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Purifier dehumidifiers and humidifiers

In a damp home the dehumidifier does the main job: it pulls moisture out of the air, and the HEPA stage filters particles as the air passes through. Fix the cause of the damp and keep the room ventilated first. A 2-in-1 then saves floor space and a second plug.

Laundry drying on a wooden airer in a utility room with condensation on the window

Before you buy

  • Deal with the cause of damp first. UK damp and mould guidance points to leaks, poor ventilation and cold, poorly heated rooms. A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air; it doesn’t fix a leak or a cold wall. Our guide, air purifier or dehumidifier for damp and mould?, explains what each machine does.
  • Choose a settable humidity. Asthma + Lung UK warns that air can be dried too far, so pick a model that lets you set the humidity it aims for.
  • Compare litres a day at the same conditions. Makers quote extraction at different temperatures and humidity. A figure at 30°C and 80% is much higher than the same machine manages in a cool UK room.

Top picks

Every model we track

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3 air purifiers, sorted by our score

We compared published specs, including extraction at the conditions each maker states, the humidity you can set, the filter fitted and its interval, checked prices at UK retailers and read owner reviews where we could. We don’t lab-test these machines. How we choose.

Purifier dehumidifiers and humidifiers questions

Do I need a dehumidifier or an air purifier for damp and mould?

For damp, a dehumidifier: it removes moisture, while a purifier only filters particles. Fix leaks, heat the room and keep it ventilated first, as UK damp guidance advises, and tell your landlord if you rent.

What humidity should I set?

Asthma + Lung UK advises a model that lets you set the level, because too-dry air can cause problems too. Meaco, for example, suggests 55% and keeping homes between about 40 and 60%: check your model’s manual.

Does the HEPA filter work while it dehumidifies?

On the Meaco Aretes, yes: with the HEPA filter fitted, air is filtered whenever the fan runs, in any mode. The filter is optional, and without it they only dehumidify, a little more quietly.

Can I dry washing with it?

Several have a laundry mode: Meaco’s runs on high for six hours aiming for a low humidity. Drying washing indoors adds a lot of moisture, so keep the room ventilated while it runs.

Compare plain air purifiers, or purifier fans and heaters that cool you or warm the room as well.

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