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Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier review: "it sped up the drying process significantly"

Can a desiccant dehumidifier really make a difference to a damp, chilly home? Mumsnet tester Chris put the Meaco Zambezi through its paces. Here's what she thought.

By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Sep 25, 2025

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Mumsnet Badge Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier

Price on writing: £260 | Buy now from Meaco

Our rating:

What we like
  • Helps warm up the room

  • Speeds up laundry drying

  • Easy to move

  • Keeps mould at bay

What we don't like
  • Could be quieter

  • Not as economical to use as a compressor model

Key specs

Type: Desiccant Dehumidifier | Extraction amount: 8L | Tank capacity:  3L | Dimensions: 548 x 358 x 200mm | Weight: 7.8kg | Power: 350W | Cost per hour: 9p | Noise level: 41dB | Laundry drying mode: Yes | Warranty: 2 years

How we tested

Our reviewer Chris put the Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier to the test in her home, pitting it against damp, cold and full loads of laundry straight from her washing machine. Setting the dehumidifier up in the centre of her bungalow and in a smaller room for drying laundry, she took detailed notes on user-friendliness, efficiency, effectiveness and noise levels.

Read next: The best dehumidifiers for drying clothes

Meaco zambezi dehumidifier

Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier: Chris' verdict

Performance: 13/15

Quality and durability: 12/15

Ease of use: 10/15

Value for money: 12/15

Noise levels: 8/10

Energy: 7/10

Portability: 10/10

Range of settings: 8/10

Total: 80/100

"Having experienced damp in our previous home, I was keen to get on top of it before mould started to grow in our bungalow. The walls in my home feel very cold and a desiccant dehumidifier seemed like the best bet for keeping the temperature and humidity levels in check.

The Meaco Zambezi is very effective, pumping out slightly warm air while drawing moisture from the air in the house.

Placing the dehumidifier in the centre of our home, I run it for an hour in the morning and again in the evening on a low fan setting. This keeps damp at bay throughout the rooms and helps maintain the temperature.

For drying laundry, I noticed a real difference - the dehumidifier speeds things up. Noise-wise, it's not too obtrusive on a low setting, but I wouldn’t want it on in a room we were occupying - at 41dB it's quiet, but not the quietest dehumidifier.

I feel this dehumidifier really helps maintain a fresher, warmer atmosphere in my home."

Read next: Best washing machine

Meaco Zambezi dehumidifier control panel

Is the Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier effective for drying clothes?

"Drying washing wasn’t my main concern, but having trialled it, the dehumidifier was very good and sped up the drying process significantly, especially noticeable with denim. I'll definitely keep using it for drying towels and bed linens too."

Related: Best tumble dryers

What's the Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier like to use day to day?

"I run the dehumidifier on a low setting for about an hour each morning and evening. This is enough to make a difference to the temperature and air quality in my home, so I'm very pleased with it.

It could be quieter, but at 41dB on its lowest setting, it's not an issue for how and when I use the dehumidifier. I wouldn't want it on in a room I'm trying to relax in though!

In addition to running it morning and evening to keep the humidity down and the temperature up, it's very useful for speeding up the process of drying laundry indoors. All in all, it's a useful thing to have around - especially during the colder months."

Read next: Best steam irons

Does the Meaco DD8L Zambezi Dehumidifier offer good value for money?

At £260, the Meaco Zambezi is by no means cheap. However, the price is in line with other Meaco dehumidifiers, and the brand is far and away the most frequently and highly recommended for dehumidifiers on the Mumsnet forums.

As this is a desiccant dehumidifier rather than a compressor, it's marginally better at drying laundry and comes with the added bonus of expelling warm air. If your home is on the cold side, it's worth considering a desiccant over a compressor - Meaco explain the differences in this useful article.

Effective, reliable and from a brand known for its high quality products, we think the Meaco Zambezi is well worth the price.

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.

With an MA in Creative Writing and a PGCert in Lifestyle Journalism, Poppy's written about parenting topics for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Sun. She's a best-selling, award-winning author, and her books for children and parents have been translated into 12 languages.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.