Best dehumidifiers for tackling damp and drying laundry – tried and tested

If your home often suffers from the build-up of damp, mould, and condensation, investing in one of the best dehumidifiers is a simple and reliable solution for combatting these issues.

Dehumidifiers work by extracting excess moisture from the air to maintain your home's ideal indoor humidity levels, with some of the most effective models also offering the ability to speed up indoor laundry drying times. This factor alone makes them the perfect household companion during the wetter months of the year, which are now in full-swing.

However, similar to investing in one of the best air purifiers, trying to make sense of the technical jargon to decode extraction rates, tank capacity, and the running costs of each dehumidifier can feel a little daunting, especially if you don't know where to start. That's why Ideal Home's experts are here to help.

Our team of expert reviewers have tried and tested the best dehumidifiers on the market, putting multiple options from leading brand names through their paces. We've assessed and compared how many litres of water each can extract from the air per day, how often you'll be emptying the dehumidifier's water tank, its ease of use, noise levels, energy use, and, of course, price, to help you make the right decision for your home and its needs.

Early Black Friday dehumidifier deals

Black Friday deals officially launch on the 29th of November. However, many brands have already kickstarted their Black Friday sales. Below is our edit of the best early Black Friday dehumidifier deals you can shop right now, across models our team of experts have tried and tested.

MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier: was £252.98 now £169.98 at Appliances Direct

The MeacoDry Arete One is the first version in the brand's bestselling Arete series. Although the Arete Two has since released with Smart upgrades, the Arete One is still a fantastic all-rounder and easier to find in stock right now.

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VonHaus Desiccant Dehumidifier: was £174.99 now £139.99 at Amazon

Desiccant dehumidifiers thrive best in colder environments and are quieter when in operation. This VonHaus model is one of our favourites we've tested, and currently on offer for 20% off on Amazon.

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De'Longhi 12L Tasciugo AriaDry Dehumidifier: was £268.97 now £209.97 at Appliances Direct

This De'Longhi unit works fantastic for drying clothes and is undeniably stylish. While it's typically considered more of an investment compared to other models, this early Black Friday discount might change your mind.

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Duux Bora Smart Dehumidifier: was £299.99 now £248.95 at Amazon

If Smart features are a non-negotiable for you, this Duux model offers voice-control and Wi-Fi compatibility for your ease. It's more on the expensive side usually, but its high extraction rate makes it a fantastic choice for larger homes.

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The quick list

Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best dehumidifiers we've tested. You'll find more information on each dehumidifier and why our testers recommend it if you keep on scrolling.

Best dehumidifiers – tried and tested

Best dehumidifier overall

Having put multiple models through their paces to compile this guide, the new MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier has now officially been crowned our top recommendation for best dehumidifier overall – taking the spot that its predecessor, the MeacoDry Arete One, previously held.

The Arete Two is almost identical to the Arete One in build quality, with the biggest aesthetic differences being that the Arete Two now has a premium LCD 'chase' display, offering you more control than ever, and a louvre which allows you to direct the necessary flow of air to the area in need of treatment. It's is easy to use, whisper quiet, works superbly, and is very energy-efficient compared to pretty much every other compressor dehumidifier on the market. Plus, as well as first-rate moisture extraction, it's equipped with a built-in HEPA air filter that rivals many dedicated air purifiers to improve indoor air quality in more ways than one.

The automatic Smart Humidity mode makes for hassle-free operation, turning the dehumidifier on when moisture levels rise and automatically shutting the appliance off when the target humidity level is reached. In our tests, the Arete Two reduced moisture levels in damp-prone rooms in a very short period of time and collected a shocking amount of water over just a 1-2 day span. The dedicated Smart Laundry drying mode also works brilliantly – wet washing was dry in hours rather than the days it can usually take in the terraced home it was tested in.

One of the gripes we had about the MeacoDry Arete One was the fact that it lacked a timer and Smart capabilities. However, the Arete Two has quickly solved those issues as it can now be controlled through the new Meaco smartphone app as well as hooked up to any voice control assistants you have set up in your home, such as Alexa or Google. Plus, the timer can be set between 1-24 hours.

