The excellent Meaco DD8L Desiccant Dehumidifier
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
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Extraction Rate and Running Cost 
The Meaco DD8L Compact
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
The instruction manual for the Meaco DD8L
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
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
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.
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Filter 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
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
The Meaco DD8L Control Panel
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Control Panel
The control panel on the Meaco DD8L
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:
- Low
- High
- 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.
Humidity Settings
There are three humidity settings which are indicated by water droplets. The settings are:
- Minimum – brings the humidity down to 60%
- Normal – brings the humidity down to 50%. This is the setting that you would normally use
- 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
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.
Control Logic Operation
The Meaco DD8L
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
With this function the Meaco DD8L
Humidistat
This unit features a build in humidistat which allows it to turn on and off automatically as described above.
The Meaco DD8L
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
When drying clothes place the clothes and Meaco DD8L
Be careful that clothes don’t cover the Meaco DD8L
Timer
The Meaco DD8L
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? 
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
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.
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Good Amazon Reviews
The Meaco DD8L
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:
We hope that you found this Meaco dehumidifier review beneficial. If you’ve got any questions please comment below.