Meaco MeacoDry ABC Dehumidifier review 2023

Price on writing: £178 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

What we like

Quiet Mark certified
Compact and easy to store
Effective water collection
Laundry mode
Just 5p per hour to run
Adjustable auto shut off
Child lock
Garden hose option for continuous drainage

What we don’t like

Heavy
Needs frequent emptying

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What Mumsnet users say

"I bought an ABC Meaco 12l low energy job direct from Meaco. It costs a few pennies per hour to run but DD desperately needed one in her uni flat, which was damp to start with, and then she needed to dry her washing. Working really well it had reduced the humidity from about 75% to 60% and removed litres and litres of water to start with." (Recommended by Mumsnetter BigWoollyJumpers)

"Bought Meaco ABC 12l low energy for DD's damp university flat. Seems to collect an awful lot of water. Desperately needed though as old Edwardian flat, with extensions built on, and cold even with heating on. She has to dry clothes inside too which doesn't help." (Recommended by Mumsnet user KnittedCardi)

Our verdict

Small but mighty, this compact dehumidifier from Meaco is just the ticket for sucking up loads of water in a damp flat. Even if your home isn’t particularly humid, drying clothes indoors can lead to moisture settling on your walls and mould forming. A dehumidifier that’s cheap to run, small and quiet like the Meaco Dry ABC solves the problem without breaking the bank.

We really liked this model, and found it perfect for use in the colder months for drying laundry and keeping the air quality high inside our tester Andy’s flat. What’s more, its compact size means it can be easily stored away during the summer.

How does the MeacoDry ABC Dehumidifier work?

Like most dehumidifiers, the Meaco dry ABC works by drawing air from the room onto a refrigerated coil. Moisture collects here due to the cold temperature, and is trapped inside the dehumidifier tank, removing it from the atmosphere.

How easy is the MeacoDry ABC Dehumidifier to set up?

Our tester found the dehumidifier easy to set up and operate. The controls are simple, there aren’t too many buttons and the instructions are straightforward to follow.

What’s the MeacoDry ABC Dehumidifier like to use day-to-day?

Our tester’s 3-bedroom flat is on the lower ground floor and has a lot of condensation so he uses the dehumidifier a few times a week during the winter months.

The unit has lots of useful functions that make it easy and effective to use day to day. There’s an off timer (but not an on-timer), a child lock to keep little ones from playing with the settings, a laundry mode and two fan speeds to choose from. Its flexibility means it can be used for general dehumidifiying as well as to speed up laundry drying.

It is small, so does need emptying more than I'd like - but it's worth it for the neat design and compact size.

In terms of performance, it’s pretty impressive, filling up quickly with water extracted from the atmosphere. Because of its diminutive size, this does mean it needs emptying quite regularly, which might not suit everybody.

One of the best things about the Meaco Dry ABC is how quiet it is. At just 34dB it’s been awarded the Quiet Mark - a verification for high-performance, low-noise appliances. Brilliant for if you need a dehumidifier to run in a bedroom or while you work, without distracting or waking you.

Does the MeacoDry ABC Dehumidifier offer value for money?

At £178, this is at the more expensive end of the market for smaller dehumidifiers; and at 5p per hour, it falls around the middle in terms of running costs.

It’s a very efficient device, quiet and compact - the laundry setting is also really useful. We think it’s great value if you’re looking for a versatile, quiet dehumidifier to keep moisture in check in your home.

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How we tested

Our reviewer Andy tested the Meaco Dry ABC over the course of 4 months in his 3-bedroom flat. He tested it outside the bathroom and in a spare bedroom while drying laundry, noting how effective it was at reducing moisture and humidity levels.

Andy also took note of how straightforward the dehumidifier was to set up, empty and what it’s like to use day to day.

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