£249.99
Full MeacoDry Arete One 20L review: specs, who it suits, FAQs
Our verdict
A good fit if you…
- have a medium to large heated home (3–5 bedrooms) with condensation, damp or mould
- dry laundry indoors through the autumn and winter
- want a unit that's quiet enough for a bedroom or living room
- have allergies and would value a built-in HEPA filter
Look elsewhere if you…
- –need to dry out an unheated garage, loft or conservatory – a desiccant model works better in the cold
- –want Wi-Fi or app control – the Pro Breeze OmniDry 20L has it for less
- –live in a small flat – the Arete One 12L gives you the same features for less
Pros
- ✓Exceptional energy efficiency for a 20L unit
- ✓Genuinely quiet — usable in a bedroom
- ✓HEPA filter adds real air purification value
- ✓Industry-leading 5-year warranty
- ✓Continuous drainage option for set-and-forget use
Cons
- ✗No Wi-Fi or app control
- ✗Premium pricing compared to budget brands
- ✗Compressor type — less effective below 5°C
- ✗HEPA filter is an ongoing replacement cost
Specifications
| Tank | 4.8L |
| Type | Compressor |
| Noise | 38–40 dB |
| Power | 216W |
| Weight | 15 kg |
| Coverage | 3–5 bed home |
| Dimensions | 37 × 27 × 62 cm |
| Extraction | 20L/day |
Key features
- 20L/day extraction capacity
- 216W power consumption (~5p/hour)
- HEPA H13 air purifier built in
- 38–40 dB noise level
- 4.8L water tank with continuous drainage
- Smart humidity control with 5% steps
- Laundry mode and night mode
- 5-year warranty
The key specs, in plain English
- 20L/day extraction
- Extraction figures are measured in warm, very humid lab conditions (typically around 30°C and 80% humidity). In a UK home in winter you'll collect much less than 20 litres a day, which is why a 20L unit is a sensible size for a 3–5 bedroom house rather than oversized.
- 216W power (~5p/hour)
- This is very low for a 20L compressor unit. It also only runs at full power until it reaches your target humidity, so the real cost per day depends on how damp your home is. Pence-per-hour figures move with the energy price cap.
- 38–40dB
- That's roughly as loud as a quiet library, which makes it realistic to run in a bedroom, especially in night mode.
- Compressor type
- Compressor dehumidifiers work best in heated rooms and lose efficiency as temperatures drop towards 5°C. In cold spaces, choose a desiccant model such as the EcoAir DD3 or Meaco DD8L.
Choose the MeacoDry Arete One 20L if…
you want the built-in HEPA filter, lower power draw, a bigger tank and Meaco's 5-year warranty.
Choose the Pro Breeze OmniDry 20L if…
you want Wi-Fi and smart-speaker control and slightly quieter running, for around £50 less at our last check.
MeacoDry Arete One 20L: common questions
Will the MeacoDry Arete One 20L really extract 20 litres a day?
Only in the warm, very humid conditions used for testing standards. In a typical UK home you'll collect less, but that's normal for every dehumidifier, and the 20L rating gives it plenty of capacity for a 3–5 bedroom house.
How much does it cost to run?
At 216W it costs about 5p an hour at the time of writing, and less once it reaches your target humidity and cycles down. The exact figure depends on your electricity tariff.
Is it good for drying clothes?
Yes. It has a dedicated laundry mode, and a 20L compressor unit in a closed room with the washing is one of the cheapest ways to dry clothes indoors.
Does the HEPA filter need replacing?
Yes. The HEPA H13 filter is an ongoing cost, so check replacement prices when budgeting.
