If you’re suffering from damp, mould, musty smells and condensation in your home, you need one of the best dehumidifiers. These must-have machines 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.
Dr Rebecca Drummond, associate professor in the Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, reiterates the importance of eliminating mould in your home. “Dehumidifiers help remove moisture in the air, which can help your home feel less humid. Lots of moisture in the air can feel uncomfortable, but it also helps fungal spores from mould settle and grow,” she says. “Mould should never be ignored, as it could cause a wide range of health issues.”
The benefits of a dehumidifier don’t end there. These humble appliances are also excellent at speeding up the drying of your laundry. According to Chris Michael, founder of Meaco, dehumidifiers “offer a low-cost alternative to dry wet washing indoors instead of electricity-guzzling tumble driers”. Simply place the dehumidifier near the drying rack, and it’ll work to extract the dampness from the washing, potentially halving drying times. Even money-saving expert Martin Lewis has encouraged the switch from a tumble dryer to a dehumidifier.
Today’s designs are quieter, sleeker and far more energy-efficient than they used to be. Senior writer Daisy Lester interviewed experts on how much a dehumidifier costs to run, with Michael explaining that: “Smaller models, which are ideal for flats or smaller homes, can cost as little as 4p per hour to run, while larger models, suited to bigger or damper properties, may cost up to 15p per hour.” So they’re a fairly affordable appliance to run.
As someone who lives in a home that’s prone to dampness, I know firsthand how important a reliable dehumidifier can be. I’ve combined my decades of experience in testing home appliances with a practical eye for what works in real homes like mine to find the ones that stand out.
So, whether you’re dealing with persistent condensation, stale odours, or just trying to protect your space from excess moisture, I’ve found the best dehumidifier for the job.
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, to make sure that every feature worked as the brand says it does.
For context, my home is prone to getting damp, making it the ideal testing ground for assessing dehumidifiers. The rooms in my house also vary in size, so I was able to put each one to the test in different-sized spaces to really understand how they perform.
Most importantly, I also took measurements of all of the key specifications. And considered the following testing criteria when analysing each one:
- Noise: I used a decibel meter to assess noise levels, checking to see if each dehumidifier was quiet enough to run when working from home or watching TV nearby. I favoured the models that were bearly noticeable.
- Humidity levels: Using a humidity metre, I confirmed that these appliances removed moisture from the air, and if so, exactly how much. I also timed how long it took to reduce the humidity in different rooms. If a model took a long time to reduce humidity, I didn’t include it in this review.
- Change in air quality: I used an air particle metre to see if each dehumidifier improved air quality. If it didn’t, then I didn’t include it in this round-up.
- Laundry drying abilities: I timed how long the laundry functions took to dry full loads of laundry, assessing whether or not it was quicker than air drying.
- Cost-per-hour to run: I calculated these appliances’ energy consumption and how much it costs to run them by the hour. I favoured those that were cheap to run, and have listed the price per model next to each one.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Joanne Lewsley has particular expertise in finding the best dehumidifiers and best air purifiers. She has tested dozens of dehumidifiers over the last five years. She also lives in a home that is prone to damp, mould, condensation and musty smells, making her the perfect candidate for this test. Where relevant, she also called on other testers to verify her claims. She has also consulted experts in the industry to corroborate details and the technology behind them.
Whether you’re looking for a diffuser to get rid of unwanted odours or you need more moisture in the air thanks to a humidifier, the IndyBest team provides solid advice and tried reviews.
The best dehumidifiers for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Duux bora smart 30l dehumidifier: £249, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Daewoo 700ml: £44.99, Robertdyas.com
- Best for laundry – Daewoo 16l: £174, Currys.co.uk
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Duux bora smart 30l dehumidifier
Best: Dehumidifier overall
Extraction amount: 30l (continuous with hose)
Noise level: 30-36dB
Laundry mode: Yes
Tank size: 4l
Dimensions: 51cm x 32cm x 23.5cm
Weight: 14.5kg
Energy consumption: Up to 315W
Price per hour: Up to 8p
Warranty: Two years
Why we love it
- Premium design with ultra-quiet operation
- Excellent app with detailed air quality insights
- Built-in carbon filter to reduce odours
Take note
- Won’t suit small spaces
Duux’s bora smart 30l dehumidifier is a high-performance model that’s as stylish as it is functional. It might be large, but it features a premium, minimalist design, which is ideal if you're after a dehumidifier that won’t ruin your home aesthetic.