Although the one we tested was the 20L capacity, there are four different sized dehumidifiers in the Arete Two range, offering moisture extraction rates of 10, 12, 20 or 25 litres per day. That means it's easy to find the right option for your home size, and the level of moisture control you need. All come with generous water tank capacity that means you aren't constantly emptying them, and their energy-efficiency is best-in-class with power usage of just 136W for the smallest 10L model and a mere 250W for the biggest 25L model which means running costs stay low.

Overall, this is a best-in-class dehumidifier that does a fantastic job of extracting moisture from the home and remains hard to beat by any of its competition – and the new quality of life updates the Arete got in its 2nd generation have easily made it all the better.

Read our MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier review for more detail.

Best affordable dehumidifier

The ElectriQ 12L Dehumidifier is one of the best budget dehumidifiers we've tested. Decent dehumidifiers don't come cheap, and it's rare to find a compressor dehumidifier – which is the type you want if you have significant damp issues – that offers this level of performance for under £150.

It can't quite compete with our top recommendation, the MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier, which is more energy-efficient, offers a built-in HEPA air filter as standard, and is slightly quieter to run. But it comes close, and offers a lighter build and more budget-friendly price tag. Our reviewer thought it was a great choice for anyone who wants a small, compact dehumidifier that's good value for money.

It can extract 12L of moisture from the air per day, and in our tests it worked hard to do so, filling its 2.5L water tank with condensed water in just a few hours. It features an automatic humidity sensor so you can set your target humidity levels and allow it to do its thing, and also offers an easy-to-read humidity indicator light that glows green when humidity is in the target range and amber or red when humidity is high – a great way to see your home's damp levels at a glance.

Whilst it doesn't have a dedicated Laundry Drying mode like the MeacoDry Arete Two, De'Longhi Tascuigo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier or Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Mode, our tester found she didn't need it. She simply set the target humidity to 35% and the ElectriQ 12L made short work of speeding up indoor drying times in her laundry room. It also features a built-in carbon filter that our reviewer found reduced odours from cooking fumes and pets.

The ElectriQ doesn't offer Wi-Fi connectivity like the Duux Bora Smart 20L Dehumidifier or Pro Breeze 30L Premium Dehumidifier, and the water tank was a little fiddly to empty. But, overall, as long as you only need a 12L extraction rate, this is a great dehumidifier for the price.

Read our full ElectriQ 12L Dehumidifier review for more detail.

Best desiccant dehumidifier

Unlike a compressor dehumidifier that passes air over a cold coil to condense the water from it, a desiccant dehumidifier uses a 'desiccant chemical' to absorb the moisture from the air. As a result, desiccant dehumidifiers are the best option for rooms that are likely to fall below 5°c, as at lower temperatures compressor and Peltier models can struggle to work efficiently.

The EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 Dehumidifier can extract up to 7.5 litres of moisture per day in cold temperatures as low as 1ºc, so it's a very useful option for conservatories, basements or garages that don't have dedicated heating, as well as unheated rooms in the home during winter months.

That said, in our tests it also worked brilliantly during normal use, quickly reducing humidity and making fast work of drying wet washing. This is helped by the warm air the Simple MK3 kicks out whilst running. EcoAir says that in general 'desiccant dehumidifiers emit warmer air (approx. 3-5 degrees Celsius warmer than the ambient air) than compressor models' which can make a desiccant dehumidifier a particularly good choice for drying wet laundry indoors.

As its name would suggest, the Simple MK3 is also very simple to set up and operate with easy-to-use manual controls. For its price, we just found it lacked the design quality of models like the De'Longhi Tascuigo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier and couldn't compete with the better energy efficiency and extra functionality of the MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier – the Arete Two's Smart Humidity mode is particularly useful for controlling humidity without any user input and saves on energy use and running costs.

