Meaco MeacoDry Arete One 20L Review

For a living room, kitchen or hallway, run the Arete One in Smart Humidity mode at a target of 50-55%. The unit switches itself off when the room reaches that level and restarts when humidity creeps back up, which keeps the running cost low and avoids the constant hum of a unit that never stops.

For drying laundry indoors, switch to laundry mode. It runs for six hours at full power and then switches off, which suits a full airer placed in a closed room with the door shut. Spread clothes out rather than bunching them, and keep the machine a metre or so from the washing so air can circulate freely.

If you use it in a bedroom, night mode dims the display and drops the fan to its lowest, quietest setting. At 40dB that is a steady, low hum, so light sleepers should still test it in the room for a night or two before relying on it.

In a garage, caravan or cold outbuilding, remember that all compressor dehumidifiers lose efficiency as the temperature drops. Below roughly 10-15°C a desiccant model such as the Meaco DD8L will extract more water.

Empty the 4.8L tank when the unit stops and the full-tank light comes on, or connect a drain hose to run it continuously. Wipe the tank occasionally and replace the HEPA filter roughly once a year, or sooner in a home with pets or dust.

Where to put it. Stand the unit on a flat, level surface in the room where the problem is worst, at least 20-30cm from walls, curtains and furniture so air can flow through the intake and exhaust. Keep doors and windows closed while it runs, otherwise it spends its time treating the whole house and the outdoors.

Setting a sensible target. Most UK guidance treats around 50% as a comfortable, mould-resistant level, so Smart Humidity mode at 50-55% is a good default. Setting it much lower than 45% makes the compressor work harder for little benefit and dries the air more than most people find comfortable.

Running it through the day. In a home that is heated and occupied, a 20L unit in Smart Humidity mode will usually cycle rather than run flat out. If it never reaches the target and runs constantly, the room is either larger than the machine can handle or moisture is being replaced as fast as it is removed, from wet washing, cooking or an unvented bathroom. Fixing the source with extraction or ventilation helps more than any dehumidifier setting.

Keeping it healthy. Empty and rinse the tank every few weeks, wipe the intake grille and replace the HEPA filter about once a year. A clean filter keeps airflow up, which keeps the running cost down.