Dehumidifier sales have skyrocketed in the last couple of years, with more and more people turning to them as a go-to home essential.
These clever appliances pull moisture from the air. This prevents problems like damp, mould, condensation and that musty smell that can settle in bathrooms, kitchens and wardrobes. On top of that, they can help to dry laundry without a tumble dryer.
“Dehumidifiers are one of the most effective ways to tackle excess moisture and reduce the risk of dampness,” says Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at Ao.com. “But one of their most underrated uses is speeding up the drying of your laundry. As dehumidifiers work by extracting moisture from the air in your room, they significantly reduce drying time. Just pop your dehumidifier near the drying rack.”
While older models were bulky and noisy, today’s designs are quieter, sleeker and far more energy efficient – some smaller models cost as little as 1p an hour to run, while even large appliances can cost just 5p.
So, whether you're dealing with tricky condensation, drying clothes indoors, or want to stop mould before it starts, there’s a dehumidifier out there that can do the job. As an air quality expert, I’ve rounded up some of the best options from my years of tests for every home and budget.
How I tested
I used all of these dehumidifiers as you would in your own home, testing them in a variety of rooms around my house. I used all the modes, particularly the night and laundry functions.
Most importantly, I took measurements of all of the key specifications. I used a decibel meter to assess noise levels, humidity meters to see if these appliances really removed moisture from the air, and air particle meters to see if they improved air quality. I timed how long the laundry functions took to dry full loads of laundry. On top of that, I worked out their energy consumption and how much it costs to run these appliances by the hour.
Why you can trust us
Joanne Lewsley has a background in health journalism and more than 15 years’ experience covering everything from parenting and wellness to home appliances. Joanne has particular expertise with dehumidifiers and air purifiers. She has tested dozens of air purifiers over the last five years and spoken to countless experts on the technology behind them. Not every dehumidifier Joanne has tested has made the grade; the following are the best dehumidifiers she’s tested.
The best dehumidifiers for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Wessex 12l: £98.97, Toolstation.com
- Best budget buy – Daewoo 700ml: £44.99, Robertdyas.com
- Best for laundry – Daewoo 16l: £129, Robertdyas.com
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Wessex dehumidifier 12l
Designed for rooms between 15m² and 25m², the Wessex 12l by Toolstation offers three power modes, including Auto, Night and a handy Laundry setting with increased warmth in the airflow, perfect if you’re drying laundry indoors on rainy days. On Auto, you can set your preferred humidity level (anywhere from 30% to 80%), and it will adjust power automatically.
I found that the 2l tank is easy to remove and empty, with an auto shut-off function to prevent overflow, although it’s a little tricky to slide back in again. Alternatively, you can extract up to 12l a day using the 1m drain hose, though you’ll need to raise the unit to let gravity do its work.
It even has an automatic restart function, which is handy if you have a power outage while away from home. I liked the castors for easy transport from room to room, the child lock which stops tiny fingers from messing up your settings and the low volume – it clocked in at an average of just 35dB during my testing, while the higher setting was just 42dB. This is great value for money, and the best option for most homes.
Buy now £98.97, Tool Station
Daewoo 700ml dehumidifier
This 700ml compact dehumidifier is a smart choice for tackling moisture in small spaces. I used it in a damp, musty-smelling cupboard in the living room and noticed the difference in a few days. It’s a good fit for an downstairs toilet or a camper van and small enough to sit on a windowsill, if you have a problem with condensation.
The low noise level of just 35dB makes it bedroom-friendly, while the auto shut-off and full-tank alarm mean there’s no guesswork when emptying the tank. It’s not cut out for large or very humid spaces, but it’s a quiet, energy-efficient and affordable way to improve air quality.
Buy now £44.99, Robert Dyas
Daewoo 16l dehumidifier
The Daewoo 16l packs serious power into a compact design. Ideal for rooms sized 20–30m², it can extract up to 16 litres of moisture per day if you use the included hose for continuous drainage. The 2.5l tank also has an auto shut-off to prevent overflow.
With a laundry mode, LED display, and 24-hour timer, you can use it to dry clothes or set up your preferred humidity level (30% to 90%) and let it get on with the job. Quiet mode is a whispering 36dB, while at its noisiest, it was just 39dB.
Using the Daweoo alongside my heated airer, I managed to cut laundry drying time to just 4 hours. This is a game-changer considering that the cost of running the dryer is also around 9p an hour.
With smooth caster wheels for moving around and a generous 3-year warranty (when registered), the Daewoo 16l is robust and powerful, plus you get extra peace of mind if anything goes wrong.
Buy now £129.00, Robert Dyas
Dryzone dehumidifier & air purifier 12l
Dryzone, a brand under Safeguard Europe, is recognised for its damp-proofing and moisture control products, including dehumidifiers. If you're dealing with condensation, mould, or you have family members with allergies or asthma, this dehumidifier and air purifier is a smart two-in-one solution. Designed for rooms up to 25m², it draws moisture from the air while removing dust, pollen, and other airborne irritants with a H13 HEPA filter. It also has a 2l tank and can draw up to 12l with the continuous drain option.
However, by far the best feature is the laundry mode. This speeds up indoor clothes drying to around six hours – and at 4p an hour, that’s much cheaper to run than a tumble dryer. In fact, it’s one of the most energy-efficient models I’ve tested at this size.