In fact, along with the higher price ticket, running costs are one of the biggest cons with this product. The 7.5L DD1 Simple MK3 uses 300-580W of electricity compared to the 10L MeacoDry Arete Two's 136W, which means the EcoAir model costs between 9p and 17p per hour to run at current energy prices, compared to the Meaco Arete's average of 3p per hour. However, if you're looking for a dehumidifier for use in a cold climate, the EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 Dehumidifier's 1ºc operating temperature is hard to beat. Alternatively, if you want a desiccant option with a more affordable initial upfront cost, it might also be worth checking out the VonHaus Desiccant Dehumidifier as it shares many similar functionalities.

Read our full EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 Dehumidifier review for more detail.

Best dehumidifier for drying clothes

Overall, the De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry is a great dehumidifier. It’s sleek, stylish and, most importantly, it works really well.

As well as rapidly extracting moisture from damp-prone rooms, it does an amazing job of drying laundry; on par with the MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier. The simple interface also means it's easy to use, without any complicated settings to get your head around, and, although it doesn't have wheels, its ergonomic carry handle makes it easy to move around the home.

Beyond that, it's relatively quiet when running, has a built-in air filter for air purification on top of its damp-defying powers, and, its energy usage is relatively low.

Really, the Tasciugo only has a few downsides. Although the AriaDry has an automatic humidity sensor so it will switch itself off once your desired setting is reached, it doesn't have a humidity display, so you can't tell what a room's current humidity levels are – something we missed considering its price point. The water tank could also be a lot larger. Its powerful performance meant we were emptying the 2.1L tank very frequently during testing, although there is a continuous drainage option and hose supplied.

It's also not quite the most energy-efficient model on the market. That accolade goes to the our top recommendation, the MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier. The comparable 12L Meaco Arete Two costs just 3p an hour to run compared to the 12L De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry's average 8p per hour, matches the Tascuigo on specfications, and offers a humidity display.

And, lastly, there's the De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry dehumidifier's price. The stylish Italian design comes at a cost, with this one of the most expensive dehumidifiers on the market.

Read our full De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier review for more detail.

High capacity dehumidifier

The Pro Breeze High Capacity Smart Dehumidifier is a high-capacity dehumidifier that can extract up to 30L of moisture from the air per day, giving it one of the highest extraction rates on the market.

It also offers Smart App controls, which means you can connect it to Wi-Fi and operate it remotely via the Pro Breeze App or connect to Alexa or similar voice-activated devices. It has a decent-sized water tank capacity of 4L, and an automatic humidity sensor which means you can set your desired humidity level, switch it on, and just let it do its thing.

During our testing process, we found it really easy to use and operate, and our reviewer loved the Smart App connectivity as it gave her a lot more control over how she could use the machine, saying the in-app experience is fantastic, the menus are really clear, and changing the settings is simple'. Alongside the Duux Bora Smart 20L Dehumidifier, this is one of only a handful of dehumidifiers on the market that currently offer remote and voice-activated control.

Whilst this dehumidifier doesn't offer a specific laundry drying function, we still found it helpful at drying wet washing, although it took longer to do so than dehumidifiers with a dedicated Laundry mode, like the De'Longhi Tascuigo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier and Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Mode.

However, the 30L Premium Dehumidifier isn't without faults. Its 600W power usage is considerable compared to the only slightly lower extraction rate of the 25L MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier which only uses 250W of energy. The Pro Breeze 30L Premium Dehumidifier operates at 46dB, and unfortunately, it's loud whether the fans are in high or low mode. This isn't a dehumidifier for the bedroom or one you're going to want running for long periods in a living area that's in use.

That said, the Pro Breeze 30L Premium Dehumidifier's high 30L per day extraction rate makes it a great choice if you have high moisture levels to deal with, and its decent-sized 4L water tank means you won't be emptying it continually. Its Wi-Fi connectivity will also be a real bonus for many users.

Read our full Pro Breeze 30L High Capacity Smart Dehumidifier review for more detail.

