Meaco Arete One 20L
(13 reviews)
Meaco's flagship living-room dehumidifier: up to 20 L/day extracted, built-in HEPA H13 purifier, just 38 dB, backed by a 5-year warranty.
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Key features
- Moisture extraction: Up to 20 L/day, 4.8 L front-loading tank
- Noise level: 38 dB(A) on low speed, twice as quiet as the industry average
- Filtration: Built-in medical-grade HEPA H13 filter: purifies the air as well as dehumidifying
- The only domestic dehumidifier backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty
In detail: Meaco Arete One 20L
The Meaco Arete One 20L is the flagship model in Meaco's Arete range, built for larger living spaces: living rooms, open-plan dining areas or multi-bedroom homes where humidity, condensation on windows and early signs of mould are a recurring problem. It sits above the Meaco Arete One 12L in the range, with a larger extraction capacity and tank for the homes most exposed to damp.
Its rated extraction capacity reaches 20 litres of water a day under standard industry test conditions; in real-world use, expect closer to 8 to 9 litres a day at 20°C and 60% relative humidity, and up to 14 litres a day when the air is very humid (80% RH), which remains more than enough to dry out a damp room quickly. The 4.8-litre front-loading tank cuts down on trips to empty it; a fitting for a 12.5 mm continuous drainage hose is also included, with an optional LIPU pump available to pump water upward without any intervention.
Unlike a plain dehumidifier, the Arete One 20L carries a medical-grade HEPA H13 filter, 75% larger than on the brand's Low Energy models, paired with a dust filter: the unit purifies the surrounding air of fine particles, pollen and allergens at the same time as pulling out excess moisture. The result of five years of development according to Meaco, it stays surprisingly quiet for a unit of this capacity, between 38 dB(A) on low speed and 40 dB(A) on high speed, twice as quiet as the industry average.
On the features side, the Arete One 20L offers an air-tumbling laundry-drying mode, a night mode with a dimmed display and child lock, a hygrostat adjustable from 40 to 70% relative humidity to automatically hold the target level, plus auto-restart after a power cut and automatic defrost from 5°C. Its flat-back design lets it sit against a wall without blocking the rear air intake, and discreet castors make it easier to move between rooms despite its 15 kg weight.
The limitations stay modest: unlike the Arete Two, this One model has neither Wi-Fi nor an app, only two fan speeds, and its price sits well above entry-level compressor dehumidifiers. But the Arete One 20L is the only domestic dehumidifier on the market backed by a free 5-year manufacturer warranty, a strong argument for a purchase meant to last. For a living room or a home regularly affected by condensation, this flagship model effectively combines quiet running, HEPA H13 filtration and durability.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics
Additional information
| Type | 2-in-1 compressor dehumidifier and air purifier |
|---|---|
| Moisture extraction | Up to 20 litres/day (test conditions); around 8.5 L/day at 20°C/60% RH, 14 L/day at 20°C/80% RH |
| Power | 216 W at 20°C/60% RH (up to 250 W maximum) |
| Airflow | 145 m³/h on low speed, 160 m³/h on high speed |
| Noise level | 38 dB(A) on low speed, 40 dB(A) on high speed |
| Tank capacity | 4.8 litres, front-loading |
| Filtration | Medical-grade HEPA H13 filter (75% larger than the brand's Low Energy models), dust filter; optional carbon filter available |
| Hygrostat | Adjustable from 40% to 70% relative humidity |
| Modes | Laundry-drying mode, night mode with child lock, auto-restart, automatic defrost from 5°C |
| Drainage | Removable tank or continuous drainage via 12.5 mm hose; optional LIPU pump |
| Recommended coverage | Up to 100 m² under a 2.5 m ceiling, for larger homes up to 4 bedrooms |
| Castors | Discreet built-in castors, flat back for placement against a wall |
| Dimensions | 61.8 x 36.6 x 27.2 cm (H x W x D) |
| Weight | 15 kg |
| Operating temperature range | 5°C to 35°C |
| Manufacturer warranty | 5 years, included |
Comparison
In the UK market where the Meaco range is most developed, the Arete One 20L is often compared with its own bigger sibling, the MeacoDry Arete Two 20L, in searches like "Arete One vs Two". Here is how the two compare, based on each manufacturer's published specifications.
| Criterion | Meaco Arete One 20L | Meaco Arete Two 20L |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture extraction | Up to 20 L/day (test conditions) | Up to 20.45 L/day (test conditions) |
| Fan speeds | 2 speeds | 3 speeds |
| Noise level | 38 to 40 dB(A) | 38 to 50 dB(A) depending on speed |
| Connectivity | None, controlled on the unit | Wi-Fi, Meaco app, compatible with Alexa and Google Home |
| Filtration | Medical-grade HEPA H13 | Medical-grade HEPA H13 |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
In short, the Meaco Arete One 20L focuses on the essentials, generous extraction, HEPA H13 filtration and quiet running, at a more accessible price, while the Arete Two adds a third fan speed and connected control at the cost of a higher budget and a louder peak on maximum speed. For most household uses, the Arete One 20L remains the more versatile choice.
Related video
Video: Meaco Arete One 20L Dehumidifier Unboxing and Hands on Review - Published on 4 October 2021
Our tester's verdict: Christophe Delpuech
Christophe Delpuech: Set up in an open-plan living room prone to condensation on the windows every autumn morning, the Arete One 20L took under three days to bring humidity back down to around 50%, from over 70% at the start. The 4.8-litre tank was filling up in about a day at that rate, and it is genuinely handy that it loads from the front, no lifting the whole unit to empty it. Once the air settled, the unit switched to automatic mode and stopped needing much attention beyond emptying every two or three days. What really stands out is how quiet it is: on low speed it fades into the background noise of a normal evening, and even on high speed there is nothing like the constant drone of an entry-level compressor unit. The laundry-drying mode proved a real bonus on a rainy day, with washing noticeably drier within a few hours when placed near the airflow. Two honest gripes after several weeks: the unit stays fairly hefty at 15 kg, not exactly built to be moved between rooms daily despite the castors, and the lack of Wi-Fi, unlike the Arete Two, means walking over to check or adjust the humidity setting. For a living space that stays damp on an ongoing basis, though, the combination of quiet running, HEPA H13 filtration and a 5-year warranty remains very convincing.
Frequently asked questions: Meaco Arete One 20L
It is a compressor dehumidifier that extracts excess moisture from the air (up to 20 L/day under test conditions), while purifying the air through its built-in HEPA H13 filter: useful against condensation, mould and damp odours in a home.
Yes, it runs between 38 dB(A) on low speed and 40 dB(A) on high speed according to the manufacturer, twice as quiet as the industry average, which makes it comfortable to leave running overnight.
Its flat-back design lets it sit against a wall without blocking the rear air intake, ideally in the dampest room (living room, basement, utility room). It suits larger rooms and homes up to around 100 m² under a standard ceiling.
The 4.8-litre front-loading tank empties easily into a sink or toilet. A fitting for a 12.5 mm continuous drainage hose is included, and an optional LIPU pump is available to pump water upward.
The 20L offers a larger extraction capacity and tank, built for bigger living spaces or multi-bedroom homes, while the 12L targets a flat or medium-sized room. Both share the same HEPA H13 filter and 5-year warranty.
No, unlike the Meaco Arete Two, the Arete One is controlled only from its built-in display, with no Wi-Fi or app. For remote control, the Arete Two range is the one to look at.
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Page published on 5 August 2026