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The UK is becoming increasingly humid, with many homes feeling the weight of the wet weather, and stuffiness in hotter months. Old and poorly insulted homes are prone to damp issues, while other issues, like cracks or poorly fitting windows, can let moisture in. That's where a dehumidifier can help.
Ebac Founder, John Elliott MBE DL says: "The average UK household generates up to two litres of excess moisture daily, simply through everyday activities such as running a bath or shower, drying laundry indoors, even breathing. Remove too little of this excess moisture and mould can thrive. Remove too much and you are simply wasting energy".
Some moisture build up can be fixed simply by opening a few windows, of course. However in the depths of winter, having every single window open isn't exactly a viable option. Instead, choosing a suitable dehumidifier for the level of moisture in your home could be a more comfortable way to tackle these issues and even make your home warmer in the process.
In recent years, a trend of using dehumidifiers for drying laundry indoors more quickly has surfaced. However, this 'trick' has been around for a very long time and many dehumidifiers even have their own dedicated laundry setting for just this.
Keep scrolling to see all of the best dehumidifiers I've tested that are well suited to UK homes. From models best situated to laundry to larger, full home dehumidifiers.
You can, of course, deal with some moisture issues simply by opening a window but that's not always a viable option, especially in the winter months. Enlisting the help of a dehumidifier can help keep your home drier, warmer and generally more comfortable.
Many of the best dehumidifiers have carry handles for easy transportation to the bathroom or outside.
We were big fans of the Ebac's water tank. It's much easier to carry than classic trays.
Dehumidifiers are also good for drying laundry indoors. The UK's wet, cold weather means that we have to surrender our washing to the indoor clothes airer for a large chunk of the year, which actually releases litres of extra moisture into the air.
Below, I've tried and tested a range of dehumidifiers suitable for UK homes. Whether you just need something for a room or want to bring humidity levels down across your home.
Best dehumidifiers: Quick list
- Most efficient all-rounder: Ebac 4000 series
- Best on a budget: VonHaus 12L
- Best for flats or single rooms: Meaco Arete One 6L
- Most stylish: Meaco Arete Two 12L
- Best for ultra-fast drying: DeLonghi dehumidifier 16L
How we test
We test all the home products we review for at least a week often longer. This ensures we can get the best all-round picture of a product from the build quality to the performance. With dehumidifiers, we set them all up and use them for several days, assessing how long they take to reduce the humidity by 5 per cent and then to a set humidity level.
Assessing the quality of everything - even the buttons
I also use a power meter to check how much energy each humidifier is using while on and calculate the approximate cost per hour (based on current energy prices). I'll then look at things like ease of use, build quality and value for money compared to other models. If there are any notable features - such as a laundry mode - I'll also make note of these.
Best dehumidifiers for excess moisture and drying laundry
1. Most efficient all-rounder: Ebac 4000 series
| Approximate cost per hour | 6 pence |
| Extraction rate | 12-21L |
| Tank capacity | 3.5L |
| Dimensions | 34 x 27 x 54cm (WDH) |
| Laundry setting | Yes |
Ebacs 4000 series of dehumidifiers are probably the best all-rounders for most homes. You can choose from four models -12L up to 21L with each one designed for use in damp UK conditions.
Features:
While these dehumidifiers have lots of redeeming features, including a laundry mode. The most unique thing about them is that they have a smart feature that remembers your home's humidity levels and only turns on when the levels begin to creep up. This should save you money in the long run.
Testing:
In my tests it brought the humidity levels down fairly quickly - around 5% in just a few minutes - and it seemed to do this ever so slightly quicker than the others I tested.
It was fairly quiet in operation too, not as much as some of the others I tested but quiet enough that I'd be happy to have it running while I worked.
Ebac dehumidifiers are also UK designed and made, so you'll be supporting a british business and keeping your carbon footprint down by buying one.
2. Best on a budget: VonHaus 12L
| Approximate cost per hour | 8 |
| Extraction rate | 12L |
| Tank capacity | 2L |
| Dimensions | 25.5 x 22.3 x 45.9cm (WDH) |
| Laundry setting | Yes |
If you want a more compact app-controlled dehumidifier without breaking the bank, this smart model from Vonhaus is a smart option.
Testing:
It my tests it was a lot slower to bring down humidity levels than the likes of Ebac but it still managed to knock a few percent off over an hour or so.
Features:
I also like how quiet this one is - in sleep mode you can barely hear it. It also has a laundry mode for quickly drying clothes and a continuous mode, which keeps it on until the tank is full.
The main downside is that it’s not the most energy efficient option on the list, but a good value buy regardless and using it certainly won’t break the bank.