Best dehumidifier under £100

It's important to note that this small Peltier dehumidifier has a very low extraction rate compared to every other dehumidifier in this round-up. The Pro Breeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier can extract just 0.5L of moisture from the air per day, far below most compressor dehumidifiers which tend to have extraction rates that start at 10L or 12L per day.

Peltier operation also means this dehumidifier can only be used in rooms with an ambient temperature of 15-35°C, unlike most compressor dehumidifiers which operate above 5°C, or the desiccant EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 Dehumidifier which can operate at temperatures as low as 1°C.

As such, this dehumidifier is designed for managing fairly low moisture levels in small rooms up to 15m². It isn't going to able to control humidity within an entire house like larger capacity dehumidifiers, and it won't make a lot of difference to high moisture levels – we found it made little difference when drying wet washing for example. That said, as long as you don't expect too much of it, this mini dehumidifier still impressed us during testing, and its budget-friendly price tag is a definite bonus.

It lacks functionality, so this dehumidifier is either on or off. But, that does make it extremely easy to use, and our reviewer found it did a decent job of eliminating condensation on windows in a small bedroom when left running overnight.

Its compact design means it easily fits on a bedside table, shelf or window sill, and our tester also found it extremely quiet compared to most compressor dehumidifiers, so it's great for a bedroom. Plus, the Peltier design makes for low energy use, with the 40W dehumidifier costing just 1p per hour to run at current energy prices.

Those low running costs combined with a very affordable price tag, mean we think this is one of the best dehumidifiers under £100 – an ideal low-cost dehumidifier for any small room where you want to combat low levels of excess moisture without breaking the bank.

Read our full ProBreeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier review for more detail.

A laundry-drying alternative

If you have a lot of laundry you need to dry indoors over the winter months, then alongside the MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier and De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier we think the Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Mode is one of the best for the job.

Like the other two models mentioned above, the Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier is easy to use. Plus, it benefits from a built-in humidity sensor that automatically turns the dehumidifier on when humidity rises, and off when it drops to save energy.

However, the Pro Breeze 20L Premium guzzles 440W of energy compared to the 20L MeacoDry Arete Two's 207W, resulting in higher running costs. What the Pro Breeze 20L Premium does offer, on the other hand, is a more generous water tank of 5.5L compared to the 20L MeacoDry Arete Two's 4.8L, although in practice we didn't find ourselves emptying the MeacoDry that much more frequently.

The Pro Breeze 20L Premium is also noisy. This isn’t a dehumidifier you’re going to want to have on while you’re trying to rest or sleep, and you'll likely get annoyed by having it running in the background while you watch TV. This may not be a problem if you're using it to dry washing and have a dedicated laundry room. So, if you want a dehumidifier you can use whilst you're getting on with daily life then both the MeacoDry Arete Two and De’Longhi Tasciugo are quieter.

However, the Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier does win on price, coming in a fair bit cheaper than both the Meaco and De'Longhi options. So, if you want a laundry-drying solution at a lower upfront cost, this is still a good option to consider.

Read our full Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Mode review for more detail.

Desiccant dehumidifier alternative

If you're looking for an alternative option for a desiccant dehumidifier, the VonHaus Desiccant Dehumidifier is our second best in slot after the EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 Dehumidifier. While they're both desiccant type dehumidifiers, meaning they each boast the qualities of being more effective in colder rooms, quieter, and more portable compared to their compressor type counterparts, the VonHaus model is quite a bit cheaper than the EcoAir, which is something big to consider if affordability is your biggest priority.

You still get pretty much the same functionality for effectively drying out damp in unheated rooms with the VonHaus, as well as a similar extraction rate and water tank capacity (with the VonHaus actually being 0.5 litres bigger than the EcoAir). However, the main kicker would be the fact that the EcoAir has a dedicated laundry drying mode, whilst the VonHaus does not. In fact, 50% is the lowest humidity setting on the VonHaus, meaning that it's suitable for general damp issues, but not ideal if drying clothes indoors is one of your big pain points you're looking to relieve in your home.