With a 30l per day extraction rate (a drainage hose is supplied) and a very generous 4l water tank, it’s great for larger rooms or open-plan spaces. What really sets it apart is its smart functionality. The Duux app is intuitive, responsive, and packed with helpful features. It provides real-time air quality readings and enables you to control everything from fan speed to humidity settings, whether you're on the sofa or away from home.
The auto mode intelligently monitors humidity levels with a built-in hygrostat, adjusting modes to hit the ideal humidity, so you don’t have to fiddle with buttons. Prefer more control? You can fine-tune the target humidity yourself and create a daily or weekly schedule in the app. It’s also compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa for hands-free operation.
Testing it on a hot and humid morning, I filled the 4l tank in just a handful of hours, taking my humidity level from the high 70s down to 50 per cent. I also loved the inclusion of a built-in carbon filter, which helps remove gases, smoke, and lingering household odours – great if you’ve got pets, a wood-burning stove or a busy family kitchen.
Despite its powerful performance, the bora is impressively quiet. During my testing, it maintained a level between 30-36dB, making it one of the most bedroom-friendly dehumidifiers I’ve tried. Add in the laundry mode, child lock and night setting, and you've got a solid all-rounder that’s big on features and easy on the ears.
Buy now £249.00, Amazon.co.uk
Daewoo 700ml dehumidifier
Best: Budget dehumidifier
Extraction amount: 300ml
Noise level: 35-42dB
Laundry mode: No
Tank size: 700ml
Dimensions: 22cm x 25cm x 46cm
Weight: 1.24kg
Energy consumption: 40w
Price per hour: 1p
Warranty: One year (up to two years if you register with Daewoo)
Why we love it
- Small enough for window sills or shelves
- Quiet operation
Take note
- Small tank capacity
- No laundry mode
Daewoo’s 700ml dehumidifier is compact, making it 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 a 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 suitable 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
Wessex dehumidifier 12l
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Best: Value dehumidifier
Extraction amount: 12l (continuous with hose)
Noise level: 36-42dB
Laundry mode: Yes
Tank size: 2l
Dimensions: 22cm x 25.5cm
Weight: 10.5kg
Energy consumption: 185w
Price per hour: 5p
Warranty: 1 year
Why we love it
- Traffic light warning system for humidity
- The drain hose boosts daily extraction to 12l
Take note
- Tank is a bit tricky to pop back in
Designed for rooms between 15 and 25 sq m, the Wessex 12l has three power modes, including auto, night and a handy laundry setting with increased warmth in the airflow, perfect for drying clothes indoors on rainy days. On Aato, you can set your preferred humidity level (anywhere from 30 to 80 per cent), and it will adjust power automatically.
The 2l tank is easy to remove and empty, with an auto shut-off function to prevent overflow, but I did find it 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 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. The low volume was also appreciated – 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 an excellent option for most homes.
Buy now £129.99, Tool Station
Dryzone dehumidifier and air purifier 12l
Best: Air purifier and dehumidifier
Extraction amount: 12l
Noise level: 36-39dB
Laundry mode: Yes
Tank size: 12l
Dimensions: 22cm x 30cm x 46cm
Weight: 11kg
Energy consumption: 160w
Price per hour: 4p
Warranty: One year
Why we love it
- Quiet
- Energy efficient
- Two-in-one solution for cleaner air
- Great for drying laundry
Take note
- Must clean the H13 HEPA filter every two weeks
If you're dealing with condensation, mould, or you have family members with allergies or asthma, Dryzone’s dehumidifier and air purifier is a smart two-in-one solution.
Designed for rooms up to 25 sq m, 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. You therefore 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 £149.00, Amazon.co.uk
Daewoo 16l dehumidifier
Best: Dehumidifier for laundry
Extraction amount: 16l (continuous with hose)
Noise level: 36-39dB
Laundry mode: Yes
Tank size: 2.5l
Dimensions: 50cm x 29cm x 20cm
Weight: 10.4kg
Energy consumption: 380w
Price per hour: 9p
Warranty: Three years with registration
Why we love it
- Easy to set up and operate
- Extraction is 16l with hose
- Powerful but not bulky
The Daewoo 16l packs serious power into a compact design. Ideal for rooms sized 20 to 30 sq m, it can extract up to 16l 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 per cent) 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 four 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 three-year warranty (when registered), the Daewoo 16l is robust and powerful, plus you get extra peace of mind if anything goes wrong.
