LAUNDRY GUIDE
Best Dehumidifiers for Drying Clothes in the UK (2026)
Quick answer: For most UK homes, a quiet 12L compressor dehumidifier with laundry mode is a practical choice for indoor drying. If you dry laundry daily, a 20L model is usually the stronger choice because it gives more moisture-removal headroom; 12L can still suit smaller rooms and lighter daily loads.
Drying clothes indoors can push a lot of moisture into the air, especially through autumn and winter. A suitable dehumidifier can help control that extra humidity while your laundry dries. We compared practical UK options using published manufacturer specifications, current pricing and laundry-focused features rather than hands-on lab testing. Not sure which dehumidifier capacity suits your laundry room? Try our Home Problem Solver.
Prices and availability checked 1 October 2026. Retail prices can change.
QUICK PICKS
Three Strong Options for Indoor Laundry
BEST FOR MOST HOMES
MeacoDry Arete One 12L
Quiet operation, modest published power draw and a dedicated laundry mode make this a practical starting point for flats, bedrooms and smaller homes.
Check price on AmazonBEST VALUE
Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L
A lower-cost 12L compressor model with quiet published noise figures, laundry mode and automatic humidity control for everyday indoor drying.
Check Pro Breeze priceBEST FOR HEAVIER LAUNDRY LOADS
Pro Breeze 20L Max Extraction
A larger 20L model with a 5.5L tank, 195 m³/h airflow and a dedicated laundry mode for higher moisture loads and larger rooms.
Check Pro Breeze priceHOW WE CHOSE
What Matters Most for Drying Clothes
For indoor laundry, we prioritised extraction capacity, airflow, laundry mode, noise, tank size, drainage options and published power draw. We also considered whether each model makes sense for a typical heated UK home. We do not claim personal testing where none has taken place.
AT A GLANCE
Which One Suits Your Laundry Routine?
A 12L model is often enough for regular loads in a heated room or flat. A 20L model gives more headroom when you dry laundry frequently, have a larger room or regularly deal with heavier condensation.
Arete One 12L
Best fit: quiet everyday use.
Published figures: 35–38 dB, 151W at 20°C/60% RH, 2.5L tank.
Useful extras: laundry mode, continuous drainage, HEPA filtration, 5-year warranty.
OmniDry 12L
Best fit: budget-conscious indoor drying.
Published figures: under 36 dB, 0.18 kWh (manufacturer listing; time basis unspecified), 2L tank.
Useful extras: laundry mode, automatic humidity control, continuous drainage.
Compare it directly: Meaco Arete One 12L vs Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L →
Pro Breeze 20L
Best fit: larger rooms and frequent laundry.
Published figures: 38 dB, 310W, 5.5L tank, 195 m³/h airflow.
Useful extras: laundry mode, sleep mode, continuous drainage.
1 · BEST FOR MOST HOMES
MeacoDry Arete One 12L
Compressor · 35/38 dB · 151W at 20°C/60% RH · 2.5L tank · Laundry mode · Continuous drainage · 5-year warranty.
Why it stands out: for many households, the Arete One 12L offers the most balanced laundry setup. Its quiet published noise level is useful when clothes are drying in a bedroom, landing or living space, while the dedicated laundry mode keeps the machine focused on reducing humidity without needing constant adjustment.
Pros: very quiet for a compressor model; low published power draw; laundry mode; front tank; HEPA filter; long warranty.
Trade-offs: smaller extraction capacity than a 20L machine; no app control on the Arete One; the 2.5L tank may need more frequent emptying during heavy laundry use.
View MeacoDry Arete One 12L2 · BEST VALUE
Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L
Compressor · under 36 dB · 0.18 kWh (manufacturer listing; time basis unspecified) · 2L tank · Up to 20 m² · Laundry mode · Continuous drainage.
Why it stands out: the OmniDry 12L targets the same general use case as other compact 12L machines but at a lower price. It is a sensible option if your priority is helping a normal indoor load dry without paying for a larger 20L unit.
Pros: competitive price; quiet operation; compact footprint; laundry function; automatic humidity control; continuous drainage.
Trade-offs: smaller 2L tank; more modest room coverage than larger models; less headroom for frequent multi-load laundry days.
View Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L3 · BEST FOR HEAVIER LAUNDRY LOADS
Pro Breeze 20L Max Extraction
Compressor · 38 dB · 310W · 5.5L tank · Up to 30 m² · 195 m³/h airflow · Laundry mode.
Why it stands out: the larger tank and higher airflow are practical when you dry clothes indoors often or need to manage a bigger moisture load. It uses more power than a compact 12L unit, but the extra capacity can be worthwhile in larger rooms or for frequent laundry.
Pros: 20L rated extraction; strong airflow; large tank; dedicated laundry mode; sleep mode; continuous drainage.
Trade-offs: higher power use than 12L models; physically larger and heavier; more capacity than many single-room users need.
View Pro Breeze 20LDRY CLOTHES FASTER
How to Set Up a Dehumidifier for Laundry
1. Use a smaller closed room where practical. Keep windows and external doors closed so the dehumidifier is working on the moisture released by your clothes rather than constantly pulling in damp outside air.
2. Leave space around the airer and machine. Air needs to circulate around the fabric. Avoid pressing wet clothes tightly together and do not block the dehumidifier’s intake or outlet.
3. Use laundry mode when available. This normally keeps the unit running more aggressively for a set period or towards a lower humidity target. For ordinary room use after the clothes are dry, return to normal humidistat control.
12L or 20L for Drying Clothes?
For one regular laundry load in a heated bedroom, spare room or small flat, a good 10–12L compressor model is often the sensible place to start. A 20L model makes more sense for larger rooms, frequent indoor drying, multiple loads or homes with a broader condensation problem.
Read our 12L vs 20L guideWhat About Running Costs?
Running cost depends on the machine’s power draw, your electricity tariff and how long it runs. A lower-wattage 12L model can cost less per hour than a larger 20L unit, but a higher-capacity machine may finish a heavy moisture-removal job sooner. Compare the published wattage alongside the room and laundry load rather than choosing on wattage alone.
Compare with a tumble dryerFAQ
Common Questions About Drying Laundry
Will a dehumidifier actually dry clothes?
A dehumidifier removes water vapour from the room air. As damp air is dried, moisture can continue evaporating from the clothes, so indoor laundry generally dries more effectively than it would in a humid, closed room.
Should I close the door when drying clothes with a dehumidifier?
Usually yes, if you are drying in one room. Closing the door helps the machine concentrate on that smaller air volume. Keep the dehumidifier’s own intake and outlet clear.
Is a 12L dehumidifier enough for laundry?
For a regular load in a heated small-to-medium room, often yes. If you dry clothes very frequently, use a larger room or have a wider damp problem, a 20L model may offer more capacity.
Can I leave a dehumidifier running overnight?
Follow the manufacturer’s operating and placement instructions for your specific model. For laundry, many modern units include a timer, humidistat or dedicated mode so they can stop or reduce operation automatically.
Useful Airmestra Guides
For broader buying advice, see our Best Dehumidifiers UK guide. If you are choosing between capacities, read 12L vs 20L Dehumidifier and 10L vs 12L Dehumidifier. For technology choice, see Compressor vs Desiccant.
Affiliate & Research Disclosure
Airmestra may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product specifications and prices can change. This guide is based on published manufacturer information rather than hands-on testing.
Dehumidifier vs Heated Airer vs Tumble Dryer: What Costs Less?
There is no universal lowest-cost option: compare the electricity used per finished load, not just the power rating or cost per hour. A heated airer often draws modest power but may run for many hours; a dehumidifier tackles moisture in the room while helping clothes dry, but it may also run for hours; a tumble dryer can finish a load faster, and heat-pump models use a different amount of electricity from conventional dryers.
Fair calculation: appliance electricity per load (kWh) × your tariff (£/kWh), adding together the energy used by any appliances running at the same time. Drying time, load weight, room temperature, ventilation, and product model affect the outcome. Remember that an airer without moisture control may increase indoor humidity.
Read our dehumidifier vs tumble dryer comparison for the two-way decision. A dedicated heated-airer comparison is a research candidate, not an established winner. These explanations use published product information rather than hands-on drying tests.