Dehumidifiers are popular, and it’s for good reason – these handy appliances are not only energy efficient but can significantly improve your home environment. The appliances prevent mould and mildew, which not only cause health issues but can also damage your belongings and, if left untreated, even harm your home’s structure.
Dehumidifiers manage the humidity levels in your home, which is crucial for a comfortable and healthy living environment. If you don’t tackle excess moisture, it can lead to numerous issues, from mould growth to musty odours.
But how do dehumidifiers actually work? Well, the devices draw in air and pass it over a cooling coil to condense moisture into droplets, which are then collected in a water tank. A dehumidifier will then release warm, dry air back into the room.
Some models go beyond this basic function, too, featuring additional benefits such as laundry modes (helping damp clothes dry faster) or filters to remove irritants and allergens, for better air quality.
If this sounds like the solution you’ve been looking for, you’ll be pleased to know we’ve already done the legwork when it comes to finding the best dehumidifiers currently available. All you have to do is keep scrolling...
How we tested
We evaluated a range of dehumidifiers, by running them continuously in various spaces and conditions throughout our home, including during laundry drying sessions and while cooking.
Each dehumidifier was tested for at least three days. We monitored energy costs, noise levels, and overall performance. Key questions we addressed included: did the devices effectively reduce room moisture? Did they successfully eliminate stale odours? And, crucially, did they dry clothes on the airer without leaving a lingering damp smell?
Energy consumption was also a key consideration. The higher the wattage, the more it’ll cost to run per hour. Money-saving expert Martin Lewis says that a dehumidifier with a wattage of 200W will cost about 7p an hour to run. Read on to discover the models that impressed us most.
Why you can trust us
Rachael Penn has been testing products and writing reviews for IndyBest since 2021. With her specialist expertise in tech, gadgets and appliances, she’s written about everything from microwaves to vacuums. When it comes to dehumidifiers, she put her tech knowledge to use when thoroughly testing each model for efficiency and special features. Rachael’s reviews are honest and realistic, to help you make the best purchase for your home.
The best dehumidifiers for 2024 are:
Duux bora smart dehumidifier
This dehumidifier can extract up to 20l of water in a 24-hour period, making it ideal for homes with severe humidity issues. Its generous 4l tank means less frequent emptying and an auto-shut-off feature prevents overflow. A handy window on the tank enables you to monitor water levels easily, however, while the tank has a handle for easier carrying when emptying, removing the lid can be a bit fiddly, as it slots over the handle. The unit features a self-cleaning function, ensuring mould and bacteria are not only removed from the air but also kept at bay within the device itself.
Finding your ideal humidity levels is easy – you can set the desired humidity level between 40 to 90 per cent manually or use the auto setting to stabilise humidity, without the guesswork. We love that this dehumidifier can be operated via a smart app or the control panel on top of the machine and, either way, it is easy and intuitive to use.
The appliance includes a carbon fibre filter to help reduce odours, which proved especially useful when testing in the kitchen after cooking and in the bedroom, leaving the air noticeably fresher. The unit is quite noisy, so, you might not want to run it in the same room where you’re relaxing. However, its sleek, white design means it will blend seamlessly into any room.
Buy now £249.00, Amazon.co.uk
Blyss curve moisture trap dehumidifier
If you have pools of water around your windows in the mornings, the Blyss curve moisture trap can help. This reusable dehumidifier doesn’t run on any electricity, so, you can place it where you like, and it will still collect a lot of moisture from the air.
We tested it by leaving it next to our old double-glazed windows, which are prone to condensation, and also in the bathroom, and we were shocked by how much water it collected in a short space of time. It has a tray capacity of 900ml, and the clear design means you can see when the water needs to be emptied.
There’s also a safety feature designed into the lid, so children’s fingers won’t get caught if they investigate it. The filter will need to be changed – how often will depend on how much moisture it pulls from the air, but you’ll see when the change needs to happen. The refills can be bought scented or unscented. It’s also super energy efficient, as it doesn’t use electricity to run.
