Best dehumidifiers for drying clothes and tackling damp – tried, tested, and in-stock (2024)

The best dehumidifiers can help to dry clothes indoors, as well as combatting the build up of damp, mould, and condensation in our homes by extracting excess moisture from the air to maintain the ideal indoor humidity.

However, just like investing in one of the best air purifiers, wading through the technical jargon to decode extraction rates, tank capacity, and the cost to run each dehumidifier can feel a little daunting. That's why Ideal Home's experts are here to help.

We've tried and tested the best dehumidifiers on the market, putting bestsellers from Meaco, Pro Breeze, EcoAir, Silentnight, Russell Hobbs and more through their paces to compare how many litres of water each can extract from the air per day, how often you'll be emptying the dehumidifier's water tank, its ease of use, noise levels, energy use, and, of course, price.

Find our round-up of the best dehumidifiers for drying clothes, the best budget dehumidifiers, and the best dehumidifier overall below.

The quick list

Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best dehumidifiers. You'll find more information on each dehumidifier and why our testers recommend it if you keep on scrolling.

Best dehumidifiers of 2024

Best dehumidifier overall

The MeacoDry Arete One dehumidifiers are some of the best dehumidifiers we've tested. They're quiet, easy to use, work superbly and are very energy-efficient compared to other compressor models. Plus, all offer a built-in air purification function to improve air quality within the home in more ways than one.

Most importantly, they also do a superb job of getting rid of excess moisture in the air. There are four different sized dehumidifiers in the Arete One range, offering moisture extraction rates of 10, 12, 20 or 25 litres per day. That means it's easy to find the right option for your home size, and the level of moisture control you need. And, all come with generous water tank capacity that means you aren't constantly emptying them, plus an automatic shut-off function when the water tank is full.

There's also plenty of useful functionality on the models. The automatic Smart Humidity Mode works perfectly and is hassle-free, turning the dehumidifier on when moisture-levels rise and automatically shutting the appliance off when the desired humidity is reached so there's no wasted energy or expense.And in our tests, the Arete One reduced moisture levels in damp-prone rooms in a very short period of time.

Plus, the MeacoDry Arete One dehumidifier'sSmart Laundrymodeworks brilliantly for drying washing indoors – wet laundry was dry in hours rather than the days it can usually take in the draughty Victorian terrace we tested the unit in.

Overall, this is a best-in-class dehumidifier that does a fantastic job of extracting moisture from the home and is one of the best dehumidifier for drying washing fast.

You can read our fullMeaco MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier reviewfor more detail.

Best dehumidifier for drying clothes

Overall, the De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry is a great dehumidifier. It’s sleek, stylish and, most importantly, it works really well, with our reviewer rating it amongst the best we've tested.

As well as rapidly extracting moisture from damp-prone rooms, it does an amazing job of drying laundry; on a par withthe MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier. The simple interface also means it’s easy to use, without any complicated settings to get your head around, and, although it doesn't have wheels, its ergonomic carry handle makes it easy to move around the home.

Beyond that, it's relatively quiet when running, has a built-in air filter for air purification on top of its damp-defying powers, and, its energy usage is relatively low.

Really, the Tasciugo only has a few downsides. Although the AriaDry has an automatic humidity sensor so it will switch itself off once your desired setting is reached, it doesn't have a humidity display, so you can't tell what a room's current humidity levels are – something we missed considering its price point. The water tank could also be a lot larger. Its powerful performance meant we were emptying the 2.1L tank very frequently during testing, although there is a continuous drainage option and hose supplied.

It's also not quite the most energy-efficient model on the market. That accolade goes to theMeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier. The comparable 12L Meaco Arete One costs just 4p an hour to run compared to the 12L De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry's average 8p per hour, matches the Tascuigo on specfications, and offers a humidity display.

And, lastly, there's the De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry dehumidifier's price. The stylish Italian design comes at a cost, with this one of the most expensive dehumidifiers on the market.

Our full De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier review has more detail.

Best cheap dehumidifier

First up, it's worth making clear that this small dehumidifier has a very low extraction rate compared to many others on our list, extracting just 0.5L of moisture from the air per day. For comparison, the lowest extraction rate offered within the MeacoDry Arete One range is 10L of moisture extraction per day.Its Peltier operation also means it can only be used in rooms with an ambient temperature of 15-35°C, unlike most compressor dehumidifers which operate above °5C.

As such, this dehumidifier is designed for managing fairly low moisture levels in small rooms up to 15m². It isn't going to able to control humidity within an entire house like larger capacity dehumidifiers, and it won't make a lot of difference to high moisture levels – we found it made little difference when drying wet washing for example.