3. Best for flats or single rooms: Meaco Arete One 6L
| Approximate cost per hour | 4 pence |
| Extraction rate | 6L |
| Tank capacity | 1.8L |
| Dimensions | 28.8 x 21.4 x 395cm (WDH) |
| Laundry setting | Yes |
If you're after a mini dehumidifier to tackle just one room in your home, or if you live in shared or student accommodation - this compact model is the perfect size.
Testing:
It performed really well in my tests and brought down humidity by around 4% in just a few minutes. It slowed up after that but still continued to bring the levels down over a couple of hours. It was particularly quiet during testing, meaning I was able to have it on while I worked and watched TV.
Features:
It has a dedicated laundry mode, which is claims can dry clothes in just six hours - this is probably for quite a small load, though. My clothes weren’t dry in that time.
It’s also really nice looking compared to a lot of dehumidifiers and even has a collapsible carry handle for easy transportation.
4. Most stylish: Meaco Arete Two 12L
| Approximate cost per hour | 4 pence |
| Extraction rate | 12L |
| Dimensions | 31.9 x 23.7 x 472cm |
| Laundry setting | Yes |
If you can afford to push your budget a little further, I’d highly recommend considering the Arete Two models from Meaco. They come with some upgraded quality of life features that make them feel just that little bit more special.
Testing:
I really enjoyed using this one in my tests. It brought down humidity quickly, sped up my clothes drying and was generally just very easy to use. Like the Arete One, it’s very quiet and the 12L capacity means you don’t need to empty it out too often.
Features:
As well as all the features you’ll find on the Arete One above, you also get a timer for both regular and laundry modes, a high humidity indicator, optimal humidity indicator and app functionally so you can control everything from your phone.
It’s great looking, has a collapsible carry handle and even has wheels (which work great on hard floors). Also available in a 20L version.
5. Best for ultra-fast drying: DeLonghi dehumidifier 16L
| Approximate cost per hour | 8 pence |
| Extraction rate | 16L |
| Tank capacity | 2.1L |
| Dimensions | 33.4 x 22 x 50.8cm (WDH) |
| Laundry setting | Yes |
For ultra-fast and continuous extraction, this beefy number from De'Longhi should suit.
Testing:
Those after a model for drying washing, this is an excellent, albeit large choice. The dedicated laundry mode offers super-charged extraction which in tests dried clothes in just a few hours.
It’s more of an energy and space hog than others but I enjoyed how quiet it was. It would best suit a larger household that values efficiency over all else.
Features:
It has a generous 16L capacity and comes with a hose included, meaning you can leave it on all day without emptying if you have an accessible outside space or bath for the hose to sit in.
It’s also Quiet-Mark certified, meaning it can be used throughout the night (when your electricity might be cheaper) without disturbing your sleep.
Verdict
For substance over style, my pick is Ebac. Not only does it automatically detect the humidity levels in your home, only turning on when it's needed but all its dehumidifiers are produced in the UK. This means a smaller carbon footprint and you're supporting a British business.
If a more compact, stylish model is top of your wishlist then go for the Aerete One. It's compact but can still tackle up to 12L of liquid a day and it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. It's also quiet and easy to use.
Why trust us
Danielle has been testing home and garden products for seven years. She's an experienced reviewer and has a wealth of knowledge about a variety of home products. She understands what makes a product special and what's important to you, our readers. All of her reviews are unbiased and offer a full picture of every product.
FAQs
What size dehumidifier do I need?
Small homes, flats and room-only dehumidifiers can stay quite small, especially if you don't have serious damp or condensation issues. We'd recommend one of the 12L models we've tested here, as it will strike a good balance between size and capacity.
For larger homes or ones that struggle with a lot of condensation, consider opting for larger 20L dehumidifiers. This will likely take up more space but will need less frequent emptying.
What is laundry mode on a dehumidifier?
Many modern dehumidifiers have dedicated laundry modes that essentially turbo-charge the dehumidifier to help remove lots of moisture quickly. To make the most of this, you should place the dehumidifier close to your clothes horse and set it to laundry mode for a few hours.
Damp laundry can create quite a bit of extra moisture in your home. Rachel Fraser, Product Specialist at home retailer Pillow Talk, explains that small missteps in winter laundry routines can quickly lead to musty bedding, rough towels and even damage to fabrics.
"During colder months, people often wash and dry more frequently but with less ventilation," Fraser says. "Overusing detergent or fabric softener when drying indoors can leave a residue that traps moisture, reduces absorbency, and makes fabrics feel coarse. And when drying isn't managed properly, it can also lead to lingering damp smells or even mould."
Laundry mode gives your dehumidifier a boost for fast drying clothes.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
Much like heated clothes airers, most dehumidifiers cost just a few pence per hour to run. Most of the options we've reviewed here won't set you back more than 8 pence an hour on the standard setting, though some laundry modes will use more energy and therefore, cost more.