Aldi has started selling a budget dehumidifier for shoppers at their stores.
The new Aldi dehumidifier is being sold as part of the supermarket's "SpecialBuys" range, unique deals that go on sale at its stores and online every Sunday and Thursday.
And this latest addition is a curious one, coming to the supermarket's middle aisle as the increase in demand for the best dehumidifiers causes a supply shortage in the appliance across Britain.
Here we take a look at the new Aldi dehumidifier's credentials, its price (we're impressed!) and why you need to be quick if you want to get your hands on one.
What is the new Aldi dehumidifier?
Aldi's dehumidifier is the Ambiano 12l Midi Dehumidifier, which is a compressor dehumidifier best suited to homes where the temperature isn't often below 15°C.
Ambiano is the brand Aldi uses for many of its popular middle aisle products, including its air fryer, coffee capsule machine, soup maker, pressure cooker and bread maker.
Aldi says in its description for the dehumidifier: "Dehumidifiers are great for removing damp from your home. They can also be great for helping clothes dry quicker when placed by your airer."
How much does the Aldi dehumidifier cost?
Aldi really has gone into battle over its price point, with its Ambiano 12l Midi Dehumidifier currently on sale for the bargain price of £89.99.
Similar products with this capacity typically retail for upwards of £100, although it is possible to buy 12L dehumidifiers for as low as £91 on Amazon.
It is not the first time Aldi has offered up a dehumidifier in its middle aisle either, but its previous Easy Home model was a much larger 20L with a higher price tag.
Comes with an adjustable humidity gauge
From clearing window condensation to reducing issues with damp in your home, when you look at how do dehumidifiers work, they are essentially appliances that help remove water from the air.
And while the more premium units tend to have more functionality, the Aldi dehumidifier offers a surprising range of features - despite its bargain price.
For starters it has an adjustable humidity gauge to set a normal humidity in a house target level (typically around the 50-55%rh range) as well as adjustable fan speeds.
The unit, which is only 200 watts, also comes with:
- 24 hours programmable timer
- Adjustable humidity level
- Child-lock function
- Touch screen control panel
- Overflow protection
- Dust filter
- 3 colour changing lights
- Practical recessed grips
- 4 wheels for ease of moving
- Low noise level
But no laundry mode for drying clothing
If you are purchasing a dehumidifier to dry clothing quickly, it is worth knowing that the Aldi dehumidifier doesn't have a specific laundry mode. These modes on dehumidifiers typically are a high power setting that allows the unit to extract more moisture from the air, perfect in a small room with lots of wet clothing in it.
That said, the Aldi dehumidifier will still extract moisture from the air so not having a specific laundry mode doesn't mean it won't do the job of drying clothing - it just means it might not be quite as effective or as fast.
Aldi’s dehumidifier has a decent size tank
As with most appliances that deal with water, the volume of water the unit can handle usually defines how useful it is.
The Aldi dehumidifier doesn't disappoint, offering a 12L tank capacity. With this capacity, as well as its ability to automatically shut off when the tank is full, the dehumidifier should in theory deal with a variety of domestic needs.
But it is already selling out fast
This appliance appears to be fairly decent value and that coupled with the huge demand for dehumidifiers, perhaps explains why it is already selling out in stores across Britain.
An Adi spokesperson tells Homebuilding & Renovating there are only 100 units left in store across the UK, with the appliance already sold out in Ireland.
Is the Aldi dehumidifier worth buying?
Without testing it in person (we have struggled to get our hands on one too), it’s impossible to give a proper verdict on whether to choose this budget dehumidifier vs a premium dehumidifier. But Homebuilding & Renovating's Amy Willis, who has reviewed several dehumidifiers in the past, says the Aldi dehumidifier is likely to be ideal to tackle minor damp issues and help dry clothing in a warm house if you don't have a tumble dryer.
"It has a decent capacity at 12L as well as some handy features like the timer, overflow protection and adjustable fan speed for those worried about energy costs. While it might not be the most attractive of dehumidifiers, at £89.99 it is definitely worth a punt," she said. "That said, those with serious damp and mould problems might be better off investing in a more premium model instead."
It is also worth pointing out that the Aldi dehumidifier comes with a three year warranty so there is reassurance that if the product does require repair or replacement, you have protection in place. But, it is also important to make sure you carry out dehumidifier maintenance on the unit too.
It isn't the only budget option out there
If you don't get the chance to snap up the Aldi dehumidifier there are a few more budget options out there, for a similar price point.
Homebuilding & Renovating's Gabriella Dyson tested the budget range Hysure 700ml Automatic Dehumidifier, which cost her only £50, and found it effective enough to help with damp on her skirting boards. Although, she highlighted that a larger unit might have been better in a larger room.
"This dehumidifier is perfect if you're trying to achieve normal humidity in a house or you only have a small room to cover," she explained. "However, if you have significant issues with condensation then you should invest in a more serious piece of kit. I recently reviewed a much larger and more expensive dehumidifier - the ProBreeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier- and I would recommend purchasing this model over the Hysure if you have a bigger home."
Other dehumidifier options include this EcoAir DD2 Simple Desiccant Dehumidifier for those with colder homes (this one warms the air too) as well as the Meaco 20L Low Energy Dehumidifier.
Gabriella is a DIY enthusiast and a lover of all things interior design. She’s spent the past decade crafting copy for regional publications, award-winning architects, and leading UK homeware brands.
She has a particular passion for historic buildings and listed properties, and she is currently in the process of renovating a Grade II-listed Victorian coach house in the West Country. At Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Gabriella was responsible for curating the magazine's home case studies and regularly contributing to the Homebuilding website.
Amy is Homebuilding & Renovating's website editor. She spent over a decade in London editing and writing before moving to East Anglia where she began renovating a period property in rural Suffolk. She's taken a hands-on DIY approach to the project, knocking down walls, restoring oak beams and laying slabs herself.
For more information on dehumidifiers, read our guide to the best dehumidifiers for tackling condensation and mould. If your room is too cold, you may also need to consider a dessicant vs a compressor dehumidifier.
