BLACK+DECKER Dehumidifiers: Pick the Right Pint Size
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BLACK+DECKER is best known for power tools and small appliances, and its dehumidifiers follow the same practical approach: white, portable boxes on casters with a simple top control panel, a removable water bucket and a hose option for continuous draining. A dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air, which helps with musty smells, damp towels, foggy windows and the mold and mildew that thrive in humid rooms and basements.
The four models below differ mainly in how much water they remove per day: a compact 9-pint unit for bathrooms and small rooms, a 20-pint model, a 36.39-pint model for larger living spaces, and a 50-pint model with a built-in pump for basements without a nearby drain.
BLACK+DECKER Dehumidifiers Compared
| Model | Pints per day | Bucket size | Listed coverage | Drain options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER BDT08TW | 9 | 3.3 pints | Up to 1,000 sq ft (2012 DOE) | Bucket or gravity hose |
| BLACK+DECKER BDT20WTB | 20 (description) | 8 pints | Up to 1,500 sq ft | Bucket or gravity drain |
| BLACK+DECKER BDM36WCDA | 36.39 | 10.56 pints | 3,000 sq ft (2012 DOE) / 370 sq ft (2019 DOE) | Bucket or 3.2-ft hose |
| BLACK+DECKER BDM50WCDA | 50 | 12.68 pints | 4,500 sq ft (2012 DOE) / 650 sq ft (2019 DOE) | Bucket, gravity hose or pump |
Pints per Day and Square Footage Explained
“Pints per day” is the amount of water a dehumidifier can pull from the air in 24 hours under standard test conditions. Eight pints equal one gallon, so a 50-pint model can remove about six gallons a day in ideal conditions. Bigger numbers mean faster drying of larger or wetter spaces.
Coverage numbers can look confusing because the US Department of Energy (DOE) changed its test in 2019. The older 2012 standard tested in warmer, more humid air and produced bigger square footage figures; the 2019 standard uses cooler conditions closer to a real basement, so its numbers are smaller. That is why the 36.39-pint model lists both 3,000 square feet (2012) and 370 square feet (2019). When a listing gives both, the 2019 figure is the more cautious guide for a basement.
BLACK+DECKER 1000 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier for Bathrooms and Small Rooms
Black+Decker
BLACK+DECKER 1000 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier, Up To 9 Pints Per Day, BDT08TW
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
BLACK+DECKER 1000 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier
Best for: Bathrooms, closets and small bedrooms
Pros
- Compact 15.2 inches tall
- Energy Star certified
- 24-hour timer and 3 modes
- Casters and handle
Cons
- Only 9 pints per day
- Small 3.3-pint bucket
The BLACK+DECKER 1000 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier (BDT08TW) removes up to 9 pints a day and is Energy Star certified. The 1,000-square-foot figure uses the 2012 DOE standard; in practice, 9 pints is a small-room capacity, well suited to a bathroom, walk-in closet, laundry nook or bedroom.
It has a detachable 3.3-pint bucket, or you can connect the included 3.28-foot hose or a standard garden hose for continuous drainage to a nearby drain. The top-mounted control panel has an LED display, 3 modes and a 24-hour timer. Safety and convenience features include a full-bucket indicator and audible alert, automatic shutoff, auto defrost and auto restart after a power cut. It has casters and a handle, weighs 22.2 pounds, uses 250 watts and measures 7.7 x 11 x 15.2 inches.
This suits renters and first-time buyers dealing with one damp room. The small bucket fills fast in very humid spaces, so for a basement, use the hose or step up to a larger model.
BLACK+DECKER 36.39-Pint Portable Dehumidifier for Apartments and Living Areas
Black+Decker
BLACK+DECKER 36.39-Pint Portable Dehumidifier, BDM36WCDA, White
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
BLACK+DECKER 36.39-Pint Portable Dehumidifier
Best for: Apartments and damp living areas
Pros
- 39 pints per day
- 56-pint bucket
- Energy Star 6.0 and UL certified
- Adjustable humidistat
Cons
- No pump
- Drain hose only 3.2 feet
The BLACK+DECKER 36.39-Pint Portable Dehumidifier (BDM36WCDA) removes up to 36.39 pints a day, covering 3,000 square feet under the 2012 DOE standard or 370 square feet under the 2019 standard. It has a detachable 10.56-pint bucket and a 3.2-foot drain hose for continuous drainage.
It is Energy Star 6.0 and UL certified and uses R32 refrigerant, which the listing calls environmentally friendly. The top control panel has an adjustable humidistat, a setting that lets you choose a target humidity so the unit cycles on and off to hold it, and an LED display. Automatic overflow shutoff, an indicator light and an audible alert protect against spills. It draws 250 watts, moves 155.29 cfm of air and measures 8.86 x 15.94 x 18.5 inches.
