WINTER heating and shut windows trap moisture, so those foggy panes and damp corners keep returning.
The best dehumidifiers remove excess humidity, reducing condensation and helping to keep mould in check.
Many include a Laundry mode to speed up drying when you’re skipping the tumble dryer, and plenty are quiet enough for bedrooms.
For faster, more cost-effective laundry days, pair a dehumidifier with one of the best heated clothes airers to prevent washed clothes from remaining damp for days.
With January sales in full swing, prices on energy-efficient models for flats and family homes are keener than usual, so it’s a smart time to buy and tackle damp before it escalates.
DEAL ALERT: Snag the Devola 12L Compressor Dehumidifier for just £104.49 (was £139.99)
Perfect for tackling damp, condensation, and musty smells, this compact unit extracts up to 12 litres of moisture daily while running quietly and efficiently (costing less than 5p an hour to run!).
It features a dust-proof HEPA filter to purify the air and smooth-gliding casters for easy movement around your home.
Bonus: Laundry Mode speeds up indoor drying without increasing your energy bills.
If you’re after a reliable, affordable dehumidifier that won’t break the bank, this is a smart pick — especially with this price drop!
- Devola 12L Compressor Dehumidifier, £104.49 (was £139.99) – buy here
Best dehumidifiers: at a glance
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The 6 best dehumidifiers in 2026, reviewed
1. MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier
MeacoDry Arete One 12L
£179.99 from Meaco
Pros: Tuned for UK homes, energy efficient, accurate humidistat, whisper quiet night setting, easy-rolling wheels, in-built air purifier
Cons: Higher upfront cost, plain styling
Rating: 10/10
Most read in Home and Garden
The Arete One 12L is the best overall dehumidifier for most UK homes because it just works.
The smart humidistat checks every 30 minutes, adjusts output, then pauses to reduce energy use.
Set Smart Humidity to 55%. It will stop once it reaches the target, preventing over-drying of the room.
Laundry Mode speeds up indoor drying and Night Mode dims lights, cuts beeps and drops to the quietest fan setting for bedroom use.
It also doubles as a dehumidifier and air purifier, which helps reduce dust while you tackle condensation and damp patches.
If you are dealing with soggy windows, it is an easy win and pairs well with a heated airer for faster drying indoors.
Dimensions: 47cm x 32cm x 24cm, Weight: 10.9kg, Extraction capacity: 12L per 24 hours, Power consumption: 165W, Water tank: 2.5L
2. Russell Hobbs 20L Black Dehumidifier
Russell Hobbs 20L Dehumidifier
£160.79 from Amazon
Pros: Looks smart, good for larger rooms, clear LED readout, effective Laundry Mode
Cons: 3L water tank fills quickly in damp rooms
Rating: 9/10
If you have stubborn, damp walls or a clammy open‑plan space, this 20L unit is a heavy-duty option for larger rooms and basements.
It is rated for up to 50 m², delivers up to 20 litres per day, and its castors make it easy to move where the moisture is.
In testing, it dropped a very humid room from 82% to 60% within a few hours and cleared window condensation in about an hour.
Laundry Mode is effective if you shut the door and let it run for a focused session.
The LED screen makes it easy to see humidity drop at a glance, and the sleek black finish blends in.
The 3L tank will fill quickly during wet weeks, so consider a continuous drain if you have a place to run a hose.
Dimensions: 51cm x 35cm x 24.5cm, Weight: 14kg, Extraction capacity: 20L per 24 hours, Power consumption: 440W, Water tank: 3L
3. MeacoDry ABC Range 10L
MeacoDry ABC 10L Dehumidifier
£149.99 from Meaco
Pros: Energy efficient, easy to use, compact, fairly quiet, laundry mode is handy
Cons: No castors as standard, feels heavy for frequent moves
Rating: 9/10
If you want the best dehumidifier for bedroom use, the MeacoDry ABC 10L is quiet, compact and simple to live with.
