Having one of the best dehumidifiers can offer a reliable solution to removing moisture from the air. From banishing damp, mould and condensation to helping to dry washing in the colder, wetter months, a dehumidifier is an essential appliance to have handy around the home. It’s one you’ll find helpful to have access to when drying out fresh plaster during a renovation, too (trust us – we’ve been there!)
Its versatility is unrivalled, and yet when it comes to buying a dehumidifier, the technical specifications can be a lot to get your head around. Much like the time when you’re looking at the best portable air conditioners; anything that manages the indoor air quality can be heavy talk.
As a team, we’ve spent months testing some of the latest and greatest dehumidifiers, evaluating factors like moisture removal, noise levels and running costs. With this information, we’ve created a list of the best eight dehumidifiers, with Meaco 20L Dehumidifier coming out on top.
The quick list
Not sure where to start in your search for the best dehumidifier? We've put together a handy overview of the options on this list, along with quick links that allow to you skip down the page to get a more detailed review.
Best dehumidifier overall
This is a brilliantly effective dehumidifier, perfect for anyone living in a medium to large-sized home. Despite this, running costs are super low – just over 6p per hour based on 28. 62p/kWh. It also comes with a free HEPA filter to purify the air.
Best mid-range dehumidifier
With its large water tank, five operation modes and simple-to-use controls, this is a great dehumidifier for those after a mid-priced model that will be suitable for medium to large homes. It is also compact given its performance.
Best compact dehumidifier
Small yet powerful, this compact dehumidifier scores points for its portability and energy efficiency. It doesn’t fall short in performance either, and our tester was impressed with how well it tackled dampness, condensation and even wet laundry.
Best dehumidifier for drying laundry
For laundry drying, this dehumidifier is not only stylish but also fast. It offers three settings for standard moisture extraction and comes with HEPA filters for cleaner air. On the downside, it’s not as cheap as some other models.
Best dehumidifier for cold rooms
Designed for spaces where temperatures are regularly lower than 15°C, this dehumidifier works very effectively and is lightweight to manoeuvre. It may be slightly pricey, but it performs well on both energy-efficient and powerful settings.
Best dehumidifier for bedrooms
Worthy of its Quiet Mark badge, this dehumidifier has a specific sleep mode which reduces the noise and turns off any lights on the display to make sleeping easy. It removed window condensation overnight and also made the room feel warmer during the day.
Best dehumidifier for garages
Ideal for cold spaces like garages, this desiccant dehumidifier works best in rooms below 10°C and can be wall-mounted to keep it out of the way. It also features a sterilising ioniser to neutralise airborne bacteria, along with the option to add wheels for extra portability.
Best smart dehumidifier
This smart dehumidifier can be connected to the Duux app and controlled from anywhere in the world via your phone. It can collect up to 20 litres per day, which can either be stored in a four-litre tank or continuously drained for convenience.
Best dehumidifier overall
The Meaco 20L Low Energy Dehumidifier/Air Purifier is designed to help control humidity levels in a house, reducing or even eliminating window condensation and, subsequently, minimising the risk of damp.
On test, we also found that it offers further benefits. It can help to dry laundry quicker and, thanks to its HEPA filter, can also purify the air – ideal for those with allergies and a great way to create a fresher-feeling indoor air environment in general.
This dehumidifier is perfect for those living in medium to large homes – spaces up to 64m² are well served by this particular model. It can also be used in unheated basements or cellars.
If you're looking for something ultra-quiet in the bedroom, we'd recommend the Meacodry Abc 12l Compressor Dehumidifier instead.
Read our full Meaco 20L Low Energy dehumidifier review for more details.
Best mid-range dehumidifier
The ProBreeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier offers a powerful and user-friendly solution to combat damp and humidity in your home, especially if you live in a listed or poorly ventilated property.
We found this appliance easy to set up and its significant water extraction (up to 20L daily) noticeably improved the air quality in the home within a matter of days. Despite a somewhat noisy operation, benefits such as laundry mode, automated humidity detection, and an economical running cost make its mid-ranged price a worthwhile investment.
Another benefit of this model is its other operating modes including strong, natural, ventilation and continuous. In addition, this dehumidifier has a safety child lock to deactivate all buttons and a sleep mode that will turn all the lights off for undisturbed sleep.
However, if you want to use your dehumidifier in a cold room, such as a garage or basement, the EcoAir DD2 Simple Desiccant Dehumidifier or Meaco DD8L Pro Desiccant Dehumidifier will be a better choice.
Read our full ProBreeze 20L Dehumidifier review for more detail.
