Over the years I have been tracking my experience with dehumidifiers. My biggest complaint about dehumidifiers generally is they simply don’t hold up over the long term. Add to that how expensive dehumidifiers are and it can be frustrating to say the least. I have been chronicling my experience and also sharing how to buy a dehumidifier with an extended warranty.
Recently, a representative from Meaco reached out to me so I could do a Meaco dehumidifier review. I was previously unfamiliar with the UK based company but I was interested in checking one out for myself and putting it to the test for years to come. Meaco offers a 2-year warranty with their dehumidifiers which is in line or better than some of their competitors. A quick search for dehumidifiers on Amazon showed that some manufacturers only offer a one year warranty.
The unit I received for this Meaco review was the DD8L Zambezi. This is the 8 liter version that seemed to keep up with keeping our basement nice and dry during the humid midwest summer. It is capable of collecting 17 pints per day running at 650 watts. What sets this dehumidifier apart from many is the Zeolite desiccant material. This chemical absorbs odors from the air from items like cigarettes, cosmetics, etc.
Instead of using a compressor along with a cold surface like many dehumidifiers, a desiccant dehumidifier absorbs moisture via a desiccant wheel. In my experience, it is these compressor-style dehumidifiers that seem to break down after only 1 or 2 years. While the Meaco DD8L Zambezi is more expensive than most compressor dehumidifiers, it is a premium worth paying if it lasts for years to come. I will continue to update the bottom of this post with any updates. Other benefits of this desiccant dehumidifier are that it is lighter weight and quieter (39dB) than its compressor-styled counterparts.
Beyond the different approach to removing humidity, the Meaco dehumidifier looks and operates in a similar fashion. The DD8L Zambezi has a bucket for water collection with the option of connecting a drain hose. Other features include fan speed, timer, child lock, clock, laundry mode as well as a filter. It also has an ionizer function which according to their marketing materials is clinically proven to remove germs, bacteria, mold spores, and ticks from the air. One unique feature is the motorized rotating air deflector which allows you to direct the dry air coming from the unit.
Another thing that I really like about the Meaco dehumidifier is that there are ways to reduce energy consumption. In low fan speed, the dehumidifier uses 300 watts and in medium or high fan speed it uses 600 watts. You’ll also notice that Meaco uses elephants on their displays and it is also part of their branding. The company donates £2 to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
Conclusion
While it is too soon to say for sure whether the DD8L Zambezi is better than other dehumidifiers I have tried, I am happy with it so far. I will continue to report back on this DD8L Zambezi review and share it with readers whether it holds up over the long term. You can also read reviews over on the Amazon product page. Note that this is a product that is eligible for a protection plan when you purchase it from Amazon (currently $44.99 for 4 years and $33.99 for 3 years). This is something I always recommend.