That depends on your humidity levels and what you’re trying to achieve. You don’t always have to leave your dehumidifier on, but you may want to if your damp problem is severe. Also, it can be cheaper to run them at night.

Dehumidifiers | Ansio

Type: Air ioniser | Extraction amount: 20 litres | Tank capacity: 3 litres | Dimensions: D24.5 x W35 x H51cm | Weight: ‎15.6 kg | Power: 260W | Noise level: 37dB | Max room size: 70m²| Laundry mode: No | Warranty: 2 years What we like

The top of the device is designed to improve airflow through the absorber, leading to greater extraction than competing models. In fact, Unibond claims that it can remove the first drop of water within just 12 hours. Portability: A model with a handle or wheels/castors (or both) will be easier to move around, especially if you buy a large, heavy dehumidifier. If you’re only ever going to use the dehumidifier in one room and won’t want to put it away much, this might not be so important to you. Type: Compressor Dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 12L | Tank capacity: 2.1L | Dimensions: H42 x W32 x D21.5cm | Weight: N/A | Power: 250W | Cost per hour: 0.8p | Noise level: 45dB | Max room size: 35m²| Laundry mode: No | Warranty: 1 year What we like If you are looking for a no-fuss, no-faff dehumidifier, then Currys Essentials has the best 10L dehumidifier for you! Quite a few Mumsnetters mentioned it by name because it is easy to use, effective and reasonably priced, perfect for those who can live without the bells and whistles. From older, draughty houses to unheated, low-traffic spaces like a garage or basement, experts recommend a desiccant dehumidifier, like the EcoAir DD1 Simple, as the most effective type in colder temperatures (far more than its compressor counterparts). What’s more, Mumsnetters love this model for its compact, slimline design with a portable carry handle and its ability to quietly extract up to seven litres of water daily (so you won’t be disturbed whilst sleeping or working from home!).

ANSIO 12L/Day Dehumidifier for Home Damp Condensation

If you have a serious damp or condensation problem, it’s worth buying a model with a bigger tank so that it keeps working all night. How to choose the best dehumidifier for your home Like other moisture absorbers, this model doesn't actively pull in air to remove water. Instead, it uses passive crystals to attract and collect water from air that passes through it. For this reason, it's important to place it at least 10cm away from a wall to increase circulation.​ Unibond also recommends using itin rooms that are 10 square metres or less, which is relatively small.

Best dehumidifiers at a glance

They are brilliant, we have one running every night, makes a huge difference, we brought ours based on the number of bedrooms in our house. Saves wiping down windows in the mornings. Drying of washing when you can’t hang it outside at this time of year, Well worth the money, ours is full every morning."(Vetted by Mumsnet user Roselilly36) Our verdict To give you an idea of the quantity of water we're talking about, a single tablet of the Aero 360 removes around 500ml before needing to be replaced. A tablet can last several months before it dissolves, so the product is capable of removing around half a litre in that time. In comparison, the best domestic dehumidifiers can remove 20+ litres per day. As explained above, make sure you’re using your dehumidifier at times of day when it will be the cheapest and most effective. Does a dehumidifier use a lot of electricity? Type: Compressor dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 20L | Tank capacity: 6L | Dimensions: H62.3 x W37.7 x D26.2cm | Weight: 13kg | Power: 280W | Cost per hour: 9p | Noise level: 41dB | Max room size: N/A | Laundry mode: Yes | Warranty: 1 year What we like

UniBond Aero 360° Compact Device

A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air to dry out the room, depositing it safely inside its water tank until you are ready to pour it away. Its job is to help you reach the optimum humidity level, and some even purify the air, removing allergens and dust through their filter.There are a few key things you need to consider when shopping for a dehumidifier, and various features you need to weigh up the importance of in terms of quality. Here are the sort of things you should be looking at when considering the best dehumidifier for your needs: According to learnmetrics.com, a dehumidifier uses between 300 watts and 700 watts of energy per hour, depending on size and efficiency. That’s not much - more than your fridge but less than things like kettles and hair dryers. What's the best dehumidifier to buy? In addition, the tablet includes a substance tohelps neutralise odours. This is useful for getting rid of musty smells that often accompany damp and condensation.​ It's nowhere near as effective as a true air filter, but is a nice bonus. Aside from this feature, the E-Connect has the same 360 design to increase airflow, a single replacement tab and ​an attractive design.