While the filter continues to purify air in all modes because of the HEPA filter, you can also select the Air Purifying Mode that runs at a higher fan setting without dehumidifying. So, you have a range of options, and peace of mind that your air is cleaner, no matter which mode you pick. There's also a Sleep Mode for overnight use, and Auto Mode to balance humidity levels without fussing with the controls.
Buy now £149.99, Safeguard Europe
Meaco Arete one 20l dehumidifier and air purifier
If you’re after a premium model that’ll quietly tick away in the background all year round, the Arete One 20l is a strong contender. It’s great at drawing moisture from the air without guzzling energy, especially in room temperature conditions, and the included H13 HEPA filter helps with allergens too.
It’s quiet for a model this size – just 38 dB on night mode – so it won’t disturb your sleep if you run it in the bedroom. Laundry mode is handy for drying clothes indoors, and with a hefty 4.8l tank, you won’t need to empty it as often either.
The controls are intuitive and easy to use, and I liked that the inset air intake means you can push it right up against the wall without blocking performance. It also has a pull-up handle which slots neatly back into the main unit. That said, this is a bit of a beast – at 15kg and over 60cm tall, it’s not the easiest to move from room to room, even with a handle and castors, so if you have mobility problems, it’s not the solution for you. But if size isn’t an issue, this is well worth the investment. The excellent 5-year free warranty suggests Meaco has every confidence in its product, too.
Buy now, Meaco
Russell Hobbs fresh air 2-in-1 dehumidifier and air purifier
Small but mighty, the Russell Hobbs Fresh Air Pro is a smart pick for anyone wanting cleaner, drier air in a compact space. Ideal for rooms up to 20m², it combines a dehumidifier with a built-in air purifier, using a HEPA filter to trap 99.95% of dust, pollen and airborne allergens. It pulls up to 750ml of moisture per day into a 1l tank, making it ideal for bedrooms and home offices.
With its LED lighting and perforated casing, it looks more like an Xbox than a dehumidifier, so it’s perfect for the dark pit that is a teenager’s room, and it could help kids sleep better if they have allergies.
Low Mode is quiet at just 35dB, so it won’t disturb sleep or work, and it’s super lightweight at 2.8kg. I loved the sleek, cassette-style filter insertion, all-black design and single-button operation.
Buy now £80.00, Robert Dyas
Daewoo lightweight portable electric 2l dehumidifier
This lightweight and portable dehumidifier can travel from room to room, helping to prevent damp, condensation, and mould allergens in areas like bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, caravans, garages, or anywhere prone to damp and condensation. With a range of 10m² to 20m², it can handle most living areas, but I think it’s ideal for smaller spaces. With a running cost of 1p/hour, it’s very energy efficient, too.
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While it has a 2l tank capacity, it will only pull up to 700ml a day, so you don’t need to worry about emptying it for a couple of days or so. In any case, an LED indicator will alert you when the tank is full, plus it comes equipped with an auto-shutdown setting until emptied. While it’s unlikely to dry your laundry or tackle severe damp and mould, it’s the perfect portable companion. Weighing around the same as a bag of spuds at 2.63kg, it’s easy to move around with a built-in handle at the rear.
It's reasonably quiet with a maximum decibel rating of 42 dB. So, unless you’re a very light sleeper, you can probably get away with running it at night in a bedroom, too. The white plastic design is functional rather than stylish, but small enough at just 22 cm to tuck away out of sight, if you prefer.
Buy now £59.00, Robert Dyas
Dehumidifier FAQs
How to use a dehumidifier
Firstly, you need a dehumidifier that matches the room. Most models will specify their capacity by metres squared, so you can buy exactly the right appliance. Once you’ve chosen your dehumidifier, place it near the source of any moisture; in a laundry room, near wet clothes, or in a kitchen, near a dishwasher. If you’re using a dehumidifer to help control damp, then place it near any signs of condensation, such as near windows.
However, make sure that there is a gap of at least six inches between a dehumidifier and a wall to ensure free air flow. When the placement is sorted, pick your mode. Most dehumidifiers have a standard, laundry, and quiet mode – the right option depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
How does a dehumidifier work?
Dehumidifiers suck in moist air with a fan and then draw it over refrigerated coils. These cold coils condense moisture in the air into liquid water, which is then collected in a tank or drawn away by a hose. The dehumidifier then expels warm air with a lower moisture level.
Do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?
Electricity use depends on the model and the conditions in your home, but they’re generally efficient appliances.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
Cost per hour varies depending on use, room temperature, and many other variables. However, a general rule is that a good dehumidifier will cost under 10p per hour, even for the largest models.
Do dehumidifiers dry clothes?
Dehumidfiers draw moisture out of the air, so they can be a great help for drying laundry. They’re most effective alongside a heated clothes airer, and much faster than air drying.
Depending on the weather, line drying outside takes a few hours, and if you don’t have any outdoor space, it might take a day or more. In this guide alone I used a dehumidifier to dry clothes in around 4 hours. On top of that, they can be a better choice than a tumble dryer – they’re often cheaper to run, and there is none of the shrinking, fading, and pilling you might find with a tumble dryer.
The verdict: Dehumidifiers
All of these appliances will help control humidity in your home. However, I think the standout for most people is the Wessex dehumidifier 12l, as it’s effective, easy to use, and much cheaper than many similar dehumidifiers we’ve tested over the years. If you still need to save some money, the Daewoo 700ml dehumidifier is a good choice, as it costs half as much as my top pick. Finally, if you want a dehumidifier to help with your laundry, the Daewoo 16l dehumidifier was the faster I tested.
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