Best Dehumidifier in 2023: UK Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

The Meaco Low Energy is our top recommendation if you need a whole house dehumidifier. It's a refrigerant dehumidifier, so it works best in higher temperatures and humidities. Even so, it removes water quickly even in colder conditions.

As the name suggests, the Low Energy is designed to be energy efficient. This is a common claim by manufacturers, but appears to be a true one in this case. According to the Meaco website, the power consumption is 255W - although this varies between 170W and 300W depending on the temperature and humidity.

Other features include an optional HEPA filter, digital display showing current room status, off timer and two fan speeds. You can choose between 12 levels for humidity via the humidistat, ranging from 30% to 80%, giving you a variety of options. The machine also has a child lock and continuous drainage option if you don't want to worry about emptying the water tank.

The Meaco Low Energy is an outstanding large dehumidifier that can quickly reduce excess moisture in your home. It's also relatively quiet, has a large water tank and low(ish) energy consumption. If you need a dehumidifier for home use, it's one of the best around.

The Pro Breeze PB-02 is a mini peltier dehumidifier that's available for a budget price. It has a tiny water tank and a low extraction rate compared with full-size models, but it's great for tackling damp and condensation in a single small room without spending a huge amount of money.

As we mentioned, it uses peltier technology instead of desiccant or refrigerant. This technology, also known as thermo-electric, uses electricity to create a temperature difference and drive dehumidification. While peltier dehumidifiers struggle for efficiency, they are usually very quiet.

The PB-02 has a 500ml water tank, which is considerably smaller than other models on this list. The maximum extraction rate is also low at 250ml per day, however, so you shouldn't need to empty it too frequently.

Despite the small size and low extraction rate, the PB-02 dehumidifier is still effective at removing moisture from the air of small rooms. Other features include a lightweight 1.1kg design, automatic shut-off when the tank is full and a full-tank indicator. It also only requires 20W of power to run.

If you have a damp problem in a specific room and don't want to pay for a larger dehumidifier, the Pro Breeze could be a great alternative. It doesn't get close to the extraction rate of full-size models and isn't effective for multiple rooms - so you need to have realistic expectations. But for caravans or small rooms it's a viable option.

One of the best EcoAir desiccant dehumidifiers is the DD122FW MK5 Classic. While the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, it provides excellent water extraction at room temperature and below. It's also one of the quietest desiccant dehumidifiers we've seen - at least in terms of manufacture-provided noise levels - at just 34dB. This means it might be suitable as a bedroom dehumidifier depending on whether you are easily disturbed by a background hum.

The DD122FW MK5 Classic has a humidistat system for detecting humidity and adjusting its settings accordingly. This allows it to change between standby, economy and full power modes automatically, saving energy and preventing the air becoming too dry. The lightweight design (6kg) makes it easy to carry between rooms.

It's not all good news for this dehumidifier though. The MK5 has a 2 litre tank, which is relatively small. It's maximum extraction per day is also lower than other models on this list. For this reason, we wouldn't recommend it over other options for larger households. While it's quiet on its lowest setting, there are reports that it's relatively loud on higher speeds (this isn't clear on EcoAir's website). If you're looking for the quietest dehumidifier, you'll need to keep it on the lower settings.

What the unit lacks in raw power it makes up for in efficiency. It's highly effective at removing water from room temperature environments. As it's a desiccant dehumidifier, it's great at extracting water in cooler conditions. The DD122FW MK5 Classic is also easy to use and the automatic setting means you don't need to micro-manage the machine.

We think the DD122FW MK5 Classic is one of the best dehumidifiers on the market. It's not the most energy efficient or the largest, but it has excellent water extraction and works well in colder homes or garages. It's also a great option as a dehumidifier for your bedroom when on lower settings.

Note: Looking for a quiet refrigerant dehumidifier? The Meaco ABC 12L is our top pick. Click here for our full review.

The Meaco DD8L is a portable desiccant dehumidifier that weighs just 6.4kg. This is less than half some of the refrigerant models on this list, making it an impressively light unit. It's also a quiet model with a noise rating of just 39dB on its lowest fan setting.

As it's designed to be compact and lightweight, the dehumidifier has a relatively small 2 litre water tank. It also has a maximum extraction rate of 7.5 litres per day when on maximum fan speed and with laundry mode enabled (650W). This makes it less suitable for larger homes.

For dehumidifying garages or single rooms, however, the DD8L excels. Its lightweight and compact design, combined with the carrying handle, mean you can easily move it between rooms or take it on holiday. It also provides efficient water extraction at colder temperatures.