Laundry Mode actually shifts moisture, so park it beside a clothes airer and tent a sheet over the lot to focus airflow.
T‑shirts and jeans go from soggy to wearable within a few hours, and the smart humidistat reduces energy use once the room stabilises.
Expect to empty the 2.5L tank daily in damp spells, though you can add a wheel kit if you are moving it around a lot.
Noise is low enough for evening use without overwhelming the room, and it significantly reduces condensation on windows in smaller spaces.
Dimensions: 47cm x 32cm x 24cm, Weight: 10.9kg, Extraction capacity: 10L per 24 hours, Power consumption: 165W, Water tank: 2.5L
4. Devola 12L Compressor Dehumidifier
Devola 12L Compressor Dehumidifier,
£104.49 (was £139.99) from Amazon
Pros: Compact footprint for smaller spaces, whisper quiet at around 36 dB, clear humidity indicator, removable air filter, Laundry Mode
Cons: 2L water tank means more frequent emptying
Rating: 9/10
A strong budget pick that still ticks the important boxes.
The Devola 12L has a small footprint that suits flats, utilities and box rooms, and at roughly 36 dB it is an easy background hum.
In our test, it lowered the room temperature from the 70s to the high 50s in under half an hour.
The colour ring provides a quick readout of conditions, and a small display shows the exact humidity.
You get Laundry Mode for wash days and a removable filter that rinses clean to help keep dust down.
The 2L tank fills fast in very wet rooms, so set up the continuous drain if you can.
Dimensions: 47 x 25.5 x 22 cm, Weight: 10.5kg, Extraction capacity: 12L per 24 hours, Power consumption: 185W; Water tank: 2L
5. Ecoair DD1 Classic MK6
Ecoair DD1 Classic MK6,
£199.99 from Amazon
Pros: Lots of different functions, compact size, lightweight
Cons: Basic look, no humidity display
Rating: 8/10
If you want the best dehumidifier for drying clothes, choose a desiccant model.
The Ecoair DD1 Classic MK6 performs well in cooler rooms where compressors slow down, so it is ideal for autumn and winter laundry.
It can collect up to 7.5L per day, has two laundry modes and a handy carry handle for targeting problem spots.
Running the higher laundry mode for 3 hours beside a rack cut drying time significantly and collected around half a tank.
There is no live humidity readout, but three dry modes let you target a comfortable 40–60% range and keep mould at bay.
Emptying is easy via the side tank, and the compact body stores away neatly when the weather improves.
Dimensions: 47.5 x 29 x 17.5cm, Weight: 6kg, Extraction capacity: 7.5L per day, Power consumption: 25W on fan mode, Water tank: 2L
6. Conopu Dehumidifier
Conopu Dehumidifier,
£29.52 from Amazon
Pros: Very affordable, tiny footprint, useful for cupboards and box rooms
Cons: Not suitable for drying laundry, no Laundry Mode, limited capacity
Rating: 4/10
If you’re on a tight budget or just battling misty panes in a small space, this mini Conopu is a simple fix for window condensation in en‑suites and cupboards.
It is rated to remove approximately 450 ml of moisture per day, so prioritise prevention and fresh air over drying heavy laundry.
In use, it filled its small tank steadily in a box room but did not move the needle for clothes, so skip it if that is your main goal.
Setup is plug‑and‑go, the footprint is tiny, and the tank is easy to empty.
At this price, it is a handy damp deterrent for very small rooms, student flats and tight corners where larger units are overkill.
Dimensions: 25.6x15x15cm; Weight: 1.25kg, Extraction capacity: 450ml per 24 hours
How we tested
We ran each dehumidifier in real homes with doors and windows closed, then timed how quickly it reached a sensible target on the humidistat, typically 50-55%.
We compared Laundry Mode performance for drying clothes, assessed how often the water tank needed to be emptied, and noted noise on low settings for bedroom and landing use.
We also considered build quality, portability, ease of controls, and any added extras, such as air filters for smaller spaces.