Buy now £174.00, Currys.co.uk
Meaco arete one 20l dehumidifier and air purifier
Best: Large dehumidifier
Extraction amount: 20l (continuous with hose)
Noise level: 38-40dB
Laundry mode: Yes
Tank size: 4.8l
Dimensions: 61.8cm x 27.3cm x 36.6cm
Weight: 15kg
Energy consumption: 216w
Price per hour: 6p
Warranty: Five years
Why we love it
- Air purifier included with a free HEPA filter
- Energy effcient
- Super quiet night mode
Take note
- No hose included, but compatible with a garden hose
- Takes up space
If you’re after a premium model that’ll quietly tick away in the background all year round, Meaco’s 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.
It’s quiet for a model this size – just 38dB on night mode – so it won’t disturb your sleep if you run it in the bedroom. I also found the laundry mode 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 more than 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 five-year free warranty suggests Meaco has every confidence in its product, too.
Buy now £259.99, Amazon.co.uk
EcoAir DDWH10 desiccant dehumidifier with heater
Best: Space-saving dehumidifier
Extraction amount: 6l
Noise level: 39-53dB
Laundry mode: Yes
Tank size: 2.2l
Dimensions: 56cm x 51.4cm x 11.8cm (with foot base)
Weight: 8.9kg
Energy consumption: 420W (max heater mode)
Price per hour: From 7p (dehumidifying mode)
Warranty: Three years
Why we love it
- Slimline, wall-mountable design
- Doubles up as a heater in winter
- Generous drainage hose
Take note
- Can’t heat and dehumidify at the same time
- Heater can get expensive to run
If you're short on floor space or want a discreet appliance that won't clutter up your home, the EcoAir’s desiccant dehumidifier is a standout choice. I loved how compact and versatile this model is – at less than 12cm deep, it can be wall-mounted or freestanding, and there's no need to leave a gap behind it. That makes it perfect for tucking away in bathrooms, hallways, or utility spaces.
Unlike most dehumidifiers, this one also has a heating mode – ideal for taking the chill out of smaller rooms in winter. You can easily switch between heater and dehumidifier modes, though it’s worth noting you can’t run both at once. At around 6-11p per hour to run, the dehumidifier itself is reasonably energy-efficient. However, the heater can cost up to 40.5p an hour to run on high, so it’s a feature best used sparingly if you're watching your energy bills.
I liked the laundry mode, which uses continuous operation to speed up clothes drying indoors. While the 2.2l tank is on the smaller side, there’s a continuous drainage option with a generous 1.5m hose length, if you don’t want to empty it regularly.
All in all, if you’re after a stylish, flexible dehumidifier that won’t take over your floor space – and you appreciate the bonus of a heater for occasional use – the EcoAir is well worth considering.
Buy now £399.99, Ecoair.org
Princess smart 20l dehumidifier
Best: Dehumidifier for garages or cellars
Extraction amount: 20l (continuous with hose)
Noise level: 36-46dB
Laundry mode: No
Tank size: 3.7l
Dimensions: 57.2cm x 34.4cm x 25cm
Weight: 13kg
Energy consumption: 310W
Price per hour: Approx 9p
Warranty: Two years
Why we love it
- Easy-to-use smart app and scheduling
- Works with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant
- Generous 20l extraction with 3.7l tank
Take note
- No laundry or sleep mode
If you want a powerful dehumidifier for your garage or cellar that can be controlled by your phone or voice, this Princess smart model is a great option. It has a solid 20l daily extraction rate and a large 3.7l tank, making it well suited to medium-to-large rooms or damp-prone spaces such as basements, conservatories and utility areas.
The Princess home app is intuitive and easy to navigate. You can check current humidity levels at a glance, set your preferred target humidity (or defer to automatic) and create custom schedules and timers. Setup was quick, and once connected, I could also switch on the dehumidifier via Alexa and Google Assistant. That’s especially helpful when your hands are full or you’re away from home.
The downside is that there is no laundry or sleep mode, and just two fan speeds. But if you just need a smart, reliable way to control humidity, this is a solid choice.
Buy now £230.00, Argos.co.uk
Blyss WDH-316DB 16l dehumidifier
Best: Mid-size dehumidifier
Extraction amount: 16l (continuous with hose)
Noise level: 35-40db
Laundry mode: Yes
Tank size: 2.4l
Dimensions: 46.7cm x 19.4cm x 30.04cm
Weight: 11.6kg
Energy consumption: 280W
Price per hour: 7.5p
Warranty: Three years (T&Cs apply)
Why we love it
- Attractive LCD screen and control panel
- Swing mode circulates dry air more effectively
- Easy-to-use laundry setting and optional castors
Take note
- No drainage hose supplied
- No smart tech
A great mid-range option, this 16l Blyss dehumidifier will help you control condensation and damp in spaces of up to about 30 sq m. It has all the essentials you need, including an easy-to-read LCD display, a quick-select laundry button, and two fan speeds to suit different needs. There's also a handy 24-hour timer, so you can set it to run when it suits you best.
