Best Dehumidifiers UK (2026)
Damp, condensation and slow-drying laundry are a fact of UK autumns and winters, and a dehumidifier is one of the most effective fixes. This guide compares models tested in real homes by Mumsnet and Expert Reviews so you can match the type and capacity to your rooms.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Meaco MeacoDry Arete One
Best overall (Mumsnet)
Mumsnet has tested 20 dehumidifiers in real homes and this remains its best overall. Its tester found it efficient, quiet and easy to wheel between rooms, and it doubles as an air purifier with a laundry mode and a five-year warranty. 10, 20 and 25L versions also exist.
- Dehumidifier and air purifier in one
- Efficient, quiet and effective
- Laundry mode
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaco MeacoDry Arete One | Best overall (Mumsnet) | 12L/day, 34-40dB, HEPA filter | Check price |
| Meaco Arete Two 20L | Best overall (Expert Reviews) | 20L/day, 4.8L tank, compressor | Check price |
| ProBreeze PB-08 20L | Best budget for laundry | 20L/day, 5.5L tank, compressor | Check price |
| Swan ActivAir SH16810N | Best for ease of use | 20L/day, 4L tank, compressor | Check price |
| Princess 368120 Smart Dehumidifier | Best smart features | 20L/day, app control | Check price |
| De'Longhi AriaDry Multi | Best for style | 16L/day, 2.1L tank, compressor | Check price |
| VonHaus 12L Dehumidifier | Best for small rooms | 12L/day, 2L tank, quietest | Check price |
| Meaco DD8L Zambezi | Best desiccant for cold rooms | 7.5L/day, desiccant, low noise | Check price |
| VonHaus Slimline 10L Dehumidifier | Best budget (Mumsnet) | 10L/day, 1.6L tank, 27cm wide | Check price |
| Meaco DD8L Pro Desiccant Dehumidifier | Best for drying laundry (Mumsnet) | 8L/day, 2L tank, desiccant, app control | Check price |
| Wood's MRD25GW 25L | Best for very large capacity | 25L/day, 3.8L tank | Check price |
| EcoAir Piccola Desiccant Dehumidifier | Best small dehumidifier (Mumsnet) | 5L/day, desiccant, wall-mountable | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall (Mumsnet)
Meaco MeacoDry Arete One
Mumsnet has tested 20 dehumidifiers in real homes and this remains its best overall. Its tester found it efficient, quiet and easy to wheel between rooms, and it doubles as an air purifier with a laundry mode and a five-year warranty. 10, 20 and 25L versions also exist.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 12L/day (10, 20 and 25L models available)
- Tank
- 2.5L
- Noise
- 34-40dB
- Room size
- 50m2
- Weight
- 10.9kg
- Power
- 151W, about 5p/hour (Mumsnet estimate)
- Warranty
- 5 years
Pros
- Dehumidifier and air purifier in one
- Efficient, quiet and effective
- Laundry mode
- Sleep mode
- HEPA filter
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Frequently sells out
Best overall (Expert Reviews)
Meaco Arete Two 20L
Expert Reviews' best dehumidifier overall: quiet for its power, efficient at drying laundry and energy efficient, though it found some app functions unintuitive. Mumsnet separately tested the smaller 12L version (2.5L tank, 35dB, QuietMark certified) and names it its best smart dehumidifier, praising the app and smart home control but calling it expensive.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 20L/day (12L version tested by Mumsnet)
- Tank
- 4.8L (2.5L on the 12L version)
- Max noise
- 50dB
- Weight
- 15kg
Pros
- Quiet yet powerful
- Efficient laundry drying
- Energy efficient
Cons
- App interface is not intuitive
- Scheduling features are hard to find
Best budget for laundry
ProBreeze PB-08 20L
A cheaper alternative to the Arete Two with a larger tank and an excellent laundry mode, at the cost of higher power use and more noise.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 20L/day
- Tank
- 5.5L
- Max noise
- 47dB
- Power
- Peaks at 284W
Pros
- Cheaper than the Arete Two
- Larger tank
- Excellent laundry mode
Cons
- Higher power consumption
- Louder in use
Best for ease of use
Swan ActivAir SH16810N
A minimalist, affordable compressor model with simple set-and-forget controls, at the cost of a small tank and limited features.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 20L/day
- Tank
- 4L
- Noise
- 45-49dB
Pros
- Set-and-forget simplicity
- Minimalist design
- Affordable
Cons
- Small tank
- Limited features
- Moderate noise
Best smart features
Princess 368120 Smart Dehumidifier
A compressor model with smartphone control and scheduling that copes with larger spaces, though it removes moisture more slowly than the best rivals.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 20L/day
- Tank
- 3.7L
- Noise
- 46-51dB
- Control
- App and scheduling
Pros
- Smartphone control
- Scheduling
- Handles larger spaces
Cons
- Slower moisture removal
- Moderate noise
Best for style
De'Longhi AriaDry Multi
A stylish compressor unit that removes moisture effectively and has an easy-to-empty tank, though it is noisy and the small tank needs frequent emptying.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 16L/day
- Tank
- 2.1L
- Max noise
- 50dB
Pros
- Stylish design
- Effective moisture removal
- Easy tank emptying
Cons
- Noisy
- Tank needs frequent emptying
Best for small rooms
VonHaus 12L Dehumidifier
Expert Reviews calls it the least obtrusive and quietest option it tested. It is portable and easy to use, but the small tank means frequent emptying.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 12L/day
- Tank
- 2L
- Max noise
- 39dB
Pros
- Quietest of the group
- Easy to use
- Portable
Cons
- Small tank needs frequent emptying
- Limited for larger areas
Best desiccant for cold rooms
Meaco DD8L Zambezi
A low-noise desiccant model that keeps working in cold temperatures and has an excellent laundry mode, though its peak power draw is high.
