathroom exhaust. A dehumidifier cannot outrun an active water source, and owners who stall out at 70% relative humidity usually have an air leak or a second HVAC system fighting the machine rather than a defective product.
My basement dehumidifier is not working. What could be causing this?
Four causes account for most failures. First, a full or mis-seated tank can trip the float switch, so empty it and reseat it. Second, a clogged filter or blocked intake starves airflow, so clean the washable filter every few weeks. Third, coil freeze-up stops extraction in cold unheated spaces, so keep the room above roughly 60F to let auto defrost cycle. Fourth, a drifted humidity sensor makes the compressor run without collecting water, which a replacement humidistat can correct.
Can a dehumidifier cause mold?
No, a properly sized dehumidifier reduces mold risk. Mold needs sustained moisture, and holding relative humidity between 30% and 50% starves it. Problems arise when a dehumidifier is used on standing flood water, which overloads the machine and leaves surfaces damp. Extract standing water with a wet/dry vacuum or pump first, then run the dehumidifier to dry the structure.
Do I need a dehumidifier with a built-in pump?
Only if gravity drainage will not work. Every machine in this roundup drains by gravity, so the drain outlet must sit above the water level in the tank. If your only drainage point is a floor drain below the tank, or a basement slop sink several feet down, you need a built-in condensate pump and a higher capacity machine from the next price tier.
The Bottom Line
The Midea 22 Pint dehumidifier is the best overall buy in the best dehumidifiers under $200 lineup for 2026. Twenty-two pints per day, a 47 dBA published noise level, ENERGY STAR certification and app control make it the only pick here with no weak point to compromise on.
Buy the AIRPLUS Max 30 Pint for the best value, the Waykar 34 Pint for a finished basement, and the AEOCKY 50 Pint when you need real coverage. Whatever you choose, run a hose to it on day one and set the target humidity between 40% and 55%.