AS Britain bakes in the July heatwave, many homeowners are discovering a surprising summer problem: excessive humidity making their homes feel sticky and uncomfortable.
While we typically associate dampness with winter, the truth is summer can bring its moisture troubles as scorching days turn into muggy nights.
Hot, humid air can quickly lead to condensation and damp patches throughout your home – and let’s face it, where there’s damp, mould isn’t far behind.
This is exactly where a dehumidifier could really earn its keep during the summer months.
Unlike air conditioners that simply cool your space, dehumidifiers tackle that clammy, uncomfortable feeling by removing excess moisture from the air.
These clever gadgets don’t just make your home feel more comfortable in the heat – they also create an environment where mould spores, bacteria, and dust mites struggle to thrive, helping anyone suffering from summer allergies or respiratory issues.
However, with numerous options available, each with different price tags, water storage capacities, and additional features, how do you determine which dehumidifier is the perfect fit for your household?
We tested a variety of dehumidifiers, from budget-friendly options to sleek, high-end designs. In this article, you’ll find our top picks to help you stay comfortable as temperatures continue to soar.
How we tested
With Britain now baking every summer, we put each dehumidifier through its paces in real homes, seeing how they handle the sticky summer humidity that makes sleeping impossible.
First up, the appearance – because, let’s face it, no one wants an eyesore taking up space during the warmer months.
Price was a major factor too; we wanted to see if premium models actually delivered better performance during these muggy days.
We tested water collection capacity (fewer trips emptying tanks during a heatwave, the better), tech features like timers and humidity settings, and overall performance in creating a cooler-feeling environment.
And noise levels? Crucial! When you’re already struggling to sleep in summer heat, the last thing you need is a machine that sounds like a jet engine!
Best dehumidifiers at a glance
- Best overall: MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier
- Best budget: Conopu Dehumidifier
- Best for large homes: Russell Hobbs 20L Black Dehumidifier
- Best for small spaces: Devola 12L Compressor Dehumidifier
- Best for laundry: MeacoDry ABC 10L Dehumidifier
1. MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier
MeacoDry Arete One 12L
£179.99
Pros: Tailored for UK climate, energy efficient, very easy to use, has an in-built air purifier
Cons: Upfront cost, styling
Rating: 5/5
Years of research and development went into creating this dehumidifier, and the Arete One is a compact machine that resembles the love child of a shredder and a kitchen bin (and not in a bad way!).
Unpredictable British weather is the basis behind the design, with a relative humidity of 60% for temperatures between 10°C and 20°C, and it really shows when you’re using it day-to-day.
It’s quite powerful and the 12L compressor machine with an accurate, advanced humidistat (which we verified independently), takes a reading every 30 minutes.
Why, you may ask? Well, it adjusts itself so the output matches external conditions, shutting down in between to save energy.
Apart from its outstanding performance, I loved how straightforward it is to use.
You literally have a power button, a daily use button, a setting for drying clothes and a night mode. Bish, bash, bosh!
Activating Smart Humidity Mode requires just a couple of button pushes, which will lower the air’s humidity to 55% and then automatically switch off. However, you can adjust the levels according to your needs.
If it detects that levels have risen again, it will kick back into life, with the fan speed and compressor automatically adjusting to the new moisture levels.
Night mode is quiet; there are no blinking lights, no obtrusive beeps and the speed of the fan powers down to its quietest mode.
I liked how portable it is, featuring easy-rolling wheels and a retractable carry handle, so you can transport it quickly between rooms or carry it upstairs with minimal effort.
I also loved that it has an in-built air purifier, as it eliminates the need for an additional gadget in the home.
It has received a 4.9-star rating on Airconcentre, with praise for its ‘great ease of use’, claiming that it has ‘no more condensation.’
As you may be able to tell from the image, I’ve used the Arete One a lot over the couple of years that I’ve had it.
Top tip: Pop it on when you’ve finished painting to speed up the drying process tenfold.
