Noise levels: The official specifications say that this dehumidifier is 37dBA but I barely heard it. I didn’t even realise it was on when I was in the room. It runs so quietly, you occasionally hear the odd drip as the water hits the already collected water in the tray but that’s about it. It’s ideal for use when you’re working or overnight as it won’t disturb the peace. 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. When the dehumidifier is in operation, a green light tells you it's on, this light turns orange when the tank is full and the dehumidifier will automatically shut off when tank capacity is reached. Choose the right capacity for the size of your space, the number of people living in it and the severity of your damp problem. 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

So, whilst this dehumidifier is portable, you’re probably not going to want to move it around too much. A dehumidifier's extraction rate is an average of how much moisture it can remove from the air during a given timeframe. Most commonly this is measured in litres per day, so an extraction rate of 10L/per day means the dehumidifier should be able to extract 10 litres of moisture within 24 hours if running continuously. In practice, this also depends on the humidity levels of the room, and the ambient temperature. Energy use Using just 40W of energy to run, the ProBreeze 1500ml Mini dehumidifier is very cheap to operate. I kept a close eye on my smart meter whilst using it and it didn’t even register, at current energy prices costing less that 1p per hour to run.A compressor dehumidifier is the most common type in the UK as it works best in higher temperatures, such as in a heated home. It's also important not to confuse the extraction rate with a dehumidifiers water tank capacity. As both are generally measured in litres or millilitres this can sometimes cause confusion. It also offers Smart App controls, which means you can connect it to WiFi and operate it remotely via the Pro Breeze App or connect to Alexa or similar voice-activated devices. It has a decent-sized water tank capacity of 4L, and an automatic humidity sensor which means you can set your desired humidity level, switch it on, and just let it do its thing.

Small, portable and whisper-quiet thanks to Peltier technology, you can keep this sleek-looking dehumidifier on your nightstand or dresser and let it run all night without you even noticing. Although, if you are light-sensitive, we suggest covering up the glowing light! Removing up to 300ml of water, the Silentnight Dehumidifier works all day and all night to improve your bedroom's humidity and simultaneously filter out allergens (perfect for those with hay fever!). Then when the light goes from green to orange, just empty the tank, and start it up again. It's simple, easy to use, and the best dehumidifier for your family's bedrooms! The best dehumidifiers, of course, do a great job at extracting excess moisture from the air to limit any potential damp, mould and condensation problems. Every home can be prone to these problems in some shape or form - a musty smell in the hall, damp stains on the wall, wet windows in the morning or spots in the bathroom silicone sealant are all tell-tale signs that mould and condensation are present. This can not only be unpleasant for your home decor, but it can also be potentially harmful to your health. Investing in one of the best dehumidifiers can help, however. If you’re looking for a dehumidifier that can clear moisture in a larger space or deal with significant damp levels within the home, then you need a dehumidifier with a high extraction rate. The advantage of this type of dehumidifier is that it works well in warm and cold spaces. The only downside is that they tend to release warm air into a room, which you may not want in an already-heated home. However, they are ideal for a cold garage, loft or conservatory as they can operate below 10 degrees, unlike a compressor dehumidifier. They are also much quieter, so they might be a preferable option for you to use in a bedroom. Their main disadvantage is that they use a lot more energy and therefore cost more to run. Refrigerant (compressor) dehumidifierHowever, 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 Simple and standard, the only additional feature is that you can choose between their four pre-set humidity levels to match your and your home's needs. All you’ll need to do is pop it in a corner and let it run, it costs around nine pence an hour so that it won’t break the bank, and when it is full, the dehumidifier will automatically shut off to avoid spillage. The only downside is that at 47dB, it is between a whisper and a regular voice; it is a little noisier than its competitors, so we recommend keeping it out of the bedroom at night. It's fair to say that most dehumidifiers aren't the most stylish of appliances, which is why the De'Longhi Tascuigo AriaDry Multi Dehumidifier is something of a breath of fresh air amidst the usual boxy white plastic designs.

Humidistat Most 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 have a more nuanced auto setting, where the machine adjusts its settings according to its idea of the most appropriate relative humidity.Pros: Whisper-quiet operation, doubles as an air purifier to help with air quality, includes laundry mode, shows you the current humidity rating on a screen, high extraction rate Overall, if you can put up with its increased noise volume and absorb the higher running costs, we think thePro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Modeis a good buy. It's definitely the best dehumidifier for drying clothes that we've tested, and anything that makes wet-weather laundry days easier is a win in our books. Noise: A dehumidifier's noise levels can fall between 34dB to 60dB - 34dB being a whisper and 60dB being the same as a normal conversation. If you choose to run your dehumidifier at a lower fan speed, it will make less noise but may be less effective. Think about where you are using it and whether it will disturb you. Compressor 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). However, if you opt for the MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier you also get a built-in air purifier, larger 2.5L water tank, better laundry drying performance, quieter operation, and better energy efficiency.

Despite its compact size, it's also heavy. And whilst it does have a carry handle and castors, you’re not going to want to move it around too much. There's no assembly required with this dehumidifier. However, as it's a compressor dehumidifier you do need to let it stand for at least six hours once it's been delivered to allow the refrigerant to settle before use. Some dehumidifier brands routinely do well or badly in our tests, while others are a lot more hit and miss. Unlike a compressor dehumidifier that passes air over a cold coil to condense the water from it, a desiccant dehumidifier uses a 'desiccant chemical' to absorb the moisture from the air. As a result, desiccant dehumidifiers are the best option for rooms that are likely to fall below 15°c, as at lower temperatures compressor and Peltier models can struggle to work efficiently.

How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?

Energy use: The Silentnight 39899 600ml dehumidifier also scores highly on energy efficiency. Although, as with the ProBreeze 1500ml, it's a shame there aren't any automatic humidity sensors so that the dehumidifier only switches on when it's needed (the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier is our top recommendation in this respect), despite the fact it has to be left running, energy use is still relatively low thanks to its 23W energy use. That means it doesn't even cost 1p per hour to have running. Extraction amount: It is essential to consider the maximum amount of moisture your dehumidifier can extract daily. It can range from anywhere from 500ml to upwards of 30 litres. Small units are fine for occasional use or a small area, such as a cupboard or study. Around 12 litres is suitable for a small flat, medium-sized room or a mild damp problem. Up to 16 litres is best for a larger room or one used regularly for washing or cooking, and units with a capacity of up to 20/30 litres can be used to dehumidify whole homes.