Buy now £7.50, Diy.com
MeacoDry Arete Two 12l dehumidifier and air purifier
Leading British air treatment company Meaco has launched its latest arete dehumidifier, and it’s one of the smartest, most energy-efficient dehumidifiers we’ve tested. Costing just 3p an hour to run, it has one of the cheapest running costs and doesn’t crimp on features, working great at pulling moisture out of the air.
Stylish and easy to move around, the arete two boasts a new touch-enabled LCD chase display that details the current humidity level and the target humidity level. And because it’s wifi-compatible, we could connect it to the new Meaco app to turn it on and off, set timers, start the laundry mode and more. We even set it up with our Amazon Echo, letting us ask Alexa to switch the dehumidifier on without getting anywhere near it.
It’s really quick to pull moisture out of the air, has lots of fan speeds, and the laundry mode dried our clothes fast, without any damp smell lingering on our garments. It runs the unit at 35 per cent humidity and then, after six hours, switches the compressor off at 40 per cent, while continuing to keep the fan running, which helps keep energy costs down.
Plus, it’s whisper quiet, we only really heard it when we had the laundry mode turned on, otherwise, it just worked away in the background with the appliance using the humidity sensor to increase and decrease the fan speed, switching off whenever the tank was full.
Like the first-generation model, the arete two doubles up as an air purifier, boasting a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter to help filter out dust, allergens and pet dander, meaning we didn’t have to buy two bulky appliances when the Arete could do all our air treatment needs in one go. We could have it running as just an air purifier in the summer, and both a dehumidifier and air purifier in the winter months. Genius.
Buy now £199.99, Amazon.co.uk
Honeywell TP-FIT 12l
This dehumidifier proves that good things do come in small packages. The compact unit packs a surprising punch, collecting up to 12l of water over 24 hours, with a generously sized 2.5l tank. It offers continuous draining but you’ll need level access to a drain, as the included tube is quite short – you can always purchase a longer one if needed.
One standout feature is the washable dust filter, helping to keep your space dust-free and fresh, making this a great choice for anyone who suffers from allergies. Energy efficiency is another plus, with the device costing as little as 5p per hour to run. While it includes excellent features such as a clothes drying mode, its compact size means it may not handle a full clothes horse of laundry as effectively as larger units.
The 24-hour timer and automatic settings for all weather conditions eliminate the need to guess optimal humidity levels, meanwhile. This dehumidifier performed well in all areas – excelling particularly in smaller spaces such as kitchens and home offices. The only significant drawback is its noise level – it’s quite loud, even on lower settings, so, it’s best to run it when you’re not trying to concentrate. Despite this, considering its size and stature, it does a fantastic job at removing excess moisture.
Buy now £144.00, Amazon.co.uk
Zanussi 18l dehumidifier, ZDH1802
Ideal for small to medium-sized spaces, up to 42 square metres, this dehumidifier has a daily capacity of 18.5l and works quickly to remove excess moisture. It features three modes: continuous, turbo, and laundry. The dedicated laundry mode impressed us, significantly speeding up drying time for a full clothes horse of washing. While the 2.5l water tank is somewhat small, given its collection capacity, there’s a continuous drainage feature for areas with high humidity levels. However, be aware that, if you’re routing this water into a drain, you won’t be alerted when your bucket becomes full.
Moving the appliance between rooms is easy, thanks to its manageable weight and integrated carry handles, which feel solid and durable. It has two fan speeds, with the higher speed tackling problem areas and condensation during cooking effectively, although, it does produce cold air and cause the machine to judder slightly. An auto defrost and restart function enables use in colder areas such as outhouses, conservatories, and garages during winter months, too.
Buy now £154.11, Amazon.co.uk
Daewoo 12l dehumidifer
A must-have for any home or office battling high humidity, this sleek, compact model collects 12l per day. While it only has a 2l water tank, its self-evaporative system recycles collected moisture, reducing the need for frequent emptying. This feature proved highly effective, bringing humidity in our test home down from 70 per cent to 40 per cent, without constant tank emptying.
