Updated 27 Oct 2026
Is the Swan ActivAir 20L Dehumidifier (SH16810N) worth it?
Yes — if you want it simple and cheap.
You set the humidity you want, choose one of two fan speeds and leave it; there's a timer and a swing louvre to spread the air. It cut a test room's humidity by 18% in two hours. At 45 to 49 dB it isn't quiet, and the 4 L tank needs emptying once or twice a day in damp winter weather. There are no laundry or smart modes.
100%of 13 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Very easy to use
- Removes up to 20 L a day
- Cheaper than most 20 L models
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What owners say
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.
Good to know
- 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.
From 13 buyer ratings at Currys, every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Collects a lot of waterMentioned a lot
- Easy to use and moveMentioned a lot
What they complain about
Hardly any: just 0 of 13 owners gave it 3 stars or fewer, and no complaint came up often enough to list.
Get it if…
- You want a big dehumidifier that's simple to use.
- You'd like to spend less.
- It's for a landing or living area, not a bedroom.
Skip it if…
- You want a laundry mode or app: get the Arete Two 20L.
- It's for a bedroom: it's on the loud side.
For the curious
A deeper look at full specs.
Running cost
Swan puts it at as little as 8p an hour to run.
Draining
The 4 L tank pulls out to empty. For continuous draining you add your own hose.
Technical specifications
| Type | Compressor |
|---|---|
| Extraction | Up to 20 L a day |
| Tank | 4 L, continuous drain possible (hose not included) |
| Humidity setting | 40–80% |
| 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 model Swan ActivAir 20L Dehumidifier SH16810N (UK), checked October 2026. Versions sold in other countries can differ slightly.
More on the Swan SH16810N
How we reached this verdict
Expert Reviews picks it as its easiest dehumidifier to use: set it and forget it, with decent power (an 18% drop in two hours) and a neat design for less than much of the competition. It's not the quietest, the tank is small and there are few extra features.
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: best dehumidifiers, Swan, T3, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 27 Oct 2026How we decide