Other features include a timer, to tell the machine to come on for a fixed length of time, and a laundry mode. The machine also generates heat, so it's great for rooms that you struggle to keep warm.

The Meaco DD8L Portable is an excellent desiccant humidifier for small rooms or caravans. While its water tank is on the small side and it doesn't have a digital control panel, it's great at removing moisture from cooler rooms. It also doesn't seem to struggle when the temperatures become milder.

The EcoAir DC202 is a hybrid refrigerant dehumidifier and air purifier. A powerful and effective dehumidifier in its own right, the machine also comes with a 5-stage air purification system. This helps to remove allergens and odours from the air.

Let's start with the dehumidifier function. It's capable of extracting 20 litres per day, making it one of the highest capacity models on this list (at least in ideal conditions). It also has a large four litre water tank so you won't need to empty it as often.

In addition, the air purifier uses a five stage system to control odours and remove allergens. This includes charcoal, anti-allergy and ionisation stages. If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, the air purifier could help relieve symptoms. We also like how the charcoal and deodouriser stages reduce nasty odours that can build up in homes.

Other features include automatic shut-off when the water tank is full, a continuous drainage option and three options for humidity control. There are also two fan settings and a laundry function. Emptying the tank is simple, although you'll need to replace the filter every 4-6 months.

If you just need a dehumidifier, there are cheaper options on this list that provide a similar level of water extraction and performance. But if you want to reduce odours and allergies the DC202 is an excellent option.

The EcoAir DC12 Mk2 is a relatively compact dehumidifier that's an affordable choice for small homes. It has a maximum extraction rate of 11 litres per day, castor wheels for easier portability, and a lower price than most refrigerant dehumidifiers.

The 11 litre maximum extraction rate makes it perfect for small homes or flats, although we don't recommend it for larger houses. With its digital control panel, we also like that the EcoAir is easy to operate, quiet, and energy efficient.

Like all refrigerant dehumidifiers, it works best at room temperature or above. This makes it suitable for bedrooms and bathrooms, but its poor performance at lower temperatures makes it unsuitable for garages or conservatories.

We also think it could do with a bigger water tank. At 1.7 litre, it's one of the smallest tanks we've reviewed, meaning it needs to be emptied regularly.

Even so ,the EcoAir DC12 Mk2 is amongst the best dehumidifiers for small houses and flats. It's not the most powerful option for large homes or for extracting water in cold conditions, but it's great for dehumidifying a few interior rooms or drying laundry. We also think it provides excellent value for money.

The original DD8L is one of our top picks for small areas, such as caravans, as it's a relatively compact dehumidifier that's great in cold conditions. But if you need something that's a step up in almost every aspect, the DD8L Zambezi is an excellent option.

As a desiccant model with an 8 litre per day capacity, the Zambezi is more effective in cooler temperatures than refrigerant models. At 10 degrees Celsius, for example, it's able to extract up to 7.5 litre per day depending on humidity. This makes it suitable for garages, conservatories and other cooler areas.

It's also highly effective at removing water at room temperature. At 20 degrees Celsius and a 60% humidity, for example, it's able to extract up to 8.3 litres per day.

Meaco claims that Zambezi has six "world firsts" for a desiccant dehumidifier. These include a digital display, which is usually only found on refrigerant models, and a sterilising ioniser. The Zambezi also includes Meaco's Energy Saving Laundry+, for drying clothes fast, and a daily timer.

The biggest drawback is the price. As you would expect from a dehumidifier with such a wide range of features, it has a premium price tag to match.

Even so, we think the Zambezi provides great value. It's quick at extracting water, while the digital display and daily timer are useful features. If your budget can stretch to the Zambezi, it's a highly recommended desiccant model.

If you have a big home and need faster water extraction than the average dehumidifier, then the Pro Breeze 30L could be the perfect option (replacing the EcoAir DC18 on this list). The Pro Breeze provides a whopping 30 litres per day maximum extraction rate, along with smart features and excellent performance.

The PB-15-UK is a refrigerant dehumidifier. It's one of the biggest models we've reviewed, with a bulky footprint and a very heavy 17kg design. In other words, it's not the right tank for a small flat or home!

However, if you have a big home and need to remove a lot of humidity, then the Pro Breeze is one of the best dehumidifiers on the market. It excels at pulling moisture out of the air and is a great choice for damp rooms. Keep in mind that, like all refrigerant dehumidifiers, it's more effective in warmer environments, but it still does a decent job in cooler locations.