What truly sets this dehumidifier apart, though, is its air-purifying capability, making it ideal for allergy sufferers, by controlling humidity levels and enhancing air quality. The user-friendly control panel on top of the unit features LED lights to indicate selected settings. For safety, it includes an auto-shut off system, and you can schedule it to run at any time over a 24-hour period. It also excelled at speeding up laundry drying, particularly on full fan setting – a clothes horse full of laundry dried within 24 hours.
Buy now £109.00, Currys.co.uk
Meaco dry ABC dehumidifier
Meaco’s ABC dehumidifiers are the company’s entry-level budget line, but that doesn’t mean they’re rubbish. Quite the contrary. A tiny, lightweight machine, the 10l Meaco ABC is a compressor dehumidifier that’s easy to pick up and move around from room to room.
The controls are really easy to use – there are only five buttons. There’s the power button, a laundry button, a timer button, a fan button (which doubles up as a child lock button) and a humidistat button. Pressing the laundry button makes the machine run for six hours before stopping – that was enough time to air dry our clothes in the winter, without any awful musky damp smell.
For those who want the device to run until the humidity reaches a specific level in your room, the humidistat is really easy to program. It’s a quiet machine that Meaco estimates costs only 4p an hour to run, and because it doesn’t have a massive water tank, it’s perfect for flats. We even used it to clear up the damp from a leaking roof, as well as take the humidity out of the flat in the summer. A super affordable and reliable machine.
Read our full Meaco dry ABC dehumidifier review
Buy now £149.99, Amazon.co.uk
De'Longhi DEX212F dehumidifier
A mid-priced dehumidifier that works well in small to medium-sized rooms, this model has a sleek, modern design that means you can plonk it in any room without it looking out of place. At 11.3kg, it’s quite weighty, so feels strong and robust despite being made from plastic. However, if you need to move it around, the design features a built-in handle, making it far less of a chore.
It comes with a range of simple controls, making it easy to operate. Our favourite, of course, is the laundry mode, which adjusts the fan speed and power. It did a great job of helping to speed up the amount of time it took for our clothes to dry, which is super handy in the winter months when the washing line is out of action.
You can set the humidity manually to 40 per cent, 50 per cent or 60 per cent. We found setting it at around 40 per cent would remove most moisture from the air, making it ideal if you’re using it in the kitchen to battle condensation or if you have a particularly damp space.
The unit can remove up to 14l of moisture per day, which makes the 2.1l water tank feel a bit small, so if you have a lot of excess moisture in the air, you will be emptying the tank on a regular basis. There is an option to let it run continuously, and it does come with an extra-long hose, but you will need access to a floor drain for this function. A word of warning, too: if you do use the continuous drain function, the automatic shut-off won’t work, so make sure to unplug the hose if you bring it back inside.
Noise-wise, this is one of our favourite dehumidifiers. When it’s on the lowest setting, it’s so quiet, you wouldn’t even know it was running. This means it won’t be too loud if you want to use it in your bedroom or living space. It does throw out some noise when it’s on the highest setting, but it’s not disruptive.
When in use, the air feels cleaner, thanks to double-filtration technology. This is good news for anyone with allergies, as it will remove airborne irritants such as pollen, mould spores, pet dander and even odours.
Buy now £221.66, Amazon.co.uk
Midea DF 20l portable dehumidifier MDDF-20DEN7
This dehumidifier is suitable for small to medium-sized rooms. It’s quiet, so you can use it in family areas and not be disturbed. One thing we really love is the inclusion of a timer, so, when it’s running in the bedroom, it can be timed to switch off just before bedtime and then start back up again in the morning.
It’s also easy to empty and has a built-in ioniser and HEPA filter, to make sure that it pumps out fresh, clean air. The filter can also be easily removed for cleaning.
