Dehumidifiers · 6 models ranked
The best dehumidifiers for damp, condensation and drying laundry in UK homes
Six dehumidifiers for British homes, scored on what they extract in a normal heated room, what they cost to run at today's tariffs, how loud they are at night and how well they dry washing indoors.
Independent assessment. No brand paid to appear here, saw this page before publication, or can buy a better score. Independence
The short answer
- Best for most homes: the MeacoDry Arete Two 20L. Strong extraction for about 5p an hour, quiet, and a proper laundry mode.
- Best value: the Pro Breeze OmniDry 20L. Close to the Meaco's extraction for less money, measured at about 7p an hour.
- For cold rooms, garages and conservatories choose a desiccant model: the Meaco DD8L Pro or the cheaper EcoAir DD1 Simple.
- Only drying the odd load in a small flat? The Devola 12L does the job for around £120.
The shortlist
MeacoDry Arete Two 20L
The most efficient all-rounder: strong extraction, low running cost and quiet at night.
Pro Breeze OmniDry 20L
Most of the Meaco's performance for £120 less, with a running cost that matched its claim in testing.
De'Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Multi 16L
Well made and quiet, but the small tank and price hold it back.
The full ranking
| Rank | Model | Score | Price | Type | Extraction (max) | Tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MeacoDry Arete Two 20L | 9.0 | £299.99 | Compressor | 20 L/day | 4.8 L |
| 2 | Pro Breeze OmniDry 20L | 8.8 | £179.99 | Compressor | 20 L/day | 4 L |
| 3 | De'Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Multi 16L | 8.3 | £229 | Compressor | 16 L/day | 2.1 L |
| 4 |  Devola 12L Compressor | 8.2 | £119 | Compressor | 12 L/day | 2 L |
| 5 |  Meaco DD8L Pro | 8.1 | £259.99 | Desiccant | About 8 L/day | 2 L |
| 6 |  EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 | 8.1 | £169 | Desiccant | 7.5 L/day | 2 L |
Prices checked on 12 September 2026 at UK retailers and rounded. Prices move often; a price change alone never changes a score.
How we compared them
We read independent lab tests that measure extraction at room temperature and cost per litre, reviewers' own power measurements, the manufacturers' specifications and thousands of UK owner reviews. Running costs are based on the current Ofgem price cap of around 26p per kWh.
Each dehumidifier was scored out of 10 on the five criteria below. Extraction is judged at realistic conditions, because the headline litres-per-day figure is measured at 30°C and 80% humidity, which few British homes ever reach.
What counts, and how much
- Extraction30%
Water removed at realistic conditions (around 20°C, 60% humidity), not the maximum on the box.
- Running cost25%
Measured power draw and cost per hour at current UK tariffs.
- Noise15%
How loud it is on the setting you would use overnight.
- Laundry and features15%
Laundry mode, humidistat, timer, tank size and continuous drainage.
- Value15%
What the typical UK price buys compared with the rest of the field.
Model by model
MeacoDry Arete Two 20L
Council's choice- Extraction9.2
- Running cost9.4
- Noise8.8
- Laundry and features9.0
- Value8.2
The most efficient all-rounder: strong extraction, low running cost and quiet at night.
Meaco's Arete Two is the dehumidifier British testers keep coming back to, and the numbers explain why. It draws around 216 W in normal conditions, so running it for hours a day through winter costs pennies, and its extraction in a heated room is among the best we read.
It is also pleasant to live with. It is quiet enough for a bedroom, the humidistat switches it off once the room is dry, and the laundry mode is one of the cheapest ways to dry clothes indoors.
What's good
- Around 5p an hour at typical settings in independent measurements
- Laundry mode dries a load for well under 50p
- Quiet enough for a bedroom
- Large 4.8 L tank
Watch out for
- Among the dearer compressor models
- Like all compressor units, weaker below about 10°C
Key specifications
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction (max)
- 20 L/day
- Tank
- 4.8 L
- Power
- About 216 W at 20°C, 60% RH
- Noise
- 38 to 40 dB(A)
- Drainage
- Continuous hose option
Best for: Heated homes with condensation or mould, and anyone drying laundry indoors through winter.
