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Ideal Home reviewed the Meaco 12L Low Energy Platinum Dehumidifier, priced at £182.99 in the report, after testing it for 10 days in a family home. The reviewer said it reduced humidity within hours and helped with laundry; the model is advertised as costing 4p an hour to run, but the report also noted a difficult-to-remove tank and no wheels.
Ideal Home has tested Meaco’s 12L Low Energy Platinum Dehumidifier, a £182.99 compressor model that the review says can reduce household humidity within hours and help dry laundry. The report says the unit is advertised as costing 4p per hour to run, while noting practical drawbacks including a 2.5-litre tank that was difficult to remove and empty.
The reviewer tested the 10kg, 157W appliance for 10 days in a three-bedroom family home, moving it between a utility room, a north-facing bedroom and an area outside the bathroom. Ideal Home said it was used to lower humidity, assist with laundry drying and test its air-cleaning mode. Its stated extraction rate is 12 litres a day, and the manufacturer’s recommended maximum room size is 50 square metres.
The review found that humidity levels fell across the home within a few hours. The dehumidifier also helped draw moisture from the air around drying laundry, though the reviewer said it was not the most efficient model they had tested for that purpose. A timer allowed the appliance to run for a set period, and its compact size and sturdy handle made it easier to carry between floors.
The model includes an air-purifier mode and a HEPA filter, as well as an automatic humidity sensor and child lock. It has no Wi-Fi connection, laundry mode or castor wheels; a continuous-drain hose can be used, but the hose is sold separately. The reviewer found the water tank filled quickly and described removing it as awkward. Pouring it out was also messy because the tank lacks a handle.
Humidity Control Beyond Condensation
The review speaks to a familiar household problem: colder, wetter weather can make it harder to dry clothes indoors and can increase condensation. A dehumidifier can collect moisture from the air, but the purchase decision also depends on running costs, room suitability and ease of use. Ideal Home’s reported test suggests this model performed well at lowering humidity, while its tank design could be inconvenient for frequent emptying.
The claimed 4p hourly running cost is part of the product’s appeal, particularly compared with using a tumble dryer, as the reviewer put it. That figure should be treated as a stated cost, not a guaranteed bill for every household: actual electricity costs depend on the appliance’s operating time and the user’s tariff. The review does not provide a detailed calculation or testing conditions for the hourly estimate.
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What the Ten-Day Test Covered
The 12L model is one of two products in Meaco’s Low Energy Platinum range; the other is a 20L dehumidifier and air purifier. The review describes the 12L unit as a compressor dehumidifier rated at 41 decibels, with a 2.5-litre tank and dimensions of 48.5 by 32.5 by 24.8 centimetres. It carries a Quiet Mark award, which the source says reflects acoustic standards.
For the air-purifier function, the reviewer tested whether the appliance would clear the smell of deliberately burnt toast with the windows shut. They said it made little difference compared with opening the windows. The review suggests the mode may be useful during pollen season, but it does not establish broader performance against airborne particles or allergens.
““I’ve found that it has reduced humidity levels throughout my home within a few hours.””
— Ideal Home reviewer
Limits of the Review Findings
The report is a 10-day test in one home, so its results do not establish how the dehumidifier will perform in every room, climate or household. The supplied material does not specify the electricity tariff or calculation behind the 4p-per-hour running-cost figure, nor does it give measured humidity readings, the amount of water collected or a quantified laundry-drying time.
The review also does not establish how effective the HEPA filter is against particular pollutants or pollen. Its burnt-toast test is a single odour comparison, not a full assessment of air purification. The listed price is £182.99 at Meaco in the report; current availability and pricing may differ.
Check Price and Room Requirements
Readers considering the model should check its current price, room-size guidance and operating costs with the retailer and compare those details with their own needs. The review reports that a drainage hose is optional and sold separately, which may matter for anyone planning continuous drainage. The source does not announce a new product launch or a forthcoming update; the next practical step is to check current product specifications and availability.
Key Questions
How much does the Meaco 12L dehumidifier cost?
The Ideal Home report listed it at £182.99 at Meaco. That is the price stated in the review, not a confirmation of today’s price.
Does it help dry laundry?
The reviewer said it helped remove moisture from the air around drying laundry, but also said it was not the most efficient dehumidifier they had tested for that task.
What does the 4p-an-hour figure mean?
The source describes 4p per hour as the appliance’s running cost. It does not give the tariff or calculation behind that estimate, so actual costs may vary.
Can it purify air as well as remove moisture?
The unit has an air-purifier mode and a HEPA filter. In the reviewer’s burnt-toast test, the mode made little difference to the smell compared with opening windows; the review does not provide a full performance assessment against allergens or pollutants.
What are the main usability drawbacks?
The reviewer found the 2.5-litre tank awkward to remove and empty, and said it filled quickly. The unit also has no castor wheels, and its optional continuous-drain hose is sold separately.
Source: idealhome.co.uk
