⚡ Quick picks
- Big homesBig damp homes and drying washing
✅ Do these first: they’re free
- Run the extractor fan or open a window during and after showers and cooking.
- Put lids on pans and dry washing outdoors where you can. Drying indoors? See what each method costs.
- Keep trickle vents open and furniture slightly away from outside walls.
- Wipe window condensation in the morning.
- Renting? Report damp and mould to your landlord in writing. In England, social landlords now have legal deadlines to deal with it (Awaab's Law).
Compare our picks
Swipe the table sideways →
| Pick | Best for | Key spec | Main downside | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Breeze Osmo moisture absorber, 1.3L | Small rooms, no plug | 1.3L · passive | Small rooms only, not whole-house damp | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Meaco Arete One 10L compressor dehumidifier / air purifier | Most rooms: low running cost | 10L/day · 151W | Compressor models slow down in cold rooms like garages | Buy from MeacoAd |
| Meaco Arete One 20L compressor dehumidifier / air purifier | Big damp homes and drying washing | 20L/day · 216W | Bigger and heavier | Buy from MeacoAd |
| Meaco DD8L Zambezi desiccant dehumidifier | Cold rooms, garages and conservatories | 8L/day · desiccant | Costs more to run than a compressor model | Buy from MeacoAd |
| Pro Breeze 12L/day compressor dehumidifier | Bigger rooms and drying washing | 12L/day · compressor | Uses electricity, so check the running cost on your tariff | Check price on AmazonAd |
We don't show prices because they change daily. Tap a button for today's price at Meaco or Amazon.
Watch nowWhy Are British Homes So Damp?
The video that goes with this guide, from the Mains & Drains channel.
▶ Watch on YouTubeSmall rooms: no plug needed
For a shower room, wardrobe or box room, a passive absorber is cheap and silent.
Pro Breeze Osmo moisture absorber, 1.3L
No plug and no noise. A refill tablet sits in the top and water collects in the tank below. Good for a shower room, wardrobe or box room.
- No electricity
- Silent
- Simple refills
- Small rooms only, not whole-house damp
- Ongoing refill cost
Pro Breeze Osmo refill tablets, 2 x 700g
Replacement tablets. It's worth keeping a spare in the cupboard.
- Keeps the Osmo running
- An ongoing cost
Whole rooms and drying washing
When windows run wet every morning, or you dry washing indoors, a compressor dehumidifier is the proper fix.
Meaco Arete One 10L compressor dehumidifier / air purifier
A 151W compressor model: about 4p an hour at the Oct–Dec 2026 price cap (26.32p/kWh). The humidistat switches it off once the room reaches your set level, so real costs are usually lower.
- About 4p an hour to run (151W)
- Built-in humidistat
- Doubles as an air purifier
- Compressor models slow down in cold rooms like garages
- Costs more upfront than budget brands
Meaco Arete One 20L compressor dehumidifier / air purifier
More extraction for whole floors, bad condensation or drying washing indoors. 216W: about 5.7p an hour at the current price cap.
- High extraction for big rooms
- About 5.7p an hour (216W)
- Laundry mode
- Bigger and heavier
- Overkill for a single small room
Pro Breeze 12L/day compressor dehumidifier
A compressor dehumidifier pulls litres of water out of the air. It's the step up when windows run wet every morning.
- Humidity display and timer
- Handles whole rooms
- Uses electricity, so check the running cost on your tariff
- Compressor models are noisier and less effective in very cold rooms
Cold rooms and garages
Compressor models slow down in the cold. A desiccant model keeps working in unheated spaces.
Meaco DD8L Zambezi desiccant dehumidifier
Desiccant models keep working in cold spaces where compressor units struggle, and give off gentle warmth. They use more power: 351W–656W, about 9p–17p an hour.
- Works well in cold rooms
- Light and quiet
- Warms the air slightly
- Costs more to run than a compressor model
- Not the cheapest choice for heated living rooms
📄 Print it, stick it on the fridge
UK First Home Survival Guide (£7): written for UK homes, instant A4 download.
Questions people ask
Compressor or desiccant dehumidifier?
Compressor models are usually cheaper to run in normal room temperatures. Desiccant models cope better in cold spaces like garages. Our pick is a compressor model for living spaces.
Is black mould dangerous?
It can affect health, especially for people with asthma or weak immune systems. Treat the cause (moisture), not just the stain.
Why you can trust this guide
We haven’t lab-tested these products, and we won’t pretend we have. Every pick is researched and recommended: we compare specs, UK safety standards, warranties, official guidance and patterns in owner reviews, and we write down the real downsides. No brand paid to be here. Read how we choose.
Official advice and sources: GOV.UK: Awaab's Law guidance · Energy Saving Trust
Related guides
Drying clothes indoors: what each method really costs
Heated airer, dehumidifier, tumble dryer or radiator? Running costs at the Oct–Dec 2026 price cap, how to stop condensation and mould, and the kit worth buying.
Read the guide →
Keep warm for less: winter kit for cold UK homes
Heat the person, not the house. Researched picks for electric blankets, heated throws, draught-proofing, radiator foil and storm-ready car kit.
Read the guide →
Energy-saving gadgets that are actually worth it
Find out what each appliance really costs, then fix the worst offenders. Smart plugs with energy monitoring, LED swaps and heating controls, researched for UK homes.
Read the guide →