Finding the best dehumidifier is the answer to solving your humidity issues at home. So if your home currently suffers from damp, mould, condensation or mildew, then this could be a worthwhile solution.
We’ve done the hard work for you and scoured the market to create a list of the best UK dehumidifiers on sale today.
We had a simple goal to help you find the most effective dehumidifier to suit your needs to suit a range of budgets and requirements. We specialise in home products, and we’ve evaluated the best dehumidifiers by brand, type and price to create a full buying guide so you can remove excess moisture from your home a create a more liveable space.
Find The Best Dehumidifer
Best Dehumidifier Overall
Meaco 20L Low Energy
If you have higher dehumidifying demands, then you'll require a high-performance model so you can remove more excess moisture from the air in 24 hours.
Usually, a higher performance dehumidifier will require more energy which will lead to a noticeable rise in your electricity bills. However, the Meaco 20L dehumidifier is low energy and energy-efficient, which means that it can still deliver strong performance without wreaking havoc on your finances.
This Meaco model is a serious performer and can support the dehumidifying needs of a home with up to five bedrooms or the equivalent of 250 square metres making this one of the best models on the market. If you have a smaller sized living space, then this may be too much, but it will depend on the severity of your mould or condensation.
If you're suffering from large damp areas of mould as a result of high humidity, then this is your solution. This unit can remove up to a whopping 20 litres of moisture per day which collects into its inbuilt 6 litres capacity water tank which makes it one of the largest on the market.
The size of the water tank means that you have to empty it less frequently, but it also provides you with the option of continuous drainage if you'd prefer to a not need to regularly empty the tank.
As you can see, this is a certified top dehumidifier but can conserve energy at a great rate so you can get the most out of it. It has unique logic functionality that allows it to do this, which means that you can set your desired humidity setting for it to work towards. Once this desired humidity level has been reached, then the unit automatically switches to fan mode which uses less energy.
The dehumidifier continues to regularly check the humidity level, and if it begins to rise, then the dehumidifier setting automatically turns back on. There is also an inbuilt timer so you can set the number of hours you'd like it to run for before turning off which means you can leave it to run independently without worrying about remembering to switch it off.
This is one of the best dehumidifiers because of the additional features that are packed into this unit. It includes a HEPA filter that works as a purifier to remove allergens from the air to give you higher quality air to breathe so you can switch between humidifying and purifying.
This model is also mounted onto castor wheels which means you can easily wheel it into position, so its weight isn't an issue.
You'll also receive a two-year warranty with each purchase to give you added protection post-purchase.
Benefits
Specs
Best Silent Quiet Dehumidifier
EcoAir DD1 Classic MK5 7L
Dehumidifiers work to remove condensation however many are unable to work at lower temperatures which is where the EcoAir DD1 excels because it has an operating temperature between 0 to 40 degree Celcius which makes it highly effective in the majority of climates and countries.
This also means that you can use it all around the home; for example, your conservatory is likely to have a higher temperature compared to your garage, which will likely be cooler. The unit has an in build humidistat so you can choose your desired setting for it to work towards to give you a more liveable home climate.
It's super quiet with a rating of just 34dB, which makes it well suited for home use without disturbing you in your day to day activities.
This dehumidifier has an inbuilt silver filter that removes harmful bacteria from the air, which makes it ideal if you currently suffer from breathing issues such as asthma or allergies. You just need to ensure that you regularly clean the filter which can either be done with a cloth or vacuum.
There is also an ioniser which works similar to an air purifier to remove unwanted particles from the air such as dust mites. If you have a busy home with small children then this unit is ideal because of the additional safety features that it has; it has anti-tilt protection which means that if it falls over it, will automatically switch off.
This model incorporates Eco E7 technology that makes it incredibly energy efficient. It does this by continually monitoring the humidity levels and automatically switches between full power, economy power and standby modes which means you can save up to 40% on your energy bills.
This dehumidifier is effective at lowering the moisture level in your home and can remove up to 7 litres of moisture every 24 hours, which collets into its 2-litre tank. This tank can be removed when it's time to empty and automatically stops processing air once it gets full, so it doesn't overflow. The product also comes with a continuous hose so you can hook it up directly to a drain.
In terms of portability, this dehumidifier excels due to only weighing 6kg so you can easily move it around your home. It also has a convenient carry handle, and the water tank is also detachable from the unit, which makes it easier to empty.