That said, the ProBreeze 1500ml Mini dehumidifier still impressed us during testing – clearing condensation on windows and managing moisture levels in a small bedroom when left running overnight – so as long as you don't expect too much of it, this mini dehumidifier has a lot of plus points.

It lacks functionality, so this dehumidifier is either on or off. But, that does make it extremely easy to use. And considering its low moisture extraction rate, its water tank capacity is generous at 1.5L so you won't need to empty it as often as many other small dehumidifiers at this price point.

Its compact design means it easily fits on a bedside table, shelf or window sill – unlike most compressor dehumidifiers that take up a lot of floor space. The lack of compressor also means our tester found it extremely quiet compared to most dehumidifiers, emitting a low background hum whilst it was operating that she found easy enough to ignore. Plus, the Peltier design makes for low energy use compared to a more power-hungry compressor or desiccant dehumidifier. The 40W ProBreeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier costs just 1p per hour to run at current energy costs.

In fact those low running costs, plus a very affordable price tag, mean we think this is one of the best dehumidifiers under £100 – an ideal low cost dehumidifier for any small room where you want to combat excess moisture without breaking the bank.

For more detail, read our fullProBreeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier review.

Best desiccant dehumidifier

Unlike a compressor dehumidifier that passes air over a cold coil to condense the water from it, a desiccant dehumidifier uses a 'desiccant chemical' to absorb the moisture from the air. As a result, desiccant dehumidifiers are the best option for rooms that are likely to fall below 15°c, as at lower temperatures compressor and Peltier models can struggle to work efficiently.

The EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 Dehumidifier can extract up to 7.5 litres of moisture per day in cold temperatures as low as 1ºc, so it's a very useful option for conservatories, basem*nts or garages that don't have dedicated heating, as well as unheated rooms in the home during winter months.

That said, in our tests it also worked brilliantly during normal use, quickly reducing humidity and making fast work of drying wet washing. This is helped by the warm air the Simple MK3 kicks out whilst running. EcoAir says that in general 'desiccant dehumidifiers emit warmer air (approx. 3-5 degrees celsius warmer than the ambient air) than compressor models' which can make a desiccant dehumidifier a particularly good choice for drying wet laundry indoors.

As it's name would suggest, the Simple MK3 is also very simple to set-up and operate with easy-to-use manual controls. For its price, we just found it lacked the style and added functionality of the MeacoDry Arete One – the Arete One's Smart humidity mode is particularly useful for controlling humidity without any user input and saves on energy use and running costs.

In fact, along with the higher price ticket, running costs are one of the biggest cons with this product. The 7.5L DD1 Simple MK3 uses 300-580W of electricity compared to the 10L MeacoDry Arete One's 129-199W range, which means the EcoAir model costs between 9p and 17p per hour to run at current energy prices, compared to the Meaco Arete's average of 5p per hour. However, if you're looking for a dehumidifier for use in a cold climate, the EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 Dehumidifier's 1ºc operating temperature is hard to beat.

Learn more about this in our fullEcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 Dehumidifier review.

High capacity dehumidifier

The Pro Breeze 30L Premium Dehumidifier is a high capacity dehumidifier that can extract up to 30L of moisture from the air per day, giving it one of the highest extraction rates on the market.

It also offers Smart App controls, which means you can connect it to WiFi and operate it remotely via the Pro Breeze App or connect to Alexa or similar voice-activated devices. It has a decent-sized water tank capacity of 4L, and an automatic humidity sensor which means you can set your desired humidity level, switch it on, and just let it do its thing.

During our testing process we found it really easy to use and operate, and our reviewer loved the Smart App connectivity (something few dehumidifiers offer) as it gave her a lot more control over how she could use the machine, saying 'the in-App experience is fantastic, the menus are really clear, and changing the settings is simple'.

Whilst this dehumidifier doesn't offer a specific laundry drying function, we still found it helpful at drying wet washing, although it took longer to do so than the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier or De'Longhi Tascuigo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier, which both offer a speedy dedicated laundry-drying boost mode.

However, the 30L Premium Dehumidifier isn't without faults. Its 600W power usage is considerable compared to the only slightly lower extraction rate of the 25L MeacoDry Arete One which only uses 267W of energy. And, we found it noisy to operate. The Pro Breeze 30L Premium Dehumidifier operates at 46dB, and unfortunately it's loud whether the fans are on high or low mode. This isn't a dehumidifier for the bedroom or one you're going to want running for long periods in a living area that's in use.

