\n<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to live in the American deep south to feel the effects of humidity. At home, just breathing makes the air more humid, let alone cooking or showering.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0Learn more.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n And when it gets too humid, it\u2019s bad for our health as well as our homes. In fact, the two are connected: humidity lets mould and dust mites flourish \u2013 and they, in turn, can trigger asthma and allergies.<\/p>\n Dehumidifiers can make your indoor environment more comfortable by reducing the amount of moisture in the air. Because of this, they\u2019re also a great laundry-drying hack. I use mine to dry clothes fast, and for a fraction of the cost of tumble drying.<\/p>\n Not sure if you need one? You can buy a hygrometer cheaply \u2013 the one I used for testing cost less than \u00a310 \u2013 to check your home\u2019s relative humidity and make an informed decision. Should you opt to buy one, do your research at reputable sources (like, hint, the Filter). Researching this piece, I was shocked to learn that customers had been duped into buying very basic dehumidifiers for well over the odds.<\/p>\n \u00a3329 at Ebac\u00a3139.99 at Amazon\u00a3199.99 at Devola\u00a3299 at Amazon\u00a3299 at John Lewis\u00a3128.99 at Devola<\/p>\n I\u2019m an award-winning consumer technology journalist with decades of experience testing electrical appliances; I\u2019ve been reviewing gadgets for almost 30 years. I live in a terrace house with a lovely number of children and far too many pets, so there\u2019s lots of laundry: I use a dehumidifier to dry clothes. I\u2019ve also been known to use one for speedy DIY, drying plaster and paint faster.<\/p>\n <\/span>Each dehumidifier\u2019s performance, energy consumption and noise levels were recorded.<\/span> Photograph: Caramel Quin\/The Guardian<\/p>\n I selected 14 dehumidifiers from leading brands to test, then set them up and used them, each for several days. I used a power meter to measure how much electricity (and therefore money and carbon) they use. Using the Sound Meter app, I measured the noise from 1m away in decibels (dB) on multiple occasions \u2013 the figures featured here are all the ones that I measured at home, in consistent conditions, so they often differ from manufacturers\u2019 official figures, which are measured in lab conditions but in inconsistent ways. More subjectively, I paid attention to the quality of the sound \u2013 was it annoying, gurgly, hard to ignore, easy to fall asleep to? And I measured each dehumidifier\u2019s size.<\/p>\n To measure the room\u2019s humidity while testing, I used a digital hygrometer held 1m away (though humidity would be roughly the same elsewhere in the room), and a thermometer to check the temperature. Dehumidifiers fill a tank with water they have extracted from the air, so one measure of how good a job they\u2019ve done is to measure how much water is in there \u2013 which I did, using a jug.<\/p>\n Because conditions vary from moment to moment and room to room, it was impossible to test each one in precisely the same conditions. As such, I\u2019ve only mentioned the results of these not-so-scientific tests when they stood out.<\/p>\n After testing, any dehumidifiers that weren\u2019t collected by manufacturers were donated to Furnishing Futures, a charity that fully furnishes the empty social housing in which women and children are placed after surviving domestic abuse.<\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Caramel Quin\/The Guardian<\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Caramel Quin\/The Guardian\u00a3329 at Ebac\u00a3329 at Argos<\/p>\n This is the priciest dehumidifier on test, but it\u2019s worth the money. It\u2019s large but luggable, with a single deep handle on the rear that makes it easy to carry and an integrated cable tidy on the back that\u2019s great when you want to store it.<\/p>\n Why we love it The small display is colourful, and there\u2019s a good range of modes, including laundry. A smart control feature remembers your home\u2019s humidity levels and kicks in only when the levels start to rise: in a home that doesn\u2019t have major damp problems, this will save a lot of electricity. It can be controlled via an app, and it also comes with an activated carbon filter for removing unwanted smells.<\/p>\n Performance was good, bringing relative humidity down by 4% in a short time, and its capacity and smart controls make it a great all-rounder. You can simply leave it switched on and trust it to manage your home\u2019s humidity levels without wasting electricity. The Ebac\u2019s sound was inoffensive, too: I could definitely sleep with it on. It\u2019s pretty energy efficient and it\u2019s made in north-east England, so its carbon footprint is lower than some other models. It also comes with a four-year warranty if bought directly from the brand.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>there\u2019s no window to inspect the fill level.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 34 x 27 x 54cm (WDH) \u00a3169.99 at VonHaus\u00a3139.99 at Amazon<\/p>\n At the time of writing, a discount code brings this dehumidifier\u2019s price down to less than \u00a3150. Even at full price, though, it\u2019s a bargain.