You can easily select your settings using the simple to use digital control panel where you can choose your desired humidity setting. It also has timer functionality so you can ensure it automatically switches off after a certain period.
There is also a laundry mode which is great for quickly drying your clothes, and the inbuild 3D louvre means that you can control the airflow to a particular direction which is ideal if you have a problem mould area or you're trying to dry your clothesBenefits
Specs
Best Budget Cheap Dehumidifier
Pro Breeze 500ml Compact
The majority of dehumidifiers in the market are refrigerant variants which means that they can generate noise. Noise can be a significant problem if you're using it in your home; as this can disturb your daily activities and can especially be an issue if you plan to use it at night while you sleep.
The Pro Breeze dehumidifier is ideal if you want to treat the humidity in your home without hearing any noise. It operates using Peltier technology which means that it doesn't use refrigerant technology. The unit uses a thermoelectric converter which involves no additional moving parts which equal quiet operation, so you won't even realise that it's turned on.
This makes it ideal if you want to place it in a bedroom or a child's room where you want as little disturbance to their lives as possible.
The dehumidifier has an inbuilt water tank which has a capacity of 500ml which means you only need to empty it every few days because the unit can extract up to 250ml per day. Your required extraction rate will depend on your current living conditions and how severe your moisture problem is.
The dehumidifier has an automatic shut off feature that means it turns off when the tank is full which stops the tank from overflowing and making a mess or slip hazard on your floor. Due to its compact size, it's suitable for any room including bedrooms, bathrooms or even your garage. Its size makes it easy to transport and move from position to position with minimal effort as it also only weighs 1 kg.
This dehumidifier is incredibly useful because it can also effectively remove allergens from the air in your home. After all, they can often fuse themselves to water particles, so often allergy concentration is higher in humid homes.
Other dangerous health hazards are also removed, including dust mites due to reducing the humidity levels in your home, which will help to improve your overall health. This is even more effective if you suffer from allergies and will enhance your living space.
Condensation build-up or window dripping is caused by a temperature gradient due to a difference in temperature inside and outside your home. This leads to a humidity rise which causes mould in your home and doesn't look great on your windows.
This is the best dehumidifier if you have a low budget or a small area or room that needs treating as this will be less effective at dehumidifying a whole home.
READ IN FULL: Pro Breeze Dehumidifier Review
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Best All-Round Dehumidifier
Meaco MeacoDry 12L
Our home is often our most expensive outlay so we often take pride in its looks so it's understandable if you think dehumidifier may take detract from the look you're going for. However, not all dehumidifiers are bulky and bland, which is evident with the Meaco MeacoDry Dehumidifier, which is a stylish and sleek option.
This is a practical yet economical choice that will fit into well in almost any home due to its quiet operation, which is especially useful if you plan to run the unit overnight. It runs economically, which means that you'll barely see any change in your regular energy bills with a running cost of just 2.4p per hour.
In terms of size, it looks compact so it won't stick out in your home and will fit in well with your existing décor. This is due to its stylish curved shape that gives the illusion that it's smaller than it is. The unit is also mounted onto castors which makes it easy to move around your home without you needing to manually lift it.
This dehumidifier is one of the best for smaller sized homes and is capable of treating two-bedroom homes effectively, which equates to a maximum of 40 square metres. It offers you the option of laundry mode, which is ideal when you have wet clothes out to dry as this will run at maximum speed for six hours. This is even better suited if you're currently suffering from moisture problems because slow drying clothes can make the problem worse.
The model is ultra-quiet with a sound rating of just 35dB, so you will barely be able to hear it when it's in operation. It's capable of removing up to 10 litres of moisture each day which makes it ideal for most homes. The excess moisture is collected into its inbuilt 2.6-litre water tank which automatically stops collecting once it gets full to prevent spillages.
It's easy to operate using its display where you can select your chosen humidity level which are in 5% increments so you can tailor it to your homes needs.
This is one of the best dehumidifiers because of its additional features such as antifreeze protection which provides another layer of defence during cold weather, ensuring that its components don't break in lower temperatures. You can also set the model to run for a predetermined length of time using its inbuilt timer so you can leave it unattended.
