Best dehumidifiers to prevent mould and help dry your laundry

With the cost of living crisis, many of us are looking for alternatives to tumble dryers and in the colder months that means drying your clothes indoors, whether that's on a heated airer or just a regular clotheshorse. A dehumidifier can really help with this by absorbing the moisture and humidity from the room to help your clothes dry quicker and stop them making your house smell damp and musty.

A dehumidifier can also help to offset the damp that can build up due to frequent use of items that let off steam, such as electric sterilisers and steam irons. High humidity can also cause damage to items around your home, something a dehumidifier will help prevent. For example, books are prone to absorbing the moisture from the air warping the pages and, in some cases, damaging books beyond repair. If you've got a big collection of books or maybe a few family photo albums you want to keep safe, then a dehumidifier would be a great investment.

While you can purchase cheaper, single use dehumidifiers, their quality and efficacy are questionable as are their environmental impact. Beyond that, if you are drying clothes indoors regularly or you have a house with poor insulation or single glazed windows, then constantly buying these single use dehumidifiers will add up. That doesn't mean to say there isn't a use case for single-use dehumidifiers, though, but it is always worth considering your circumstances when choosing what's best for you.

Dehumidifiers are slightly more complicated than you may first think, though. There's water tank capacity and extraction capacity to consider, as well as other features like sensors and lights. So, we've created this list to help you find a dehumidifier ideal for you.

What to consider when choosing a dehumidifier

Extraction per day – This tells you how much moisture the dehumidifier can absorb, on average, in a day. The higher the extraction rate the less humid your house will be. A dehumidifier with a high extraction rate will take up more space as it will need a larger water tank, so this is something to weigh up depending on how much room you have.

Capacity – This is the size of the water tank, and they vary quite a lot. Some have a tube that allow it to be continuously drained, while others have a tank you can empty. It's important to find a water capacity tank that works for you in terms of running and emptying it.

Size – Be mindful that some dehumidifiers are quite large. Note the measurements and see if this will fit in the room or rooms you want it to be in. As previously mentioned, the bigger dehumidifiers tend to be able to extract more moisture.

Portability – Some dehumidifiers come with wheels and handles to make them easy to manoeuvre from room to room. If you want to use the dehumidifier in lots of different rooms and it's quite large, it may be convenient to try and buy one with wheels to make your life easier when transporting.

Noise – Most dehumidifiers are very quiet and won't disturb you. However, if you're a light sleeper, or have a baby napping in the room, and want the dehumidifier in your room whilst you sleep, it might be best to choose one of the quietest options to prevent any disturbance.

Auto off function – The auto-off function is very handy and it prevents any leakages or spillages. Once the water tank is full the dehumidifier will automatically turn itself off to avoid overflowing, so there's no need to worry about immediately emptying it if you're out or busy.

Humidity sensor – Clever dehumidifiers have humidity sensors and only absorb moisture until it has reached the humidity level you set. Not only does this save electricity as it's not running when it doesn't need to be, but it also creates the ideal level of moisture for you.

Best dehumidifiers to battle odours and mould

1. CONOPU Dehumidifier 1L, £39.99

– Best budget buy

Extracts per day: 450ml |Capacity: 1L | Dimensions: H25.6cm x W15cm x L15cm

This 1L dehumidifier is an excellent budget option that can remove up to 450ml of water per day at 30°.

This dehumidifier is quiet enough to be placed on your bedside table whilst you sleep and has an auto off function to avoid water overflow. The transparent tank handily allows you to see the water storage status. You will be alerted when the tank needs emptying as the LED indicator will turn red and beep.

It's easy to clean too thanks to its detachable filter which reduces dust and cleans the air.

Not only is there an LED light to alert you when it needs emptying, but you can control the LED lights to create an atmosphere.

Pros: Affordable, quiet, auto off function, LED indicator, LED lights for atmosphere, detachable filter
Cons: Quite small, will need emptying quite often, no laundry mode

Available from: Amazon

2. Pro Breeze 12L Day Dehumidifier, £159.99

– Best for medium rooms

Extracts per day: 12L | Capacity: 1.8L | Dimensions: H44cm x W30cm x L22cm

If you have medium to large rooms in your house then you likely need a dehumidifier with a larger capacity. This dehumidifier has a 12L capacity and uses an efficient compressor with a 24 hour on-off timer and auto shut off.

Much like the CONOPU dehumidifier above, this one is also quiet and will not disturb you.

It has an automatic humidity sensor which is shown on a digital display and it has one-touch controls where you can adjust fan speed and desired humidity. Once the room has reached the target humidity the dehumidifier will shut off.

The dehumidifier also has a 24 hour timer and 3 operating modes; auto, continuous and sleep mode.

Pros: Large capacity for large rooms, quiet, automatic humidity sensor, auto shut off, timer
Cons: Takes up more space than other options, no laundry mode

Available from: Amazon and Pro Breeze

3. electriQ 25L Low-Energy Smart Quiet Anti Bacterial Compressor Dehumidifier and HEPA Air Purifier, £249.97

– Best energy efficient dehumidifier

Extracts per day: 25L | Capacity: 6L | Dimensions: 37.7 cm x 26.2 cm x 62.3 cm

This dehumidifier is one of the largest on the list, able to extract up to 25 litres of water a day but is also the most energy efficient, only using 330 watts per hour.

It has wheels and a handle to make moving it from room to room quick and easy.

Although it's not as quiet as the Pro Breeze and CONOPU above, it still is not too loud and won't disturb you.

The control panel has buttons to set a 24 hour timer, sleep mode, laundry mode and it also works with a smart phone to allow for smart control over its many functions.