<\/p>\n Why we love it Other modes include auto, which turns the machine off when it reaches the target relative humidity, and continuous, which means it won\u2019t turn off until the tank is full. An app lets you control it from your phone or with Google Home or Amazon Alexa. Simple coloured lights on the front give a visual indicator of what mode it\u2019s in.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a great all-rounder for the price. On test, it started cutting humidity levels within minutes, and over a couple of hours, it brought relative humidity down by at least 5%, pulling 450ml of water out of the air. It\u2019s good for drying laundry and tackling damp \u2013 the only corner cut, when compared with pricier models, is Hepa air filtration.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure whether or not to invest in a dehumidifier, this is a good buy for the price.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>it only has a washable dust filter, not Hepa air purification, even though there looks to be enough room for a larger filter.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 31 x 24 x 49cm (WDH) \u00a3199.99 at Devola\u00a3199.99 at Aircon Centre<\/p>\n Kill two birds with one stone with this new hybrid model that promises cleaner as well as drier air. It comes with a Hepa filter (for filtering the air), an ioniser (for pulling dust out of the air) and an ultraviolet lamp (for killing germs).<\/p>\n Why we love it Dehumidifier modes include laundry and night (quieter at 20dB), and the flap on the top is motorised, so it opens automatically and can be set to \u201cswing\u201d to circulate air.<\/p>\n It was great being able to see the air quality improve, as well as the humidity. The Devola is well designed, too: the water tank is accessed from the side and its handle doubles as a visual level indicator. And I found the tank easy to empty without making a mess.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>it\u2019s not quieter. Hepa filters will need replacing periodically, too (Devola suggests every six months, so budget about \u00a315 a year).<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 36 x 27 x 57cm (WDH) \u00a3299.99 at Duux\u00a3299 at Amazon<\/p>\n This is a good-looking dehumidifier, with clean lines. The water drawer at the front has a useful visual indicator, so you can see at a glance how full it is.<\/p>\n It features wifi and app control so that you can set schedules, and an activated carbon filter works to remove odours, gases and smoke.<\/p>\n Why we love it I also like that it uses the environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant, which has a low global warming potential (GWP). In fact, its GWP is only triple that of carbon dioxide, while some refrigerants have a GWP that\u2019s hundreds of times that of CO2 (and some refrigerants now banned from sale have GWPs of thousands).<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>it doesn\u2019t offer Hepa air purification at this price.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 32 x 24 x 51cm (WDH) \u00a3299 at John Lewis\u00a3299.99 at Meaco<\/p>\n You\u2019d expect the successor to the popular Arete One to be impressive, and this doesn\u2019t disappoint. It\u2019s not just a dehumidifier \u2013 it also purifies the air, thanks to the included dust and medical-grade H13 Hepa filters.<\/p>\n Why we love it Its display is slightly unusual: rather than a number, it shows a sliding scale of humidity levels, giving you a clear visual indication of the current humidity and your target. The interface is intuitive, however, and there aren\u2019t too many buttons.<\/p>\n The five-year warranty is the longest I\u2019ve seen for a dehumidifier. But most of all, I was impressed by the quiet. The average noise was just 5dB, and this went down to 4dB (considerably quieter than the manufacturer\u2019s claimed noise level) in night mode. You can honestly forget that it\u2019s on.<\/p>\n It also has some thoughtful features. For example, if you leave it plugged in but not switched on, it will say \u201cwet\u201d on screen to alert you when it detects a relative humidity of 70% plus.<\/p>\n You can also choose your type of air filtration when you buy refills (\u00a339.99 for a pack of three). Replace the Hepa filter if you have allergies or pets; swap for an activated charcoal filter if you\u2019d prefer to remove cooking smells, smoke and VOCs (chemicals that come off new furniture, paint, carpets and so on).<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>the louvre isn\u2019t motorised, considering the price.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 37 x 27 x 62cm (WDH) \u00a3128.99 at Devola\u00a3128.99 at Aircon Centre<\/p>\n When compared with the other smaller (12-litre capacity) models on test, this extracted the most water from the air. It removed 200ml, reducing relative humidity by 5% in a short time. It also looks good.<\/p>\n Why we love it It was pretty quiet and sounded like a fan. I could definitely sleep through its 5dB on low fan mode.<\/p>\n Got enough space for a larger model? For only a little more, you can buy the larger Devola DVHA20L above, which features a built-in PM2.5 air quality monitor, so you can see the impact it\u2019s having on air quality.