Challenge 12L Dehumidifier

Product Information

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. Most dehumidifiers are noisy, averaging decibel levels of between 34-48dB. That's because they draw in air via a fan and then use a compressor and refrigerant to cool and condense the air to extract the moisture from it. If available, make use of timer or automatic shut-off features so the dehumidifier isn’t running continuously while you’re out of the house or asleep. A dehumidifier's 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 Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier doesn't have Wi-Fi or App connectivity, so there's no set-up required. Once the refrigerant has settled you can just plug it in and turn it on. DesignCompressor dehumidifiers tend to be the most common design available in the UK. They work by drawing air into the dehumidifier via a fan, and then running the air over over cold coils to condense the moisture from it, whereby the condensed water is collected in a water tank.The coils are kept cool by refrigerant which means the unit also needs a compressor built in. The only downside of compressor dehumidifiers is that they need the air to be warm for this process to work. Most will work above 5°C, but they're most efficient at an ambient temperature of around 20°C (depending on the individual model). The tank capacity dictates how much water the water tank of the dehumidifier can hold before it needs emptying. A larger tank capacity – such as the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier's generous 2.5L or 4.8Ltanks – means you won't be emptying it as frequently.

If you’re looking for a small dehumidifier, then the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G Portable Dehumidifier is about as compact as it gets, measuring just H22 x W14 x D14cm and weighing in at 0.9kg.

How does a dehumidifier work?

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-hand model, it may use a HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerant that can be a potent greenhouse gas if leaked. Despite its compact size, this dehumidifier is also heavy. And noisy. We also didn’t find it that much help with drying clothes, although it did a good job of managing general damp and reducing condensation and mould on windows and walls.

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 verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

What’s the best dehumidifier to buy in 2023?

Wheels/castors These could come in useful if your dehumidifier is heavy – they can weigh from 6kg to more than 16kg. That depends on your humidity levels and what you’re trying to achieve. You don’t always have to leave your dehumidifier on, but you may want to if your damp problem is severe. Also, it can be cheaper to run them at night. A compressor dehumidifier is the most common type in the UK as it works best in higher temperatures, such as in a heated home. If you’ve bought a second-hand dehumidifier, read our guide to your rights when buying second-hand goods. How do I dispose of a dehumidifier? Most dehumidifiers have their noise levels listed in their specifications, although in practice we didn't find that much variation between models, with most falling somewhere between 35 and 45dB.

If you don't have too large of a damp problem, or only have a small area where you want to reduce humidity, then a cheap dehumidifier can be worth it. If you have a serious damp or condensation problem, it’s worth buying a model with a bigger tank so that it keeps working all night. How to choose the best dehumidifier for your home litres – medium capacity. Suitable if there are more of you creating moisture through activities such as showering, cooking and washing clothes at home, and/or your damp problem is more severe. Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products. 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.That said, dehumidifiers aren’t the most stylish-looking devices. Hence, you’re unlikely to want a large unit sitting in the middle of your lounge but still think carefully about its placement. If the moisture comes from a leaky window or front door, place it near them.