When torrential rains hit or humid coastal air lingers, the damage to a home goes far beyond foggy windows. Unchecked indoor moisture warps timber floors, ruins plush linen upholstery, triggers stubborn powdery mildew in walk-in wardrobes, and creates a breeding ground for mould. However, there is one tried and tested way to prevent mould growth before it begins: investing in a high-quality dehumidifier.
5 signs you need a dehumidifier
- Your windows fog up
- Water stains have appeared on your walls or windows
- Certain areas of the house have a musty scentt
- Small amounts of mould are beginning to pop up
- Debris falls from interior brick walls
For interior stylists, design-conscious homeowners, and those of us living in heritage homes (which are notorious for mould and moisture issues), investing in a dehumidifier isn’t really an optional expense; it’s an essential step in protecting your home’s architecture, furnishings, and indoor air quality. However, to select one that really makes a difference, you have to select one that works for your home environment.
With the help of Colin Jones, category expert at Appliances Online, we’ve rounded up all the different types of dehumidifiers, and how to find your perfect fit. Read on to find out whether dehumidifiers can really get rid of mould (with tips from Dee Carter, professor in microbiology at the University of Sydney), and discover seven of the best machines to prevent dampness from wreaking havoc in your home this winter.
Protect your home with Australia’s best dehumidifiers of 2026
01
De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Pure 21L
Best for: smart homes & open-plan spaces
If you have a sprawling open-plan living zone or high ceilings, standard compact units won’t cut it. De’Longhi’s 21L dehumidifier and air purifier combo is an absolute powerhouse designed to maintain air balance in larger footprint homes. And with an anti-allergen filter, real-time humidity indicator, laundry function, and capacity for 24hr extraction, it offers total peace of mind.
Why we love it: Features Wi-Fi connectivity compatible with Apple Home and the De’Longhi AriaDry app, letting you schedule moisture removal while you’re away from home.
Top tip: Position in central hallway areas during humid summer snaps to pull ambient moisture out of surrounding bedrooms.
Also available from:
02
Breville The Smart Dry Plus
Best for: urban apartments & air filtration
This clever dehumidifier from Breville combines sleek aesthetic curves with double-duty air purification. It uses a two-stage filtration system equipped with an active carbon filter that traps lingering cooking odours and smoke alongside excess humidity.
Why we love it: The dedicated ‘Laundry Mode’ adjusts fan speeds automatically to dry hanging damp garments indoors without turning your room into a sauna.
Best Suited For: Open-plan dining and living areas where appliance aesthetics matter.
Also available from:
03
Ausclimate Cool Seasons Premium 10L Desiccant
Best for: cold climates & year-round moisture control
Standard compressor models struggle when room temperatures drop below 15°C. Ausclimate’s desiccant technology excels in cold environments (operating down to 1°C), making it the gold standard for Southern state winters in Victoria, Tasmania, and Southern NSW. This model’s 12-hour timer and continuous drainage hose option also come in handy for particularly problematic homes.
Why we love it: Approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program, it effectively eliminates condensation that feeds dust mites and allergens.
Best Suited For: Cold winter bedrooms, heritage homes without underfloor insulation, and coastal regions with damp winters
Also available from:
04
IXL IW25-5 In-Wall Dehumidifier
Best for: renovations & luxury builds
For homeowners who despise clutter or visible cords, IXL offers a revolutionary solution: an in-wall dehumidifier recessed directly into timber stud framing during a build or renovation. Boasting plumbed drainage and an automatic humistat control, it’s brilliant for protecting your home long-term.
Why we love it: It drains continuously into the home’s greywater plumbing or wall cavity drainage, meaning you will never have to empty a water tank again.
Best Suited For: New home builds, master suite renovations, luxury laundries, and high-end coastal retreats.
Also available from:
05
De’Longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Multi 16L
Best for: respiratory health issues
A lighter sibling to De’Longhi’s 21L model, this 16L version hits the sweet spot for master bedroom suites, walk-in robes, and large family laundries. Those who love sleeping in silence will also adore the quiet night mode for quiet, dry sleeps.
