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Nothing can ruin a home quite like damp can, causing mould, black spots, crumbling paint, and other unpleasant symptoms. And as anyone who has had a damp problem will tell you, the only thing to do is tackle the problem at the source. That’s where the best dehumidifiers come in.

Dehumidifiers work by sucking in excess moisture from the air and thus preventing it from building up and infecting the environment.

Now we’re not claiming that dehumidifiers can tackle the most serious problems experienced with damp – that would likely require an expert to come in and lend their expertise – but they are a brilliant solution for mild to medium cases, keeping moisture at bay and preventing mould from forming in the first place.

Some models can collect up to 25 litres of moisture a day, making them incredibly useful for drying clothes in the winter months (not unlike a tumble dryer, but usually less expensive).

Note: don’t confuse a dehumidifier for a humidifier, which does the opposite job of adding moisture into the air of too dry spaces. Mixing those up could be a bit of a disaster!

We’ve taken a look at some of the best dehumidifiers out there right now to see which ones perform the best, provide the best value for money, and just generally fit well into the home. Scroll down to see what we thought.

Read next: the best air purifiers to improve your indoor air quality and reduce allergens

The best dehumidifiers 2021

1. Meaco 25L Low Energy Dehumidifier

Best dehumidifier overall

Credit: Meaco

Capacity: 5 litres
Power: 270 watts
Dimensions: 28.7 x 37.8 x 64.4cm

Reasons to buy: includes DC inverter for lower energy use
Reasons to avoid: very expensive; small tank size

As one of the best-known dehumidifier brands around, the Meaco 25L Ultra Low Energy Dehumidifier is one of the finest out there. Is it a dehumidifier? Is it a tumble dryer? It’s sort of both. This beast sucks so much moisture out of the air it will actually dry your wet clothes as they hang nearby.

It’s also one of the first UK dehumidifiers to feature a DC inverter, something usually found in high-end air conditioning units. That means it does all these jobs without using a lot of power at just 270 watts. Despite being relatively small, this dehumidifier can suck up to 25 litres of water out of the air per day. It covers an area about the size of a five-bedroom house.

The tank tops out at 5ltrs, though, so you may have to do a lot of emptying depending on the extent of your damp. Thanks to wheels, you can roll this dehumidifier to the bathroom or back door easily enough. You can use the water tank handle to easily slide out and empty the water. There’s a continuous drainage mode and two-metre hose, making it the ideal dehumidifier for drying out a shed or boat.

A digital display makes access to the timer, fan speed, louvre swing, ioniser, auto defrost, auto restart and child lock settings nice and intuitive. Modes can also be selected here, including laundry mode and a useful night mode that runs super quietly. All this and at a competitive price – this really is one of the best dehumidifiers you can own right now.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

2. EcoAir DD1 Simple Desiccant Dehumidifier

Best quiet dehumidifier

Credit: EcoAir

Capacity: 6 litres
Power: 442 watts
Dimensions: 17.4 cm (L) x 26.9 cm (W) x 44.5 cm (H)

Reasons to buy: It’s lightweight, portable and can fit anywhere
Reasons to avoid: not ideal for big rooms, uses a lot of power

If portable is what you’re after and smaller areas are what you need to get dry, then you’ll be hard-pressed to find a dehumidifier that outperforms the EcoAir DD122. The 2-litre capacity unit stands just under 55cm tall, making it perfect for slipping into a cupboard, potentially turning it into a clothes drying space.

Equally, this will be right at home in a bedroom, ensuring you don’t breathe in any harmful damp air while you sleep. It’ll do this without disturbing you too, as the system produces just 34dB of noise. In real-world speak, that is not a lot unless you happen to be a very light sleeper. In fact, we found it quite soothing as a way to lull us into the land of nod.

This is a desiccant dehumidifier, meaning there’s no compressor, as most of the units in this list use. As such, that gets you the quiet performance but also an eco-friendly delivery of dry air. That allows it to work in a wide variety of temperatures ranging from just 1 degree Celsius right up to 35. This will suck away the moisture in the air at a rate of 7-litres per day, cutting off when full so you can empty the tank, which, even when full, is still nice and light.