The Pro Breeze also has "Smart" features that aren't found on older dehumidifiers. For example, there's an app for controlling the target humidity and viewing the current humidity level. You can also choose from three modes and create schedules.

Other features include a three litre water tank, automatic shut-off when the tank is full, and a continuous drainage option. You'll need a floor-level drain to use a continuous drainage hose though, which is impractical for most homes.

The biggest downsides to this dehumidifier are that it's heavy and relatively noisy. These issues are a direct consequence of the dehumidifier's fast moisture extraction though. So, if you need to remove a lot of water from the air, the trade-off is worth it.

We think the Pro Breeze 30L Smart is an excellent whole home dehumidifier. The high water extraction rate makes it perfect for damp environments, plus it provides excellent value for money. The app integration is also a useful feature, although you can use the digital panel if you prefer.

The EcoAir Summit S is a refrigerant dehumidifier with excellent water extraction at room temperature or above. It has a maximum extraction rate of 12 litres per day and two fan settings depending on your requirements.

We like the control panel of the Summit S. The "On" button has three colours depending on the humidity, so you can see the current level at a glance. There's also a timer and active humidity display on the control panel.

With a 2 litre water tank, the Summit S is one of the smallest we've reviewed, so be prepared to empty it more often than other dehumidifiers. There is a continuous drainage option, but this often isn't viable for an in-home dehumidifier.

Like most dehumidifiers, the Summit S has a laundry mode for when you need to quickly reduce the humidity in the room. Other features include a sleep mode (which switches off the lights), low noise output, and a tank full indicator.

Most importantly, the EcoAir Summit S is effective at removing water from the air in warm environments. It's much less effective in cooler environments, so we recommend a desiccant dehumidifier for a garage or conservatory.

In summary, the Summit S is an excellent desiccant dehumidifier. It's got a small water tank and isn't great for unheated rooms. But for medium-size homes it can quickly extract water and is simple to use. Highly recommended.

The Delonghi DEX214F (replacing the Ebac 3850e on this list) has become a popular refrigerant dehumidifier for the UK climate. We think it provides impressive water extraction rates, and we also like the simple design and double filtration system.

While it isn't cheap, the DEX214F is highly effective at removing water from warm rooms. It also comes with a humidistat, which aims to keep humidity at a specific level. However, it's most effective at room temperature or above, so we don't recommend it for cooler environments.

An interesting feature of this Delonghi dehumidifier is the double filtration system. It combines an allergen filter with a regular dust filter, which helps to improve the air quality in your home. We don't think it's a solution to allergies, but it could certainly help relieve symptoms in some situations.

Other features include a laundry mode, relatively quiet operation, and a water level window. The dust filter is cleanable, although we think it's still a good idea to replace it every two years for optimal performance.

A downside to the Delonghi is that it has a small 2.1 litre water capacity. The powerful water extraction means you'll need to empty it regularly, which is something to keep in mind if you're looking for a more hands-off dehumidifier. It's also quite expensive - even though we think it's worth the money.

Despite these drawbacks, we think the Delonghi DEX214F is one of the best dehumidifiers on the market - as long as you don't want to use it in cold rooms. It has excellent water extraction and isn't too noisy, although we would have liked a larger tank.

The Inventor Fresh 12L dehumidifier isn't built by one of the "big 3" manufacturers (EcoAir, Meaco and Ebac). Even so, it's proven to be a highly popular budget dehumidifier that's great for removing water from room-temperature environments.

While the 2.1 litre tank is relatively small, it allows the model to have a thin 21.5cm depth. It's reasonably quiet when in operation and great if you need to dry clothes indoors - especially in the winter. As with all refrigerant dehumidifiers, it performs best with warmer temperatures.

We're impressed that it can extract up to 12 litres per day, especially considering the low price. However, considering the two litre tank, we wouldn't recommend this for large houses. For small houses, student accommodation or flats it's an excellent choice.

Other features include a control panel to adjust your desired humidity (35%-85%), a continuous dehumidification mode and "silent" mode for night use. The Inventor also has a 24 hour timer and an optional continuous drainage output. It consumes 200W when on the continuous mode and has an auto-restart function.

In summary, the Fresh 12L is one of the best dehumidifiers for small homes and flats. While it would struggle with a large house, it provides fast water extraction, has a compact design and is relatively quiet. If you're looking for a full-size electric dehumidifier but don't have the budget for one of the more expensive models, it's certainly an option to consider.