Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.
Our Favourites
Editor’s Choice: EcoAir DD1 Simple
Luxury Choice: Meaco DD8L Zambezi
Compact Option: EcoAir DD128
If you have noticed swelling doors and peeling paintwork, not to mention the dreaded black mould, then you need a dehumidifier to combat troublesome humidity levels in your home. Getting yourself the best desiccant dehumidifier is a great way to sort out this problem before it causes serious damage to your property.
What is a desiccant dehumidifier? Desiccant dehumidifiers use chemicals to extract moisture from the air, rather than compressed refrigerants. They are more effective, quieter, and work at lower temperatures than compressor models, making them the best dehumidifiers for damp households.
If you’re looking to buy a desiccant dehumidifier but don’t know where to start – you’re in the right place. Our top 8 desiccant dehumidifier reviews and in-depth buying guide will help you choose the right model for your needs.
So, what are you waiting for? Read on to find the perfect match for you and your home!
How We Compared Desiccant Dehumidifiers
To find the right desiccant dehumidifiers we considered multiple factors including:
- Extraction rate
- Water tank
- Control panel
- Settings
- Timer
- Noise
- Filter
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.
To find out more about our process please see here.
Best Desiccant Dehumidifier Reviews – Top 8 Picks
1. EcoAir DD1 Simple (Editor’s Choice)
The EcoAir DD1 Simple is our best value desiccant dehumidifier choice.
It has a considerable 7-litre daily extraction rate and can be used to remove damp and mould from your whole home, or in specific wet areas such as your laundry room, kitchen or bathroom.
It also comes with an anti-bacterial filter that makes your air safer and more pleasant to breathe, especially suitable if you or your family have any allergies. The adjustable louvre allows you to channel the air flow for maximum efficacy. While the controls are basic, they are easy to use, and the rotary humidistat control will enable you to select your desired humidity levels quickly and easily.
The water tank that carries moisture from the air has a handle and lid, making it easy to empty. However, it is on the small side, so you may need to empty it frequently if your home is very damp. Note that his model does not feature a specific timer function, and it can be somewhat noisy when used in a turbo setting.
Despite these minor shortcomings, this is an impressively well-designed model that represents excellent value for money.
Pros:
- Seven-litre daily extraction rate
- Anti-bacterial filter
- Anti-drip tank with lid and handle
- Adjustable louvre
- Rotary humidistat control
Cons:
- Small water tank
- No timer
- Noisy on turbo setting
2. Meaco DD8L Zambezi (Luxury Choice)
If you are looking for a feature-packed desiccant dehumidifier, be sure to bear in mind the Meaco Zambezi.
This award-winning model is the best dehumidifier for any sized home, from small apartments up to five bedroomed houses. For reduced power consumption, this unit automatically checks humidity levels and toggles itself on and off so it won’t run unless needed. With a maximum water extraction rate of 8 litres per day, this model is a high-performance choice for reducing humidity in any building or room. What’s more, it is equipped with a digital display for your convenience.
At just 41dB, this unit is low noise, making it suitable for use in smaller homes. However, be aware that the water tank is a little on the short side and will require fairly regular emptying.
Also, the 3-year warranty may be limited and may not cover certain repairs. However, this does not detract from this machine’s excellent performance and high usability.
Pros:
- Eight-litre daily extraction rate
- With digital display
- Low noise – 41 to 50dB
- Compact size
- Low power consumption
Cons:
- Water tank may be small
- Limited warranty
3. EcoAir DD128 (Best Compact)
Whether you’re drying your clothes indoors or your home suffers from damp, the EcoAir DD128 can make a world of difference to your comfort and well being.
With an extraction rate of 8 litres of water per day and energy-efficient E7 technology, this model is effective at keeping your relative humidity levels down. It also benefits from an ioniser and silver filter to help to keep your air clean and reduce allergy symptoms. The 3D louvre also allows you to target airflow for improved efficacy and optimised unit placement.
Although easy to use, with its built-in timer and specific laundry mode, this unit, unfortunately, does not feature a digital humidistat. It is fairly quiet to run, but in the high setting, it can get quite loud. Although there’s no spout on the tank for easy pouring, at just over 2-litres capacity, it’s of a good size for this unit.
All in all, this is an excellent choice for a cleaner, healthier home.
Pros:
- 8-litres daily extraction
- Ioniser and silver filter
- 3D louvre
- Energy-saving E7 technology
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- No spout on the water tank
- No digital humidistat
- Noisy in high setting
4. EcoAir DD1 Classic (Best Energy-Efficient)
If you’re looking for an outstanding desiccant dehumidifier, then take a look at the EcoAir DD1 Classic.