I liked the swing function, which automatically moves the air outlet grille to spread dry air more evenly – it is especially handy when trying to dry a room as a whole. If you’re drying washing indoors, the laundry mode is easy to set up – just press a single button to get the fan running at maximum speed, with a swinging grille and continuous dehumidification.
I also appreciated the optional caster wheels and built-in carry handle, which made it easier to move around if you don’t fancy lifting almost 12kg of dehumidifier from room to room.
At 7.5p per hour to run, it’s not as cost-effective as the most energy-efficient dehumidifiers in my selection, and no hose for continuous drainage is included, so you’ll need to get hold of one with a 13mm diameter. However, if you want a no-fuss, reasonably priced workhorse that gets the job done, this ticks the box.
Buy now £149.00, Screwfix.com
Daewoo lightweight portable electric 2l dehumidifier
Best: Cheap to run dehumidifier
Extraction amount: 700ml
Noise level: 36-42dB
Laundry: No
Tank: 2l
Dimensions: 22cm x 13cm x 22cm
Weight: 2.63kg
Energy consumption: 40w
Price per hour: 1p
Warranty: One year
Why we love it
- Portable and lightweight
- Fairly quiet during operation
Take note
- Won’t tackle severe damp and mould
- Needs to be emptied every couple of days
This lightweight and portable dehumidifier can travel from room to room, helping to prevent damp, condensation, and mould allergens in areas such as bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, caravans, garages, or anywhere prone to damp and condensation. With a range of 10 to 20 sq m, it can handle most living areas, but I think it’s ideal for smaller spaces. With a running cost of 1p per hour, it’s also very energy efficient.
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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 42dB. 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 22cm to tuck away out of sight, if you prefer.
Buy now £59.00, Robert Dyas
Russell Hobbs fresh air two-in-one dehumidifier and air purifier
Best: Dehumidifier for desks
Extraction amount: 750ml
Noise level: 35-42dB
Laundry mode: No
Tank size: 1l
Dimensions: 31cm x 21.8cm x 20cm
Weight: 2.8kg
Price per hour: 1p
Warranty: One year (up to two years if you register with Russell Hobbs)
Why we love it
- Cool black design
- Great for allergies
Take note
- Noisy on the fan setting
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 20 sq m, it combines a dehumidifier with a built-in air purifier, using a HEPA filter to trap 99.95 per cent 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 £94.99, Robert Dyas
Your questions on dehumidifiers answered
What is the best dehumidifier?
All of these appliances will help control humidity in your home. However, I think the standout for most people is the Duux bora smart 30l dehumidifier. It’s effective, quiet, and packed with bonus features. If you still want to save some money, the Daewoo 700ml dehumidifier is a good choice, as it costs six times less than my top pick. Finally, if you want a dehumidifier to help with your laundry, the Daewoo 16l dehumidifier was the fastest I tested.
How to use a dehumidifier
Firstly, you need a dehumidifier that matches the room. Most models will specify their capacity in square metres, so you can buy exactly the right appliance. Once you’ve chosen your dehumidifier, place it near the source of any moisture – for example, in a laundry room, near wet clothes, or in a kitchen, near a dishwasher. If you’re using a dehumidifier 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 6in 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 less than 10p per hour, even for the largest models.
“On average, a dehumidifier might be used for four to six hours daily, especially during colder months or in damp environments. In particularly humid conditions or larger spaces, it could be used for longer,” explains Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO. “The exact cost depends on how often they’re used and how energy-efficient the model is.”
Chris Michael, founder and chair of leading dehumidifier company Meaco, elaborates: “Choosing an energy-efficient model is key; regardless of size, as a cheaper model with high energy consumption is a false economy.”
However, size can be a factor. “Smaller models, which are ideal for flats or smaller homes, can cost as little as 4p per hour to run, while larger models, suited to bigger or damper properties, may cost up to 15p per hour,” Michaels says.
You can find out more about how much dehumidifiers actually cost in our expert guide.
Do dehumidifiers dry clothes?
Dehumidifiers 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 four 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.
Michaels from Meaco agrees, adding that they “offer a low-cost alternative to dry wet washing indoors instead of electricity-guzzling tumble driers”. If you’re keen to know more about dehumidifiers and drying clothes, read our expert-led guide.
For a breath of fresh air, take a look at the best air purifiers to remove pollen, dust and bacteria
