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Best dehumidifiers for drying clothes and reducing damp
I tested the very best dehumidifiers for drying laundry and keeping condensation under control this autumn. Here are the pick of the crop.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Dec 30, 2025
Can dehumidifiers really speed up laundry drying? I've tested the best dehumidifiers in the UK and can say from personal experience: yes - they really do make a difference. With families across the UK keen to reduce their energy bills, but understandably reluctant to open windows in the winter months while drying washing, an effective, energy-efficient dehumidifier is an absolute must for your home, your laundry and your health.
I spoke to Meaco CEO Chris Michael about the research Meaco are doing into reducing energy costs and laundry drying times.
"[A] dehumidifier alone offered a substantial improvement over natural drying," he told me, "but pairing it with the pedestal cooling fan made the biggest difference. Drying time dropped by 58 percent, from nearly five hours to around two."
To put that in context, drying laundry indoors without a dehumidifier took 20 hours. With a dehumidifier and a fan, it took 2 hours - and cost just 14p in total.
Best dehumidifiers - at a glance:
Best overall: Meaco Arete One Dehumidifier, £180
Best budget: Pro Breeze 1500ml Portable Dehumidifier, £50
Best for drying laundry: electriQ 20L Low-Energy Smart Wifi Laundry Dehumidifier, £170
Best desiccant dehumdifier: Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier, £200
Best 25l dehumidifier: Wood's MRD25GW Dehumidifier, £370
How we tested
To help you find the best dehumidifier for your home and your family, we hand-tested each dehumidifier in real family homes, using them to keep condensation at bay and help dry washing indoors.
Tested for condensation and drying laundry
Tested over the course of at least a month in a real family home
Cross-compared with other dehumidifiers
Detailed notes taken on performance, user-friendliness and noise levels
So without further ado, here's our guide to the very best dehumidifiers to help your home stay damp-free in 2026.
Read next: How to use a dehumidifier to dry clothes
Best dehumidifier overall
Dual purpose, dehumidifier and air purifier
Developed using customer feedback
Excellent features, including laundry mode
Efficient, quiet and effective
Sleep mode
More expensive than alternative models
Sells out frequently
Key specs
Price: from £160 | Type: Compressor Dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 12L (10, 20 and 25l models also available) | Tank capacity: 2.5L | Dimensions: H47.2x W23.7 x D31.9cm | Weight: 10.9kg | Power: 151W | Cost per hour: 5p | Noise level: 38dB | Max room size: 50m² | Laundry drying mode: Yes | Warranty: 5 years
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Meaco Arete One review
Meaco is the most recommended brand by Mumsnetters, product review sites and experts. Known for its high-quality products, its MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier is no exception - I was really impressed with its performance, and wouldn't be without it over the winter months. The only downside is that the price reflects the quality, and it is certainly not a budget-friendly option.
With 10, 12, 20 and 25l sizes available to suit all kinds of flats and houses, Meaco designed its Arete range with the help of 2,000 customers over five years, which is why it is ultra-quiet and easily portable. Not much louder than a whisper (30dB), it has castor wheels which made it easy to roll it from spot to spot throughout my home - although it's pretty heavy to get up or down stairs.
The Arete One also comes with medical-grade HEPA filters to help you care for your home and health. Manufactured in Britain, its features are optimised for the wet British weather and will remove up to 12 litres of moisture daily (perfect for when you've had your condenser tumble dryer running all day!). I'm able to leave it on and let it do its thing, costing just 5p per hour to run. Boasting an industry-leading five-year warranty, this is a dehumidifier that is well worth the investment and a brand you can trust to help solve your damp problem. It's also available in 10, 20 and 25l models.
