The best dehumidifiers for 2025, tried and tested

Best dehumidifier overall

Also available from Amazon

• Tank size: 4.8 litres

• Extraction rate: 25 litres

• Key features: Laundry mode, night mode

• Size: 61.8 x 36.6 x 27.2 cm

• Energy consumption: (7p per hour)

Even though quite a few of the dehumidifiers in this roundup come with laundry or drying modes, Meaco’s became my go-to and helped me get through several loads of clothes and bedding in a fraction of the time it would usually take. Ideal for the colder months when it is much more of a struggle to air dry clothes outside, or if you would rather avoid switching on your tumble dryer and the associated costs that come with doing so, this dehumidifier quickly became a staple in my household. Despite its large 25L extraction rate and close to five litre tank size, it is still an energy-efficient dehumidifier, with the running cost being around 7p an hour, even for such a sizeable unit.

While it is available in a range of sizes, taking you from 10L to 25L, the biggest size is ideal for larger rooms and spaces. I used mine downstairs, keeping the internal doors open, to dry several rooms’ worth of laundry. Alternatively, it worked equally as well situated on my upstairs landing, where it drew excess moisture and condensation from my bathroom and two bedrooms. I had no issues emptying or cleaning out the tanks either, and I would also class it as a quiet dehumidifier with it simply burring in the background.

Depending on the size that you opt for, the larger sizes are obviously more of an investment, but I think that they are well worth it. The bigger sizes will also take up more space, so you might want to consider this if a smaller model would work better in your home. I will say, though, I was a little disappointed by its lack of a timer, especially as it has a sleep mode. Given the price, I thought that this would have been included as standard.

Best dehumidifier for garages, basements and cold spaces

Also available from Amazon

• Tank size: 3 litres

• Extraction rate: 10 litres

• Key features: Heating setting, drainage hose

• Size: 31.7 x 21.3 x 49.9cm

• Energy consumption: 0.63 kW/h (16p per hour)

Up until now, all of the dehumidifiers featured above have been of the compressor variety, yet this one from Pro Breeze is a desiccant model. Essentially, an easy way to distinguish one from the other is that desiccant dehumidifiers are better suited and designed to work in colder or unheated spaces, such as basements and garages. “As a general rule, if a room is under 10°C, a desiccant model is best,” Michael admits. “In heated homes where the temperature is above 10°C (the average UK home is around 18 to 20°C), a compressor model is more suitable.”

So, I tested this dehumidifier out both in my garage and conservatory, where it can get pretty chilly over the colder months, and I was wowed by how it worked. Not only does it remove excess moisture like you would expect, but it also heats up the space thanks to its heating element, with it blowing out warm air from the top, making it another brilliant 2-in-1 design.

It may not have any dedicated modes, like a sleep or quiet setting, as you might expect, since it has been tailor-made for colder spaces, but it was not especially noisy either. However, one thing to bear in mind is that desiccant dehumidifiers typically use more electricity compared to compressor models. This means that it will cost around 16p per hour to run. But it does automatically switch off once it reaches your desired humidity, so you do not need to worry about it running unnecessarily in the background or racking up your bills. 

This specific dehumidifier has made it much more pleasant to spend time out in my conservatory, while simultaneously dealing with damp and condensation. In fact, I would say that if you have a cold room or are thinking of buying a desiccant model, this kind is the best dehumidifier for damp and possibly the best dehumidifier for mould. Additionally, I had no problems emptying or cleaning the tank during the weeks that I used it. I can safely say that this is now an essential item for the colder spaces in my home, and I see myself using it all winter long and beyond.

Best dehumidifier for large rooms

Also available from VonHaus and Tesco

• Tank size: 4.5 litres

• Extraction rate: 20 litres

• Key features: Laundry mode, sleep mode, WiFi compatible/smart

• Size: 49.4 x 30.5 x 24.4cm

• Energy consumption: 280W (8p per hour)

According to the experts, 16 to 20L – or more – are best for larger rooms and open plan spaces, especially if you plan to dry laundry, and VonHaus’ 20L Smart Dehumidifier is a brilliant option. Not only does it have one of the largest tank sizes out of all the dehumidifiers that I tested, but it comes in at under £170 – or less if you use their 15% off code – making it one of the best value for money that I could find.

Positioning it in my living room, which happens to be the largest room in my home, its slightly chunky design does make it a bit bulkier, yet I was able to slot it into a corner to conceal it slightly. It is not the quietest when on a higher setting or if the humidity levels in the room are excessive, either, and I am not sure that it would work for me in a bedroom setting because of its noise levels. But after just a few hours of running, it had collected a significant amount of moisture from the room.

Another smart option is that you can control it via the accompanying app or the likes of Google Home and Amazon Alexa. It did take a few minutes to get to grips with the controls, but once I did, this was how I mostly controlled it. I also found the humidity light, which turns red to alert you that a room’s humidity is above 65%, green when it is between 45% and 65% and blue when humidity levels are below 45% to be helpful. I didn’t need to get up and look at the top of the device to do so, and could quickly glance over to see what the humidity was.