Dimensions: 47cm x 32cm x 24cm, Weight: 10.9kg, Extraction capacity: 12L (24hrs), Power consumption: 165W, Water tank: 2.5L
2. Russell Hobbs 20L Black Dehumidifier
Russell Hobbs 20L Dehumidifier
£164
Pros: Chic, good for larger rooms, laundry function
Cons: Struggles when the tumble dryer is on
Rating: 4.5/5
The Russell Hobbs Black 20L Dehumidifier was one of the more chic models I tested.
I’m not sure when a law was passed stating that all dehumidifiers had to look like a white goods appliance.
But my stance is that if they can’t be attractive to look at, then they should at least be able to blend into the shadows.
This one is still quite compact, and being on wheels, it’s super-easy to move around.
I will say the 3L water tank could be bigger — in some rooms I tested it in, it filled within five hours.
However, there is a continuous drainage feature, which could come in handy if you’ve an inside drain or don’t mind having a bucket out.
This product is ideal for larger rooms (up to 50 m²) and also works well in open-plan spaces or medium-sized rooms with high humidity.
It features a handy LED display that shows the starting humidity and then tracks the drop.
This model features several adjustable settings, tailored to your specific needs. When it’s in a conservatory (which can get very humid), I have it on the continuous setting.
It brought the humidity down from 82% to 60% in just a few hours of being switched on. The condensation was also gone from the windows in around an hour.
If I’m using it to help dry laundry in the lounge, I’ll use the ‘dryer’ setting. I was shocked when it dried my jeans in just a few hours!
Dimensions: 51cm x 35cm x 24.5cm, Weight: 14kg, Extraction capacity: 20L, Power consumption: 440W, Water tank: 3L
3. MeacoDry ABC Range 10L
MeacoDry ABC 10L Dehumidifier
£149.99
Pros: Energy efficient, very easy to use, compact, fairly quiet, easy to empty, laundry mode is useful
Cons: Rather heavy even when empty, no castors (but can be purchased separately)
Rating: 4.5/5
I bought myself this dehumidifier to help with a damp problem in my old house, and as strange as it is to say about an inanimate object, I fell in love with it.
It made a huge difference to the dampness and warmth of the room, drawing out so much liquid that it required emptying at least once a day, if not more.
In addition to helping with my damp problem, I found it very useful for drying laundry in my house, which has neither a garden nor a tumble dryer.
I would simply pop it under my clothes horse with a sheet over the top, and it would all be dry with the laundry mode within a few hours.
It’s extremely easy to use – it only has a handful of buttons to get to grips with, and you just remove the water tank when it needs emptying. Super simple.
My only reservation about it is that it’s quite heavy. So if you need to move it around your house, it requires a little bit of strength. You can purchase castors separately, which might be helpful.
In my current house, I require the use of the MeacoDry much less due to a lack of damp problems (thankfully!), but I still use it to help dry my laundry and when I’m trying to speed up the drying of paint or plaster.
Dimensions: 47cm x 32cm x 24cm, Weight: 10.9kg, Extraction capacity: 12L (24hrs), Power consumption: 165W, Water tank: 2.5L
4. Devola 12L Compressor Dehumidifier
Devola 12L Compressor Dehumidifier,
£139.99
Pros: Compact size makes it good for smaller homes, handy display with humidity levels, sleek design, built-in air filter
Cons: 2L capacity means lots of emptying
Rating: 4.5/5
At 12L, the Devola Compressor Dehumidifier is the perfect size for smaller homes.
It’s unintrusive in both stature and noise; it’s less than half a metre tall and just over 25cm wide, and at just 36dB (a bare whisper), you’ll hardly notice it’s there.
Despite this, it’s very effective; it reduced the humidity from well over 70% (classed as “too high”) to under 60% (classed as “okay”) in under half an hour.
I also liked its sleek design; it features a modern, squared-off silhouette and a circular light that indicates the room’s humidity levels.