LEARN MORE: Meaco Dehumidifier Buying Guide
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Best Hybrid Dehumidifier & Air Purifier
EcoAir Hybrid 20L
EcoAir has used all their experience to create a model that can give you the dual benefit of humidifying and purifying the air in your home. Both of these functions are incredibly essential for maintaining high levels of wellbeing considering we spend a large number of our lives in our home, so the air needs to be as high quality as possible.
The model can remove a huge 20 litres of excess moisture from the air per day, which makes it suitable for most homes. The moisture collects into its large 4-litre water tank which also has an easy to carry handle to limit the risk of spills and accidents. Also included is a 1-metre length continuous hose if you want to automatic the emptying of the tank.
The unit is mounted onto castor wheel so you can simply move it around your home so all areas can experience the benefits of the product.
The dehumidifier has an easy to use control panel that shows the relative humidity of the room and has indicator lights which signal if the water tank is full. It also has a defrosting feature which means that it can still operate effectively even in lower temperatures.
The unit includes an Antiallergic, Deodorising and Charcoal 3-in-1 filter which removes allergens from the air, including dust mites and pollen which can cause you to have breathing difficulties. At the same time, the Charcoal absorbs and removes odours from your living areas. It also has an ioniser function which increases the purity of the air.
Its Silver Ion filter removes bacteria from the air, meaning it can control the germ build-up and growth in your home. High humidity homes are the perfect environment for bacteria and allergens to form, so this feature helps to resolve this.
The 3-in-1 filter forms part of its unique 5 stage purification system that gives you the highest quality performance.
Slow drying clothes are one of the main culprits for the development and growth of mould in the home. To combat this, you can select a laundry mode which helps you quickly dry clothes that are hung in your home.
There is also an adjustable louvre that allows you to direct airflow in a particular direction if you have damp problem areas in your home.
You have the choice of two fan speeds including a quiet option so it will have no issues being turned on at any time of the day and you can also set it to a timer. Hence, it switches off after a certain length of time, meaning you don't have to micromanage its operation. This is further improved by its Dry mode, which means that you can set your desired humidity and the model will maintain your home at this level.
LEARN MORE: EcoAir Dehumidifier Reviews & Guide
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What Does a Dehumidifier Do?
It’s normal for us to not even think of the air because we spend so much time there that whatever the condition is, we become accustomed to and accept it as normal. It’s important to remember that the air contains water droplets which lead to humidity.
All air has a humidity level, and this humidity can be caused by numerous things such as slow drying clothes that are hung around the house with this problem worsened if it’s cold. Once humidity levels begin to rise this an obvious sign is often condensation forming on the windows.
The best dehumidifier can reduce humidity levels by sucking in the air from your home and removing the moisture. Once this process is complete, it then releases the treated air back into your environment. The moisture that’s removed from the air is collected into the dehumidifiers water tank.
READ NOW: Find the Best Car Dehumidifiers
What is Relative Humidity?
Relative humidity refers to the current amount of moisture that’s in the air compared the maximum moisture capacity. Relative humidity varies from standard humidity readings because it takes into account the changing factors such as the current temperature. When the temperature of the air is higher, it has a greater capacity to hold more moisture.
Condensation on your window is often the first sign of excess moisture because of this process. When warm air is flowing inside your home and hits a window, the surface of the window cools the air which lowers its relative humidity which reduces how much water it can hold. This forces it to cool, which then forms condensation.
The ideal humidity range is between 40-60%, but this is just a guide and will vary depending on your current climate and the time of year. However, this is a good guide range to stick between, and the best dehumidifiers will allow you to select your desired humidity setting so you can maintain this.
Do I Need a Dehumidifier?
Now just because you have damp or mould this doesn’t mean you need to suddenly go running to buy a dehumidifier and there are several other methods you can try to lower your humidity. Of course, a dehumidifier is a sure-fire way of successfully doing it.
READ NOW: The Garage Dehumidifier Review Guide
Improve Ventilation
Ventilation is a key component to lowering humidity levels, so make sure that you have enough airflow in your home. When you cook, ensure that you use an extractor as it’s common for many people to have one installed but never use it.
After your shower, you’ve probably noticed that your bathroom becomes steamy. When you shower, you should either leave your bathroom window open after for 15 minutes to disperse the moisture or turn on your bathroom fan, which does the same job but at a faster rate.
Clothes Drying Habits
Wet laundry is one of the main causes of excess moisture in the home, so it’s important that if you have the option, you should dry your clothes outside. This isn’t always an option, so if you have to dry them inside, make sure that you have the windows open as this will reduce the formation of moisture in your home.
