Meaco 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier vs Meaco Arete One 20L
For most homes, get the Meaco Arete One 20L. For a flat or a few rooms, the 12L Low Energy is enough for less.
Meaco 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier
A long-running, cheap-to-run 12-litre dehumidifier with a HEPA filter and a timer. Good at drying washing, but loud for its size and fiddly to set.
Meaco Arete One 20L
The one most UK homes should get for damp, condensation and drying washing indoors.
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The Arete One is bigger, quieter and right-sized for a typical house, with a laundry mode. The 12L Low Energy is cheaper and cheap to run, but some owners in three-bed houses found it too weak, and many found it noisy.
- —It's for a flat or a couple of rooms.
- —You'd like to spend less.
- —It's for a whole house.
- —You want it quieter.
- —You dry a lot of washing indoors.
What verified owners report
Only reviews from checked buyers count, and every 1–3 star review is read by us. How we do this
Owners love how much water it pulls out and how well it dries washing. The main complaint is noise, followed by owners who found it too weak for their house.
- ✓Pulls out a lot of water, clears damp
- ✓Dries washing
- ✓Quiet
- −Noisy
- −Too weak for their home
Owners love how much water it pulls out and how fast it dries laundry. The few unhappy ones found it noisy.
- ✓Pulls lots of water out and dries laundry fast
- ✓Quiet
- ✓Easy to use and empty
- −Noisier than expected
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Cheap to run, about 4p an hour
- +Dries washing well
- +Timer and HEPA filter
- −Many owners found it noisy, with a single fan speed.
- −Some found it too weak for a three-bed house.
- −A few found the built-in humidity reading inaccurate.
- +Right size for most houses
- +Laundry mode for drying clothes
- +Cleans the air while it dries
- −The tank fills quickly in very damp homes unless you use a hose.
- −Noticeable hum on the highest fan setting.
For the curious
A deeper look at full specs.
At 20 °C
At 20 °C and 60% humidity the 12L removes about 4.8 litres a day; the Arete One about 8.5.
Tank
2.5 litres against 4.8 litres.
Technical specifications
| Meaco 12L Low Energy | Arete One 20L | |
|---|---|---|
| Rated extraction | 12 litres a day at 30 °C, 80% humidity | 20 litres a day at 30 °C, 80% humidity |
| At 20 °C, 60% humidity | 4.77 litres a day | 8.5 litres a day (216 W) |
| At 10 °C, 60% humidity | — | 3.4 litres a day (180 W) |
| Type | Compressor | Compressor, AC motor |
| Tank | 2.5 litres; continuous drain (hose not included) | 4.8 litres; continuous drain (hose not included) |
| Humidity setting | 30 to 90% | 40 to 70% |
| Fan | 1 speed, 90 m³ an hour | 2 speeds, up to 160 m³ an hour |
| Power | 157 W | 250 W maximum |
| Noise | From 41 dB | From 38 dB |
| Room temperature | 5 to 35 °C | 5 to 35 °C |
| Filters | Washable dust filter; optional HEPA filter | Washable dust filter and HEPA filter |
| Smart features | — | None |
| Size (H × W × D) | 47.5 × 32.5 × 24.8 cm | 61.8 × 36.6 × 27.2 cm |
| Weight | 9.8 kg | 15 kg |
| Modes | Laundry, air purification, continuous; off timer 1–12 hours | — |
From the maker's spec sheet for the Meaco 12L Low Energy (Meaco 12L Low Energy) and the Arete One 20L (MeacoDry Arete One 20L), checked October 2026. Versions sold in other countries can differ slightly.
- Is the Meaco 12L Low Energy worth it?
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How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Expert Reviews, T3, manufacturer specifications.
Owner reports for the Meaco 12L Low Energy: 2,018 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.
Owner reports for the Arete One 20L: 813 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.