Aside from that, the VonHaus also is just quite a basic device, with no additional Smart features, Wi-Fi compatibility, or the like. But, we'd be confident in saying that the price at least reflects this basic functionality, as it can be purchased for £170 (and as low as £130 when it's on sale), whilst some more premium dehumidifiers can shoot as high as £200 plus, with the only other desiccant model we've reviewed, the EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3, going for about £220 on the market right now. Therefore, it is undeniably the more affordable option if you're really set on going down the desiccant dehumidifier route. However, if you're not so fussed and just want a fairly priced device, prices for our top-rated model, the MeacoDry Arete Two, start at £179.99 for the 10L option. Not only is this similar in price to the VonHaus, but it comes with additional features such as Wi-Fi compatibility, a dedicated laundry mode, a higher extraction rate, and lower running costs.

Overall, the VonHaus Desiccant Dehumidifier is a fair contender as far as top picks for best dehumidifiers go and definitely a model we'd gladly recommend onward because of its ease of use, stylish design, and handy Anion mode which helps to remove dust and smells. It may not be ideal for drying laundry, but it gets the job done if tackling general damp issues is your focus, especially in colder rooms, but for a bit of a higher cost to run per hour; if you're willing to go the extra mile.

Read our full VonHaus Desiccant Dehumidifier review for more detail.

Voice-activated control

The Duux Bora Smart 20L Dehumidifier can condense 20 litres of water from the air every day, can manage the humidity in spaces up to 40m², and has a generous 4-litre water tank so you won't constantly be emptying it. The sleek design is also equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity so you can pair it with the Duux App for remote operation or connect it to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice-activated control.

In practice, our reviewer found the Duux Smart App a little lacking, but the connection to voice-activated devices worked well and will be a big plus point for many users.

The Pro Breeze 30L High Capacity Smart Dehumidifier is a Wi-Fi-compatible alternative, and our reviewer loved the Pro Breeze model's smart features, finding them easier to set up and more intuitive to use. However, the Pro Breeze model is a heavier and more powerful unit which means increased running costs compared to the Duux Bora. It also doesn't come equipped with a built-in carbon filter like the Duux Bora does, a feature our reviewer found a real plus point in her tests, especially in the kitchen where it reduced cooking smells as well as extracting steam.

Like the Pro Breeze 30L High Capacity Smart Dehumidifier, we also found the Duux Bora noisy during testing, and it doesn't offer a dedicated Laundry Drying mode, so we found it a little less effective than some at speeding up indoor drying times of wet washing. The De'Longhi Tascuigo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier and Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Mode both performed better in this regard, but, they don't offer Wi-Fi connectivity.

Overall, the Duux Bora can't quite compete with our top recommendation, the quieter and more energy-efficient MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier also comes with a built-in HEPA air filter. However, if you wanted another voice control option, it's one to consider.

Read our full Duux Bora Smart 20L Dehumidifier review for more detail.

Small-space alternative

The Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier is a popular choice thanks to its relatively low price point and regular discounts that make it a good value option for a small home.

However, the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier isn't without faults. We found its 1.8L water tank too small for its 12L extraction rate, leading to frequent emptying. Plus, emptying the water tank is a hassle, with the tank tricky to remove and the lack of cover making water spillages likely.

Our reviewer also found it noisy to operate, and in our tests, we didn’t find it that much help with drying wet washing, although it did a good job of managing general damp and reducing condensation and mould on windows and walls.

And, whilst its energy use is low compared to many dehumidifiers on the market, it can't beat the super energy-efficient MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier in this regard. The Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier uses 220W, whereas the comparable MeacoDry 12L Arete Two uses just 136W of energy, and doesn't cost that much more upfront at full RRP. The MeacoDry also offers a built-in HEPA air purifier, a larger 2.5L water tank, better laundry drying performance, and quieter operation.

