Drying clothes indoors adds a lot of moisture to the room, so the useful question is not whether a dehumidifier can help, but which size and type will keep up with your laundry. For most heated UK homes, a 20-litre compressor model is the sensible choice. Smaller 12-litre units suit lighter loads and compact rooms, while a desiccant model is better in a cold garage or conservatory.
Our best overall choice is the MeacoDry Arete Two 20L. It combines the capacity needed for regular family laundry with a dedicated laundry setting and automatic humidity control. The Pro Breeze OmniDry Smart 20L is the stronger value alternative if app control matters, while the EcoAir DD1 Simple is the specialist pick for unheated spaces.
Drying time and electricity use vary with room temperature, ventilation, load size and how closely clothes are packed on the airer. We therefore compare the features that matter in a UK home rather than promising a fixed drying time or cost per load.
Quick Answer
Buy the MeacoDry Arete Two 20L for regular laundry in a heated room. Choose the Pro Breeze OmniDry Smart 20L for a capable lower-priced alternative, or the Pro Breeze 12L and MeacoDry Arete One 12L for smaller rooms and lighter loads. If the drying room is regularly cold, the EcoAir DD1 Simple’s desiccant system is a better fit than a compressor model.
What This Guide Covers
- Why a Dehumidifier Helps with Indoor Laundry
- Best Dehumidifiers for Drying Clothes
- Compressor vs Desiccant: Which to Buy
- How to Estimate Running Costs
- How We Chose
- UK Delivery, Warranty and Setup
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why a Dehumidifier Helps with Indoor Laundry
Water released by wet washing has to go somewhere. In a closed room, a dehumidifier removes that moisture from the air and collects it in a tank or sends it through a drain hose. That can reduce condensation compared with leaving laundry to dry without ventilation or moisture control.
The UK government’s damp and mould guidance lists drying clothes indoors as a source of moisture and recommends adequate ventilation. A dehumidifier is useful support, but it does not repair leaks, failed extraction or structural damp.
Compared with a tumble dryer, an airer and dehumidifier are gentler on clothes and can be easier to place in a flat. The trade-off is speed: drying depends on airflow around each garment, room size and temperature, so thick towels may still need most of a day.
Best Dehumidifiers for Drying Clothes
These five models cover distinct room sizes and temperatures. Prices and stock can change, so check the latest details before ordering.
Best Overall: MeacoDry Arete Two 20L
The Arete Two 20L is our first choice for regular laundry in a heated bedroom, spare room or utility room. Its 20-litre class gives it more headroom than compact units when several wet garments are releasing moisture at once, while the humidistat can stop needless running once the target level is reached.
- Best for: regular family washes in a heated room
- Why it stands out: dedicated laundry mode, automatic humidity control and combined air-purifier function
- Watch out for: it costs more and takes more storage space than a 12-litre model
Best Value 20L: Pro Breeze OmniDry Smart
The OmniDry Smart is the alternative to buy when you want 20-litre capacity without paying Meaco money. Wi-Fi control is handy for checking the unit from another room, but the more important features are its humidity sensor, laundry setting and timer.
- Best for: frequent laundry on a tighter budget
- Why it stands out: useful controls and strong capacity for the price
- Watch out for: app features add convenience, not faster moisture extraction
Best Budget: Pro Breeze 12L
The Pro Breeze 12L makes sense for one person, smaller wash loads or a compact drying room. It is easier to move and store than a larger unit, although it will generally need longer with a crowded family airer.
- Best for: flats, occasional laundry and lighter loads
- Why it stands out: lower purchase price and compact footprint
- Watch out for: do not expect 20-litre performance from a 12-litre machine
Best Compact Premium: MeacoDry Arete One 12L
Choose the Arete One 12L when noise, controls and build quality matter more than maximum extraction. It suits bedrooms and smaller homes where the unit will also control everyday humidity between laundry days.
- Best for: smaller homes wanting one unit for laundry and routine humidity control
- Why it stands out: quiet operation, laundry mode and HEPA filtration
- Watch out for: it is a premium-priced compact model
Best for Cold Rooms: EcoAir DD1 Simple
The DD1 Simple is the specialist choice for an unheated utility room, garage or conservatory. Its desiccant system is less dependent on warm air than a compressor model and releases some warmth as it runs, both useful traits when drying clothes in winter.
- Best for: colder rooms where compressor performance falls away
- Why it stands out: desiccant operation and a simple laundry setting
- Watch out for: desiccant units normally use more electricity in a heated room
Compressor vs Desiccant: Which to Buy
Ambient temperature decides this, not laundry load size:
- Compressor models (Meaco, ProBreeze, De’Longhi, Ebac): best in heated rooms 15°C or above. Cheaper to run per litre extracted. Slightly noisier vibration but lower air noise. Heavier units.
