The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Martin Lewis recommends using a dehumidifier to dry clothes – these are the models we’d invest in
These machines work by extracting moisture from your surroundings
As the cost of living crisis lingers on, many of us are looking for ways to keep down household bills, whether that’s by using an air fryer or slow cooker instead of a traditional oven, or discovering alternative ways to dry clothes, instead of turning to our tumble dryer.
In an episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast in 2023, the MoneySavingExpert dubbed tumble dryers – which cost up to £1 per hour to run – a “demon appliance” and suggested using a dehumidifier instead.
Though, admittedly, an initial investment, these machines extract moisture and dampness from your surroundings and, in turn, potentially halve your laundry-drying times. Depending on the model’s extracting power and wattage, a dehumidifier can cost anything from just 10p to 30p an hour to run, making them cheaper to use, compared with a tumble drier.
“Many dehumidifiers have different wattages – the one I checked out was 200W,” Lewis explained on his podcast. “Once we know it’s 200W and we know a kilowatt is 1,000W, which is how electricity tends to be priced, we know this is a fifth of a kilowatt. “And you pay roughly 34p per kilowatt per hour. A fifth is 7p, so you’re going to pay roughly 7p per hour to run a dehumidifier at 200W, assuming it uses full power the whole time,” he continued.
The multipurpose machines are also great for allergy sufferers, tend to be noise-free and have the added benefit of neutralising harmful bacteria in your home. So, if you’ve noticed mould, condensation or a musty odour around your home, it may be time to invest in a dehumidifier.
In our review of the best dehumidifiers, four machines with a laundry mode stood out for their ability to dry a full range of items very quickly. If you’re looking to invest in an energy-efficient and cost-cutting dehumidifier, read on for the lowdown on these tried and tested machines.
Duux bora smart dehumidifier: Was £299.99, now £249, Amazon.co.uk
While our dehumidifier expert, Rachael Penn, tested many different models for her tried and tested dehumidifier review, she recommends Duxx’s smart dehumidifier above all others. It can extract up to 20l of water over 24 hours which, as she noted, is “ideal for homes with severe humidity issues”. It works via a smart app but there are also controls on the appliance itself. Plus, the dehumidifier has a carbon fibre filter that “left the air noticeably fresher” when used in the kitchen, and, crucially, a drying mode for supercharged laundry drying times. Rachael noted its self-cleaning function and auto-shut-off feature too, and with all this in mind, awarded it full marks.
MeacoDry arete one 20l dual dehumidifier/air purifier: £259.99, Johnlewis.com
A dehumidifier and air purifier in one compact unit, this is another model that earned top marks from our tester. In her review, Rachael said this was “one of the smartest, most energy-efficient dehumidifiers” she’d tried, with it costing just 3p per hour to run. It works quickly, quietly, and you’ll be able to control it with the Meaco app and Alexa. Plus, its laundry mode meant that garments were dry quickly, and, “without any damp smell lingering on” them, Rachael noted.
EcoAir DD1 simple desiccant dehumidifier: £229.98, Amazon.co.uk
Described as a “simple dehumidifier that offers excellent performance”, EcoAir’s dehumidifier is complete with a laundry mode, 7.5l extraction amount and 2l water tank. “We like that it’s really easy to operate. It has manual controls – including a rotary dial and just one other button, which controls the fan speed, placing the machine in either economy mode or turbo mode,” our tester said. As for the special laundry mode, they added: “If you’re drying your clothes indoors and don’t want to use the tumble dryer, it’s the perfect solution.”
They were also “impressed with the nano silver filter built into the design, which will help trap dust and allergens.” So, if you suffer from allergies or conditions such as asthma, the air will feel a lot fresher.
De’Longhi DEX212F dehumidifier: Was £229, now £174, Amazon.co.uk
De’Longhi’s mid-priced dehumidifier works well in small to medium-sized rooms, with our tester praising the model’s sleek, modern design, which means you can put it in any room without it looking out of place. The appliance comes with a range of simple controls, making it easy to operate, but our tester’s favourite was the laundry mode, which adjusts the fan speed and power. “It did a great job of helping to speed up the amount of time it took for our clothes to dry, which is super handy in the winter months when the washing line is out of action,” they said. Plus, “it’s so quiet, you wouldn’t even know it was running”, while double-filtration technology ensures the air feels cleaner when in use.
Looking for more energy-efficient household appliances? We’ve rounded up the best air fryers