Typical price
£299.99
Sold at: Meaco, Argos, John Lewis
Pro Breeze OmniDry 20L
Best value- Extraction8.8
- Running cost8.8
- Noise8.6
- Laundry and features8.4
- Value9.2
Most of the Meaco's performance for £120 less, with a running cost that matched its claim in testing.
The OmniDry 20L was one of the best-value dehumidifiers in the tests we read. A reviewer's energy monitor matched Pro Breeze's own figure of about 7p an hour, which is rare in this category.
It is a touch less efficient and less polished than the Meaco, but for most houses with a condensation problem it will do the same job for a lot less money.
What's good
- Measured running cost of about 7p an hour matched the claim
- Quiet mode for bedrooms
- Strong extraction for the price
Watch out for
- Slightly smaller tank than the Meaco
- Laundry mode less refined
Key specifications
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction (max)
- 20 L/day
- Tank
- 4 L
- Power
- About 270 W
- Noise
- 36 dB(A) quiet mode
- Drainage
- Continuous hose option
Best for: Anyone who wants 20-litre performance on a tighter budget.
Typical price
£179.99
Sold at: Amazon, B&Q, Pro Breeze
De'Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Multi 16L
- Extraction8.0
- Running cost8.6
- Noise8.6
- Laundry and features8.8
- Value7.4
Well made and quiet, but the small tank and price hold it back.
De'Longhi's AriaDry Multi is a tidy, quiet compressor dehumidifier that dries laundry well. Its weakness is the 2.1-litre tank, which fills quickly in a damp house unless you run a hose.
At its usual price, the Pro Breeze offers more extraction for less money.
What's good
- Good laundry drying for its size
- Quiet
- Solid build
Watch out for
- Small 2.1 L tank
- Pricier than the Pro Breeze for less extraction
Key specifications
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction (max)
- 16 L/day
- Tank
- 2.1 L
- Power
- About 300 W
- Noise
- Up to 40 dB(A)
- Drainage
- Continuous option
Best for: Smaller homes that want a quiet unit mainly for laundry.
Typical price
£229
Model DEX216F
Sold at: Amazon, Argos, De'Longhi
Devola 12L Compressor
Best budget- Extraction7.4
- Running cost9.0
- Noise8.8
- Laundry and features7.4
- Value8.8
A cheap, quiet compressor unit that covers a flat or a couple of rooms.
For a one or two-bed flat with mild condensation, you do not need 20 litres a day. The Devola 12L draws about 185 W, runs quietly and costs around £120.
It will struggle to keep a whole damp house in check, and its tank fills fast when drying laundry.
What's good
- Low power draw
- Quiet
- 24-hour timer
Watch out for
- Too small for a damp house
- Small tank
Key specifications
- Type
- Compressor
- Extraction (max)
- 12 L/day
- Tank
- 2 L
- Power
- About 185 W
- Noise
- 36 dB(A)
- Drainage
- Continuous option
Best for: Flats and single rooms with mild condensation.
Typical price
£119
Sold at: Devola, Amazon
Meaco DD8L Pro
Best for cold rooms- Extraction8.6
- Running cost7.2
- Noise7.8
- Laundry and features9.2
- Value8.0
A desiccant that keeps working in unheated spaces and dries laundry fast, at a higher running cost.
Desiccant dehumidifiers pull water from the air with an absorbent wheel and a heater rather than a cold coil. That makes them the right choice for garages, conservatories and draughty rooms where a compressor unit stalls.
The DD8L Pro is the best of them in the tests we read, and its laundry mode is fast. It costs more to run, about 7p an hour normally and up to 18p in laundry mode, so it makes less sense in a warm, heated house.