Pros: Large capacity, energy efficient, wheels, sleep mode, laundry mode
Cons: Takes up quiet a bit of room

Available from: Appliances Direct

4. Russell Hobbs Fresh Air Pro Portable Dehumidifier & Air Purifier, £79.99

– Best for an air purifier and dehumidifier

Extracts per day: 750mL | Capacity: 1L | Dimensions: 31 cm x 21.8 cm x 20 cm

This Russell Hobbs option is a brilliant dehumidifier and air purifier in one. It has an easy to empty 1L water tank and an extraction capacity of 750ml a day.

The HEPA filter traps pollen, pet dander and other air pollutants, making it a really great choice if anyone in your family has allergies.

Pros: Air purifier and dehumidifier, compact, portable, defrost function
Cons: Fairly small extraction capacity and water tank, no laundry mode

Available from: Currys

5. Sharp 16L Dehumidifier, £189.99

– Best for laundry

Extracts per day: 16L | Capacity: 3.8L | Dimensions: H56.7cm x W25.9cm x L35.5cm

If you're buying a dehumidifier to help speed up your laundry drying time then this is the one for you. It has a specific laundry mode which automatically adjusts the settings to optimise ventilation speed and dehumidifying capacity to dry clothes as quickly as possible.

It's easy to use thanks to its digital control panel, where you can see the humidity level, cleanliness of the room, fan speed, power mode, timer and vertical swing. It also has a child lock to stop children being able to change the settings.

The dehumidifier is compact, sleek ad portable so you can move it to be in the room where your laundry is drying. For safety, it also has an auto stop function.

Pros: Laundry mode, humidity level settings, indicator light, auto stop function, portable, large capacity, child lock
Cons: Quite large

Available from: JD Williams and Amazon

6. Princess Smart Dehumidifier, £230

– Best smart dehumidifier

Extracts per day: 6L | Capacity: 2.1L | Dimensions: H59.5cm x W37.1cm x L25.1cm

One of the best things about this dehumidifier is that you can control it from your phone via the HomeWizard Climate app. The smart dehumidifier has 3 settings to control the humidity by the temperature of the room. If you don't want to use your phone, it also has a remote control.

It's easy to move from room to room too, thank to its carry handle and wheels. The moisture content percentage is shown on an LED display and there is a timer to control when it turns off.

The indicator will let you know when the water tank is full and needs emptying.

Pros: Can control from your phone, comes with a remote control, can control humidity, portable, LED display, timer, indicator when tank full
Cons: Large, does not have laundry mode

Available from: Argos

7. UniBond 450g 360 Moisture Absorber, £9.99

– Best non-electric dehumidifier

Extracts per day: N/A | Capacity: 450ml | Dimensions: H22cm x W20cm x L11cm

If you want a dehumidifier but don't want to use your electricity then this is the ideal option. The innovative 2-in-1 refill tab technology reduces and neutralises odours.

The tab is made up of ultra-active crystals and its wave-shaped surface increases air exposure and circulation.

Much like the electric dehumidifiers, this one also indicates when it needs a new refill tab.

Although it's cheap and you don't have to pay for electricity to run it, do note that you will have to keep buying refills.

"I found this worked surprisingly well considering its size," said MadeForMums digital writer Matt. "We used it in a small office to prevent the humidity from damaging our books and it did a great job. We noticed the difference after the first night, with considerably less condensation on the inside of the window."

Pros: Does not use electricity, affordable, neutralises odours, has an indicator when needs refilling
Cons: Small capacity, not as effective an an electric dehumidifier, have to buy tab refills

Available from: Robert Dyas and Wilko

8. Black+Decker Reusable 0.25L Dehumidifier, £39

– Best mini dehumidifier

Extracts per day: 250ml| Capacity: 900ml | Dimensions: H21.7cm x W14.5cm x L14.5cm

For small rooms, cupboards or wardrobes, a mini dehumidifier can do the job. It's small and lightweight so doesn't take up much space and is easy to move around from room to room.

With an extraction rate of 250ml a day you won't have to empty the 900ml water tank every day. Once the tank is full, it will automatically shut off to prevent any leaks or spillages.

It's easy to control, with just the touch of a button. Due to its size, it also does not cost much to run and is very quiet so you will hardly hear it.

Pros: Compact, small, lightweight, don't have to empty every day, easy to control, quiet, cheap to run
Cons: Does not have as high an extraction rate or capacity as others

Available from: Amazon

Is it worth using a dehumidifier?

Using a dehumidifier has many benefits. It prevents damp, mould, mildew and musty odours growing in your home. Not only that but in winter when you can't dry your clothes outdoors, it really helps speed up the drying process.

If you have allergies, a dehumidifier is a great idea as it inhibits dust mites. You can also get dehumidifiers which double up as air purifiers which are extra helpful for getting rid of air pollutants and allergens.

Where is the best place to put a dehumidifier in your home?

To get the most out of your dehumidifier, you want to have it somewhere with excellent circulation so it can dehumidify the whole room. It's not recommended to put the dehumidifier directly against a wall or furniture as this can block some of the vents and make it less efficient.

An ideal place for a dehumidifier is next to the source of moisture, for example, if you're drying laundry in the room, it's a good idea to put the dehumidifier close by.

The most humid areas of your house tend to be the upstairs near the stairs or in the basement if you have one, so these are ideal places to put your dehumidifier if possible.

How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers do not cost much to run. The most energy efficient option on our list only costs around 4p an hour to run (based on 15.32p/kWh). It's important to take a look at the wattage as higher powered dehumidifiers will cost more to run, however, they do tend to be more effective.