Meaco Arete One vs Arete Two

What stays the same

Both ranges are compressor dehumidifiers, so they work best in rooms at normal living temperatures and lose output in cold spaces like any compressor unit. Both let you set a target humidity so the unit runs only when needed, both have a laundry mode for drying washing, and both have a drain hose option for continuous running.

Because the core refrigerant system does a similar job, the amount of water either removes in your home will depend more on size, room temperature and humidity than on the One or Two badge. Compare sizes using our litres a day ratings explainer.

What the Arete Two adds

The headline change is connectivity. The Arete Two works with the Meaco app and with voice commands through Alexa, Google and Siri, so you can check the room humidity and change the target from your phone. Meaco's listing for the 20 litre Arete Two also states an H13 HEPA filter, a 38 dB sound level, a night mode that dims the display, a six-hour laundry mode and a five-year warranty.

The Arete One is controlled from its own panel. Some Arete One sizes also carry a HEPA filter, so check the spec for the exact size you are comparing rather than assuming.

Is app control worth paying for?

App control is useful if the dehumidifier sits on a landing or in a spare room you rarely visit, or if you want to switch laundry mode on from another room. It also lets you watch the humidity reading over time, which helps you choose a sensible target. See what humidity to set a dehumidifier to.

If the unit lives in a room you use every day and you are happy pressing buttons, the Arete One covers the essentials. The humidistat does most of the energy saving, and both models have it.

Best smart dehumidifiers with Wi-Fi →

Which size to choose

The 12 litre class suits flats and smaller homes or a single problem room. The 20 litre class suits a typical family house and makes faster work of laundry. The bigger unit also runs fewer hours to reach the same target, so it is not always more expensive to run. Our guide to what size dehumidifier you need has a table by number of bedrooms.

• Flat or one damp room: 12 litre class
• Family house, laundry indoors: 20 litre class
• Want app control: Arete Two
• Happy with buttons: Arete One

Placement and setup tips for either model

Stand the unit centrally, such as on a landing with bedroom doors open, with clearance around the air inlet and outlet. For laundry, put it in a small closed room about a metre from the airer. Clean the filter regularly; see how to clean a dehumidifier. Meaco's manuals give model-specific steps, so keep yours to hand.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Meaco Arete One and Arete Two? The Arete Two adds Wi-Fi app and voice control, and Meaco lists the 20L Two with an H13 HEPA filter, 38 dB and a five-year warranty. The core dehumidifying job is similar.

Is the Arete Two quieter than the Arete One? Meaco quotes 38 dB for the Arete Two 20L. Compare the stated figure for the Arete One size you are looking at on Meaco's site.

Can the Arete One be controlled by an app? No. It is controlled from the panel on the unit. Choose the Arete Two if you want app or voice control.