As a more affordable option, we found the ElectriQ 12L Dehumidifier also outperformed the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier on most fronts, offering better laundry drying, lower energy usage, and quieter operation.

That said, if you find the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier on offer, and are willing to accept its flaws in exchange for its lower price point, this can be a great value buy that does the job and will make a big improvement to general damp issues you're facing.

Read our full Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier review for more detail.

Large-space alternative

The Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier is one of the most affordable large dehumidifiers we've come across. This appliance can extract 20 litres of water from the air per day and comes in significantly cheaper than comparable options like the best-in-class 20L MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier.

Just like the MeacoDry Arete Two, as well as an impressive extraction rate, the Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier has some great features, including an easy-to-read LED screen that displays current humidity levels and an automatic humidity sensor.

However, there are downsides. The Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier's water tank is fairly small at just 3L, which – especially compared to the 20L MeacoDry Arete Two's 4.8L water tank – meant in our tests we were emptying it fairly frequently, and doing so without spilling water was difficult as the tank gets almost full to the top before auto-shut off kicks in.

And, whilst this Russell Hobbs number is cheaper upfront, running costs are higher, with the 20L dehumidifier using 440W of energy compared to Meaco's 20L Arete Two which uses 207W on average. Plus, the Arete Two offers a built-in air purifier which this model does not and now also offers Wi-Fi connectivity.

All that said, the Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier still impressed our review team during testing. So, if you’re looking for a powerful dehumidifier with a cheaper upfront cost, and don't mind sacrificing some functionality to save some cash, this option is well worth considering.

Read our full Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L review for more detail.

How we test

You'll find full details of the Ideal Home review process on our how we test dehumidifiers page.

Our team of reviewers tested a host of the bestselling dehumidifiers to compile this guide. We compared performance indicators such as moisture extraction rate, tank capacity and how often each model needed emptying, ease of use of controls, aesthetics, and, of course, the price point to find the best value dehumidifiers.

We have also considered the size and weight of each appliance to find the most portable options, plus each model's noise levels.

If there are any products that we haven't managed to test in person, or the product didn't achieve over 4 out of 5 stars, then they won't have an Ideal Home Approved badge. However, you can rest assured we've done thorough research on their technical specifications and read multiple happy – and not-so-happy – customer reviews to narrow down our suggestions to only the best-in-class to best help you make a decision on the best dehumidifier to add to your home appliance arsenal.

In-stock dehumidifiers

At the time of writing, dehumidifiers are once again selling out fast, including our top pick, the MeacoDry Arete Two.

If one of our top recommendations isn't in stock when you come to browse, then here are the best places to shop in-stock dehumidifiers today.

In-stock Amazon dehumidifiers

In-stock Argos dehumidifiers

In-stock Currys dehumidifiers

In-stock Pro Breeze dehumidifiers

In-stock Robert Dyas dehumidifiers

In-stock Very dehumidifiers

In-stock VonHaus dehumidifiers

How to choose the best dehumidifier

Finding the best dehumidifier for your home depends a lot on the type of moisture issue you're trying to solve, so it's always worth speaking with the customer service department of the manufacturer you're hoping to buy from to ensure you have the right model for your needs.

However, to help give an overview, here are some key facts it's useful to know before searching for the best dehumidifier for the task in hand.

Types of dehumidifiers

One of the biggest dehumidifier mistakes we often see people making before purchasing one is not knowing that there are actually a handful of different types that will best serve different purposes. A lack of knowledge in this is usually what will leave shoppers dissatisfied with the performance of their dehumidifier and its effectiveness as they'll buy the wrong type for their needs.

Depending on whether your main pain points are to get rid of damp or to dry clothes fast indoors, this will greatly determine which type of dehumidifier you'll find the most success with.