It isn’t a light machine, weighing around 15kg, but it does have castors, so pushing it from room to room isn’t an issue. The generous 2l tank has a level indicator, so you can keep an eye on when it needs to be emptied, but it’s not a problem if you forget, as it has an alarm for when the water tank is full, and it will shut down automatically when it has reached the limit.
We tested the laundry function, using it to dry a range of clothing – from light pillowcases to thick denim – and found it worked extremely well.
Buy now £189.95, Diy.com
EcoAir DD1 simple desiccant dehumidifier
The last thing you want is an overly complicated appliance, which is why we love the EcoAir DD1. As the name suggests, it’s a simple dehumidifier that offers excellent performance.
With a slimline and compact design, it weighs just 6kg, and the built-in handle and castor wheels make moving it from room to room a breeze. The design includes anti-tilt protection, which is handy if you have pets or small children running around. It also comes in a choice of three colours – blue, pink and black – so, whatever your decor, it should blend in effortlessly.
We like that it’s really easy to operate. It has manual controls – including a rotary dial and just one other button, which controls the fan speed, placing the machine in either economy mode or turbo mode.
It also has a special laundry mode, so, if you’re drying your clothes indoors all winter and don’t want to use the tumble dryer, it’s the perfect solution. As a desiccant dehumidifier, it’s not as cheap to run as a compressor dehumidifier. That said, desiccants do push heat back into your home, so you’ll save money on your heating bills – ideal for smaller rooms that suffer from cold.
While not suitable for large, open spaces, it has the capacity to collect up to 7.5l of moisture from the air per day and has a decent 2l water tank, so, unless you’re running it 24/7, you won’t need to empty the tank that often. Plus, there’s an automatic switch-off function, so there’s no need to worry if you leave it running when you’re not around.
One thing that could be better is the noise level, as it isn’t the quietest dehumidifier in this review. While it’s not loud enough to really disturb the peace, it’s certainly not one you’d want to leave running overnight in your bedroom.
Finally, we were impressed with the nano silver filter built into the design, which will help trap dust and allergens. So, if you suffer from allergies or conditions such as asthma, this is the perfect solution, as the air will feel a lot fresher.
Buy now £229.98, Amazon.co.uk
Challenge 10l dehumidifier
Ideal for smaller spaces that suffer from condensation or mould, this dehumidifier is solid and compact. Its size means it’ll sit comfortably in any living space, while still being small enough to store away in a cupboard when not in use.
It has an extendable handle that pulls up, so you can easily move it around, and, despite being 10.5kg in weight, it doesn’t feel too heavy to shift about. While it doesn’t have a dedicated laundry mode, it did reduce laundry-drying times, thanks to the powerful fan.
It can take 10l of moisture out of the air each day, but one thing that is a little disappointing is that there’s only a 2.1l water tank. It does have an option for continuous draining, but just note that it doesn’t come with a water tube (this needs to be purchased separately).
The water tank is situated at the front of the unit and there’s a small window, so you can keep an eye on the water level, but when it’s full the LED light will light up to indicate it needs emptying. Although, it does have an automatic shut-off function, so you don’t have to worry about it overflowing if you forget.
Operating this unit is easy – you can set your own humidity levels in five per cent increments, from 35-85 per cent, and the digital display will show the current humidity of the room, so you have a good idea of how humid it is when setting it. Another point to note is that it has a washable filter that will need to be cleaned often to make sure that the dehumidifier stays efficient.
We should also point out that this dehumidifier is loud, and you can’t reduce the noise by switching to a lower fan speed.
Buy now £145.00, Argos.co.uk
UniBond aero 360 moisture absorber
This is a non-electric dehumidifier and not only is it excellent value, it works really well, too. Despite its small size, it can collect up to 500ml of water – ideal for small spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms or even in damp spots such as under the stairs. It works by encouraging air to circulate and flow through a tablet similar in design to a dishwasher tablet. It then stores any moisture collected in the bottom tank, which can be simply tipped away when full. It has two refills included and each tablet lasts for around three months.