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>the rear tank doesn\u2019t have a visual indicator, so you can\u2019t tell how full it is without pulling it out.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 30 x 23 x 47cm (WDH) <\/span>Extracted moisture powerfully during testing: the ProBreeze dehumidifier.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a3149 at Currys\u00a3149.99 at Swan<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> looks<\/p>\n The Swan\u2019s design is as elegant as its feathery namesake. It\u2019s also a contender for best bargain when reduced.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026 <\/strong>the powerful upwards fan and motorised flap make it great for drying laundry, but there\u2019s no laundry mode, and the minimum target for relative humidity is 40% (many models go down to 30% and laundry mode is invariably 35% with a timer).<\/p>\n You can still dry laundry by choosing 40% and setting a timer, but it seems like an oversight.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/p>\n Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.<\/p>\n Privacy Notice: <\/strong>Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on theguardian.com to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.<\/span><\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 33 x 22 x 57cm (WDH); daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 20l; tank capacity:<\/strong> 4l; peak power use on test:<\/strong> 330W; average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>30dB; target <\/strong>humidity range:<\/strong> 40-80%; laundry setting?<\/strong> No; running costs: <\/strong>9p\/hour<\/p>\n \u00a3199.99 at Meaco\u00a3199.99 at Amazon<\/p>\n Best for: <\/strong>a garage or shed<\/p>\n This is a desiccant dehumidifier, rather than a condenser dehumidifier like the others here (see the guide below for more information on the different types). As such, it uses more electricity but can be used in colder spaces, operating as low as 1C: perfect for a garage or shed. This one features an ioniser that helps cut airborne dust, and it\u2019s compact, light and easy to carry. On test, it performed well, cutting relative humidity by 10% but raising the temperature slightly.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026 <\/strong>it\u2019s good for garages, but since it uses twice as much electricity as condenser dehumidifiers, I wouldn\u2019t use it in the home. It doesn\u2019t display the humidity level, either.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 36 x 20 x 55cm (WDH); daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 8l; tank capacity:<\/strong> 2l; peak power use on test:<\/strong> 690W; average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>40dB; target humidity range:<\/strong> 40-60%; laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes; running costs: <\/strong>18p\/hour<\/p>\n \u00a3189.99 at ProBreeze\u00a3189.99 at Amazon<\/p>\n Best for: <\/strong>powerful drying<\/p>\n At the time of writing, the ProBreeze website had a discount code that brought this dehumidifier\u2019s price down by \u00a330, making it a bargain for such a workhorse. In my tests, it extracted moisture powerfully, bringing relative humidity down by more than 10% in a couple of hours. For \u00a310 extra, you can get a version with smart app control.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026<\/strong> it uses quite a lot of electricity, even on low power mode. And although it was fairly quiet (15dB on low fan mode), there was an annoying low hum as well as the fan noise.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 32 x 20 x 58cm (WDH); daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 20l; tank capacity:<\/strong> 5.5l; peak power use on test:<\/strong> 360W; average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>20dB; target humidity range:<\/strong> 30-80%; laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes; running costs: <\/strong>9p\/hour<\/p>\n \u00a3119.99 at Aircon Centre\u00a3119.99 at Devola<\/p>\n Best for: <\/strong>clever design<\/p>\n I liked the way this affordable dehumidifier looked, and loved the little notch at the top of the rear water tank. It means that, when dry, you can stow the power cable in there, making this an easy machine to store.<\/p>\n A light-up ring on the front indicates relative humidity at a glance: green for good, red for too humid, blue for too dry.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026<\/strong> I preferred the newer Devola DVH12L, which also has a Hepa filter for air purification.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 26 x 22 x 47cm (WDH); daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 12l; tank capacity:<\/strong> 2l; peak power use on test:<\/strong> 180W; average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>25dB; target humidity range:<\/strong> 30-80%; laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes; running costs: <\/strong>5p\/hour<\/p>\n \u00a3139.99 at Aircon Centre\u00a3139.99 at Amazon<\/p>\n Best for: <\/strong>the smallest dehumidifier<\/p>\n This was the smallest on test, so it could be worth considering if you only want to use it occasionally and need to stow it away most of the time. The dust filter is washable, and while there\u2019s no true sleep mode (there\u2019s one that dims the lights, but it doesn\u2019t reduce noise), most of the lights turn off after a minute, and it\u2019s not too loud.