- Type
- Desiccant
- Extraction
- 7.5L/day
- Tank
- 3L
- Noise
- 39-44dB
Pros
- Low noise
- Excellent laundry mode
- Works in cold temperatures
Cons
- High peak power consumption (600W+)
- Controls take some adjustment
Best budget (Mumsnet)
VonHaus Slimline 10L Dehumidifier
Mumsnet's best budget pick. Its tester found the laundry mode halved the drying time of a 6kg load, from 16 hours to eight, and the castors made it easy to move, but the small tank needed emptying mid-load and it was audible even in sleep mode.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 10L/day
- Tank
- 1.6L
- Noise
- 30-44dB
- Room size
- 15m2
- Weight
- 7.8kg
- Power
- 210W, about 5.5p/hour (Mumsnet estimate)
- Warranty
- 2 years
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact size for small rooms
- Intelligent auto mode
- Portable between rooms
- Laundry mode speeds up indoor drying
Cons
- Small tank needed emptying mid-load
- Occasional drips from the drainage opening
- Noticeable noise, even in sleep mode
Best for drying laundry (Mumsnet)
Meaco DD8L Pro Desiccant Dehumidifier
Mumsnet's pick for drying laundry. Paired with a pedestal fan it cut drying time by hours in testing, and it adds night mode, a smart energy mode and app control. As a desiccant model it costs more to run than a compressor and is fairly noisy on full power.
- Type
- Desiccant
- Extraction
- 8L/day
- Tank
- 2L
- Noise
- 40-47dB
- Weight
- 8.7kg
- Power
- 231-623W, about 6-16p/hour (Mumsnet estimate)
- Warranty
- 3 years
Pros
- Very efficient laundry mode
- App compatible
- Smart energy mode
- Night mode
- Easy to empty water tank
- Easy to move around the house
Cons
- Could be quieter
- Not as economical to run as a compressor model
Best for very large capacity
Wood's MRD25GW 25L
Mumsnet's best 25L dehumidifier: a high-capacity model it describes as fast and efficient, with a large tank, wheels and an intuitive app, though there is no night mode or remote control.
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction
- 25L/day
- Tank
- 3.8L
- Noise
- 48dB
- Room size
- 120m2
- Power
- 410W, about 10p/hour (Mumsnet estimate)
Pros
- Fast and efficient
- Easy to empty
- Large tank
- Wheeled
- App available
Cons
- Heavy
- Noisier than smaller models
Best small dehumidifier (Mumsnet)
EcoAir Piccola Desiccant Dehumidifier
A compact, quiet desiccant unit that works at low temperatures and can be wall-mounted, though it is expensive for its size and has no laundry mode.
- Type
- Desiccant
- Extraction
- 5L/day
- Tank
- 1.5L
- Noise
- 31-47dB
- Room size
- 45m2
- Power
- 200W, about 5p/hour (Mumsnet estimate)
Pros
- Compact
- Wall-mountable
- Powerful and effective
- Simple controls
- Works at low temperatures
- Quiet
Cons
- Expensive for its size
Buying guide
Compressor or desiccant dehumidifier?
Compressor models are generally cheaper to run in heated rooms. Desiccant models keep working in cold spaces, such as garages, conservatories and unheated rooms, where compressors become less effective, but they tend to use more power.
What size dehumidifier do I need?
Extraction rate (litres per day) is a rough capacity guide. Models in the 10-12L range suit a bedroom or small flat, while 20L models suit whole-house damp and drying large loads of laundry.
What humidity level should I aim for?
Many manufacturers suggest keeping indoor humidity roughly between 40% and 60%. A cheap hygrometer helps you see whether the dehumidifier is working.
Will a dehumidifier get rid of mould?
It reduces the damp that mould needs to grow, but it will not remove mould that is already there. Clean existing mould and fix leaks or ventilation problems at the source.
Sources
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