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Best budget dehumidifier
Affordably priced
Compact, lightweight and portable
No compressor, so ultra quiet
Great energy efficiency
Not suitable for large rooms, reduces efficiency
Key specs
Price: £50 | Type: Thermo-electric peltier dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 500ml | Tank capacity: 1500ml | Dimensions: H30 x W21.8 x D6.3cm | Weight: 1.85kg | Power: 40W | Cost per hour: 1p | Noise level: 33dB | Max room size: 150sq/ft | Laundry drying mode: No | Warranty: 1 year
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in-depth Pro Breeze 1500ml Portable Dehumidifier review
If you don’t want a big, noisy device taking up space in your home, the Pro Breeze Dehumidifier is the compact, low-cost and energy-efficient answer to your prayers. With a noise level of 34dB, it is whisper-quiet, so I'm able to take it everywhere, including my study when I'm working from home, with no loud compressor to deal with - and easily move it from room to room depending on where it's needed.
With an extraction rate of up to 500ml daily and a water tank of only 1500ml, this dehumidifier won’t eliminate a severe damp problem or be effective in larger rooms. Still, it will remove moisture from a small space to manage mould build-up or absorb condensation at critical times. Perfect for those with small flats, humid utility rooms and the beginnings of morning condensation, it is the little dehumidifier that could. I think it's the best budget dehumidifier around.
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Best dehumidifier for drying laundry
Designed for laundry
Only runs when needed
Quiet
App-compatible
Expensive
Heavy
Key specs
Price: £170 | Type: Compresor dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 20l/day | Tank capacity: 5l | Dimensions: 36 x 23 x 60cm | Weight: 14.8kg | Power: 225W | Cost per hour: 5.5p | Noise level: Not stated | Max room size: Up to 5-bed house | Laundry drying mode: Yes | Warranty: 1 year
What Mumsnet users say
Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in-depth electriQ 20L Low-Energy Smart Wifi Laundry Dehumidifier review
Drying laundry has become the number one use for dehumidifiers, as UK families search for ways to dry laundry indoors without using a tumble dryer, cranking up the thermostat or covering the walls with damp. This new, smart model from ElectriQ is designed with laundry in mind, and can dry a load from just 22p.
With a clever 'Humidistat', we could set the dehumidifier to come on and switch off when humidity reaches a certain level - which is perfect for drying clothes, as it sensed when our clothes were dry and switched off automatically. With a powerful 20l/day extraction, it's suitable for large houses with up to 5 bedrooms, and is quiet enough to leave running over night.
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Best desiccant dehumidifier
Helps warm up the room
Speeds up laundry drying
Easy to move
Could be quieter
Not as economical to use as a compressor model
Key specs
Price: £200 | Type: Desiccant Dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 8L | Tank capacity: 3L | Dimensions: 548 x 358 x 200mm | Weight: 7.8kg | Power: 350W | Cost per hour: 9p | Noise level: 41dB | Laundry drying mode: Yes | Warranty: 2 years
What Mumsnet users say
Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier review
For dehumidifying a colder home, a desiccant dehumidifier is your best bet. Using a heated element to draw in moisture, desiccant models expel warm air and slightly raise the temperature of the room they're in.
The Meaco Zambezi is Mumsnetters' most highly-recommended desiccant dehumidifier, thanks to its incredible powers of laundry drying, efficient dehumidification and unobtrusive design.
Our tester Chris was impressed with how much the Zambezi sped up drying jeans, and when placed in the centre of her bungalow, she said it made a big difference to the air quality and humidity in her home.
The main drawback of a desiccant dehumidifier is that they cost more to run than other types, and at 9p per hour it's the least energy efficient model on our list.
Read next: Best quiet dehumidifier
Best smart dehumidifier
Quiet Mark certified
Doubles as an air purifier
Effective laundry mode for drying washing
App and smart home compatible
Easy grip handle
Well-designed and easy to empty water tank
Lightweight
Smart humidity monitoring
Just 3p/hour to run
Expensive
Could use guidance on setting ideal humidity levels
Key specs
Price: £200 | Type: Compressor Dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 12L | Tank capacity: 2.5L | Dimensions: 492 x 319 x 237 mm | Weight: 10.9kg | Power: 136W | Cost per hour: 3p | Noise level: 35dB | Laundry drying mode: Yes | Warranty: 5 years
What Mumsnet users say
Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O’Neill: Read our in-depth Meaco Arete Two review
The newer, upgraded version of the MeacoDry Arete One, the MeacoDry Arete Two is a smart dehumidifier with all mod cons, including app and smart home connectivity. It tackles damp rooms and humid environments easily - an absolute blessing for rooms with poor insulation or windows covered in condensation.