<\/p>\n The comfort mode targets a relative humidity based on the temperature, and its front water drawer gives a visual indication. I also like that it uses the environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant, which has a low GWP.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026<\/strong> it didn\u2019t reduce humidity as much as some, collecting just 150ml overnight. Also, unusually, I spilled some water when carrying it after testing.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 28 x 24 x 39cm (WDH); daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 12l; tank capacity:<\/strong> 2.5l; peak power use on test:<\/strong> 180W; average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>20dB; target humidity range:<\/strong> 30-90%; laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes; running costs: <\/strong>5p\/hour<\/p>\n \u00a3166.93 at Aircon Centre\u00a3189.99 at Meaco<\/p>\n Best for: <\/strong>compact air purification<\/p>\n This has excellent features, including top-notch air filtration and a three-year warranty from some retailers. Like its big sibling, the MeacoDry Arete Two (above), it purifies the air thanks to an included medical-grade H13 Hepa filter and dust filter. The Hepa filter is optional, and it will need replacing (about every three months) if you want to use it. Budget \u00a340 a year for refills.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026<\/strong> you can\u2019t see whether the air purification is working. For only a little more, you can buy the larger Devola DVHA20L, which features a built-in PM2.5 air quality monitor. I also didn\u2019t like the looks, finding the green and white a bit clinical.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 32 x 24 x 49cm (WDH); daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 12l; tank capacity:<\/strong> 2.5l; peak power use on test:<\/strong> 200W; average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>20dB; target humidity range:<\/strong> 30-80%; laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes; running costs: <\/strong>5p\/hour<\/p>\n \u00a3190 at B&Q\u00a3190 at TradePoint<\/p>\n Best for: <\/strong>easy carrying<\/p>\n This has a daily extraction rate of 16 litres, which isn\u2019t the weediest but is one of the smaller models on test. It has a simple handle across the full width that\u2019s well balanced. If you find it difficult to carry heavy items up and down stairs, choose a smaller model like this.<\/p>\n I liked the display, with relative humidity and temperature shown inside a cartoon house. And there\u2019s a fan swing function that helps with drying laundry.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026<\/strong> there\u2019s no sleep function, although it\u2019s fairly quiet.<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 30 x 19 x 47cm (WDH); daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 16l; tank capacity:<\/strong> 2.4l; peak power use on test:<\/strong> 230W; average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>20dB; target humidity range:<\/strong> 50-70%; laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes; running costs: <\/strong>6p\/hour<\/p>\n \u00a3179 at Currys\u00a3159 at Amazon<\/p>\n Best for: <\/strong>smart controls<\/p>\n I liked the Black+Decker\u2019s design, from the coloured light at the top that indicates humidity (red for high, green for good, blue for low) to the large, white digits on its front that tell you the precise relative humidity.<\/p>\n These quick-glance displays work well when it\u2019s paired with the app, so you can control it from afar. You can even add Google Home and Amazon Alexa voice controls. I could use my phone as a remote control from anywhere in the home to check on progress \u2013 rare for a dehumidifier at this price point.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t make the final cut because \u2026<\/strong> the machine was loud at times (although the sleep setting averaged 17dB).<\/p>\n Dimensions:<\/strong> 34 x 24 x 57cm (WDH); daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 20l; tank capacity:<\/strong> 6.5l; peak power use on test:<\/strong> 395W; average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>20dB; target humidity range:<\/strong> 30-80%; laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes; running costs: <\/strong>10p\/hour<\/p>\n <\/span>Your home\u2019s ideal relative humidity is 40-60% in summer and 30-50% in winter.<\/span><\/p>\n Relative humidity is the percentage of water vapour in the air compared with the maximum that the air can hold.<\/p>\n Warm air can hold more water vapour than cold air. So if the amount of water in the air stays the same but the temperature drops, relative humidity increases.<\/p>\n When relative humidity hits 100%, the air is fully saturated, and water condenses on surfaces, like how dew condenses on cool morning grass.<\/p>\n All the dehumidifiers tested here measure the relative humidity (a percentage) and let you set a target.<\/p>\n If the air is too humid, it feels muggy, and it\u2019s hard for sweat to cool you on a hot day. If the air is too dry, it can lead to problems such as dry eyes and throats.