Best compact dehumidifier
Despite being only 40cm in height, the MeacoDry Arete One 6L Compact dehumidifier packs a punch when it comes to performance. When Homebuilding’s Web Editor Amy Willis put it to the test, she was particularly impressed with how well it dried her laundry, how easily it could be moved from room to room, and how conveniently it could be placed on worktops out of the way of foot traffic.
It might have a smaller tank size than regular dehumidifiers, but you shouldn’t underestimate its power – Amy found it plenty big enough for her double-sized bedroom and helpful for tackling condensation, drying clothes and reducing humidity levels in her bathroom.
The model is quiet enough for an undisturbed night’s sleep (running at 32 dB) and comes with a free HEPA filter, allowing it to double up as an air purifier.
This dehumidifier also has excellent energy efficiency, running at 101 watts and costing around 3p per hour based on 26.35p/kWh energy pricing. When you compare it to the 12L model, which uses 151 watts, and the 25L model, which uses 67 watts, it puts into perspective how efficiently it runs considering it’s only a six-litre unit.
If you think you'll need a bigger tank size, the Meaco 20L Low Energy Dehumidifier and Air Purifier is a great alternative.
Read our full MeacoDry Arete One 6L Compact Dehumidifier review for more detail.
Best dehumidifier for drying laundry
Although the De'Longhi DEX212F 12L Tasciugo AriaDry Dehumidifier is on the more expensive side, its sleek appearance is matched by its performance when it comes to drying laundry.
Fast, surprisingly quiet and efficient at drying clothes – leaving them feeling softer than when dried on a heated airer – our tester, Sarah Harley, found that a few downsides are that it's on the heavier side (10.3kg) and doesn't have a humidity level display like some of the other models.
If you're after something more lightweight, the MeacoDry Arete One 6L Compact Dehumidifier is an excellent alternative that can also be used for laundry but weighs just 7.9kg.
However, if you live in an apartment, meaning your drying options are limited to heated airers or tumble dryers, we feel that it is definitely a purchase worth considering.
Read our full DeLonghi DEX212F 12L Tasciugo AriaDry Dehumidifier review for more detail.
Best dehumidifier for cold rooms
The EcoAir DD2 Simple Desiccant Dehumidifier is suited to colder spaces and has a powerful, yet relatively energy-efficient, wattage. With an automatic shut-off, anti-tilt safety function and a continuous drainage outlet, our tester Amy Willis believes that it's a good option if you are looking to leave it running in spaces such as garages.
Although it doesn't show humidity readings of the space you use it in, we found it to be, nonetheless, fast, efficient and light enough to move around if you're struggling with damp in a number of areas.
It's also fairly quiet to run, operating at 37-46dBa, making it suitable to use inside if your property struggles to get warm. Amy was also impressed by its "very powerful" laundry mode which extracted moisture from the air and was easy to select on the settings.
Read our full EcoAir DD2 Simple Desiccant Dehumidifier review for more detail.
Best dehumidifier for bedrooms
Specifically chosen for testing in the bedroom due to its Quiet Mark rating and sleep function, we found this dehumidifier to be suitably quiet. While initially noisy when starting up, the fan quickly reduced to a low hum, making it easy to fall asleep while it works – even for light sleepers!
If you're looking for an affordable solution to window condensation in the bedroom, this could be a great option to consider. It also made the room feel warmer and the generous 12L tank capacityDe'Longhi DEX212F 12L Tasciugo AriaDry DehumidifierDe'Longhi DEX212F 12L Tasciugo AriaDry Dehumidifier meant it was still working when our tester, Sarah Harley, woke in the morning.
There are two options for reducing humidity: continuous extraction until you turn it off (which is recommended for drying laundry), or auto switch-off, which turns off once you've reached your desired humidity level and tests the air every 30 minutes.
Read our full MeacoDry ABC 12l Dehumidifier review for more detail.
Best dehumidifier for garages
If you're looking for a solution for a cold, damp garage, the Meaco DD8L Pro Desiccant Dehumidifier comes highly recommended by Amy Willis. She put it to the test to see if it could prevent condensation, damp and mould from damaging her stored items in the garage, and was very impressed with the results.
One of her favourite things about this model – and a big reason why it's so good for garages – is that it comes with a wall mount to help keep it out of the way. This was particularly handy considering the dimensions were quite bulky, measuring 38cm x 36cm x 23cm.
It can extract up to eight litres of water per day and has a two-litre collection tank, as well as the option for continuous drainage. While it doesn't come with a hose, Amy says that you can fit a garden hose as an alternative.
