Brits, can £39.99 beat damp this winter? Aldi’s 2-litre dehumidifier dries rooms up to 15 m²

Households now face a familiar winter dilemma.

As colder, wetter weather sets in, Aldi is putting a compact 2‑litre dehumidifier on shelves for £39.99, aiming squarely at damp corners, steamed-up glass and laundry that refuses to dry. With Specialbuys known to come and go, the arrival date matters: this one lands on 23 October and targets smaller rooms up to 15 m².

Why this £39.99 unit has people talking

Price sits at the heart of the buzz. Dehumidifiers can run into the hundreds, yet Aldi’s pitch arrives at under £40 with a 2‑litre tank, a carry-friendly footprint and coverage designed for box rooms, small bedrooms or snug living spaces. Many shoppers now see moisture control as a way to protect paintwork, wardrobes and lungs without turning the heating up.

Launch date: 23 October. Price: £39.99. Tank: 2 litres. Coverage: up to 15 m². Availability: Specialbuys, limited run.

The model targets two seasonal pain points: persistent condensation and laundry that lingers on airers for days. Pulling water from indoor air can cut the time wet fabrics take to dry and help keep black mould at bay, especially behind furniture and around cold external walls.

What it does well in real homes

Condensation control for small spaces

Bedrooms and home offices often sit just within that 15 m² bracket. Overnight breathing adds litres of moisture to the air. A compact unit working on a low setting through the evening can reduce bead formation on glass and trickling frames by morning.

Laundry support without cranking the radiators

Place the dehumidifier next to an airer, close the door and let it circulate for a few hours. You’ll feel the difference in fabric touch and room freshness. It also reduces that musty odour that sometimes clings to towels when they dry slowly.

Run it near the clothes, shut windows and doors, and check the tank after a few hours—you’ll see results in litres.

How much could it cost to run?

Running costs depend on the unit’s wattage and your tariff. Small home dehumidifiers often sit around 120–200 W. If you assume 150 W and a typical electricity rate of 28p per kWh:

• Power use for 6 hours: 0.15 kW × 6 = 0.9 kWh
• Estimated cost: 0.9 kWh × £0.28 ≈ £0.25 per day

Check the rating label and your unit rate to refine that figure. Many households find short, targeted sessions—after showers or while drying laundry—deliver the best value.

Practical setup tips that make a difference

• Shut doors and windows to create a controlled zone; the unit works harder with open drafts.
• Aim for 40–60% relative humidity; a budget hygrometer gives quick feedback.
• Place it near damp sources—airers, bathroom doors, or cold external walls.
• Empty the 2‑litre tank before bedtime to avoid auto shut‑off during the night.
• Clean the air filter monthly; airflow drops when dust builds up.
• Elevate slightly on a sturdy stool if the floor is very cold; that can improve intake airflow.

Who it suits—and who may need more

This compact model suits flats, small homes and single rooms where space is tight and budgets even tighter. If you live in a stone cottage, have a basement flat or face chronic moisture across multiple rooms, you may need a higher‑capacity unit, a model with a dedicated laundry programme, or a desiccant machine for unheated spaces.

Small room, small spend, clear targets: spot treat the damp zones first, then scale up only if you need to.

Alternatives and add‑ons from the same aisle

If you prefer to focus on drying clothes directly, Aldi also plans two heated airers: a winged model at £34.99 and an upright version at £79.99 from 26 October. Pairing a heated airer with a dehumidifier can shorten drying time further and reduce moisture drifting into hallways and bedrooms.

Not sure which technology you need?

Compressor vs desiccant at a glance

• Compressor units perform best in warmer rooms; they generally use less power per litre of water removed in heated spaces.
• Desiccant units keep extracting in cooler, unheated rooms and can add a touch of gentle warmth to the air stream.

Aldi’s budget option targets typical, heated rooms up to 15 m². If you plan to tackle a cold garage or utility, a desiccant model such as EcoAir’s DD1 Simple MK3 often suits that task. For larger homes or heavy laundry use, a high‑capacity model like the Pro Breeze 30 L or a quiet, energy‑minded all‑rounder like Meaco’s Arete Two merits a look.

What to check before you buy

• Room size: measure the floor area; this unit covers up to 15 m².
• Tank size: 2 litres means frequent emptying on wet days; consider a hose outlet if you need continuous drainage.
• Noise: plan placement away from pillows if you run it at night.
• Access: ensure the tank slides out easily if mobility is a concern.
• Controls: a simple humidity target or laundry mode saves guesswork.

A quick guide to safer, drier living

High humidity does more than fog glass. It feeds mould spores and dust mites that can aggravate asthma and trigger coughing. Paint can blister, window frames can swell, and wardrobes can trap a stale smell that’s hard to shift. Keeping indoor humidity in the 40–60% range limits these problems. Combine controlled ventilation with targeted dehumidifying and wipe down wet sills daily during cold snaps.

If you miss out on launch day

Specialbuys rotate. If stock disappears, look for similar specifications: 2–3 litre tanks, coverage aligned to your smallest damp room, and a clear, removable filter. Consider borrowing or renting a larger unit for a week if you need a fast reset after a leak or during a very wet spell. A short, intensive burst often brings humidity back into line, after which a compact unit can maintain balance.

Extra money‑saving angles to consider

Drying racks near radiators push heating costs up because wet clothes trap heat. A dehumidifier sidesteps that problem by removing water directly from the air. You can also schedule runs for off‑peak hours if your tariff offers a lower night rate. Keep doors shut during those hours to lock in the benefit.

Finally, think prevention as well as cure. Fit trickle vents, lift furniture slightly off external walls, and seal bathroom gaps. A small dehumidifier then works as a daily helper rather than a constant crutch, reducing costs and leaving rooms fresher through the season.