If you can dry them outside, you should use a drying rack or clothesline. If you’re forced by circumstances to dry them inside, you should use a dehumidifier which will make them dry faster.
Tumble Dryer Configuration
We know how time-saving a tumble dryer can be, but you should check that the vent is installed correctly. If it’s installed incorrectly, it could mean that moisture isn’t being directed outside but is coming back into your home which contributes to excess moisture forming which leads to mould and condensation.
Showering Habits
Your showering habits may be contributing greatly to your excess moisture problems, especially if you have a small living space, so you should take shorter length or colder showers. This is an alternative if you either don’t have a bathroom window or a bathroom extractor fan.
Check Your Roof
You should regularly check the health of your roof and drainage because you this could be the root cause of the issue so the problem could remain regardless of the changes you make in your home. You should fix any existing leaky pipes, and if you have any exposed pipes, you should wrap them in insulating material which will prevent condensation from forming.
Obvious signs of a leak are wet spot on your walls or irregular water bill costs that you just can’t account for.
These are just a handful of tips that are low cost but just require your time, but if you find that your condensation and moisture problem needs more attention, then a dehumidifier is an ideal choice.
How to Choose a Dehumidifier
So if you’ve decided that buying a dehumidifier is the best choice to reduce or remove your mould, then you need to ensure that you pick the best model for your needs. There isn’t a universal number one choice because there are specialist models that are made for different types of scenarios and depending on the severity of your moisture levels.
Budget
Most dehumidifiers will be in the range of between £120-£250, and the price will largely be dependant on the number of litres that can be extracted every 24 hours which is referred to as the extraction rate.
The higher the extraction rate you need, the higher the price you’ll need to pay. The extraction rate you require will depend on the amount of damp you have or the number of room/size of your home.
Dehumidifiers that are best suited for medium-sized homes will require a budget of around £200, which will give you access to the best choices on the market. If you want the top-end models with the latest features, then this will be slightly above this number however this will include features such as digital control displays and energy-saving technology, so you end up saving money in the long run.
Just like any type of product, spending more doesn’t always mean that you’ll get a higher quality product. But we’ve created this guide to show you this in action.
Types of Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers have been around for several years and have transformed. Due to the developments in the market, different types of dehumidifiers have their benefits and drawbacks.
Refrigerant Dehumidifiers
Refrigerant dehumidifiers are the most common type of dehumidifier, mainly because they were designed first. They operate most effectively in warmer conditions but are also highly energy-efficient, so it won’t cause a huge spike in your electricity bills.
They are also fast at extracting moisture from the air, but they can also be louder than alternative types so are ideal if you aren’t worried about hearing the unit in action.
Dessicant Dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers are the newer type of dehumidifier and can operate in cooler lower temperature conditions which makes them ideal in this country. They aren’t built using compressor or coil components which makes them lighter so you can easily move it around the home.
This type of dehumidifier also has a quieter operation which makes them ideal for home use, especially if you don’t want to hear the unit rumbling in the background. They do consume more energy compared to refrigerant options, but as the market continues to develop, we’re seeing more energy-efficient models created.
FIND OUT MORE: Best Desiccant Dehumidifier Reviews - Best on the Market
Capacity
The capacity of a dehumidifier refers to the amount of moisture it can extract over 24 hours. It’s important to note that the capacity in the product specifications is based around having the unit in ideal conditions.
This spec is the easiest way to compare the extraction rate between models and the capacity you need will depend on how severe your moisture problem is. The extraction rate will also have a close link to the overall weight and size of your dehumidifier due to needing more physical power and size to extract more water.
Physical Size and Weight
Usually, your dehumidifier won’t just sit in the same place for its whole life, but you’ll move it around the home to where you need it the most. The best Dehumidifier can vary in weight from 5kg up to 15 kg so you should take this into account before you decide to buy.
It will also depend on the size of your home, so if you only want it for a small room, then a more compact model may be better suited. The effect of its size and weight can be negated by choosing a model that comes mounted on castor wheels or has a carry handle which will make it easier to move.
Off Timer
This is a handy feature that allows you to set the dehumidifier to turn off after a specific amount of time. This means that you can leave it unattended to run in the background without worrying about remembering to turn it off, which will lead to your saving energy as you won’t end up accidentally leaving it running.