Why we love it: Sensitive Choice approved with a certified asthma filter, it aggressively tackles excess steam from morning showers before it can seep into adjacent bed linens.
Best Suited For: Master suites and dedicated indoor laundry spaces.
Also available from:
06
Ionmax Desiccant Dehumidifier
Best for: ultra-quiet operation for bedrooms
Without a mechanical compressor motor, desiccant units are inherently quieter. Ionmax’s 8L unit runs at a whisper, allowing you to run it overnight in children’s bedrooms without disruption. If you’re planning to move it from room to room, you’ll also find the lightweight build incredibly helpful.
Why we love it: Silver nano-technology filters purify air particles while removing humidity, ensuring crisp, fresh air upon waking
Best Suited For: Nurseries, home offices, and guest bedrooms.
Also available from:
07
Devanti Dehumidifier & Air Purifier 2L
Best for: a mini dehumidifier for walk-in robes
High humidity in enclosed dressing rooms can quickly ruin silk, leather shoes, and woollen knits with powdery mildew. This compact dehumidifier-and-air-purifier combo unit is small enough to sit on a robe shelf.
Why we love it: Minimal energy consumption, ultra-compact profile, and simple touch controls.
Best Suited For: Walk-in wardrobes, walk-in pantries, and linen cupboards.
Also available from:
Stylist, Lucy Gough, shares how to get the most out of your dehumidifier
Since the onslaught of floods in Sydney and along the east coast a few years ago, HB stylist Lucy Gough had no fewer than 26 industrial-sized units in her house to remove water in the walls, floors and furnishings. Between the water damage and her son’s respiratory issues, Lucy still relies heavily on her home dehumidifier; “We use it once a week in each room – bedrooms, kids’ room and living spaces,” she says.
After running it for four hours, the reservoir collects around a litre of water from the air in each room – though Lucy’s dehumidifier from Ionmax is capable of removing up to 16 litres of moisture in just 24 hours. “It’s the one appliance I can’t do without in our home,” says Lucy, who also recommends using a dehumidifier for drying clothes – simply hanging them on the clothes horse in her ensuite with the door closed.
“Because we’re in a small apartment, the whole apartment goes damp when we run the dryer, Lucy says. It’s cheaper than running a dryer, too. Just be sure there’s no open water source in the room, eg. close toilet seats and cover fish tanks. All windows and doors must be closed to ensure best results in removing water from your rooms.
Buyer’s guide: how to choose the right dehumidifier
“Compressor dehumidifiers, also known as refrigerant dehumidifiers, draw air in, cool it to condense water into a water tank, reheat it, then expel the warmer air back into the room. This makes them ideal for warmer areas,” says Colin.
Desiccant dehumidifiers, on the other hand, “use a wheel to absorb moisture from the humid air, while an internal heater heats the damp sections to condense the water into a tank. Since they don’t utilise a compressor, desiccant dehumidifiers often have a lower noise level when compared to other models.
Compressor vs. desiccant dehumidifiers at a glance:
| How they work | Perks | Best for | |
| Compressor Dehumidifiers | Pull air over cold coils to condense moisture into water droplets. | Higher energy efficiency in temperatures above 20°C. | Warm, humid climates (Queensland, Sydney summers, coastal NSW). |
| Desiccant Dehumidifiers | Pass air through an absorbent desiccant wheel heated internally. | Emits slightly warm air, gently raising room temperature during chilly months. | Cold climates (Melbourne, ACT, Tasmania) or unheated rooms in winter. |
Do dehumidifiers get rid of mould?
Dehumidifiers can purify the air and remove excess moisture that can lead to mould growth, but they won’t get rid of the mould itself, says Dee Carter, professor in microbiology at the University of Sydney. “They are a treatment but not a cure. But they are good for times when there is uncharacteristic mould growth.”
In short, the best treatment is prevention: invest in one of these machines before mould starts to take over your home.
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