We found the Meaco Arete Two really easy to set up and operate, with simple intuitive controls both on the upgraded control panel and via the app - you can even connect it to Alexa or Google Home and control it with your voice. As well as a timer to turn off automatically after a set period, there's a humidity sensor that turns off the motor once a target humidity level is reached - one of the most time- and energy-efficient ways to dry clothes without a tumble dryer or outdoor washing line.
With QuietMark certification, this low-noise appliance runs at just 35dB, so it won’t disturb the peace when running overnight or while you’re working from home. It's also available in sizes from 10l up to 25l so you can pick the perfect capacity for your needs and home.
Best small dehumidifier
Small and compact design
Can be wall mounted
Powerful and effective
Simple controls
Quiet
Expels warm air
Works at low temperatures
Expensive
Key specs
Price on writing: £193 | Type: Desiccant Dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 5L | Tank capacity: 1.5L | Dimensions: 17D x 21.9W x 41.4H cm | Weight: 4kg | Power: 200W | Cost per hour: 5p | Noise level: 31-47dB | Max room size: 45m² | Laundry drying mode: No | Warranty: 3 years
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full EcoAir Piccola Desiccant Dehumidifier review
For colder rooms, a desiccant dehumidifier performs better than a compressor model. So if you're looking to take control of moisture in a room that's usually cooler than 15°C, one of desiccant specialists EcoAir's highly-rated dehumidifiers is a smart choice.
I was impressed by the power in this compact model. While its 5L tank is smaller than similarly-priced compressor dehumidifiers on this list, it's a powerful little machine that sped up my laundry drying and collected moisture from the air quickly and efficiently.
At £223, it's a pricy option, but it's worth noting that desiccant dehumidifiers expel warm air, so it will raise the temperature in a chilly room a little bit while it lowers the humidity. Its real strength is in its size - it's small, light and can even be wall-mounted to free up even more space.
Best moisture absorber
Very budget-friendly
Cost-effective refills
Compact dehumidifier
Non-electric and silent
Not suitable for large rooms and would need more than one for houses
Not technically a dehumidifier
Needs to be stored out of reach of children and pets (liquid can cause eye irritation)
Key specs
Price: £12 | Type: Moisture Absorber | Extraction amount: 12L | Tank capacity: 2.5L | Dimensions: H19.7 x W15.2 x D14.7cm | Weight: 0.8kg | Power: None required | Cost per hour: Free | Noise level: 0dB | Max room size: 20m² | Laundry drying mode: No | Warranty: N/A
What Mumsnet users say
Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in-depth Unibond Aero 360 Compact review
Silent, compact and non-electric, the Unibond Aero 360 Compact Moisture Absorber is the perfect budget-friendly option for our homes. Firstly, it requires no extra energy consumption (much like using clothes pegs and a rotary washing line, going back to basics is an easy way to reduce your energy bills) - and doesn't make a sound. Secondly, a moisture absorber removes excess water from the air (just like a dehumidifier), and thirdly, you can buy cost-effective refill packs of two, each lasting three months.
Ideal for small spaces or rooms, we targeted specific areas of damp and mould in cupboards, bathrooms and laundry rooms and were impressed with how good it is against condensation. Just slot the tablet into the top, and that’s it. However, we recommend you make sure you’ve put it out of reach of children or pets, as the bright blue salt solution is an irritant.
So, how does it work? The tablet uses activated crystals and anti-odour agents to absorb moisture and neutralise foul odours simultaneously. The wave-shaped surface of the top helps to enhance circulation and air exposure, collecting as much moisture as possible as a solution in the container. A tablet already comes included, but you can easily buy standard refills (pack of two) from several places. If you like a subtle scent, there are lavender, wildflower or waterfall-scented tablets available, too.