Auto-Defrost Settings
In cold conditions, if the temperature falls too low, then the coils inside the dehumidifier can begin to freeze. If your dehumidifier has auto defroster, then it will use its power source to defrost to avoid damage before it continues to dehumidify your home.
Automatic Shut Off
Your dehumidifier will likely have a water tank inbuilt where the excess moisture is collected. When this tank becomes, full an automatic shut off feature means that the dehumidifier will automatically turn off and stop processing air when the tank becomes full. This will prevent the tank from overflowing, and once you empty the tank, it will continue to run.
Auto Reset
The auto-reset feature means that if you have a power cut when you regain power and turn the dehumidifier back on, it will remember its previous settings and continue where it left off. So if you have a power cut, then this is one less appliance in your home that you need to worry about.
Additional Filtration
A high-quality dehumidifier will often come with additional filter or ionisers that work to purify the air. A standard unit will remove moisture from the air, but if it has a purifying filter, this will remove other unwanted particles from the air such as bacteria and dust.
Automatic Humidity Monitoring
Most high-quality dehumidifiers continually monitor the current humidity levels to ensure that you remain in an optimal environment. Automatic humidity monitoring means that once it reaches its desired humidity level, it will switch off which save electricity. Once the humidity levels begin to get too high, the unit will then turn back on. This process means that you don’t need to micromanage your dehumidifier and you can leave it to operate independently.
Best Dehumidifier Brand
There are several stands out brands within the dehumidifier industry that we’d recommend you stick to because these brands have not only been around for many years but have established themselves as the leaders due to creating the best dehumidifiers.
Not only are these products high quality, but they also have a wide range to suit all budgets leading to them having hundreds of reviews from users so you can make a more accurate buying decision.
Warranty
A warranty is a period of time after purchase that you’re covered for in case your product develops a defect. Warranty lengths vary depending on the manufacturer, but it’s important to ensure that one is provided with your purchase because the best options are going to set you back a couple of hundred pounds so you should check what you’re entitled to.
Energy efficiency is the measure of how much energy an appliance requires in comparison to its output. In general, refrigerant models are more energy-efficient, making them cheaper to run, but they’re only suitable for warmer conditions.
Desiccant models require more energy but work faster, so need to be turned on for less time plus they can also operate at lower temperatures which makes them ideal for this climate. However, it’s important to understand that the high-quality models have energy-efficient settings which means you can lower the extraction speed, which lowers the energy consumption.
How to Use a Dehumidifier
There are several tip and tricks that will help you get the most out of dehumidifier which in the long run will save you money in energy costs and means you’ll need to replace your dehumidifier less frequently.
Read the User Manual
When you receive your dehumidifier, it’s important that you read the operating manual before you turn it on. There will usually be important information in the manufacturers manual that will allow you to get the most out of your unit.
Filter Cleaning
As the filter is used, dust and other particles may get trapped and clogged just like it does in a conventional vacuum cleaner. A dirty filter means it’s not as effective at removing impurities from the air so you should regularly clean it. Most filters can be cleaned using a vacuum or by wiping it down with a moist cloth.
Replace the Air Filter
Many dehumidifiers will come with an inbuilt air filter which removes impurities from the air such as dust and bacteria but also protects the internal components of the machine. Naturally, air doesn’t move through the dehumidifier smoothly, so if the filter isn’t cleaned, then it will make the dehumidifier work harder, which makes it less energy efficient.
You should refer to the manufacturers manual to understand how often the filter needs to be replaced.
Dehumidifier Placement
For dehumidifier to work best, they need to be placed in the ideal conditions, and the placement is very important. They need an unobstructed airflow to work most effectively, and there should be at least six inches between the unit and the wall, so the air intake and exhaust aren’t blocked.
Clean the Water Container Frequently
Regularly emptying your water tank will help to keep it clean but this won’t do the full job and won’t make it completely clean. This can lead to the build-up of bacteria or mould so you should regularly clean it with warm soapy water and make sure it fully dries before placing it back inside the dehumidifier.
The tank may look clean to the naked eye, but not all germs are visible so you should set aside regular time to clean the tank as it only takes a few minutes.
Verdict - Best Dehumidifier For Your Home
Whether you are after a dehumidifier for your home, garage or car, there are a range of dehumidifiers on the market to choose from. We hope this article has helped you find the best dehumidifier for your home!