Challenge 12L Dehumidifier

Product Information

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. Pros: Whisper-quiet operation, doubles as an air purifier to help with air quality, includes laundry mode, shows you the current humidity rating on a screen, high extraction rate If you’re looking for a small dehumidifier, then the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G Portable Dehumidifier is about as compact as it gets, measuring just H22 x W14 x D14cm and weighing in at 0.9kg. And, whilst this Russell Hobbs number is cheaper upfront, running costs are higher, with the 20L dehumidifier using 440W of energy compared to Meaco's 20L Arete One which uses 216W on average. Plus, the Arete One offers a built-in air purifier which this model does not. Noise levels: The official specifications say that this dehumidifier is 37dBA but I barely heard it. I didn’t even realise it was on when I was in the room. It runs so quietly, you occasionally hear the odd drip as the water hits the already collected water in the tray but that’s about it. It’s ideal for use when you’re working or overnight as it won’t disturb the peace.

Running costs vary depending on the size, make and model of dehumidifier you opt for. However, the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier is specifically marketed as a low energy use dehumidifier, so energy costs should be low. Fan speeds: Some dehumidifiers have just one speed for continuous drying, limiting your control. Whilst others have up to three, which is advantageous if you want to adjust it for faster drying or put it on a lower (and possibly quieter) setting.All that said, the Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L dehumidifier still impressed our review team during testing. So, if you’re looking for a powerful dehumidifier with a cheaper upfront cost, the Russell Hobbs RHDH2002 20L is well worth considering.

I was less impressed by the unit's sleep function, as it meant I couldn’t adjust the fan speed, and although this dehumidifier is noisy in all modes (more on that below), it is even more so on a high fan setting.So, if you’re after the smallest dehumidifier on the market, we think the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G wins the accolade of best small dehumidifier, with good all round performance for its size housed in one of the smallest builds on the market – along as you don't expect too much from that 0.3L extraction rate. Of course, with the cost of living and climate crisis, it's important to take into account the energy usage of any home appliance, and you'll likely be wondering how much a dehumidifier costs to run. Air filter: Some models come with a HEPA filter which helps to provide cleaner air in your home, which will be helpful for any allergy sufferers. It might not win the award for the most attractive or ground-breaking dehumidifier on our list, but that's not to say that Challenge's offering is ugly. Yes, it's a plain white box, but it's hardly an eyesore— and it's no slouch in the performance department either. Depending on the settings you can extract up to 10 litres of water per day in this design, which has a water tank that measures 2.1litres. It has a good recommended room range that is larger than your average dehumidifier, and for this reason we think it’s great value. At 43dB it’s also very quiet in operation, which is reassuring if you want to use it through the night. It has just one setting and a very discreet water indicator on the side of the design that you’ll need to keep an eye on should you want to empty the water tank. It also comes with an auto-shut off feature so you needn’t worry about it overspilling.

In practice, the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier uses an average of 220W to operate. This is far less than the 440W the Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier with Special Laundry Modeuses, but still far higher than the comparable MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier which uses on average just 151W. Thanks to this, the Silentnight 39899 dehumidifier has noise levels of just 25dBA, and as our reviewer says 'when I say it’s whisper quiet, I mean it. I couldn't hear this dehumidifier whilst it was running at all. That makes it perfect for anywhere you want to maintain peace and quiet' – like the bedroom.To get the most out of your dehumidifier, you will want to place it as close to the source of the damp as you can. As a dehumidifier can be noisy and bulky, it’s tempting to hide it away in a corner. But for larger rooms, try and place your dehumidifier in the centre so it benefits from the circulating air. The Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy dehumidifier's 40dB volume is already higher than the MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier 35-38dB, but its the type of noise the Pro Breeze model creates that makes it the far noisier investment.

The downside is that this dehumidifier has a far lower extraction rate than most, extracting just 0.3 litres of water from the air per day. For comparison, the best in class Meaco Arete One dehumidifier can extract between 10 and 25 litres of water from the air per day depending which model you opt for. Water tank capacity is also reduced, with the Silentnight model only able to hold 0.6L of water. That means you'll be emptying the tank frequently. Research your energy tariff and see if your electricity is cheaper at certain times, such as at night. If so, you could time it to come on during those hours. Alternatively, consider using it when your home is most likely to have high humidity levels, such as when you are showering, cooking or have the heating on. However, if you're able to extend your budget a little then it’s well worth looking at the Meaco Arete One Dehumidifier. This is more of an ivestment, but is our top-rated dehumidifier overall. Plus, it's quiet, easy to use, works superbly and is very energy-efficient compared to other compressor models. Its Smart Laundry Mode also makes it one of the best dehumidifiers for drying washing indoors. There are 10, 12, 20 and 25L models available, and, all offer a built-in air purifier that means they improve indoor air quality in more ways than one. You can get the full details in our MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier review. How we tested

How we choose/test the best dehumidifiers

So, why choose this one? Firstly, it's smart; using an app from your phone, you can control it from anywhere, even on the school run or while at the supermarket. You can even connect it to your Alexa or Google Home to operate it with the sound of your voice! Secondly, it is powerful; with the ability to extract 25L of water from the air and a six-litre tank capacity, you can rest easy knowing that this dehumidifier has your damp under control. Thirdly, although its power usage is much higher, it is super energy efficient; ElectriQ claims it is 50% more efficient than other standard dehumidifiers. We love that for our energy bills! Lastly, for the price, this dehumidifier doesn’t just control your home's humidity. It also purifies the air and eliminates terrible odours using a combination of UV sterilisation, an active carbon filter and a HEPA filter. In short, it works hard to keep you and your family feeling fit and healthy!