Best Dehumidifier for Drying Laundry UK 2026 | Cut Costs, Dry Faster
Hanging washing indoors is a fact of British life. For most of the year the weather simply doesn’t cooperate, and even when it does, a British summer rarely guarantees a dry day. The result is damp laundry draped over radiators and airers, slowly releasing moisture into already-humid air — which is exactly how mould gets a foothold.
A dehumidifier doesn’t just pull that moisture out of the air. Run it in the same room as your drying rack and it actively speeds up the drying process, often getting a full load dry in 3–6 hours without the heat damage or running costs of a tumble dryer.
This guide covers the best dehumidifiers for laundry drying in UK homes, what to look for, and the honest cost comparison with a tumble dryer.
Quick Picks
| Best for | Model | Why |
| Most homes | Meaco MeacoDry Abc 12L | Quiet, humidistat, laundry mode, energy-efficient |
| Larger loads / bigger homes | Meaco 20L Low Energy | Higher extraction rate, faster drying, very low running cost |
| Cold rooms & utility spaces | Meaco DD8L Junior | Desiccant — works at any temperature, warms the air |
| Budget pick | Pro Breeze 12L | Reliable, includes humidistat, lower upfront cost |
Why Use a Dehumidifier Instead of a Tumble Dryer?
The short answer: running costs. A standard condenser tumble dryer costs around £1.30–1.41 per cycle based on current UK electricity rates. A typical compressor dehumidifier running for six hours costs somewhere between 20p and 45p depending on the model — even if it takes longer to do the job.
Over a year, if you dry three loads a week, the savings add up to hundreds of pounds. And unlike a tumble dryer, a dehumidifier actively improves your home while it works — reducing condensation, preventing mould, and improving air quality.
There are real trade-offs to be honest about:
- Slower: a tumble dryer dries a full load in 45–90 minutes. A dehumidifier typically takes 3–6 hours.
- Requires space: clothes need to be hung on a rack in the same room as the dehumidifier, with the door closed to concentrate the effect.
- Gentler on fabrics: no heat damage, no shrinkage, kinder to delicate items that can’t go in a dryer at all.
For most UK households without a dedicated utility room, the dehumidifier approach makes strong practical and financial sense.
Tumble Dryer vs Dehumidifier: Running Cost Comparison
| Method | Cost per cycle | Notes |
| Vented tumble dryer | ~£1.32 | Based on ~5 kWh per cycle at current UK rate |
| Condenser tumble dryer | ~£1.41 | Slightly higher consumption than vented |
| Heat pump tumble dryer | ~£0.53 | Most efficient dryer type — still pricier than dehumidifier |
| Meaco Abc 12L (6 hrs) | ~22–30p | ~145W, laundry mode, humidistat |
| Meaco 20L Low Energy (6 hrs) | ~35–45p | ~250W, higher extraction rate = faster drying |
| Pro Breeze 12L (6 hrs) | ~25–35p | ~175W, budget-friendly option |
Electricity costs calculated at approximately 27p/kWh (UK price cap Q1 2026). Your actual cost will vary by tariff and model. The Energy Saving Trust recommends comparing appliance running costs when making household purchasing decisions — see energysavingtrust.org.uk for up-to-date guidance.
What to Look for in a Laundry Dehumidifier
Laundry Mode
Most good dehumidifiers now include a dedicated laundry mode. This runs the fan at a higher speed to circulate air through hanging clothes, maximising evaporation. Meaco’s laundry mode runs for six hours as a default — matching the typical drying time for a full load. It’s not essential, but it makes a meaningful difference to drying speed.
Humidistat
A built-in humidistat lets you set a target humidity level (say, 50%) and the dehumidifier turns itself off when it gets there. This matters for two reasons: it saves energy, and it prevents the room from becoming uncomfortably dry. Without one, you’re guessing.
Extraction Rate
Measured in litres per day. For a single room with a load of washing, a 12L/day model is sufficient. If you’re drying in a larger space, or drying multiple loads, a 20L/day model gets the job done faster. Bigger extraction rate = quicker drying, but also slightly higher running cost.
Compressor vs Desiccant
This is the most important decision for laundry drying specifically. Compressor dehumidifiers work efficiently in rooms above 15°C, which covers most heated living rooms and bedrooms. Desiccant models work at any temperature — including cold utility rooms, garages, and conservatories in winter. If your laundry drying space is unheated, a desiccant model will significantly outperform a compressor one.
See our full comparison: how desiccant and compressor dehumidifiers differ and which to choose for your home.
Tank Size and Continuous Drainage
A load of washing releases around 1.5–2 litres of water into the air. A 12L dehumidifier tank will handle several drying sessions before needing emptying, but if you dry laundry daily, look for a model with a continuous drainage option (a hose connection to a drain). The Meaco Abc 12L and Pro Breeze 12L both include this.