Related: The best washer dryers for time- and space-saving laundry
Best 25l dehumidifier
Fast and efficient dehumifying
Easy to empty
Wheeled for easy movement
Large capacity tank
App
Heavy
Noisier than smaller dehumidifiers
Key specs
Price: £370 | Extraction amount: 25 litres | Tank capacity: 3.8 litres | Dimensions: 56.7 x 35.5 x 25.2 cm | Weight: 16kg | Power: 410 watts | Cost per hour: 10p / hour | Noise level: 48dB | Max room size: 120m² | Laundry mode: Yes
What Mumsnet users say
Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Wood's MRD25GW Dehumidifier review
If you're looking for a dehumidifier that'll get the job done quickly and efficiently, a 25l model is the way to go. The Wood's MRD25GW has a large 3.8l tank and makes light work of drying laundry, as well as tackling household moisture problems.
While I was testing this dehumidifier, I had a leak which soaked through some laminate flooring - the Wood's managed to get the water under control in the space of a day, it was a real lifesaver.
When it comes to laundry, it sucks moisture effectively from clothing, as well as pushing out warm air to speed up the drying process. Plus, it's large capacity means it's not going to stop halfway through to have its tank emptied.
While smaller dehumidifiers are excellent for keeping on top of condensation and damp, a heavy duty model like this one can make a real difference to your home in a short time. Recommended for clearing musty smells, dealing with the aftermath of a leak and banishing damp, I highly recommend this dehumidifier.
Read next: The best laundry baskets, according to Mumsnetters
Why do I need a dehumidifier?
Dark patches on your walls, condensation on your windows and patches of black mould or mildew are all signs your house is suffering from damp - this happens when the humidity level regularly goes above 60%.
A lack of ventilation, leaky pipes or poor insulation can cause damp, but daily life does have an impact, too – for instance, cooking, showers and drying washing indoors all add excess moisture to the air. And some houses, built before the advent of central heating and decent extractor fans, just aren’t up to coping with modern life.
So, how does that affect you? Living in a mouldy and damp home can cause serious health issues, particularly for allergy and asthma sufferers, which include an increased risk of respiratory illness and infections. Additionally, damp can make your home look unattractive and give it a musty smell, with the excess moisture causing damage to your walls, carpet, ceiling and furniture.
Related: The best moth repellents for protecting your cashmere, wool and carpets
How do dehumidifiers work?
There are two main types of dehumidifiers that work in slightly different ways: desiccant dehumidifiers and compressor (also known as refrigerant) dehumidifiers. While all dehumidifiers have the same aim, which type you go for will depend on where and how you will use it.
Desiccant dehumidifier
Desiccant dehumidifiers extract water using an absorbent material to draw moisture from the air. Then an internal heater warms it so the moisture condenses and drips into the tank below.
The advantage of this type of dehumidifier is that it works well in warm and cold spaces. The only downside is that they tend to release warm air into a room, which you may not want in an already-heated home. However, they are ideal for a garage, loft or conservatory during colder months as they can operate below 10 degrees, unlike a compressor dehumidifier. They are also much quieter, so they might be a preferable option for you to use in a bedroom. Their main disadvantage is that they use a lot more energy and therefore cost more to run.
Refrigerant (compressor) dehumidifier
A compressor dehumidifier is the most common type in the UK as it works best in higher temperatures, such as in a heated home.
Compressor dehumidifiers work the same way as a fridge – a fan draws warm, damp air into contact with cold coils, and the water then condenses and drips into the tank.
The advantages of this type of dehumidifier are that they tend to be larger, more energy efficient and much more widely available. The problem is that they don’t work well in lower temperatures as the coils need to be colder than the room, or they start to freeze. Once that happens, a compressor dehumidifier focuses on de-frosting itself over reducing humidity, so they aren’t a great option for garages or cellars. They also tend to be much noisier, and depending on your noise-level preference, this can irritate people.
Should you leave a dehumidifier on all the time?
