Meaco 20l vs 12l low energy dehumidifiers
Since its inception in 1991, the Meaco brand has risen to be one of the most respected names in the home dehumidifier marketplace.
After switching from specialising in monitoring and control equipment for museums and art galleries to home dehumidifier solutions in 2005, Meaco has become a significant player worldwide. It is considered the gold standard in the domestic dehumidifier industry.
Meaco dehumidifiers consistently list in the top ten best-rated products in the Which? Best Buy range and they have built their reputation on being very reliable and good value for money.
For anyone considering a Meaco dehumidifier, choosing between the Meaco 20L and the Meaco 12L model can be challenging. This article aims to take a close look at the advantages and differences of these two models to help you make the right decision.
Meaco 20L vs 12L Quick Comparison
| Feature | Meaco 20L | Meaco 12L |
| Capacity | 20L | 12L |
| Air Flow | 100m³/hour | 160m³/hour |
| Weight | 12.6kg | 9.5kg |
| Dimensions | 29D x 23.4W x 59.5H cent. | 9.8D x 32.5W x 47.5H cent. |
| Power | 255W | 157W |
| Operation mode | Continuous | Continuous |
| Air Purifier | Yes | Yes |
| Fan Speeds | Two | One |
| Noise level | Maximum 46dB(A) | Maximum 44dB(A) |
Meaco 20L home dehumidifier
The Meaco 20L is considered to be one of the best dehumidifiers on the domestic market. It ticks all the right boxes for customer expectations, including energy efficiency, low-noise levels, water extraction, and ease of use.
This model is a refrigerant dehumidifier, which means it works better in warm and humid environments such as the home. But unlike other refrigerant dehumidifiers, the Meaco 20L model also works exceptionally well at lower temperatures.
The main benefit of choosing the Meaco 20L over a similar brand of refrigerant dehumidifier is that you can use it in cooler areas of your home, or in spaces that are not heated, such as in the garage or your caravan.
Meaco 20L Low Energy Dehumidifier
Dehumidifier and Air Purifier 2 in 1- Dehumidifier For Medium to Large Size Homes – Controls Humidity & Cleans Air All Year Round with HEPA filter
Size and space considerations
While the Meaco 20L has outstanding efficiency levels, you need to remember that this model isn’t the most compact or space-saving option on the market.
It measures 39x62x29 cm and weighs 13.7kg, which means it may not be suitable for use in smaller rooms with little floor space as it may take up too much space. It is fitted with castors and a pull handle, so it is easy to move around your rooms, but it may be a little too big for a smaller home or for a place with many small rooms.
Is it ideal for a bedroom?
The Meaco 20L model compares quite favourably in noise levels compared to similar makes and models on the same size market.
However, it has been measured to reach 45dB, so if you plan to run it overnight in a bedroom while sleeping, you may find it too noisy unless you are okay with a bit of white noise.
It does have an automatic timer that allows you to switch it off between one to twenty-four hours, so you could programme it to turn off just before you go to bed and then automatically switch back on in the morning. This is a handy feature as you can set it and forget it and leave it to remove damp air from your bedroom when you are not present.
A+ energy rating
This model is one of the most energy-efficient dehumidifiers on the market. It is not just the unit’s initial cost that concerns people today but the ongoing running costs and energy consumption.
The Meaco 20L is very effective, and it won’t cost you the earth to run it in your home. Over the long term, the amount of money and inconvenience you can save by having a damp and mould free home more than makes up for the initial cost of this model.
With its 20L water tank and HEPA filter, this model can help to reduce dampness, mildew, dust and allergens in your home.
Customer feedback and summary
The Meaco 20L dehumidifier is a 2 in 1 home dehumidifier for medium to large size homes. It controls humidity and cleans air all year round with a HEPA filter.
It has a laundry mode, digital display, variable humidistat, 24 hr timer, and child lock. The dehumidifier switches to fan-only mode once a humidity setpoint is achieved, saving you money on your electricity bill.
Popular in 3 – 5 bedroom homes to deal with damp, condensation and mould issues. Independently proven to use just 219 watts, saving you money – 3p/hour based on 15.32p/kWh at 20°C and 60%rh.