Everything is super simple to use with Low, Medium and High options to pick from in terms of power. If you’re using it for clothes drying, then you can pick the Laundry mode, which essentially means high power performance for faster drying clothes when hung nearby. There is also a maximum performance Turbo function, so if you really need a spill or damp area dried fast, this will make short work of the job.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

3. ElectriQ Portable Low Energy Dehumidifier

Best eco-friendly dehumidifier

Credit: ElectriQ

Capacity: 12 litres
Power: 180 watts
Dimensions: 38 x 19.5 x 58cm

Reasons to buy: Saves 40% more energy than regular dehumidifiers; good tank capacity
Reasons to avoid: It could be a tad noisy for some; expensive

We’re all becoming more aware of our energy consumption these days, and the sheer number of machines and gadgets in our homes isn’t helping matters. So that’s why it’s good to know when we’re buying something that these issues have been taken into account.

While its looks are basic, the Electriq CD12LE is affordable to buy and run, and it’s very capable at the same time. That means a 12 litres per day extraction rate into a 4-litre tank. This is all run by a humidistat, so you can sit back and let it do its thing as it covers an area of about three rooms. The company claims this saves you up to 40% on energy compared to competitors, at just 180 watts. This is further enhanced using the timer function.

Control over the humidity ranges from 35 to 85%. That allows you to hit the perfect level and, potentially, to dry clothes too. In addition, there is a continuous mode, so you can drain off a wet area like a garage easily using a hose.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4. Pro Breeze 500ml Compact Mini

Best dehumidifier for small spaces

Credit: Pro Breeze

Capacity: 500ml
Power: 23 Watts
Dimensions: 18 x 28 x 16cm

Reasons to buy: super lightweight and portable; affordable
Reasons to avoid: water tank holds just 500ml, will struggle against serious damp

If a small area needs dehumidifying, then a more compact unit like this Pro Breeze 500 ml Compact Mini could be ideal. It will work to cover an entire room, but anything more, and you’ll be struggling. It does offer a respectable 250 ml extraction rate and a 500 ml tank, so emptying isn’t difficult or something you need to do regularly. But then this is so small and quiet you’ll barely notice it’s even there. Easy to tuck away into a cupboard when not in use, too.

We’d suggest using the Pro Breeze mini for occasional jobs or in a small, unventilated bathroom that tends to have issues when you have guests over. It’s not the most powerful thing in the world, but it will do the job just fine.

As said, this dehumidifier isn’t for eliminating serious damp, but more for managing areas where mould builds up over a longer period of time. This offers an affordable way to manage damp that may otherwise cause issues with breathing and brickwork. The unit stops working when full and illuminates a light so you can easily empty, replace the tank, and it’ll kick in working again.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

5. Duronic DH05 Mini Dehumidifier

Best budget dehumidifier

Credit: Duronic

Capacity: 500ml
Power: 22.5 watts
Dimensions: 22 x 154 x 13cm

Reasons to buy: great price; clears most rooms of moisture
Reasons to avoid: its size limits its power and capacity; small tank size

If you just want an affordable little dehumidifier to clear a room of moisture, you can’t go far wrong with this miniature machine from Duronic. Costing you very little to buy, it saves in other areas with its meagre 2.5 watts power consumption. Of course, this is largely because of the size of the unit, which is made to handle a single room at most. However, if that’s all you require, it’s an easy way to save on upfront costs.

It also means a 250 ml daily absorption rate and a tank that tops out at 500 ml before needing an empty. You are alerted to with a simple notification light. The size also means this dehumidifier is light enough to move about and is easy to empty.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

6. De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry DX10.WGY Dehumidifier

Best portable dehumidifier

Credit: De’Longhi

Capacity: 10 litres
Power: 190 watts
Dimensions: 18.80 x 49.30 x 31cm

Reasons to buy: Very stylish design, with a choice of colours
Reasons to avoid: At over £170, it’s a big investment

As dehumidifiers go, this has got to be one of the best-looking ones out there. The DeLonghi is light, meaning that the carry handle can be useful for moving and emptying the two-litre tank. However, you can’t adjust fan speed, and you don’t get a humidistat. It does also struggle in colder environments outside of the house.

All that said, you do get a Dry Clothes mode, air filter, general low energy consumption and simple controls. In fact, this whole unit is simple, and that’s a big positive for the dehumidifier – it just works. It might not be the most powerful, but as long as it’s in a warm environment, it’ll do the job. It can suck 10 litres of water out of multiple rooms at once in a day.

