There's also plenty of useful functionality on the models. The automatic Smart Humidity Mode works perfectly and is hassle-free, turning the dehumidifier on when moisture-levels rise and automatically shutting the appliance off when the desired humidity is reached so there's no wasted energy or expense.And in our tests, the Arete One reduced moisture levels in damp-prone rooms in a very short period of time. Damp in your home office, utility room or basement? This dehumidifier works wonders in small spaces. When I tested the laundry function on the Russell Hobbs 20L dehumidifier to dry t-shirts in a small bedroom, it definitely sped up the drying time' said our reviewer. 'The T-shirts closest to the dehumidifier dried in 3 hours, but those further away took aboutdouble that time to completely dry'. How we test

Like compressor dehumidifiers, Peltier dehumidifiers also use a condensation process to remove moisture from the air. However, they do this via a thermoelectrical process rather than using refrigerant and a compressor, so they're generally a lot quieter and more economical to run. The downside is that they're far less powerful, so Peltier dehumidifiers tend to very small and best for localised areas of moisture – they won't be powerful enough to help with damp in a large room or entire house. When thinking about dehumidifiers, does an image pop into your head of a large, ugly, white box, rattling noisily away in the corner? If so, then you have clearly not encountered the Russell Hobbs Fresh Air Mini Compact Dehumidifier.This Russell Hobbs Fresh Air Mini dehumidifier is key during winter months to help prevent the build-up of moisture, which can cause mould and mildew to grow. The compact 600ml size is suitable for small spaces up to 15m² and is super lightweight – perfect to move from room to room. That said, the water tank fills up much more slowly than we expected. We trialled the device in a newly-moved-into basement flat with identified damp issues, so we expected its 600ml tank to need emptying several times a day. In contrast, a much larger dehumidifier (4.8L) we used afterwards needed emptying every day and a half or so in the same environment. However, the RHDH1061 costs almost ten times less to run for a full day. The Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier is a popular choice thanks to its relatively low price point that makes it one of the best value compressor dehumidifiers you can buy.

Read next: Unibond Aero 360 Compact Moisture Absorber review: an honest review of the budget-friendly dehumidifier alternative How we tested Most dehumidifiers have their noise levels listed in their specifications, although in practice we didn't find that much variation between models, with most falling somewhere between 35 and 45dB. If you have more serious damp issues, then although a dehumidifier can help to reduce the problem and improve the air quality in your home, it won't prevent the damp from occurring in the first place, so it's important to get to the root of the issue. Read our guide to how to get rid of damp for help in identifying the cause of your damp issues, and how to treat them. However, to help give an overview, here are some key facts it's useful to know before searching for the best dehumidifier for the task in hand. What are the main types of dehumidifier? If you need a dehumidifier capable of reducing moisture in a larger space or have more significant damp levels, then you need a dehumidifier with a high extraction rate. This Russell Hobbs model can extract 20L of moisture from the air per day, and whilst it doesn't quite offer as much functionality as the comparable 20L MeacoDry Arete One (and can't beat the Meaco on energy efficiency) it is a cheaper upfront investment.It can't quite beat the MeacoDry Arete One on overall performance, but if you're willing to put up with noisier operation and higher running costs in exchange for its powerful performance, then this Pro Breeze model will make short work of getting wet washing ready for the airing cupboard. 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. Overall, if you can put up with its increased noise volume and absorb the higher running costs, we think thePro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Modeis a good buy. It's definitely the best dehumidifier for drying clothes that we've tested, and anything that makes wet-weather laundry days easier is a win in our books.

The tank capacity dictates how much water the water tank of the dehumidifier can hold before it needs emptying. A larger tank capacity – such as the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier's generous 2.5L or 4.8Ltanks – means you won't be emptying it as frequently.A 1960s split-level bungalow has been revived with contemporary extensions, cleaned lines, and Scandi-inspired interiors The water tank is a little awkward and fiddly to empty. It slides in and out of the base of the dehumidifier easily enough, but there is only a tiny hole from which to get the water out. Because of this design quirk, it was difficult to empty every drop when needed. It had little impact on subsequent performance but felt clunky. Russell Hobbs RHDH1061: Sustainability The unit isn't the lightest or most compact we've tested, but then we wouldn't expect that from a machine this powerful. However, built-in wheels, a retractable carry handle, and cable tidy make it easier to move around the house and store neatly away when it's not in use.