When wet weather hits, it’s important to ensure your home is well-prepared for any resulting dampness, which can result in mould growth and general property damage. One appliance that will help you tackle indoor humidity in extreme weather conditions is a dehumidifier.
There are two types of dehumidifiers available in stores: desiccant dehumidifiers and compressor humidifiers. Colin Jones, category expert at Appliances Online says selecting the best dehumidifier will depend on your home and the climate you live in.
Here, we run through the different types of dehumidifiers, find out whether dehumidifiers can get rid of mould, and round up seven of the best machines to prevent dampness from wreaking havoc in your home.
2024’s TOP DEHUMIDIFIERS
- Delonghi Tasciguo Aria Dry, $639, David Jones
- Breville The Smart Dry Plus dehumidifier, $429, The Good Guys
- Ionmax desiccant dehumidifier, $456, Appliances Online
The best dehumidifiers 2024
Delonghi Tasciugo Aria Dry 21L dehumidifier
$599, Amazon
Best for: A hard-working dehumidifier you can control with your phone
Crisp air is at the touch of a button with this dehumidifier by Delonghi. Removing up to 21-litres of excess moisture from the air and efficiently removing bacteria and odour within your home, a comfortable abode for the cooler seasons is most definitely on the cards. Plus, you can connect it to the brand’s dedicated Aria Dry app to control various functions and settings to suit your needs.
Key features:
- Can remove up to 21-litres of excess moisture from the air per day.
- Helps to eliminate odours, bacteria and allergens
- Can be integrated with Apple home and connect to Wi-Fi.
IW25-5 in wall dehumidifier
$3499, IXL Appliances
Best for: managing indoor humidity
Unlike portable dehumidifiers, this unit from IXL Appliances is plumbed directly into your wall. This means you won’t need to empty a moisture tray, ensuring a fuss-free solution to your home. This wall dehumidifier is perfect for those who are in the middle of renovating their home.
Key features:
- Built-in design
- Fuss-free dehumidifying solution
- Operation adjusts automatically depending on humidity levels
Breville The Smart Dry Plus dehumidifier
$499, The Good Guys
Best for: Removing excess moisture from large spaces
Fitted with a two-stage filtration system featuring carbon filters, The Smart Dry Plus dehumidifier by Breville eliminates not only moisture within the air but also smoke and unpleasant odours. Plus, with Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatibility, this model will fit seamlessly into any modern smart home.
Key features:
- Can cover a room of up to 50sqm
- ‘Laundry mode’ can even help you dry laundry indoors quicker on a rainy day
- Sleek compact build
Ionmax desiccant dehumidifier
$350.83, Amazon
Best for: Quiet dehumidifier
Eliminate musty odours and prevent mould or mildew growth on wet and muggy days with this handy dehumidifier from Ionmax. With seven litres of moisture extraction capacity and easy-to-use controls at the top of the unit, keeping your home fresh is a breeze.
Key features:
- Can remove up to 7L of moisture per day
- Purifies air with silver nano technology
- 2-year manufacturers warranty
Ausclimate Cool Seasons Premium 10L desiccant dehumidifier
$462, Appliances Online
Best for: Sensitive Choice approved
Made for the tricky Aussie climate, this high-powered yet lightweight and compact unit is a dehumidifier and a dryer all in one. Using state-of-the-art desiccant technology, the Cool Seasons dehumidifier removes moisture from the air in temperatures as low as 1°C.
Key features:
- HIgh-powered yet lightweight and compact design
- 12-hour automatic timer function
- Continuous drainage means there’s no need to manually empty the reservoir
Pursonic Smart Touch X3 dehumidifier
$69.95 (usually $149), Myer
Best for: Keeping moisture at bay in wardrobes and small rooms
Perfect for the home office or study rooms, this compact unit from Pursonic uses thermo-electric technology to cool your home. Plus, its slimline design means you can tuck it away easily when you’re not using it.
Key features:
- Small and portable
- Great for preventing mildew on clothing
- 12-month manufacturer warranty
Pursonic Smart Touch X3 dehumidifier
$131.99, Amazon
Best for: Ultra-quiet technology
This dehumidifier from Amazon is portable and easy to use for small to medium-sized rooms. Plus, it’s also great for ensuites to ensure the moisture from your bathroom doesn’t linger too long into the bedroom after a shower.
Key features:
- Noise levels fall below 33dB
- Auto shut-off feature
- Integrated handle makes carrying the unit from room to room a breeze
Compressor vs desiccant dehumidifiers
“Compressor dehumidifiers, also known as refrigerant dehumidifiers, draw air in, cool it to condense water into a water tank, reheat it, then expel the warmer air back into the room. This makes them ideal for warmer areas,” says Colin.
Desiccant dehumidifiers, on the other hand, “use a wheel to absorb moisture from the humid air, while an internal heater heats the damp sections to condense the water into a tank. Since they don’t utilise a compressor, desiccant dehumidifiers often have a lower noise level when compared to other models.
Do dehumidifiers get rid of mould?
Dehumidifiers can purify the air and remove excess moisture that can lead to mould growth, but they won’t get rid of the mould itself, says Dee Carter, professor in microbiology at the University of Sydney. “They are a treatment but not a cure. But they are good for times when there is uncharacteristic mould growth.”
Signs you need a dehumidifier
“There are several signs that high humidity levels are having an impact on your home,” says Colin. “You’re likely to find water stains on your walls or windows, smell a musty scent in a specific area, and find small amounts of mould beginning to appear. You may also notice windows beginning to look foggy.”
Choosing a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers come in various shapes and sizes. Portable or mini versions are great for smaller rooms, while larger units are perfect for the lounge. Nonetheless, a dehumidifier works to control a room’s, well, humidity by removing excess moisture in the air. And, by doing so, it also helps eliminate odours, prevents mould growth and ultimately makes your home more comfortable to live in.
Like a breath of fresh air for your home, these are the best dehumidifiers you need on your radar for the wet and muggy season ahead.
This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.