Ideal Home’s rating: 3 out of 5 stars

7. Dimplex Everdri 14 Litre Dehumidifier

Best dehumidifier for cleaner air

Credit: Dimplex

Capacity: 14 litres
Power: 250 watts
Dimensions: 45.9 x 40 x 20.4cm

Reasons to buy: washable carbon filter; easy-glide wheels for portability
Reasons to avoid: uses a lot of power

Running on 250W, the Dimplex Everdri 14 Litre Dehumidifier might not be one for the eco-conscious, but it would be ideal for someone who wanted to ensure their air was being taken care of in more ways than one. This Dimplex offering not only clears up to 14L of moisture per day across a recommended area size of 65m2, but it also has a washable carbon filter to help trap odours as it works.

The visible water tank makes it easy to see when it’s time to empty, and the air quality sensor gives you a good indication of how well the dehumidifier is operating against the levels of damp in your home. It’s a little noisy at 45dB, but the castors make it easy to move out of a bedroom or living room when it’s time to relax. A mode for continuous running is ideal for drying your clothes, or you can make use of the 15-hour timer.

8. MeacoDry Arete One 20L

Credit: Meaco

Capacity: 20 litres
Power: 216 watts
Dimensions: 56.2 x 37.6 x 23.2cm

Reasons to buy: low energy usage, relatively quiet
Reasons to avoid: quite expensive, small tank size

Meaco may have topped our list of the best dehumidifiers with its 25L Low Energy Dehumidifier, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t always improvements to be made. The Meaco Arete range is the brand’s newest entry into the air quality space, with an updated design and specs.

Like previous iterations, the dehumidifier features a digital display and water level indicator, but this is now housed in a sleeker, more stylish product all around. The device also has an auto shut-off feature, two speeds and a washable filter, with castors to make it easier to move around. It’s also relatively quiet, with a maximum noise level of 28dB.

Unfortunately, the tank is still quite small at 4.8L, but this isn’t a huge problem unless you particularly mind needing to empty it frequently.

Black Friday dehumidifier deals

It won’t be long before Christmas shopping kicks off in a big way, and one key thing that will help out with that is Black Friday. Taking place on Friday 26 November this year, it’s ideally placed to allow people to save money on the gifts and investments they really need. And a dehumidifier is a great choice when you’re looking for a good deal, as small appliances can often give you the most bang for your buck on the legendary sales day.

We will be assembling the very best dehumidifier offers we find, both here and on our dedicated Black Friday dehumidifier deals page, so make sure you check back closer to the event to avoid missing out on a bargain!

How to choose the best dehumidifier for your home

Credit: Meaco

Buying the correct dehumidifier can be a complicated task. It’s always best to speak with the company you’re buying from to clarify your needs and make sure you’re getting the right model for you. But to narrow it down a bit, here are some facts it helps to know.

Do I need a dehumidifier?

Damp and mould are not only ugly but dangerous too, as they can eat away at your walls. Damp can not only ruin your home, but it can cause and agitate respiratory issues too. Living in a house with damp has been associated with asthma, chest infections and allergies. Having a dehumidifier might help to prevent nasty spores from becoming airborne and being breathed into your lungs.

How much should I spend on a dehumidifier?

Prices for a dehumidifier generally range between just over £30 and up to £300. Again, what you need will help clarify what you’ll need to spend. Generally speaking, the higher the price, the more water you’ll be able to absorb. However, as is often the case, spending more upfront can often mean a saving in the long run as you will have a more efficient machine.

What are the main types of dehumidifiers?

1. Desiccant dehumidifiers

Desiccant models are made to deal with temperatures of one degree Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. While this sounds impressive, it uses more power than a compressor model and generally, that range won’t be needed in the UK. These use a heated absorbent material to extract water from the air and drop it into a tank.

2. Refrigerant (or compressor) dehumidifiers

The compressor model is usually a better bet for the UK as it works best at around 20 degrees Celsius, which is what the average UK home sits at. It also means far less energy usage, so these compressor models are more affordable to run.

These dehumidifiers draw in the air using a filter over cold coils, condensing the air moisture drips into the water tank.

What else should I consider before buying a dehumidifier?

There are a few factors to consider when deciding which dehumidifier is right for you:

1. Multiple fan speeds

Consider if you’re planning on running the unit rarely or using it to dry clothes. A single-speed is fine for slow and steady use where you leave it on running. But if you want to turn it off and on and gets bursts of dry or dry clothes quickly, you may want to look out for more fan speed settings and a humidistat that keeps the humidity at a level you select.

2. Size

Size is important as you may need to dry a larger area than some dehumidifiers can handle. Generally, anything under 500 ml is for confined areas like cupboards, wardrobes or a single room at most.