The Meaco DD8L Pro can also be connected to your phone, allowing you to monitor the water tank and humidity levels remotely, which Amy found "useful but not essential".
It might be on the expensive side of dehumidifiers, but Amy says this model is "perfect for garages" and liked how you can tailor it to your space via the adjustable power settings. For something (slightly) more affordable, we also recommend the EcoAir DD2 Simple Desiccant Dehumidifier.
Read our full Meaco DD8L Pro Desiccant Dehumidifier review for more detail.
Best smart dehumidifier
There’s a lot to like about the Duux Bora 20L Dehumidifier, which features an eight-litre daily extraction, a quick-drying laundry mode and a practical, portable design. But what makes this model stand out are its advanced smart features, which let you control it remotely from your phone or voice assistant.
When Homebuilding's news editor Joseph Mullane put it to the test, he connected the dehumidifier to the Duux app, which allowed him to set up to seven schedules and track his indoor air quality. He also liked how it integrates with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for easy, hands-free control.
Smart features aside, this dehumidifier has been a “game-changer” for reducing damp in Joseph’s home, thanks to its 20-litre extraction capacity and the hygrostat, which ensures humidity levels stay perfectly monitored.
He also found this dehumidifier fantastic for drying laundry and appreciated the continuous drainage hose for easy emptying and the roller wheels that make it easy to move from room to room.
The only drawback is that it can be slightly noisy when on the highest extraction rate, so if you plan on sleeping with a dehumidifier, the MeacoDry ABC 12L Compressor Dehumidifier is a better choice.
Read our full Duux Bora 20L Dehumidifier review for more detail.
How we test the best dehumidifiers
To help you find the best dehumidifier, we researched the latest and top-rated products on the market, considering specs, price and customer reviews. After narrowing down the list, we tested the chosen products in our own home based on the following criteria:
- How easy they were to set up and use
- How effectively they extracted moisture in the air
- Whether they're worth the price tag
- How portable and user-friendly they were
- How noisy they were
Homebuilding & Renovating is not given any compensation for our reviews, but may be allowed to keep the products for long-term testing meaning we can test over a greater length of time, and update this review if required.
For more information, you can read our dedicated page on how we test products.
How to choose the best dehumidifier
Finding a dehumidifier that meets your needs and wants depends on the type of moisture that you’re trying to remove. A general rule of thumb is the larger the dehumidifier, the more powerful it’ll be.
According to Chris Michael, co-founder of Meaco, you'll need to consider the following factors:
1. Size of the property
You'll need to match the extraction rate to the size of the property:
- 6L: room only dehumidification
- 10L: suitable for a small, two-bedroom flat
- 12L: recommended for a two-bedroom house
- 20L: suitable for a three-bedroom house
- 25L: recommended for properties with more than three bedrooms
2. Moisture levels
"If the property has high moisture levels due to damp issues, a high number of occupants, or regular indoor clothes drying, it’s best to choose the next size up. A more powerful model will remove moisture faster and more effectively."
3. Room temperature
"Compressor dehumidifiers perform best in heated homes, while desiccant dehumidifiers are better suited to cooler conditions, such as in a basement, conservatory or garage. The key temperature is 15°. Below this, go for desiccant, above 15°, go for compressor."
4. Energy efficiency
"Electricity consumption is an important consideration for an appliance that may run for much of the year. Models with a built-in humidistat are recommended, as they can be set to reach a target humidity level and then switch off automatically."
5. Noise levels
Be sure to check the decibel rating before investing in a dehumidifier. Models with Quiet Mark accreditation are a good choice for places like bedrooms.
6. Quality versus low-cost models
"While cheaper models may have a lower upfront cost, they are often less energy efficient and may not last as long. A higher-quality model can offer better long-term value through lower running costs and greater durability. Indicators of quality include longer warranty length, independent media reviews, and strong consumer ratings."
Chris Michael is the founder of Meaco and has worked within the air treatment industry for over 30 years.
When won't a dehumidifier be suitable?
If your damp issue is the result of bad ventilation and lots of condensation, a dehumidifier can definitely help. That said, if damp is a persistent issue, caused by other factors concerning the structure of your home, a different and more involved solution is going to be required long term.
A dehumidifier will still help the situation but building work to fix the issue will be a better solution. Start by looking at the causes of mould in a house to help you figure out what could be the root of the problem.
If you're keen to do a little more research before making your purchase, read our guide to dehumidifier sizes and which dehumidifier is best for cold rooms.
Edited by Beth Murton.
We regularly review our buying guides to ensure the products are relevant, available and up to date. This page was last updated in February 2026 by Megan Milstead.
