Which Best Describes the Electricity in Your House

If y'all're noticing h2o stains on your walls, condensation on your windows, mould lurking in your shower or a general musty scent, a dehumidifier could be the solution. Purchase the wrong i, though, and information technology won't exercise much to tackle your damp problem.

In our good guide, nosotros'll explain what your options are, and take a closer expect at whether you need a refrigerant (compressor) or desiccant dehumidifier. To assist you choose wisely, we've also highlighted key dehumidifier features to look out for.

Read on to avoid overspending, or ending up with a dehumidifier that'southward not suited to your needs. Whether y'all're on a budget or want to spend more, we'll help you to observe the virtually appropriate dehumidifier.

Desire to head straight to our loftier-scoring dehumidifiers? Check in with our full selection of dehumidifier reviews .

Best dehumidifiers for 2022

We've tested a range of dehumidifiers from different brands – including DeLonghi, Ecoair, Ebac and Meaco – to uncover the best.

Only logged-in Which? members can detect out which blenders we recommend in the table below. Join Which? to get instant access if you aren't already a fellow member.

This dehumidifier has a large extraction rate and can be controlled with a smartphone app to be controlled remotely. But how constructive is it at pulling in moisture from the air? Plus, is information technology placidity and energy efficient? Read our expert dehumidifier review to detect out.
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Full Admission first month £2.99, and then £9.99 per month, abolish at whatsoever time
A refrigerant dehumidifier that is excellent at extracting water from the air at room temperature, while as well very placidity and energy-efficient compared to others we accept tested. A great choice if you're looking for something portable with simple controls.
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Full Admission first month £2.99, then £ix.99 per month, cancel at any time
This dehumidifier has a large extraction capacity that's well suited to larger spaces or more severe damp issues. Actress features include night, laundry and air purification modes. But how effective is information technology at removing wet from the air? Read our good dehumidifier review to find out.
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Full Access first calendar month £two.99, so £9.99 per month, cancel at any time
This dehumidifier has i of the largest extraction capacities we've seen, plus it can be controlled with your smartphone to choose the mode and set schedules. Read our full dehumidifier review to see how information technology scores.
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Full Access get-go month £2.99, then £9.99 per month, cancel at whatsoever fourth dimension
This dehumidifier is energy-efficient, easy to use and - near chiefly - great at extracting water from the air. It's versatile, working well in both warmer and colder weather, making it a great choice if you're likely to need to use information technology in both a heated lounge, say, and unheated garage.
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Full Admission commencement calendar month £2.99, then £9.99 per month, cancel at whatsoever time

Table terminal updated February 2022.

Refrigerant vs desiccant dehumidifiers: what's the difference?

Refrigerant (or compressor) dehumidifiers

Refrigerants are more popular in the Britain. They work by creating a cold surface; when warm, clammy air comes into contact with the cold surface, condensation forms and drips into the water tank.

Desiccant dehumidifiers

Desiccant dehumidifiers use an adsorbent fabric to extract h2o from the air, in a like way to a sponge. The desiccant is regenerated by an internal heater, and the moisture drips into the h2o condenser. Equally they're not reliant on the temperature in the room beingness warm, desiccant dehumidifiers piece of work more than effectively than refrigerant dehumidifiers in colder temperatures of 15°C or less.

Desiccants release more heat into the room, which might exist nice if you want a mild heating effect. This isn't necessary in a home that's already heated, however.

If you're looking for a dehumidifier for an unheated garage, conservatory or other outbuilding, you should generally opt for a desiccant.

Dehumidifier features to look out for

Continuous-drain facility Many dehumidifiers allow you to connect a hose and flush the collected water away to a depression-level drain. This will relieve y'all having to empty the water tank, or prevent the machine from getting total and switching off if you lot're not effectually to empty it. Note that dehumidifiers with this function often don't come with a hose in the box, then you'll probably have to buy it separately.
Humidistat Almost dehumidifiers have one of these. A humidistat monitors moisture levels in the air and adjusts the dehumidifier to maintain the humidity level you've selected. Some models also take a more nuanced auto setting, where the machine adjusts its settings co-ordinate to its idea of the most advisable relative humidity.
Integrated cord storage This is handy for saving space when the dehumidifier isn't in use, and removes the risk of tripping over a sprawling cablevision.
Timer Allows y'all to programme the dehumidifier to turn on and/or off after a specified fourth dimension. This could help you to save coin if you're on a tariff offering cheaper energy at certain times of day, or if you want to leave the dehumidifier on for a few hours after going out, but you lot don't need it on all twenty-four hour period.
Wheels/castors These could come in useful if your dehumidifier is heavy – they can counterbalance from 6kg to more 16kg.
Nighttime modeDehumidifiers can be noisy machines. If you lot intend to run information technology at night, expect for a dehumidifier with a 'nighttime mode' or a 'silent style'.
Smart features So-called 'smart' dehumidifiers tin 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 the house. Continue in mind that smart models tend to exist more than expensive.

Size or capacity

A dehumidifier'due south size or capacity describes how many litres of water it's able to extract from the air each day (which is different to the water tank capacity). Dehumidifiers for homes range in capacity from seven to 25 litres.

