Drying laundry indoors can quickly leave your living space feeling warm and humid. A good dehumidifier is one of the easiest ways to manage it. “Dehumidifiers help remove moisture in the air, which can help your home feel less humid,” explains Dr Rebecca Drummond, associate professor in the Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, making them an effective way to tackle damp and improve air quality.
“Lots of moisture in the air can feel uncomfortable, but it also helps fungal spores from mould settle and grow,” Dr Drummond adds. “Mould should never be ignored, as it could cause a wide range of health issues.”
To separate the best dehumidifiers from the noisy plastic boxes, I tested the top models in my own damp-prone home. From compact options suited to single rooms to high-capacity units that can dry a load of washing in hours, these are the dehumidifiers that genuinely help protect your space and improve airflow.
I tested 20 different dehumidifiers in different-sized rooms around my house. I tried all the modes, including night and laundry functions, and measured noise levels using a decibel metre. I used a humidity metre to confirm moisture removal and an air particle metre to check air quality improvements. I also considered cost-per-use by calculating energy consumption.
After months of testing, I found Duux’s bora smart 30l unit to be the best dehumidifier. It features a 30l per day extraction rate, a 4l water tank, and smart functionality via an intuitive app. It maintains noise levels between 30-36dB, making it bedroom-friendly. The built-in carbon filter helps remove gases, smoke, and odours.
Daewoo’s 700ml unit is the best budget dehumidifier I tested. It is compact, quiet at 35dB, and suitable for small spaces like cupboards or camper vans. It includes auto shut-off and a full-tank alarm. For those dealing with condensation or mould, Dryzone’s dehumidifier and air purifier is also recommended.