Here are the most common types of dehumidifiers and their differences:

Compressor dehumifidifiers

Compressor dehumidifiers tend to be the most common design available in the UK. Sometimes also called refrigerant or condenser dehumidifiers, they work by drawing air into the dehumidifier via a fan, and then running the air over over cold coils to condense the moisture from it, whereby the condensed water is collected in a water tank. The coils are kept cool by refrigerant which means the unit also needs a compressor built in. The only downside of compressor dehumidifiers is that they need the air to be warm for this process to work. Most will work above 5°C, but they're most efficient at an ambient temperature of around 20°C (depending on the individual model).

Desiccant dehumidifiers

A desiccant dehumidifier differs in that it uses an absorbent material or chemical desiccant to extract moisture from the air. This means they can operate efficiently in lower temperatures, down to just 1°C, and are useful for garages, basements, conservatories, or unheated rooms in the house over winter – making desiccant dehumidifiers better in these circumstances. However, they're usually more expensive both upfront and in terms of running costs than a compressor dehumidifier, so unless you're looking to remove damp at cold temperatures you're generally best off with a compressor model.

Peltier dehumidifiers

Like compressor dehumidifiers, Peltier dehumidifiers also use a condensation process to remove moisture from the air. However, they do this via a thermoelectrical process rather than using refrigerant and a compressor, so they're generally a lot quieter and more economical to run. The downside is that they're far less powerful, so Peltier dehumidifiers tend to very small and best for localised areas of moisture – they won't be powerful enough to help with damp in a large room or entire house.

Extraction rate

Once you've decided which type of dehumidifier is the best fit for your needs, next up you'll want to consider extraction rates.

A dehumidifier's extraction rate is an average of how much moisture it can remove from the air during a given timeframe. Most commonly this is measured in litres per day, so an extraction rate of 10L/per day means the dehumidifier should be able to extract 10 litres of moisture within 24 hours if running continuously. In practice, this also depends on the humidity levels of the room and the ambient temperature.

Generally speaking, you'll find compressor dehumidifiers that offer 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 25L extraction rates. The higher the extraction rate the more powerful the machine will be, but generally also the larger, heavier, more expensive, and more expensive to run the dehumidifier will be.

You'll also find plenty of dehumidifiers that offer much lower extraction rates, with some of the smallest dehumidifiers extracting just 0.3L of moisture per day.

The right dehumidifier for you will depend on your room size, the scale of your moisture issues, and how quickly you want the appliance to remove moisture. Most dehumidifiers come with a recommended room size listed, so use this as a gauge when choosing the best dehumidifier for your home.

To help you, we've discussed this in detail in our explainer covering how big of a dehumidifier you need for your specific needs.

Water tank capacity

It's also important not to confuse the extraction rate with a dehumidifier's water tank capacity. As both are generally measured in litres or millilitres this can sometimes cause confusion.

The tank capacity dictates how much water the water tank of the dehumidifier can hold before it needs emptying. A larger tank capacity – such as the MeacoDry Arete Two's generous 2.5L or 4.8L tanks – means you won't be emptying it as frequently.

Most of the dehumidifiers in our round-up feature automatic shut-off functions that mean they automatically switch off and sound an alarm or activate a warning light once the tank is full. However, a small capacity tank potentially increases the amount of time the dehumidifier will be out of operation before you notice and empty the tank.

Noise levels

It's also worth considering noise levels before you invest in a dehumidifier, as noise disturbance is a big bugbear among dehumidifier owners. This is most noticeable if you plan to purchase a dehumidifier to help you sleep better.

Most dehumidifiers have their noise levels listed in their specifications, although in practice we didn't find that much variation between models, with most falling somewhere between 35 and 45dB.

In our tests, Peltier condenser dehumidifiers proved the quietest, which is why the Peltier-powered ProBreeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier is our top pick for the bedroom. However, Peltier dehumidifiers are also the least powerful, so the relatively quiet MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier is our top choice for a low-volume compressor dehumidifier.

Other functionality

Lastly, there's extra functionality to consider when choosing a dehumidifier. The best dehumidifiers you can buy offer a Smart mode. That means you can leave the dehumidifier running and its sensors will detect the humidity levels and switch the machine on and off to keep humidity within your desired range.