It’s really easy to use and changing the tablets was a breeze. We also found this a great option to place by windows, as it sucked up all the condensation that usually appeared by morning. We found that by using just this dehumidifier for a day left a fresher smell around the place. Of course, it doesn’t gather as much moisture as its electric counterparts, but it’s silent, doesn’t use any electricity and is easy to move around, so what’s not to love?
Buy now £10.95, Amazon.co.uk
Ebac powerdri 18l dehumidifier
Not one to shrink into the background, the bright yellow and black design is probably more suited to commercial settings, but this dehumidifier can still be used in a residential property. It is heavy but not unmanageable, as it weighs around 13kg, and can remove up to 18l of water per day. There’s also an option for continuous drainage, so there are no worries about emptying the 3.5l tank. It has two low and high fan settings – it gets a bit noisy when it’s on the highest setting – and there are also three drying modes, including a laundry setting.
We really loved the setting that can help dry paint and plaster, so, if you’re about to embark on some DIY, this is the dehumidifier for you. However, there is no timer built in, which is a slight disappointment.
This unit will work well in small properties with around three bedrooms, as it has a powerful extraction rate. Plus, it’s very economical, as it has a hydrophilic coating that can collect up to 40 per cent more water without using any extra power.
Buy now £300.00, Wickes.com
Princess 353120 smart dehumidifier
Sleek, compact and complete with smart connectivity, this dehumidifier can remove up to 20l of water per day from your home. To operate the device, you can either control it manually using the panel on the top, or download the app and control it from anywhere. It even works with home hubs such as Google and Amazon Alexa. It has an automatic shut-off feature when the water tank is full and an indicator light to see when you need to empty it.
Although this dehumidifier doesn’t have a dedicated laundry mode, it worked well when it came to drying clothes, especially when on full speed. Plus, this is a great option that will see you use it throughout summer, too, as it has a fan mode that will cool the air while reducing humidity. We found this dehumidifier quiet, so would recommend it for bedrooms as well as living areas.
Buy now £280.00, Wickes.co.uk
Sharp UD-P20U-W dehumidifier
This Sharp model is able to absorb up to 20l of water per day and the swinging setting means it can cover an entire room. The LCD control panel makes the dehumidifier really easy to use – you simply select the right setting for your space, including the humidity levels, and away you go. We were shocked by just how well this machine worked – we left it running in different areas of the house, and the air felt a lot dryer and clearer.
One of our favourite functions is the laundry drying mode. We tested it with a range of fabrics, including heavy duvet covers. While, normally, they’d be sitting on the clothes horse for a couple of days, by using this machine, they were all cupboard dry within 24 hours.
It is a large machine, so you will need a dedicated space. It’s also very heavy, weighing 15kg, so if you’re planning on moving it up and down stairs in your home, you may want to reconsider. Although it does have castors, which means moving it around on the same level isn’t an issue.
This isn’t the quietest machine on our list, but the noise isn’t too distracting, so you could have it running in another room without it bothering you too much. Another great feature of this dehumidifier is that it has an auto-stop feature when the tank is full, so you can leave this running when you’re not around and have no worries about it overflowing.
Buy now £279.99, Robertdyas.co.uk
Black+Decker 2l dehumidifier and air purifier
This dehumidifier is perfect for small areas. It’s lightweight and compact, weighing just 2.2kg. It’s ideal if you want to move it around your home and leave it in different rooms. It’s also very energy efficient, costing approximately 27p per day to run. It has a 2l water tank and can collect around 500ml per day.
It’s very quiet – you’ll barely notice it’s on, especially if you have it in a family area where there’s other noise going on. There’s not much in the way of controls, either – you plug it in, and it gets to work. But there is an LED display that lets you know the current humidity and temperature.
It has an automatic shut-off feature that will kick in once the water tank is full, so you won’t have to worry about leaks. This dehumidifier also has an air purification function, thanks to the built-in UV light and TiO2 filter, which will remove any allergens from the air when the machine is in operation.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon.co.uk
Russel Hobbs fresh air dehumidifier
Perfect for small spaces and rooms up to 15 square metres, this dehumidifier is so compact it will sit neatly on your shelves or sideboard without you even realising it’s there. Plus, it feels solid and robust, despite it being light (0.9kg).