Customer feedback from a user with a three-bedroomed home stated it effectively keeps damp at bay. Another customer reports that their model has been filling the tank every 12 hours or so and is very good at keeping their flat comfortable and dry.
The Meaco 12L Low energy dehumidifier
Meaco 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier
Dehumidifier and Air Purifier 2 in 1- Quiet Dehumidifier For Flats, Apartments & Small Homes – Controls Humidity & Cleans Air Year Round, Comes with HEPA Filter
On the surface, this is a smaller version of the award-winning 20L Meaco model. It is a refrigerant dehumidifier, which means it will excel when working at higher room temperatures with higher humidity levels.
This model is also fitted with a frost watch that prevents the unit from extracting water from the air during freezing conditions, which can damage the unit’s inner workings.
The main difference between the 12L and the 20L model is their size and weight. The Meaco 12L weighs 9.7kg and measures 24.8 x 48.5 x 32.5 cm. This makes it one of the smaller and lighter dehumidifier models on the market today.
One of the most significant advantages of the Meaco 12L is that it’s more suitable for smaller homes, flats, or moving around homes with lots of smaller rooms.
Advantages of the 12L Meaco model
Obviously, the 12L Meaco model doesn’t have the large capacity water tank that the 20L model has, but it does hold 12-litres of water, which is an excellent capacity for drying out a smaller home.
Using only 165 watts of energy, the 12L model is ideal if you want to reduce your electricity consumption when running a dehumidifier.
The dehumidifier settings are easy to use, and if you plan on moving the unit around your home, the 12L model is lighter and easier to carry up and down stairs than the 20L model.
It comes with a built-in child lock to prevent your kids from fiddling around with the controls or changing the timer or settings when it is in another room in your home.
Like the larger 20L model, the 12L model has a humidistat feature that helps to monitor the humidity level in a room. Your dehumidifier will switch on and off according to the set point of your chosen humidity level.
Are there any downsides?
If you are choosing between the 20L and 12L Meaco dehumidifier models, then this all boils down to the size of your home. The 12L is more suited to smaller homes and may struggle to dry out a large 4 or 5 bedroom home effectively unless you are willing to move it around from room to room a lot.
In terms of noise levels, the Meaco 12L has a similar noise level to other dehumidifiers of the same size, reaching up to 44dB. If you plan to run a dehumidifier overnight in your bedroom while you are sleeping, there are quieter models on the market.
Meaco 12L main features
The Meaco 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier and Air Purifier is a 2 in 1, quiet dehumidifier ideal for flats and small homes. It helps to control humidity and cleans the air year-round. It comes with a HEPA filter.
Measuring 24.8 x 48.5 x 32.5 centimetres and weighing 9.5 Kilograms, it is a cost-effective choice for those wanting a dehumidifier with low running costs and easy portability.
Meaco 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier
Dehumidifier and Air Purifier 2 in 1- Quiet Dehumidifier For Flats, Apartments & Small Homes – Controls Humidity & Cleans Air Year Round, Comes with HEPA Filter
Although recommended for use in flats and smaller one or two-bedroom homes, this model can still be a practical choice for those with a small three-bedroomed home and an open-plan layout.
The HEPA filter effectively removes the most common household allergens, including dust and pollen. This model can be used as an air purifier in the Spring and Summer.
The Meaco 12L has a handy laundry drying setting that makes it a popular choice for those living in flats with no outdoor drying space.
Customer feedback and summary
Customer feedback for the Meaco 12L model is overall positive. Many users report emptying the water tank every day, showing how effective this model is at removing moisture from the air.
Customers are also delighted with the laundry setting, saying it is effective at drying out clothes and bedding quickly and effectively without them remaining damp or smelling musty.
A user with a three-bedroom house positioned this model on the landing of their house, leaving all the doors open, and it has effectively reduced damp patches in two of their bedrooms.
Another customer purchased a hose to use their model for continuous drainage. The Meaco 12L doesn’t come with a drain hose, but they are easy and cheap to buy online.
The only negative comments from users are that the unit isn’t enough for them to use in the bedroom while sleeping. However, moving it out onto the landing and closing the bedroom door was enough to reduce the fan’s noise down to a comfortable level for sleep.