Step up to 5-10 litre machines, and you can clear a larger area of around 30 square metres, aka, a few rooms. If you want to take on the house, you’ll need to opt for a 10-20 litre machine.

3. Digital

Digital or manual controls are another area where you may have a preference. For example, some dehumidifiers offer a fancy digital screen where you can access settings like power and timers. Others have more basic manual controls.

This is really a matter of preference on how comfortable you are with using either menu to interact with your dehumidifier.

4. Humidity

Actually, using your dehumidifier is another task. Be sure to aim for around 45 to 60% humidity – once set at this level, the humidifier should automatically turn on and off as needed to maintain that. For example, it will turn off when the water tank is full and needs to be emptied. Also, make sure you vacuum first so that dust particles aren’t being sucked into the unit.

If your dehumidifier isn’t being moved, then a drain hose can be useful as a way to empty the unit without lugging that full tank of water around the house.

The post Best dehumidifier – do away with damp and condensation at home appeared first on Ideal Home.

Nordic Scandi style is an enduring trend, one which never fails to create a stylish, effortless and most of all, timeless look. Its popularity shows no sign of slowing, and as a look it always manages to surprise and delight.

The twist for this year? Scandinavian design with a contemporary edge; the Modern Scandi luxe trend is a must-have aesthetic for our homes this season.

This trend is all about surrounding ourselves with functional, beautiful furniture and accessories that give us a sense of joy. The evolving trend has a modern Scandi-inspired touch of luxury, that fuses the natural beauty of Scandinavian design with luxe materials to add a touch of grandeur for a contemporary edge.

We explore how to get the look in your home, with design tricks and effortless styling tips from Sofa.com.

Get the Modern Scandi Luxe look for your home

1. Seek comfort and style in the living room

Image credit: Sofa.com; Larsen 2 seat sofa in Stone brushed linen cotton, Ginger accent chairs in Champagne luxe boucle, Astaire coffee table set in Spiced Honey soft leather, Urban Landscape No.1 and No.2 art prints, Tom Dixon Beat floor lamp in Black and Quebec large rug in Pewter

At the heart of every home is the living room, a place to relax after a busy day and enjoy some much-needed downtime. It’s also a social hub, a space to unite with friends and family, so it needs to strike the perfect balance between creating a space you feel truly relaxed in, and showing off your sophisticated style credentials at the same time. Comfort and style are both key.

The stand-out design from the new Sofa.com collection for luxury and comfort is the Larsen sofa. ‘For Larsen in particular, we’ve designed it to have all the sleek, uniquely angled lines which create an understated point of difference from a regular sofa,’ explains Patricia Gibbons, from the design team at Sofa.com

‘The aim is about adding contemporary style and subtle statement design to your space without commanding the room. It marries modern silhouettes with Scandi-inspired design.’

With wide-set seats designed with ergonomic lumbar support, this sleek design is made for extreme comfort. Available in a wide range of irresistibly tactile upholstery choices, including  ‘Slubby Cotton’, ‘Textured Boucle’ and ‘Brushed Linen Cotton’– it’s easy to create a design that reflects your personal style perfectly.

To add depth to the contemporary design, dress with layers of comforting cushions, tactile throws, soft knits and faux furs to make it feel all the more alluring during the colder months.

Buy now: Larsen Sofa, from £1,250, Sofa.com

2. Be at one with nature in a space for entertaining

Image credit: Sofa.com; Aspen dining table, Arabella dining chairs in Olive cotton matt velvet and Geneva medium rug in Juniper 

This interior trend mixes modern with classic design, layering texture and elements of nature to create a serene space for any room.

The Scandi ethos celebrates the understated beauty of clean lines and thoughtful designs that won’t overwhelm the surrounding decor. The new Aspen dining table delivers on all counts. The solid oak frame offers sleek contemporary design that’s robust yet refined. It also offers the option to extend as and when needed, to suit all dining occasions as we entertain more from home.

Another key aspect of the contemporary twist on this laid-back design trend is the use of colour. Injections of rich colour enliven the neutrals such as canvas white and natural wooden textures, but those colours are all derived from nature – such as invigorating green and calming blues, inspired by land and sea. The richness of the Olive green cotton matt velvet on these Arabella dining chairs invigorates the natural appeal of the oak table.

