Swan ActivAir 20L Dehumidifier (SH16810N) vs Meaco Arete Two 20L
Get the Meaco Arete Two 20L. Unless you want to spend half as much — then the Swan SH16810N.
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 Two 20L
The newer Arete One: quieter, more efficient and faster at drying washing, with app control. Expert Reviews' best dehumidifier overall.
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Both are 20-litre dehumidifiers. The Arete Two is Expert Reviews' best overall: quieter, faster at drying washing, with a bigger tank and an app. The Swan is far cheaper and simpler, but louder and basic.
- —You want the best one.
- —You dry washing indoors.
- —You want an app.
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 fast it dries washing, how much water it pulls out and the app. Only two of 134 were unhappy: one found clothes still wet after 18 hours, the other a humidity reading that ran low.
- ✓Dries washing fast
- ✓Pulls out a lot of water, clears condensation
- ✓App control
None came up often enough to list.
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.
- +Quieter and more efficient than the Arete One
- +Fast at drying washing
- +App control and scheduling
- −Some app features, like scheduling, are hard to find.
- −Heavy to carry between floors at about 15 kg.
- −Costs more than the Arete One it replaces.
For the curious
A deeper look at full specs.
Tank
4 L on the Swan; 4.8 L on the Meaco.
Extras
The Meaco adds a HEPA filter, a third fan speed, a louvre and app control.
Technical specifications
| Swan SH16810N | Arete Two 20L | |
|---|---|---|
| Rated extraction | — | 20 litres a day at 30 °C, 80% humidity; 12 litres at 27 °C, 60% |
| At 20 °C, 60% humidity | — | 8.5 litres a day (207 W) |
| At 10 °C, 60% humidity | — | 3.35 litres a day (176 W) |
| Type | Compressor | Compressor, DC 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 | — | 3 speeds, 150 to 255 m³ an hour; automatic louvre |
| Power | — | 230 W |
| Noise | — | From 38 dB |
| Room temperature | — | 5 to 35 °C |
| Filters | — | Washable dust filter and HEPA filter; optional charcoal filter |
| Modes | — | Smart humidity, air purification, smart energy, night, continuous, laundry |
| Smart features | — | App, Alexa and Google; 1 to 24 hour timer |
| Refrigerant | — | R290 |
| Size (H × W × D) | — | 61.8 × 36.6 × 27.2 cm |
| Weight | — | 15.1 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 Two 20L (MeacoDry Arete Two 20L), checked October 2026. Versions sold in other countries can differ slightly.
- Is the Swan SH16810N worth it?
- Is the Arete Two 20L 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 Two 20L: 134 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.