The Best Dehumidifiers for Drying Laundry UK
1. Meaco MeacoDry Abc 12L — Best All-Rounder
The Abc 12L is the dehumidifier we’d recommend to most people for laundry drying. It’s a compressor model, so it works efficiently in heated rooms. The built-in humidistat means you set it to your target level and it does the rest. Laundry mode runs the fan hard for six hours, then steps back automatically.
At around 145W, it’s one of the most energy-efficient 12L compressor dehumidifiers available. Quiet Mark certified, which matters if you’re running it in a living room or near a bedroom. The Abc stands for ‘Auto, Brilliant, Compact’ — and it earns the name.
- Best for: most UK homes drying laundry in a heated room
- Extraction: 12L/day
- Running cost: ~22–30p per 6-hour laundry session
2. Meaco 20L Low Energy — Best for Faster Drying or Larger Homes
If you want clothes dry faster, or you’re drying in a larger space (open-plan room, big bedroom), the 20L Low Energy steps up the extraction rate without a huge jump in running costs. At around 250W it still costs well under 50p per laundry session, and the higher airflow through hanging clothes makes a noticeable difference to drying time.
It’s heavier and bulkier than the 12L, so it’s better suited to a fixed spot than moving room to room. Includes laundry mode, humidistat, and a continuous drainage option.
- Best for: larger homes, faster drying, heavy users
- Extraction: 20L/day
- Running cost: ~35–45p per 6-hour laundry session
3. Meaco DD8L Junior — Best for Cold Utility Rooms
The DD8L Junior is a desiccant dehumidifier, which means it works right down to 1°C without any drop in performance. If you dry laundry in an unheated utility room, back room, or conservatory in winter, this is the model you need. A compressor dehumidifier in a cold room barely extracts anything — the DD8L Junior doesn’t have that problem.
As a side effect of how desiccant technology works, it produces warm dry air — which actually helps clothes dry faster in a cold space. It uses more electricity than a compressor equivalent (around 650W), but in a cold room it will extract considerably more water in practice.
- Best for: unheated rooms, winter laundry drying, older UK homes
- Extraction: 8L/day
- Note: uses more power than compressor models, but outperforms them significantly in cold rooms
4. Pro Breeze 12L — Best Budget Option
If the Meaco Abc is out of budget, the Pro Breeze 12L is a solid alternative. It includes a humidistat, a laundry mode, and continuous drainage — all the features that matter. It’s slightly louder and slightly less energy-efficient than the Meaco, but the difference in real-world use is marginal.
A good choice if you’re new to dehumidifiers and not ready to spend £200+ on the Meaco. Does the job well for the price.
- Best for: budget-conscious buyers, first-time dehumidifier owners
- Extraction: 12L/day
- Running cost: ~25–35p per 6-hour session
How to Use a Dehumidifier to Dry Laundry Effectively
A few simple things make a big difference to how quickly clothes dry:
- Close the door. The dehumidifier works by reducing humidity in the room. If the door is open, you’re fighting the whole house.
- Don’t overfill the airer. Clothes need airflow between them. Cramming too many items onto one rack slows drying significantly.
- Position the dehumidifier close to the airer — but not directly underneath. You want dry air circulating through the clothes, not just the underside of the rack getting the airflow.
- Spin clothes at the highest suitable speed before hanging. More water out in the wash = less work for the dehumidifier.
- Run laundry mode if your model has it. It’s set to run at high fan speed for six hours by default on most Meaco models, which aligns well with typical drying times.
- Empty the tank before you start, or connect the drain hose. A full tank causes the dehumidifier to pause automatically. Don’t lose an hour of drying time to an avoidable stop.
One Thing People Miss: Drying Laundry Without a Dehumidifier Causes Mould
A full load of wet laundry releases approximately 1.5–2 litres of water vapour into the air as it dries. In a typical UK home with poor ventilation, that moisture has nowhere to go — it settles on cold surfaces like windows and external walls, and over time that’s how condensation mould develops.
Running a dehumidifier while laundry dries isn’t just about drying your clothes faster. It’s actively protecting your home from the moisture damage that causes mould, peeling paint, and structural damp over time.
This is why a laundry dehumidifier is one of the highest-impact purchases for a UK home. It solves the immediate problem (wet clothes) and the underlying one (excess indoor humidity) at the same time.
The Bottom Line
For most UK households, the Meaco MeacoDry Abc 12L is the one to buy. It’s quiet, energy-efficient, precise, and built for exactly this use case. If you have a cold utility room, the Meaco DD8L Junior is a better fit. If budget is the priority, the Pro Breeze 12L does the job reliably without the premium price.
Whichever model you choose, the running costs are a fraction of a tumble dryer — and you’ll notice the difference in your home’s humidity levels too.
Further reading:
Energy Saving Trust — independent advice on reducing energy use at home, including appliance running cost comparisons.
Related articles on ukairquality.co.uk
→ Best Dehumidifier for Mould UK
→ Desiccant vs Compressor Dehumidifier UK
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