With low-energy consumption at the forefront of our minds, investing in a dehumidifier might not feel like an immediate priority, but these clever machines can remove moisture from the air, meaning your central heating can be turned down as the air inside your home gets warmer.
Even better, dehumidifiers can eliminate mould, damp and allergens in your home, keeping moisture levels consistent throughout the changes in the seasons.
How to choose a dehumidifier
If you’re thinking of buying a dehumidifier, it’s worth being mindful of the space you have to house one. If you’re only planning to use it in a small area, then a portable dehumidifier is more than enough.
But if you have a three-bedroom house or larger, or want to use the machine in a room with high ceilings, then it’s worth looking at a dehumidifier with a spacious water tank. When shopping for a dehumidifier we recommend choosing models that have low energy and low noise functionality. Most dehumidifiers have a low-power mode which can be activated overnight. Nobody wants to be jolted awake by a warning light in the early hours.
Below, we’ve tested the best dehumidifiers across a range of price points to help you improve the air quality in your home, including budget-friendly options. Regardless of your home’s size, there’s a dehumidifier to suit you.
How much do dehumidifiers cost to run?
Most dehumidifier machines work by pulling in warm air over a cooled coil. As the warm air drops in temperature, the vapour it produces trickles into a water collection tank that’s usually at the back of the unit.
A humidifier won’t work instantly to clear the air; it’s a slower process taking between a few days and a week depending on your room size. It is fascinating to see just how much water has been washed out of the air when the tank is full.
The other key thing to note is that dehumidifiers won’t stop damp or kill mould, but they will balance conditions to reduce high levels of humidity and the development of condensation.
Should I be concerned about high humidity in my home?
There are many reasons high levels of humidity can be damaging, both for your health and your home.
Aside from constantly feeling sticky, excess moisture can rot woodwork and wooden furniture, corrode your tech, warp books and precious photographs, and accelerate how quickly food stales. The top concern is that humidity aids mould and mildew which, left unchecked, could even affect your home’s structural integrity.
On the health front, anyone with allergies will suffer living in a home with high humidity as it raises the volume of fungi and dust mites, polluting the air with nasties. If you or someone you’re living with has a condition like asthma or another respiratory illness, owning a dehumidifier is non-negotiable.
Can dehumidifiers help with drying clothes?
In wet weather or over the winter, it’s necessary for most households to hang washed clothes inside, which will cause a massive spike in humidity levels. Introducing a dehumidifier into the environment will not only balance the air, but it can actually help speed up the clothes-drying process. Sure, it’s not the same as running a tumble drier, but it’s definitely more cost-efficient and has other benefits for the home and everyone living in it.
How much do dehumidifiers cost to run?
As with all electrical devices, what it costs to run depends on wattage and duration of use so consider if you want it running 24/7 or only need to switch it on after doing a load of laundry.
There are some small models that use around 20 watts while on the other end of the scale, high-performance models can eat up 500 watts.
According to air humidity expert Meaco, “the cost of running a dehumidifier 24/7 will obviously be higher than just running it when you are drying the washing, or for a couple of hours in the morning after everyone’s showered. We estimate that, on average, the running costs of a standard dehumidifier work out at less than £1 per day.”
Best dehumidifiers at a glance
- Best overall: Meaco Dry Arete One 25 Litre Dehumidifier - £315, Argos
- Best for app control: Bora Smart Dehumidifier - £299.99, Currys
- Best for WFH: Von Haus 12L Dehumidifier - £139.99, VonHaus
- Best for zero electricity: Acana Safety Dehumidifier - £12.49, Amazon
- Best for drying laundry: Blyss WDH-316DB 16LTR Dehumidifier - £190, B&Q
- Best for large rooms: Black+Decker BXEH60004GB Dehumidifier - £219, Currys
- Best for scrubbing air clean: Devola 20L Compressor Wi-Fi Dehumidifier with HEPA Filter - £137.54, Amazon
- Best for easy portability: Hysure 1400ml Electric Dehumidifier - £43.57, OnBuy
Shop the best below
MeacoDry Arete One 25L Dehumidifier
Best: overall
This dehumidifier ticks all the boxes, with a sleek aesthetic and top-class HEPA air purification system. On testing, we were impressed with its functionality - one-touch control button, low noise levels and easy to move from room to room.
Chris Michael, Managing Director of Meaco explains, “The most energy-conscious way to run a dehumidifier is to purchase a compressor model. These are a lot cheaper to run than desiccant dehumidifiers.
“Our range has a humidity control function, meaning the dehumidifier goes to sleep once it has reached the desired humidity target and doesn’t start running again until the humidity has increased. This saves the customer money as the dehumidifier only runs when it needs to.”
This dehumidifier comes in a range of sizes with the largest 25L model suitable for four-plus bedroom houses and a smaller 10L option suitable for a two-bedroom flat. We particularly liked the night mode that’s ideal for use in the bedroom. The unit’s lights turn off, fan speed drops and it operates quietly throughout the night.
Buy now £315.00, Argos
Bora Smart Dehumidifier
Best for: app-control
When you buy a new appliance for your home, it can be time-consuming to get it up and running. Thankfully this dehumidifier has a large LED control panel that is easy to use and can be connected to an app, so you can control humidity levels in your home at any time from anywhere.