Red indicates that the humidity levels are over 65%, green indicates levels between 45% and 65%, while a blue light indicates levels under 45%.
There’s also a small screen on top of the device that displays the exact humidity.
Other handy features include a specific laundry drying mode and a removable air filter, which visibly extracts dust from its surroundings.
Its small size, however, means you will have to empty it frequently; I found myself emptying it at least once a day (often twice if I had washing to dry).
Dimensions: 47 x 25.5 x 22 cm, Weight: 10.5kg, Extraction capacity: 12L, Power consumption: 185W; Water tank: 2L
5. Conopu Dehumidifier
Conopu Dehumidifier
£49.99
Pros: 8p for six hours, small, great for small spaces
Cons: Small, no laundry drying mode
Rating: 2/5
Dehumidifiers are also a good way to prevent mould and dampness in homes, and I’ve been trying to avoid using my storage heaters, which cost 77p an hour to run.
So I decided to turn my attempts towards using a dehumidifier to dry my clothes while combating the cost.
However, I found that when it came to drying my laundry, this particular dehumidifier was a flop.
While it promises to remove around 450ml, and the tank was certainly full after each cycle, it just didn’t seem to have the ability to help dry my items.
Although it was much cheaper than my storage heater, it just didn’t work for me.
However, that’s not to say it won’t have a positive impact on mould buildup in your home.
Dimensions: 25.6x15x15cm; Weight: 1.25kg, Extraction capacity: 450m
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What should you look for in a dehumidifier?
We caught up with Chris Michael, Managing Director at Meaco, and he gave us the lowdown on what to keep in mind when shopping for a dehumidifier.
First up, he reckons that “energy efficiency is probably the most important consideration at present given the ongoing high electricity costs.”
Chris suggests taking a good look at the wattage and size of the dehumidifier – they usually come in sizes such as 10, 12, 20, and 25 litres.
By comparing models, you can determine which one will be the most energy-efficient for your home, especially when considering the rising cost of living.
Energy efficiency is probably the most important consideration at present given the ongoing high electricity costs.
Chris Michael
He warns, “It’s a false economy to buy a cheap dehumidifier that has a high wattage as the running costs will quickly surpass the initial purchase cost savings when compared to a low energy model.”
Consider slightly higher price points, as buying a cheaper model initially may cost you more in the long run.
Another handy tip from Chris? Look for a dehumidifier with a laundry mode.
He points out that this is especially useful now that more people are trying to avoid using energy-hungry tumble dryers to dry their washing indoors.
In his words, “In laundry mode, the machine runs for six hours, which is the average time it needs to dry a load of washing, then switches itself off to save on energy bills.”
Oh, and here’s another thing to think about – how noisy is it?
Since dehumidifiers tend to be on for most of the day, you’ll want one that doesn’t sound like a jet engine.
Chris explains, “Most dehumidifiers are placed in hallways or on landings and are often switched on overnight to dry wet washing.
Low noise is important so that people can sleep and live with these appliances.”
So, there you have it – energy efficiency, laundry mode, and low noise are the biggies when you’re picking out a dehumidifier.
What size dehumidifier is best?
Wondering what size dehumidifier you need?
Don’t worry, Chris Michael, Managing Director at Meaco, has broken it down nicely, so pick the right dehumidifier for your home.
What size dehumidifier for your house?
Bigger the home, bigger the dehumidifier Chris Michael, managing director at Meaco explains.
- Up to 2 bedroom flat house = 10L
- Up to 3 bedroom house = 12L
- Up to 4 bedroom house = 20L
- Up to 5 bedrooms or larger = 25L
Be sure to do your research before buying to avoid disappointment by selecting a product that is not suitable for the size of the space.
Chris points out that it’s not just about the size of your home.
He explains, “The number of occupants and how damp the property gets are other variables to consider when choosing a more powerful model than shown above.”
The number of occupants and how damp the property gets are other variables to consider when choosing a more powerful model than shown above.