That said, the Pro Breeze 30L Premium Dehumidifier's high 30L per day extraction rate makes it a great choice if you have high moisture levels to deal with, plus its decent-sized 4L water tank means you won't be emptying it continually, and it offers the option of continuous drainage for very damp environments. Its Smart App connectivity is also a real bonus.

Low price small compressor dehumidifier

The Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier is a popular choice thanks to its relatively low price point that makes it one of the best value compressor dehumidifiers you can buy.In our tests, we found it also offered powerful performance for its price point and compact size.

Like the MeacoDry Arete One, this dehumidifier has a built-in automatic humidity sensor that allows you to set your desired room humidity between 30%-80%. Once this level is reached the unit will turn itself off to conserve energy and switch back on if humidity rises – a nice addition considering the dehumidifier's low price point.

However, the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier isn't without faults.We found its 1.8L water tank too small for its 12L extraction rate, leading to frequent emptying. Plus, emptying the water tank is a hassle, with the tank tricky to remove and the lack of cover making water spillages likely.

Despite its compact size, this dehumidifier is also heavy. And noisy. We also didn’t find it that much help with drying clothes, although it did a good job of managing general damp and reducing condensation and mould on windows and walls.

And whilst its energy use is low compared to many dehumidifiers on the market, it can't beat the super energy-efficient MeacoDry Arete One in this regard. The Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier uses 220W, whereas the comparable MeacoDry 12L Arete One uses just 151W of energy, and doesn't cost that much more upfront at full RRP. The MeacoDry also offers a built-in air purifier, a larger 2.5L water tank, better laundry drying performance, and quieter operation.

That said, if you find the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier on offer, and are willing to accept its flaws in exchange for its lower price point, this can be a great value buy that does the job and will make a big improvement to general damp issues.

Our full Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier review has more detail.

Low price large compressor dehumidifier

The Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier is one of the most affordable large dehumidifiers we've come across. This appliance can extract 20 litres of water from the air per day, and comes in significantly cheaper than comparable options like the best-in-class MeacoDry Arete One 20L dehumidifier that currently costs around £80 more upfront.

Just like the MeacoDry Arete One, as well as an impressive extraction rate, the Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier has some great features, including an easy-to-read LED screen that displays current humidity levels and a useful Smart mode that monitors the humidity levels for you, turning the dehumidifier on and off as soon as it rises above the recommended home humidity range between 45%~55% for more economical (and hassle-free) use. There's also auto-shut off functionality when the water tank is full.

However, there are downsides. The Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier's water tank is fairly small at just 3L, which – especially compared to the 20L MeacoDry Arete One's 4.8L water tank – meant in our tests we were emptying it fairly frequently, and doing so without spilling water was difficult as the tank gets almost full to the top before auto-shut off kicks in.

And, whilst this Russell Hobbs number is cheaper upfront, running costs are higher, with the 20L dehumidifier using 440W of energy compared to Meaco's 20L Arete One which uses 216W on average. Plus, the Arete One offers a built-in air purifier which this model does not.

All that said, the Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier still impressed our review team during testing. So, if you’re looking for a powerful dehumidifier with a cheaper upfront cost, then the Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L is well worth considering.

For more detail, you can read our full Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L review.

Smallest dehumidifier

If you’re looking for a small dehumidifier, then the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G Portable Dehumidifier is about as compact as it gets, measuring just H22 x W14 x D14cm and weighing in at 0.9kg.

Its compact dimensions and lightweight build do indeed make for excellent portability, and it comes in at a very affordable price point. Although, its currently not quite as affordable as the ProBreeze 500ml Compact Mini Dehumidifier that is still our top pick for the cheapest dehumidifier you can buy.

Just like the ProBreeze 500ml, the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G’s tiny build does mean that you'll sacrifice powerful performance with this option. As you might expect from its smaller proportions, this mini dehumidifier's extraction rate and tank capacity don't compare to larger dehumidifiers on this list. Measured against the MeacoDry Arete One dehumidifier's powerful extraction rates of 10, 12, 20, or 25 litres of water from the air each day, the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G can only extract 0.3 litres of water per day, and its 0.6L tank capacity means you'll need to empty it frequently. However, that is still slightly better performance compared to other small dehumidifiers, like the ProBreeze 500ml Compact Mini Dehumidifier‘s 0.25L extraction rate and 0.5L water tank.

If you want a dehumidifier of a similar power and price point, the slightly more expensive ProBreeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier remains our best budget buy, offering a better extraction rate of 0.5L and a larger 1.5L water tank, which means you won’t be emptying it quite so frequently. That said, the ProBreeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier is also larger in size, measuring H30 x W22 x D16cm compared to the Russell Hobbs' H22 x W14 x D14cm frame. And, the ProBreeze 1500ml is twice the weight, weighing in at 1.85kg.

