As previously mentioned, emptying the water tank on the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier was neither easy nor a pleasant experience. So, whilst this dehumidifier is portable, you’re probably not going to want to move it around too much. Just like the MeacoDry Arete One, as well as an impressive extraction rate the Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier has some great features, including an easy-to-read LED screen that displays current humidity levels and a useful Smart mode that monitors the humidity levels for you, turning the dehumidifier on and off as soon as it rises above the recommended home humidity range between 45%~55% for more economical (and hassle-free) use. There's also auto-shut off functionality when the water tank is full. Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products.

To get the most out of your dehumidifier, you will want to place it as close to the source of the damp as you can. As a dehumidifier can be noisy and bulky, it’s tempting to hide it away in a corner. But for larger rooms, try and place your dehumidifier in the centre so it benefits from the circulating air. You can now find a wide range of designs online that cater for various budgets and room sizes. There are automatic smart models that turn on if your home reaches a certain level of humidity, and switches off after a set period or when the water tank is full, and those that combine both air purifying and dehumidifying settings in one. Humidity levels: Relative humidity (RH) should sit between 30 to 60%, and most models have a built-in humidistat to keep the room at your chosen level. Devices with an auto-setting monitor adjust the moisture levels in the room, which can save on electricity.Research your energy tariff and see if your electricity is cheaper at certain times, such as at night. If so, you could time it to come on during those hours. Alternatively, consider using it when your home is most likely to have high humidity levels, such as when you are showering, cooking or have the heating on. However, its all-white casing means it’ll effortlessly fit in with most decors, and its honeycomb-style front grill adds a little style. It measures H44 x W30 x D22cm, so it’s also compact enough not to take up too much space.

However, most models have a built-in humidistat regardless of price. This allows you to specify a relative humidity (RH) that you want the dehumidifier to try to create in the room. Some also have an auto setting. How this works will vary from brand to brand, but generally speaking the dehumidifier will monitor and regulate conditions in the room according to what it deems to be the most appropriate RH at that point in time. Where to buy a dehumidifier And although it can't quite compete with the MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier on energy efficiency, it is still relatively energy efficient, especially compared to other compressor dehumidifiers in the Pro Breeze range. Performance: If you’re looking for a small dehumidifier, then the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G is about as compact as it gets, measuring just H22 x W14 x D14cm and weighing in at 0.9kg. However, despite it being small, it still feels robust and well made. However, it's not perfect. A powerful extraction rate of 20L, plus that Laundry boost mode, means higher running costs. This dehumidifier guzzles 440W of energy compared to the 20L MeacoDry Arete One's 216W. What the Pro Breeze 20L Premium does offer is a more generous water tank of 5.5L compared to the 20L MeacoDry Arete One's 4.8L, although in practice we didn't find ourselves emptying the MeacoDry that much more frequently. Remember that to maintain your dehumidifier’s airflow, you should never place it too close to a wall or any furniture, and ensure that you keep it away from electrics in case of leaks. What is the best time of day to use a dehumidifier?

What’s the best dehumidifier to buy in 2023?

The best dehumidifiers, of course, do a great job at extracting excess moisture from the air to limit any potential damp, mould and condensation problems. Every home can be prone to these problems in some shape or form - a musty smell in the hall, damp stains on the wall, wet windows in the morning or spots in the bathroom silicone sealant are all tell-tale signs that mould and condensation are present. This can not only be unpleasant for your home decor, but it can also be potentially harmful to your health. Investing in one of the best dehumidifiers can help, however. And whilst its energy use is low compared to many dehumidifiers on the market, it can't beat the super energy-efficient MeacoDry Arete One in this regard. The Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier uses 220W, whereas the comparable MeacoDry 12L Arete One uses just 151W of energy, and doesn't cost that much more upfront at full RRP. The MeacoDry also offers a built-in air purifier, a larger 2.5L water tank, better laundry drying performance, and quieter operation. However, considering its weight, I found the handle felt quite flimsy. I didn't entirely trust it would support the weight of the dehumidifier if carried by this alone.

Fan speeds: Some dehumidifiers have just one speed for continuous drying, limiting your control. Whilst others have up to three, which is advantageous if you want to adjust it for faster drying or put it on a lower (and possibly quieter) setting.Noise levels: This is where the Silentnight 39899 really comes into its own. When switched on, its operating noise levels are just 25dBA, and when I say it’s whisper quiet, I mean it. I couldn't hear this dehumidifier whilst it was running at all. That makes it perfect for anywhere you want to maintain peace and quiet, and thanks to its green light, I thought it made the perfect addition to a kids bedroom, doubling up as a nightlight when its running. So, why choose this one? Firstly, it's smart; using an app from your phone, you can control it from anywhere, even on the school run or while at the supermarket. You can even connect it to your Alexa or Google Home to operate it with the sound of your voice! Secondly, it is powerful; with the ability to extract 25L of water from the air and a six-litre tank capacity, you can rest easy knowing that this dehumidifier has your damp under control. Thirdly, although its power usage is much higher, it is super energy efficient; ElectriQ claims it is 50% more efficient than other standard dehumidifiers. We love that for our energy bills! Lastly, for the price, this dehumidifier doesn’t just control your home's humidity. It also purifies the air and eliminates terrible odours using a combination of UV sterilisation, an active carbon filter and a HEPA filter. In short, it works hard to keep you and your family feeling fit and healthy! The dehumidifier promptly stopped once the target humidity was met which means I used less energy, making it ideal for anyone worrying about electricity bills. Thanks to this, the Silentnight 39899 dehumidifier has noise levels of just 25dBA, and as our reviewer says 'when I say it’s whisper quiet, I mean it. I couldn't hear this dehumidifier whilst it was running at all. That makes it perfect for anywhere you want to maintain peace and quiet' – like the bedroom.

Smart features So-called 'smart' dehumidifiers can be controlled via a smartphone app as well as the standard control panel. This could come in handy if you want to turn your dehumidifier on or off or adjust the settings, such as fan speed, while you're in another room or even out of the house. Keep in mind that smart models tend to be more expensive. Finding the best dehumidifier for your home depends a lot on the type of moisture issue you're trying to solve, so it's always worth speaking with the customer service department of the manufacturer you're hoping to buy from to ensure you have the right model for your needs. Choose the right capacity for the size of your space, the number of people living in it and the severity of your damp problem.However, I tested the Challenge 0.5 Litre Mini Dehumidifier several times in my kitchen whilst cooking and found it collected excess moisture caused by steamy conditions efficiently. Energy use Using just 40W of energy to run, the ProBreeze 1500ml Mini dehumidifier is very cheap to operate. I kept a close eye on my smart meter whilst using it and it didn’t even register, at current energy prices costing less that 1p per hour to run. Then there's noise levels to consider, although as most of cheap dehumidifiers use Peltier condensers noise levels are already lower than more powerful compressor dehumidifiers. All dehumidifier's should give their operating volumes (measured in dB) in the specifications.