Buy now: Aspen Dining Table, from £2,300, Sofa.com
Buy now: Arabella Dining Chairs, from £225, Sofa.com

3. Feel restful in a Scandi-inspired luxe bedroom

Image credit: Sofa.com; Florence double bed in Grey Marl highland tweed and Cagney side table

The modern Scandi luxe trend seeks to create a calm, comfy, chilled-out space for relaxing. Channel the look to turn your bedroom into a space to rest and regenerate.

Turn up the wow factor in the bedroom with the luxe-look Florence bed. The striking design features a statement wooden headboard, with asymmetric panel detailing, paired with an upholstered base and sleek tapered legs.  This bold bed design is the perfect backdrop for a bed dressed in the finest linens, to recreate the look of a luxury boutique hotel.

Buy now: Florence Bed, from £1030, Sofa.com

Sofa.com offer a full lifestyle collection to dress every room in the house, creating a cohesive flow throughout from living room to bedrooms, hallways and home offices.

Consider this online emporium a one-stop shop with sofas, armchairs, footstools and accessories to cater for every room.

To discover the whole luxurious collection and get the Modern Scandi Luxe look for your home, simply visit sofa.com.

The post 3 ways to welcome the Modern Scandi Luxe trend into your home this season appeared first on Ideal Home.

The Great British Bake Off 2021 is brightening up our Tuesday evenings with pastel, bunting-covered joy. Naturally, we’ve always got our eye on the decor as well as the signature bakes.

From open shelving stacked with Kilner jars to those classic wooden worktops, Channel 4’s The Great Bake Off brings plenty of traditional kitchen ideas to the table. If you’ve ever wondered how much your own Bake Off-inspired kitchen would set you back, property company Boomin has the answers.

Image credit: Alamy

How much would a Bake Off kitchen cost?

Boomin calculated the cost of creating a fully-equipped kitchen inspired by the famous tent. From the £4 wooden spoons and gingham table cloths to the top-of-the-range kitchen tech, a Bake Off-style kitchen will cost £15,414.

Boomin’s calculations are based on an average-sized UK kitchen. This hefty budget will get you everything from the Neff Slide & Hide oven and proving drawer, as well as a £1,150 Quooker Flex tap and a duck egg blue Smeg fridge replica.

Image credit: KitchenAid

The total sum also includes classic shaker-style cupboard doors, a bespoke kitchen island and the KitchenAid mixer. ‘From the Friends apartment to episodes of Grand Designs, television has been inspiring how we style our homes for years,’ says Michael Bruce, CEO and Founder of Boomin.

‘When it comes to the kitchen, Bake Off is right up there for sources of inspiration,’ he says. The proof is in the pudding: since the start of September, Google searches for ‘Bake Off oven’ have risen.

We know we’re looking up the best bread makers inspired by bread week, and making sure we’ve got everything we need for whipping up our favourite bakes. ‘Whether you are looking to spend big for a full Bake Off kitchen overhaul or simply want to add a few themed choices, the outlay is always worth it when it comes to creating the type of home you’ve dreamt of living in,’ adds Michael.

Investing in some kitchen staples like the best saucepans and storage ideas will all help to make cooking fun and easy. Shop the most iconic Bake Off tent kitchen pieces – although they do come with a hefty price tag…

Neff Built-in oven 60 x 60 cm Stainless steel | £929
The Neff Built-in oven is efficient, easy to use and has a space-saving design. The slide and hide design has a fully disappearing oven door and rotating handle ideal for small kitchens – and will be perfect for whipping up sweet treats.

View Deal

KITCHENAID Artisan Stand Mixer – Stainless Steel | £599
Let your KitchenAid mix, beat, whisk and knead for you while cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Not only does it make cooking easier, its timeless design will be a stunning addition to any kitchen worktop.

View Deal

SMEG 50’s Style FAB30L Freestanding 70/30 Fridge Freezer, Left-Hand Hinge, Pastel Blue | £1,589
Smeg fridges are famous for their vintage aesthetic and round edges. The fridge freezer has plenty of space for storing groceries and cooling your signature bakes

View Deal

Image credit: Qettle

Here’s how much the other kitchen items cost, according to Boomin:

1.  Shaker-style cupboards & wooden worktops £6,642 (based on 15m₂ kitchen size)
2. Bespoke kitchen island £1,780
3. Quooker Flex Tap £1,150
4. Neff Induction Hob £689
5. Magimix Food Processor £470
6. Neff Proving Drawer £399
7. White Ceramic Undermount Kitchen Sink £300

The post Here’s how much the Great British Bake Off kitchen would actually cost to recreate at home appeared first on Ideal Home.