SKIP TO: What are the best dehumidifiers for drying clothes? | How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier? | Why use a dehumidifier? | What do I need to consider when buying a dehumidifier? | What are the different types of dehumidifiers? | Do you have to clean a dehumidifier? | How we choose/test the best dehumidifiers
What are the best dehumidifiers for drying clothes?
One of the less spoken about benefits of a dehumidifier is how it can actually speed up your clothes drying. If you don’t have a tumble dryer and tend to spend the winter months waiting three or more days for your clothes to still feel a tiny bit damp, popping a dehumidifier in your room can make a surprisingly big difference. It works, as you’d expect, by reducing the humidity in the air around the clothes, allowing the moisture in the clothes to evaporate faster. The tricky here is to opt for a larger dehumidifier as there will be more moisture to be sucked out of the air, and then to make sure you’re placing it in a location near your laundry.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
With energy prices still quite high, the cost of running electrical appliances such as a dehumidifier can be of concern for your future energy bills. How much electricity you use, however, can depend on the wattage of the device and how energy efficient the model is.
‘To calculate the running costs your dehumidifier the calculation is: power rating (kW)] x [time in use (h)] x [price of electricity (£0.34p per kWh),’ says Ava Pope, Energy Saving Expert at Love Energy Savings.
‘For example, a dehumidifier that can extract up to 20 litres a day - with a wattage of 480w - would use 0.48 kWh, meaning that an hour's usage would cost just under 16p. In comparison, a dehumidifier that can extract up to 12 litres a day - with a wattage of 157w (0.157 kWh) - would cost just over 5p an hour.’
Keep in mind, that running a dehumidifier can help a lot with laundry drying, which can save you with the costs of running a tumble dryer too much in the winter.
Why use a dehumidifier?
The best dehumidifiers work by pulling water from the air, fast and efficiently. ‘Typical problems from excess moisture include creaking floorboards, warped wood, peeling paint and insects such as silverfish coming into your home,’ points out Lara Brittain, Kitchen Expert at Currys. ‘Dehumidifiers are great as they pull water from the air, and the best ones do it quickly and at room temperature without using too much energy.’
What do I need to consider when buying a dehumidifier?
You will need to empty the water tank regularly once it is full, so if it’s too small for the room and task in hand, you’ll be doing this more often than not. To combat this, look for a design with a large water-collecting tank that caters for your needs or opt for a design with a continuous drain facility to connect a hose to drain away the water if needed. It’s also worth keeping an eye out on extra features like Alexa compatibility, Wi-Fi, and low energy usage levels.
What dehumidifier do I need for my room size?
Think about how much space you want to cover and make sure the dehumidifier can handle your room size – particularly if it’s more than one.
What are the quietest dehumidifiers?
Consider the maximum noise level of your dehumidifier as you’ll want to make sure that it doesn’t interrupt your sleep or annoy you when you’re trying to relax. Decibel levels vary – the MeacoDry Arete One is a whisper quiet at 40 dB, while the Princess 368016 Dehumidifier measures at around 47 decibels, for example.
What are the most aesthetic dehumidifiers?
Do you have space to house the dehumidifier in the room that you want to place it in? Some designs can be clunky and a bit of an eyesore, so it’s worth checking the design fits before you buy.
What settings should a dehumidifier have?
A dehumidifier with a humidistat will turn itself on or off, while a timer will be handy if you want to set and forget and save on electricity usage costs.
What are the different types of dehumidifiers?
While you'd think dehumidifiers would all be pretty similar, there are actually quite a few different types of dehumidifiers that you need to get your head around, mainly compressor (or refrigerant) and desiccant dehumidifiers, with the most noticeable difference being what kind of air comes out. Compressor dehumidifiers will heat up the air to be about 2 degrees higher than when it came into the machine, while desiccant models will heat it up significantly warmer (we're talking 10-12 degrees higher). Desiccant models can also work at quite low temperatures, meaning they make for a good option if you need to put something in your garage, or an area that isn't heated too often, while some other models use a refrigerant method to extract moisture from the air that doesn't function super well outside.
Do you have to clean a dehumidifier?
It's definitely recommended to clean your dehumidifier regularly. Once every one or two weeks should be more than enough for most people, and the process may differ slightly depending on your model In general though, you can wipe the outside with a damp cloth, and clean/rinse out the removable tank with soapy water to help keep it fresh. Some models have built-in air filters which can also be removed/cleaned/replaced, so it's best to follow the guidance in the manual for your specific machine.
How we choose/test the best dehumidifiers
We've made our selection of the best dehumidifiers based on a number of criteria. One of these is our own personal experience with various models of dehumidifiers over the years having tested them in our own damp-ridden London flats and homes to see how well they fared. And when we couldn't get our hands on a model to test ourselves, we took detailed notes from those who had and compared their specs against the ones we know and love. We've also chosen a selection across a range of sizes and price points, with some best for the bedroom and for smaller or larger spaces.
