I tested the ABSODRY Duo Family Moisture Absorber - here's what I thought

Price on writing: £18 (small) £28 (large) | Buy now from Amazon

How I tested

I set up two Absodry Duo moisture absorbers in damp spots in my home, then left them to absorb moisture in the air. After a month, I checked the moisture absorbers, noting their efficiency and how easy they were to empty. I rated the moisture absorbers against a number of standardised criteria and compared them to similar products including the Unibond Aero.

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Absodry Duo Family Moisture Absorber: my verdict

Performance: 15/15

Quality and durability: 14/15

Ease of use: 12/15

Value for money: 10/15

Refill value for money: 5/10

Plastic waste: 9/10

Style: 10/10

Scent: 10/10 (unscented)

Total: 85/100

We've all got that one spot in the house that seems to collect every last bit of moisture from everyday life. A dehumidifier helps when I'm drying laundry, dealing with a leak or a serious damp problem. However, when I want to keep on top of general daily moisture, a non-electric moisture absorber is my go-to.

I've been using a Unibond Aero for a couple of years now, and it does an excellent job. However, it's not the best looking thing to have on my windowsill, and the liquid it collects is a rather off-putting bright blue. So I was eager to try out the Absodry Duo - a moisture absorber designed with both form and function in mind.

The moisture absorber was very simple to set up, although it's easy to miss the plastic bag that holds the absorbent inner bag - this needs to be removed for the moisture absorber to work. Once that's sorted, a fabric bag of absorbent crystals (like the little silica gel sachets you get in new shoes) sits inside the tough plastic case and gets to work.

As they use no electricity and make no noise, looking pretty was the Absodry's only job for the next month. Available in a range of colours to suit every home, I tested large blue and small dark grey models. The Absodry's design reminds me of an old fashioned radio, and I like the soft colours and rounded shape.

As the tank fills with water, there's a discreet indicator to show you how full it is. One bag fills the tank up, so there's no need to empty the moisture absorber until it's full.

I've been really impressed with the Absodry - it does the job cleanly and efficiently, and looks good on my shelf while it's at it. While it's more expensive both as a starter pack and to refill than the Unibond Aero, I think it's worth spending that bit extra to have something that blends in with my home.

Related: Best quiet dehumidifier

How effective is the Absodry Duo Family Moisture Absorber?

I set the large 1-litre model up on a high shelf in my bathroom. I open the window in this room regularly to clear condensation, and we do have an extractor fan that comes on when the light is on, but it still tends to get damp in this room, so a moisture absorber that's always on duty is a must.

After one month the moisture absorber had collected about 700ml of liquid, which is an impressive amount for a non-electric dehumidifier like this one.

The smaller one is set up in my bedroom, and has collected less liquid - which is understandable as there's less moisture in the air when compared to a bathroom.

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How do you empty and refill the Absodry Duo Family Moisture Absorber?

With a discreet little spout on the side, emptying the Absodry Duo is very easy - you simply tip the liquid into the sink. What's more, it's a clear liquid; so I wasn't concerned about it staining anything.

To refill, unwrap a new refill bag and place it in the centre of the case, then replace the lid. The old fabric bag can be thrown away.

Price: is the Absodry Duo Family Moisture Absorber worth it?

At £28 for the large model and £18 for the small, the Absodry isn't cheap. Compared to the Unibond Aero, which costs around £12 for a starter kit, it's pretty expensive.

Similarly, the refills are more expensive for the Absodry. They come in the form of a fabric bag filled with silica crystals and priced at £11 for two, whereas the Unibond Aero uses hard, donut-shaped refills, which retail for around half the price, that's £11 for four.

However, I'd much rather have the aesthetically pleasing Absodry on display in my home than a cheaper and less appealing option, so to me, the extra expense is justified. It's clear from looking at the Absodry that it's made from higher quality materials that'll last longer, too.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.