What's good
- Works from low single-digit temperatures, unlike compressor models
- Laundry mode dried a full rack in about four and a half hours in one test
- Compact and light
Watch out for
- Uses more power than compressor models, especially in laundry mode
- Small tank
Key specifications
- Type
- Desiccant
- Extraction (max)
- About 8 L/day
- Tank
- 2 L
- Power
- About 250 W normal, 665 W laundry
- Noise
- 39 to 48 dB(A)
- Drainage
- Continuous option, hose not included
Best for: Cold rooms, garages, caravans and fast laundry drying.
Typical price
£259.99
Sold at: Argos, Meaco, Amazon
EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3
- Extraction8.0
- Running cost7.4
- Noise8.8
- Laundry and features8.2
- Value8.6
The quiet, cheaper desiccant, with a three-year guarantee.
The DD1 Simple does what the Meaco desiccant does for about £90 less. Its extraction is a little lower, but at 34 dB on its quiet setting it is the one to choose for a cold bedroom.
Running costs depend heavily on the mode: roughly 7p an hour on economy, twice that on turbo.
What's good
- Quietest model in this comparison at its lowest setting
- Three-year guarantee
- Hose for continuous drainage included
Watch out for
- No timer
- Small tank needs frequent emptying without the hose
Key specifications
- Type
- Desiccant
- Extraction (max)
- 7.5 L/day
- Tank
- 2 L
- Power
- About 300 W economy, 580 W turbo
- Noise
- 34 dB(A) quietest setting
- Drainage
- Continuous hose included
Best for: Cold bedrooms and home offices where noise matters.
Typical price
£169
Sold at: Amazon, Peter Tyson, EcoAir
Before you buy
Compressor or desiccant?
Compressor dehumidifiers are the most efficient in a heated home above about 15°C. Desiccant models keep working in cold spaces and add a little heat, but use more electricity. Most houses need a compressor model; garages, conservatories and unheated rooms need a desiccant.
Ignore the headline litres
A '20 litre' dehumidifier removes 20 litres a day only at 30°C and 80% humidity. In a typical British room at 20°C and 60% humidity, expect roughly 8 to 10 litres. Compare models at the same conditions where you can.
Running costs
At about 26p per kWh, a 200 W compressor unit costs around 5p an hour. A desiccant on its laundry setting can cost 15p to 20p an hour, which is still cheaper than most tumble dryers.
- Set the humidistat to about 50% to 55% so it switches itself off
- Use a hose into a drain if the room is very damp
- Keep it away from walls and curtains so air can circulate
Questions readers ask
What size dehumidifier do I need?
For a flat or a couple of rooms, 10 to 12 litres a day is enough. For a three-bedroom house with condensation, choose 20 litres. The bigger unit also runs less often to reach the same humidity.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run in the UK?
Most compressor models cost between 5p and 8p an hour at current tariffs. Desiccant models cost roughly 7p to 18p an hour depending on the mode.
Will a dehumidifier stop mould?
It removes the moisture mould needs, so it prevents new growth. Existing mould still needs cleaning, and persistent damp can signal a leak or ventilation problem worth checking.
Can I dry clothes with a dehumidifier?
Yes, and it is usually cheaper than a tumble dryer. Put it in a small closed room with the washing, on laundry mode. The Meaco Arete Two and DD8L Pro dried loads quickest in the tests we read.
What humidity should my home be?
Between about 40% and 60%. Above 60% for long periods encourages mould and dust mites.
What we drew on
Independent tests, retailer listings and owner reviews read for this comparison.
More comparisons
All comparisons →
Cordless vacuumsBest Cordless Vacuum Cleaner UK 2026: 8 Tested in a Real House
Vekto Stick
Updated 19 September 2026
Air fryersThe best air fryers in the UK for real family cooking
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
Updated 15 September 2026
Robot vacuumsThe best robot vacuums for UK homes, from £170 to £600
eufy X10 Pro Omni
Updated 14 September 2026