13 best dehumidifiers to help tackle damp and mould at home

The best dehumidifiers can rid your home of moisture and condensation, and even prevent damp and mould from occurring. Not only that, a good dehumidifier will reduce dust and allergens in the air, as well as help minimise any odours. It can also be an essential appliance when it comes to helping you dry your laundry, as you can pull the plug on your expensive tumble drier and dry your clothes indoors, knowing you won’t be causing any damp issues.

Dehumidifiers work by drawing excess moisture from the air, before collecting it in a drip tray and pushing warm, dry air back into the room. But as there are so many different models on the market, it can be difficult to decide which is the best one for your needs.

There are a few things to keep in mind while you’re trying to decide, such as the size of your home, whether you need dedicated settings such as laundry mode, and even whether you want one with a built-in air filter, which can help to remove irritants from the air, leaving you breathing easier. 

Size is another factor, as the devices range from small and compact to large and bulky, but whatever your space requirements, there’s one out there for you. Scroll down for our round-up of the best dehumidifiers on the market.

How we tested

We tested a range of dehumidifiers by letting them run continuously in different spaces and under different conditions, such as with laundry drying or while cooking. We tested each dehumidifier for at least three days and kept an eye on energy costs, how noisy it was and how well it performed.

The best dehumidifiers for 2024 are:

• Best dehumidifier overall – MeacoDry arete one 20l dual dehumidifier/air purifier: £259.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Best budget dehumidifier – Blyss curve moisture trap dehumidifier: £7.50, Diy.com
• Best dehumidifier for flats – Meaco dry ABC dehumidifier: £152.80, Amazon.co.uk
• Best dehumidifier for laundry – De'Longhi DEX212F dehumidifier: £232.71, Amazon.co.uk
• Best energy efficient dehumidifier – Midea 20l dehumidifier: £209.95, Airconcentre.co.uk
• Best compact dehumidifier – UniBond aero 360 moisture absorber: £14.22, Amazon.co.uk

MeacoDry arete one 20l dual dehumidifier/air purifier

Both a dehumidifier and air purifier in one compact unit, the curved design means this model will effortlessly fit into your living space. Despite it being 16kg, it’s extremely portable, thanks to the included castor wheels, and if you need to carry it to another room or between floors, there’s a pull-up handle.

Operating it is easy, as