Meaco MeacoDry Arete Two 20L Review

Meaco is a British company that has specialised in dehumidifiers since 1991, and the Arete Two range is the result of five years of development aimed squarely at UK housing stock — old sash windows, solid brick walls, homes without cavity insulation. The 20L model sits in the middle of the Arete Two line-up (10L to 25L) and is the size Meaco itself recommends for a typical 3-4 bedroom house.

Unlike cheaper compressor units that simply run flat-out until you switch them off, the Arete Two uses a brushless DC motor paired with a smart humidity sensor: set a target (for example 50%) and the unit runs until it hits that level, then idles, checking every 30 minutes rather than running continuously. That's the main reason owners report barely noticing a change on their electricity bill despite running it 24/7 through winter.

For a damp bedroom or living room, Meaco recommends running the Arete Two in Smart Humidity mode set to 50-55%, which is the level most UK health guidance points to as the ceiling for avoiding dust mites and mould growth. It will cycle on and off automatically rather than running non-stop.

For drying laundry indoors — the single most common reason UK buyers search for a dehumidifier — place the unit next to a clothes airer, close the door, and activate Laundry mode. It runs at full power for six hours and then shuts off automatically to save energy; most owners report a full load dry in 4-6 hours, versus 24-48 hours of air-drying without one.

Best placement is a central spot in the room with a few centimetres of clearance on all sides for airflow — not tucked into a corner or behind furniture. In a hallway or landing, leaving adjoining doors open lets one unit dehumidify several rooms at once.