A dehumidifier can complement ventilation when excess moisture is in the air in a room, particularly while drying laundry, but it won’t fix a leak or faulty ventilation. Measure the humidity in the affected room and check the ventilation before buying; if stains or damage persist, arrange a home inspection. When choosing an appliance, look at the conditions behind its stated capacity, its noise level, the room it is designed for and how the collected water will be drained.
If damp persists without an obvious cause, start by taking readings in the affected room and looking for signs of leaks or damage. Qualitel recommends getting persistent damp investigated: an appliance is no substitute for this.
A laundry mode could be useful if you regularly dry clothes in the same room. Also check the stated room size, the conditions behind the appliance’s stated capacity, and how the water is collected or drained.
In a bedroom or living room, the noise level in the mode you use and the space available will affect your choice. Without continuous drainage, the tank capacity also determines how often you’ll need to empty it.
First, measure the humidity and check the room’s ventilation. If a dehumidifier would still be useful as an extra measure, choose one to suit the room and the way you’ll manage the collected water, rather than focusing solely on its capacity in litres per day.
| Concern | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding the damp | Take relative humidity readings in the affected room at different times; check for marks and the condition of surfaces. | When damp keeps returning without a clear cause, I want to know whether an appliance would improve the air or mask a problem with the home. Around 29% of consumers would make identifying the cause a priority. |
| Drying laundry | Check for a laundry mode, the stated room size and the conditions under which the stated capacity was measured. | If I regularly dry laundry indoors, I’m looking for a solution that suits the room, without forgetting to ventilate it. This would be the main concern for around 24% of consumers. |
| Frequent use | Compare the tank capacity, humidity settings and whether continuous drainage can actually be connected. | If the appliance will need to run often, I want to manage the collected water without repeated interruptions. Around 29% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Noise and handling | Check the noise level in the mode you plan to use, the appliance’s footprint and how often you’ll need to empty it without drainage. | In an occupied room, I want to minimise noise and avoid moving or emptying the appliance too often. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise this concern. |
The stated capacity depends on the temperature and humidity conditions used for testing. Two identical figures don’t necessarily reflect performance measured under the same conditions.
Compare the conditions behind each figure, then check the stated room size and the settings that will be useful in your room.
A continuous drainage function won’t help if the hose can’t reach a suitable drain. In that case, you’ll need to use and empty the tank.
Check what’s included in the box, the hose length and the type of drain required by the model.
Depending on your setup, you may also need a connector or a pump.
According to ADEME, ventilation continuously removes moisture from the home. A dehumidifier doesn’t do this and won’t fix a leak.
Check the room’s ventilation; if stains, recurring mould or damaged surfaces persist, arrange an appropriate inspection.
Rowenta states that the Extrême Dry Compact+ DH5260F0 is designed for rooms up to 40 m² or 100 m³, with a capacity of 16 L/day and a laundry mode.
Within the Tasciugo range, De’Longhi says the DEX210SF combines a humidistat, a laundry mode and the option of continuous drainage.
Supra describes the DU 100 Respire as a dehumidifier for rooms up to 20 m², with a stated capacity of up to 10 L/day.
These appliances are designed to dehumidify the air in a room at home, particularly when laundry is drying there. Consider them as a complement to ventilation, after ruling out an underlying problem that needs investigating.
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Worth considering for a room that matches the stated size of 25 m². The title lists a capacity of 16 L/day, a 1.4 L tank, a 24-hour timer and automatic defrost; check the conditions used to measure the capacity and the noise level in the mode you’ll use.
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Consider this if you dry laundry in a room that matches the stated size. The title mentions a laundry mode, a 24-hour timer, automatic defrost and continuous drainage; check that you can connect it to a drain and that its noise level is suitable if the room is occupied.
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Worth considering if you’d like to choose between using the tank and continuous drainage in a room listed as up to 32 m². The title mentions a hose, four modes and a capacity of 16 L/day; check the water’s route, the conditions used to measure the capacity and the noise level in the mode you plan to use.
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Consider this for a room listed as up to 24 m² if Wi-Fi control appeals to you. The title lists automatic, laundry and sleep modes; check the conditions used to measure the capacity and the noise level in the mode you plan to use.
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Worth considering for a room listed as up to 40 m² if you’re also looking for Wi-Fi control. The title lists automatic, laundry and sleep modes; the stated capacity alone won’t tell you how much water it will collect in your home, and you should check the noise level in the mode you’ll use.
Qualitel generally puts the recommended range for a home at between 40% and 60% relative humidity. Take several readings in the room at different times: a shower, cooking or drying laundry can temporarily affect the measurement.
Not without checking the test conditions. De’Longhi states 10 L/24 h for the DEX210SF at 30 °C and 80% relative humidity, while Supra states up to 10 L/day for the DU 100 Respire at 20 °C and 80% relative humidity.
A tank is suitable if you can empty it as often as needed; continuous drainage requires a compatible drain. Check the tank capacity and, if you’re connecting a hose, that it’s included, how long it is and whether it can reach the drain.
Arrange an inspection if you notice leaks, recurring stains or mould, damaged surfaces, or if damp persists despite ventilation. Qualitel recommends an inspection when damp continues; if you rent your home, keep a record of the signs you’ve noticed too.
No: it removes water from the air, but doesn’t replace the air. ADEME notes that mechanical ventilation continuously removes moisture from the home, so check that it’s working even if you use a dehumidifier as an extra measure.