What to look for in a dehumidifier for a UK flat — the right size for 1 and 2-bed flats, quiet running, laundry mode and where to put it — with picks by situation.
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For most 1–2 bedroom flats, a 10–12 litre compressor dehumidifier with a laundry mode and a quiet setting is the best all-rounder; choose 20 litres if you dry washing indoors most days. In a cold flat, a 7–10 litre desiccant model works better. Place it centrally (a hallway) with doors open to serve the whole flat, or in the worst room with the door closed.
Flats are where a lot of UK condensation problems are worst. Small rooms, nowhere to dry washing, often no tumble dryer, kitchens and bathrooms with weak extractor fans — and, in many blocks, windows that don’t open far. A good dehumidifier can make a flat feel completely different, but it needs to suit small spaces.
| Flat | Heated (compressor) | Cold (desiccant) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bed | 10–12L | 7–8L |
| 2-bed | 10–12L | 8–10L |
| 2-bed with daily laundry or damp in several rooms | 12–20L | 10L, or two units |
For a recommendation based on your own flat, use the dehumidifier size calculator, and see 10L vs 12L vs 20L for the trade-offs.
More detail in how to use a dehumidifier.
Best for most flats
The all-rounder for a heated 1–2 bed flat.
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If you dry washing indoors
Cold or ground-floor flats
How we choose: these are types of product matched to the criteria in this guide, not individually tested models. Check current specifications and reviews before you buy.
If you rent and there’s mould, broken fans or windows that won’t open, report it to your landlord in writing — see our guide on whether dehumidifiers help with mould for what to do in the meantime.
A 10–12 litre compressor model suits most one-bedroom flats. If the flat is cold, a 7–8 litre desiccant model is a better fit. Size up to 12–20 litres if you dry a lot of washing indoors.
10–12 litres for most two-bedroom flats, or 12–20 litres with daily indoor laundry or condensation in several rooms. Our size calculator gives a recommendation based on your flat.
In the hallway with internal doors open if you want it to serve the whole flat, or in the worst room — usually a bedroom or the room where washing dries — with the door closed.
Very unlikely. Most home dehumidifiers run at around 35–50dB — similar to a quiet conversation or a fridge. Keep it on a hard, level floor to avoid vibration, especially on wooden floors.
Landlords must keep rented homes free from serious hazards, including damp and mould caused by disrepair, poor ventilation or broken extractor fans. Report it in writing with photos and dates. A dehumidifier helps with condensation, but it doesn't replace repairs your landlord should make.
How to dry washing indoors with a dehumidifier without damp, how long it takes, the set-up that works best, and what size and features to look for.
What the litre rating on a dehumidifier really means, and how 10L, 12L, 20L and 25L models compare on capacity, size, noise, tank and running cost in UK homes.
Why bedroom windows are wet every morning, what to do straight away, and the fixes that stop condensation on windows for good in UK homes.