Capable of extracting 7L of excess moisture per day at maximum, it makes the best desiccant dehumidifier for very damp homes. This model is feature-packed, with quiet 34db operation and an air-purifying ioniser and silver filter for healthier, allergen-free air. Perfect for keeping electricity bills low, this desiccant dehumidifier offers Eco E7 energy-saving technology and a timer for ultimate control over power consumption. The 3D louvre allows you to maximise its effectiveness by channelling airflow, and the built-in laundry mode enables you to keep humidity level under control while drying clothes quickly.
Easy to use, the digital control panel allows you to get your appliance up and running with little fuss. Should you need to go out and leave the unit running, the EcoAir DD1 will safely toggle between power modes when a comfortable humidity level is reached – preventing the air from drying out.
This model comes complete with a continuous drainage hose, but if you’re unable to use it, the 2L water tank may require frequent emptying. Furthermore, while the unit is lightweight at 6kg – it’s rather top-heavy and prone to getting knocked over.
However, thanks to its excellent feature set, general ease of use, and Eco E7 technology, we think this model is the perfect desiccant dehumidifier for your home.
Pros:
- 7L per day extraction rate
- 3D louvre – channel airflow
- Energy-efficient Eco E7 technology
- Air purifying ioniser and silver filter
- Built-in timer/auto-off function
Cons:
- No relative humidity level indicator
- Fairly small water tank
- Top-heavy
5. Pro Breeze 10L (Best Large Capacity)
If you are looking for a high capacity desiccant dehumidifier that is also reasonably compact and good looking, then try out the Pro Breeze 10L.
This model has adjustable humidity settings via the easy to use digital display complete with a built-in 12-hour timer and an automatic humidity sensor. With an impressive daily water extraction rate of 10 litres per day, this unit is suitable for large homes suffering from damp problems. It also has an anti-bacterial nano-silver filter to help clean your home’s air as well as an adjustable air-channelling louvre.
Thanks to its large tank that can carry 3 litres of water, emptying will be less frequent. However, the tank can be a little tricky to align into place. Also, if you are thinking of opting for this model, bear in mind that it does not have an ioniser nor a laundry mode.
However, this popular desiccant dehumidifier is a high-quality product with superior programmable options and stylish good looks.
Pros:
- 10-litres per day extraction
- 12-hour timer
- Anti-bacterial nano-silver filter
- Automatic humidity sensor
- Large 3-litre tank
Cons:
- No laundry mode
- Water tank tricky to align
- No ioniser
6. EcoAir DD122 Mini (Best for Small Rooms)
If you are looking for a desiccant dehumidifier best for your small house or flat, then take a look at the compact and economical EcoAir DD122 Mini.
It can extract up to 6-litres of water from your home per day and uses Eco E7 technology to efficiently function, optimising power use, and saving power. Its unobtrusive size is ideal for small rooms, including your laundry or bathroom. With its three-position air-channelling louvre, you can improve performance and airflow, while the anti-allergy deodorising filter will enhance your home’s air quality.
Complete with a digital control board and timer, this compact desiccant dehumidifier is simple to use and effective. Just be aware that it does not feature any indicator of your room’s humidity levels. Also, at 1.8 litres, the tank will need to be frequently emptied in very damp homes, and you could also find the fan to be rather noisy in confined spaces.
On the whole, though, this is a fantastic compact model, ideal for your bathroom or small apartment.
Pros:
- 6- litre daily extraction rate
- Digital control panel with timer
- Three-position air-channelling louvre
- Anti-allergy deodorising filter
- Eco E7 energy-saving technology
Cons:
- Small water tank
- Fairly loud
- No humidity indicator
7. EcoAir DD322 (Best for Spacious Homes)
The EcoAir DD322 is a powerful desiccant dehumidifier that can extract up to 10-litres of water per day.
With its large capacity 3.5-litre water tank, it is suitable for large damp homes. Use the laundry function or high-performance turbo modes as needed for optimum results, or switch it to quiet mode for use at night. Another advantage of this model is its 150 degrees adjustable louvre which allows you to optimise dehumidification and airflow further.
Bear in mind that like most large models, it can be fairly noisy on higher settings. Also, there is no hygrometer to display humidity levels. As it is fairly heavy at 8.5kg, if you think you may struggle to move it, you may prefer to opt for a model with wheels.
However, with safety features such as tilt-over stop protection and auto water full shut down, as well as a two-year manufacturer’s warranty, this high-performance model makes an excellent choice for your home.