<\/p>\n For your health and your home, the ideal relative humidity is 40-60% in summer and 30-50% in winter.<\/p>\n You might benefit from a dehumidifier if you have damp and mould problems. Humidity helps mould and dust mites flourish \u2013 and they, in turn, can trigger asthma and allergies.<\/p>\n Another benefit is to dry laundry fast. Use a dehumidifier to pull moisture out of the air, then clothes in the room dry much faster and without causing damp problems such as condensation on windows or walls.<\/p>\n Dehumidifiers are also good for specific uses, such as drying paint or plaster faster, or helping a room dry out after flooding.<\/p>\n If in doubt, use a cheap hygrometer to check your home\u2019s relative humidity and make an informed decision.<\/p>\n Most of the dehumidifiers tested here are compressor dehumidifiers<\/strong>, so they work a bit like a fridge, compressing and then expanding a refrigerant to cool a metal coil. Water from the air then condenses on the coil and drains off into a water tank. These are usually the best style of dehumidifier for the home.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t throw away the plastic tube if you find one in the box. Some models come with a drain hose \u2013 so you can constantly dry rather than stopping when the tank is full. Other models let you add a hose if you need it (but most people don\u2019t use them, which is why they\u2019re not always included).<\/p>\n I tested one desiccant dehumidifier<\/strong>. These excel in cold environments, such as garages, cellars and outbuildings. This is because they work by using moisture-absorbing materials that don\u2019t rely on temperature to remove humidity. However, they use more electricity to do so. They don\u2019t require refills (none of the units featured here need refills for dehumidification \u2013 the only ongoing cost apart from electricity is that some have Hepa air filters that need replacing every three to six months).<\/p>\n Peltier dehumidifiers<\/strong> are small and quiet, but they\u2019re not very effective and they use more energy, so we haven\u2019t featured any in this roundup.<\/p>\n The larger (20l a day) models tested here are good for larger homes and open-plan spaces. You can put them somewhere central to tackle humidity in the whole home.<\/p>\n The smaller (12l a day) models are very popular and better for smaller homes or single tasks, such as drying laundry. However, if you have persistent damp problems, then it could be worth sizing up.<\/p>\n You can add a hose to most dehumidifiers if you want to keep them in constant use without having to empty the tank.<\/p>\n I measured each dehumidifier\u2019s power use on the top setting, in watts (W). Electricity costs are in kilowatt hours (kWh). For example, if you\u2019re running a 200W dehumidifier for four hours, it would use 800Wh or 0.8kWh.<\/p>\n The energy price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2025 is 26.35p a kWh. Multiply this by the last figure and you\u2019ll discover it costs 21p to run the dehumidifier for four hours.<\/p>\n This compares favourably with a tumble dryer. One load in a traditional model uses about 4.5kWh (\u00a31.19), although an energy-saving heat pump model uses half that. Either way, it\u2019s much cheaper to run a dehumidifier than either type of tumble dryer.<\/p>\n Many dehumidifiers have a laundry mode that aims for a low relative humidity of 35%, with a timer that turns off automatically, typically after six hours.<\/p>\n To dry laundry effectively, hang it in a room, turn on the dehumidifier and close the doors. That way, it\u2019s drying the air (and speeding the laundry drying) without having to dry moister air that comes in from the outside world.<\/p>\n For more, read the Filter\u2019s guides:<\/strong> Caramel Quin is a journalist specialising in consumer technology. She prides herself on real-world testing and plain language. Her pet hates are jargon, pointless products and overcomplicated instruction manuals. Caramel is an engineering graduate who has won awards for communicating hi-tech subjects to normal people. When she\u2019s not testing gadgets, she\u2019s feeding pets (16 beasts at the time of writing) or pottering at the allotment<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You don\u2019t have to live in the American deep south to feel the effects of humidity. At home, just breathing makes the air more humid, let alone cooking or showering. The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0Learn more. And when it gets too humid,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[103,3473,304,17503,17502,6985,337,891,888],"class_list":{"0":"post-29668","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-technology","8":"tag-beat","9":"tag-bills","10":"tag-cut","11":"tag-damp","12":"tag-dehumidifiers","13":"tag-favourites","14":"tag-life","15":"tag-style","16":"tag-tested"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29668","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29668"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29668\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29668"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29668"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}At a glance<\/h2>\n