These are great features to be mindful of, especially if you often find yourself questioning how long you should keep a dehumidifier running. In turn, this will save energy (and money) as the appliance isn't running if it doesn't need to be, ultimately decreasing the cost of running a dehumidifier overall.

Many also offer a Laundry Drying mode that can give the appliance an extra boost when you're trying to dry wet washing indoors because yes, dehumidifiers do help dry clothes more effectively.

FAQs

Do I need a dehumidifier?

If you're wondering how to get rid of mould in a poorly ventilated room, or trying to combat excess moisture or humidity inside the home, then a dehumidifier can be a useful tool in your arsenal.

Excess moisture within the home can come from drying clothes indoors, cooking fumes from pans and kettles, bathing and showering, and the damp British weather.

Regular ventilation like opening the windows and doors in your home or turning on extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom is key to removing the build-up of mould-causing moisture. (Top tip: this is how long to keep windows open to stop mould, as recommended by the experts).

However, if your home doesn't have adequate ventilation, or it's winter and you don't want to open windows to avoid letting your heating escape, then a dehumidifier can help you to keep indoor moisture levels in check.

Does a dehumidifier use a lot of electricity?

You can find out more about how much electricity a dehumidifier will use in our guide to 'how much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?'

However, the easiest way to find out how much electricity an appliance uses is to look at its wattage. The higher the number of watts a dehumidifier requires, the more electricity it will use and the more expensive running costs will be.

Do dehumidifiers help to dry clothes?

Yes, a dehumidifier will help to dry clothes indoors. That's because a dehumidifier sucks up the moisture that wet washing releases as it dries, therefore helping to speed up drying times.

In fact, when it comes to the heated airer vs dehumidifier debate, a dehumidifier with a good laundry drying function can give one of the best heated clothes airers a run for its money when it comes to drying wet washing, fast.

However, you do need to opt for a dehumidifier with a good extraction rate if you want to use it to dry washing. Our top choices are the MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier range which offers models with a 10, 12, 20 or 25L extraction rate, the De'Longhi Tascuigo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier, or the Pro Breeze Premium 20L Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Mode.

We've tried and tested a whole host of dehumidifiers, and after putting these three models through their paces we think they're neck and neck for clothes drying purposes. The bonus is that they also do a great job of managing excess damp and condensation within the home.

Which brand of dehumidifiers is best?

Two of the biggest brand names in the dehumidifier market are Meaco and Pro Breeze. Both offer a great range of dehumidifiers with varied extraction rates to suit different needs.

After thorough in-home testing, we crowned the Meaco Arete Two Dehumidifier the best dehumidifier overall thanks to its great performance, quiet operation, easy to use functionality, and energy efficient design. Plus, its Smart Laundry Mode is brilliant at drying wet washing.

Is it worth buying an expensive dehumidifier?

Although most of us might want the answer to this question to be no, based upon our testing of a range dehumidifiers of different price points, we would say yes, it is worth spending as much as you can on a dehumidifier.

That's because if you’re looking for a dehumidifier that can clear moisture in a larger space or deal with significant damp levels within the home, then you need a dehumidifier with a high extraction rate.

The cheapest and smallest dehumidifiers on the market can often only extract 0.5L of water from the air per day – in many cases even less – but larger and more powerful dehumidifiers can extract up to 25L per day which can make a huge difference to your home's health if you struggle with damp issues and condensation. The downside is that you will pay more the more powerful a dehumidifier is.

Are dehumidifiers good in hot weather?

Although the main purpose a dehumidifier serves isn't necessarily to cool a room, they have been proven to make rooms feel more comfortable during hot weather as they can help extract extra humidity and moisture.

In fact, experts have said that using a fan with a dehumidifier is an underrated pairing that bodes well during heatwaves and particularly hot stints of weather. This is because a dehumidifier will lower the humidity in a room while a fan will keep air circulating and create a breeze, resulting in a more effective cooling experience for indoor occupants.