Meaco DD8L Dehumidifier review byemould anti-bacterial filter ioniser hay fever asthma pollen spores fungi dust dirt

The excellent Meaco DD8L Desiccant Dehumidifier

Like you, I have also suffered from mould and damp problems…until I got a Meaco DD8L Compact dehumidifier! At first my wife was sceptical about this great unit but now she has been converted in part because of the ultra low running costs. Read on…

Meaco is a leading brand in UK dehumidifier technology and the Meaco DD8L is the result of 8 years of research and listening to customer requests.

You will find that this is a great machine which is very suitable to the winter temperatures of the UK. I have personally owned one for over 2 years and can’t recommend it enough!

We will start this review with a quick bullet point summary of the main features, specifications, pros and cons of the Meaco DD8L dehumidifier.This will be followed by an extensive review.

Features of the Meaco DD8L Dehumidifier

  • Auto Restart
  • 8 Litre Capacity
  • Ioniser
  • Covered Tank
  • Simple style control panel
  • Continuous Drainage
  • Anti-bacterial filter
  • Ideal for domestic Applications
  • Ideal for drying laundry
  • Up to 80% less energy consumption
  • Great for the environment

Specifications of the Meaco DD8L Dehumidifier

  • Power Supply (Ph/V/Hz): 1-220~240V/50Hz
  • Moisture Removal: 8L/Day
  • Power consumption 30/330/650W
  • Noise Level: 39/43/48 dB(A)
  • Water Tank Volume; 2.0l
  • Operating Range   1 – 37 ­­°C
  • Applicable Area 18 – 30 (m2)
  • Net Dimension (W*H*D)  351mm x 500mm x 188mm
  • Net/Gross weight  6.4 / 7.4Kg

Pros of the Meaco DD8L

  • Only runs 10 minutes every hour once humidity level has been reached
  • Contains all the bells and whistles
  • Suitable for those with hay fever, asthma and other respiratory disabilities
  • Strong extraction rate
  • Ideal for drying washing indoors

Cons of the Meaco DD8L

  • We would love to see an adjustable louvre on this unit

Click Here To See The Latest Meaco DD8L Price on Amazon

Extraction Rate and Running Cost Meaco DD8L Compact Dehumidifier review byemould mould mold damp humidity condensation laundry mode drying washing indoors best uk

The Meaco DD8L Compact, as the name implies, can extract up to 8 litres of moisture per day.

Desiccant Dehumidifier Ideal For The UK

It is important to note that the Meaco DD8L Compact is a desiccant type dehmuidifier. Desiccant dehumidifiers have a number of advantages over compressor dehumidifiers.

One of the main advantages is that your actual extraction rate will be near the stated 8 litre extraction level (at least when you initially start using the dehumidifier). Compressor dehumidifiers may only extract half of their stated extraction rate. This is due to a higher test climate and the fact that compressor units improve in performance the higher the temperature climbs.

Very Low Running Costs Once Humidity Target Is Reached

As detailed below in this review, the Meaco DD8L features a moisture sensor which allows the machine to turn itself ‘on’ and ‘off’. As a result it is highly likely that once the set humidity level has been reached the Meaco DD8L will extract far less than 8 litres of moisture per day.

The instruction manual for the Meaco DD8L shows that the expected running cost is around 7p per hour. Bear in mind that the Meaco DD8L has a sensor that allows the machine to turn ‘on’ and ‘off’ automatically once the correct humidity level has been reached.

Save Up To 80% Of Energy With Control Logic Technology

The unit operates with Control Logic technology which turns the machine off for half an hour once the set humidity level has been reached. After half an hour the unit will automatically turn on in fan mode to sample the air. If the humidity level is broadly the same the unit goes back to sleep for another half an hour. If the humidity level has increased the Meaco DD8L will turn onto the appropriate fan setting and work at bringing the humidity level back down before turning off again.

Different dehumidifier brands have different versions of this technology. EcoAir calls their technology E7 or SEA Technology and Ecor Pro calls their energy-saving feature Fuzzy Control Logic. They all work by obeying algorithms.

Meaco’s Control Logic is the energy-saving technology that operates for the shortest time per hour.This makes the Meaco DD8L cheaper to run than dehumidifiers that don’t have this feature.

Energy Saving Meaco Compressor Dehumidifier

If the average temperature that you will be using your dehumidifier in will be over 20°C then a compressor model might be a better buy. In this case we suggest that you look at the very excellent Meaco Low Energy 20 Litre Dehumidifier which only uses just 255 watts power.

Save on Heating Bills!

An important point to mention is that the Meaco DD8L warms the air temperature by around 10-12 degrees which will save you on heating bills in the winter.

This increase in temperature is also very handy when you are drying washing indoors using laundry mode as the extra heat will help to dry your washing faster.