That depends on your humidity levels and what you’re trying to achieve. You don’t always have to leave your dehumidifier on, but you may want to if your damp problem is severe. Also, it can be cheaper to run them at night.
If you intend to run it at night, you should take a few safety precautions first. Modern dehumidifiers in good working order are not a fire hazard, but ensure you aren’t overloading sockets and four bars, as that poses a possible risk. Also, check that your dehumidifier has an auto shut-off feature to turn itself off once the tank is full.
If you have a serious damp or condensation problem, it’s worth buying a model with a bigger tank so that it keeps working all night.
How to choose the best dehumidifier for your home
There are a few key things you need to consider when shopping for a dehumidifier, and various features you need to weigh up the importance of in terms of quality. Here are the sort of things you should be looking at when considering the best dehumidifier for your needs:
Extraction amount: It is essential to consider the maximum amount of moisture your dehumidifier can extract daily. It can range from anywhere from 500ml to upwards of 30 litres of water. Small units are fine for occasional use or a small area, such as a cupboard or study. Around 12 litres is suitable for a small flat, medium-sized room or a mild damp problem. Up to 16 litres is best for a larger room or one used regularly for washing or cooking, and units with a capacity of up to 20/30 litres can be used to dehumidify whole homes.
Water tank capacity: This is how much water the unit can hold, ranging from around 250ml to six litres. The smaller the dehumidifier, the more regularly you’ll have to empty the tank, though some larger models have a continuous drainage option through a hose.
Humidity levels: Relative humidity (RH) should sit between 30 to 60%, and most models have a built-in humidistat to keep the room at your chosen level. Devices with an auto-setting monitor adjust the moisture levels in the room, which can save on electricity.
Control panel: More basic models come with a manual control that turns on and off, while others have digital displays with more features, such as a timer and laundry drying mode, which removes excess moisture from drying laundry indoors and dries your clothes quicker. It can be a cheaper alternative to a tumble dryer, and an automatic shut-off and humidistat are also handy features.
Fan speeds: Some dehumidifiers have just one speed for continuous drying, limiting your control. Whilst others have up to three, which is advantageous if you want to adjust it for faster drying or put it on a lower (and possibly quieter) setting.
Portability: A model with a handle or wheels/castors (or both) will be easier to move around, especially if you buy a large, heavy dehumidifier. If you’re only ever going to use the dehumidifier in one room and won’t want to put it away much, this might not be so important to you.
Noise: A dehumidifier's noise levels can fall between 34dB to 60dB - 34dB being a whisper and 60dB being the same as a normal conversation. If you choose to run your dehumidifier at a lower fan speed, it will make less noise but may be less effective. Think about where you are using it and whether it will disturb you.
Cost to run: This will depend on your energy tariff, how you use the device, and how much power it uses. Check the power usage, which can range from around 22 to 600 watts – newer models tend to be more energy-efficient, for example, using 2.45p per hour based on 15.2p/kWh. Using a timer and humidistat will ensure it only comes on when needed. Desiccants tend to use more energy than refrigerants but are more powerful.
Air filter: Some models come with a HEPA filter which helps to provide cleaner air in your home, which will be helpful for any allergy sufferers.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
The cost entirely depends on the dehumidifier's wattage and current energy prices. We've given a cost-per-hour estimate for each dehumidifier on this list, and they range between 3p and 12p per hour. Smart Energy Tools' energy cost calculator allows you to work out how much different appliances cost to run.
What's the best dehumidifier to buy?
The best all-round dehumidifier is the MeacoDry Arete 12L Dehumidifier. Compact, portable and energy efficient, this product is much-loved by Mumsnetters (as are all of their award-winning products). Recommended by parents and loved by experts, Meaco's products are incredibly popular and sell out quicker than they can restock.
The only downside is that they're more expensive than less effective dehumidifiers, and although they are relatively inexpensive to run, the initial outlay can much more than you would expect.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.
With an MA in Creative Writing and a PGCert in Lifestyle Journalism, Poppy's written about parenting topics for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Sun. She's a best-selling, award-winning author, and her books for children and parents have been translated into 12 languages.