It’s really easy to use, too – there are no settings to get used to, just one simple button to switch it on and get it to work. It only has a small extraction rate of 350ml per day, so this isn’t going to work very well if you’ve got a serious damp issue. However, if you want to get rid of condensation or even excess moisture when you’re cooking, it’s perfect.
The 600ml water tank is the right size for the amount of water that’s extracted and means it won’t have to be emptied often. Plus, it features an automatic shut-off function.
It’s so quiet, that you don’t hear it running – ideal if you want to it on overnight without having your sleep disturbed. It’s also a good option for your home office, as it will sit neatly on the corner of your desk.
For colder months, it has an auto-defrost function, so, if the temperature drops below freezing, the inside of the dehumidifier will heat up to prevent the water from freezing.
Buy now £47.99, Amazon.co.uk
Dehumidifier FAQs
How to use a dehumidifier
First and foremost, your dehumidifier should be the right size. The tank capacity should match up to the space you’re using it in, and the scale of the damp you’re dealing with. Then, if the model allows, set your chosen humidity target – when it comes to inside the home, it’s generally recommended humidity levels be no higher than 60 per cent. To get the most out of the session, it’s a good idea to keep windows closed, as this prevents any extra moisture from getting into the space.
Dehumidifiers work best when they’re placed near the source of moisture, or where humidity is highest, especially if you’re trying to tackle damp or you want to dry laundry. You should position your dehumidifier at least 6in away from a wall, to allow for optimal airflow, and aim the appliance so that the dryer air is blowing towards the damp area or your drying rack.
If you’re using your dehumidifier to make the air in your home more comfortable, try to place it in the centre of the room or in a hallway, so it can more effectively dry the entire home. For bathrooms, it’s advisable to position the dehumidifier outside the bathroom, blowing in, rather than placing the appliance inside the bathroom, where it could be damaged by water.
How does a dehumidifier work?
Dehumidifiers work by removing any excess water from the air and lowering humidity levels, which can get rid of damp, mould, pollutants and allergens. The moisture pulled from the air gets collected into a drip tray, and dry air is pushed back into the room.
Do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?
Exactly how much electricity a dehumidifier will use will depend on the model but, generally speaking, they’re energy-efficient appliances that use very little electricity, particularly when compared with some other home appliances.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
Dehumidifiers are a cost-effective and straightforward way of making your home feel drier and more comfortable. Depending on the size and energy efficiency of the model, they don’t cost much to run, even if you have them on for an extended period of time. They can also offer an eco-friendly alternative to a tumble drier, as they help dry your laundry faster by sucking the water out of your wet clothes, without releasing the moisture back into the room.
Do dehumidifiers dry clothes?
Dehumidifiers draw excess moisture out of the air, so, they can help dry clothes and are cheaper to run than a tumble dryer. If you’re specifically shopping for a dehumidifier with this purpose in mind, it’s worth buying one with a dedicated laundry mode setting. Couple it with a heated clothes airer, and you’ll be well on your way to drying clothes faster.
The verdict: Dehumidifiers
Damp, condensation and mould can transform your dream home into a nightmare. While a dehumidifier can’t solve the most serious damp issues, it can go a long way in keeping moisture out of the air and preventing mould and mildew. Our top choice is the Duux bora smart dehumidifier. This unit works rapidly to lower room humidity, and its additional smart capabilities make it a must-have for anyone wanting remote control and access to associated stats.
Another excellent buy is the Daewoo 12l dehumidifier. This unit is compact enough to fit seamlessly into everyday surroundings yet powerful enough to eliminate up to 12l of excess moisture per day. Plus, it’s a great value option at £100.
For a breath of fresh air, take a look at the best air purifiers to oust pollen, dust and bacteria