Why you should trust me<\/h2>\n
How I tested<\/h2>\n
The best dehumidifiers in 2025<\/h2>\n
Best <\/em>dehumidifier overall:
<\/em>Ebac 4650e<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>I like the design. For example, a flap at the front opens to reveal a black water tank that\u2019s easy to empty, with water coming out of just one hole (most water tanks are messier).<\/p>\n
Daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 18l
Tank capacity:<\/strong> 3.5l
Peak power use on test:<\/strong> 180W
Average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>10dB
Target humidity range:<\/strong> 35-80%
Laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes
Running costs<\/strong>: <\/strong>5p\/hour<\/p>\nBest <\/em>budget dehumidifier:
<\/em>VonHaus smart dehumidifier with laundry mode<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Alongside a laundry mode, there\u2019s a sleep mode, which brought down volume levels from an already quiet 15dB to 10dB by slowing the fan speed, and turns off the screen so the lights won\u2019t disturb you.<\/p>\n
Daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 20l
Tank capacity:<\/strong> 4.5l
Peak power use on test:<\/strong> 290W
Average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>15dB
Target humidity range:<\/strong> 30-80%
Laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes
Running costs: <\/strong>8p\/hour<\/p>\nBest combined dehumidifier <\/em>and air purifier:
<\/em>Devola Platinum Hybrid DVHA20L<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Several models on test come with Hepa filters, but what sets this model apart is that it measures air quality too: simply press a button to get a traffic light measure of PM2.5 particles (green, blue or red light, depending on your air quality). Air pollution is a silent killer, and indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor, so filtering these fine particles is a brilliant idea if you don\u2019t already have an air purifier.<\/p>\n
Daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 20l
Tank capacity:<\/strong> 2.9l
Peak power use on test:<\/strong> 330W
Average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>30dB
Target humidity range:<\/strong> 40-80%
Laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes
Running costs: <\/strong>9p\/hour<\/p>\nBest dehumidifier for drying laundry:
<\/em>Duux Bora Smart<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>I loved the four-hour laundry mode: it reduced relative humidity by 5% in the first five minutes, swiftly drying clothes. And you\u2019ll be able to sleep nearby, since the Duux is Quiet Mark certified for its ultra-quiet operation. The night mode turns off the lights, although I had to turn down the fan speed myself \u2013 and in my tests it then reached an impressively low average of below 10dB, much quieter than the manufacturer\u2019s claims. It sounds like a fan with a little bit of fridge sound thrown in, but quieter.<\/p>\n
Daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 20l
Tank capacity:<\/strong> 4l
Peak power use on test:<\/strong> 270W
Average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>20dB
Target humidity range:<\/strong> 30-80%
Laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes
Running costs: <\/strong>7p\/hour<\/p>\nBest quiet dehumidifier:
<\/em>MeacoDry Arete Two<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>The Arete Two can be controlled via a smartphone app or voice control via Google Home or Amazon Alexa. Modes include continuous, smart (which aims for a middle-of-the-road 55% humidity) and laundry. The louvre on top opens manually and can be directed at your washing.<\/p>\n
Daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 20l
Tank capacity:<\/strong> 4.8l
Peak power use on test:<\/strong> 230W
Average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>5dB
Target humidity range:<\/strong> 40-70%
Laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes
Running costs: <\/strong>6p\/hour<\/p>\nBest compact dehumidifier:
<\/em>Devola DVH12L<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Performance is impressive for a small dehumidifier. And it\u2019s especially impressive considering it comes with a Hepa filter for air purification, which is bound to slow airflow for dehumidification.<\/p>\n
Daily <\/strong>extraction rate:<\/strong> 12l
Tank capacity:<\/strong> 2.7l
Peak power use on test:<\/strong> 180W
Average noise level on top setting: <\/strong>10dB
Target humidity range:<\/strong> 30-80%
Laundry setting?<\/strong> Yes
Running costs: <\/strong>5p\/hour<\/p>\nThe best of the rest<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Swan low-energy dehumidifier<\/h2>\n
Meaco DD8L<\/h2>\n
ProBreeze Dehumidifier with Max Extraction and Laundry Mode<\/h2>\n
Devola DV12L<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Honeywell TP Fit<\/h2>\n
Meaco 12 LE<\/h2>\n
Blyss Madden WDH-316DB<\/h2>\n
Black+Decker BXEH60014GB<\/h2>\n
What you need to know<\/h2>\n
What is relative humidity?<\/h2>\n
What humidity should I aim for?<\/h2>\n
Do I need a dehumidifier?<\/h2>\n
What are the different types of dehumidifier?<\/h2>\n
What size dehumidifier do I need?<\/h2>\n
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s a laundry mode?<\/h2>\n
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