Dehumidifiers: How to buy the best dehumidifier Which dehumidifier?

Follow our shopping tips to find the best dehumidifier for your home

DeLonghi, Creda, Ebac and Argos are among the big names in the dehumidifier market - with prices ranging from around £30 for a compact dehumidifier with limited features and a small storage tank, up to £200 for a larger capacity premium option.

Not all dehumidifiers are the same - and some cheaper models actually work better than pricier ones. Go straight to our dehumidifier reviews to find out which are the best dehumidifiers - plus which dehumidifiers are so bad we think you should avoid them altogether.

Before you buy, here are some pointers to help you buy the best dehumidifier for your home - and some of the considerations you should bear in mind.

Dehumidifier capacity

According to lab tests run by US consumer organisation Consumer Reports, large capacity dehumidifiers generally work quicker and more efficiently than a smaller unit - and will be able to handle a greater range of humidity levels with little or no added noise.

A larger dehumidifier doesn't necessarily mean greater water capacity, though - check the product smallprint for this before you buy.

Dehumidifiers tend to quote their daily approximate moisture removal levels (look for one that's between 10 and 15 litres) and how many litres the water tank on a dehumidifier can hold before you need to empty it. This is important, as a small water tank will need regular emptying - a good-sized tank will hold 3 to 4 litres.

Dehumidifier noise

Dehumidifiers can be on the noisy side, which can be an annoyance if you're likely to be using the room when the dehumidifier is on. Look for a product with different speed settings - a lower speed should be quieter.

When we test and review dehumidifiers, we rate each and everyone on how distracting, loud and annoying you'll find the sound it makes. Go to our dehumidifier reviews area to find out which are the best and worst.

Frost control

If you're using a dehumidifier in a cool room - for example, in a basement - check the dehumidifier has frost control. This will stop the dehumidifier freezing up if it gets too cold during use.

Most dehumidifiers stop automatically when the water collection tank is full

Automatic dehumidifiers

Most dehumidifiers will automatically switch off when the water tank is full and needs emptying. If you want your dehumidifier to automatically come on when humidity levels in your home reach a certain point, look for a dehumidifier with a in-built humidistat that keeps a constant monitors of your room's humidity.

Relative humidity

Some dehumidifiers with in-built humidistats measure humidity as they work, and can automatically adjust their settings accordingly to maintain the room at the desired humidity level once that point has been achieved. You should aim for somewhere between 30% and 50% humidity in a room.

Dehumidifier energy efficiency

Dehumidifiers can be electricity guzzling - particularly if they're used for long periods of time. Look for energy-saving features that can help to combat the cost, including models that automatically switch off when they're full.

See our dehumidifiers explained page for tips on getting rid of extra moisture in your home before resorting to using your dehumidifier.

Storing your dehumidifier

With their large water tanks, dehumidifiers tend to be on the bulky side - so you'll need to make space for it in a cupboard. Compact dehumidifiers are available, but probably won't be effective in reducing humidity down to the desired levels in larger spaces.

Extra features

Look for extra features that make using your dehumidifier easier - a timer, which can come in handy if your electricity is cheaper at particular times of the day (if you're on an Economy 7 or 10 tariff, for example), wheels to make moving your dehumidifier around easier and easy-to-understand settings and dials.

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