Best dehumidifier for drying clothes and laundry

Also available from Duux and Very

• Tank size: 4 litres

• Extraction rate: 20 litres

• Key features: Laundry mode, night mode, app compatible/smart

• Size: 32 x 23.5 x 51cm

• Energy consumption: 27p/kWh (6p per hour)

The first of two smart dehumidifiers that I tested, the Duux Bora Smart 20L Dehumidifier can either be controlled via the LED panel on the device or via the app. With both, there are a great number of features and controls to choose from, allowing you to activate laundry or sleep mode as well as set the timer and more at the touch of a button. Even though it was easy to set up and connect to the app, I did find that it would often disconnect the device after a few hours, so I would then have to reconnect it to allow me to control it again. This meant that I often just got up and changed any settings on the device itself. However, I was able to control it via Amazon Alexa if I was in another room or did not want to get up from the sofa.

Many of the dehumidifiers impressed me when it came to their laundry modes, and the Duux unit made quick work of several loads of damp clothes and bedding. It drastically reduced the amount of time that it would ordinarily take to dry laundry indoors, even when I used to have my heating on full blast for many hours. So much so that I was kicking myself for not utilising a dehumidifier with a laundry mode until now.

It can get a little noisy on the highest settings, but the lower speeds alongside the night mode allow you to use it in your bedroom or when you are trying to watch TV. I also appreciated its overall design, with it having a flip-up handle to help you move it from room to room – I would be wary moving it when it is full of water, though, as this can make it quite heavy – but it is still a portable dehumidifier thanks to its wheels.

Best value dehumidifier

• Tank size: 2.5 litres

• Extraction rate: 12 litres

• Key features: Laundry mode

• Size: 51.0 x 27.5 x 18.5cm

• Energy consumption: 0.21KW/h

“For small rooms or flats, you’ll need a unit around 8-12L,” according to Katie Lilywhite, dehumidifier expert at AO.com, making this an ideal size. It also has a relatively slimline design, allowing you to position it in a range of rooms and spaces without it being too bulky or obtrusive.

It handled everything from bathroom condensation and steam to naturally high humidity levels and drying damp clothing. Its controls are also incredibly easy to use, so if you do not necessarily need or want a hi-tech or smart dehumidifier, the buttons are intuitive but still offer you a range of features, including a timer and child lock, which some more expensive options do not.

Its shiny plastic design does make it look a bit cheaper than some of the others, but this will likely not be an issue for most, particularly if it is placed or positioned out of the way. However, my biggest bugbear with this dehumidifier was how noisy it was, even on the lowest setting. It may not be too distracting if you have it running in the background; however, it would not be suitable for a bedroom or to be used overnight, which might limit its use in some homes.

Best dehumidifier for bathrooms

• Tank size: 2 litres

• Extraction rate: 12 litres

• Key features: Sleep mode, drying mode, child-safety lock

• Size: 46 x 25.5 x 22cm

• Energy consumption: 0.185kw/h

As many of the best dehumidifiers can run into the hundreds of pounds, I was happy to find this one from Dunelm for just £120. And given how affordable it is, I was immediately impressed with the number of settings and modes that it comes with. All three of the modes, from the auto setting to the sleep and drying options, operated equally well, making it a dehumidifier that will work in most rooms. I tested it out in my bathroom, living room, bedroom and even the hallway directly outside my kitchen and was happy with how it performed in each space. But it has taken up permanent residence in my bathroom, and since placing it there, I have not had a single steamed-up mirror or sign of dampness, making it the best dehumidifier for condensation. It draws out an impressive amount of moisture, with the full tank alarm coming in handy on quite a few occasions. Its size also helps it to slot into a corner, blending into the background.

Add in the child-safety lock feature, which stops little ones from pressing any buttons and gives parents some added peace of mind. This is just another bonus and pro when you consider its price. It does come on wheels to allow you to roll it from room to room, yet it would have been nice to have the option of a carry handle, too.

Best compact dehumidifier for smaller spaces

• Tank size: 750ml

• Extraction rate: 1 litre

• Key features: Laundry mode

• Size: 19.5 x 21.5 x 31.5cm

• Energy consumption: 0.045 kW/h

If you are looking for a small dehumidifier, whether that be for a small bedroom, flat or somewhere like a utility room or home office, this option from Lakeland is great for such a space. Combining the benefits of a dehumidifier and an air purifier, I felt a noticeable difference in the air quality and how fresh the air was to breathe after only running it for an hour or so. So, if you happen to suffer from certain allergies or have been thinking about investing in one of the best air purifiers, purchasing this combines the two in one dinky design.

With two settings – low and high – it is whisper-quiet when it is on low. So quiet that I could happily use it overnight or as I tried to drift off to sleep. Its lack of a timer does mean that you will have to physically get up to switch it off, though, which is a bit frustrating. Yet moving the device to my bedside table meant that I need not go far to switch it off. The high setting, on the other hand, makes it one of the noisiest out of all the dehumidifiers that I tested. 

As you might expect, given its size, it does have a rather small water tank, holding just 750ml of liquid before needing to be emptied. It also does not have a carry handle, but it was easy to move from room to room without issue, thanks to how lightweight and compact it is.