Lastly, there's extra functionality to consider. The best dehumidifiers you can buy offer a Smart mode. That means you can leave the dehumidifier running and its sensors will detect the humidity levels and switch the machine on and off to keep humidity within your desired range. That saves energy (and money) as the appliance isn't running if it doesn't need to be.

The sleek and modern unit with navy blue exterior stands out from the crowd in all the right ways, and whilst it doesn't have built-in wheels like most dehumidifiers of this size, the integrated carry handle and mid-weight build make it relatively easy to transport from room to room. If you want a more compact build, then there is also a 12L and 14L model available. Being able to change the temperature and humidity level is a lovely feature to have. The VonHaus 20L/Day Dehumidifier (mentioned in this list), for example, is a rare example of a dehumidifier that does both of these things. Deciding to dehumidify occupied rooms alone—and only when necessary—will potentially save you hundreds (or even thousands) of pounds annually on your electricity bill. A couple of the reasons that you may want to dehumidify a room nobody is occupying is if you are trying to ward off mould or if you are about to enter the room, the latter of which is only possible by using a timer or remote system.Whilst this dehumidifier doesn't offer a specific laundry drying function, we still found it helpful at drying wet washing, although it took longer to do so than the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier or Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Mode which both offer a speedy dedicated laundry-drying boost mode.

Continuous draining system removes the need to empty the collection tank, provided you have suitable drainage. The Dimplex DXDH16N Dehumidifier is the master of big spaces; don’t leave a large room to a dehumidifier that’s not designed for the job at hand. Overall, it's not the most powerful dehumidifier you can buy, and it can't cope with high moisture levels – we found it made little difference when drying wet washing for example. However, it did a great job of clearing condensation on windows and managing moisture levels in a small bedroom when left running overnight. At 1,000 ml, the capacity is only two-thirds that of the first item on this list, and you’ll expect to accumulate around 450 ml in a day, meaning you’ll need to refill after two days of use. All in all, though, we can’t recommend this beautiful little unit enough.

What is the best dehumidifier for my needs?

And whilst its energy use is low compared to many dehumidifiers on the market, it can't beat the super energy-efficient MeacoDry Arete One in this regard. The Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier uses 220W, whereas the comparable MeacoDry 12L Arete One uses just 151W of energy, and doesn't cost that much more upfront at full RRP. The MeacoDry also offers a built-in air purifier, a larger 2.5L water tank, better laundry drying performance, and quieter operation.