Check Out The Latest Meaco DD8L Price on Amazon Here

meaco dehumidifier best uk desiccant dd8l byemouldFilter and Tank

The Filter is Anti-Bacterial

The Meaco DD8L features an anti-bacterial filter which kills bacteria upon impact. This results on a much cleaner air than standard dust filters. In a great move Meaco have complimented the anti-bacterial filter with an ioniser.

The Ioniser Makes Breathing Much Easier

The ioniser releases negative ions which attach themselves to positive ions such as dust, dirt and pollen. The ions then become too heavy to be airborne and either fall into the filter or onto the ground where they can be hoovered up.

Those affected by breathing difficulties may notice breathing impairment when there is an excess amount of positive ions in the air. The ioniser eradicates many of these positive ions making breathing easier.

This makes the Meaco DD8L very effective for those who suffer from hay fever, asthma and other such problems.

The filter itself should be cleaned every 2 weeks for optimum performance however this is applicable to all dehumidifiers. Anti-bacterial filters should be given a light vacuum as washing them can remove their anti-bacterial properties.

Nice Size Water Tank

The Meaco DD8L’s water tank holds 2 litres of moisture. Several reviewers have said that you may need to empty the tank twice per day others have said they empty the tank once per day. How often it really needs emptying depends on the humidity level of the area and how often you use the dehumidifier.

The tank is situated at the bottom on the rear of the Meaco DD8L and easily slides straight out and back in again after emptying.

There is also a lid on the tank to avoid spillage as you pull the tank out of its place.

As usual it would be wise to turn the machine off 5 minutes before you want to empty the tank to allow all the moisture to drip down into the tank thus avoiding moisture dripping down when the tank is not in place.

Handy Continuous Drainage Option

The Meaco DD8L Compact comes supplied with a length of hose for the continuous drainage option. This option is handy if you want to use the dehumidifier in less visited places such as boats, caravans, sheds and garages.

Simply place the dehumidifier above a drain or sink, connect the hose and you can let the dehumidifier run for as long as you want.

Top Tip: If the supplied hose is too short you can also use a length of UK garden hose.

Auto Shut Off Saves Spillage

You’ll be glad to know that if you forget to empty the tank the Meaco DD8L switches off automatically when the tank is full. Once the tank has been emptied and inserted correctly will the Meaco DD8L Compact operate again.

meaco dd8l dehumidifier review byemould control panel timer ioniser fan speed humidity energy saving laundry mode tank full fault button home house

The Meaco DD8L Control Panel

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Control Panel

The control panel on the Meaco DD8L desiccant dehumidifier sits on top of the machine for easy access and features nice soft touch buttons.

Viewing the control panel from left to right we see:

Power Button

As the name implies the power button turns the dehumidifier ‘on’ and ‘off’

Warning Lights

Below the power button are two warning lights.

The first is the fault light which comes on when the air inlet is blocked which causes the unit to overheat internally.

The other light is the water tank full light which comes on when the water tank is full.

Fan Speeds

There are 3 fan speeds:

  1. Low
  2. High
  3. Laundry

When the fan is placed into high mode the machine turns automatically onto ‘continuous mode’.

Water extraction increases in medium and high modes. This increases the running wattage of the dehumidifier and it also increases the heat that the machine gives out.

 

Meaco DD8L compact portable dehumidifier byemould humidistad control logic energy savingHumidity Settings

There are three humidity settings which are indicated by water droplets. The settings are:

  1. Minimum – brings the humidity down to 60%
  2. Normal – brings the humidity down to 50%. This is the setting that you would normally use
  3. Maximum – brings the humidity down to 40% and then goes into its energy-saving Control Logic mode

The low setting controls relative humidity to 60% which controls mould in the immediate vicinity of the dehumidifier but not the whole house. Once 60% RH has been reached the DD8L goes on a half hour cycle as described above.

On the medium setting the Meaco DD8L aims for 50% RH which is suitable for most household needs. Once 50% RH has been reached the DD8L will go on the previously described half hour cycle.

The maximum setting aims for 40% RH which is ideal for getting condensation from single glazed windows or when the temperature drops below 5 degrees C. Once 40% RH is reached the DD8L goes onto the half hour cycle.

4 Options For The Timer

The timer can be set to run for 1, 2, 4 or 8 hour intervals.

Breathe Easy With The Ioniser

The button on the extreme right turns the ioniser ‘on’ or ‘off’. Personally whenever I am using the Meaco DD8L I make sure that the ioniser is ‘on’.

Control Panel Lock Up Is Nothing To Worry About

The control panel will lock up if one of the following happens:

  • Temperature below 10C
  • Temperature above 40C
  • Relative Humidity below 40%rh
  • Machine has been working hard and needs to cool down internally

The Meaco DD8L will start working again when conditions allow.