The dehumidifier sucks in air, collects the moisture in a water tank and the automatic mode regulates the humidity itself. Alternatively, you can adjust settings to personal preference using the manual and nighttime modes. In 24 hours, this dehumidifier extracts up to 20 litres of moisture from the air, keeping bacteria and pollutants away from your home.
We particularly liked the addition of a self-cleaning mode on this model, and the large 4L water tank. An integrated handle and castor wheels make it easy to move it from room to room.
Buy now £299.99, Currys
Von Haus 12L Dehumidifier
Best for: WFH
If you’ve noticed an increase in your heating bills whilst working from home, then this dehumidifier is a good option for a home office. Indeed, dehumidifiers won’t heat your room, but they will remove cold moisture from the air, making your home warmer, meaning heating can be set at a lower temperature during the winter months.
Helping to protect your home from dampness and mould, this 12L dehumidifier draws excess moisture from the air to combat condensation. We liked the simple LED display on this model and the light that signals when the water tank is full.
With a daily moisture removal capacity of 12L, this dehumidifier includes a continuous drainage hose for draining the water into a sink or outdoors. An affordable option, for easy everyday use.
Buy now £139.99, VonHaus
Acana Safety Dehumidifier
Best for: zero electricity
Not all dehumidifiers are expensive freestanding units. We found this budget option that is ideal for small bathrooms, basements or caravans to prevent moisture from collecting around windows.
This small dehumidifier is completely refillable with sachet cartridges and absorbs up to 1000ml of excess moisture. It attracts H2O vapour, mould and odours, and is ideal for those who need a dehumidifier that doesn’t use a water tank.
Highly convenient and easy to use, grab this dehumidifier for holidays, or move it from room to room based on your needs. It even releases a subtle fragrance into the air to neutralise unpleasant smells. A great option for people who need a portable, travel-friendly dehumidifier.
Buy now £12.49, Amazon
Blyss WDH-316DB 16LTR Dehumidifier
Best for: drying laundry
Waiting for piles of laundry to dry? Tumble dryers can be expensive to run, but a dehumidifier can help dry laundry quickly at a lower cost. This dehumidifier has several useful features including an automatic shut-down mode, a large carry handle and an LED display.
One of the highlights of this model is the reusable air filter which can be cleaned and replaced easily. If space is at a premium in your house, this slim dehumidifier won’t take up much room and is a light and efficient option for clearing condensation. The sleek white design is attractive enough to leave this dehumidifier in full view in the bedroom, kitchen or laundry room depending on your needs. Plus at 10.6kg, it’s light enough to move from room to room without much difficulty.
Buy now £190.00, B&Q
Black and Decker BXEH60004GB Dehumidifier
Best for: large rooms
This large-capacity dehumidifier can extract 20 litres of moisture in 24 hours, eliminating condensation and dampness from your home. This model also looks attractive compared to some of the bulkier options on the market.
Handy grooves on either side of the machine allow it to be lifted easily or slid along the floor on its integrated wheels. The tank is easy to click out and remove to empty into a sink or outdoors when full. Getting rid of condensation and damp issues can help people with asthma and allergies, so if that’s a concern in your home, this unit would work well placed in high-traffic areas like the kitchen or living room.
This model is slightly cheaper than some of its competitors, so it doesn’t come with all of the same features, but it still does the job of removing moisture from the air effectively.
Buy now £219.00, Currys
Devola 20L Compressor Wi-Fi Dehumidifier with HEPA Filter
Best for: scrubbing air clean of nasty particles
If allergies are a concern in your home, then the allergen and dust filter in this dehumidifier will keep the air as pure as possible. Cleverly, the HEPA filter in this dehumidifier will remove up to 99.5 per cent of harmful particles from the air including mould spores, pollen, pet hair and bacteria.
This dehumidifier has two fan speeds and comes with integrated castors to easily manoeuvre the unit around your home. The large 4L water tank can be emptied using a continuous drainage system or opt for the shutdown timer that will turn the unit off when the tank is full.
A few extra safety features make this dehumidifier stand out, including a child lock and an auto restart button that switches the unit back on after a power cut.
Buy now £137.54, Amazon
Hysure 1400ml Electric Dehumidifier
Best for: easy portability
This dehumidifier is small and portable - the ideal option for a desk, bathroom or bedroom or for soaking up moisture in a humid space, in a garage or caravan. With an attractive colour-changing light and a good-sized water tank, this dehumidifier has plenty of features for an affordable price.
Small dehumidifiers are a good choice for those who don’t want to manoeuvre larger systems or need a dehumidifier to take on holidays. This model operates at a very quiet 30dB, and has a night light function to ensure it doesn’t interrupt sleep.
This device will automatically switch off once the water tank has reached capacity and is simple to empty. The transparent tank allows users to easily check the dehumidifier’s H2O levels at any time.
Buy now £43.57, OnBuy
Verdict
We liked that the Meaco dehumidifier is both easy to use and highly efficient. It was a quiet and unassuming addition to the home and was particularly effective when drying large loads of laundry. The night mode function was very intuitive - quiet and easy to control, with two touches to change the machine from day to night functionality. A great all-rounder that is equally at home sitting against the wall in a utility room, garage, bedroom or office.