- Desiccant models (EcoAir, Meaco Zambezi, De’Longhi Tasciugo): best in cold rooms, garages, utility rooms below 15°C. More expensive to run per litre. Quieter but produce warm exhaust air. Lighter units.
If your laundry room is normally heated, a compressor model is usually the efficient choice. For a cold conservatory, garage or unheated utility room, a desiccant model is normally more suitable.
How to Estimate Running Costs
Use the wattage shown for the selected setting, your electricity unit rate and the actual running time. Divide watts by 1,000, multiply by hours used, then multiply by your price per kWh. For example, a 250W unit running for six hours uses 1.5kWh before any automatic cycling is considered.
A humidistat may switch the compressor or heater on and off, so a plug-in energy monitor gives a better household figure than multiplying maximum wattage by the full session. Cold rooms, thick fabrics and tightly packed rails all extend drying time.
The guide to tackling damp and mould in UK homes explains where a dehumidifier fits within a wider moisture-control plan. Avoid treating any fixed pence-per-load claim as universal because tariffs and conditions differ.
How We Chose
We have not presented these machines as a controlled hands-on test. The shortlist is based on current manufacturer and retailer information, with priority given to extraction class, operating temperature, humidistat control, laundry mode, tank and drain options, noise information, warranty support and suitability for UK room sizes.
Headline litres per day are laboratory ratings, not a promise of how much water a machine will collect in your spare room. We therefore use capacity to separate broad use cases rather than predict an exact drying time.
We also favour models with a clear UK presence and replacement filters or support available. Check current stock, seller details and price before ordering, as these can change.
UK Delivery, Warranty and Setup
Check the seller, delivery date and warranty shown by the retailer before ordering; these can vary between sellers. Keep the order record and serial number, and register the appliance with the manufacturer if registration is required for extended cover.
For drying, put the airer and dehumidifier in the smallest practical enclosed room, leave space around the air intake and outlet, and spread garments so air can pass between them. Follow the maker’s clearance and bathroom-safety instructions.
The guide to choosing a humidifier size for your room covers the opposite humidity problem. If condensation or mould is the issue, our guide to preventing bathroom mould explains why airflow and source control still matter alongside extraction.
Common Mistakes That Slow Drying
Three things cause slow drying far more than the dehumidifier itself:
- Room too big for the unit. A compact machine will take longer in a large open-plan space. Use the smallest practical drying room.
- Door left open. You’re then trying to control moisture across more of the home. Close the door unless the manual or room conditions require ventilation.
- Clothes bunched together. Overlapping fabric restricts airflow. Spread garments across the airer and give thick items extra space.
One more: never put wet clothes on top of the dehumidifier itself. Warm-air exhaust units (desiccants) will dry them quickly but damage the motor over time; compressor units will just block their own air intake and run inefficiently.
If you are solving the same room problem, compare this with Best Dehumidifiers for Bathrooms 2026 UK: Compact & Quiet, Best Dehumidifiers for Caravans and Boats 2026 UK, Best Dehumidifiers 2026 UK: Compressor, Desiccant & Mini.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size dehumidifier is best for drying clothes? A 20-litre compressor model is the practical starting point for regular family laundry in a heated room. A 12-litre model can suit a flat, lighter loads or occasional use, but it may need longer.
Is a dehumidifier cheaper than a tumble dryer? It can use less electricity than many conventional tumble dryers, but there is no universal cost per load. Compare the appliance wattage, actual running time and your electricity unit rate; heat-pump dryers narrow the difference.
Can you dry clothes with a dehumidifier in any room? Use a dry, enclosed room where the appliance can stand safely with clear airflow around it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do not place a mains appliance in a bathroom unless it is specifically approved and safely positioned for that environment.
How long does a dehumidifier take to dry clothes? It depends on room temperature, load size, fabric thickness, spin speed, airflow and machine capacity. A well-spaced load in a small closed room dries faster than crowded washing in a cold open space.
Should I buy a compressor or desiccant model? Choose a compressor dehumidifier for a normally heated room. A desiccant model is better suited to a cold garage, conservatory or unheated utility room, although it will usually consume more electricity.
Can I leave a dehumidifier running overnight? Follow the exact model’s manual, use a sound wall socket, keep the air path clear and inspect the cable and appliance for damage. Tank shut-off and timers are useful safeguards, but they do not replace the manufacturer’s safety instructions.