Chris Michael
So, if you’ve a large family or your home tends to get particularly damp, you may need to upgrade to a more powerful dehumidifier.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
Trying to determine the costs before investing in a dehumidifier?
It all comes down to a few key factors: the appliance’s litre capacity, its wattage, and a bit of quick math using the average unit price for dual fuel customers on standard variable tariffs, which is currently 34p per kWh.
To give you an idea, let’s take a 12L dehumidifier.
It uses about 160 watts, which works out to 0.16 kWh.
At 34p per kWh, that means running it for an hour will cost just over 5p. Not bad, right?
Most of the dehumidifiers we’ve featured come with smart modes and built-in humidistats, which means they’re not chugging away 24 hours a day.
They’ll only kick in when needed, saving you even more on running costs. Win-win!
How much do dehumidifiers cost?
Similar to most products, dehumidifiers are available in a wide range of prices.
Unfortunately, dehumidifiers aren’t the cheapest household accessories.
However, as Meaco Managing Director Chris Michael says, “It’s a false economy to buy a cheap dehumidifier that has a high wattage as the running costs will quickly surpass the initial purchase cost savings when compared to a low energy model.”
On average, shoppers can expect to pay around £50 for some of the cheaper variants, with prices ranging up to a few hundred pounds for more technical models that offer enhanced functionality and efficiency.
Costs don’t end at just the purchase, unfortunately: they’re mains-operated, so they will use electricity.
However, most dehumidifiers are fairly energy-efficient, averaging around 5p per hour.
Where to buy dehumidifiers in the UK?
There’s a huge range of dehumidifiers on the market, and knowing what to buy and why can feel overwhelming when you have to invest the money.
A fair few retailers stock reputable and own-brand dehumidifiers.
It is essential to purchase products that meet your needs, rather than simply because they’re on offer. Chris Michael explains that parting with your cash is worthwhile when it comes to dehumidifiers.
We spotted dehumidifiers for sale at popular retailers, including:
Do dehumidifiers work?
Absolutely – especially if you follow the advice of Chris Michael above.
Admittedly, dehumidifiers perform way better in a heated room than in a chilly one.
Why? Because they need the air to be warmer than the cold surface inside the machine to function properly.
Compressor models are happiest around 20ºC, which is bang on the average temperature of most UK homes.
Another top tip: keep those doors and windows shut while your dehumidifier’s running.
If you leave them open, the poor thing will have to work overtime trying to dehumidify a much bigger area.
Save yourself the hassle – and save on energy costs too!
Can a dehumidifier remove dampness?
One of the primary functions of a dehumidifier is to remove moisture from the air.
It matters because if the humidity in your house stays at 70% or higher for too long, you’re basically inviting mould to move in.
It’s not only gross, but it can also have a negative impact on your health.
To avoid that, you’ll want to bring those levels down to somewhere between 30% and 60%, especially in the colder months when dampness tends to linger.
Now, how well your dehumidifier can sort this out depends on how sealed the room is.
For example, if you’re running it in a room and someone keeps leaving the door open, you’re letting more damp air waft in, so it will take longer to complete the job.
It’s advised to keep the room properly shut off while the dehumidifier’s working, so it can focus on clearing the air without any interruptions. Simple as that!
This is why, to optimise the efficiency of the machine and rid an area of dampness, you need to keep the room totally enclosed.
Are dehumidifiers worth it in the UK?
Absolutely – for many shoppers, this could be an essential purchase.
If you find condensation beading across your windows in the colder months, you likely need a humidifier.
If you don’t own a tumble dryer and you find yourself putting clothes on the radiator to dry them off during the winter, again, you need a dehumidifier.
This shortcut to getting your clothes dry might seem effective, but the amount of moisture sent throughout your home can lead to issues.
The first is the damp and mould that can often arrive in overly humid indoor conditions.
The second is a potential by-product of this mould growing in your home – it can affect those with health issues such as asthma and a weakened immune system.
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