The best-sized dehumidifier for your needs depends on the size of the space you desire to use it in; how many people are living in the home generating moisture through activities such as cooking, washing and doing laundry; and the extent of your clammy problem.

7-12 litres– minor capacity. Suitable for a single person living in a small flat, looking for a lightweight and portable machine to tackle a balmy damp problem.
fourteen-16 litres– medium capacity. Suitable if at that place are more of you creating moisture through activities such every bit showering, cooking and washing clothes at dwelling, and/or your damp trouble is more severe.
xviii+ litres– big capacity. A sensible choice if you lot accept a lot of wet that you need to get rid of fast. For example, clearing upwardly after a flood or dealing with lots of water in the air through drying laundry indoors.

Because desiccant dehumidifiers tin be more powerful than refrigerant models, they can cover a larger area than a refrigerant of the aforementioned claimed capacity. Even within the broad categories of refrigerant and desiccant, two models with the same claimed capacity could vary enormously in effectiveness – the only way to be sure which dehumidifiers are going to practice a good job is to cheque our skilful dehumidifier reviews.

Yous should also conduct in heed that manufacturer claims near water extraction rate are often based on conditions yous're unlikely to feel in your home. For refrigerant dehumidifiers, manufacturers frequently base their claims on 30ºC and 80% relative humidity – conditions that better stand for a tropical rainforest than a typical British dwelling.

Modest dehumidifiers

If yous've got a small home, you won't want a hulking dehumidifier taking up precious space. The smallest dehumidifiers have a chapters of 7 to 10 litres. Size-wise, these smaller models will range from 18 x 38 x 18cm to 36 x 55 x 33cm (West x H x D).

Laundry mode on a dehumidifier

If you don't have a tumble dryer and information technology's too cold to hang wet apparel outside, a dehumidifier can help you to dry your wearing apparel. Hanging clothes on a radiator can cause condensation, and then yous should always avoid doing that.

Some models come up with a laundry setting, just yous can use any dehumidifier for this if yours doesn't have ane. Many laundry settings simply whack upward the power to max for a set time, although some are designed to save free energy by optimising the machine'southward performance and so it doesn't work harder than it needs to.

Are dehumidifiers eco-friendly?

Dehumidifiers can apply a lot of energy, especially if used inefficiently. The electricity required to power a dehumidifier tin be generated from a mixture of called-for fossil fuels, renewables, gas and nuclear. But every bit this is mixed up in the grid, you tin can't guarantee it'south coming from a renewable energy source.

There are some elementary means to make sure your dehumidifier is not working harder than necessary:

Cull the right capacity for the size of your space, the amount of people living in information technology and the severity of your damp problem.
Proceed the windows close when you're running a dehumidifier, so damp air from outside isn't drawn in.
If available, brand use of timer or automatic shut-off features and so the dehumidifier isn't running continuously while you're out of the house or asleep.
Look at our examination scores. Every dehumidifier we review has an energy efficiency rating, so our highest-scoring models are most likely to be the least wasteful.

Should I buy a second-hand dehumidifier?

Yous could save some money by buying a dehumidifier second-hand. If you're purchasing from a private seller, be aware that, unlike retailers, they are non obliged to proactively highlight any faults. They should tell y'all if y'all specifically ask though.

Although y'all could exist making an initial saving, you might have to spend more money repairing a second-hand dehumidifier or buying replacement parts such as filters or castor wheels. For older dehumidifiers, replacement parts might not be available, and then it'south worth checking earlier buying a used model.

Dehumidifier manufacturers have started to update their older models or create new ones using refrigerant gases with less of a global warming impact, such as R290. If you buy an older second-mitt model, it may use a HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerant that can be a potent greenhouse gas if leaked.

If you've bought a 2nd-hand dehumidifier, read our guide to your rights when buying second-hand appurtenances.

How practice I dispose of a dehumidifier?

If yous're thinking nearly getting rid of your dehumidifier, it'due south important to do then in a style that isn't harmful to the environment. If sent to landfill, the dehumidifier could release the refrigerant into the environment. In some models, specially older ones, these can exist HFCs, which are greenhouse gases.

Look for the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on your dehumidifier, as this is an indicator that it can be recycled. You may have to remove the filter though and put it with your normal household waste, equally this might not be suitable for recycling. This data should be bachelor in the dehumidifier's transmission.

To recycle your dehumidifier, bank check with your local council to see if information technology accepts kerbside collection. You may as well exist able to drop it off at your local recycling centre. If you're buying a new dehumidifier, some retailers might even take your one-time i away. For example when you purchase a new dehumidifier from Meaco, it offers to take your old i away within 28 days of your new buy and dispose of information technology safely.

Find out more than near how to recycle your electric items correctly.

How much does a dehumidifier cost?

Dehumidifiers tin price anything from around £forty to £450, with the amount you spend based on the dehumidifier's capacity and extra features.

Models that cost less than £150 tend to have a chapters of ten litres or less. Cheaper dehumidifiers are as well less likely to have castors, wheels or a laundry setting.