For real‑world context, we cross‑checked our findings with everyday damp and condensation issues you told us about, from steamy bathrooms to misty panes.
This guide is produced by the Sun Shopping team of experts who test the products we recommend.
How to choose a dehumidifier
Start with efficiency. Consider wattage alongside capacity, not just sticker price.
A low-cost unit with a high power draw can cost more to operate over the long term.
If you need the best dehumidifier for drying clothes, choose a model with an appropriate Laundry Mode and a timer.
For everyday use, a quiet compressor suits heated rooms like bedrooms and living spaces, while a desiccant model performs better in colder areas such as garages, basements and conservatories.
Check tank size, continuous drain options and castors if you will move it around.
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 investing in dehumidifiers is worthwhile.
We spotted dehumidifiers for sale at popular retailers, including:
Dehumidifier FAQs
What does a dehumidifier do?
A dehumidifier pulls in moist air with a fan, passes it over cold coils so water condenses into the tank, then returns slightly warmed, much drier air into the room.
A built‑in humidistat monitors humidity and cycles the compressor, so the compressor is not running at full capacity all day.
Compressor models work best in heated rooms at about 20°C, which suits most UK homes.
To speed things up, close doors and windows so you are not drying the entire house.
If you are dealing with a cold space, a desiccant dehumidifier uses an absorbent wheel and a small heater to keep extracting at low temperatures.
Empty the tank regularly or attach a drain hose.
Does a dehumidifier cool a room?
Not like air con. A dehumidifier lowers humidity, not the actual temperature.
By removing moisture, the air feels less clammy and more comfortable, and sweat evaporates faster, which can make you feel cooler without a significant change in temperature.
In fact, the compressor and fan can add a touch of warmth, so the measured temperature may rise slightly.
In summer, pairing a dehumidifier with a fan or AC can improve cooling efficiency because dry air is easier to cool.
Whatever the season, close doors and windows while it runs so it is not drawing in fresh, damp air from the rest of the home.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
Use a quick formula: cost per hour equals kilowatts times your electricity rate.
A 160W unit uses 0.16kWh per hour, so multiply that by your tariff.
Real‑world costs are often lower than the headline maths because most dehumidifiers have a humidistat and smart modes that cycle off once they hit your target humidity.
To keep bills down, close doors and windows, pick the right size for your space, and use a timer or Smart Humidity setting.
Laundry Mode can still be cheaper than a tumble dryer if you run it in a smaller, heated room.
Does a dehumidifier help with mould?
Yes. Lowering humidity removes the moisture that mould needs to thrive, reducing musty odours and condensation on cold walls and windows.
Aim for 30-50% relative humidity.
Important note: a dehumidifier does not kill or remove existing mould, so you still need to clean affected areas safely and fix the cause, such as leaks or poor ventilation.
For best results, run it in a heated room with doors and windows closed, set a sensible target on the humidistat, and position the unit near problem areas such as bathrooms, exterior corners, and basements.
Empty the tank often or use a drain hose.
What size dehumidifier do I need?
Match capacity to your space and moisture level.
As a simple guide, a 10L model suits up to a typical two‑bed flat; 12L fits many three‑bed homes; 20L is better for four-bed homes or heavy condensation; and 25L handles larger houses, basements, and serious damp walls.
If you often dry laundry indoors, go up a size for headroom or prioritise Laundry Mode.
Monitor wattage to reach your target faster without wasting energy.
Does a dehumidifier dry clothes?
Yes, and it can be a game-changer if you do not have a tumble dryer.
Use Laundry Mode, place the unit near a clothes airer, and tent a sheet over the lot to direct airflow.
Keep doors and windows closed to prevent fresh, moist air from entering, and you will see jeans and towels dry much faster.
Results are best in a heated room with the humidistat set to a sensible level.
It is simple, efficient and often cheaper than blasting the radiators, especially in winter when you need the best dehumidifier for drying clothes.