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Buying guide

Best desiccant dehumidifiers

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all
  • Best overall

    7.5 L/day

    EcoAir DD1 Classic MK6: 7.5 L/day at 34 dB(A)

    The listing states extraction at cold temperatures as low as 1 °C.

  • Best value

    7.5 L/day

    EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3: rotary dial, 34 dBA

    The listing gives an ambient working range of 1 to 40 °C.

  • Most features

    10 L/day

    EcoAir DD3 Slimline: 10 L/day down to 1 °C

    The humidity sensor turns it off at your setting and on again when humidity rises.

Desiccant dehumidifiers use a zeolite wheel instead of a compressor. That makes them lighter, quieter on low and much better in cold rooms, where compressor machines slow down. They also blow out slightly warm air, which helps in an unheated room or when drying washing. The trade-off is power: a desiccant model draws more watts for each litre it removes, so in a warm, heated house a compressor model is usually cheaper to run. This guide compares seven desiccant models from Meaco, EcoAir and De'Longhi on daily extraction, rated power, stated noise, tank size and how cold the maker says they will work. Pick one if your damp problem is in a cool room, a garage or a home kept on low heat.

All products compared

The products in detail

No. 1 · EcoAir

EcoAir DD1 Classic MK6: 7.5 L/day at 34 dB(A)

7.5 L/day

A light desiccant unit that extracts down to 1 °C, with auto restart after a power cut, overdry protection and a drainage hose included.

In its favour

  • The listing states extraction at cold temperatures as low as 1 °C.
  • Auto restart after a power cut and overdry protection are both listed.
  • A continuous drainage hose comes in the box, and it weighs only 6 kg.

Good to know

  • 7.5 litres a day is modest for a large, very damp cellar.
  • Tank size is not clearly stated in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: EcoAir DD1 Classic MK6 Blue Desiccant Dehumidifier | Electronic Contro...

No. 2 · EcoAir

EcoAir DD3 Slimline: 10 L/day down to 1 °C

10 L/day

A desiccant unit with all three key features: a humidity sensor, automatic restart and a supplied drainage hose. Suits cold, damp rooms.

In its favour

  • The humidity sensor turns it off at your setting and on again when humidity rises.
  • Automatic restart is listed, so it resumes after a power cut.
  • Desiccant extraction down to 1 °C suits cold bedrooms with streaming windows.

Good to know

  • 10 litres a day is less than the compressor models in a warm house.
  • The 1 m hose is short, so it must sit near a drain point.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: EcoAir DD3 Slimline 10L Desiccant Dehumidifier Electronic Control 10 L...

No. 3 · Meaco

Meaco DD8L: 8 L/day for rooms below 10 °C

8 L/day

Meaco's desiccant model, described in the title as ideal for unheated rooms below 10 °C, with self-restart, an ioniser and a timer.

In its favour

  • The title states it is ideal for unheated rooms below 10 °C.
  • Self-restart means it resumes after a power cut without a visit to reset it.
  • Two fan speeds, a timer and laundry drying are listed.

Good to know

  • The listing does not mention a drainage hose or outlet.
  • 660 W is a high rating for a machine that may run for months.
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Listing title: Meaco DD8L desiccating dehumidifier – Ioniser – ideal for use in unhea...

No. 4 · EcoAir

EcoAir DD128: 8 L/day with 3D louvre and ioniser

8 L/day

An EcoAir desiccant with auto restart, overdry protection, a drainage hose and a 3D louvre that can be aimed at a problem wall or window.

In its favour

  • Auto restart and over-drying protection are both listed features.
  • A continuous drainage hose is included for unattended running.
  • The 3D louvre can spot airflow on one area, such as a cold window.

Good to know

  • 8 litres a day at 20 °C suits a room rather than a whole damp house.
  • On high it draws up to 623 W and reaches 49 dBA, per the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: EcoAir DD128 Blue Desiccant Dehumidifier | Electronic Control | 8 L/Da...

No. 5 · EcoAir

EcoAir DD2 Simple: 9 L/day with 3 year warranty

9 L/day

A desiccant unit whose laundry function runs at full power continuously until you change the setting, extracting down to 1 °C.

In its favour

  • The laundry function runs on full power continuously until you change it, per the listing.
  • Desiccant extraction down to 1 °C suits a cold utility room or garage.
  • A 1 m drainage hose is supplied for long sessions.

Good to know

  • On full power it draws up to 570 W and reaches 46 dBA.
  • No timer is listed, so laundry mode must be switched off by hand.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: EcoAir DD2 Simple Desiccant Dehumidifier | Electronic Control | 9L/Day...

No. 6 · EcoAir

EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3: rotary dial, 34 dBA

7.5 L/day

A basic rotary dial desiccant unit that works from 1 °C, with automatic on and off at your set humidity and a drainage hose included.

In its favour

  • The listing gives an ambient working range of 1 to 40 °C.
  • It stops at your set humidity and starts again when humidity rises.
  • A continuous drainage hose is included, and the tank shuts it down when full.

Good to know

  • Auto restart after a power cut is not mentioned in the listing.
  • The filter needs cleaning every 2 weeks, which is easy to forget in a shed.
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Listing title: EcoAir DD1 Simple Blue MK3 Desiccant Dehumidifier | Rotary Dial | 7.5 ...

No. 7 · De'Longhi

De'Longhi DNS65 AriaDry Light: 6 L/day zeolite

6 L/day

De'Longhi's compressor-free zeolite dehumidifier with a stated 34 dB, swing flaps, an ioniser and a timer.

In its favour

  • Zeolite technology keeps absorption steady even at low temperatures, per the listing.
  • 34 dB with no compressor, and the maker says it suits night hours.
  • A 2.8 litre tank with a level indicator, plus a drain pipe included.

Good to know

  • 6 litres a day is the lowest here, and 520 W makes it costly per litre.
  • The listing gives no minimum temperature figure.
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Listing title: De'Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Light - Portable Home Dehumidifier, Zeolite...

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More buying guides: Desiccant dehumidifiers

Damp and Dry chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.