Yet, nigh models have a born humidistat regardless of price. This allows you to specify a relative humidity (RH) that you lot desire the dehumidifier to try to create in the room. Some as well have an auto setting. How this works will vary from make to brand, simply generally speaking the dehumidifier will monitor and regulate weather in the room according to what it deems to be the nearly appropriate RH at that point in fourth dimension.

Where to buy a dehumidifier

When shopping online, make sure you're dealing with a reputable seller. Check the retailer'south returns policy and also accept a expect at some customer reviews.

Popular retailers that stock dehumidifiers include:

Argos stocks a pick of dehumidifiers from Challenge, Dimplex, Ebac and Meaco. Prices range from £50 to £300.
Screwfix sells dehumidifiers from Blyss, Ebac and Essentials. The retailer lists the Blyss WDH-316DB as a 'peak seller' – it has a 2.iv-litre tank and has an automated shut down.
Amazon has a vast selection of dehumidifiers for y'all to sift through. Large-proper name brands include EcoAir, Inventor and Meaco.
B&Q has dehumidifiers that start from £40. The priciest model at the time of writing is the £260 Princess SMART 20L.
Currys stocks effectually twenty dehumidifier models from brands including Daewoo, Meaco and Russell Hobbs. Expect to spend between £forty and £300.

Discover which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our expert guide on the best and worst shops .

How to dry out clothes indoors during winter

If you lot're running a dehumidifier, keep the door to the room the dehumidifier is in open, so that air can circulate through your abode. But close the window, so that damp air outside – which will migrate towards drier spots – isn't fatigued to the drier air indoors.

Open up your window for 15 minutes afterwards showering or cooking, though, and longer if yous're not then going to exist using a dehumidifier. It's tempting to keep your windows shut tight in winter, just then condensation has no ways of escape.

Don't hang clothes direct on a radiator every bit directly heat could damage delicate fibres, add to your heating bill and fifty-fifty, depending on the heater, be a fire hazard – every bit well as causing condensation. Employ a clothes airer instead. You tin can purchase ones that hook over your radiator for every bit footling as £5 on Amazon, larger ones from £15 and heated ones from £22.

Avoid overfilling your wardrobes, likewise. The smaller your home, the more of a hurry you might exist in to tidy things away. But getting mould out of a wardrobe can be a nightmare: you lot tin't just set up to information technology with bleach and a strong-bristled brush, every bit y'all could harm the woods. Prevention is better than cure.

Observe out more about improving your indoor air quality at dwelling house.

Moisture absorbers: can they help with damp?

Moisture absorbers (likewise known as damp traps) incorporate crystals that blot moisture and dissolve equally they make contact with air. These machines often take the grade of little plastic tubs with two levels – the upper layer contains the crystals and the bottom layer collects the liquid which drips through from the top.

You lot tin can use a moisture absorber in a basement, bathroom, sleeping room, garage, kitchen, living room or whatever other room of your house that has a recurring clammy problem. Some are designed to work in cars – check the instructions before ownership.

Moisture absorbers are very cheap and you can even discover them for equally piffling as £one. To see how constructive they are, nosotros asked volunteers who had damp in their homes to endeavor out the following models:

Kontrol Streamline Wet Trap 1L – £5.79
Kilrock Spiraflo Wet Absorber – £six.99
Unibond Aero 360 Moisture Absorber – £nine.99
Minky Clammy Guard – £eleven (includes four refills)

1 of our volunteers tried the Kontrol Streamline Moisture Trap in a basement apartment that barely gets whatsoever sun in winter. They told us: 'The simply heater in that room is very poor, likewise, so I can't get a consistent temperature. When I put the heater on, it gets warm very quickly, but, equally presently as I plow the heater off, the room cools down really quickly. Condensation often builds up on the windows during the winter (see beneath), particularly in the morning.'

The moisture absorber definitely reduced the condensation on the windows. Before placing the moisture absorber on the windowsill, the windows would totally mist up (as you tin encounter in the picture higher up), and puddles of h2o would collect in the corners of the windowsill. After using the cushion, there was but a small amount of condensation around the edges of the glass (every bit in the picture below).

Our trials showed that moisture absorbers won't do much to reduce damp in a room that's routinely used for drying laundry. Then moisture absorbers can assistance with pocket-size 24-hour interval-to-day damp issues, simply shouldn't be relied upon for any serious damp-busting.

Once the crystals in your wet absorber have dissolved into liquid, all you lot need to practice is empty the liquid into a toilet and affluent information technology away. How long each packet of crystals lasts volition depend on the moisture levels in your home. If your issue is just minor (or y'all can't come across or smell damp but are just buying 1 to be on the prophylactic side), you may only infrequently demand refills. If you observe yous're frequently having to buy refills, information technology may exist fourth dimension to invest in a dehumidifier.

For more tips on dealing with clammy, bank check in with our expert guide on how to stop condensation .

Which dehumidifier brand is the best?

Some dehumidifier brands routinely practise well or badly in our tests, while others are a lot more hitting and miss.

To encounter which dehumidifiers brands we recommend, go to our guide on which dehumidifier brand to purchase .

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Source: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/dehumidifiers/article/how-to-buy-the-best-dehumidifier-ay5gu4q77WQN