So, if you’re after the smallest dehumidifier on the market, we think the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G wins the accolade of best small dehumidifier, with good all round performance for its size housed in one of the smallest builds on the market – along as you don't expect too much from that 0.3L extraction rate.

For more details, you can read our full Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G Portable Dehumidifier review.

In-stock dehumidifiers

This year dehumidifiers are selling out fast. If one of our top recommendations isn't in stock when you come to shop, then here are the best places to shop in-stock dehumidifiers today.

In-stock Amazon dehumidifiers
In-stock Argos dehumidifiers
In-stock Currys dehumidifiers
In-stock Pro Breeze dehumidifiers
In-stock Robert Dyas dehumidifiers
In-stock Very dehumidifiers
In-stock VonHaus dehumidifiers

How to choose the best dehumidifier

Finding the best dehumidifier for your home depends a lot on the type of moisture issue you're trying to solve, so it's always worth speaking with the customer service department of the manufacturer you're hoping to buy from to ensure you have the right model for your needs.

However, to help give an overview, here are some key facts it's useful to know before searching for the best dehumidifier for the task in hand.

Types of dehumidifier

Compressor dehumifidifiers
Compressor dehumidifiers tend to be the most common design available in the UK. Sometimes also called refrigerant or condenser dehumidifiers, they work by drawing air into the dehumidifier via a fan, and then running the air over over cold coils to condense the moisture from it, whereby the condensed water is collected in a water tank.The coils are kept cool by refrigerant which means the unit also needs a compressor built in. The only downside of compressor dehumidifiers is that they need the air to be warm for this process to work. Most will work above 5°C, but they're most efficient at an ambient temperature of around 20°C (depending on the individual model).

Desiccant dehumidifiers
A desiccant dehumidifier differs in that it uses an absorbent material or chemical dessicant to extract moisture from the air. This means they can operate efficiently in lower temperatures, down to just 1°C, and are useful for garages, basem*nts, conservatorys, or unheated rooms in the house over winter. However, they're usually more expensive both upfront and in terms of running costs than a compressor dehumidifier, so unless you're looking to remove damp at cold temperatures you're generally best off with a compressor model.

Peltier dehumidifiers
Like compressor dehumidifiers, Peltier dehumidifiers also use a condensation process to remove moisture from the air. However, they do this via a thermoelectrical process rather than using refrigerant and a compressor, so they're generally a lot quieter and more economical to run. The downside is that they're far less powerful, so Peltier dehumidifiers tend to very small and best for localised areas of moisture – they won't be powerful enough to help with damp in a large room or entire house.

Extraction rate

Once you've decided which type of dehumidifier is the best fit for your needs, next up you'll want to consider extraction rates.

A dehumidifier's extraction rate is an average of how much moisture it can remove from the air during a given timeframe. Most commonly this is measured in litres per day, so an extraction rate of 10L/per day means the dehumidifier should be able to extract 10 litres of moisture within 24 hours if running continuously. In practice, this also depends on the humidity levels of the room, and the ambient temperature.

Generally speaking, you'll find compressor dehumidifiers that offer 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 25L extraction rates. The higher the extraction rate the more powerful the machine will be, but generally also the larger, heavier, more expensive, and more expensive to run the dehumidifier will be.

You'll also find plenty of dehumidifiers that offer much lower extraction rates, with some of the smallest dehumidifiers extracting just 0.3L of moisture per day.

The right dehumidifier for you will depend on your room size, the scale of your moisture issues, and how quickly you want the appliance to remove moisture. Most dehumidifiers come with a recommended room size listed, so use this as a guage when choosing the best dehumidifier for your home.

Water tank capacity

It's also important not to confuse the extraction rate with a dehumidifiers water tank capacity. As both are generally measured in litres or millilitres this can sometimes cause confusion.

The tank capacity dictates how much water the water tank of the dehumidifier can hold before it needs emptying. A larger tank capacity – such as the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier's generous 2.5L or 4.8Ltanks – means you won't be emptying it as frequently.

Most of the dehumidifiers in our round-up feature automatic shut-off functions that mean they automatically switch off and sound an alarm or activate a warning light once the tank is full. However, a small capacity tank potentially increases the amount of time the dehumidifier will be out of operation before you notice and empty the tank.

Noise levels

It's also worth considering noise levels before you invest in a dehumidifier, as noise disturbance is a big bugbear amongst dehumidifier owners.

Most dehumidifiers have their noise levels listed in their specifications, although in practice we didn't find that much variation between models, with most falling somewhere between 35 and 45dB.

