A dehumidifier can roughly halve indoor drying time. It is not the cheapest way to dry a load, so the case for one is strongest where you have no tumble dryer, or damp is a problem as well.
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Size my dehumidifierWhat Which? found
In a Which? test of two identical loads, one dried with a dehumidifier and one without, the dehumidifier almost halved the drying time and pulled around two litres of water out of the air. Which? also found that across the models it tested, running cost averaged 26p per litre of water extracted, with the best around 20p. It put a heat pump tumble dryer at around 35p a load, and condenser and vented dryers at around 90p. Its conclusion: even the cheapest dehumidifiers cost more and take longer than the most efficient tumble dryers, so a tumble dryer is the cheaper option if you already have one.
A dehumidifier does something a dryer does not: it lowers humidity in the room, which helps with condensation too. That is the reason to choose one.
What to look for
- Output at 20 °C, not just the headline. A laundry room is rarely 30 °C. See why ratings don't match real life.
- A laundry or boost mode. This runs the fan and compressor harder until the washing is dry. Some models also have a target humidity you can set low.
- Tank size or a hose drain. Drying produces litres of water, so a small tank fills quickly. A hose lets you drain continuously.
- Warm air. A desiccant model blows out warmer air, which Meaco says is about 10 to 12 °C above room temperature, which dries clothes quickly but costs more to run.
Models we list with a laundry mode
| Model | Type | Rated | Rated at | At 20 °C, 60% RH | Max power | Noise | Tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 | Desiccant | 7.5 L/day | Not stated | – | 580 W | 34–47 dB | 2 L |
| Meaco DD8L Zambezi | Desiccant | 8.3 L/day | 20 °C, 60% | 8.3 L/day | 661 W | 41–50 dB | 3 L |
| MeacoDry Arete One 12L | Compressor | 12 L/day | 30 °C, 80% | 5.23 L/day | 151 W | 35–38 dB | 2.5 L |
| Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L Dehumidifier | Compressor | 12 L/day | Not stated | – | 200 W | 36 dB | 2 L |
| MeacoDry Arete Two 20L | Compressor | 20 L/day | 30 °C, 80% | – | 207 W | 38–50 dB | – |
| Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Laundry Mode | Compressor | 20 L/day | Not stated | – | 440 W | 42 dB | 5.5 L |
Working out the running cost
Using each unit's maximum power and an electricity rate of 26.32p/kWh (October 2026 price cap, as quoted by Which?), the Meaco Arete One 12L at 151 W and 5.23 L/day at 20 °C works out at about 18p per litre. The Meaco DD8L Zambezi at its listed maximum of 661 W and 8.3 L/day works out at about 50p per litre, although Meaco's own blog gives about 330 W for desiccant models at 20 °C and 60% humidity, which would be nearer 25p. Real bills are usually lower than a maximum-power sum because the unit cycles off. These are our calculations, not tested figures. Use our running-cost calculator for your own numbers.
Tips that make any dehumidifier dry faster
- Use a small room with the door and windows closed.
- Hang washing on an airer with the dehumidifier close but not dripping onto it, and keep the unit at least 20 cm from walls and furniture.
- Do not drape clothes over radiators. It causes condensation and cuts the radiator's heat.
- With no laundry setting, set the target humidity to 30 to 40%.
- An extra spin in the washing machine removes a lot of water first. A fan on the far side of the room helps.
Not sure what size you need? Use the sizer and tick indoor laundry. See all models in dehumidifiers compared.
Sources: Which?, Can you use a dehumidifier to dry laundry?; Meaco, When to buy a desiccant or a compressor dehumidifier. Specifications from each product page. Per-litre costs are our calculations.