With this small a size, there is no need for the carry handle and castor wheels (both not present) which are found in some of the bigger models since you can literally carry the dehumidifier in one hand. Performance: Also capable of reducing moisture in a 15m² space, the Silentnight 39899 600ml Dehumidifier just does so at a slower rate than the ProBreeze 1500ml Mini dehumidifier, extracting 0.3L of water from the air per day in contrast to the ProBreeze's 0.5L. There are a few pieces of plastic tape that need removing from the sides of the dehumidifier which are placed there to keep anything from shifting during transit. But once unboxed, it’s ready to use. This model has a quiet operation, so it can be used in an occupied room without too much disturbance, such as in a home office or kitchen while you work.

However, I tested the Challenge 0.5 Litre Mini Dehumidifier several times in my kitchen whilst cooking and found it collected excess moisture caused by steamy conditions efficiently. Energy use: The Silentnight 39899 600ml dehumidifier also scores highly on energy efficiency. Although, as with the ProBreeze 1500ml, it's a shame there aren't any automatic humidity sensors so that the dehumidifier only switches on when it's needed (the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier is our top recommendation in this respect), despite the fact it has to be left running, energy use is still relatively low thanks to its 23W energy use. That means it doesn't even cost 1p per hour to have running. Ease of use: Similar to the ProBreeze 1500ml Mini dehumidifier, the Silentnight model is super simple to use. To operate it there’s just one on/off button, which is placed on top of the unit. Its low price point reflects its basic functionality; there are no humidity settings or differing fan speeds, this affordable dehumidifier runs at just one constant single speed.The beauty of a desiccant dehumidifier is not only that they are typically quieter than compressor models, but they are ideal for smaller, unheated areas such as conservatories, campervans, garages, boats and cellars. They’re also fantastically efficient. That said, this small dehumidifier won't be for everyone. It's extraction rate is low at just 500ml per day, so if you have large rooms, significant moisture issues, or want to use a dehumidifier to help to dry laundry indoors, this dehumidifier likely won't be for you. Its extraction capacity is too small. However, it's not perfect. A powerful extraction rate of 20L, plus that Laundry boost mode, means higher running costs. This dehumidifier guzzles 440W of energy compared to the 20L MeacoDry Arete One's 216W. What the Pro Breeze 20L Premium does offer is a more generous water tank of 5.5L compared to the 20L MeacoDry Arete One's 4.8L, although in practice we didn't find ourselves emptying the MeacoDry that much more frequently.

As Chris Michael, Managing Director of the air quality brand Meaco says, inside the home, 'excess moisture in the air can come from drying clothes in the house, boiling vegetables, putting the kettle on, bathing, showering, open flame gas style heating, damp clothing, breathing, and the damp British weather.' It has a 250 ml per day extraction capacity, so you can leave it running for a couple of days before it reaches its 500-millilitre capacity. 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.

Summary

The quietest models produce slightly less than 30 decibels of noise, which is equivalent to the volume of a whisper. Ease of use: Like all of the low cost dehumidifiers on our list, functionality is basic, but that does make operation hassle-free. There is just one on/off button which you’ll find at the top of the dehumidifier. When it’s in operation a blue LED light will light up so you know it’s working. The dehumidifier has an automatic shut-off feature which helps prevent the water collection reserve from overflowing once it is full. The dehumidifier will switch off and display a red light, which indicates that the machine needs emptying. The Meaco Dehumidryer has a large 25 litre per day capacity that’s great for whole houses. It’s a refrigerant model though, so doesn’t work as well in cooler conditions. All dehumidifiers have an intake fan to draw moist air in and an exhaust fan to expel dried air, and some models have a compressor that extracts the moisture. Each of these components makes a noise and the positioning of them can affect the overall noise level, as can the fan speeds.