Pros:
- 10-litre daily extraction rate
- 150-degree adjustable louvre
- 5-litre tank
- Safety features
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Noisy on high setting
- No wheels
- No hygrometer
8. Meaco DD8L (Best Quiet)
If you are looking for a compact, yet effective desiccant dehumidifier that can be left to get on with removing damp, then the Meaco DD8L could be just what you need.
It can remove up to 8-litres of water per day and has an auto on/off setting, making it a great choice for saving power as well as for leaving in unused spaces such as your garage, caravan or boat. Its easy-to-use graphic control board is effective, and you can select fan speeds independently, so you won’t risk waking up if you are using it in your home at night.
Also, this desiccant dehumidifier features an anti-bacterial filter and an ioniser which are beneficial for those with allergies. Though it has an easy empty reservoir complete with splash-proof cover, you may need to empty it fairly regularly.
Even so, we think this model is an excellent, energy-saving compact choice that will improve humidity levels in your home, garage, or caravan.
Pros:
- 8-litres extraction per day
- Compact size
- Graphical control panel
- Auto on/offsetting
- Easy empty reservoir with splash-proof cover
Cons:
- No humidity indicator display
- Small water tank
Features to Look for When Choosing a Desiccant Dehumidifier
If you’re fighting humidity in your home, choosing the right desiccant dehumidifier is key to winning the battle.
In this section, we take a look at some of the most important features. Those that you need to look out for before making your purchase.
Extraction Rate
When choosing a desiccant dehumidifier, take a look at its maximum water extraction rate. This is measured in litres per day.
If you have very high humidity levels, you will want a high extraction rate to get the situation under control quickly. Most large models have rates of 10-litres per day.
However, if you have a small home, you may prefer a smaller, more compact model that is more likely to have a lower rate between five to seven litres.
Water Tank
Pay close attention to how much water from the air the model can hold and its water tank size. When possible, try to opt for a model with a large tank capacity. This will prevent you from having to empty it as often.
Most models also provide a tube for continuous draining. Other useful water tank features to look out for are tanks that have pouring spouts, lids, and handles, all of which can make emptying easier and spillage-free.
Control Panel
A first-rate desiccant dehumidifier will feature a control board that is well laid out and easy to understand. While some people like a digital display, others are happy to use dials or buttons.
A quick scan of the control panel will reveal all of the dehumidifier’s essential functions. It will give you a better idea if it will be suitable for your needs as well as easy to program and use.
Settings
Do you need a laundry mode for when drying clothes? Fancy saving money on your bills with an eco setting? Check which settings are available for your desiccant dehumidifier before you commit to purchasing.
Aside from laundry and energy-saving eco modes, you will probably also want a high and a low mode. Use your desiccant dehumidifier on high to get your humidity levels down fast. Switching to high or turbo modes can also be useful after using the shower, cooking. Then, keep on top of the problem by running it on low, preventing levels from climbing back up.
Timer
A built-in timer will allow you to set your desiccant dehumidifier to run for a set of time. This can help you to keep your power consumption down and allows you to run your dehumidifier at a time that is convenient for you, for example, when you’re out at work.
Noise
If you are planning on running your dehumidifier when you’re at home, you will want to look for one that has a low decibel rating. Although they do not feature noisy compressors, desiccant dehumidifiers still make some noise due to their fans.
You can purchase quiet models or those that have a quiet setting, allowing you to reduce fan speed for a peaceful night’s sleep or distraction-free TV viewing. However, bear in mind that even quiet models can be fairly noisy when used on high or turbo settings.
Filter
Filters help your desiccant dehumidifier to run at maximum efficacy. Some models also provide air-cleansing, anti-bacterial filters or ionisers that purify your air. Purchasing a model that has a built-in filter is a great extra that can help to improve your family’s health and well being, especially if you suffer from allergies.
Conclusion
Desiccant dehumidifiers are a great way to improve your comfort and health, especially during the winter months, when many of us keep our windows closed and dry laundry inside.
If you are looking for the best desiccant dehumidifier to reduce your home’s humidity levels, then the best overall choice is the EcoAir DD1 Simple. With its high-performance 7-litre per day extraction capacity, it is great for use in high humidity rooms, such as your laundry space. Additionally, you can switch between Eco- and Turbo-mode, depending on your needs and, thanks to its various safety mechanisms, including tilt protection and automatic water full shut down, it is a safe and suitable model for most homes.
Related Resources
Kelly is an expert in consumer product research, which is very important when it comes to finding the most useful and aesthetically pleasing items for your home. This became her passion after finding it very time-consuming to wade through all the product information online.
She has a keen attention to detail which she brings to her articles, Kelly’s goal is to help you find what you need without spending too much time searching for it.