Swan ActivAir 20L Dehumidifier (SH16810N) vs Meaco Arete One 20L
Get the Meaco Arete One 20L. Unless you'd rather spend about £100 less — the Swan SH16810N is simpler but louder.
Swan ActivAir 20L Dehumidifier (SH16810N)
A set-and-forget 20-litre dehumidifier for less than most: pick a humidity and a fan speed and leave it. Basic, with a smallish tank.
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 quieter, has a laundry mode and a filter that cleans the air. The Swan is cheaper and very easy to use, but it's on the loud side and has no laundry mode.
- —You'd like to spend less.
- —It's for a landing or hallway.
- —It'll run in a living room.
- —You dry 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
All 13 owners rated it 4 or 5 stars, for how much water it collects and how easy it is to use. Two of them found it noisy at times.
- ✓Collects a lot of water
- ✓Easy to use and move
None came up often enough to list.
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
- +Very easy to use
- +Removes up to 20 L a day
- +Cheaper than most 20 L models
- −Noisy enough that you may switch it off at night.
- −The 4 L tank needs emptying once or twice a day in damp weather.
- −No laundry mode or app.
- +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.
Tank
4 L on the Swan; 4.8 L on the Meaco.
Filters
The Meaco has a HEPA filter too.
Humidity setting
40 to 80% on the Swan; 40 to 70% on the Meaco.
Technical specifications
| Swan SH16810N | Arete One 20L | |
|---|---|---|
| Rated extraction | — | 20 litres a day at 30 °C, 80% humidity |
| At 20 °C, 60% humidity | — | 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 | 4 L, continuous drain possible (hose not included) | 4.8 litres; continuous drain (hose not included) |
| Humidity setting | 40–80% | 40 to 70% |
| Fan | — | 2 speeds, up to 160 m³ an hour |
| Power | — | 250 W maximum |
| Noise | — | From 38 dB |
| Room temperature | — | 5 to 35 °C |
| Filters | — | Washable dust filter and HEPA filter |
| Smart features | — | None |
| Size (H × W × D) | — | 61.8 × 36.6 × 27.2 cm |
| Weight | — | 15 kg |
| Extraction | Up to 20 L a day | — |
| Fan speeds | 2, plus sleep mode | — |
| Working range | 5–35 °C, auto defrost | — |
| Timer | 24 hours | — |
| Extras | Child lock, carry handle, castors | — |
| Cable | 1.5 m | — |
| Guarantee | 1 year, plus 1 more when registered | — |
From the maker's spec sheet for the Swan SH16810N (Swan ActivAir 20L Dehumidifier SH16810N (UK)) and the Arete One 20L (MeacoDry Arete One 20L), checked October 2026. Versions sold in other countries can differ slightly.
- Is the Swan SH16810N 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 Swan SH16810N: 13 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.
Owner reports for the Arete One 20L: 813 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.