This is the middle ground for an apartment, a humid living room or a small, finished basement near a drain. It has no pump, so if the nearest drain is higher than the unit or far away, the 50-pint model is the better fit. Pairing it with a BLACK+DECKER portable AC is a common summer setup in sticky climates.
BLACK+DECKER 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier with Pump for Basements
Best for: Basements without a floor drain
Pros
- Built-in pump with 16.4-foot hose
- 50 pints per day
- Largest 12.68-pint bucket
- 65 cfm airflow
Cons
- Highest 470W power draw
- Largest footprint
The BLACK+DECKER 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier with Pump (BDM50WCDA) is the basement model. It removes up to 50 pints a day, covering 4,500 square feet under the 2012 DOE standard or 650 square feet under the 2019 standard. The bucket holds 12.68 pints, the largest here.
The standout is the built-in pump. A regular drain hose relies on gravity, so it only works if the drain sits lower than the dehumidifier. A pump pushes water through its 16.4-foot hose, so you can send water up and out to a sink, window or distant drain. A 3.2-foot gravity hose is also included. It is Energy Star and UL certified, uses R32 refrigerant, has an adjustable humidistat, LED display, overflow shutoff and full-bucket alerts. It draws 470 watts, moves 217.65 cfm and measures 9.92 x 18.8 x 20 inches.
This suits basements, crawl-space entries and large damp rooms, especially where there is no floor drain. It is more machine than a bedroom needs.
BLACK+DECKER 20-Pint Portable Dehumidifier for Medium Rooms
Black+Decker
BLACK+DECKER 20-Pint Portable Dehumidifier, BDT20WTB, White
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
BLACK+DECKER 20-Pint Portable Dehumidifier
Best for: Medium rooms and closets
Pros
- 20 pints per day in description
- 8-pint removable tank
- Auto restart and auto defrost
- Gravity drain option
Cons
- Feature bullets describe a desk fan
- Capacity specs conflict
The BLACK+DECKER 20-Pint Portable Dehumidifier (BDT20WTB) listing needs care. Its feature bullets describe a USB desk fan cooler with a 0.5-liter water tank and nightlight, which is clearly a different product. The description matches the dehumidifier: Energy Star, up to 1,500 square feet, 20 pints every 24 hours, an 8-pint removable tank, operation from 41° to 89.9°F, top-mounted electronic controls, a front water level indicator, auto restart, auto defrost, continuous gravity drain and a pull-out air filter.
The specification lines also mix both products, listing “0.5 liters per day” capacity alongside the 8-pint tank, 250 watts and 93.51 cfm. It measures 9.7 x 13.2 x 19.9 inches. Rely on the description and the model number, and check the photos before ordering. It suits a medium bedroom or home office that is too damp for the 9-pint unit.
How to Choose the Right BLACK+DECKER Dehumidifier
Size to the space. A bathroom or closet suits the 9-pint model. A bedroom or office suits the 20-pint. An apartment or living area suits the 36.39-pint. A basement suits the 50-pint.
Think about draining. Emptying a bucket daily gets old in a basement. With a floor drain below the unit, any model’s gravity hose works. Without one, choose the 50-pint with pump.
Watch the temperature. The larger models list an upper rating of 90°F and the 20-pint operates from 41°F. Cold basements reduce performance, which is why auto defrost matters.
Mind energy use. The smaller models use 250 watts; the 50-pint uses 470 watts. A humidistat helps by switching off once the room is dry. If you are outfitting a laundry area, our BLACK+DECKER dryer guide may also help.
FAQ
Which BLACK+DECKER dehumidifier is best for a basement?
The 50-pint model with pump, since basements are large and often lack a convenient low drain.
What does the pump do?
It pushes water through a long hose, even upward, so you do not need to empty the bucket or have a floor drain below the unit.
Why do coverage numbers differ so much?
The 2012 and 2019 DOE test standards use different conditions. The 2019 numbers are smaller and more realistic for basements.
Can I run a dehumidifier all day?
Yes. With a hose connected, the listings describe continuous drainage, and the humidistat cycles the unit to hold your target.
What humidity level should I aim for?
The listings do not name a target, but many homeowners aim for a comfortable middle range indoors. Use the humidistat on the 36.39 and 50-pint models to hold your chosen level, and watch for less condensation and fewer musty smells as signs it is working.
Do I need to clean the filter?
The 20-pint description mentions a pull-out air filter. Rinsing filters regularly keeps airflow strong on any dehumidifier; follow the manual for each model.
Which is the best gift for a small apartment?
The 36.39-pint model covers a typical apartment. For one damp bathroom, the compact 9-pint BDT08TW is easier to place.