 

meaco dd8l dehumidifier review

Control Logic Operation

The Meaco DD8L is a crafty little machine in that it can sense the moisture in the air.

Once the appropriate moisture level has been reached the machine keeps running for an extra 5 minutes to make sure that all is ok. If the humidity level stays the same during those 5 minutes then the DD8L turns itself off.

Half an hour later it turns itself on again for 5 minutes and rechecks the humidity level. If the humidity level is within set parameters the machine turns itself off. If the RH (Relative Humidity) has crept back over set parameters then the Meaco Portable Compact Dehumidifier DD8L will keep working until it brings the RH level back down.

With this function the Meaco DD8L may only run for 10 minutes every hour making this dehumidifier very cost efficient as it uses only 1/6th of the power of other desiccant dehumidifiers.

Humidistat

This unit features a build in humidistat which allows it to turn on and off automatically as described above.

The Meaco DD8L works at temperatures between 1-37 degrees C.

Laundry Mode

The DD8L also features a Laundry mode which is perfect for drying clothes inside. The machine, which aims for RH of 35% on Laundry Mode, will catch the excess moisture in the air before any condensation forms on the windows etc.

The Meaco Portable Compact Dehumidifier DD8L also raises the air temperature by around 10-12 degrees so this also helps with the drying of the clothes.

When drying clothes place the clothes and Meaco DD8L in a small as possible room and close all doors and windows. Run the unit for as long as it needs too or use the timer function if you are heading out.

Be careful that clothes don’t cover the Meaco DD8L or that water, from wet clothes, drips onto the dehumidifier.

meaco dd8l dehumidifier review

Timer

The Meaco DD8L has a timer which you can set to turn the machine of after 1,2, 4 or 8 hours of use.

This is a perfect feature when using the Laundry mode to dry clothes.

Warranty

EU countries should receive a standard 2 year warranty. However an extended warranty of 5 years is also available.

Noise

The noise level on the low setting is comparable to that of the noise of an ordinary computer. On the medium level the noise volume is like a noisy computer with the fan on high speed. In the high setting the noise volume is akin to that of a hoover on a low setting.

Stated volume levels are 39 decibels for the low fan speed and 48 decibels for laundry mode. From personal experience I would agree with these volume levels but bear in mind that you will normally use the middle fan setting which gives an operating volume of around 43 decibels.

Don’t be too concerned about the noise level of this unit focus more on the features that the dehumidifier includes.

Who Is It For? Meaco DD8L Best Garage dehumidifier byemould caravan boat office hair dresser florist museum

The Meaco DD8L must have a great condenser inside as it extracts very strongly for an 8 litre desiccant dehumidifier. As such we think that the Meaco DD8L can handle large houses and smaller offices.

Bungalows, cottages, museums, florists, hair dressers and other humid work environments should also benefit from this great little dehumidifier.

Box Contains

1 x Dehumidifier

1 x Quick Start Guide

1 x Continuous Drainage Hose

Type

The Meaco DD8L is a desiccant type dehumidifier and is eco friendly. In fact there are many advantages of desiccant dehumidifiers over compressor types especially in the UK.

Final Thoughts

The Meaco DD8L is the near perfect dehumidifier as its features and specifications are balanced really well. The only extra we would like to see is an adjustable louvre but Meaco have added this to the new Meaco Zambezi Dehumidifier (as well as several features never seen on a dehumidifier previously!).

Due to the Control Logic technology the Meaco DD8L Compact can save you some serious operating cash and combined with features such as the anti-bacterial filter, the ioniser and laundry mode we are only too happy to recommend the Meaco DD8L for purchase.

>Click Here To See The Latest Meaco DD8L Price on Amazon<

Good Amazon Reviews

The Meaco DD8L rates 4.6 / 5 stars on Amazon.co.uk and is getting rave reviews. Since I own a Meaco DD8L Compact dehumidifier I would actually rate the unit a 4.8 / 5 as I really like the unit from all perspectives.

The two main buying points are that 1) it gets rid of mould and damp and 2) the running costs are very low and many reviewers focus on these (and many other points).

Anyhow, here are some things that verified purchasers are saying:

  • “Quiet and efficient.”
  • “Excellent in every way.”
  • “I should have bought one years ago!”
  • “I would highly recomment the DD8L.”
  • “I am so impressed with this little machine”
  • “highly recommend…did all expected & more”
  • “Amazing results. Two weeks of use and not a drop of condensation”

Meaco DD8L Compact Video

Here is an excellent video on the Meaco DD8L by Chris Michael from Meaco:

meaco dd8l dehumidifier review

We hope that you found this Meaco dehumidifier review beneficial. If you’ve got any questions please comment below.