In our tests, Peltier condenser dehumidifiers proved the quietest, which is why the Peltier-powered ProBreeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier is our top pick for the bedroom. However, Peltier dehumidifiers are also the least powerful, so the relatively quiet MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier is our top choice for a low volume compressor dehumidifier.

Other functionality

Lastly, there's extra functionality to consider. The best dehumidifiers you can buy offer a Smart mode. That means you can leave the dehumidifier running and its sensors will detect the humidity levels and switch the machine on and off to keep humidity within your desired range. That saves energy (and money) as the appliance isn't running if it doesn't need to be.

Many also offer a Laundry Drying mode that can give the appliance an extra boost when you're trying to dry wet washing indoors.

FAQs

Got a burning question about dehumidifiers? You may well find the answer below in our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Do I need a dehumidifier?

If you're wondering how to get rid of mould in a poorly ventilated room, or trying to combat excess moisture or humidity inside the home, then a dehumidifier can be a useful tool in your arsenal.

Excess moisture within the home can come from drying clothes indoors, cooking fumes from pans and kettles, bathing and showering, and the damp British weather.

Regular ventilation like opening the windows and doors in your home or turning on extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom is key to removing the build-up of mould-causing moisture. (Top tip: this ishow long to keep windows open to stop mould, as recommended by the experts).

However, if your home doesn't have adequate ventilation, or it's winter and you don't want to open windows to avoid letting your heating escape, then a dehumidifier can help you to keep indoor moisture levels in check.

Does a dehumidifier use a lot of electricity?

You can find out more about how much electricity a dehumidifier will use in our guide to 'how much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?'.

However, the easiest way to find out how much electricity an appliance uses is to look at its wattage. The higher the number of watts a dehumidifier requires, the more electricity it will use and the more expensive running costs will be.

Do dehumidifiers help to dry clothes?

Yes, a dehumidifier will help to dry clothes indoors. That's because a dehumidifier sucks up the moisture that wet washing releases as it dries, therefore helping to speed up drying times.

In fact, when it comes to the heated airer vs dehumidifier debate, a dehumidifier with a good laundry drying function can give one of the best heated clothes airers a run for its money when it comes to drying wet washing, fast.

However, you do need to opt for a dehumidifier with a good extraction rate if you want to use it to dry washing. Our top choices are theMeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifierrange which offers models with a 10, 12, 20 or 25L extraction rate, the De'Longhi Tascuigo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier, or thePro Breeze Premium 20L Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Mode.

We’ve tried and tested a whole host of dehumidifiers, and after putting these three models through their paces we think they’re neck and neck for clothes drying purposes. The bonus is that they also do a great job of managing excess damp and condensation within the home.

Which brand of dehumidifiers is best?

Two of the biggest brand names in the dehumidifier market are Meaco and Pro Breeze. Both offer a great range of dehumidifiers with varied extraction rates to suit different needs.

After thorough in-home testing, we crowned the Meaco Arete One dehumidifier the best dehumidifier overall thanks to its great performance, quiet operation, easy to use functionality, and energy efficient design. Plus, its Smart Laundry Mode is brilliant at drying wet washing.

Is it worth buying an expensive dehumidifier?

Although most of us might want the answer to this question to be no, based upon our testing of a range dehumidifiers of different price points, we would say yes, it is worth spending as much as you can on a dehumidifier.

That's because if you’re looking for a dehumidifier that can clear moisture in a larger space or deal with significant damp levels within the home, then you need a dehumidifier with a high extraction rate.

The cheapest and smallest dehumidifiers on the market can often only extract 0.5L of water from the air per day – in many cases even less – but larger and more powerful dehumidifiers can extract up to 25L per day which can make a huge difference to your home's health if you struggle with damp issues and condensation. The downside is that you will pay more the more powerful a dehumidifier is.

How we test

You'll find full details of theIdeal Homereview process on ourhow we test dehumidifierspage.

Our team of reviewers tested a host of the bestselling dehumidifiers to compile this guide. We compared performance indicators such as moisture extraction rate, tank capacity and how often each model needed emptying, ease of use of controls, aesthetics, and, of course, the price point to find the best value dehumidifiers. We also considered the size and weight of each appliance to find the most portable options, plus each model's noise levels.

If there are any products that we haven't managed to test in person, or the product didn't achieve over 4 out of 5 stars, then they won't have anIdeal HomeApproved badge. However, you can rest assured we've done thorough research on their technical specifications and read multiple happy – and not-so-happy – customer reviews to narrow down our suggestions to only the best-in-class.